Luce
I lingered by the archer's window, lost in thought until my half-brother's carriage came into view. My half-brother, Henry, was returning with his new wife, his eighth actually.
I continued to watch as I wondered whether or not I should go ahead with my plan. While it might not be the right thing to do, it would come in the way of my rival, and that was my major objective.
I heaved and reached for the arrow at a corner; I raised the bow, nocked the arrow, drew the string back, and took aim. I paused suddenly, peered closer and when I did, there were two women instead of one. I released my grip on the bow and lowered it to the floor.
Two? Why were they two? Could Henry have gotten greedy? I thought, with a grudge.
A feeling of sadness and regret took over, knowing that I had failed not just myself, but also my mother, Queen Charlotte. I made to retreat to her chambers, preparing myself for her inevitable lecture. She would blame me and condemn me for my shortcomings. But I knew that I had done everything in my power to save her, to sustain her life. And I would continue to fight, even if there was only one day left.
A sudden scream from the labor house grabbed my attention; maybe Irene's labor hour had come. I rushed toward the labor room but upon reaching the door, I met Mildred, the eldest midwife. She shook her head sadly, "I'm very sorry, my prince."
I exhaled, my eyes darting around the place sullied with blood, "Is she already dead?"
She nodded, "It was a girl again," she lowered her face, not wanting to see my disappointment.
"Clean the place up, and I'll have some men prepare the grave," I instructed. Turning to leave, Mildred called my attention to something really important.
"Your Royal Highness, Zora's due date will be in the coming month. I'm hopeful,"
My mother had mentioned that I'd be married to Zora if only she could give us a male child. I shook my head, "You are one person after my mother who's always full of expectations, Mildred." I turned around once again, controlling my gaze from reaching the bed where Irene's corpse lay. "After Zora, I'll desist from having more women die over trying to conceive a male child."
"Your Royal Highness, this is about the Queen's life, you have to save her. You don't have to give up at this time. You've fought all these years, a hero always fights to the end." she said. I stared at her briefly before walking away.
Arriving at my mother's chamber, the maid at the door curtsied and informed with a low tone, "Your Royal Highness, Her Highness is asleep." Even though, I walked in quietly.
"I'm awake now," my mother replied, struggling to sit up but falling back in exhaustion.
"Mother," before I could say anything else, she blasted me.
"Have you come to say something about Henry remarrying for the eighth time?" I threw my face elsewhere. "Do you really want to watch me die before you can think of saving me?"
"Irene is dead! She gave birth to a baby girl contrary to what you told me. I won't stand here and accept your blame," I retorted, "Besides, I've lost interest in the throne. I'm tired of having more women die because of my taste for power."
With rage, my mother voiced out. "How dare you!" she thundered and her voice cracked, resulting in a lower tempo. "When did you begin to make the orders? Your ascension to the throne will wipe off this curse from our land."
Ignoring her outburst, "You're the one who initiated your own downfall. You took on the burdens of the entire kingdom. What were you thinking?" I fired at her.
"Don't insult your mother," she warned. "I did what any queen would do. I protected our kingdom."
"By getting intimate with the devil?" I roared. "You birthed me into this curse, without my consent. Now it's consuming you, just like it took my brothers. It's obvious you care less about the multitude of women lying dead in the tomb."
"He's your father and you know it. And those were half-brothers," she corrected me. "And who said I don't care about them?" Her face twisted, "You know what, just get out!" she screamed impatiently. "Get out at once!"
But I lingered, starting to regret my reaction. "I didn't mean to hurt you, Mother."
She turned to me, and as usual, her eyes were teary. Then, she looked away, her shoulders shaking with sobs.
"Don't cry, Mother, I was only expressing my frustration," I spoke without any feeling. For me, emotions seemed inaccessible, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't feel pity, not even for someone in distress.
The royal musicians suddenly began to play their drums, signaling the arrival of my half-brother. I stood up to the window and saw them getting in through the drawbridge, "I'm coming, Mother!"
"Don't hurt anyone, remember you are still the crown prince, my morning star," she advised.
I nodded. "I always keep that in mind." Crown prince, I mumbled. How would I ascend the throne with just being the crown prince?
I descended the stairs, and there they were, his arms about her shoulders. Where was the other woman? I looked around but found no one else.
"Dear, brother." He greeted me sweetly, which was quite unusual, and then I knew he was mindful of his wife's presence. "Princess, allow me to introduce you to Luce, my half-brother."
"My brother," I feigned a smile. "You are home with your wife." I nodded at them, my eyes darting around. "Where's her co-wife?"
"Thank you. A co-wife? I'm married to just one woman and the other," he pointed toward the gatehouse. "Is my wife's handmaid."
Soon, the Lady I met in a wedding gown emerged, carrying loads of goods. I didn't want to be seen, so I moved away to my chamber, wondering how she suddenly transitioned from a princess to a maid.