The Royals of Silvercrest

20

Queen Leia's POV:

I wake feeling a new sensation, my babe had moved lower.

I went for my ladies to help me dress.

By end of day however, I return to my chambers early, a deep ache spreading through my lower back and abdomen.

It is only then that I realize what is happening.

The babe is coming.

I call for the guard.

The door opens in an instant.

"Yes, Your Majesty?"

I withhold a groan as I stand, dressed only in a nightgown.

"Summon the midwives. The babe is coming."

With a brisk nod and bow, he exits.

The midwives enter moments later.

My ladies enter as well carrying water and towels.

Two of them carefully aide my back to bed.

One places a few towels below my head.

"Everything will be alright, Your Majesty. We have done this many times before." The eldest one reassures

I give her a small smile before wincing in pain.

As the day turns to night, I am exhausted, my body drenched in sweat.

I grip the sides of the bed so hard my knuckles turn white.

"Push, Your Majesty."

I inhale a shaky breath and with a scream, push as hard as I can.

The eldest midwife lifts my dress, checking my progress.

I see her facial expression harden.

She turns to one of the younger midwives.

"Send for the King."

I move to try and see and am immediately ushered to our back down.

My heart begins to race even faster now.

"What's wrong? Is my baby okay?" I ask worried, tears pooling in my eyes

She doesn't say anything, looking far away.

"I command you to speak!"

"You are losing too much blood, Your Majesty."

King Shane's POV:

I rush into the Queen's chambers.

What I see before me causes my breath the freeze in my lungs.

My dearest wife lies still, blood pooling from her legs and dripping onto the hardwood. I did not know much about the birth of a child but I did know that something wasn't right. As I take in her condition: pale, sweaty and....

She's not breathing.

Her chest hasn't moved since I walked in here.

"Your Majesty-" One of the midwives begins

I hold up a hand to silence her, rushing over to my wife.

I place my head upon her chest.

Nothing.

Then quickly to her womb.

There's no movement.

I turn to face them.

" Send for the physician. Save the child!"

"Your Majesty-"

"Everyone shall do as ordered or be held for treason!" I snap

I place my head upon my wife's chest, staring up at her. The door opens and I don't move, ordering the physician to save the babe. I try my hardest to tune out the sound of the scalpel cutting into Leia. I close my eyes silently begging for them to come back to me. The swuishi v sounds cause me to gag a bit and the silence that follows is deafening.

"You had a son, Your Majesty."

I just lie my head upon my wife, tears streaming down my face.

"Clear the room. Wrap the babe and clear the room."

The footsteps rush about before leaving.

I walk over to my son lying still in his blanket.

I am so sorry I could not save you.

I place a kiss upon his head before lying him in his mother's arms.

I lie a blanket over both of them.

My wife and son....

Gone.

I grieve by their side for hours.

When I leave, I call for the guards to retrieve them.

Then I return to my chambers.