Chapter 21
It had been a whole month since their wedding night and C.C. still didn't think she'd ever felt warmer than whenever she woke up next to her husband.
Not in a good way, anyway – summers left warm, sticky nights that woke her up from the heat and made it near-impossible to get comfortable. Bouts of illness often did the same, at any time of day.
But this...waking up with nothing between her bare body and her husband's, felt warm in the most gentle and welcoming of ways. It was loving, and intimate – the perfect beginning to a new life together. And it had all started off on their wedding day.
She remembered that the wedding festivities had been a colourful, joyous affair, even if it had been small. Beer and wine had flowed like rivers, and the wedding feast had been devoured in half the time it had taken the cooks to prepare it. There had been music, and laughter, and dancing until the very latest hours of the night, before the bride and groom had decided to head to bed at last.
C.C. had let the nerves creep back in then, and they had only worsened when they'd been separated so that the servants could dress and prepare them for their first night together. She hadn't known what was coming – she hadn't known what to think or how to feel, and she had been scared out of her mind that their wedding night would end up being some sort of minor disaster. Thoughts of him not finding her attractive, or it not being good for either of them had swirled around in her mind for what had felt like hours, making her dread what was to come.
She remembered wishing she could go to Marie, Margaret or Lady Sheffield – maybe ask them if what she'd been feeling was normal – but a more reasonable part of her had forced herself to stay put and wait for Niles. She'd been left alone to wait for him in their new joint rooms, and every second without him there had only worsened her anxiety.
She hadn't been too happy when she'd realised his arrival did very little to quell her nerves, either. If anything it had made them worse! The moment of truth had arrived. and she'd felt completely and totally unprepared for anything that was going to happen…
He'd been able to tell, of course. Still, he'd been kind enough not to mention her obvious distress. He'd known it wouldn't have helped. Instead, he'd gone to her and taken her into his arms. She'd appreciated that he'd taken the first step – she didn't think she could have.
He'd started small, at first. Just kisses and light touches before they'd eventually made their way to their bed, all in an attempt to help her relax. They hadn't gone any further until she'd specifically said that she was ready.
It had taken some time until they had come to...well, what she supposed could be termed "the next stage" in the evening. He'd been extremely soft when he'd undressed her – it still made her swoon, if she thought too much about it!
She'd tried to cover herself at first, feeling awkward and embarrassed to be completely naked, in front of him. But he had stopped her from pulling the covers over, adoration in his eyes as he'd taken her into his arms and kissed her, helping her to relax and feel...safer. More like she was home. He'd gently explored her body with cuddles and caresses, feeling her breasts and planting kisses on her shoulders, all the way up her neck and cheeks.
He hadn't pressed further until she'd been ready to lie down so that he could prepare her with his tongue and fingers. His actions had left her peaking and falling into a blissful haze several times over. They had also given her the confidence and the courage she'd needed to finally give him the go-ahead to remove his own nightgown so they could consummate their love and their marriage.
Naturally, her bravado had all but vanished the moment he'd settled in between her legs and positioned himself at her entrance. She hadn't felt ready, and she'd barely felt comfortable enough to even move, really. Especially in the first few moments, when the feeling of him pushing into her had been so different to anything she'd ever experienced. Still, she'd pushed through.
The initial pain had scared her a little (though not too much – she'd known losing her maidenhead usually hurt. Marie and Margaret had told her so in order to prepare her), but she'd soon been comforted by her loving husband. He'd been so soft and kind, and he'd assured her that they could take as long as she needed before moving things along.
He'd truly and really and truly done everything right, taking care of her at every turn throughout their first night together. And that had certainly paid off! The more they'd gotten into it, the more her fear of things going wrong had lessened. What's more – she couldn't have enjoyed herself more if she'd tried. And they'd certainly tried until they'd exhausted themselves that night!
There really had been nothing to be afraid of. Not when she'd been with him and when he'd been more than happy to guide her, gently, and with the patience of a man who wanted what was best for the woman he intended to be with for the rest of his life. Letting go of her fear and giving in to pleasure had been the only logical thing to do…
He'd made her feel special every time he took her – that night and ever since, in a way that she couldn't fully describe. His touch (and certain parts of his anatomy) were addictive, almost – she hadn't been able to get enough, ever since. Niles had been more than willing to oblige, as well, even as he'd playfully teased her for her insatiability. Not that she'd minded that – she knew it was all in good fun.
They were trying for a baby, after all, so the more they were together, the greater the chance.
That was every day they could manage, anyway. And at any time and place, too. Being with him had become such an integral part of her day that, on the rare occasions when he had to go back to court, she'd be left at a loss with what to do with herself, apart from wait for him to return and make love to her.
It didn't take a genius for anyone to realise that the days when he was gone were the longest and hardest for the new Princess of Wales. No matter how hard Marie, Fran, Margaret or even her ladies-in-waiting tried to make her feel better, and even if she knew he would return to her and take her in his arms every night when he got back, she couldn't help missing him during the day.
She knew he missed her terribly during those times, too. He'd grown to adore their domesticity, and it killed him to have to be away from her because of work. The fact that he also had to hide his newfound happiness wasn't easy, either. Going back to court meant pretending there was no loving wife waiting for him; it meant having to tolerate his father's Councilmen's teasing and lecherous remarks about him finally having dropped his once favourite "whore" (the first time he'd heard someone refer to his wife as his whore, Niles had nearly broken their jaw) since she was nowhere to be found; it meant having to endure being hours away from returning home, instead of knowing his wife was safe upstairs...the only thought which kept him going was that one day, she would be.
