"Is she in there calista?" Xandor asked as he came to stand in front of both him and Valoria's room, the slave in front of him shifted from foot to foot, blood stains all over her body.
"Didn't you hear what your king said, slave, so speak." Thalorn said from behind xandor, his face harsh and angry and the slave whimpered and wringed her hand together then stared up at the agitated face of xandor.
"Is she in there, Calista?" Xandor's repeated urgently, his eyes scanning the slave's trembling form for any sign of confirmation.
Calista wrung her hands nervously again, her gaze darting between Xandor and Thalorn. "Yes, Your Majesty," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "The mid wives are attending to her inside."
As Xandor reached for the door, determined to enter and be by his wife's side, Calista stepped in his way, her hands raised in a pleading gesture. "I'm sorry, Your Majesty, but the midwives said no one is to enter," she stammered nervously, her eyes darting anxiously between Xandor and the closed door.
Xandor's patience wore thin, a low growl rumbling in his throat. "She's my wife," he asserted firmly, his voice tinged with desperation and frustration. "I will not be kept from her side during this crucial moment."
Ignoring Calista's protests, Xandor pushed past her and barged into the chamber. The scene that greeted him was one of chaos and urgency, as Valoria lay on the bed, her face contorted in pain, sweat glistening on her brow. The midwives moved around her with practiced efficiency, their voices calm and reassuring as they guided her through each contraction.
Xandor rushed to Valoria's side, his heart aching at the sight of her agony. "Valoria," he whispered, his voice filled with love and concern as he took her hand in his. "I'm here, my love. I won't leave you."
Valoria's eyes met his, filled with a mixture of pain and determination. "Xandor," she gasped, her voice strained with effort. "I'm so glad you're here."
The midwives turned their attention to Xandor, their expressions a blend of surprise and disapproval. "Your Majesty, I'm afraid you'll have to wait outside," one of them said firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument.
Xandor's gaze hardened, his grip on Valoria's hand tightening. "I will not leave her side," he declared, his voice unwavering. "I am her husband, and I will be here for her."
The midwives exchanged a hesitant glance, clearly unsure of how to proceed. Valoria squeezed Xandor's hand, her silent plea urging him to stay by her side. With a determined nod, Xandor made his decision. He would not be swayed, not now, when Valoria needed him most.
Ignoring the midwives' protests, Xandor settled himself beside Valoria on the bed, his presence a source of comfort and strength. As Valoria cried out in pain with each contraction, Xandor held her close, whispering words of encouragement and love, he was going to see her through this trial together.
As Valoria cried out in pain, her grip on Xandor's hand tightened, her nails digging into his skin. "Xandor, it's so painful," she whimpered, tears streaming down her cheeks. Xandor's heart clenched at the sight of her suffering, his own anguish mirroring hers.
"I know, my love," Xandor murmured, his voice laced with sorrow. "I wish I could take away your pain."
The midwives, sensing the urgency of the situation, redoubled their efforts to assist Valoria. However, progress was slow, and frustration began to mount within the chamber.
Xandor's patience wore thin as he watched Valoria endure each agonizing moment. "Do something!" he demanded, his voice rising with desperation. "Make it stop!"
The midwives exchanged uneasy glances, their expressions reflecting the gravity of the situation. "Your Majesty," one of them began tentatively, "the baby arrived too fast. It caught us by surprise."
Xandor's eyes blazed with anger, his frustration boiling over. "I don't care! Do whatever it takes to help her!" he shouted, his voice echoing off the chamber walls.
The midwives exchanged a worried glance before resuming their efforts with renewed vigor. Valoria's cries grew louder with each passing moment, her strength waning with each contraction.
Xandor felt a surge of helplessness wash over him as he watched his wife in agony, her eyes closing. "Valoria, my love," he murmured, his voice choked with emotion. "Stay with me. You're doing so well."
Valoria's breaths came in ragged gasps as she struggled to endure the pain. "I can't... I can't do this," she sobbed, her voice trembling with exhaustion.
