Chapter 36

Emilia squeezed her hands as the Delia’s cry rent the air, sweat poured down her face for fear of the other woman’s life. She had heard about the pains of birthing and had even witnessed the birthing of many of the servants’ children over the years in the Camelorn palace but still couldn’t get over the cry of anguish. Delia’s hoarse cry had woken her up from her afternoon nap before Ilena burst in her room to announce that Delia had gone into labor.

Emilia sat alone outside the small dark delivery room in her blue tunic with her eyes closed. Helos was in the throne room with his court, many of the nobles had started arriving as soon as words of Delia’s situation got out. Ilena had gone inside to help with the process and minute by minute servants rushed in carrying bowls of water and clean clothes.

The wait was almost oppressive, the atmosphere of the palace was gloomy as everyone waited patiently, mouthing words of prayers to the gods of Intavia. Emilia offered prayers too.

Suddenly, joining Delia’s scream was a tiny voice that wailed, hesitantly at first before becoming a full drawn out cry. The new cry of the child drew sounds of joy from the midwives and the servants in assistance, Emilia's head came up at the sound and she stood up immediately. The curtain dividing the delivery room from where she sat opened and Ilena rushed out to her with a proud smile on her face, oblivious of the blood on her hands she clapped her hands together.

“Come in my lady and see what good things the gods have done for Intavia.”

Emilia followed her into the room that had its curtain drawn. It was a simple square room with a rough table at one side that held all the bowls of water and rags that were now stained red with blood. At the center was a table with straws on it and a white cloth covering it and on it was Delia with her legs apart while an elderly woman wiped her clean. In Delia’s arms was a small bundle that moved, she was smiling into it with tears running down her cheeks, her skin was pale but she didn’t seem to mind at all. She looked up from the bundle and saw Emilia nervously approaching.

“Come, Emilia, it’s just a child,” she laughed, her voice hoarse from her hours of screaming.

Ilena was leaning over her shoulder cooing at the baby. As Emilia got closer Delia pulled the cloth covering the baby away to reveal its face. Emilia swallowed at the beautiful sight of the baby’s smooth cheeks.

“It’s a boy.”

His eyes were closed but his mouth was opening and closing as he moved his head from left to right as if searching for something.

“You should feed the little rascal,” one of the midwives advised.

Delia pulled the cloth around her chest down, Emilia helped her to move the baby’s head to her breasts, he immediately attached his immediately attached his small lips to her nipple. Emilia let her fingers run through the loose curls around his small soft head.

“He is beautiful,” she wondered a lot in amazement.

Delia laughed again. “He is and definitely worth the tears and pain.” She touched Emilia’s hand lightly “Your child will bring you as much joy too.”

The knowing look on her face touched Emilia. Her heart beat rapidly as the other woman glanced at her belly and back to her face with a knowing smile. “You knew?”

Delia nodded. “As soon as I saw you I noticed that glow about you. It doesn’t go unnoticed. Do you knw how far along gone you are?”

“I don’t. I didn’t even believe I was pregnant when my maid said I was with child.”

Delia grinned. “You will be fine.”

“Thank you.”

The child squirmed as he pushed at his mother’s breast with his small hands, he kicked his legs up and down and scratched at his head. The women laughed and continued to fawn over him.

The curtain was suddenly pushed aside and Helos came in with two members of his court, he immediately rushed to his wife’s side and stared at the child in her hands, some of the women in the room began to file out after bowing in respect to their king but Ilena and Emilia remained. Emilia watched as Helos and Delia exchange loving glances, Helos stroked his son’s cheek and kissed his wife’s damp hair.

The two nobles who came in with Helos went on one knee with the fists of their right hands held to their chest in respect. Helos waved his hand impatiently at them to stand up.

“Go tell this good news to the others. The gods have blessed us, it calls for celebration. Send messengers throughout the kingdom to announce to everyone that tonight we shall celebrate the birth of our prince.”

The bowed and went to do his bidding.

Helos finally noticed Emilia seated at the foot of the bed where she had shifted to to create sitting space for him.

“You should join us in celebrating, princess.”

But Emilia was having a nostalgic feeling as she watched Helos display obvious affection for his wife and son. She could see Octavius smile at her the way Helos did, see him wrap his hands around her while staring at his child with love and wonderment regardless of his station as king, she could also imagine him throwing a huge party for the whole of Camelorn to celebrate the birth of their child. As she thought about it she became restless and longed to go back home.

“I wish I could stay, Helos, I really do. But I have good news for my husband too, Ilena was right after all I am carrying a child, the heir to the Camelorn throne.’’

Helos’ eyes widened as he reached for her hand. “Truly?” When she nodded he said, “I am glad for you. The gods indeed have their ways of doing things,” he looked at his wife and son, “Who knows, maybe our children will bring the union we both rejected.”

Emilia and Delia laughed before Emilia stood up to hug the other woman.

“I should start my journey now, I am too eager to be with my husband again.”

“May the gods go with you and keep you from harm. May they bless your child and your kingdom.”

Emilia and Ilena headed to their rooms to pack up, Ilena hastened with arranging their belongings and as she did Emilia sent one of the servants to Herman’s barn to fetch their horses.