C2 The King without an heir

In a dimmed - light room. Four women could be seen in it; one on the bed, and three surrounding the one on the bed.

"Arghhhh....!!!!!" The one on the bed screamed, her eyes going extremely tight in agony.

Her legs were knee bent and wide opened, granting enough access to the mid-wives.

"Harder, Nosheba! I can see the baby's head already!" The chief mid-wife and it gave the weak woman some hope as she took her lips into her mouth and pushed hard - harder than she could. She had to bit her inner cheeks.

Why was it so difficult this time around?

"One more time....!" The mkd wife yelled.

And another push - "Arghhhh.........!"

And pup! Came the baby's round head.

A gasp escaped from the other three women as they meticulously pulled out the head until the two tiny legs came pulling out as well. A sharp tiny cry erupted the room immediately.

Unlike every other birth, the mid-wives didn't break out for joy instantly as they had one more thing to confirm.

The chief was the one doing the job and nervously, her eyes went down to the baby's legs - in between. And her heart skipped heavily when she saw the small pelvic.

Fear and disappointment ran through her face.

"Ahiga, what is it?" One of the two asked, her eyes wide with curiosity and anxiety.

Ahiga - the chief mid-wife stared dreadfully at the baby before looking up at her co worker.

"It's a female" she finally said and instantly transferred the fear and disappointment on her face to them.

"Oh! Blessed Selene!" The second one exclaimed.

The baby was still crying and the chief looked at the mother who had already fallen asleep.

This was really bad; really bad - she thought.

"Kimi, you should go tell the King about it. He's waiting outside and not hearing the Queen scream anymore, but a baby crying, he definitely knows the baby's out". The chief said while placing the crying baby on the floor.

"What?? And why should I be the one to do it, Ahiga? You are our leader. It should be carried out by you" the second mid wife - kimi- retorted immediately.

"But you're always the one who goes out to inform the couples of the sex of their child, Kimi. What are you saying?" Ahiga asked, her worried face belying the strict tone of her voice.

"I do that with normal couples, not.... someone like the King" Kimi replied.

"Come on, Kimi. This isn't the time for this ..."

"Maybe, Louise should do it" she suddenly pointed to the last mid wife beside her.

"She's the youngest amongst us" .

"Whaaat???" Louise shirked and shook her head adamantly.

"Please, don't even think of doing this to me. My betrothed will be coming to see me, nine days from now. And if everything goes as planned, we'll be getting married after the 5th full moon".

Ahiga sighed and shook her head as her co workers argued about it. She stared at the baby on the floor. Who was going to deliver the news to the King? Definitely, it was a risk; a really big risk.

But she knew it wouldn't take long from now before the King walks in himself to know what was going on. And it was definitely going to be worst if he gets to find out himself".

"It's fine. I'll go" her voice came up and the two ladies looked at her with so much relief.

"Thank you so much, Ahiga. I believe you'll be fine" Kimi said, but Ahiga said nothing as she started towards the door.

*

*

In a long broad corridor, the King could be seen pacing around - tho and fro.

It wasn't the usual hyperventilative 'tho and fro' that other people do;, with King Dakota, it was always different.

Tho, he was anxious and paced tho and fro, he still looked a lot calm like one who was in deep thougts and felt like pacing tho and fro in order to aid his thoughts.

His hands were crossed behind his back, his crown on his head and his royal robe sweeping the neat floor as he paced.

Two guards were at the entrance of the corridor and two ahead of him - for his protection. It wasn't like he needs their protection, anyways.

His eyes glanced at the door each time he turned towards that direction. What was taking them so long? He was sure the Queen had stopped screaming and the baby, crying. Why were none of the mid wives out already?

He tried excersing a little patience and shortly, he heard the door open.

He turned around snappily to take a look and saw the chief mid wife walking out. He stopped walking but didn't budge forward to meet her, instead he waited for her to meet him.

He could notice the woman was tactically slackening her steps as it was taking her longer time to get to where he was.

"How was it, Ahiga?" He asked gruffly.

"What is the sèx of the baby?"

He went straight to the point.

The average woman took a really deep breath before proceeding.

"M...M...My King" she helplessly stuttered, her head bowed.

"Gr.... Greetings, My King".

"Tell me what my ears longs for, Ahiga". His voice was rasped, she swallowed hard.

No need beating round the bush; he was still going to find out - Ahiga thought.

"My.... My King", she continued, looking so sweaty already.

"It's a....it's a beautiful girl".

And that was it.

The anxiety on the Alpha King's face melted down instantly as his brows furrowed in surprise? And dismay.

Immediately, the words of the Physician came flashing into his head, few weeks ago when he'd visited him.

*Your second wife, Queen Nosheba, carries a she-wolf*.

He'd been so angry and doubted him before leaving, but he was right...! He was right.

Ahiga was still shaken in front of her with her head bowed. He wasn't saying anything and it was tearing her apart. Should she just turn around and walk away?

Suddenly, she felt a firm grip on her neck, one that lifted her feet off the floor and made them dangled in the air.

It was the King...!

Her eyes dilated in fear and shock as he choked her, holding her neck mercilessly tight.

His eyes were flaming; glinting with so much anger.

And in that icy voice, he said:

"This should be the last time you ever bring badnews to me,. Nosheba".

And with that, he threw her roughly on the floor and marched away.

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