The Tale of a Mad King

Chapter 4

After that night Leah became pregnant. She was so overjoyed when she heard the news. She cried tears of joy. Alexander was happy too at the thought of having a child of his own. When Aiden heard the news he squealed with joy picking Leah up and spinning her. A feast was even planned in honor of the child. The months went by and Leah's belly got bigger as the baby grew.  This concerned Leah. Not her baby growing but the way she was growing. Don't misunderstand she was happy the baby looked like they were growing healthy. She would grow as big as a house if it meant her baby was healthy. She was scared though, she didn't want her body to change too much. She already had stretch marks before she got pregnant. She hoped they didn't get worse. She also hoped she wouldn't keep the baby weight. The thought of staying that big scared her. She was already big enough she didn't need to get any bigger. Alexander didn't see her anymore during pregnancy than he did before. She thought after the trip to Mrs. June's orphanage he would spend more time with her. She was mistaken. He does, however, get her anything wants. She one day mentioned how much she loved some emerald jewels she saw at the feast planned in honor of the baby. The next day they appeared on her pillow. The maid said they were from the king. Every time after that anytime she mentioned liking something she would see it on her pillow the next day.

It made her uncomfortable. He wasn't even around when she would mention liking anything. How would he know what she likes? Soon it was time for Leah to give birth. When it started she didn't have a clue what was happening. The pains happened at random times throughout the day. It wasn't until her water broke the next day that she realized what was going on. She immediately called on the midwives while she got situated on the bed. The pain was getting worse now and started happening every 6 minutes. No matter how bad the pain got Leah didn't scream. She knew she would just be wasting her energy. When Alexander heard the news he rushed to her room but he was forced to stay outside. The labor was already in full swing. It would be another 3 hours before the baby came out. Leah was close to passing out from exhaustion, but she still held out long enough to hold her beautiful baby boy. She named him Cole meaning 'victory of the people'. Cole had blue eyes with thick dark brown hair. With his mother's nose and his father's chin, he was a perfect mix of them both. She motioned for the midwife to take him. She wanted Alexander to see him. She hoped Alexander would find their son just as beautiful as she did.

"My lord. This is your son," The midwife says holding a small child out to him. A boy? Tears fill Alexander's eyes as the midwife puts the boy in his arms. He holds the boy close to his chest. Looking at his face Alexander's tears start to fall. He's never seen anything so beautiful. "Hows the queen, is she alright?" He asks, he was starting to worry since everyone was too busy to tell him anything. "She's just fine my lord, just resting. She worked very hard to get this little one out." The midwife tells him "she did an amazing job." He says smiling down at their son "can I go see her?" He asks and the midwife nods. "Just try your best to be quiet she needs her sleep." She orders, usually he doesn't like being ordered around but he can deal with it this time. Slowly opening the door to her room he quietly enters. Looking at her peacefully sleeping, he can't help but stare. Moving to her side he tries not to make to much noise sitting on the edge of the bed. The child in his arms makes a soft cooing noise. It practically melts his heart. "Don't worry little one," he whispers softly. "You need to let mommy rest. You gave her such a hard time, I think she deserves at least a few minutes of sleep." As he says this a soft rustle comes from beside him. 

"Alexander?" Leah mumbles, slowly opening her eyes. "Yes darling, I'm here. Go back to sleep." He tells her "where's Cole? Where's our son?" She asks "he's right here. So you named him Cole? I like it, it's a strong name." He says "It means 'victory of the people'. I thought it would suit him." She says smiling. "Do you find him as beautiful as I do, Alexander?" Alexander laughs "beautiful? Leah, he's gorgeous. You did such a good job." He grabs her hand to emphasize his point. "It wasn't just me. You helped make him. You and the lord," Leah states, Alexander gently lays little Cole down beside her. She puts her arms around Cole and pulls him in closer kissing his head. Alexander smiles at the sight. "Lay down with us. I'm sure Cole would like bonding time with his father before he has to go back to his kingly duties." Leah says patting the space on the bed beside them. Alexander nods and slowly lays down beside them. With Cole in between them, they looked like the perfect happy family. They felt that way too, like the perfect happy family. Soon all three of them were asleep. A few days later Aiden arrives at the castle. Aiden likes to travel so he wasn't able to make it on time for Cole's birth.

