by Frank David
“Ladies, please leave us,” another voice entered the room.
“Braynard!” Lena greeted the Scientia. “You can save my child! You can do anything.”
“I am afraid there is nothing I can do, my dear.” Braynard’s voice conveyed little emotion.
“Is our child going to die?” She looked at Victor.
“It is unclear, but you must be strong.” Victor’s voice soothed her. “Braynard and I will stay by your side until it is over.”
“I want the ladies to stay, please,” Lena pleaded with Braynard.
“Very well,” Braynard said, smiling at Lena. “Ladies continue what you were doing.”
The midwife returned to trying to turn the child within Lena’s womb. Lena’s screams increased as her body was violated by the woman’s hands.
Roderick returned with the doctor. Both rushed in the room to find the two men.
“Victor!” Roderick shouted when he saw the deceased Emperor kneeling by the bed. His shock quickly weaned when he noticed Braynard in the room as well. The doctor was visibly shaken seeing the Emperor whom he had pronounced dead many months ago.
“You!” Roderick noticed Braynard standing off in the corner. “What are you doing here?”
Braynard approached Roderick. “I am afraid the child will not survive long after she arrives. You must get word to Stela. Joseph will soon be Emperor of Xasha,” he whispered.
“Is there nothing you can do?” Roderick’s voice was filled with anger. “You are all powerful. Surely you have the power to save the child.”
“It is not the child’s destiny to rule Xasha. It is Joseph’s. Lena’s daughter will not be strong enough to survive life outside of her mother’s body,” Braynard whispered, trying to show some remorse. “I may be all powerful, as you say, but I never claimed to be all good.”
“You could heal the child of whatever ails her. You would stand by and allow an innocent child to die?” Roderick’s voice was rising as the conversation continued. “Lena has lost so much. Do not allow her to lose her child as well.”
“Have you not learned yet boy? Do not question me!” Braynard’s face conveyed his anger. “I silenced you once, do not make me do it again. I fear I would not be so kind as to bring you back.” Braynard left before his anger became too much.
“Let me have a look,” the doctor said, moving the midwife away from Lena.
“The child is in the wrong position,” the doctor said with a concerned tone. “You have two options. The midwife can continue to try to turn the baby or I could cut the baby out of you. I fear both options are very dangerous for you and the baby.”
Lena looked at Victor. “Our child is not meant to survive, is he?”
“Lena, I do not know what the outcome will be for our daughter,” Victor said, placing his head against her hand.
“Daughter?” Lena said, confusion in her voice. “Braynard had said we would have a son.”
“Perhaps he was wrong. I see a daughter inside of you.” Victor spoke softly.
“Which option is less difficult for my daughter?” Lena asked the doctor.
“The safest option for the child is to cut her out of you, but it poses great risk to you, Empress Consort,” the doctor answered.
“Then that is what you shall do,” Lena smiled at Victor. “I will gladly give my life, that my child may live.”
“Could everyone but the midwife please leave?” the doctor ordered.
“I would like to stay with my wife,” Victor said.
“You may stay. It might do the Empress Consort good to have you here. Though I must admit I doubt that I could force you to leave,” the doctor said with a nervous laugh.
Roderick and the others went into the hall to wait. Luna paced anxiously, wishing to be in the room with her daughter but knowing it best she waited as the doctor requested.
“Juliana, I must go send word to Stela,” Roderick whispered to his wife.
“Why? What is going on?” Juliana could sense the urgency in his voice.
“Braynard said the child would not survive. Joseph is to be Emperor of Xasha. She must prepare him.” Roderick kissed her as he rushed off.
“Where is he going?” Luna asked.
“He is sending word to Stela, letting her know of Lena’s difficulties,” Juliana lied.
“Preparing her to take the throne?” Luna could see through Juliana’s deception.
“Stela must be prepared should the child not survive,” Juliana said, trying to be compassionate.
