The queen's maid averted her gaze from the panting woman and met Eryx's eyes. "The queen's condition has worsened."
"What? But there's still an entire month left before the due date!" Cedric exclaimed.
"Yes, but the baby isn't waiting. The contractions have started and they're not far apart. There's no time to fetch a doctor, either," the maid answered.
"No. There has to be a way. I'll get him. There must be a period of waiting," Cedric said.
Dove squeezed his shoulders, trying to calm him. "Neil and I will accompany you. Let's leave now," he said.
"Yes, that would be most agreeable," Cedric answered.
Neil sighed. Even though Dove seemed cheerful about his surroundings, Neil couldn't help but have a seed of doubt flicker within him, especially concerning Prince Cedric.
Before Eryx started descending the stairs, he heard Neil say, "Don't worry, just take care of them both and try to get the doctor as quickly as possible. I'll handle everything else here."
Neil halted in his steps when he saw Eryx, "Getting enough sleep?"
Eryx smiled wanly and nodded.
Neil hesitated before speaking, "Don't you sometimes feel there's something weird going on with Prince Cedric? Like he gets so close to Dove and keeps touching him. I don't think they have that sort of comfort with each other. And if I ever point it out to him he puts it off as a joke or gets very rude. It's frustrating he doesn't see it. Maybe I shouldn't care. I feel like I'm getting too involved."
"It's hard to see when it's you. It's really easy to look the other way and not help. But you're right Cedric seems nice but he's shady and he does get too close for comfort. I don't think you should stop looking out for Prince Dove. What if it was you who was going through this and not Dove? Wouldn't you want him to be involved and warn you?"
"You're right. I'll try to talk to him again at the cotillion once. Thanks for your advice."
Before Eryx could reply, they heard Dove's calls for Neil to join him downstairs and Neil had to leave abruptly.
Overwrought as he was, Eryx knew it was his duty to stay behind and help the queen if any problem arose. He sat by the chimney. It was still, except for the rustle of cinder in the grate and the slow tick-tock of the wall clock. No, there was another soundâthe beat of the maids' footsteps as they slipped in and out of the room.
He pondered upon Neil's question and he could understand why he felt that. Despite the eldest prince's temperament being a lot better than Cassius, Eryx couldn't fully trust his words. He had been in a similar situation to Dove where he felt a bit uncomfortable by how long Cedric's hand seemed to linger on his shoulders or how close he got while conversing. He never asked for his consent or make sure he was feeling comfortable the way Cassius did.
When he had shared this with Cassius he remembered the way his face contorted into a bitter expression and his words still send a shiver down his spine, 'Stay away from him and if he does anything that makes you feel unsafe. Stop him. Don't ignore it or feel guilty just because he's the prince. Trust me the scandals he's found himself in, he is definitely not what he seems. But he understands politics and he knows how to keep his image clean.'
Eryx's thoughts were heavy, muddled. He let his chin sink upon his chest, stretched out his legs, and stared broodingly into the fire. The episode he had witnessed a few days ago when he was imprisoned still obsessed with him morbidly.
He glanced at the clock yet again, which now showed half-past four. An hour had elapsed.
The birth was a long, harsh struggle. Then, as the first streaks of dawn strayed past the broken edges of the blind, the child was bornâa boy.
He heard the shrieks and the terrified cries of the maids. He went inside to inspect the situation himself. The queen was safe and in a deep slumber. He saw the two children beside the bed. The queen was still asleep after being heavily sedated. The maid showed him the two princes. The elder was healthy, but when he saw the younger, a shiver of horror went through his spine; it was lifeless.
Eryx's mind raced back to a memory from his past, a moment when he had assisted his father during the birth of a baby goat. The current situation felt strangely similar, evoking a surge of determination within him. Acting swiftly, he knelt down and gently cradled the newbornâan exquisitely formed baby boy. The tiny, warm body lay in his hands, delicate and pale.
"Fetch me two bowls immediatelyâone filled with steaming hot water and the other with cold water!" he urgently exclaimed.
The maids exchanged bewildered glances, unsure of Eryx's intentions. He spoke again, his voice infused with resolve, "The prince has yet to arrive with the doctor, but I believe I may know a way to save him. Please, assist me before it's too late."
Without hesitation, two maids hurried downstairs and swiftly returned, carrying the requested basins as instructed by Eryx.
With a sense of urgency, he poured cold water into one basin, while the other was filled with water as hot as he could endure. Like a skilled performer, he carefully transferred the child between the two bowls, alternating between the chilling cold and the steaming heat. Beads of perspiration formed on his forehead as he repeated this process tirelessly for five intense minutes. Throughout, he held the prince close, his grip tender and unwavering. Yet, the baby's body remained limp and lifeless.
"It's stillborn. There's nothing more we can do," one of the maids lamented, succumbing to despair. However, Eryx paid no heed to the discouraging words. Swiftly, he retrieved a soft silk quilt from the nearby bed and gently wiped the baby's body with it. Methodically, he pressed against the tiny chest in a rhythmic motion, his trembling fingers searching for any sign of life. And then, a flicker of hopeâa gasp of air filled the child's lungs. Eryx redoubled his efforts, channeling his determination into reviving the baby. Gradually, a healthy rosy hue suffused the small body, accompanied by a soft cry that pierced the air.
He had achieved the unimaginable. Joy spread through those present as the cries grew stronger. Eryx carefully handed the child to a nearby maid, who expertly wrapped him in a warm blanket and returned him to the queen's side on the bed. Eryx himself retreated to his original position outside, tears streaming down his face. He had accomplished a miraculous feat. Though his heart longed to share the incredible tale with Cassius, to convey every detail to him, he understood that now was not the time.