Aiden bursts into Leah's room big eyes and a wide smile. "Where's my nephew?" He exclaims happily. His smile quickly drops when he sees that Leah is in the middle of breastfeeding. He quickly covers his eyes and turns around. "I'm so sorry. I should have knocked I didn't mean to come in such a private time." He quickly says not wanting Leah to be mad at him for intruding. To his relief, he hears her laugh. "It's ok Aiden, he was just finishing up. He eats so much for such a little guy." She quickly covers herself up and allows him to turn around. He walks over and sits on the chair near her bed. "Motherhood becomes you, Leah. Is my brother the same way with fatherhood?" He asks. "Well, Alexander spent the first three days with us but he had to go back to being a king today." She says sadly, she was really hoping to spend more time with him. Aiden frowns feeling sorry for her. "The life of a king is not an easy life to live. Besides, you have me now and you're going to have me for an entire week. We don't need that boring old man to come and ruin all of our fun." he says making her laugh, "now can I PLEASE, hold my nephew?" He asks making her laugh harder. "Fine, just be gentle with him." Leah holds the baby out to him and Aiden gently takes him into his arms. "Aww, we are going to have so much fun little one." He softly coos at the baby excited to finally be an uncle.

More months went by and Cole got older. Cole was now almost two. Aiden started visiting more after he was born. Wanting to watch his only nephew grow up and also to watch over Leah. Not long after Cole's birth, Leah started to become depressed. The only time she was happy was when she was with Cole. Alexander started spending more time with her but it doesn't seem to be helping. Aiden tried to talk to Alexander but he brushed it off. Every time he asked her what was wrong she would brush him off too. It was starting to tick him off. All Leah did was sit around in this big castle all day. No wonder she was depressed. Today was the day he would change that. He was going to take Leah outside if he had to drag her out. Knocking on the door he waits until he hears a muffled 'come in' and enters the nursery. "Leah, won't you go on a walk with me?" Aiden asks hopefully. "I shouldn't Cole might wake up soon and I don't want him to think I've left him," Leah replies. Aiden rolls his eyes at this "you've been locked up inside for months. He's not going to die if you leave him for a few minutes. He probably won't even wake up," He says. He walks over to her and grabs her hand. "Please take a walk with me. I promise it'll only be a few minutes." He pleads holding her hand up to his chest. She hesitates for a few moments looking from her son to the man in front of her. She sighs "okay but only for a few minutes."

Walking outside to the garden Aiden was happy to see Leah enjoying the fresh air. "So, are you going to tell me what's wrong?" Aiden asks startling Leah. "What do you mean? Nothing's wrong." She tries to brush the question off but he wasn't having it. "Don't try and lie to me, Leah. It's not going to work this time." He says giving her a warning look. "I don't know what you want me to say Aiden. It's none of your concern." "But it is my concern. You're my sister, I care about you. I want to help you. I hate seeing you this upset," He exclaims. Leah sighs heavily pulling her coat tighter shielding her body from the cold. "I just thought he'd love me by now. I know it sounds stupid. I just really thought after I got pregnant he'd want to me be around me more. But it seems he's doing it out of obligation. I don't want him to force himself to be around me if he doesn't want to be." She mumbles a few tears falling from her eyes. "Hey, don't cry it's ok. He doesn't deserve your tears. If he won't make time for you don't waste tears on him." He utters pulling her into a tight hug letting her tears soak his shirt. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." She apologizes still sobbing into his shirt. All he does is shush her softly kissing the top of her head.

Watching from a distance far from their line of sight was Alexander. He was walking in the garden when he heard two voices in the distance. Walking over to where he heard the voices he suddenly stops in his tracks. What he sees snaps his heart in two. Why are his brother and his wife hugging like lovers? They would never betray him like this would they? Apparently they would. Alexander gets a dark look on his face. If this is how it's going to be then so be it.