It wasn't easy, for either of them, but C.C. wouldn't change it for anything.
Not when it meant being married to the most wonderful man in the entire world.
Said man was currently asleep next to her, smiling warmly in his sleep and looking more relaxed than C.C. had seen him in ages. It was obvious that handling an entire country with a strained economy and a destroyed capital city was taking its toll on him, but she was happy that being with her provided him with a much needed respite. He was a good man, and C.C. could only thank the Heavens that she got to call him her husband.
Gently, she began stroking his chest as her eyes took in each and every inch of her husband. He was handsome, that was obvious, but ever since their wedding night (and what they had done every night since) there seemed to be a certain something about him. Something special that she couldn't quite pinpoint – like a glow from within.
It was warm, and it was comforting. It spoke of the feeling of home that he'd provided ever since they'd consummated their marriage.
And speaking of consummation, she couldn't help but notice that certain bits and pieces were already up. C.C. couldn't hold back an impish grin – she might have still been relatively new to the world of marital bliss and the wonders of being with a man, but she'd have lied if the sight of Niles' manhood didn't make her own bits and pieces tingle.
She knew she didn't have to hold back. They were married, trying to conceive and in love – she could take the initiative. She'd done it a couple of times before, and it had always been a pleasant, surprise way of waking her beloved.
He enjoyed finding her there, on top of him, so she didn't even really have to be very quiet. But she still liked to be playful, when she got started – there was an element of fun to it that would be lost, otherwise.
Slowly – stealthily, even – she peeled the covers off them both and, with outstanding precision and in one swift movement, she climbed onto his lap, positioned herself properly and gently sheathed him between her legs, prompting a loud groan to escape her throat.
The noise and the sudden sensation of her slipping around his manhood certainly brought her beloved out of his slumber, that was for sure. It was an unorthodox wake up call, but it definitely got the job done when she needed it to!
With an intake of breath that might've been a yawn mixed with a gasp of unexpected pleasure, he clumsily wiped at his face, before blinking his eyes open and letting them fall on her.
It was a sight he'd grown used to seeing in the mornings; the playful smirk on his wife's face, her warm legs either side of his hips, and his manhood nestled right between. It was certainly more welcome and interesting than a bleary vision of the rest of their room, and the closed door to the corridor...
A mischievous grin creased the corners of his mouth, knowing exactly what she was after.
How he loved the sight of her on top of him in the morning, ready to wake up in the same manner that they'd fallen asleep!
It was...a wonderful surprise, really, finding that she wanted it so often from him! He didn't think they'd gone a day without making love at least three times, when before the wedding, he'd been terrified that she wouldn't want it at all after they'd done it once!
Their wedding night had been nerve-racking for him for that very reason. When the servants had been dressing him, he'd been talking to himself in his head. One half had been telling him to get a grip – he'd done this before, he knew what to do, he knew how to make it good! The other, on the other hand, had been doing the mental equivalent of boring a hole in the floor through pacing, while it worried over what C.C. would think of the sight of him naked, what would she enjoy (if any of it), and how could he make sure it was special for her? As special for her as it would be for him?
If he knew then what he knew now...well, he wouldn't have worried at all. It made him chuckle occasionally, when he was by himself, to think that his love was practically insatiable...!
If they kept going at the pace they were, they could be parents in no time. And that was a wonder all of its own that he couldn't wait for...
"Well, good morning to you, too," he said, slowly lifting his hands up to stroke at the smooth skin of her thighs. "If our current position is anything to go by, I'd say you slept well and feel extremely rested?"
C.C. chuckled in the back of her throat.
"You could say that," she replied, her nails staring to scrape lightly at his chest. "But how could I not sleep so well, after you wore me out so thoroughly...?"
"It's a service I am always glad to provide," he replied, moving his hips a little – he knew it drove her crazy and her muffled moan proved so. "But first, before we get any further, may I request a good morning kiss from my good lady wife?"
C.C., still in that delightful playful mood of hers, leaned down until her chest was flush against her husband's. She then pressed a number of kisses on Niles' smiling features – his cheeks, nose, forehead and, lastly, his lips.
"There," she said, stroking his cheek, "A morning kiss for my lord husband. Now, what is to be my reward for my kindness?"
Niles, knowing what she was after, pretended to think. He "Hmmd" and "Uhmd", trying hard not to laugh but failing to hide his amusement at their morning games.
"Oh, come on," she protested, grinding her hips to stress her point. "You know what I wa––"
Before she had time to finish her sentence, Niles pressed a kiss to her lips and rolled them over.
This, C.C. thought with a muffled giggle, was the perfect way to start a morning. In the arms of her husband, feeling him moving inside her and moaning in pleasure as he started to build the rhythm he'd worked out she liked.
She broke the kiss and gasped and moaned into his ear as he did, returning only to his lips for the occasional kiss as they went. Her hips moved in time with his, grinding and seeking out greater pleasure wherever it was to be found.
It was beyond any kind of pleasure she'd ever experienced or expected in her life. It was magnificent, and had her dancing on the edge of some distant cloud, high above the sky. It was...
Nauseating...?
That didn't seem right...the sudden slight churning in her stomach as Niles' thrusts grew deeper and she felt her pleasure building further. She tried to ignore it – it was probably nothing, and her love, who was so wonderful to her, was moving exactly the way that she liked...
