"Astrid! That's enough! The medic said that you have to move around in order for the... for it to come out! It will rot inside you!" Tamara shouts, pulling the blanket off Astrid.She doesn't even want to hear it. She feels horrible now, she can't even imagine how she will feel trying to get into labor to deliver a dead baby. No way! Plus, there is no point! After Loras heard that she didn't want the baby, he just stopped caring. And she can't blame him, but it still hurts like hell."Astrid!"The princess groans at her lack of success and storms out of the room.It's been like this for three days. She will give up eventually. She will distance herself and at some point, she will stop caring. And Astrid would die, without love or affection around her. Just like her child died.It feels so weird to think about those words. They've been spinning around her head since it happened, and they still feel unnatural. Her child died. The child that she didn't even think she wanted, died. And it
The chaos that follows is indescribable, Lysa jumps up and runs out of the room as Astrid still holds her belly in shock, feeling the movement of her miracle baby. After ten minutes, Lysa comes back with the Lady Chaperone and the medic that proceeds to consult Astrid again. This time, she doesn't even mind the consult, she is too happy to be bothered by anything right now. Once she confirms that the baby is alright, Lysa runs outside again and returns, this time with Tamara."How is she? The baby?" Tamara asks, all sweaty and gasping for air."You Grace, the baby seems fine, the position is normal. It's moving. Everything looks like a perfectly normal pregnancy." The medic answers puzzled."Go tell the king!" Tamara orders the Lady Chaperone and then comes to sit next to Astrid. "How?""I have no idea, my lady. Last time I checked, the baby wasn't moving. I wanted to check the other day too with another medic, but..." The medic justifies herself and Tamara sighs."But we have already
"Ben?!" Astrid runs into the house followed closely by her little brother. She ruined his stone castle, trying to play with it and now the boy is after her for revenge. "Help! Mars will kill me!"Ben doesn't ask any questions. Her big brother, who is always on her side, never does. He just drops the fire logs he was holding and picks her up, lifting her up on his shoulders. He is very tall and for little Astrid she feels like being at the top of the world, where no one can hurt her."Astrid! I will cut your hair for this! You will look like a boy! You are flat like one anyway!" Their little brother, Mars, comes running in with a pair of rusty scissors in his hands. They are the scissors their mother uses to trim the bushes in the garden."Mars! Didn't mother forbid you from playing with those? You up for a beating, idiot?" Ben kicks him in the stomach, throwing him on the floor like a sack of potatoes. "Are you a baby? If you have the energy to play with rocks, go to the mill and help
Loras looks confused but says nothing as he follows the weird reunion in front of him. Astrid is barely capable of articulating a full sentence, while Ben just stands there, saying nothing."Ben... Wha... What happened... You... How?""Your Majesty. My lady. I am here to consult you." He finally says with a voice that not in three lifetimes could make her forget. The voice of her older brother."Ben... It's me. It's Astrid." She tries again, getting up and slowly moving closer to him."A pleasure to make acquaintance, my lady. It's indeed an honor to be able to serve the king's favorite." He answers with a small reverence and starts unpacking his medical bag.Astrid grabs his shoulder and shakes him violently."Ben! Ben! It's me! Ben!" She shouts and cries not even knowing what she's feeling at the moment. She got him back and at the same time, she didn't."Astrid. Calm down!" Loras jumps to hold her back as the medic continues to look at her with a distant expression."No... No, Lora
"Ben, please. Let's just talk for a moment.." Astrid pleads with him, but her brother looks at her like she just grew another head. "Please...""Astrid, this may be our only chance...""But I don't want to leave.""You... want to stay here? Because of the child? There are ways to get rid of it. And sister, if you want to keep it we can find a way to do that too, but we need to run away first.""Ben! Listen to me for a second! I do not want to leave! Now sit down and let's talk!" Astrid loses it and snaps at her brother. He looks at her in shock, but he sits down on the bed. "How are you alive?"He clears his voice, looking away. The memories clearly pain him and he doesn't want to recall them but he knows he must."That beast knocked me out. When I opened my eyes... everyone... Mother, father... all our brothers... they were laying there. Slaughtered by the brutes that took you. I could still hear you scream and cry. I tried to crawl to the door, but I couldn't feel my body, the world
When she opens her eyes later in the day, the first thought on her mind it's that it became fucking ridiculous how often she just loses consciousness. Like... once a week she opens her eyes in a totally new place than where she closed them. If her life was a book, every other chapter would start with her coming back from a blackout.The second thought pulls her into a more serious subject. Her brother.She looks around, realizing that she is in her room, so the kidnap/rescue plan failed. But how? And what happened to her brother?"Esmee?" Astrid asks, trying to get up, but her head is spinning like crazy."Lady Astrid? Are you awake?" Esmee comes rushing in. "You gave me such a scare...""What happened?" Astrid asks before pointing to her dress; signaling Esmee to help her get dressed."I heard you screaming inside... I was so scared, but you ordered me that I shouldn’t enter under no circumstance. I wasn't sure what to do so I ran to the guards. The king was coming to you anyway and
