Note: I've been gone for a very long time. So, I decided to treat you with a long chapter.
This chapter contains both past and present, so confusion level could be 100%
Chapter 28: Secret Affections
Zen kept his pale face in his warm hands; his forehead resting peacefully in the depth of his palm, supported by his muscular, veiny arm, which leans on top of the table. His torso being propped up by his lower body, as he sits on his legs. With a feather in his other hand, he reads the recent updates about an ongoing project, founded by his own beloved, Shirayuki. His eyes read a bit tiredly as they're exhausted from dawn till now, mid-evening.
He marks all the appropriate approvals that need to be signed by the Grand Princess, Princess Shirayuki.
Ever since Shirayuki's stubbornness to not step down from duties, while pregnant, Zen decided to take care of things for her. It has been very tiring, draining and stressful; combining his own duties, Shirayuki's and little of his elder brother's.
Zen heard soft moans coming from the bed. He quickly averted his eyes. His face turned into concern as he saw Shirayuki moving. He stood up and made his way to the side of the bed, where Shirayuki sleeps.
He took her thin yet soft hand into his palms, and caressed her messy red hair.
Shirayuki managed to open her emerald eyes, and Zen stopped caressing her hair and started rubbing her hands.
"Hey", Shirayuki softly greeted. Zen smiled in returned.
"Feeling any better?" Zen asked.
"Not much. I still feel a bit feeble, and my abdomen and waist still ache." Shirayuki answered as Zen helped her into a sitting position, leaning on the bed board.
"Don't worry, it will all be over before you notice it." Zen's not-so-encouraging words made their lips to be pulled into a quick smile.
"I think I might need the lavatory. I feel... wet", Shirayuki informed, blushing of embarrassment. Didn't take long to realize why she needed it. Zen got up from the bed and said, smiling, "It's okay, needn't worry. You go refresh yourself, I will take care of things here." She nodded her head and thanked. She successfully got up from the bed with the help of Zen and walked to the lavatory.
Zen sighed. Lots of blood, more than expected. The bed was full of bright red blood. Over a liter of blood was facing him. After watching Shirayuki close the washing room, with a trace of blood in her dress, he started the familiar routine.
Zen started removing all the sheets that have been attached with blood. Normally, such capacity, like making the bed, isn't for princes. But, he finds it disrespectful for a maid to see an unclean blood of a pregnant woman. He always washes the blood off, before giving it to any maid to rewash them. Zen has started to love preparing sheets on their bed countless time in a day.
After all, all this will be over soon. Only less than two months left.
Zen unwrapped the pillowcases from its pillows and placed them near the unclean bed sheet.
Shirayuki, again, had been diagnosed with another pregnancy complication. Hyperemesis Gravidarum was an unfamiliar yet tolerable complication, but, the latest is scarier and deadlier.
Shirayuki's sudden depression, anxiety, discomfort, and tenderness were all symptoms of a new complication. But, they were so focused on trying to treat Hyperemesis Gravidarum -which later found out, didn't have a cure.
She had severe milliliters blood spots at the very late of her 20th week of pregnancy but didn't realize it was a physical symptom. Early in her third trimester had Shirayuki realized they weren't normal pregnancy bleeding. The blood was so bright red, and every time she bled, no pain at all, the exception of normal pregnancy pains.
After a check-up with her appointed midwife, she had said to have a negative news. Obviously, Shirayuki was dealing with a not-so-friendly complication, having to know she has another one, terrified her.
A caring husband as Zen is, he had a talk with the midwife, and these were the exact words:
"Unfortunately, Princess Shirayuki's painless, unstoppable bleeding cannot desist, as she has been diagnosed of Placenta Previa."
Ever since that moment he has been paralyzed. He had yet to know the deepest information about this Placenta Previa, yet, he knew it was going to be trouble.
Zen left his room and informed a close-by made to bring him a warm bedsheet, thick blanket, and comfortable pillowcases. He entered the room and coincidentally heard Shirayuki shout his Zen from the washroom. Without a need to breathe, he rushed to the door of the washroom. He responded asking what's the matter. Shirayuki softly asked if Zen could give her a comforting dress to wear as she does not want to catch a cold in a towel.
Zen released the most relieved sigh ever. His heart was at rest to find out his consort only seeks for a dress to wear, not a medical help.
The same heart attack Zen had when Shirayuki intimidatingly yet calmly apprised Zen with the most shocking news: "I'm Pregnant." Definitely, he was happy at first then got mercilessly horrified as he remembered his elder brother's wife's morning sickness, and he didn't want such bad morning sickness for his loving wife. Not knowing, worse than severe morning sickness were on their way.
"Placenta Previa is an obstetric complication that classically presents as painless vaginal bleeding in the third trimester to an abnormal placentation near or covering the internal cervical."
