Chapter 117 - 82: And so it begins....
"ARGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" A woman screamed in absolute pain, putting all her remaining strength into one last push. She could feel her body weakening by the minute, her muscles trembling and her breath coming in ragged gasps, but she couldn’t give up. The thought of holding her child for the first time, seeing the tiny life she had fought so hard to bring into the world, pushed her to endure the pain. Not now. She had to see her child after everything she had endured.
"Wehhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" The cry of an infant broke the tension, and a collective sigh of relief followed. Linda’s body sagged as the sharp pain began to subside, replaced by the overwhelming weight of exhaustion.
"It’s a boy, Linda! It’s a boy!" one of the women surrounding Linda exclaimed joyfully. Miranda, a fellow maid assisting with the childbirth, beamed as she held the newborn. Despite the haze of pain and exhaustion, Linda managed a weak smile, her eyes fixed on her baby. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes as she took in the tiny face. She had never felt such profound relief and love all at once.
"But... his eyes are-" Yohanna began, her voice tinged with surprise. Before she could finish her observation, a loud, jubilant shout from outside shattered the moment.
"YES! LONG LIVE THE QUEEN!" a bellow interrupted their joy. A knock on the door snapped everyone to attention, and the celebratory atmosphere shifted to confusion.
"Cassidy?" Miranda asked, glancing nervously at the door.
"You are all to head to the palace. The king has declared a grand banquet," Cassidy announced with a wide smile as she stepped inside.
"Wait, don’t tell me-" Yohanna gasped, her hands clutching at her chest.
"Yes, the queen has given birth," Cassidy confirmed, her expression glowing with excitement.
"WHAT?!" Miranda exclaimed in disbelief.
"Cassy?" a weak voice called. Cassidy turned to find Linda looking at her, exhausted but alive. Her pale face glistened with sweat, but her expression was serene as she cradled her child.