Chapter 04: Giving Birth

Chapter 04: Giving Birth

Third Person POV

Selina put on the black cloak and its hood before looking at Jiya, who was preparing for their departure. All she needed to do was leave the room, instruct the guards to let her go and watch the king and Giselle's wedding.

She wasn't sure if they would agree, but she thought it was now or never. She saw Jiya nod at her and slowly approach her.

She smiled, "I hope this time you can escape from this harsh place. I’m saddened that all of this is happening to you," she said quietly. Her voice was sad, showing her care and empathy towards Selina.

She held her shoulder and smiled. "Thank you for everything. I appreciate your help, but... you don’t have to do this, Jiya. Whether inside or outside this palace, I’m still no one. I can’t give you anything," Selina said sadly.

But Jiya smiled and pulled Selina closer. She embraced her, "You can’t change my mind, My lady. I will stay with you, serve you for the rest of my life." Selina tapped her back, feeling touched by Jiya's words.

"You can’t do that. I won’t allow you to sacrifice your happiness for my sake. I want you to be happy." She smiled gently.

"I’m happy to serve you, my lady." Selina stared at her. She knew she couldn’t change Jiya's mind now. "Thank you for being here with me." She nodded and smiled widely.

"It’s my pleasure. Alright, I’ll leave first. Let’s meet at the place we discussed," she said. Selina nodded and waved her hand. "Yes, we’ll meet there," she replied.

Jiya nodded again and began to leave. She smiled at her first before finally exiting the room. Selina knew this wouldn’t be easy, but she had had enough. This was her last chance.

She took a deep breath before approaching the door. There were two guards stationed outside her room, so she couldn’t just leave immediately. Releasing her breath, she knocked on the door.

One of the guards opened it. "Yes, Lady Selina, do you need something?" one of them asked. She nodded, "I do. I’m leaving now," she said. The two guards looked at each other and then shook their heads.

"We can’t allow that. The king ordered us to—" Selina showed a pouch of gold coins in front of them. "I won’t stay long. I want to know what’s happening outside this isolated room," she said.

But the two guards still shook their heads. Selina showed another pouch of gold coins. The guards’ eyes widened in shock. They were tempted by the large amount of gold Selina was offering.

"This is all I can offer. I could stay here and keep this money," she said, grinning. They shook their heads, but each accepted a pouch of gold.

"Please, return within an hour or two," they pleaded. Selina nodded, even though she knew she wouldn’t be coming back. "I’m leaving now." She didn’t wait for them to say more. She walked swiftly down the hallway. There were no servants around.

She was sure that everyone was busy with the royal wedding tomorrow. Selina looked around, attentively observing to avoid running into anyone. She didn’t want anyone to see her.

Selina reached the garden quickly. Jiya must be around waiting for me. She thought while searching for her. She was about to call Jiya’s name, but her lips hung open when she saw two familiar silhouettes coming closer.

“It is Reagan and the grand duke,” she murmured and quickly hid in a bush. She can’t let them catch her.

“You’re indeed a man of your word, Your Majesty. So, I will do as I promised. The northern land and beyond will be yours.” It was the grand duke who was speaking. Selina couldn’t understand what they were talking about.

She closes her eyes and uses her enhanced hearing. “I’m delighted to hear that, Grand Duke,” Reagan answered flatly, still walking straight. The grand duke glanced at him, “I’m glad also. But I have one concern, Your Majesty,” his voice turned serious.

Reagan knew he’d ask something personal again. He nodded, letting the duke ask him questions. “About your mistress. What is her name again? Seline? Selina? Whatever her name is. What will you do to her?”

Selina was frozen in her spot. She didn’t know why they were talking about her now. Giselle and Reagan are getting married in less than three hours. Why can’t they leave her alone?

She saw Reagan stop walking and looked at him seriously, “What do you mean, Duke?” he questioned. The duke chuckled roughly, “Nothing particular. I’m just merely curious about your breeder, Your Majesty. I heard she’s eight months pregnant now. After giving birth, what is your plan?”

Right. What are you planning to do with me, Reagan? Selina asked in the wind. She held back her emotions as she anxiously waited for his response. “He had abandoned me. He was busy with the wedding. I don’t know what I expect from him,” She murmured.

“I’ll get rid of her after giving birth,” he answered. She just closed her eyes, clenching her jaw in disbelief. Selina felt like she was doused with cold water upon hearing that. He doesn’t need me after I deliver our child, she said painfully.

She looked down on the grass and did not listen anymore. She stayed that way until Reagan and the Duke left the garden. She was speechless. The man who promised her protection ended up hurting her.

He’s planning to kill her. “It turns out his love is just a lie,” she scoffed. She stood up but quickly sat down when she felt a pain in her stomach. She caressed her baby bump. “What’s going on? Why is it painful?”