Zen had absolutely no knowledge of female organs, so the midwife explained further to him:
"The placenta is an organ that develops in the uterus during pregnancy. It provides oxygen and nutrients to the growing baby and removes waste products from the baby's blood, and the baby's umbilical cord arises from it."
"From a current research, the placenta is attached to the uterus wall. In Princess Shirayuki's state, her placenta has detached from its wall and covers her internal cervical. Which is called Placenta Previa."
"In her situation, it is yet to ascertain whether the placenta covers the internal cervical completely, half or just a few millimeters. But, from my guess, I would say it has yet to fully cover the internal cervical, which is a positive thing, compared to the options."
Zen carefully went through Shirayuki's maternity clothes and found the perfect choice. He chose a blue-colored, very beautiful, but thick as it is heavy winter. He also chose blue because he feels his son -yet to be born- will love it. He has high hopes of the unborn child being a boy because it keeps moving unconditionally and kicking with no exceptions in Shirayuki's womb. He has absolutely no doubt. Shirayuki, on the other hand, doesn't mind the gender, even though everybody expects her to give a second male heir to the throne of Clarines.
After hearing such bad news from the midwife, Zen immediately told Shirayuki about it. Shirayuki was thrown into a situation of intense. She became frightened and became scared if something is going to happen to their baby and herself. She summoned a bit of courage and visited the midwife alone for more explanation.
"Placenta Previa is a very rare pregnancy complication that occurs 0.4-0.5% of pregnancies. In this case, we aren't specifically sure about the damages to you and the baby."
"To my knowledge, I think the baby won't be harm, even though the placenta isn't at its place. However, if the placenta comes out first during labor, that I can assure you, some serious damage can occur; such as improper oxygen for the unborn child."
Shirayuki felt really relieved to hear nothing could harm her baby. Nevertheless, she would still felt responsible if anything happens to the child, after all, the midwife said she isn't sure about the damages. So, she shouldn't feel at ease yet. Despite knowing her baby's health, which was most important, she still wanted to know about her health condition.
"There's nothing we can do about the bleeding. I'm sorry to tell you. The most unfortunate part is, if the bleeding goes on heavily like this, even in labor, possible death to both you and the baby is capable of happening."
Shirayuki was shaking when she heard that. Death?
"It is sad we didn't realize your discomfort and tenderness were symptoms to the painless bleeding."
She told Zen about the new updates. Obviously, he was shaken, too. But, what could they do? Nothing. There's nothing they can prevent from happening.
Zen laid the new bedspreads on the bed and placed every pillowcase into its own sizable pillow. His eyes moved from bed to Shirayuki, who was closing the door, that separated the washroom and the master bedroom. The blue dress perfectly fitted her.
Shirayuki successfully managed to sit at Zen's previous seat. She still felt aches in her body but didn't mind, since they weren't bad as before. She went through the papers Zen had marked that needs to be read and signed by her.
Her head suddenly felt light and her eyes were blurring. This always happens after some time of waking up.
"There you go", Zen said, placing two different vitamins and a syrup in front of Shirayuki. She sighed to herself. "Thank you."
She took the raw vitamins, without water, and once again started reading over. Zen returned the small bottles full of medicine into a drawer.
"Zen, what is this?" Shirayuki asked showing Zen a paper full of names.
"What do you think?" Zen asked shrugging his shoulders and laughed a little.
Shirayuki went through the names. Names for males. She hasn't herself thought about a name for her baby yet. Each of the names had meanings and royal members who have used them.
"I like the forty-ninth name most. What do you think?" Shirayuki said scrolling more.
"I considered it, too. But, lots of Royal members use them. I have been thinking of using a very rare name."
Shirayuki nodded her head, and asked, "Where are the female name list?"
"On the other side."
Shirayuki turned the paper around, surprised she didn't realize there were names at the back.
"I really like these names and their meanings."
The smile on Shirayuki's face made Zen smile broadly. She has been secretly wishing for more moments with Zen, but always finds herself embarrassing herself; unnoticeable, painless bleeding. Meanwhile, Zen doesn't even mind, he just wants more time with her. They both needed to admit, they've been growing new feelings for each other.
They had decided to go through this whole pregnancy issues together, despite Shirayuki's continuous depression and insecurities. They both want to do everything together. Truth be told, it hasn't been easy, especially for Zen. But he manages. After all, he was the reason Shirayuki got pregnant in the first place.
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A/N:
Pardon my sudden disappearance.
A new update!
Shirayuki has been diagnosed with another pregnancy complication: Placenta Previa. A very not-so-friendly complication.
In case you're wondering why a gynecologist or an obstetrics isn't the one explaining Shirayuki's situation: During the old times, gynecologists and obstetrics were more knowledgeable, but midwives were still much appreciated and respected.
Since Placenta Previa is rare, and people at the old times didn't have much knowledge about it, I decided not to expose everything about it. Since this also takes place in the olden days.
Reviews/comments are always welcome.
If have any questions regarding this chapter and others, definitely ask.
Hope you enjoyed ;)