Chapter 154 - Elias (1)
The pregnancy went on slower than hoped. Weeks flowed away, but we felt each and every day on our shoulders.
Expectations and hope were keeping us company.
Most of the burden was on my wife, but I still was worried and excited all the ti.
On one side, I couldn't wait to see our child. On the other hand, I was afraid of the day of childbirth.
Won suffer a lot, then, and they sotis die, like my mother.
However, our little prince arrived on a cold, windy day. Clouds prevented the sunlight from reaching us, so we had to light candles in every corner.
I wasn't allowed in the room. The midwife stopped and locked the door.
?Her majesty needs comfort and security,? she said before slamming the wood.
I stood out there, listening to the screams and noise in the room. It took hours until the end.
When they opened that damn door, one of the maids welcod with an ugly bundle. Our prince was just so little, and light like a feather.
?It's a boy,? she inford in a whisper.
I accepted the bundle and looked at his eyes with wonder. Blue, like the sea on the horizon.
?My Queen?? I asked, not forgetting about her even at that mont.
?Her majesty is resting.?
?Is it all right??
?It will be, royal Consort.?
I approached the bed and sat on the edge, still holding the little prince.
?He doesn't have a na yet,? Theodora whispered without opening her eyes. Her face was pale and her whole body tired. ?I was waiting for you.?
?Do you have any idea??
?I like Elias.?
?It's the sa na as your father, isn't it?? I noticed.
?Yes, it is. What do you think.?
?I like it,? I smiled.
?Don't you want to choose a na yourself??
?We'll have other children, Thea. I'll choose next ti.?
?Seems fair.?
?And also, I really like the na Elias,? I chuckled. I cuddled the baby and looked at his clouded eyes. ?And you?? I asked him. ?Do you like it??
Still disoriented from the trauma of being born, he just stared at and started blinking, tired.
?Elias is sleepy,? I said.
Theodora sat up and moved a pillow behind her back.
?Give him to . I haven't seen him yet.?
She stretched out her arms and waited with patience.
?Not yet?? I mumbled while waiting for her to take the child from . ?How odd.?
She moved her gown down and exposed her breast. The little one imdiately found the nipple and started sucking. His little hands surrounded her bosom, while a little frown decorated my wife's face. It seed uncomfortable, but she just bore with it.
The bedsheets had just been changed after the delivery; the maids were still running around to clean up the rest of the room. My Queen wore a new nightgown a few minutes after finishing feeding our son.
The nanny brought the child away, and my Queen lay back to rest. I reached her and welcod her soft body in my arms. It had been so long since the last ti she had slept like that.
?You did a good job,? I whispered while stroking her back.
?Really? It took so long.?
?The result is worth it, isn't it??
?Definitely.?
?Are you going to feed our son by yourself??
?Of course,? she said, frowning as if it was evident. I've never seen a woman feed a baby, and I've never heard of a noblewoman taking care of her child by herself. It was new, yet for her normal.
?It's the only ti I can use to see him,? she revealed, then. ?Don't even think to take it away from .?
?It was not my intention.?
?You look like soone doubting his wife.?
?I'm not. I'm just surprised, Thea. Where I co from, won don't take care of their children.?
?I won't be able to do it either,? she said. ?I'm already behind schedule.?
?You should rest now. Polis has now a crown prince. Small delays won't change that fact.?
?You're so understanding because you're involved. But will the elders from the Council think this too??
?I'll deal with them if they complain,? I offered, even though I wasn't sure what could be done.
Theodora lifted her head and looked at .
?Even if your words are void, it feels nice to hear them. I've always dreamt of having soone who takes care of . How childish, isn't it??
?No, it's normal. Everyone does want protection.?
?I shouldn't be normal, Xander. I'm a Queen. I have to be strong and unmistaken. It's just so hard... I'd like to rest, just for a couple of days.?
?Polis won't sink if you leave for a weekend. We can travel to the mountains and visit those therms you told about. Or we could travel by ship to one of the islands on the horizon.?
?I can organise it for you if you want. But I can't tag along. A Queen can't leave her territory.?
?We can stay within the borders.?
?Maybe, one day,? she conceded, but her expression told how little she believed it was possible.
In the end, we've never ventured out of the city. We did visit it, a couple of tis.
After making sure that our prince was asleep, I reached my Queen in the bedroom.
?Let's go,? she said while rummaging in the wardrobe.
?Where??
?There's a festival in town.?
?What do you an by let's go? You can't get out of the Palace without security.?
?You'll protect .?
?I'm not skilled.?
?Oh, Xander, no one will recognise us.?
It always chard how childish my Queen could be. She could pass a whole day without the hint of a smile, her brows knitted in a focused or stern expression. Yet, when she revealed herself to , her eyes would enlighten a whole room, and her lips would curl up in a beautiful smile.
She didn't have many friends, so she beca attached to faster than expected. I knew it wasn't really a choice, yet I was glad. It ant she would stay by my side forever.
It would have been nice to be chosen by her and not imposed by the circumstances. However, I couldn't let my wild thoughts get in the way of our happiness.
We were born for each other, and that was all that mattered.
Visiting the city was funny. My Queen would dance and sing with peasant girls. She would glare at every lady that smiled at , and she would cling on my arm in a great mood on the way back.
I wasn't enough to protect her, but I spotted her bodyguard in the distance. Her hidden getaways weren't so secret, after all.
Three years passed without notable events, but full of little joys. Our son grew up and started talking rather early.
Since Theodora was busy ruling, I made sure to be always at his side. If a mother was too much to ask for, to a little prince, I could at least provide him with a father.
Learning how to change clothes to a baby and later a toddler wasn't easy. However, it paid off when Elias would run to every ti he didn't feel comfortable or had a problem.
His first words were just random combinations of moans and screams. The first clear one was mum.
Well, it resembled more a ma, and it certainly wasn't intentional.
Nonetheless, I took that chance to run to the royal office with my child in my arms.
?What's the matter?? Thea asked, her eyes moved from the papers, and her expression sweetened. Just a trace of worry caused a little wrinkle on her forehead.
?Elias asked for you,? I shrugged. ?He said mum.?
?It's still too early for his first words, Xander. It was just by chance.?
?No, co and listen!?
I brought my baby to her, and she carried him for a minute or two. No matter how much she smiled, talked, or made weird noises, the little one stayed silent and didn't utter a word. He mimicked her smile and caught her hair with his small fingers, pulling with all his strength.
My Queen didn't even bat an eye. She just untangled the lock and cuddled the child for so more.
Her tense shoulders relaxed while looking at our child, and she walked back to to land a peck on my cheek.
?Thank you for this distraction,? she murmured. ?Even if you didn't have to lie just to co here.?
?What lies? He really said mum!?
?I have to finish my work now. I'll co earlier this evening, all right??
?You can sing a lullaby.?
?I don't know any,? she shrugged.
?Then, one of those folk songs will be enough. Just don't let our child forget that he has a mother.?
?I see him every day, Xander. Don't be this strict, now.?
?All right, all right. But he really called for you.?
She sighed and gave my son back.
The mont he landed in my arms, he moved his arms up and down, giggling happily.
?Ma-ma-ma-ma...? he bubbled.
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