A tired and anxious lady Anne walked to her bed chamber. she was feeling bad, but she couldn't let her son be thrown away and written off just like that, not while she could do something about it, she could do something far worst to protect her son, she was soon followed by her husband, who held her in his arms as he smiled and put his hands around her waist...
"I am sorry my love, she said, I should have said something, she turned to face him, I just had to go and see her, to confirm, and she saw understanding in his eyes and she was glad..
"After having your bath, and changing your clothes, we will go and see Andrew's child, we have to see the child, Philip said, and she nodded, he left the room and went down stairs to finish some work before she was done, he was burning with questions but he didn't want to offend her further and he didn't want to hear what he perceived was the bitter truth, if she gave him peace and hope, he would damn well take it! , Lady Anne put her troubles behind her, what was done was done, she can only hope now that everything went on fine,
The servants brought in buckets of hot water for her, and she quickly undressed and went into the wash room....
1772 JUNE
A loud scream pierced the night , it was so high philip frowned and filled with pain, but he was helpless, useless even, he couldn't do anything for her,
Push!, harder!, he heard from the door,where he paced, and followed by his wife's painful grunts and groan, , he wasn't allowed in there, but he wanted to be there, his men had adviced him to go down stairs to the hall and drink while waiting for the mid wives to come bearing good news, but he couldn't, that was his precious son, his long awaited son, that he waited years for, he declined and paced outside the door, walking around, what is taking them so damn long!, he though impatiently waiting...
Then he heard a cry, this time it wasn't his wife's cry, it was a child's cry, he stopped pacing and stared at the door, was it finally happening? he thought happily, was he here?, he thought happily and the baby kept on crying, Philip sighed in relief, it was done, he waited till one of the women opened the door, and ushered him in, and he went in quickly, and another woman Handed him a small bundle, his son!, he wrapped a
with a thick cloth, and he was so red, so tiny, but he was going to have his mother's gold curls, he was happy he was so handsome that he nearly carried, he held his so carefully, and smiled at him,
"Hey son, it's papa!, then he looked at his wife with pride, "thank you, my love, he said, and hushed the baby as he started making some noises,
Philip stayed with his wife for some minutes, before he had to leave them, for his son to be nursed and his wife to be properly cleaned up, and he had to tell everyone the good news!
"Francis Anthony saxe-gotha, next duke if Edinburgh, and my beloved!, just arrived! Philip shouted to everyone as soon as he got to the hall, and it was filled with shouts of pleasure, and happiness and drinks was ordered in more batches with a whole cow, and more, everyone ate and chattered on, but it lingered on everyone's mind, the fact that lady Anne claimed that a good news would be announced on the day he was born, so they waited eagerly for the good news, but celebrated his birth,
Suddenly the walls of the great hall was burst open, Philip and Andrew stood as they saw the banner of the king, and went to welcome them, they were knight's of the king, they came with a royal decree usually,
"I am here with a royal decree from your king, do you accept it!, one of them shouted, and Philip nodded in consent
"I accept!, Philip shouted, he was half scared, if this was another bad omen, the people themselves may plot treason and kill his son.. But if it was a decree that put his family's life at risk, he would put his neck to denounce it, he settled in his mind, and stood rigid. holding his hand out, while Andrew stood behind him, his hands on his sword, just in case...
"Then I shall proceed, the knights voice continued...,
"It is I King Goephrey the second, and I sent this decree to firstly, congratulate you on your wife's pregnancy, as I know how long you have been searching for one, and secondly announce to you that you and your children are now legible to become a succesor to the throne, your family has now received the royal decree that will be given to you to do so!
signed
king geophrey II
The scribe handed him a paper that carried the royal seal, Philip kept a straight face through it all but his heart was beating wildly, had he doubted his wife for nothing? this was more huge than he ever thought, his family was now in the line of succession!
He accepted the royal seal, and Andrew was at ease, everyone else who had been standing up rigidly relaxed as well, they were happy....
After he collected it, kneeling down, he stood up and raised it for all to see, everyone cheered happily, clapping their hands, this was a great new...
"You are free to join in the merriment, and please relay to the king that my wife just gave birth to the bairn, it is a boy!, Philip said proudly, as he rose his chest....
"Thanks, we have to hurry back to the king, and will relay your message, and we will appreciate, some water and food for the journey, the man said and Philip smiled,
"Okay, if you say so.., Philip said and then the man sighed, and hugged him, and Philip hugged him back, it was sir Luke, his closest friend from his squire days,
"Now I am done with the kings message, we have to catch up, he said smiling at him, congratulations on both counts, and Philip hugged him as well, thank you! he said as they walked to a chair to continue feasting....
Tessy ran into the chamber panting and lady Anne looked up with worry and surprise, she had been worried ever since the decree she made that a good news will reach them when her son was born, she hoped it wasn't a disaster that made her run into the room that way...
"Your grace!,, she said, it us a good news, just as you said, the king's men are here, and...., she tried to catch her breath, they are saying something, about making his grace, and lord of the castle and his family, a line for the throne!, everyone is shouting happily, she said, not being able to convey the words properly...
"What do you mean Tessy, Lady Anne asked her not fully understanding her...,
"Every one is happy and shouting, after...,, she paused not knowing what to say anymore...
Where is my lord?, she asked Tessy, wanting to hear the news from him directly...,
"His in the great hall, she said to her, and nodded, even before lady Anne told her what to do, she knew she had to call him to the chambers, she ran out quickly, and to the great hall, where she related the message, Philip was alarmed thinking something was wrong, so he excused himself and ran to the chambers where she was...
"Is all well my live, he said as he ran inside and saw her smiling at him, their son in her arms, she looked so beautiful..
"Are you ill, he said as he sat beside her, soothing her, by rubbing her hair, and staring at his son, "He really takes after you, he said to her...
"Yes, but he is going to be as fussy as you are!, she said laughing,, "What is going on, you look so happy..
"Well.., I just got a message from the king, our family tree has been added to those legible to succeed the throne, he said and watched her face lit with joy, you were right wife, a good news on the day he was born, he must be a Blessed Child, he said doting on his son, and I'm sorry I ever doubted your words,
Lady Anne could only stare at him, and thank her God, he made it possible for her not to be mocked, or called a liar, she was so happy,
"I think our son, is going to have your foul tongue, she said and he laughed..
"I don't mind, as long as he is healthy as I am, he replied her, and she laughed as well...
they were like that for a while, talking and jesting, with both hearts filled with joy....