𝓑𝓮𝓪𝓾𝓽𝔂 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓑𝓮𝓪𝓼𝓽| 𝑶𝒏𝒆 𝒑𝒊𝒆𝒄𝒆

𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉ℯ𝓇 25

"How could this happen?" Rue whispered, her eyes glossy with tears. Caspian helped her sit up; she propped herself on her elbows, her gaze fixed on the servants, who bowed their heads in shame.

It was utter silence as she processed everything. She heard it—she knew what she heard. The baby cried nice and loud, and the sound of it brought her enormous joy. Though the baby came earlier than expected, his voice had been sonorous—like a delicate chime swaying in the breeze.

She couldn't believe a human life came out of her. Hours in labour, months spent on threading on thin ice, swallowing her fears of childbirth, finally, to come down to this moment. She stared at the silver object in her hand, a silver rattle for her baby.

All precautions were taken, Caspian hadn't left a single stone unturned. Two other women in the palace had lost their children under unknown circumstances. The cases were still being investigated.

To avoid another tragedy, Caspian ensured Rue's safety. And yet...

Things weren't supposed to end like this. Her mind blanked, her eyes dimmed, losing their lush blue, and her lips trembled. She clutched the rattle in her palm.

This wasn't supposed to end this way.

She looked to Caspian, whose gaze was sympathetic. He brushed a hand on her shoulders, squeezing them in comfort. He took her hand in his.

With a wave of his hand, he dismissed the servants. Though Hanabi and Yue were reluctant at first, they obeyed nonetheless. They quickly left the room, the shuffle of their steps echoing. The door creaked as it closed to enable them some privacy.

"The doctor said there were some complications," he whispered, his gaze softening. "The baby arrived too early; he wouldn't live long."

Rue froze as tears streamed down her face. Her heart sank at the words he used. He...It was a baby boy.

Caspian held her close to his chest as he rubbed her forearm. She muffled her cries with her palm, "I heard him cry." She squeezed his forearm, ruffling his attire. "I heard him cry..."

She kept repeating those words. Her mind was looping the moment , like a broken record. She heard him cry...She heard him cry...

And yet...her baby boy died.

Their little prince died.

Her form trembled in his arms. She wept harder, her tears flowing uncontrollably. The scent of precious oils in the room now made her nauseous. Her mind became a fog, her head felt split open from an incoming headache. She knew she looked like a complete mess. Her hair was out of order, left with messy curls. Her clothes were filthy from her sweat, but...She didn't want to think of anything right now.

She held on to him like he was her lifeline. Clutching the fabric of his clothing, soaking it with every ounce of tears she could muster. Was this her doing? Was this because she was...she was a beast?

Was her other form the problem? Was she the cause of her loved one's pain?

First, it was Kaian. Then, Eli. Now, her baby boy. Was she cursed to face misery?

"I was looking forward to seeing him." Rue's heart sank deeper than any abyss at sea could swallow. Guilt flooded her as she caught the distant look in his eye.

Despite everything they have been through. Despite the way he has treated her, she...She missed him, she missed the old Caspian. She knew deep down this wasn't healthy, Aurora had warned her—no pleaded with her—to take whatever chance she got to leave. But...