The next few days were like walking on the edge of a dagger. No one said anything argumentative, everyone was waiting to see how things would develop. Astrid started to go on walks with Ben and he didn't seem to mind the guards that were ordered to watch them, but he avoided talking about anything important. Instead, they reconnected, shared memories about their family, and just exchanged pleasantries. It felt good to talk with her brother, but the distance between them was evident. Life pulled them apart and no matter how hard they try to ignore it, they are now strangers to one another."Mars would always complain that you take my side. Even though he was the youngest." Astrid remembers her most annoying brother fondly. Death has the power of erasing sins from the memory."When I grew up, I was expected to be the one that they all leaned on. Teach them, protect them. Because, you know, I was the oldest. But I would look at them and think... I was their age too and no one protected m
A few months pass by unbelievably quietly.It was like the harem had entered a dormant state where no drama happens. Up until tonight. Astrid had barely fallen asleep after tossing and turning for hours. This baby better be coming soon. A while ago everyone was scared that it was too early and now it's two weeks pass the due date and he is still sitting comfortably, while her insides are all pushed into a corner."My child is giving his mother a hard time?" Loras ask as soon as he sees her appear in the world between their souls."Everyone assumes this child will be a boy. What shall we do if it's a little girl? I, for one, will be much happier. Showing that weird wizard wrong.""He's an astrologist, Astrid.""He's a scam. After all, he has half-half chances of guessing and he gets a ton of money either way."It's been months and she still can't forget that old frog."If it will make you feel any better, for our next children, we will not ask him the gender. It will be a surprise." L
"All hail to King Loras Dardarian and Queen Astrid Dardarian!" The guard announces them solemnly as they step through the gold doors. The banquet room is filled with the noble lords and ladies of the kingdom, diplomats from beyond the seas and high members of the land councils. They all bow in front of the royal couple as they slowly make their way to the other side of the room, where the thrones await.Astrid looks at Loras, who is holding her hand. So many years passed, so many troubles they overcame and with every second that they live she feels that not a thousand lives would be enough next to him. Loras notices her melancholic glance and smiles."This is not the day for unpleasant feelings, my little one! This is a day of celebration." He whispers, the feeling of his breath on her neck, still giving her shivers of pleasure after so many years."I am old, Loras. When will you stop calling me little one?" She laughs."Do you want me to find you another nickname in the next life?"A
"Where is my son?" Loras shouts, his voice unrecognizable.Astrid helps Lysa get up and whispers to her that Omar found his way to the dragon cave and is now with his aunts. Once she hears that, color returns to her face and she starts crying hysterically.Everyone turns to them, distracted by the noise. Everyone but the king, who is so blinded by his rage that he can't hear a thing around him."You're not lying?" Lysa asks, clinging to Astrid's arm with such force that she almost breaks it."He got lost in the corridors. The king's dragon sensed his distress and called for him. That's why he ended with us." Astrid explains and the guards around them exchange questioning looks before glancing at the king."Loras! Loras!" Lysa shouts, running toward him, ignoring the traitorous lords that throw her murdering looks. "Omar is with Astrid! Omar is alright! Our son is alright!"The king's fist freezes in the air and he turns his head to Lysa. His former favorite is in tears, happiness mixe
Astrid tries to swallow the lump in her throat as she looks at the cave's entrance, waiting for someone to run in and announce that Loras arrested the lords without spilled blood.Sansa's voice is in the background as her prayers echo on the cavernous walls, creating a soothing noise. It helps the other girls that are gathered in the corner, as far away from the dragons as possible."We just got here..." Tamara tries to calm Astrid down, but to no avail."Did Loras say anything to you about Lysa and Omar?" Astrid asks, holding Erik a bit tighter to her chest."He just seemed furious. But my brother is not the one that is easily overpowered by emotions. And he loves Omar. I think he will forgive Lysa too for his sake." Tamara confidently declares. Her reassurance seemingly more for herself than for Astrid."My lady?" Esmee asks. "I could take the little prince for a while. So you could rest."Astrid looks at her. She wants to say no, as feeling Erik close to her makes her feel better,
