Chapter I: A Mother's Wish

"It hurts... It hurts so much!"

The piercing screams of the Empress echoed through the Medic Ward of the Imperial Palace, reverberating off the walls and causing a stir among the staff.

Every sound seemed to carry a weight of significance, as the arrival of this child held great importance for the empire.

Vania, who had once thought herself unable to conceive, now found herself in the throes of childbirth, experiencing the agony and ecstasy of bringing new life into the world.

Despite her previous struggles with infertility, the Empress had long held a deep desire to experience the joys of motherhood.

Her illness had robbed her of that possibility in her earlier years, but now, with the arrival of her firstborn, that dream was finally within reach.

The anticipation was palpable as everyone waited with bated breath for the child to arrive.

This birth was more than just a joyous occasion for the royal family, it had far-reaching implications for the entire empire.

The laws of succession established by royal decree dictated that this child would be the legitimate heir to the throne, displacing the emperor's other children who were born from his consorts.

The birth of this child would fundamentally shift the balance of power within the empire, restructuring the line of inheritance and shaping the future of the royal line.

Amidst the chaos and excitement, the Empress let out a cry of pain that filled the room, a reminder of the immense physical toll that childbirth takes on a woman's body.

"AHHHHHHHH!!!!"

The sound was a symbol of the sacrifices that Vania was willing to make to bring new life into the world and secure the future of the empire.

Vania's body was wracked with intense pain as the contractions grew more and more frequent.

Her thin, frail frame seemed almost too delicate to endure the strain of childbirth. Each wave of agony seemed to wash over her in a relentless torrent, threatening to sweep her away.

With her eyes tightly shut, Vania clutched at the sheets beneath her and prayed to Lord Ashar for the strength to endure. Her voice was strained and raw as she cried out to the deity for mercy.

"Oh Lord, in all your divine wisdom, please grant me the fortitude to persevere through this trial," she pleaded.

The pain was almost unbearable now, a searing fire that seemed to burn through her very being.

The fact that Vania was pregnant at the age of 47 was highly unusual, and given her poor health and past infertility, it was nothing short of miraculous.

As the Empress fought through the pain, she couldn't help but wonder at the inexplicable nature of her pregnancy.

"Come on, your highness, one more push," the royal midwife encouraged, her eyes fixed on the emerging head.

"You're doing fantastic, just a little more," the midwife assistant chimed in, holding Vania's hand tightly.

Grimacing in pain, Vania managed a determined nod and took a deep breath to prepare for the final push.

She summoned the last of her strength and pushed with all her might and in a matter of seconds that probably felt like an eternity, the midwife was cradling a small infant in her arms.

The long and grueling process had finally come to an end.

Following imperial tradition, the midwife immediately examined the newborn to determine its gender. To everyone's delight, the infant was a boy.

"It's a boy, your Highness! It's a baby boy!" exclaimed the midwife with excitement.

As Vania laid exhausted in her bed, she felt a sense of relief and gratitude.

She knew that the birth of her son had not only fulfilled her own desires but also secured the future of the dynasty and the stability of the empire.

With a legitimate heir, there would be no need for a succession battle, and the dynasty could continue without disruption.

But she also knew that the emperor's consorts would not give up their ambitions easily. They would see her son as a threat to their own children's claim to the throne, and they would stop at nothing to eliminate that threat.

Vania knew that she would need to be strong and vigilant in protecting her son and ensuring his place as the rightful heir to the empire.

She would need to navigate the treacherous waters of court politics and alliances, and she would need to be smart and strategic in her every move.

But for now, all she wanted was to bask in the joy of motherhood and the knowledge that she had given her husband the greatest gift he could ask for - a legitimate heir to the throne.

As she was lost in blissful thought, the royal midwife spoke up, her voice trembling.

"M-my Lady, the child seems to be...still."

"What do you mean, still?" Vania asked, fear creeping into her voice.

Upon examining the infant from where she laid, she noticed that her child was silent and motionless.

The midwife gently tapped the baby's behind, but there was no response.

Upon witnessing the infant's stillness, Vania was struck with paralysis, her face haunted and despairing.

She cried out, "Give me my son!"

The midwife and her assistants exchanged worried glances, unsure of what to do in the face of such tragedy.

At this very moment the Emperor, Derrius Chamba came bursting through the door; his eyes filled with joy having heard the good news.

Immediately he approaches the midwife and his newborn son, his eyes filled with tears of joy.

He reached out to touch the baby's tiny hand, and a smile spread across his face.

He turns to Vania and croaks.

"We have been blessed with a son, Vania. Our prayers have been answered," he said, his voice filled with emotion.

But her eyes were not filled with tears of joy or excitement. What he saw was a woman in distraught.