Abandoned Princess

8 pm. Moonlight Mansion of the Cato's.

"How is the Duchess doing?" the Duke of Carleston Castle asked the midwife when she went to get another basin of water.

The midwife was hesitant since the Duchess is not doing well. It has been hours and the Duchess hasn't given birth yet.

"I'm afraid, my lord, that the Duchess will not survive this birth. It has been hours and the baby hasn't come out yet," the midwife said.

The Duke was sweating excessively. He has loved his wife ever since they were kids, but he never thought giving birth would only take the love of his life away.

"Don't worry, my lord, I will do everything I can to save m'lady," the midwife added.

The Duke who was already nervous only nodded in response.

After a few more hours, a baby's cry was heard from inside the bedroom. The Duke was ecstatic to hear his own child's cry but was worried about his wife. The midwife went out of the room, everyone was ecstatic to see the little baby in her arms. The Duke, who was already crying out of happiness carried the baby in his arms.

"How is my wife?" the Duke asked.

"She also wanted to see you, m'lord," the midwife said.

The Duke and his baby entered the room quietly, afraid of disturbing his exhausted wife.

"My love? Are you okay?" The Duke asked his wife who was lying still in her bed.

The Duke was already tearing up since there was no response from his beloved wife. The Duchess who was extremely tired forced her eyes to open. She let out a small laugh seeing how his husband was crying. She never thought that the man who was feared by many could easily cry like this. But she knew, she wouldn't last the night.

"My love," she said, her voice barely got out of her throat. "I'm afraid I will not survive the night since I have bled too much."

"No, no. You will survive. I will get the best doctors money can buy. Please don't leave me," the Duke cried.

She stared at her loving husband, crying in front of her, begging her to never leave. And then her eyes landed on the baby in his arms.

"Take care of her for me. From now on, dedicate your life for her. She will be the Empress very soon and I'm afraid I will not be by her side to train her," she said, her voice almost a whisper.

"I will but please don't leave us. I couldn't live without you," the Duke cried.

"You have to... for her," the Duchess breathed her last breath and she slowly closed her eyes, resting forever. The Duke wept but he knew, he has to live for his daughter, for their daughter. He silently wept and after he redeemed himself, he went out of the room.

His loyal elf servant who was already serving the family for already 3 generations, was outside, waiting for her.

"Alik," he called.

"Yes, master?" the elf kneeled in front of his master. He knew his master is in grief and his heart broke seeing his master like this.

"I don't want you serving me anymore," the elf was surprised by what his master said, but he still listened.

"Dedicate your entire life for my daughter. Protect and guide her from now on. I will only entrust my daughter's safety in your hands," the Duke added.

The elf bowed his head meaning he accepts his new life mission.

The midwife approached the Duke and offered for her take the baby. But the Duke refused.

"My wife entrusted her to me," the Duke firmly said.

"Alright m'lord. But you are exhausted, I will take her to the nursing servant so she may be fed," the midwife said.

The Duke realized that the baby was already crying and yet he didn't hear her.

"Follow her, make sure the little princess is safe. I will take a rest momentarily," the Duke said as he handed the baby to the midwife.

"Name her, Elizabeth, after my wife," the Duke said as he entered his dead wife's bedchambers.

Alik, who was already suspicious of the midwife, followed them to the nursery.

The little princess of the Cato household and the soon-to-be empress of the Vetrai people was born.