He burst from the chambers and found Cassius nervously pacing outside. When Cassius saw him, he immediately asked, "Are she and the baby okay?"
Eryx felt so overwhelmed that he couldn't form any words; he simply nodded like a madman.
Cassius breathed heavily, and tears began dripping from his eyes.
"I saved the prince," he murmured as Cassius covered him in a warm embrace.
In the evening of the next day, a grand ball was thrown in honor of Prince Kier and Kaden's birth. Eryx was made the guest of honor.
"Your Highness, Your Majesty has requested your presence downstairs," a guard said.
"Yes, I'll be coming down shortly," Cassius said politely and then closed the door.
"I hope he didn't see me," Eryx said.
Cassius wrapped his arms around his neck and pecked his lips softly. "Of course, he didn't. Don't worry."
His hand slowly went inside Eryx's silk shirt. He slowly massaged his chest and fingers trailed circles on his smooth skin. He placed his free hand on his cheek and pulled him closer. Cassius eyed him silently, asking for permission. Eryx nodded timidly and Cassius placed his lips over Eryx's as they both closed their eyes. He nibbled at his bottom lip playfully and then clamped his lips over him pressing slightly against it.
Eryx let out a small moan as Cassius took it as an opportunity to slide his tongue in. He put his hand on the back of the younger boy's head, and he reassuringly stroked his hair, and that completely eradicated Eryx's anxiousness. His hesitation vanished. He didn't want to cover his face. He wanted to show him how amazing he made him feel, the way his cheeks flushed, how the locks of his hair fell over his forehead, and how his eyes darkened when the prince touched him.
He moved upwards to enable their tongues to touch each other. Cassius removed his hand from inside his shirt and squeezed his thighs as his tongue swirled inside the younger boy's mouth. Eryx stopped for a moment as they drifted apart to inhale some air. He parted his lips again and felt Cassius washing over like a wave of warmth, curling his toes, unfurling all his senses as his taste nearly silenced all thoughts. He wanted more. He wanted to go on but he knew he had to stop him.
"Cassius we need to stop. We need to go down for the ball and if we go any further I am positive I wouldn't want to leave the chambers anymore and stay here all night with you."
Cassius pressed his forehead against Eryx as they both inhaled their intoxicating scent, hypnotizing each other, there was a magnetic pull between them that they couldn't deny. It made them lose all their senses.
"Alright, let's go." He placed the younger boy downwards tenderly and helped him fix his clothes. After that, Eryx stood in front of the mirror arranging his hair when Cassius wrapped his hands around his waist and stole one last kiss that made him think he might collapse into a pool at his feet.
They left the chamber and hurried downstairs. The queen reclined in a chair near the corner where the orchestra played their music. They both glanced sideways at each other and walked toward the queen. The queen looked delighted holding the newborn princes, Kier and Kaiden, in her arms.
They bowed in front of her.
"Your majesty, you called for me?" Eryx asked.
"Yes, I did. I called for both of you because I wanted to address something of great importance."
"What is it, your highness?" Eryx asked.
The queen took a deep breath, her expression filled with sincerity.
"I want to sincerely apologize for my actions during the dungeon episode. I deeply regret framing you and orchestrating that scandal. Cassius made me realize the gravity of my mistake when he expressed his loss of trust in me."
Eryx's surprise turned into understanding, and he nodded.
"I understand your concerns, your majesty, but please know that our love is genuine and sincere. We never intended to go against the values of our kingdom. We only followed our hearts."
The queen sighed, her gaze turning somber.
"While I acknowledge the depth of Cassius's feelings for you, Eryx, I struggle to fully accept the fact that my son is involved with another boy, especially someone who does not come from a noble lineage. It challenges the norms and traditions we hold dear."
Eryx's heart sank, but he remained composed, wanting to understand the queen's perspective.
"I respect your position, your majesty, and I understand the weight of tradition. But we didn't plan for this to happen either. We cannot control who we fall for. And our bond has taken time to build. But it's built on genuine affection and understanding."
The queen nodded, a bittersweet smile playing on her lips.
"I cannot deny that your connection has deeply moved me. Seeing the depth of Cassius's emotions, and his fight to be with you against all odds has made me question my own preconceived notions. It is clear that his feelings for you are sincere and profound."
Eryx's heart fluttered with a glimmer of hope, yet he remained cautious.
"But I cannot simply overlook the challenges and potential consequences that lie ahead. The judgment and disapproval you may face from others, the strain on the stability of our kingdom. These are concerns that cannot be ignored."
Cassius stepped forward, his voice filled with determination.
"Mother, I understand your worries, and I appreciate your willingness to see the depth of our love. We are aware of the obstacles we may face, but we are willing to face them together."
The queen's gaze softened as she looked at her son and Eryx.
"You both possess a strength and resilience that cannot be overlooked. While I cannot fully accept your relationship as a queen, as a mother, I want nothing more than for my son's happiness. You have my blessings, though they come with a heavy heart. I will be there to support you both, to help navigate the challenges that lie ahead."
Tears welled up in Cassius's eyes as he embraced his mother, grateful for her acceptance.
Eryx and Cassius exchanged a glance filled with love and determination. They knew the road ahead would not be easy, but with the queen's understanding and blessings, they felt a renewed strength to face whatever came their way. Their love would endure.
A/N
Hi thanks so much for the read! If you enjoyed please leave a vote or a comment that's the best way to support me! Thanks so much xx, Anne.