But the more they moved, and the more the pleasure grew and her cries became louder, the less she found it possible to block out the swirling, dizzying sensation in her belly.
The churning was building up, too, with whatever that would bring forth...
It struck her mind and her heart with an equal sense of panic and dread. Something wasn't right – really wasn't right!
And it reached a point in her mind when she understood that nothing could stop it.
She couldn't go on anymore. It would be disastrous if she tried! She could feel it coming up her throat, burning as if warning her all the way, and there would be nowhere for it to go but out!
She had to stop this whole thing right now, before the nausea was released in the worst possible way!
"Niles...!" she cried out, between gasps that held as much liquid back as they took in air. "Niles, stop!"
The word caught onto Niles' senses immediately, because it was the word he dreaded more than any other when they were like this.
He ceased his movements just as quickly, panicking and wondering if he should also move away from her entirely. Would he be able to see what had happened to make her cry "stop" if he did? Would he – and this was, perhaps, in some ways worse – see nothing?
Would he be able to tell why she'd asked him to stop?
Oh, God – it had finally happened, hadn't it?! He'd hurt her, without even realising! He'd thought that her face had looked a little peculiar just a moment ago, but he'd put that down to a trick of the light! He should've known it was because she was trying not to have to tell him anything!
It must've been so bad, she'd felt she had no choice, in the end!
Niles felt his heart start to break, and a sense of ever-increasing panic that threatened to spiral out of control. What was he going to do?! How long had she been enduring him for?! Was there anything at all he could do to even make it better?!
"C.C., my love! I'm sorry," he cried out, pulling back to look at her all over, still panicking but unsure of what to do about it. "What's the matter? What did I do?! Tell me what's wrong!"
C.C. didn't answer him. At least, with not any verbal communication known to man. All she could do was quickly roll to the side from underneath him and loudly vomit over the side of the bed.
Niles nearly leapt back in surprise, yelping as it happened. That wasn't a normal sign of...of anything related to being in bed! He'd never experienced that before, and nobody had ever warned him about it! It...it couldn't have been what they were doing, could it? They'd been in bed plenty of times before and that had never happened so much as once!
What did it mean if that wasn't the reason, though?! Was she sick?! She'd seemed fine only minutes ago! Was it something fast-acting?! Was it something she'd eaten?! He didn't know – his mind was becoming a mess just as fast as the edge of the sheets and the floor next to the bed were.
It would've been a relief to know that he hadn't hurt her, if she weren't clearly so unwell!
"C.C.!" he cried, getting to his knees and wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "Darling, are you alright?!"
Her only answer was to throw up even more. It didn't seem to care that her stomach hurt, or that nothing else presented sign of illness. She just needed to be sick, until there was nothing left. She could hear her husband trying to shush her and she could feel his hand rubbing her back.
She appreciated his attempt at comfort, but it wasn't helping, entirely. Apart from feeling unwell, she was incredibly mad at herself for having ruined what up until then had been a wonderful morning! Not to mention the humiliation of having soiled perfectly good sheets, which her servants would have to change again. She should have been able to hold it in until there was a more suitable place for her to retch!
It was awful, and the worst part was that there was nothing she could do to stop it.
When she finally finished dry-heaving, Niles helped her lie back down and quickly poured her a glass of water from the carafe that their servants had left on his nightstand the night before – it was more than obvious that she needed to lie down for a while.
"Bear with me for a second, love," Niles said, already getting to his feet (but not before having dropped a kiss on her sweaty forehead) "I'll get dressed and call for the servants to come clean this up, alright?"
If it weren't for the fact that her head was swimming to the point where she'd have been swaying violently if she'd been upright, C.C. would've felt more able to give him a coherent answer.
As things currently were, all she felt able to say was "Uh...al...alright..."
It was as her husband turned and went to get off the bed that she noticed an important detail (given to her by way of a small but chilly breeze) they'd both forgotten to address in their panic – she needed to get dressed before the servants arrived, as well!
The last thing she wanted to be showing off to the maids was anything that they didn't normally see in the daytime! There was enough gossip within all the royal households as it was; she didn't want to be the next subject of any of it, for any part of her body whatsoever!
She'd been the subject of enough rumours already...
That was why she rasped as loudly as she could after her husband, before he could start getting dressed.
"Oh! Niles! My nightgown!"
It took him a moment to understand what she was talking about, owing to the panic he'd been feeling previously and the determination he'd replaced it with once he'd settled on a plan, but once Niles realised that his wife was very much still in the nude and was in no current fit state to get dressed by herself, he jumped at once.
He couldn't leave her like that! The servants weren't to see such a thing – his wife's body was precious and private; hers alone, and given to him to love and to look at by her consent. Anybody else gawking in such a fashion would be intruding!
"Oh!" he exclaimed, searching around until he'd spotted where he'd tossed the garment the night before – another corner of the room. "Here it is...!"
He swiftly went and picked it up from the floor where it had landed in a pile, and brought it back to C.C. before he even so much as thought about dealing with his own clothes.
He helped her to dress before getting himself ready, and he then called for two of the maids to come and wash the floor and replace the bedding.
He knew it would take a while for C.C. to do it by herself, in her current state, and he didn't want her getting cold in the meantime. He was more than willing to put everything on hold to help her feel well where he could, even if it meant delaying putting on his own clothes.
