A Face that launched a thousand ships

Part 16

  part 16

Another three months had already passed; it was Maria's ninth month of pregnancy. Preparations for the upcoming war were intense. The war would be in a week or so, depending on when Maria would give birth.

"Love, when do you think our baby will be born?" the blonde asked his wife as he continuously rubbed her tummy with a smile so warm. She laughed, "I don't know. But I can feel it, anytime soon. It won't be long, love." She closed her eyes, her long lashes forming shadows on her chubby face.

The lady stood up, "I'm going to get tea, do you want some?"

"Yes, please." The man smiled. She also smiled back.

His jade orbs watched her in amusement as she waddled her way towards the table. Though a bit chubby, she was still beautiful—breath-taking, even. He laughed, "You look silly, love." The girl turned with a pout on her face, "Do not. You're the one being-!"

All of a sudden, she felt her tummy ache and her heartbeat race. She fell on her knees, her hands on top of her aching tummy. "W-What's wrong, love?" Arthur immediately stood up and ran beside the girl. He noticed that there already was a puddle surrounding her. "M-My water broke! Arthur... it hurts!" she was sweating a lot. They both knew she was about to give birth.

Arthur carried her to the bed and gently placed her down, "Remain calm, love. I'll call for a doctor."

"Hurry!" she screamed as she gasped for breath.

Arthur ran outside of the room and started yelling, "Maids! Call for a doctor, immediately!" Everyone was in a panic; they were all excited to see the baby.

Alas, after a few minutes, the doctor had arrived. Arthur sat beside Maria, holding her hand and telling her it won't be long before the doctor arrives.

The doors opened and in came the expected doctor along with three nurses. "Please remain calm, everything will soon be over." The doctor reassured the panicking Arthur. "Your Highness, may we please request you to leave." One of the nurses asked him nicely. He nodded and obediently went out. His forehead was full of sweat and his face was pale, "I hope it'll all be alright."

He sat on one of the chairs outside the room, anxiously waiting for the news.


After a few hours of labour, the doctor came out, removing his gloves and wiping his forehead with a clean handkerchief. Arthur, still pale, stood up and approached the doctor. "How is everything?" he anxiously asked.

The doctor removed his mask and smiled, "Congratulations, Your Highness, you are now the father of twins."

Arthur's pale face became radiant, his eyes filled with glee and excitement. His lips formed a huge smile, "T-Twins?"

The doctor laughed, "Yes, Your Highness, fraternal twins." Arthur jumped with joy, "C-Can I go see them now?" The doctor happily nodded. He came in bursting with joy. One of the three nurses held the twins in her arms, "Here you go, sir." She smiled as she handed the babies over gently to their father. He smiled as he watched the two of them sleep in peace. Tears started running down his cheeks.

The three nurses left the room, leaving the parents alone with their children. Arthur sat down beside Maria on the bed. She was still unconscious, but soon, she will wake up. Arthur laid the babies in between both of them. He kissed her forehead and held her hand, "Sleep well, love."


"Hmm... I think we should name our baby girl, Elizabeth." He suggested, carrying the baby girl in his arms. "Elizabeth Kirkland, I think it's beautiful, love." She agreed as she kissed the forehead of the baby boy in her arms.

"You should name our baby boy." He smiled.

"Well then... I want him to be Philip—Philip Kirkland. What do you say?" a smile graced her gentle face.

"I think it's perfect."


A week had passed since the twins' birth. Now, it was the time to declare war on Antonio Carriedo, the ruler of the neighbouring kingdom.

His troops stood and marched bravely in front of everyone. Their families bade them farewell. And, just as the king himself promised, he was joining this war. Maria, his queen, stood in front of the palace gates holding their twins—Elizabeth and Philip. She was crying as Arthur bade her farewell.

"Love, please don't cry. I promise this would be all over soon. I will return for you and our kids." He cupped her face and gave her a kiss on the forehead.

"You better come back alive, or I will follow you there!" she joked still sobbing, though. He laughed at her stubbornness, "Of course, just promise me you'll stay here and watch over our children." Maria nodded, "Of course, I will."

For the last time, he gave her a deep, passionate, and quite a long kiss on her lips. "Farewell, my love."

