Prologue: Born of Sin
The day I was born, the whole kingdom stood still...
My mother laid down, on the extravagant bedsheets....now bloodied.
The encouraging words of the midwives...
My mother’s cries...
Then the noise was no more...
Now replaced by the baby’s crackling cries.
Their high pitched screams, deafening the group of women.
The baby was cleaned, and quietened by the kind women.
“What a beauty...” they whispered in awe.
Rocking the baby gently as their mother was being tended to. Her sweat being wiped away with a cool, clean rag.
“Thank you...” The mother whispered to her vessels, grateful for their tender care.
They smiled, loving the woman they willingly called their Queen.
“Here you are, your majesty...”
The young babe was presented to the Queen, who’s heart swelled with tender care and affection.
“Your healthy baby-"
But once the words of her midwife were uttered, her heart seized with pain...
Contemplating the life that her child would be subjected to...much like their mother.
She cuddles the young babe, tears quickly streaking down her face.
She watches in awe of her new born, as they reach to cup their mother’s face.
The midwives standby, strained smiles upon their faces.
Realizing how this tender moment, could be perceived as a grave mistake.
The Queen whispers to her new born babe.
Tears continue to spill down her face...caressing the child’s cheek.
Words from that fateful day.
The Kingdom of Argandia
King Frederick’s Reign
The king’s voice booms over the kingdom, not a sound is heard above his own. As he addresses his subjects on the royal palace’s balcony, overlooking all.
“Today, on this faithful day. By the God’s up above, we celebrate the birth of my son. My flesh and blood, your new prince!”
The king reaches out to hold the young child, taking him from his mother’s arms.
The Queen smiles but her heart lurches forward, caused by the anxiety of it all.
The King seems happy now....but for all she knows, the child may prove unworthy. The Queen looks down below, the distance between the balcony and the kingdom floor becoming ever so clear.
Her eyes dart toward her child...
What if he drops the child?
Her heart clenches in pain...
What if he knows?
*Gasp*
At the King’s touch, the Queen nearly jumps out of her skin.
*Heh* “What’s wrong?”
She laughs nervously “Nothing my King, I apologize.”
There’s an evil glint in the man’s eyes, as he looks his wife over in amusement.
*Heh* “You think I would drop the boy?”
Huh?
The Queen whips her head around to face him. Eyes so full of fear...
“Please don’t...!” She whispers.
The King only snickers, whispering in the Queen’s ear. “Calm yourself Ann, you’ve given me a son. A healthy baby boy, only a fool would drop gold from such a height.”
“Now face the people.” His voice turns sour, as does his touch.
The Queen does her best to mask the pain.
Facing the people with her angelic smile, that is returned in kind.
The King speaks again. “As I was saying, today is a glorious day for our kingdom. I have been blessed with a son of my own, by thanks of my beautiful Queen.”
The King kisses the Queen’s cheek in thanks.
A fake show of affection...
“Let it be known, marked on every calendar within the royal empire. Burned in the memory of all those in the kingdom, that today...On Beltane, the Gaelic festival that marks the beginning of summer. My son, Valouris Caspian Noblesse Argandia was born!”
The thunderous applause of the townspeople, could be heard around every region of the kingdom. As the King held up his son, rays of sunlight glide across the young boy’s plump cheeks. In all his glory, for all to see...
Today....
The prince was born.