“The child will survive. The child will be the next Empress of Xasha!” Luna’s brow contorted in pain.
“I do hope that is true, but should she not survive, we cannot allow Xasha to be without a ruler. The realm is already unstable.” Juliana moved toward Luna.
“This is why you were sent here. You knew the child would not survive. Stela needed her eyes and ears to know when her son would be Emperor.” The contempt in Luna’s voice was not concealed.
“No, Luna. We were sent here to help Xasha heal after what Edmund had done.” Juliana placed her hand on Luna. The older Imperial pulled away.
The screams from behind the door interrupted their arguing. Luna paced frantically. She wanted to be in the room with her daughter. She worried this was all a scheme to place Joseph upon the throne, orchestrated by Stela.
The midwife stood next to the doctor as he began the incision. The blood quickly flowed as the knife pierced Lena’s belly.
Victor tried to comfort Lena, but her screams drowned his voice. He held her hand tightly as she screamed through the pain. He watched the tears run down his wife’s face. The color seemed to be draining.
“Doctor, she seems to be turning white!” Victor screamed.
“She is losing much blood. I am almost through, just a bit longer,” the doctor responded without looking up.
He gently cut through the sac that kept the child protected and nourished within Lena’s body. The child’s color was not right. He needed to get her out now. The cord had wrapped around the child’s neck. He could only assume that was what prevented the child from moving into the correct position. There was no time to lose. He grabbed the child and removed the cord. He handed the small girl to the midwife who held her while he cut the cord, freeing the child from her mother.
A faint cry left the child’s throat. Lena breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing her daughter. Victor kissed her hand.
“I must close you up now before I hand the child over to you.” The doctor worked to remove all the afterbirth, knowing the longer Lena remained open the greater her risk for infection. Once he was finished he stitched her up.
He handed her the child. Lena took the child in her arms. Her daughter’s breathing was labored. “Why does she struggle to breathe? What is wrong with her?” Lena’s tear stained eyes begged the doctor for an answer.
“The cord was around her neck, but I do not know for how long,” the doctor responded, the sorrow in his voice evident. “Go get the family,” he directed the midwife.
Luna rushed in as soon as the door opened. Relief fell across her when she saw the child in her daughter’s arms. She ran over to the bed and sat with her daughter as she caressed the child.
“What will you name her?” Luna asked.
Lena looked at Victor. “She will be called, Victoria.”
Juliana entered the room. “A fine name for an Empress,” she commented. She held back the tears that were welling up in her eyes. She knew the child would not survive and it pained her to know Lena would suffer another great loss.
“I agree, Empress Victoria,” Luna said, a smile forming across her face. “I am sorry I did not believe you about Victor,” she said, smiling at the Emperor still kneeling beside her daughter. “I was convinced you had lost your mind. I should have known better.”
“It is alright mother. I was starting to believe I had lost my mind as well.” Lena laughed and kissed the child on her head. “I am tired. I did not realize giv
ing birth was so difficult.”
Juliana moved closer. “It is difficult, but it is the most rewarding difficulty you will ever experience.”
“I am afraid I must leave you now, Lena,” Victor said as he stood. “Keeping me here is tiring you out even more.”
“Do you have to go, Victor?” Lena pleaded. She could feel his hand leave hers as he vanished.
Victoria looked up at her mother with her bright green eyes. Her head was covered in thick dark hair.
Lena had never felt such joy in her life. Holding her child, feeling her in her arms. It was a feeling she would treasure always.
“You should try to get the child to nurse, if you are up to it,” the midwife offered.
Lena removed her breast from her top and moved Victoria, so she was facing her nipple. The child clamped down and began to feed. It was a new sensation for Lena but one she enjoyed.
The doctor and midwife finished cleaning up, then left the three women alone.
“She is beautiful,” Juliana commented as the child fed.
“She will be a great ruler,” Luna offered.
