July 1774
Lady Anne was in the wash room, she was watching the maid bathe her son, he has already seen two summers, and he was everything she ever wanted, a very handsome son, and the envy of many ladies, she smiled at that, he was so handsome and so smart, she knew he was really going to be great, she rubbed her stomach and yawned tiredly, she was really blessed and she was thankful, she patted her now large stomach as her babe kicked, she was fulfilled, she was due next week, she was so excited to meet her baby, and although she was very happy to watch her son bathe, she had to rest and it would be time for dinner soon, so she nodded to the maid, and smiled sweetly at her son before walking out of the room, she held the corridor walls for support, walking was becoming harder for her, but she had to make sure she saw her son bathe under her supervision!
"There she is! , Lady Anne heard someone say and saw her husband loving gaze, she smiled at him, he was still so handsome and loving, and had been so happy when she told him she was pregnant again,
"You know you don't have to supervise his every bath, especially when you have to crawl back, he chastised her with love and she laughed at his joke...
"I have to, my lord, this is the only time I will have him to myself, before you start teaching him sword fighting and every other thing you men do, she replied him
Philip came to her, and carried her in his arms and she wrapped her arms around his neck, he looked at her beautiful face as she giggled and blushed deeply,
"You are ever so beautiful my lady, he said to her and kissed her on her lush lips, and she rested her head on his shoulders, she was really content with everything that had happened since her son was born, when the kings messengers returned to the king and told him that, Francis was born as the very day they got there with the good news, the king saw it as a good omen, and awarded him a knight's honor when he was of age, and of course some lands to go with it, the whole village made merry for a whole week, they danced and danced and praised their God, then the Duke and duchess and their son, for bringing such good fortune to them, she smiled quietly it seems as her son was going to be a lucky one, she was happy with that!,
Francis grew up and it's no wonder he loved Theodore so much , they were around the same age. and their fathers are best of friends, and seeing that her husband was the one who found Andrew a wife, it's no surprise that their children would be so close to each other!
She knew there was a time her husband was being pressured to marry the woman which he saved, when she could not give birth, and now she was happy that they have both been able to give birth..., she was called barren..
Now she was going to have another, whether it's a boy or a girl it didn't matter, Lady Anne prayed for a healthy baby for herself, and nothing more....
"Get some rest before dinner, lots Philip said to his wife as he set her down on the bed and kissed her fore head, she nodded and closed her eyes to sleep, she hand on her stomach
~a fortnight later,
Lady Anne pushed sweating so hard, she was exhausted, but her desire to see her baby fuelled her, so she pushed harder, harder, screaming in pain as she did, she looked around at the face of the midwives encouraging her, and she shouted giving one loud push and the babe was out!
"It's a beautiful girl your grace, the woman who held her baby said, and she smiled, her baby girl... she fell in the bed spent, panting heavily and smiling...
Philip was still outside pacing with his son on his arms, just outside the door, like he did for his son's birth, he was also adviced by his friends to go and drink waiting for the good news, but he declined, he had to be there, to do, whatever it takes, to....., OK he was useless there, but he couldn't be away from her as she laboured, he heard her painful shouts, then he was promising himself, never again!, he was never going to put his wife through this! he thought sadly,
when he heard the sound of his baby crying he gushed in relief kissing his son happily, the boy looked at his in surprise and smiled at his Papa..
"Mama just gave you a brother or a sister, he said, to his son, now you have big brother duties forever, he laughed as he kept staring at him, he was sure he didn't understand
He waited to be ushered into the room, and he ran inside with his son, and to his wife who was holding the baby..
"Congratulations my lord, it's a healthy, beautiful baby girl!, Lady Anne said and lord Philip gave a shout of joy, he was so happy!
"Aye, she is beautiful and seems to favour you yer grace, one if the midwives said, then moved to continue cleaning up after the lady...
Philip held his daughter she really looked so beautiful, he was proud, she took features from both parents, but had her father, jet black hair, her mother's pert small nose and full lips, but she had her father's brows as well, she really was a beauty, he had been worried about another prophesy but gladly she didn't have any....
He rocked the baby to sleep, looking at her all the time, she was really really beautiful and so gentle, she is Naya Bella saxe-gotha, the fairest of them all!, he declared and kissed her head...
lady Anne smiled at them, her son sat close to his father and watched his sister, and she watched her husband kiss her head, and say to Francis.
"It's your job to look after her now, he said, you must love and protect her, because you have each other forever, she smiled as he nodded his head eagerly and held her tiny hands, and she clutched his, she was so happy and wished her joy remained this way..
But, she was worried, and she didn't tell Philip why!, she remembered the word of her friend lady Roxanne, countess of lithurm when she went to a ball with her husband six months ago and she wasn't showing yet, in fact she just told her husband she was expecting, but as she sat in a corner waiting for her husband, these parties bored her to death anyways, she looked around and gave lots of fake smile, then she was approached by lady Roxanne, a brown haired beauty, she was a pleasant acquaintance whom she had known for quite some time now, and all the controversy surrounding her and her family, how she was disowned, but still went ahead to be with the man she loved, she also knew people shunned her presence as they wanted to be scandal free, she tried to give her a fake smile, as she had been doing, she just didn't enjoy the party enough to smile genuinely, when she saw the woman laugh quietly, she stopped and sighed..
"Is it that obvious?, she asked her, and lady Roxanne smiled and bowed her head,
"Your grace, may I?, she asked pointing to the empty seat beside her, and she nodded her consent
"And yes, the fake and tired smile is obvious, you should learn from me she said and gave her a smile that was looking so genuine, then whispered to her, "I just faked it, Lady Anne laughed so hard at that, and used her fan to hide that, the uptight society ladies raised their noses at them, gossiping
"These balls, are pretty boring, I would prefer to not be here, Lady Anne said to Roxanne feeling better already at her company...
"The hardship we have to endure, yet they make it seem like nothing! Lady Roxanne said , and they both smiled,
"Oh, you are so right!, Uh oh, there comes another one, she said and they both smiled at a lady who passed by nodding to them, even though she did it so haughtily, when she was far from them, Lady Roxanne said with a hushed voice, " that was certainly better! , you are a fast learner, and lady Anne laughed,
"I don't know how to say this, Lady Roxanne said to her, as she came closer to her, but I have to...
"What it's the matter?, she asked her, you can say it please, she urged her
"Your baby, will suffer an ugly fate, we said, but, know something, she said quickly as she saw the surprised look on her face. teach her the use of herbs, train her in that area, she will need it alot she continued..
Lady Anne stared at her, not again!, she wasn't going to believe it this time, not at all, she only stared at her, till the woman said "Don't mind me at all, she said to lady Anne, but if you have a girl, know that's what you must do! she said before standing up, then bowed to her, leaving her alone with her thoughts....
Now looking at her family, and the way her baby, was held by her father and brother, it felt good, no she was going to listen, if the future held hardship for her daughter, she was going to prepare her by all means!
"You have to take after me okay, your mama has a nasty temper, Philip whispered to his child, and lady Anne laughed, he was like a child at times....