Chapter 11: A Life of Service
The pregnancy was my fault. Years of listening to Lord Paul and Lady Zenith nightly activities has left me pent up. No, that's an excuse I wanted Paul. He was the first man I ever had and years at court made it clear he was the best man I would have. After I was fired from the palace I made excuses to ignore every job offer other than his. I told myself it was for my safety as I could blackmail him in a pinch but I was hoping he would force himself on me again. It turns out he had grown and I was the one with no self control.
On the second night after Lady Zenith announced her pregnancy I seduced him. I betrayed her love and trust because I wanted to get off. I was a sick and deplorable woman, I deserved to die. I was ready to accept her hatred, if I made the arrangements properly I might live. However my child would die, even if Lord Paul snuck me the money to cover all of my needed expenses, my child would die. If I live it is guilt I would need to bear.
We were all ready for that but Lord Rudeus wasn't. He begged for my and my child's lives. He was always a smart boy far too smart, I was scared of him. Back at the palace it was said that one of the princes was like him. He developed faster than a child should and had peculiar interests. The prince also killed one of his maids. His cool expressionless face and hyper competence were just like the prince. After his fifth birthday fear became caution as I came to understand this boy. Rudeus seemed implacable but he was actually simple to understand. He wanted to be adored. Roxy, Zenith, Paul, and even young Sylphiette constantly showered him with praise. I never expected him to feel so strongly about a shameless woman like me.
Rudeus was my savior and will no doubt be a great man in the future, so I'll dedicate my life to that's wrong. I didn't betray Rudeus. I will dedicate my life to Lady Zenith who has forgiven me and I will raise this child to serve the boy who saved their life. Maybe if I do this I can deserve the forgiveness I have been afforded.
As the days passed I did my duty to Lady Zenith and whenever I was unable to due to my own child Lord Rudeus was there. It was a strange thing to see, it was like he remembered how I cared for his mother while in the womb. No matter our needs he was ready for it. He was even teaching his father what to do for us. As the months passed he would leave the house less often and he would bring young Sylphiette to the house. Apparently he was teaching her magic and she was quite talented. Even during those lessons he would always watch us, ready to drop what he was doing to come to our aid. During that time Father and son seemed to drift apart while mother and son grew closer. The months passed like that.
Right on time Lady Zenith went into labor, Lord Rudeus immediately went to her aid while we sent Lord Paul to get a midwife from town. It was a troubled birth, a breech birth. The midwife had no experience with this, so it took all of Lord Rudeus and my efforts to deliver the child. Without his healing magic she would have surely died. She was an energetic girl. It was exhausting for me and just as I left to get some rest, I went into labor. Everything became a haze after that. I remember calling for Paul and I remember seeing my baby girl for the first time. Her name is Aisha and her sister Norn came into the world on the same day, like twins from two wombs. She was a lovely beautiful baby, I'm glad I can entrust her to a man like Rudeus.
Another short POV chapter for you guys hope you enjoy, Up next we are heading to Roa. The next chapter is probably going to be a long one so don't expect it for a little while.