The Queen of Dawn

Chapter 23

Sorry I took so long to write this chapter. I've been really unmotivated and I just couldn't be bothered to write. To be honest I don't really like this chapter but it will have to do.

The hours dragged on, and the king was dragged out of the chambers and left to pace by himself in the empty halls.

Azora thought the pain was unbearable, and she was sat on a birthing chair, a midwife positioned with her arms underneath it to catch the baby. She gripped onto the to chair arms, gritted her teeth and let out a shout as she pushed. The beads of sweat dripping down her red face.

She just wanted it to be over, she just wanted to lie in her bed and sleep. Then all of a sudden,  all she could think about was praying that the baby would be a boy. It sounded rather selfish, but a boy would save her crown.

She didn't know how long she had been in labour for, but she knew it had been for a long time. Ladies in waiting and midwives whispered among themselves, and one even got down on her knees and started to pray.

It scared Azora. What if she died?

But soon it was all over and with one last push, the screams of a baby could be heard. Azora rushed to her bed and collapsed on her back. A midwife came over with a screaming bundle.

"May I present your son, your majesty.

A tiny, red baby covered in the muck of childbirth and wrapped in a clean white blanket, was placed in her arms. He had a little tuft of black hair on his head, and she couldn't see the colour of his eyes because they were tightly shut as he screamed.

A wet nurse came over and took him away for a feed, and Azora let herself have a well deserved nap.
~~~
The christening was to be as soon as possible, lest the baby died before it was ceremoniously saved from eternal damnation.

The next day, her son was taken from her and placed in white christening robes before he was taken to the church to be baptised. The godparents were to be announced at the christening, two male and one female.

Azora felt a little frustrated, she wasn't to choose the name or the male godparents, she was only allowed to choose the godmother. She had discussed who it would be for many weeks before the baby was born, with her eldest lady in waiting, Lady Genevieve. She was an old widow who acted as a sort of advisor to Azora in the subject of her womanly duties.

Azora had been certain of her decision of a godmother, but Lady Genevieve was not sold, that was until it was announced that Adelaide was to marry a Marquis, and all doubts were gone from the ladies head. She was actually rather impressed as Adelaide had married above her rank; her father was a baron.

Azora felt a bit guilty that she did not choose Madeline, as she was chosen for Maddys baby, but she felt that was not something she could do yet.

Soon she was dressed in her finest robes, a pale lavender robe embroidered with silver thread along with a matching French hood. Then she was lead out to the palace chapel.  It was as if it was her wedding all over again, but this time her husband was smiling at her fondly and her son was in his arms, sound asleep.

The king was in matching robes to hers, but with a deep purple instead. She reached her family and the Priest took the babe from Kalians arms and dipped his finer in the holy water. The sign of the cross was made on his forehead, and he was presented to the crowd. The name of her son was announced.
"His royal highness; Prince Alexander Octavian Edward Novarian!"

Azora smiled, even if she didn't have a choice in the name, she still liked it. She took him from the priests arms and they were led out to a balcony to present her tiny son to the country. She peered down at his little face, he had his father's nose but her raven black hair sat on top his head. He yawned and she felt her heart jumping out of her chest.

The balcony doors were opened and she walked out to a cheering crowd, each one cheering for her personal victory. She felt someone place their arms around her waist and she saw her husband touch the nose of their baby with bus other hand.

"He's so precious."
Kalians voice was a whisper, and full of awe.

The baby began to stir and the cheering of the crowd and he began to wail. The royal couple left the balcony.
~~~
Azora lay in bed that night, her son in a cot next to her bed. He had his own chambers, but she insisted on him sleeping in her room. He was very quiet.

Her chamber doors creaked open and she sat up startled, but relaxed when she saw her husband creep in and pick up the baby in the cot. He sat down next to her on her bed and they huddled together admiring their child.

"He's so adorable." she heard her husband whisper.

She looked at him, her eyes filled with tears and she felt like she had a family for the first time in a long time. He kissed her softly on the lips, and she kissed him back.

As they pulled away, he looked at her as if she was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen in the world. He couldn't help himself and the words just tumbled out.

"I love you."