He hoped, by the time the maids had arrived to do their cleaning, that she was feeling warmer and starting on her way to feeling well again. The maids didn't take long to mop the floors, or to switch out the sheets that had been hit, and once they were dismissed, he wrapped the new, clean sheets tightly around himself and his wife to help the process along.
But he knew that he still had to give her time, and he was more than happy to be able to hold her and gently whisper whenever she softly moaned in her discomfort. He wanted his presence – hoped and prayed that it would – be soothing, healing, and to help her on the road to recovery.
But as the days turned slowly into weeks and C.C. still showed no signs of getting better from her mystery illness (he'd gathered it was an illness by now; what else could last so long in a human body?!), Niles' panic became unshakeable in his heart and had actually begun to spread. It was getting too hard for him to even go to court, even if he had to – how could he? His wife wasn't well; he'd be no kind of husband at all if he left her by herself! She needed him more than those old fools did!
They didn't change. The symptoms stayed exactly the same, no matter what they did or how much she rested. And they only ever happened in the morning – the rest of the day, she was completely fine! What did that mean?! What kind of illness left a person bedridden for half a day and then completely untouched for the rest of it?!
It was starting to keep him up at night with the wondering, the dreading, the growing fear. Was this something that was even curable?! What if it was something completely new to the human experience?!
Those last two questions played on his mind a lot, but he couldn't get rid of them. Not while his beloved wasn't in any better a state than she had been before, with no telling whether or not it would wear off, or if it would get worse...
That's why he eventually (and very much against his better judgement) decided to have a doctor check on C.C.. Dr Potts was his first option – the man was the finest physician in England, and probably one of the best in Europe, but there was still the worry of Niles not knowing whether or not he was trustworthy.
Their plan had been working wonderfully for the past month and a half to have one man ruin everything because he couldn't hold his tongue. Still, they didn't really have many options – Niles wasn't willing to have C.C. seen by just anyone, and the only physician the court had was Dr Potts.
There wasn't any other choice – Potts had to be summoned.
The doctor arrived mere hours after the prince had requested for his presence. He hadn't been allowed to bring any of his assistants with him nor had he been told what ailment he was supposed to alleviate, something which he found both bemusing and worrying. What could possibly be happening to the prince to warrant such secrecy on his part?!
Potts confusion only grew the moment he was welcomed into the lodge by Prince Niles himself. The man, although dishevelled and clearly in a state of agitation, looked completely healthy!
"You have come in good time, Your Grace," Niles said, shaking the physician's hand. "Now, we mustn't lose time – come with me to my office. We need to discuss something before you do your duty."
That only confused Potts all the more, if he was honest. A discussion? What for? It wasn't standard practice for any kind of rules to be set or agreements to be made, before he got on with curing whatever had called him out to the location of his patient!
Come to think of it, he hadn't even been told who his patient even was! Shouldn't he at least have an idea of what he was doing in mind, before he sat down to have a meeting about what was to happen to them?
He wanted to ask all of those questions and many more, really, but he was also very conscious of who he was speaking with, and the fact that the prince had said that there was no time to lose.
The man clearly sounded agitated, too, so it had to be important. It wasn't often just any simple, small case that called him to see Prince Niles – he usually only demanded when he had a real reason to see the doctor, so maybe he should give him the benefit of the doubt over this secrecy...?
Taking that chance, he nodded and followed the prince to his study.
"Close the door behind you, if you will," Niles ordered as soon as they were there, pulling out a chair for the doctor before taking a seat behind his desk. "What we are about to discuss must not reach the ears of anybody else."
Potts blinked, but did as he was told.
"Of course, Your Royal Highness," he said, closing the door firmly before coming to take the proffered seat. "How am I to be of assistance? Because, if I might speak slightly out of turn, this all seems...rather unorthodox, compared to my usual methods of working."
"I am well aware, Your Grace, and for that I apologise," said the prince. "But I am afraid secrecy is a necessity, and before I reveal anything to you I need you to swear that you shall not speak of what you will see tonight, to anyone, until told otherwise."
He then leaned in more, a serious – if slightly dark – look on his face.
"But I'm warning you now, too: if you agree to hear what I'm about to say, but then decide that the secret is yours to spread, I shall have to find some...more than unpleasant way of ensuring that you cannot spread it any further. And I know you are a good man, so I'd hate to do that."
Again, Potts felt at a loss and more than a little worried. He was not one to deny the Prince of Wales, but what secret was he going to be entrusted with? Was it bad? Why couldn't anyone else know, under pain of...well, pain, and most likely death? Would he be in trouble, if he partook in anything that Prince Niles asked him to?
Would the punishment for being found out by the king be worse than what the prince would do, if he was betrayed?
He supposed the only way of finding out was to agree to the prince's terms, even if his gut was telling him to walk away. He only hoped he wouldn't have to commit treason or anything of the sort – God knows he'd worked too hard to be known as a competent and respectable physician, to then have everything taken away when he was at the peak of his career!
"Of course, sir, you have my word that I shall not speak of this to anyone, unless His Royal Highness says otherwise," Potts eventually said, hands fidgeting with the handles of his portmanteau, where he carried his medical equipment.
Niles took in a deep breath. This would be the first time he'd told anybody outside the house, his closest friends and immediate family – he wasn't including his father in that small number – that he and C.C. had gotten married.
But he knew that he could trust Potts. The man was as kind as he was brilliant, and he had been good them before. He just had to go ahead and say what he wanted to.