The heavy doors open and all heads bow in front of her. If the events from earlier wouldn't have opened her eyes, Lysa would think that they all respect her. She looks at her new husband and the dignified way he keeps his back straight and his hand on that decorative sword on his waist. He will find his end tonight. She looks around. They will all find their end. Including her. Two chairs were brought to sit tall on the other side of the room and Lysa walks to sit on one. Lord Connrad joins her soon after and the meeting of the traitors begins. "Noble lords of the kingdom!" Lord Connrad starts his grand speech. "For centuries, our influence was the foundation that the crown used to build this great nation. Every change good or great was passed through our opinions before a king would even consider implementing it. And that brought us to where we are today. On the top of the world. Second only to God's heavens." The Lords cheer in agreement and Lysa simply fails to understand the ne
Lord Connrad has a huge grin on his face as he stares at the woman that once was known as the jewel of the crown. Lysa is indeed a beauty, even so many years later, even after a child. Her figure is unchanged, the skin is soft and tight. Her breasts are defying any force of gravity that tries to tame them.The woman is shaking, terrified by what's to come, but doesn't utter a single word. After all, who would help her even if they hear her screams?She closes her eyes, trying to disconnect, to leave her body to this filthy word. But that seems to provoke Lord Connrad, because he grabs her hair and shouts at her, ordering her to look at him like she used to look at the king.Why would she? This scum is no king...In her mind, she returns to her first night with Loras. Sansa chose her to go. She liked how Lysa could hold her head high. She didn't realize that she was only doing it because she had nothing to lose. In the prince's chambers, she was shaking like a bird caught in hand. Lora
The bells ring louder than Lysa had ever heard them. Curious thing. She's been here for years and she never paid attention at the sound. Every hour... one ding for one past midnight, two dings for two past midnight. Every single day without a break and it's the first time she actually listens to them.The high priest in right on time. The old man always is. That might be his only quality as in the rest of the time he spends his moments preaching about how everything is a sin.Lord Connrad comes into her room without knocking and she throws him a threatening look that he chooses to ignore."You, my lady, are dazzling my eyes. Truly the jewel of the crown as the peasants refer to you."Lysa can't help but throw her eyes in the mirror. The dress is indeed dazzling. Impeccable white, crusted with endless diamonds that reflect the weakest light into a rainbow that then dances around her. A sight to counter her flawless body and rise her full chest. A bit of cleavage, just enough to attract
Omar is shaking at her chest, but Lysa signals him to be quiet. Lord Connrad sent two of his personal guards to escort them, but they still have to get to the meeting point unnoticed. "You said we are going to see auntie!" Omar whines and the echo of his little voice hitting the empty halls makes Lysa freeze. "We have to see a friend first." She whispers to her son. "It won't take long, I promise." The promise is a lie. Lysa doesn't know how long it will take, but it's enough that she is anxious, she is not going to bring her son in the same state. "I'm cold!" He whines again after a moment of silence and Lysa curses herself for not dressing him in warmer clothes. But at the same time, the guards would have gotten suspicious if the prince would have walked to his aunt's place all dressed up. "We are going somewhere warm, my love. One moment." She wraps her arms around him, trying to provide all the warmth she can with her own body. This old path was closed years ago so there are n
"What happened? Where is she?" Astrid bursts into the infirmary with Tamara, confused as hell, running behind her."Forgive me, Lady Astrid! Her stomach started bleeding, suddenly. It may have been more than an indigestion, I believe the stress made a hole inside her guts. She bled out the poor girl.""She was fine a moment ago and now you're telling me that she bled to death?" Astrid shouts, but the medic is already not paying attention to her anymore as she bows to somebody that just came into the room. Astrid turns around, surprised to see Lord Connrad."Thank you for your worry, my lady. My wife would have been honored." He says, barely contenting his smirk. "Your Grace. It's an honor to be in your presence."Tamara doesn't seem to reciprocate the feeling but politely nods at the lord. Since she doesn't know the situation, she is not filled with rage as Astrid is."Forgive me, my lady! My lord! I did everything that was in my mortal power. The rest comes only from God and he was t
"You look at me as if you just saw a ghost, Astrid." Sansa comments, trying to seem offended, but with a smile hiding behind her lips."I... didn't expect that...""Neither did I. To apologize to a... well, you are not a slave anymore... to a concubine of my brother was not something that I thought I will ever do in this life. But I am not that stuck in my own ways not to see the necessity to do it this time.""And what made you think that?"Sansa sighs."More than one thing I suppose. My brother seems better, happier. I can't ignore the good effect you have on him. You offered him a son, a lovely little baby that even if I hated you, I can't help but adore. You turned around the fate of the war... Maybe I started it, but... I never wanted to go through with it. It was too late when I realized that and I am glad it failed. You didn't take advantage of that victory to push everyone else aside for your own gain. And more than anything you seem to care about this kingdom in a way that on