Her face crumbles as she forces herself to stand. Selina needs to find Jiya now. After a couple of minutes of searching, she saw Jiya running towards her. She’s breathing hard.

“My lady, I have news!” she said as she moved close. She stood straight, trying not to show her discomfort. “What is it?” Selina asked. “This is both bad and good. I know it’s painful, but this is our chance. The king and Giselle’s wedding will happen in thirty minutes,” she said.

I thought it was in three hours. I see. Giselle wants to make him as hers already. Selina thought bitterly. This is really the end of us. “I’m sorry, my lady,” Selina quickly looked up when she heard Jiya’s sad voice.

“Don’t give me that face. You’re right. This is a great opportunity for us. Let’s go an…” Selina couldn’t talk anymore because the pain in her stomach was killing her slowly. It’s too much, too painful to bear.

Jiya panicked when she saw Selina’s screaming in pain. There’s blood streaming down Selina’s legs. Then, a realization hits her. This isn’t good. She’s giving birth prematurely. She quickly approached her, “My lady, we need to find Madame Teresa!” Jiya knew Selina wanted to escape now, but she couldn’t risk the king’s heir.

“What’s going on—” They heard Madame Teressa’s voice nearby. Jiya looked around. Her eyes widened as she saw hope. “Madame, please help my lady. She’s losing blood! She’ll give birth!”

“Oh God! Why now? The king is exchanging vows with Her Royal Highness!” Madame Teressa said in panic as she approached them.

Everything is real. The man she loved was marrying someone else while she was giving birth to their child. Why is fate cruel to her? Selina couldn’t hold her tears anymore. She screamed.

Her chance to escape faded like a bubble in the thin air. After giving birth, she’ll lose her life. She will be forever forgotten. She couldn’t accept that.

Reagan, I lose my faith in you. I regretted loving you. Selina thought before screaming one more time. I lose my strength, but I need to keep on going. My child needs me.

"It's a boy!" Madame Teresa shouted while holding her crying son. The cry of the child is making Selina calm despite feeling extremely exhausted. He's alive. My baby is alive. She kept on whispering.

“I’ll go and inform the king. Jiya, stay with her,” Madame Teresa said, causing both Selina and Jiya to panic. “Madame---” Jiya tried to talk, but Madame Teresa looked at her seriously.

“The king needs to know. So, stay put,” she said coldly. She glanced at Selina, who was begging her not to take away her son. But Madame Teresa only glanced at her and left the room.

“My son,” she cried. “We should have left akk---” Selina couldn't finish her sentence because she felt a new pain.

What's happening? “My stomach hurts!” She yelled. Jiya’s eyes widened, and her hands were shaking, but she still tried to calm herself.

"Lay down, Selina. There's another baby!" she said. What? Despite her confusion, she followed her instructions. "Take a deep breath and push!"

"Arggghhhh!" Selina’s face was full of sweat and tears. She was exhausted. She realized their children were twins. She gave one final, strong push. She felt empty inside again, and then she heard the cry of another child.

"It's a girl. Your children are twins." Selina started to cry. Oh, my poor babies. She cried. Jiya showed Selina her daughter. "She's pretty like you, Selina," Jiya said with tears in her eyes.

“Oh no,” Jiya’s eyes widened when she remembered something. “We can’t leave now,” she said. Selina shook her head, “I need to leave, or else I’ll die,” she said sadly. Jiya looked at her, confused, “What do you mean, my lady?”

Selina smiled bitterly, “Reagan is planning to kill me after giving birth.” “What? We must leave now, then! Can you stand?”

“I can, but I can’t leave my son behind, Jiya,” Selina said in a problematic tone. “I’m afraid you need to. Madame Teresa had already informed the king. He’ll be here with other servants anytime,” she said.

Selina cried harder. I don't want to abandon my son, but I have to. I'm sorry, my son. I promise I'll come back to you soon. She made the most painful decision of her life.

“Please hold her. I need to do something. Since the king is planning to kill you, why don’t we make him believe that we died?” she said, making Selina confused.

“You mean…” Jiya nodded. “Stay right there,” she said. She lit up the candle and threw it on the curtain. The fire quickly spread. “That’s it. Let’s go before they catch us,” she said.

Jiya tried to open the door, but she couldn’t. It seems like Madame Teresa locked the door before she left. She looked at Selina and the fire. “This is bad. Cover your daughter. I’ll try to open the door,” Jiya said in a rush.

Selina nodded as she watched Jiya remove the hairpin on her hair. She spends a few minutes opening the door until she succeeds. “I did it! Let’s go!” As soon they got outside, Jiya locked the door again to make everyone believe their plan.

Selina and Jiya rushed towards the hidden passage at the back gate, leaving the room on fire.