He nodded at the doctor's words, "Alright, good...good..."
He nearly kicked himself for letting his speech trail off. Perhaps he was holding back because he was afraid of what the problem could be? But this was the only man in England who could be sure to do anything about it – he couldn't fail his beloved by not telling him what was going on!
That sudden thought bursting into his head forced at least a few of the words out.
"I...I married C.C.. Lady Babcock, I mean. Here, in the lodge's chapel. We did it in private to make sure my father couldn't find out; we knew he would try to stop it if he did. But we have been carrying out a plan..."
He went on for what he was sure had to have been some time, detailing the entire plan. The secret engagement and all its intricacies, the elopement and the carefully-planned wedding, their plan to produce an heir that would see their marriage safe from any harm...
The last one felt like it was slipping through his fingers even as he spoke, but he kept on explaining. It was all he could do, if he was to convince the doctor to help.
Potts had to understand his reasonings, didn't he? They both knew his father and what he was like; they knew he wouldn't like it at all if he knew what was going on, and could try to do something to separate them for good.
Niles simply wasn't going to let that happen, no matter what it took.
He couldn't...
He felt in desperate need of a drink by the time he was done, as well as air. It was highly possible he'd expelled it all from his lungs but had been so busy explaining, that he hadn't thought about taking any more in!
He also had to blink at the way Dr Potts' face lit up at his confession, releasing his portmanteau in order to clasp his hands together in delight, a sparkle in his eyes like the prince had never seen before.
"My good Prince! That is...well, alongside the understandable need for discretion, the most marvellous, celebratory news!" he cried.
Niles felt himself stagger. Since when had Potts considered the thought of him and C.C. together to be marvellous? The man nearly been dismissed over the fact that he'd mistaken C.C. for a whore, when they'd first needed his help!
"You truly think so?" the prince asked, not quite believing what he was hearing.
His organs nearly dropped out of his body in shock and surprise when the doctor gave his own explanation.
"Of course! I had...well, I had first seen it the first time you called me to tend to...Her Royal Highness, while she was unwell! I saw it in your care, and the way you were with her. The way you looked at and spoke to her. You respected her, more than anybody else in that room, and you did not waver in defending her against my shameful accusations. I doubt I shall ever be able to apologise enough for that incident."
Niles could only gape. He'd imagined the doctor to have been completely ignorant about his feelings towards C.C. at that time – granted, he might have been about to propose, but he had been certain that his behaviour hadn't changed! He'd still been his usual self, he'd just also happened to realise he was in love with C.C.!
His love had been kept firmly under wraps, hadn't it? Even his own mind wanted to roll its eyes at that hope. The answer was "clearly not", if Potts had spotted it and realised what was happening!
He wanted to ask if it had really been so obvious, and if so, to how many people, but Potts continued before he could.
"And I do mean it, when I say that I completely understand the discretion. I do, of course, still wonder why I was brought here, when a letter might've sufficed, but–"
"My wife has been...unwell, Doctor!" the prince finished before Potts could get too caught up in another celebratory mood that the prince just wasn't feeling. He'd realised they were wasting time and needed to focus. "Every day, for weeks now! She will wake up, only to vomit and remain nauseous for hours, and then as suddenly as it came, it will disappear again!"
Like a galloping horse suddenly confronted with a trench full of water, Potts felt his mind skid to a halt. It had to put aside the joyous news it had just been told, and get to work.
From what he'd already been told, he had a suspicion. A good one – it didn't take a doctor to work out at least part of what had just been described!
But he needed to probe deeper to be sure.
And it might help the panicking prince come round to the same conclusion he was already leaning towards.
"Every day?" he asked, taking mental notes as he went.
Niles practically leapt out of his chair and started to pace, feeling miserable, "As regular as the sun rises and sets! No matter what anybody does, we can't prevent it! She will vomit, no matter what she eats, and will remain nauseous until it goes for the day..."
He couldn't believe he was having to say any of this! He'd only just married the love of his life and now he was desperately trying to save her from some unknown disease!
How could his luck be so poor, that the woman who had made him a better man could be struck down before their life had even begun?!
If he'd looked up, he would've seen the actively bright, thoughtful look on Potts' face as he continued his questions.
"And, um...how long have you been married, sir?"
It hurt Niles to even have to say, the number seemed so short when the years he'd imagined had stretched into the far future and grand old age for the both of them.
"A little over a month – perhaps a month and a half?"
He nearly tripped on nothing in his pacing when Potts asked his next question.
"Alright then – tell me, sir, has your wife had her menses in all this time? And have you been having regular intercourse?"
Niles looked up to glare at the doctor. Was that really an appropriate question at a time when his wife was so ill?! They could be focusing on that, instead of their activities in the bedroom!
"No, she hasn't had her blood, yet. And we've been having more than regular intercourse, not that I see what that has to do with anything!"
He was taken aback when Potts let out a bark of laughter at that.
"Oh, my dear lord! Oh...forgive my disrespect, but I am not certain how you could not see what is becoming obvious here!"
Niles turned his whole body to face him, glare of incensed rage softening to a hard look of confusion. Obvious? What did he mean by that? What was becoming "obvious"?! Was there something about C.C. that he was missing? But how could that be the case, when he knew his wife like the back of his own hand? Why was the doctor laughing at him like he was some sort of court jester, playing a fool completely on purpose?
