Bride To His Darkness
Chapter 251: Birthing An Heir

Chapter 251: Birthing An Heir

"Oh." His tensed shoulders eased with relief, "Alistair, it’s you." From how he called his name, there was an underlying feeling of assuagement laced with his tone. If it were anyone else who had caught him entering the late Queen’s chamber, he’d be questioned thoroughly like a suspect.

"What are you doing here?" Alistair’s expression darted sideways, as if cross-checking to make sure no one was coming. Duncan quickly stepped out of the room without giving the mirror another glance, but his grasp on the withered rose showed no sign of loosening, whilst he took it with him.

After stepping out, Alistair closed the door, sealing it the exact way it was left. He turned to look at Duncan who awkwardly scratched the back of his head, and he was yet to recover from the image he just saw. No doubt, the entrapped woman in the mirror was Ivan’s Mother, but she was holding the same crystal. The complexity of the matter made Duncan’s eyebrows creased in dubiety.

"There’s a reason why this part is sealed." Alistair informed Duncan, "you should keep out, or you can get into serious trouble with the four Lords."

"I... see." Duncan nodded in understanding, feigning cluelessness. "To avoid similar occurrences from happening in the future, why not station a guard here, or find someone who is capable of handling it?" He asked, folding his arms. "You don’t have to listen to it, it is just a harmless suggestion."

"Always so formal, you haven’t changed at all." Alistair tsked and threw a hand around Duncan’s shoulders, pulling the slightly irritated vampire close. He knew how much Duncan loved his personal space, more reason why Duncan avoids him because he was fond of breaking that number one rule. "Where are you heading by this time of the day? Aren’t you a night walker?"

"I need the herbs planted from the garden in the upper quarters. Ivan told me they were divided from the ones below." Duncan explained plainly, trying to coil himself away from Alistair’s rough hold, but he couldn’t even do that since Alistair was presently taking him through the path, refusing to take his hands away.

"Why didn’t you say so sooner? You must have lost your way! I’ll show you."

"I do not mind walking ten times backward, but you will be ten feet below the ground if I am not released from this inappropriate position. You are the reason I wish my illness was contagious."

"See? This is what happens when you isolate yourself all the time, easily panicking. I’ve caught you today so we will go to the garden and select your herbs together."

"Kill me instead." Duncan silently pleaded.

—

Back in the kingdom of Aragon, Samantha had followed Lucinda into the courtyard, where they both took their seats on a vacant bench. The light breeze carried the scent of falling leaves, and the promise of cooler days to come. She was presently getting ready for her royal procession rehearsals; where she was going to practice regal processions and carriage ride, showcasing her grace and composure in public.

This was the fifth day already, only two more days were left and Samantha couldn’t wait to finally get this over with. The daily ceremonial rituals were too much for her soul to handle, even a normal wedding between two people barely has this much activity. Her thoughts, however, were interrupted by Gareth who showed up to meet them in the courtyard, and behind him were two females who held a cup of spiced apple tea.

When they received their teacup, Samantha felt the same significant feeling she felt earlier, and she wasn’t going to lie when she says, there is a chance she could get used to being treated like this. With a slight smile, she cradled the delicate porcelain cup in her hand, and steam curled from the cup’s brim. The spiced apple tea was a rich amber, reminiscent of the fallen leaves carpeting the courtyard– she could distinguish the warmth of cinnamon and cloves, the gentle bite of ginger, and the sweet undertone of apples in its intricate brew.

Taking a sip as she was taught in her etiquette lesson yesterday, the spices tingled on her taste buds, providing a comforting warmth, whilst the apples’ sweetness balanced the brew perfectly. She couldn’t stop herself from taking a bigger sip.

"Has the carriage been prepared?" Lucinda asked Gareth who nodded his head in response.

"Yes, My Queen. When My Lady here is ready, I shall call everyone to order." Answered Gareth, and he dismissed the two servants who had brought the tea.

Left alone, Samantha’s eyes wandered to the leaves on the tree, and they had begun their gradual transformation, painting the courtyard in shades of crimson, gold, and burnt orange. The courtyard’s fountain gurgled softly, its waters catching the dappled sunlight that filtered through the changing canopy above.

"It is the season of transition, isn’t it?" A soft smile graced Samantha’s lips, and Lucinda, who had worn her crown today, nodded in agreement, whilst she dropped her porcelain cup back on the saucer, admiring the view.

"It has been a long time since we experienced the beauty of nature in Autumn. Though I sense that your powers could be affected within this season and the next to come." She exhaled softly and said, "you will be officially married two days from now, you will become Queen, and Ivan’s lawfully wedded wife. How do you feel?"

