Cresvus's Economic Centre: Sparle Centre
The city was bustling with trades and contracts were formed left and right between merchants. Various services like markets and within those markets are goods sold at reasonable prices.
More valuable and beneficial goods like books and artefacts were displayed on transparent surfaces formed with Light magic.
Carriages arrived and went in turns. Strangely enough most carriages were not horse drawn in this world but by monsters that were 'tamed'. Even among the carriages there were ways to display one's wealth to the public. These ways were always taken by people of high statuses.
The roar of a ferocious monster echoed throughout the streets. Yet such monster was not immediately exterminated as it pulls a luxuriously decorated cart. The structure itself was made with quality materials and painted in combination of red and yellow.
-The wheels rolled on the smooth pathways and eventually came to a stop in front of a large manor-
"Ugh, my head hurts" a voice tiredly muttered as the door opened.
"That's why I told you to take this pill" another voice, seemingly female followed as she hold out a small pill that's shaped like an eye.
It seems I have arrived at the Sparle Centre again. This place brings back memories I remember when brother was trying to help an old lady by helping her carry a luggage but ended up going at the wrong place.
Well I should commend that old lady for having the guts to yell at a royal no matter how angry one is.
Needless to say brother never wanted to step foot anywhere near this place again.
Dry leaves snap and the wind gently blows and I blink and within that time I felt a touch on my shoulder.
"Amie is this Prince En?" A voice of a middle aged man quietly spoke out
Amie: Yes, he wanted to see the event and tagged along.
The middle aged ma- Amie's papa bowed politely with his right palm on his heart.
"The name is Harry Filan"
Amie's papa Harry is a bit mean looking with his face not bearing the slightest shred of a smile and his eyes that appeared to be glaring at me. He hasn't changed one bit.
I saw him once when my father brought me along to his work somewhere in the Eastern Military Base although it was just a maintenance check so that must be why he felt it's okay to bring a kid along.
Harry was among the soldiers stationed in the Hill posts.
Although, I was only told his name but was not formally introduced to him.
Harry lightly pat Amie's shoulders and nodded- clearly a signal between the father and daughter that only a select few would get. He then guided us inside the manor - which hasn't changed much since I last saw it.
While making our way towards the dining room a butler rushed up to Harry.
-Lord! The Hanzels have informed us of their arrival. Please follow us to finalize the preparations.
And with that Harry signaled his daughter with a head nod to the left and followed the butler.
Amie however have no problem guiding me and my escorts to the guest room and giving us a proper welcome. Though she skipped the formal introductions, we figured it was unnecessary.
If my brother was here I'm sure he would've been eager to try the foods here.
Firm footsteps came following not long after we enter the guest room, it was the Hanzels. They took a seat on the soft couch and their guards remain standby on the entrance. What a serious bunch.
And, before serious topics were to be discussed Harry draws everyone's attention with a light clap and make a short speech:
"Everyone, it is with great pleasure that I welcome you today. I'm sure that each of you have your own motives and reasons for coming here and I respect it. We have prepared some delicacies for you to indulge in as you enjoy your stay here, as such please take your time and feel free to call on us if you ever need anything"
With a polite bow he took a seat and the head of the Hanzels follow up-
"Despite being busy with your work you Sir Harry prepared us a proper welcome. We are deeply grateful for this extravagant display, undeserving though we are. My name is Kell Hanzel, the current governor of Asrya-"
He took a short glance at the kids which honestly makes me anxious for a moment. He follows that up with a glance at Harry and the guards and continued--
"I believe the children should enjoy themselves while they still can and leave the serious matters to us adults. Lilali take care of the kids"
A guard on the left side of the entrance replied with a firm "Yes Sir" and from her voice she appears to be a woman. The helmet and uniform really makes it hard to identify their gender and general physical traits.
Cresvus's Capital City: Rubidians' Castle
The maids and butlers swiftly moved around the house gathering painkillers and potions and doctors were called in- Astina was about to give birth- days sooner than expected.
?: Prince Relia please follow us immediately.
A maid peeks at the door of the library and gave a loud shout, enough to strain her throat a bit after.
?: Come Relia I think it's something urgent.
Relia: Thea try to contact my father that bastard has been absent during my birth and En's he needs to be there for mom this time.
The unexpected consideration from the otherwise uncaring guy shocked Thea a little but, hurried over to the family mages to ask them to hurry and fetch the always absent father.
Time is of the essence at the moment. Thea will not forget Astina's kindness and intends to repay it. Now is the time, after passing on the message to the mages she immediately prepares anesthesia with the otherworldly herbs which she has familiarised with over the course of her 4 years in this world.
The heartbreaking screams filled with pain could be heard from the kitchen which came all the way from the third floor. Thea hurried on upstairs rushing up with heavy breaths as she feels out of breath. She feels lightheaded but she has a favour to repay.
In the bedroom, filled with luxurious decorations and treasures, there lies a giant bed with the most comfortable pillows and blankets and within that bed lies Astina, in an excruciating pain barely holding on to her consciousness and within that moment a saviour came.
Thea: Have you guys used up the remedies?
?: Yes, but she doesn't seem to be relieved at the slightest.
Thea: You forgot to give her the potions along with the herbs dear Kemen.