"Would you care to explain to me just what is so amusing, Doctor?" he was on the brink of snarling.
Potts looked back up at him like a man who held all the right playing cards.
"Nothing, sir," he said, practically smirking. "I am always sent into a joyous mood when I hear that a patient of mine is with child."
The last two words hit Niles with the force of a rockslide or an avalanche.
With...with child...?!
He nearly sank to his knees, the feeling was so overwhelming. Already?! Could...could it really be true?! Could he have heard rightly?! Could his wife already be carrying a long hoped-for little one; the one that would legitimise their marriage beyond doubt? The future heir to the throne, whether his father liked it or not? The beginnings of their family?
It...it was becoming more and more clear in his mind. Even as he re-thought everything over in his head, he was starting to wonder how he had missed some of the most obvious signs! How hadn't it occurred to him that the amount of lovemaking they had been doing over the course of a whole month and a half could be behind her mystery illness?!
They were going to have baby...a little boy or girl that they could love and call their own! Not an illness that threatened to take her away, just a little bundle of love and joy that would only bring them closer together...!
The relief flooding his heart made him want to weep, but he held it together for the doctor as he collapsed back into his chair.
"With...with child...! My wife...my wife is having a baby...!"
"I believe so, sir, yes," said the doctor, getting to his feet – he still needed to check on his new (and arguably most important) patient. "I still need to examine Her Royal Highness and we do need to wait until the quickening of the child to be completely certain, but I believe that a pregnancy is the most likely cause of your lady wife's ailment, otherwise known as morning sickness."
Niles felt like punching himself – how on Earth hadn't he thought about it?! His mother had told them that nausea and vomiting were two of the tell-tale signs of pregnancy, and yet in all this time he hadn't even considered it! She'd also told them about the quickening of the child – meaning the moment when the child started moving in the mother's womb – but they'd still have to wait for a few more weeks until that happened.
But, in any case, the doctor was right – he did need to check on his poor wife. She hadn't been able to get out of bed that day due to her nausea, but he was certain she'd be up to being seen to by a professional. And not just any professional; if everything worked according to plan, Dr Potts would treat her during her pregnancy and attend to her during her delivery.
Niles couldn't wait until the moment to meet their baby arrived, but there was still too much to do before that happened. The most pressing issue being having C.C. checked by Dr Potts.
"Of course, morning sickness," he repeated somewhat lamely as he got to his feet. "I should have seen it before, shouldn't I?"
"Do not blame yourself, sir. Plenty of first-time parents miss the first signs. But now that we know what we are dealing with, and provided that Her Royal Highness keeps to my indications, Their Royal Highnesses will soon be blessed with a God-given heir."
A God-given heir. That was certainly one way of describing the little miracle that Niles was already imagining in his head! A golden-haired cherub, with the rosiest cheeks and brightest blue eyes he had ever seen, wriggling chubby legs and waving the tiniest set of hands, complete with tiny fingers perfect for grasping...
He was so busy daydreaming about everything from the nursery they'd have to build, to supplying the child's first pony from the Royal Stables, that he didn't hear Potts clearing his throat to get his attention.
By the time a horse was needed, the child would've been born and there would no longer be any qualms (that his father wouldn't have to just put up and shut up about, anyway). The Gentleman of the Horse would be obliged to provide a starting horse for his future king or queen, no matter what his current monarch thought about them...!
The throat clearing came a bit louder the next time and it actually made him start, snapping him back to the present moment.
"Hm?" he blinked in the direction of the doctor.
"Your Royal Highness, we had...better be pressing on, had we not?" Potts asked. "Your lady wife will be waiting."
Not for the first time in that conversation, Niles could have hurt himself in some fashion. Of course, they had to be moving! He couldn't sit there thinking about the future, when his present and his future was lying in bed in another room, completely unaware of just how wonderful she was and how much joy she was carrying inside her!
He leapt up from his seat. There wasn't a moment to lose – and for all the good, right reasons, this time!
"You are more than quite right, Doctor!" he hurried towards the door. "Come with me – I shall bring you to your patient right away!"
Potts' patient. His beloved wife. The mother of his child...only two of those sounded beautiful in his head, but he accepted the temporary one as well. He'd have to, if he was going to see to it that his family got the best medical treatment in the entire country!
"Just one thing, Your Royal Highness," the doctor said as they rushed through the lodge's corridors towards C.C.'s room, "Do not let Her Royal Highness know what we suspect until I have asked further questions. I would like to examine her first, before telling your good lady wife the news."
Niles sighed – part of him wished to burst through their bedroom doors and immediately announce the wonderful news to his wife, but if the Doctor wanted to be sure, then who was he to argue? He'd let Potts do his job, and wait patiently until he and C.C. could share in on the blissful news.
"Fair enough," conceded the Prince. "I shall remain silent."
Potts seemed satisfied by his answer, and soon enough the two men had made their way and crossed the doors to the marital bedroom. Upon entering, they spotted C.C. lying in bed, looking miserable and hugging a small bucket that had been sitting at the side of her until a few moments ago. She didn't smile at them upon noticing their arrival, probably because she was so unwell, but neither doctor nor prince would blame her for that.
"Your Royal Highness," Dr Potts said, bowing to the new Princess of Wales. "I don't know if my lady remembers me but I am–"
"Of course I do, Your Grace," she said, trying to sit up and managing it only with some help from her husband, who'd rushed to her side the moment they'd walked in. "And I am grateful you have agreed to help us."
