"One more push Madam," the midwife encouraged lightly, while wiping the Queen's brow. Queen Udo responded with a groan and grabbed at the rails on her bedside. Taking a deep breath, she then let out a terrifying scream while trying to expel the baby from her body.
Outside the infirmary doors young Prince Afor sat in the hall covering his ears and worrying for his mother. One of the maids noticed his quivering and knelt beside him.
"Your Grace, please come with me. We can wait for your mother in the Solar."
"No," the Prince said defiantly. "She sounds hurt. I will stand guard to protect her." He then slowly got up and assumed position. With his wooden sword by his side, he tried to mimic the stances he had seen the guards practicing in the courtyards. The maid chuckled at his seriousness and gently patted his head.
"And what a brave Prince you are for doing so. However, what if I promise to grab some biscuits and jam from the kitchen to take with us?"
Prince Afor pretended to look uninterested but his resolve quickly broke. "Alright let us go then." He grabbed the maid's hand and took off running.
"Wait!" He called suddenly. "You must promise that once the babe arrives you will take me to see them." The maid nodded and led him the rest of the way to the Solar.
The entire castle was buzzing with excitement. It had been a ten year stretch between Prince Afor and the new Prince or Princess. Though the line of succession was secure, another child was always welcome. King Ardor hoped for another Prince while Queen Udo prayed for a healthy baby.
"Is it a boy?" The King asked impatiently, stroking his grey beard.
"Sire, please," the midwife said gently. "The Madam needs room to breathe."
He sighed heavily and took a tiny step back. "How much longer? I should have been in the council meeting ages ago."
The midwife pointedly ignored him and focused on the task at hand. The Queen had been in labor since the night before and was growing increasingly exhausted. With one last push, the midwife lifted the newborn and began to clean him off. The other nurses jumped in to help the Queen deliver the after birth.
"May I present your son, the second Prince of Maris." She had swaddled the infant in a linen blanket and transferred him over to the King's arms. She waited for the King to acknowledge the Prince lovingly, but his expression remained cold as usual.
"Finally," he sneered. "He will be named Amaro." The baby cooed lightly, curiously staring at the man glaring down at him.
The Queen sat up and reached out for her son. The King ignored her and looked over to a nearby maid. "He is quite small."
"Yes, sire. Due to him being born prematurely."
"Any ailments?"
"No sire."
"Good. I must go now." He looked over to the Queen. "Be ready by sunset to present him to the Council."
Queen Udo uncomfortably nodded with a grimace on her face. "Dear, perhaps you can call Afor to come join us so he can meet his brother?"
"He is in his lessons now. No need to disturb him." He quickly handed the baby off to the nearest nurse and departed.
The nurse placed the infant in the Queen's arms. Despite her fatigue, she smiled warmly at Amaro, tracing her finger around his face.
"My Amor," she whispered, pressing a gentle kiss to his nose.
20 YEARS LATER
YOU ARE READING
Spare
Historical Fiction"The King is dead." "I do not care." "Let me rephrase that then. Your brother is dead." - A forgotten prince returns to claim a throne he never wanted, while facing the woman he once loved, now tied to his brother's legacy.