“You should get some rest, Lena,” Juliana said, approaching her to take the child. “You must be exhausted. I am sure Victoria is as well.” Lena handed the child to Juliana who placed her in the bassinet.
“Get some rest,” Luna said, kissing her daughter before leaving the room.
Roderick approached Juliana as she closed the door to Lena’s room. “How is the child?”
“She is beautiful. Are you sure she is to die?” Juliana whispered.
“It is what Braynard said. I sent word to Stela. I hope he was wrong in his prediction, but I doubt that he is.” Roderick’s voice was solemn.
“I wish to sit here, in case she would need anything.” Juliana sat on the bench across from the door. “Do you know when it is to happen?”
“Braynard said she would not survive long. I worry for Lena.” Roderick sat next to his wife.
“Why was Victor there? How was that possible?” Juliana contained her fear and surprise while in the room but now her questions needed to be answered.
“It is Lena’s gift. She can communicate with the dead. She can also make them manifest.” Roderick placed his hand on hers. “She obviously wanted him with her which is why he appeared.”
Juliana rested her head against his shoulder. She too was exhausted. The day had taken much out of her both physically and emotionally. The bit of rest she received upon his shoulder brought her little comfort as her dreams were plagued with the thought of the infant Empress dying. She was jolted from her dream world with the screams coming from Lena’s room. She and Roderick rushed in to find Lena standing over the bassinet.
“No!” Lena screamed. “My precious girl!” Lena fell to her knees. Her face covered in tears.
Roderick approached the bassinet. The child that lay inside was blue. He could not see her chest rising. The child had stopped breathing. He picked her up but she was cold to the touch.
Juliana rushed to Lena’s side, offering comfort which Lena did not seek. She pushed Juliana away.
Lena sat holding her chest. Her heart was breaking. Victoria was all she had that remained of Victor and now she was gone as well. Lena was once again alone.
“Why?” Lena screamed, the foam forming about her mouth as her tears continued. “Why would God do this to me? He has taken my husband and now also my daughter. What have I done to offend him so?”
Luna entered the room. She knew immediately what had happened. She rushed to her daughter’s side. Lena allowed her mother’s comfort. She held tight to her daughter as she sobbed frantically.
“Child, God did not take your husband,” the voice sent waves of anger through Roderick’s body as he turned to see the Scientia standing in the doorway. “You brother-in-law took him. As for your daughter, she was not a strong child. She was not destined to rule Xasha. I am sorry for your loss, but it was not God’s hand that took your child.”
“You could have saved her,” Lena accused. “You have power beyond all in Saaveth. You have visions. Did you not see my daughter’s death?”
“Lena, I could have saved your daughter, but her fate was to be with her father. Had I saved her, she would have just joined him later. Would that have made her death any easier?” Braynard tried to show compassion. He failed.
“How can you tell her such things?” Juliana screamed at the man. “Have you no heart? Roderick say something!”
“I have learned that Braynard has his reasons for helping or not. It is not for any of us to question his logic.” The words stuck in Roderick’s throat. The words were difficult to say but he knew if he angered Braynard he might face a price he was not willing to pay.
“The man is a monster,” Juliana said, her eyes glared at him with the hate of her soul. “Leave!” she screamed at the man. The tears flowing free down her face.
“Roderick, can we speak?” Braynard asked.
Roderick was reluctant to follow him but knew he must. He was led out into the hall. Braynard turned to face him. If Roderick had not known better, he would swear the man was moved by the death of the child.
“You must watch over Lena,” Braynard began. “I know you think me uncaring for not saving Victoria. I do not expect you to understand my reasons, nor will I try to convince you of their validity.”
“I believe anything you might tell me would be a lie,” Roderick interrupted.
“I know you believe me to be a ruthless man, a man who cares nothing for anyone, but you could not be further from the truth. If you understood, you would know how much I ache for Lena and for the others who have suffered losses since Stela took the throne.” Braynard turned his back, wishing not to look at Roderick. A single tear rolled down his face. It was the first tear he had shed in many years. It surprised him.