"It's an honour and a pleasure, Your Royal Highness," Potts replied. "Now, if Your Royal Highness doesn't mind, I shall commence my examination."
C.C. had no arguments against it so, after Potts had readied his medical equipment, the exam was underway. He started with a number of necessary questions, which Potts secretly felt he already had the answer to. But, as the saying goes, better be safe than sorry!
"Your Royal Highness, how long have you been unwell? What symptoms have you been experiencing?" Potts asked.
C.C. bit the inside of her lip nervously, wondering about all the things she had felt recently and what they could mean, before plucking up the courage to start telling.
"Well, I um...I haven't been feeling well for a few weeks," she explained, "But it's never been too bad! I-I mean, it's always happened around the same time. In the morning, and it's always gone by midday..."
But that wasn't the only thing she'd been feeling. She just had to take a deep, calming breath before she continued.
"I've also...hated certain smells. Which is odd, because they're usually the smells of things that I absolutely love! And I've been feeling more tired and lethargic. There's been bloating as well, and some, um..." she considered her present company, hesitating and starting to turn an odd shade of pink, before one word tumbled out of her mouth in a gentle mumble, her eyes directed away from both the doctor and her husband. "S-soreness."
"Soreness, my lady?" the doctor repeated, clearly wanting to make sure he was getting everything noted correctly.
C.C. nodded, looking every inch a woman who wished that the ground would just swallow her whole.
But it wasn't enough for Potts, "Soreness where, if I may ask?"
Clearly having been abandoned by any higher power that could make the wish of ending her shame come true, C.C. shakily lifted a hand to point at the...affected area.
"In...in my breasts..."
Part of her suspected that, perhaps, this was all a rather unpleasant prelude to her delayed period; she always felt a little unwell on the days before, so this could be just that. She'd always been incredibly regular, to the point of knowing the exact date she'd get it. She was late by a worrying number of weeks (something which she told the doctor) now, so she didn't really know what to think.
"Your Royal Highness, might I be allowed to feel your abdomen?"
Even after so many years, it still made Potts slightly uneasy to have to ask something so personal of a member of the royal family, especially the Princess of Wales! But he knew he had to, and that his discomfort came from years of serving one monarch, with one...particular personality.
Had King Joseph been there instead of Prince Niles and had it been Queen Marie in bed instead of Her Royal Highness, he would've demanded that any doctor present practically beg his express permission before doing anything. And that would go double if it involved being...down there. But they needed Joseph's say so even for something as simple as this. And even once they had it, there was a chance he would explode at them, perhaps to intimidate them into submission so they'd "know not to get any ideas" (what "ideas", Potts couldn't say), before remaining in a foul mood throughout the whole process.
But Prince Niles remained silent, and only gave his wife a look that spoke of tenderness. Potts could guess that he was encouraging her to do what was best for her, but leaving it as her decision at the same time.
It warmed the doctor greatly, to see them so...joined, in heart and mind as well as in marriage.
And after C.C. had thought about it, she nodded, "Alright..."
Very gently and with the greatest amount of respect and discretion that he could muster (whilst letting Prince Niles hold his wife), Potts began to feel her stomach, focusing on the lower abdomen.
"Hm..." the doctor frowned in his attempt, and pressed on her stomach again.
And that, after a few more presses to truly be sure, a hint of a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
"I believe I know what ails you, Madam," he announced to the room, letting his smile come forth. "I think you are with child."
C.C. thought the floor must have shaken beneath her when he said that. It had thrown her completely – struck her mind like a bolt of lightning, blinding her to everything else in her mind and making her bolt upright (and regret that because it made her dizzy) in bed.
With...with child! He'd said it – he'd really said it, and neither one of them had made it up! Of course, she knew she'd never make up anything so wonderful, but it's possible that someone out there would do such a thing! And it meant that her symptoms all had a source!
The source being...being the little one had was now making its home in her belly. It would only be a short stay, but it was going to lead to a much bigger, brighter future.
A future full of luxury, and comfort and love, with their family – her as Mama, and her husband as Papa...
And as she let her eyes spring to him, a tearful smile starting to appear on her face, it appeared as though Niles was trying not to break down in tears as well.
It made a single chuckle escape C.C.'s throat, as she moved away from the doctor to throw herself into her husband's waiting arms, crying aloud in joy (and wordlessly, just as he was), and letting the tears come out as soon as her face hid in his shoulder.
A baby...their plan had worked...they really were going to have a baby! She couldn't believe it!
Well, she supposed part of her could, given how often they'd been doing what it took to make a baby, but still! It was one thing to go through the motions, it was entirely something else to know it had worked!
To know they'd have a little prince or princess to call their own...it was worth more than anything she'd ever thought she'd owned, either as a lady, a maid, or a princess! She was getting to start a family – a real, legitimate family – with the man that she loved, and nobody could stop them!
That made her feel safe. As warm, happy and comfortable as being in her husband's arms, right then and there. Just as they would stay, as they went through all the walks of life together. Only now, it wasn't a pathway for two. They had their child's hands to hold, and would make extra room for any siblings that followed further on down the line. A family, connected and facing everything together, no matter what that was.
And it was all thanks to the man she was trying hard not to get too many tears on!
"Thank you," she eventually sniffed, her voice coming out a whimper. "I just...thank you so much...!"
