Chapter 55: Morning pain
One week later.
It was early in the morning when Dedyet woke up. A hand went down to her belly as she felt an immense pain. "Oh my Ra," she mumbled to herself in shock. The queen waited a moment. It was not getting better.
"Kija!" Dedyet called out, afraid of her own helplessness.
A door to her quarters opened. "Your highness?" One of the guards that had stood outside, asked. "Is everything okay?"
Dedyet felt tears coming into her eyes as the pain got worse. "Help. I need help," she whined, her voice cracking.
The guard looked at another, deciding that this was a situation where entering the queen's private rooms was more than necessary.
They quickly walked towards her, trying to calm her down. "Your highness, should we call a doctor? Should we bring you somewhere?"
"Please get Kija," Dedyet told them, holding back tears.
One of the guards quickly left the room, running towards the quarters for the servants and nurses.
"Are you sure you don't need a doctor?" The other guard asked in panic.
Dedyet breathed heavily, giving him a shocked look. "I think… I think it has stopped."
"I will call a doctor immediately!"
It was then when Kija, followed by a friend, and the other guard entered the room.
"Dedyet!" Kija said in shock.
The others looked at her like crazy, their eyes widening.
"Uh, I mean… Your highness!" Kija corrected herself, blushing.
Dedyet spoke up before anybody else. "Kija, I just woke up in pain, my back was hurting like crazy and now it's all gone," she said in tears.
"It's a sign!" A younger nurse said happily. "The baby will be born today!"
"What time is it?" Dedyet asked tiredly.
"Three at night?"
Not the first time Dedyet was awake at that time. "Ugh."
"Do you think you will be able to sleep, your highness?" Kija asked.
"It is needed to call several doctors," one guard said.
"Nonsese," Kija told him, "Her body is just preparing her for birth. It will most likely take several hours until the baby is there."
"But-"
"Has the water broken yet?" She asked.
"No," Dedyet answered in a rather moody way.
"Do you want us to leave?" The second nurse asked.
"No. What about my pain?"
"It will come back every… 20 minutes?"
Dedyet seemed angry. "Wow, that's great."
"I'm sorry," the young nurse mumbled. "I will leave the room now, if I'm allowed to, and pray to goddess Toeris."
"Fine." Dedyet stated barevly. "All of you can leave. I'll call if I need help."
But the guards seemed unsure. "Do you really think it is best to stay on your own in this room, your highness? What if there is an emergency?"
"Then I will call for you. You're right in front of my door."
The males exchanged looks. "Yes, your highness," they eventually answered, still seeming as if they weren't convinced. What if the queen and the royal baby got hurt? Hurt because of them?!