Thea swiftly moved into action to stabilise Astina's condition. She first make Astina drink the potion, although Astina can not properly swallow it as she was too immersed in the pain. Then she pulls out a syringe and directly injects the anesthesia.
Thea hurriedly equips a ring, visibly an artefact and turned to Kemen, an apprentice of hers who seeks to become a great doctor under her.
Thea turned to the two other nurses and quickly sends them out.
Thea: Miria and Cale please hurry on to the other room and fetch me more potions and soft clothes.
Kemen use your Light magic and use the 'X-ray vision' technique we invented.
The two nurses Miria and Cale ran out as asked not sparing a second to even close the door. In their rush, Miria the clumsy one trips and fell flat face on the floor. Cale could only ran ahead of her while trying to hold her laughter to fetch the items as soon as possible.
Without a thought Kemen does as told and visualises it. And upon detecting the magic the ring picks it up and glows allowing the 'X-ray vision' magic to temporarily transfer to Thea making it easier.
Astina wearily reaches her hand out to Thea. An act which makes Thea even more determined to save her. However, Astina starts breathing heavily without any warning of the sort.
Thea: Kemen bring out the mana-injector.
A mana-injector is a machine designed to pump out healthy and pure mana to a patient who is in a critical condition to replace their old and used up mana. In this world, mana plays an important role in maintaining the health of organisms. When an organism is in a critical condition, unless they have trained, their mana will automatically focus on repairing the body and fighting out the root cause of the injury and thus soils their purity and have to be replaced.
Normally, they will be naturally replaced gradually with time but in some cases when they are needed in excess external aid is needed and such aid is provided through mana-injectors. These machines are mostly used in the medical part of society.
With the mana-injector connected to Astina Thea sat back a little and it was only a second or two that she sat when the two nurses finally returned with the items demanded and Miria rubs her knees with a pained sigh.
Thea: Thank you, can you guys grab me some tea and bread? You are free to grab yours too.
Miria: Alright~ Cale can you please bring me some buns too?
Cale: Huh? Why don't you grab your own snacks!
Miria: You see my legs hurt so badly I don't think I'll survive another walk downstairs so please?
Miria's request along with Thea's weighed down Cale's mood but decided it's better to just do as asked and so nodded without further complaints. Cale looked at Miria one last time with a glare and made her way downstairs wobbly.
As all these were going on Astina regained some strength and held on to Thea's hands tightly, her eyes tired and face all red after bearing the excruciating pain. She knows that a few moments from now and she'll finally be in the last stage of this suffering. Such a realisation filled her with relief and nervousness.
Thea: Queen Astina please leave everything to me. I can't help you deliver the child as I don't have the skills to do that but I can delay the process without much side effect until the experts arrived.
Thea assured her with a smile and hold Astina's warm and weak hands softly squeezing it. Then, she let out a weak smile back at Thea and closed her eyes drifting off to sleep.
Miria: I thought you would help her deliver the baby considering how confident you sounded and the kind of things you made us fetch.
Miria spilled out her thoughts without much hesitation with a slight tilt on her head as she sat on a small chair by the entrance of the room.
In response, Thea can only smiled while she continues to hold Astina's hands.
The door creaked softly
Cale: No more buns but I found some bread, freshly steamed and I brewed some tea.
Cale placed the tray on the small fancy table laid out near the grand bed. As she settled down she noticed Miria looking at the bread with disappointment. She seems to only be holding it and looking at it intensely.
Cale: You don't like bread?
Cale asked Miria as she started chomping on her share as she observe Miria still looking at the bread she's holding, occasionally bringing it closer to her mouth but can't get herself to bite it.
Thea: The bread is really good. The fragrance is just amazing and the texture really compliments the taste you should give it a try Miria.
Miria: I'm sorry... I just can't bring myself to eat it.
Miria finally sets the bread down onto the bowl before she even gives it a single bite. She just sip her tea as she stared out into the window.
Thea: I wonder when will the doctors arrive if this goes on for too long Queen Astina will wake up again and she'll have to endure the suffocating pain once again or even worse this time there'll be no more delaying her giving birth and we'll have to deal with it ourselves.
Cale and Miria simply nodded in agreement to the worrying fact but that's all they can add to the topic. They were not the type to have some wise advice or reassuring words to add.
Just then, the door to the living room swing open downstairs with a loud thud as it loudly slams against the wall. Footsteps could be heard rushing towards the stairs and towards the master bedroom.
The three girls who have been accompanying Astina sighed in relief, Miria and Cale then walked outside the room to greet the doctors and report about Astina's conditions while Thea stay behind to continue monitoring Astina.
Relia lightly tapped Thea's shoulders which surprised Thea as she jumped back a bit.
Relia: Yo! How's mom doing?
Thea: You scared me there you bastard but yeah she's not on the most 'okay' state. Do you want some snacks?
Thea held out the bowl towards Relia.
Relia: I'm not really a bread person you know that.
The bowl was then pulled back. Thea got up from her seat and stretched out a bit. Thea grabbed the bowl of bread and started heading for outside.
Thea: Let's get out and leave the rest to the doctors here.
Relia: Yeah...
As soon as they leave the group of doctors rushed inside the bedroom.
The doctors start working. Astina was waken up and the procedure started shortly.