𝓐𝓬𝓬𝓾𝓻𝓼𝓮𝓭 𝓒𝓻𝓸𝔀𝓷 {𝓐𝓣𝓛𝓐}

Part 2: Old Child

Princess Ursa is close to her due date. Her stomach and breasts have noticeably grown, her body preparing for the nurture of a child.

You stand beside her, from when she wakes up to when she goes to sleep. You are the first and last thing that her eyes have laid on for the past eight months.

She has grown an appreciation towards you, while no one's there to support her, you're always right beside her. Your eyes never leaving and your presence never fading. You have become her source of comfort.

Not even her supposed husband is present throughout her pregnancy. Other than the fleeting greeting they exchange, their interactions stayed minimal.

With your hands folded behind you, you stand on guard by a tree as your lady goes on her daily stroll. The royal garden was an arrangement on itself, countless numbers of plants and florals decorated the land. Each bush and patch neatly color coordinated, arranged into a certain pattern which one could only see from the tallest tower of the palace.

You feel someone staring at you, lifting your head just a bit, you catch the gold of the princess's eyes. Your brows furrowed a bit before looking back down.

When you first caught her staring, you assumed that she was studying you, for the first couple of days that was what you thought. But as days went by, the time she would stare at you increased.

You see a flutter of red silk in the corner of your eyes. As she draws closer, you notice the pained expression on her face.

Before you could say anything, you see the bottom half of her robe dampening. Her legs give out but just as she was about to fall, you catch her.

Realization sets in, she was about to give birth.

You know you wouldn't be able to carry her all the way back to her chambers, so once you guided her towards the tree to rest by, you planned to go fetch someone.

But just as you were about to run for help, you were held back by the princess. "Please... don't leave me." Her voice was barely above a whisper. The tears in her eye threatened to fall as she looked up at you with fear.

Taking a deep breath, you shoot a blast of fire into the air. With that, at least one of the royal guards would be able to come to your aid.

The grip on your hand was still present.

Kneeling beside her, you place your free, warm, hand on hers.

Just as you sat down, you were quick to be wrapped in a pair of arms. Her head rested between the junction between your neck and shoulder. Her breathing was ragged as you finally felt her tears fall on what little exposed skin that you had.

She held you tight as if you were a lifeline.

Unbeknownst to you, you were.

Ever since you came into her life, her loneliness subsided.

She could count on one hand the number of good or pleasant things her husband has given to her. And one of those very few things, were you.

Not once has she seen that man during her labour. Only after did he came in to see her child. And even then, she had to plead for him not to throw her newborn, the child she went through all that pain and suffering for, out of the palace.

But, since the moment her water broke, it was you who was there for her. It was you, poor little you, who stood in the shadow of the absent husband.

Your tiny hands, marred with scars and burns too much for even an adult, held hers. Young raspy voice giving her support and guidance without even knowing what exactly to do.