"Yes, you can," Xandor insisted, his voice firm with conviction. "You're the strongest person I know. You can do anything."
The midwives continued their efforts, their movements swift and purposeful. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, a cry pierced the air, and Xandor's heart skipped a beat.
The midwives exchanged relieved glances as they placed the newborn in Xandor's arms. "Congratulations, Your Majesty," one of them said with a smile, her voice filled with warmth.
Xandor's eyes brimmed with tears as he gazed down at the tiny bundle in his arms. "Thank you," he whispered, his voice choked with emotion. "Thank you for bringing our daughter into the world."
Valoria's exhausted but radiant smile filled Xandor's heart with joy as she reached out to touch their daughter's tiny hand. "She's perfect, my Tallulah, my light of abundance," she murmured, her voice filled with wonder.
Xandor pressed a gentle kiss to Valoria's forehead, his heart overflowing with love, gratitude and guult. "Yes, she is," he whispered, his voice filled with awe. "And she's ours."
Valoria, exhausted from the ordeal of childbirth, whispered for Xandor to hold their newborn daughter, she drifted into a much-needed sleep. Xandor gently cradled the tiny bundle in his arms, his heart overflowing with a mixture of love and apprehension. He brushed his finger against her soft cheek, marveling at her innocence and the weight of responsibility she represented.
In that tender moment, as father and daughter shared their first embrace, Xandor felt a sense of connection unlike any other.
As he looked down at his daughter's peaceful face, a sense of calm washed over him, momentarily easing the burden of the decision he knew he would soon have to make. But his respite was short-lived as the heavy footsteps of his father and the high dowager echoed in the chamber, breaking the silence.
Xandor's grip on his daughter tightened instinctively as Thalorn and the high dowager entered the room, their expressions stern and unyielding. The weight of their presence loomed over him, casting a shadow of uncertainty over the otherwise serene moment.
Thalorn's gaze flickered from his granddaughter to his son, his expression betraying a mixture of disappointment. "Xandor," he began, his voice commanding attention, "the time has come to fulfill your duty to the kingdom."
Xandor's jaw tightened as he met his father's gaze. "Father how can I do this," he whispered his voice filled with pain. "She is innocent"
The high dowager stepped forward, her eyes flashing with impatience. "You cannot ignore the prophecy, Xandor," he admonished, his voice sharp "The child's very existence threatens the safety of our kingdom. We must act swiftly to prevent disaster."
Xandor's heart pounded in his chest as he weighed his options, torn between his duty as king and his love for his daughter. But as he looked down at her sleeping form, a sense of clarity washed over him.
As Xandor handed his daughter over to the high dowager, tears welled up in his eyes, betraying the agony he felt in his heart. He watched helplessly as the high dowager took the newborn from his arms, a heavy weight settling in the pit of his stomach.
"Take her away," Xandor whispered hoarsely, his voice thick with emotion. "Do what you must."
The high dowager nodded solemnly, his expression unreadable as she cradled the baby in his arms. Without another word, he turned and left the chamber, leaving Xandor feeling hollow and defeated.
Thalorn stepped forward, his grip firm but gentle as he placed a comforting hand on his son's shoulder. "You've done what needed to be done, Xandor," he murmured, his voice filled with sympathy. "You've put the needs of our kingdom above your own."
Xandor's shoulders sagged under the weight of his father's words, his heart heavy with grief and regret. "I couldn't do anything, what will I tell Valeria," he whispered, his voice barely audible above the sound of his own despair.
Thalorn pulled Xandor into a tight embrace, offering what little comfort he could in the face of such loss. "You're not alone, my son," he said softly, his voice filled with compassion. "I'm here and we had to do what was right for the kingdom ."
As they stood there, father and son clinging to each other in the darkness, Xandor felt a flicker of hope ignite within him.
"Now, it is time for the next phase xandor." Thalorn said and stared at his son with a smile.