"Now?" She nodded vigorously and the King rushed to the door to call for the doctor and midwives. The room quickly became swarmed with people to help the Queen. The King knew he would only be in the way and left the chamber. He waited impatiently in the hallway accompanied by his manservant, who tried to offer some comfort.
"Everything will be all right, sire," the manservant told him. The manservant was an exceptionally clean man who was perfectly suited for his job, obsessively making sure everything was in its place and taking care of every last detail. He stood out of the way of the King, gloved hands behind his back. The manservant had been made aware of the royals dealings with the Witch. It had been unavoidable with the sudden addition of having a cup of water at the end of the day to their schedules.
"You really think so?" the King asked anxiously.
"Yes. They are well prepared."
The labor continued on and the sounds of pain from the Queen intensified. The King began pace back and forth in front of the door. Another hour passed and the Queen let out one final scream. Then, the sound of a baby crying came from the room. The King froze staring at the door. A few more minutes passed before the door was opened by one of the nursemaids.
"Sire, you have a beautiful, healthy daughter." The King let out a sigh of relief and in an uncharacteristic moment, the manservant put a congratulatory hand on the King's shoulder.
The Doctor appeared beside the nursemaid, calling her back into the room. To the King, he inopportunely said "There is a problem."
The King pushed his way into the room. It was not a pleasant situation. The nursemaids were desperately trying to clean up the Queen but were not succeeding. The one who had come to the door was holding the new princess, trying to comfort her. The Queen looked to be in so much pain.
"We cannot stop the bleeding. There is nothing we can do," the doctor admitted regrettably. With one sentence, the happiest moment of his life turned into the saddest.
"Nothing?" he said, in shock.
"I am sorry."
"Then, leave us," the King ordered. The nursemaids did their best to make the Queen comfortable before leaving the room, tears appearing in their eyes. The doctor bowed his head and followed the ladies out of the room. Only the nursemaid who was still carrying the new princess, who had finally ceased screaming, and the manservant remained in the room. The King slowly approached the bed took hold of his queen's hand.
"Please…Don't go," he whispered to her. The Queen had become very pale and her breathing very labored. "Please stay with me."
"I—I can't…" she told him breathlessly. The King squeezed his eyes closed. But the Queen saw what he was trying to hide. "Don't be angry."
"You know I can't help it," he admitted.
"Try." The Queen caressed his face. "I love you."
The King could not say anything, a silence the Queen understood. He pressed her hand to his lips.
"The baby…" she questioned.
The King sniffed and wiped his eyes. The nursemaid knowingly stepped forward and presented the child. "She's right here."
"Is she…"
The nursemaid passed the princess to the King and he realized he had not truly looked at her yet. Her small head was topped with little dark ringlets and she had dark chocolate eyes to match her mother's. Her face was still red from crying but she quickly nestled into the King's arms. The nursemaid, noticing the child was content in her father's arms, quickly left the room before she began crying.
"She is perfect," the King told the dying Queen. "Beautiful, just like her mother."
The Queen smiled weakly. "Remember to play the music box for her."
"Every night." The Queen closed her heavy eyelids. "Wait." The King begged, calling her back. "It is a girl. As we agreed, you have to name her."
The Queen tiredly opened her eyes. Her eyes drifted to their child who was curled up in the King's arms. She reached out and brushed her fingers against the baby's soft skin, catching a lasting tear. Their eyes connected and the Queen whispered the princess' name with her last breath.