The night had been long, and the sky seemed to churn with anger as she lay there breathing heavily. Holding her belly, she moaned and shifted from side to side trying to get comfortable. Sweat dripping off her chin she inhaled deeply and together with the crash of thunder let out a barbaric scream. Her hair stuck to her face she cried begging for some relief. Feeling the coolness of wet clothes on her forehead she looked over to see a young nurse smile at her and whisper,

"It is alright, Your Grace, it shall be over soon. You are doing great."

She felt heaviness in her lower abdomen and began to push at the cue of the nurse. For five long hours, this went on, and then with her last bit of strength, she let out a tremendous howl, and the pain was gone. The tightness faded and the room was filled with the cries of a new heir for her beloved husband, the king. Smiling, she looked at the nurse that held her child. The young nurse leaned forward and showed the crying babe to its mother.

"You've given the kingdom its first princess, Your Grace."

With a smile, she lifted her hand as much as she could. Trying to touch the baby's fingers she gazed at her daughter. She studied the small infant through half-opened eyes and tears began to cloud her vision. Her mouth opened and uttered one word,

"Loraz...."

Her hand then fell to the bed, and she lost all sight of her daughter. The last thing she heard was the frantic yells of the nurses in the room and then everything went quiet.

"Call the king inside immediately. Notify him of the queen's status"

"Yes, right away."

"You, quickly try to resuscitate the queen, we must not give up hope. We can pull her out of this."

A nurse quickly undid the queen's shirt and began to do chest compression.

"You keep the baby warm and nurse it, she should be hungry soon."

"Yes, right away."

"Alright, we have a long night ahead of us so let's stay calm and focused."

The room was in a mix of controlled turmoil as the nurses tended to the princess and tried to revive her mother. Four hours later the head nurse declared the queen dead and all who stood in the room wept. The king busted into the room like a clap of thunder rushing to the bedside of his beloved queen. Grabbing hold of a lifeless hand he felt the coldness that came off it. He pressed her hand to his lips, his hands trembling, and his eyes became watery.

"Dear Ancestors of heaven's domain, why do you punish me so!" His voice was low then gradually increased, "Why take her? Why such a young and fair beauty as she...take me instead, I beg of you. Take me instead."

His head hung as he tried to muffle his sobs and hide his face. The winds outside blew heavier, and rains fell hard against the window. The head nurse took the princess who slept peacefully wrapped in a blanket and stepped towards the king.

"You're Majesty; before she passed, she spoke, but one word while gazing at your child."

The king looked up at the nurse and saw the tiny hand sticking out of the blanket.

"What were her last words?"

"Loraz, Your Majesty. I believe the queen named the child before she left us."

"Loraz..." The King replied.

He stood up straight and motioned for the nurse to bring the child closer. Pulling back the blanket to look at the face of his daughter he smiled.

"My little Loraz..." he muttered.

The princess opened her eyes, and the king once again became teary.

"A spitting image of her mother...my love you have left me such a precious gift."

With that, a sad occasion turned joyful with one look from his princess. His heart heavy for the loss of his true love was overjoyed with love for his new darling daughter. A knock interpreted the sentimental moment and the king's favorite concubine was announced.

"Hide the gender of the child for now." The king whispered to the nurse.

The nurse pulled the blanket back over to cover the baby's face. Then handed her off to another nurse. "Yes, Your Majesty."

The king was aware of his concubine's jealousy of his love for his queen. Everyone knew well the only reason he took on any concubines was to increase the chances of male heirs like the counsel suggested. The fact that they still held traditions so tightly that only male children mattered to them, blew his mind. The concubine was let in after the nurse instructed the wet nurse to make haste to the nursery using a hidden exit and to let no one look upon the child while in route.

"Your Majesty, my darling, I came to see the queen when I heard she was to give birth. I did not think you would be here as well."

"Well yes, although it seems I have come too late. Sadly, and with a heavy heart, I will have to announce that our beloved queen has been called to the Ancestors' side. "

He looked over at his beloved's body being wiped clean of the night's events. Her face looked as if she were just sleeping peacefully as she lay there. The concubine looked over at the bed and a slight smile crossed her lips briefly. No one saw this except the king as he glanced at her from the side quickly.

"Your Majesty, it can't be true."

The overly concerned voice she spoke in made him scream internally as he stared at her to try to convince everyone in the room.

"You think I would make such a thing up? She passed on after naming our child."

The concubine looked confused and bit at the inside of her bottom lip.

"So, the child made it through. It is unharmed. That is wonderful news."

The king smiled, walked up to her and placed one hand on her face, and stroked it with his thumb. If she were not such a viper her beauty would second his lost wife. He sighed and thought about what he must do after she too was gone.

"Yes, yes...as healthy as ever. Which reminds me, what are you doing walking about in such light clothes? Please take care of yourself. I cannot bear to lose another who is to birth a child of mine."

"I apologize, Your Majesty, I heard something happened to the queen and wanted to be of assistance if I could. I'm utterly heartbroken over the loss of such a generous person. Will you be alright, Your Majesty? Your heart must be torn even with the joyous news of your firstborn."

He knew the words she spoke were all lies, but until she gave birth to their child, he could not have her sentenced for any crimes.

"...I shall be fine..."

His face said it all. If she was to be the next queen like planned, she had to strike while the wounds were fresh. She knew she would be of no use after she gave birth. Or even worse she gave him no son. Female heirs were okay, but sons made it possible to carry on the family name. Her time was running out. She would be giving birth soon herself and then all focus would be on the baby.

"Would you like to join me for some tea, Your Majesty? We can talk more in private, and you can relax."

"You go on ahead and I shall meet you there in a moment."

The concubine bowed her head slightly and excused herself from the room. Turning to the nurse who was cleaning off the Queen's body the king rushed up to her and swiftly took hold of her arm pulling her up straight.

"Listen here and listen clearly. I fear for my child's life. I cannot prove any ill intentions were the case in the death of my beloved wife, but I have my suspicions. I, as the king, am safe for now, but my child is defenseless to the world and its cruelty. I must protect what my wife didn't get a chance to. I must not fail her. If ever you find something out of order, you flee with the child and keep her safe. My beloved always told me how much she trusted you, can I make use of this trust and ask this favor of you."

"I give you my word, Your Majesty; no harm shall come to the babe as long as I stand beside her."

The king released her arm and sighed. He then kneeled beside his wife's bedside and gazed at her peaceful face. Her lips still held a bit of color to them. the last bit of life she most likely tried to hold on to. He leaned in and kissed them then turned around to face the nurse.

"Thank you, Velaira. Ileave Loraz in your care."