Niles pulled away a little to look at her, cocking his head to one side. What on Earth did she have to thank him for? He had played a minor – if incredible to experience – role in the miracle that had taken place in her womb! She was the one who had a life growing inside her right at that moment, and would carry it for a length of time he couldn't even begin to comprehend! She'd be the one to nurture it and let it grow, sharing everything she had, until that little one was ready to be born and have a life all of their own...
He should be the one thanking her, not the other way around!
"Love...!" he half-cried, half-laughed through tears he didn't want Potts to see. "What are you thanking me for...?! I am not the one who is supplying a miracle to this world; that person, who deserves the thanks and praise and lauds and honours, is you!"
"Indeed, Your Royal Highness," Potts said, happy for the couple but at the same time knowing he had to try and move things along – the checkup might have been over, but he still needed to give his recommendations. The Princess of Wales was in a delicate state as it was, and she'd remain in it until the baby had arrived. "Housing and nurturing a new life is nothing short of a miracle, but in order to protect said miracle, you will have to take good care of yourself…"
"Of course, Your Grace," C.C. replied, "We will do anything to keep our child safe."
The doctor took that as his cue to go over each and every piece of advice he possessed – from the Princess of Wales needing to keep bedrest, to her having to be fed rich foods and plenty of fluids.
"I'm certain that, as long as Their Royal Highnesses keep to my recommendations, Her Royal Highness shall have a happy and safe pregnancy," he finished.
A happy and safe pregnancy sounded like the miracle the couple both wanted. It would mean the end of their troubles – Joseph would have no say in their marriage once it was over, and C.C. had delivered a legitimate heir. He'd have to leave them to their happy life together, no matter how much he didn't like it.
And they'd have the baby that would start their family. Their eldest, no doubt soon to be followed by many more! They certainly would have the largest royal house in Europe by the time they were done, if they kept going at the pace they had been before now!
"Well, I intend to see that she has nothing less," Niles gripped C.C.'s hand. "I'll wait on her hand and foot myself, if that's what it takes."
C.C. smiled at him adoringly, feeling a blush come over her face. "You don't have to do that, lover – you spoil me enough as it is!"
Niles shook his head, "For you, my dear, no treatment is too good. You deserve nothing but the best, and our new little one needs it. As such, I am more than happy to be your personal servant."
C.C. thought she liked the sound of that, but she wasn't about to make that kind of inappropriate comment in front of the doctor. The man may have seen many things in his life, but he didn't have to hear everything!
So, she kept it clean and simply squeezed his hand in appreciation, before turning back to Potts.
"Thank you, Doctor. You have no idea how grateful we are for your help...!"
"Again, it's an honour and a pleasure, Your Royal Highness. I shall keep track of your pregnancy from now onwards, and will visit you every few weeks, to ensure everything is progressing according to plan," Potts said, bowing to the Princess of Wales. He then gave her and her husband a warm smile – one that spoke volumes of what he thought and how he felt about them and their plan. "No one shall hear about this pregnancy from me, that I can swear, Your Royal Highnesses."
"We appreciate that, Your Grace," Niles replied. "And suffice to say you will be greatly rewarded for your services. Now, if you'll accompany me back to my study, I shall take care of your payment."
"But, my Lord, I have already been paid! I receive an annual stipend from the Cro––"
"And now you'll get a little extra," the prince cut him off mid-sentence. "It's only fair – you are doing us a great favour."
"With all due respect, my lord, but I cannot bring myself to accept any form of payment from yourself or Her Royal Highness," Potts said, warmed by the prince's generosity. "I am more than grateful, that goes without saying, but I can't and won't accept any extra payment. This is my duty as a physician, my lord, I don't deserve any special recognition for doing what is correct."
Niles still wanted to argue back that Potts deserved some form of recognition and reward (even if it was silent recognition and reward) for his services. But he knew that the man just simply wouldn't have it – he was honourable, and a good man.
He did his duty out of genuine care, not for the promise of rewards or greatness.
That was how the prince knew; they'd truly gotten the best possible doctor to take care of both C.C. and their baby. They couldn't be in safer, more responsible hands, and Niles couldn't feel any more relieved or happier for it.
Of course, he still planned on rewarding Potts somehow. But he figured that he'd have to wait – perhaps even until he had been crowned king! It would look more natural then – no one could question why the king might suddenly choose to increase the Royal Physician's stipend, or give him a new stately home. It wouldn't be their place, and besides, anybody who'd ever met the man knew that he deserved such a fine offering. He'd earned it.
But that was for a long time in the future, once their little one had been safely born and his father had had no choice but to accept the legitimacy of both his grandchild and his son's marriage. It was a bright future, full of promise and expectation. He couldn't wait for it to arrive, even if it would still take some time.
It was down to their good fortune that they had a good friend to help them through it.
So, smiling briefly at C.C. (who could only beam back at him) and accepting the short term defeat, he stuck out a hand for the doctor to shake instead.
"You are truly too good for this world, Doctor," he said. "My wife and I will not forget what you are doing for us."
"You flatter me, sir. But now, I must be on my way – I will only trouble Their Royal Highnesses by asking for a ride back to the city."
Niles immediately agreed to the doctor's request – it was the least they could do, after all the help that he'd already given and would continue to give them. He left in the finest carriage Niles possessed and with the eternal thanks of both the Prince and Princess of Wales.
After all, the bearer of the most wonderful news Niles and C.C. had ever heard, deserved nothing but praise.
The future was bright, and they simply couldn't wait.