“You have done nothing to prove otherwise, I am afraid.” Roderick made no attempt to hide his contempt. “You could have saved the child. Even if she was destined to die, you could have allowed Lena more time with her daughter!”
“Do you believe that would have made the child’s death easier for her to handle? You are right, I could have saved her, given Lena more years with her daughter. It would only be a few short years. Would that have made the pain any less or would it have made the pain worse?” Braynard knew Roderick would not be moved.
“Why did the child have to die at all?” Roderick wanted to lash out at him but knew better of it.
“It was the child’s fate. We all have a fate, Roderick. I take no joy in the child’s death. I have seen what lies ahead for Xasha, for all of Saaveth, and it is Joseph who is in that future. There was no place for Victoria.” Braynard’s voice showed he was moved by the events.
“The child had to die so Joseph could fulfill what you have seen? Perhaps your visions are incorrect. Lena said you told her she was to have a son, but she gave birth to a daughter. Proof your visions are not exact.” Roderick was trying to understand but his anger clouded his reason.
“It is what Lena wanted to hear. She wanted to believe she would have a son, so it is what I told her. I knew the child would be a girl. As I know Stela will give birth to a daughter. I know the fate of all who call Saaveth home. Well, those who follow God, at least.” Braynard turned again to face Roderick. “Those who follow the Goddess, Diana, their fates are blocked from me. Just as my followers are blocked from her,” he realized at once the slip he had made.
“Your followers?” Roderick asked. “What do you mean ‘your followers’?”
“The Scientia. Diana is not able to see the fate of the Scientia,” Braynard quickly covered his error in a lie. “It was an agreement made before the time of Declan, before there were the four realms.”
“What is to become of Lena?” Roderick questioned.
“I fear she will take her own life,” Braynard said, turning from Roderick once again. “The pain will be too much for her. She will desire to be with Victor and Victoria.
There will be no comfort. The pain will drive her mad.”
“Is there nothing you can do?” Roderick pleaded. “Can you not ease her pain? Perhaps make her forget?”
“Yes, I could make her forget the child, but someone would remind her. It would just bring the pain back.” Braynard released a heavy sigh as he gave his answer. “I know you do not believe me, but no joy has been had by me over what has occurred. I wish there was something I could have done but sometimes we must let fate have its say.”
“How do we tell the people their future Empress is dead? What do we do with Lena?” Roderick pleaded to Braynard for guidance.
“The people understand the difficulties of labor. The explanation will be easy, but you must show them it has saddened you,” Braynard said, turning away again. “They must know that the people of Hulsteria share their pain over the loss of Victoria. Use her name. As for Lena, once Joseph arrives and you are made his Regent in Xasha, she must return with her mother to Hulsteria. Once home, she may move forward from this. The longer she remains in Xasha, the greater her pain will be.”
“Stela said Harris was to be his Regent.” Roderick remembered the conversation well.
“He will be, in time. Until then, you will remain in Xasha and be the boy’s hand in ruling the realm. You will be fair and just. You will see that the boy is well loved by his people,” Braynard said, as he took his leave.
Roderick returned to the room. Lena was still sitting on the floor just inches from Victoria’s bassinet. Her mother cradled her, trying to comfort her devastated child. Juliana stood across from them, unsure of what she should do.
“Lena, I am so sorry,” Roderick said. “We must tell the people what has happened. We must allow them to mourn the loss with you. Then we must bury the child. You will return with your mother to Hulsteria.”
“I want Victoria buried at Frostmoor, so that I may visit her. If she is to be buried here, I will never be able to visit her or Victor,” Lena said through the tears.
“I do not think that is wise, Lena.” Luna held her daughter tight. “The people will want the child to remain on Xashan soil and you must respect that. It might be best if she remains here with her father, would you not agree?”