Once Upon A [Hidden] Time - [Stolen] Series IV

CHAPTER 50

JASMINE
JUNE 1199

"Congratulations, sister-in-law," Andrew bowed before me, his eyes never leaving mine.

"You are in my court," I announced with mild irritation.

The colour drained from his face. "Your Majesty," he said quietly. "I apologise, but I am a happy uncle now."

I tried to fake a smile, but somehow, when he was in front of me, I could not. I tried to keep him away from the court when I found out I was with child. I still remember asking my brother to plant a lilac tree in the garden to bring happiness and a safe birth.

A few months later, the midwife told me I was not with one child but more than two—she could feel at least three heads in my womb. During those months, the tree grew taller and wider, creating the most beautiful flowers of a light shade of purple.

In my mind, I had fancied the idea of having a beautiful daughter—my princess, wearing a beautiful lilac-coloured gown on her betrothal to some handsome prince. Perhaps I should consider the proposal for my daughter that came from the King of France.

But knowing what the future would bring to me and my children, I had stayed quiet and had not answered the King of France. I would want my daughter to marry for love, and not for some mere transaction to secure our alliance with other kingdoms. And the danger that constantly loomed over my head made me more protective and anxious.

Since I could see behind the walls, behind the dark curtains, inside the mind, and deep into the soul, I could also see that I had six babies in my womb. It was miraculous. I had not heard of a woman giving birth to six babies in my kingdom. With five princes and one princess on its way, I was on top of the world—but to avoid the evil eye of my vile brother-in-law, I have kept the count of babies a secret.

David still did not know, but he had often commented that my belly was bigger than other women with child that he had seen. Being my husband and father to my six children, he should know, but with his brother around him, drinking into the late hours of the night, he might slip out the truth in excitement.

I wished to travel to the twenty-first century, back to the hospital, to get an ultrasound done. I wanted to make sure everything was fine in my womb, but since the day I had conceived, I had failed to time travel. My advisor was helping me, bringing me calcium and iron supplements, but there was nothing else I could do. My powers had completely failed during my pregnancy.

I knew Andrew's intentions. He'd soon defame me for witchcraft and bearing six children all at once, but if he found out sooner, God knew what catastrophes he could bring. I could hang him for treason, but in the light of justice, he hadn't done anything against the state's laws right now. So I had no proof that he'd harm me, except for my instincts and my ability to see the future. If I told my subjects that I'd want this man hanged, drawn, and quartered just because I could see the future, they would suspect me of witchcraft.

Andrew was already spreading rumours about my power to obtain the throne. People at court were constantly gossiping about how I had tricked King Audrey in his unconscious state of mind. In order to smother the fiery rumour, I crowned David with the title of King of England. He wasn't supposed to be the King and should have worked as a Duke, but I had to deflect the court from the gossip, so they would not argue that I stole the inheritance from David.

I could hear everyone's mind at court. The only thing I wasn't able to see was my children's future—or mine. I knew not how my labour would go, or if I'd have a miscarriage.

Carrying six babies inside my womb was getting harder every day. I was hardly able to leave my bed, or walk, or attend the court. Many times, David apologised on my behalf for not attending the court due to my restless condition. The babies didn't all sleep at one time. At least one of them was always awake in my womb, kicking and moving, waking the others. Perhaps they were restless, too. Or they could sense the danger looming over them.