Queen shouted," Who is it?"
Carmine opened the window and came inside.
Lord Owen was shocked whereas Queen was still on her bed. So, Carmine with her teary eyes walked towards her mother. She could barely find her balance as she was walking towards her. Carmine went to the bed and sat on the floor facing her mother.
Queen, who was also in tears seeing her, raised her hand. And slowly caressed her face and wiped her tears. The silence in the room felt like an eternity. It was at this moment, no one knew how to react. Therefore, no one dared to say a word. Nor the queen, nor Carmine, nor Owen.
Finally, Princess Carmine who was lying her head on her mother's hand questioned," Mother, what Lord Owen and the physician told earlier. It's a lie. right? You are just weak and you will be fine soon, right?"
Queen Cleo could not deny it when her daughter asked it so straightforwardly. She could not answer so boldly as she had to Owen and the physician. So, the queen just shook her head side by side stating no.
At this point, Carmine had lost her sense of right and wrong, being emotionally hurt she took her knife and put it on Lord Owen's neck.
Lord Owen, " Why didn't you tell me when you saw me then. It's your fault that my mother is in this condition. What medicine did you give her? When I trusted you so much. Why didn't you say something so important as this? Even when I had shared all my secrets of being the princess."
Queen Cleo who was shocked tried to calm her down, " My child, Carmine please put the knife down. None of it is his fault. It was I who took the treatment despite him stating all the consequences of it. On the contrary, he had always stopped me time and time again. And it was I who had commanded him not to say anything to anyone and especially you. "
Carmine took her knife even closer to his throat.
Queen thundered, "Princess Carmine, Let him go."
Carmine was extremely frustrated. She lets him go and said I am going to say everything to father right now.
As Carmine started to leave the room. Queen tried to follow her but her water got broke and she screamed in pain.
Lord Owen went to rescue and catch the queen. It happened so fast. When Carmine turned to see. She could see her mother on the floor. Carmine rushed back to her mother. As the queen tried to hold Carmine's hand and said, "My dear, please do not say this to your father he will never be able to live with this. Please promise me."
Carmine who was in tears, " I ...I.... okay. I promise."
Lord Owen shouted," Queen Cleo water is broken. Please call the imperial physician and midwife" Hearing it one of the maids entered Queen's Chamber whereas the other maid rushed to call the physician and the midwife.
The three of them carried the queen to bed.
Carmine stayed beside her mother who was holding her hands.
The news was sent to King Ather, who also came running to Queen's chamber.
During the birth, the process queen lost lots of blood. After 6-7 hours. Finally, a baby boy was born to queen Cleo and king Ather. After the birth when the imperial physician checked the queen again her heart rate was racing and her breathing was not normal. As queen slowly fluttered her eyes open. She was barely able to move to take her son in her hand. Finally, with great effort when she held him, she smiled. Carmine who was beside her all this time. Queen turned towards her and showed him and said, " My beloved daughter I do not think I will be able to live long. I want you to take good care of him as a mother in my absence. Okay."
Carmine sobbingly said, "What are you saying mother you will live a long life and I will never have to take your place in his life. As they were talking King Ather came inside and he held his precious son in his embrace. He could see the queen looked fragile than ever.
Queen gave a faint smile to the King and said," My majesty, we have a son. "As she said this both the King and Queen were shading tears of joy. She furthers said, "Will you make him the crown prince....?"
Before the queen could complete the sentence she had closed her eyes and rested her forehead on the king's shoulder.
When the physician was asked to check her again he announced that she had passed away.
In tears, he looked at Queen and replied, " I promise I will make our son the Crown prince."