He turned around and marched forward valiantly. His cape elegantly fluttered behind him; his sword, Excalibur, shone its mightiest. He gripped the handle tightly; it was also hard for him to leave his family, especially when he sees Maria crying. He kept his feelings inside of him for a while, this was all for their sake.

He climbed his white horse, "Move out!" he ordered. Soon, a black horse with a black knight riding it was beside him and his horse. "Your Highness, we shall carry on with our plans, yes?"

Arthur gave the knight a stern look, "Yes, please prepare for battle. The trip to the neighbouring kingdom will not take long. This will be a short trip, so please tell them to be ready at any moment."

"Yes, your Highness. Hiya!" The knight left and went to the front lines, informing everyone.


Yes, no one did ever succeed in taking a castle by frontal attack, but the enemies are also aware of that fact. Therefore, their obvious plan would be to guard the surrounding areas more than the front. Arthur and Alfred was fully aware of all this, therefore, they set up a decoy.

Their plan was to attack the front with full force. The surrounding areas would not be taken that seriously. Therefore, they are using reverse methods no one ever expected. Even the soldiers were quite astonished by this crazy battle plan; it was worth a try though.

At last, they reached the boundaries of Reino de Espana. The black knight was once again beside the king. "Whenever you are ready, Your Highness."

Arthur smirked, "Ready as I'll ever be. Charge!"

The knight raised his sword and shouted, "Charge!"

The troops of the Kingdom of Britannia came roaring towards the boundaries. The citizens of Reino de Espana screamed and ran for their lives. Everything in the path of the soldiers was destroyed. In the front lines were King Arthur and the Black Knight.

Soon, they had reached the castle and without stopping, invaded it easily. Their plans worked out; there really was less defence if they did it by frontal. And so, after hours of bloodshed, they were able to infiltrate the castle where Antonio Carriedo resided, leaving their horses outside.

Arthur ran as fast as he could, searching for the master's chamber. As he was running, he saw an old man walking by the corridors. He instinctively ran to him and placed the sword in front of his neck while pinning him to the wall. "Where's the master's bedroom?" he threatened.

The old man trembled in fear, "G-Go up and turn right. T-The last door that you will see on t-that w-wing is the m-m-master's bedroom."

Arthur let go of the man and continued running towards where the man had directed him to. As he ran past doors, he started remembering all of the treachery Antonio Carriedo has done, therefore, igniting his rage once more. He clutched Excalibur, "I will get your head, Carriedo!" he thought as he ran as fast as he could.

Just as the man said, there was a huge door at the end. He busted the door opened and shouted, "Where are you, Carriedo?" anger expressed in his voice and expression. He did not lower his guard and sword as he walked carefully inside the room, searching for his enemy.

Unfortunately, he wasn't there. He walked over by the bed and saw a note on top of the neatly fixed bed. It said:

Well done, Arthur Kirkland. You were able to reach my chambers. But I bet you won't be on time in saving your lovely wife. By now I must've taken her back from your hands. Don't worry though, I'll keep her safe, happy, and company. Oh, and don't try looking for us, you won't be able to find us. We're going to get married and live somewhere you won't ever know.

Yours truly,

Antonio Fernandez Carriedo

Everything went blank to him. His entire being was filled with rage. How much of an idiot could he be? He wasn't able to assign the strongest squadron back at his palace. He threw the note and began running back down to where the horses were, hoping he would be able to reach the palace on time.

"Please be safe, Maria."


"I see you have given birth to twins, mi amor." He smiled, walking slowly towards Maria and her twins who were on the bed. Everything outside that room was a complete mess. Lifeless bodies of their servants lay outside; their walls ripped and full of blood.

She took all her courage and stood in front of the bed where her children slept peacefully. She opened her arms wide, "I won't let you hurt my children."

Antonio smirked, "I'm not here for your children, mi amor." Her anger grew even more, her brows crossed deeper, yet she stood firm. She already knew he came for her.

Antonio raised a tan hand covered in blood, "Come with me, and your children will be spared."

Maria closed her eyes and thought of all the consequences. Tears ran down her face. She lowered her arms and turned to her children. She gave them both a kiss on the forehead, "Mommy will come back, I promise. Mommy loves you, Elizabeth and Philip."

She faced Antonio with a decided expression, "Promise that you won't hurt them."

"I promise." He smiled.