One
One:
Standing in the sun of my private small courtyard, I watch as my children play with one another. At two and three, I had spent the past five years creating a strong reign for my people and my future children that would come into the world, almost one immediately following the next. First, a son named Prince Felix. Then came a daughter, Princess Ruby. Along came another son a year later named Prince James. To our heartbreak, amid a harsh storm, Felix would catch an illness at two and would not be able to fight off the sickness and it would claim our firstborn child’s life. Since then, four years later, seeing Princess Ruby and Prince James run around together, I feel happiness as well as sadness, knowing their eldest brother is missing and the family is not truly whole.
A tear rolls down my cheek and I sniffle, trying to keep my emotions at bay. One of my closest ladies, Lady Reya, turns toward me, concerned.
“Your Grace? Are you alright?”
I nod, blinking my tears away.
“Yes, Lady Reya. I’m just…remembering what once was.”
Placing a loving hand upon my stomach, it is now a small bump as my fourth child grows within my womb. Ruby runs about with a small figurine of animals in both hands, a horse and a cow. She calls out happily to her brother as they run around the yard.
“Queen Sabrina?” A voice calls out
Turning, I see one of my ladies in waiting, Lady Caroline standing in the doorway. I gesture her forward, not wanting to take an eye off my babies as the nanny hadn’t arrived yet. Realizing what I’m asking Tobias, she steps forward. She watches as well, amused.
“I do not mean to disturb your time with your family, my Queen.”
“It is no interruption, Lady Caroline. I’m waiting for their nannies to arrive so I can go about my duties for the day.”
Looking to the sun, I see it is much higher in the sky than before.
She should have shown by now.
“Perhaps they can play with my children, if it pleases you.”
I smile, delighted with the idea.
At this time at court, there are not many children save for King Tobias’s sisters’ children. Most of our noble ladies have either been just married off or have just arrived at court. As is the way of things, they spend their time within their kingdom, often showing for holidays and when they can, royal births. Although we had all been quite close, time must be spent growing and raising our families, a responsibility as royals, we all know must come first..
The thought of her children possibly one day having strong bonds like ours brings me comfort and joy at the idea. They could grow up together as she and I did. I know naught how I would’ve survived the chaos of court without her by my side, my closest friend. Smiling, I thank her and hand her a pouch of coins. She looks up, alarmed. Her husband had passed and she was not yet past the mourning period so she spent her days alone, dressed in black. She could not court nor wed nor work.
“Sabrina, I cannot.”
I wrap my hand around hers, placing it in her palm.
“Consider it a gift.”
I would make certain she would be paid, regardless. She had only been back a few days but already seemed a bit better. This had been the first time we’d seen one another since she’d informed the King and me of his passing.
“That is an excellent idea, that the children play together. Let them become close, as we are.” I tell her with a smile
She turns to face the children, watching as they run in the grass.
“To see them grow together as we did, I think there would be nothing better.”
“Where are they now?”
I shoot her a sideways glance, knowing what she means, giving a playful smile. Lady Caroline and I had grown up beside one another. It only made sense as I rose in station, I would take her too. No longer just a noble daughter, she became a Lady to the Queen. Our children often spend as much time together as we do with each other.
With a sharp whistle, I round the children up and to me as they’d gone farther than they’d been the entire time we’d been out here. It takes a couple of minutes but they eventually make their way back towards us. I give them a moment to catch their breath.
“Yes, Mama?” Prince James asks
“Grace.” Princess Ruby tries to correct
I smile down at my children.
“Yes, I am your Queen, and Your Grace, but I am your mama first, always.”
I gesture Lady Caroline forward.
“Okay, my loves. Today you’re going to have a play date with Lady Caroline’s kids: Lady Elissa and Lord Edward. You’ve played together before. Doesn’t that sound lovely?” I ask
“Yeah!” Ruby says
“Juice!” Prince James calls out
I laugh, placing a gentle kiss upon their heads.
Turning to a knight, I gesture him over.
“Your Grace.” He says bowing his head
I place a kiss on both of my children’s heads.
“Please bring Prince James and Princess Ruby to Lady Caroline’s bedchamber. See to it that they receive juice.”
Lady Caroline and I watch as the trio walk off together.