"Like my heart is going to burst any second now." Samantha answered with a hesitant smile, and it made Lucinda’s lips curve with warmth. Looking at the cup in her hand, Samantha continued.

"I never dreamed of this, and now it has become my reason to live. I’ve always wanted to flee from the Palace, I’ve made many... absurd attempts to leave but they never go the way I plan. The world never really gave me much of a choice back then, it was a lonely place I wish never to go back to but even then, he was always there."

Samantha couldn’t recount how many times Ivan had shown up in her life. She never wanted him to, but as if their fate were tightly sealed to the knots on a string, he always found her and he always stayed. Her life decisions had been tainted in ways that simply cannot be reversed– but in a good way. Before sneaking out this morning, he informed her he’d come over again tonight.

Despite his sweet words, she could sense there was another reason he was acting so clingy. He teased her and held her all through until she finally persuaded him to leave, else they’d both be in trouble. The protective look in his eyes, and how she feigned cluelessness to them– is there something else he isn’t telling her?

"Ivan’s love for you knows no bounds." Lucinda added, snapping Samantha back to the present, and she took another sip from her cup. "So have you two discussed how many children you’d be birthing? Is it two? Or three? Or perhaps four? Are you the type of couple who exceed above four?"

Like a reflex action, Samantha spat out the tea she had sipped, and she coughed when some of the liquid tickled her throat. Lucinda’s startlement was quick to fade, and from the girl’s bashful reaction, it was obvious they hadn’t planned things through.

"It is important for the both of you to discuss these crucial matters. I do not pray for such but Ivan will need a male heir when he is no more. Future battles will eventually arise, and there is a chance... My point is, he will need an heir as his lifespan cannot be predicted. You two should find time to talk this through, before the Minister’s apply foul pressure on you both."

Lucinda’s voice bore no hesitation, she was blunt, and thoughtful concerning the matter, and Samantha could only nod as she had absolutely nothing to say to that. She didn’t know producing a male heir was that significant or compulsory.

What if she births a female then?

Will Ivan expect the same of her as well? The sudden topic was beginning to make her feel uneasy, whilst she chewed on the skin in her cheek, her pensive gaze fixed on the liquid in her cup. As if she suddenly thought of something, she looked at Lucinda.

"How did you become Queen of Aragon? I do not know much about you or your kingdom so I... you don’t have to answer it if it bothers–"

"How does one become Queen?" Lucinda asked a question while gazing into the distance, but it was rhetorical as she did not await a response. "After cutting ties with the Chevalier’s and dividing our kingdom, I got married to the man who supported me through my trials. He was a good man. Sadly, our marriage did not last after he accompanied the soldiers to war– he didn’t come back alive, and this happened two weeks after our marriage."

There was a flicker of sadness in her sapphire blue eyes, "losing the man you love and a King on top, it is never easy for the Queen. I am what I am due to the undenying pressures from the court, it was rough, and what made it unbearable was when I had no child to fill in for the throne– you cannot be weak and still be called Queen. You have to make choices Samantha, wise, unregrettable choices and decisions. I believe you will fare well, you are not as breakable as you look." Came her indirect compliment.

Samantha offered her a touching smile, "I am glad that I have you to lead me on the right path. I am sorry about your husband, I never knew–"

"There’s nothing to be sorry for, I am not a depressed widow." Lucinda’s eyes regained their sharp, familiar wits. "But you see, this is another reason why having an heir is important, so you don’t end up like me. The future cannot be predicted, so one has to be ready, just in case."

Samantha nodded slightly, and Gareth soon showed up.

"My Lady, it is time for the royal procession." He informed Samantha who had almost forgotten. She rose to her feet, her regal gown adorned with intricate embroidery, whilst she turned around to look at Lucinda who remained seated.

"Do I look ready?"

"Not quite, inform your maid to retouch your make-up before leaving. Another hairdo will do fine, something that’ll make you feel powerful."

Samantha had expected much worse comments, but she was happy to know the dress she chose fit the ceremony nicely. Bowing her head with respect, she turned to leave, a diligent Gareth following behind her.

"Gareth."

"Yes, My Queen?" The butler had stopped to answer Lucinda.

"I feel my mind is going to go on a rampage, I need to cool down with some quick chess. Bring me the board on your way back."

"Of course, My Queen."

Affirming to his Queen’s request, Gareth turned to leave the courtyard, and when she was alone, a nostalgic smile touched her lips. If her sister was alive to witness this day, she knew, deep down, that she would be happy, and she hoped, that she was happy in her resting place.