King Ronan's POV
One month later, Sabna sent a short letter through a servant, telling them the pregnancy had occurred. Ronan sighed in relief. Now, they had to wait until the baby was born.
With each passing month, Irna's health got a little worse. She felt more tired, weaker and with less appetite, but still managed to force a smile every time she saw Ronan.
— Just three more months and we will be able to give you the baby's blood. Let's hope it will cure you.
She nodded, without saying a word, and fell asleep.
Ronan's heart felt heavy with each day that passed, praying that it wouldn't be her last.
— Lady Sabna's entered labor, your majesty. — One of the servants hurried to his office to give the news.
— Now? — He took a deep breath. — Okay, please tend to her with utmost care.
— She is doing it all by herself, she did not allow any of us to go inside until it's all finished.
'The blood…' Ronan thought.
For all the servants knew, Sabna was just a lady he had gotten to alleviate her majesty's burden of giving him another child in her current condition. No one else knew she was a Ciani.
— Okay. Please, leave her alone.
Ronan stayed there, waiting for any news.
A few hours later, the servant came to fetch him.
— It's a boy, your majesty.
Ronan felt his heart dropping.
— I… I should go-
— Lady Sabna just delivered us the news through the door. She asked that your majesty wait for the baby to be brought to your quarters later, at night.
— Alright. — He answered, wondering what she would do about the bedsheets.
As promised, the baby was taken to their bedroom and given to Queen Irna to hold.
— Are you alright? — He asked her.
— Yes… He is not that heavy. I can manage this much… — She looked at the baby, but Ronan could not spare a glance to the boy that he didn't even know. He only looked at her.
— I meant… about the baby being here. Not about his weight.
— Oh… — She smiled at him. — Of course. He is just a baby… one that was born to cure me. I do not have the right to resent either him, you… or his mother, of course. Quite the opposite. She went through such a difficult task of carrying a pregnancy and giving birth just to save my life… I could never resent her.
— I… am relieved.
That scene unfolded for the next evenings. During that period, never did Ronan hold his own child, afraid that he could grow affectionate at him before his wife was saved.
When the kid was 28 days old, Sabna came into their quarters, holding him, to perform the cure.
— Queen Irna. — She greeted her with a bow. — It is a pleasure to finally see you.
During those whole ten months, Irna barely went out of her room. Whenever she did, Sabna stayed inside of hers, likely avoiding the Queen.
— It is my pleasure to make your acquaintance.
— I shall now begin. I must remind you that it will only be successful if you do not hold any resentment about the baby.
— I am aware. — Irna answered.
— Then, allow me. — She placed the boy on a pillow and gave the pillow for the Queen to hold.
— Please, hold him still, Queen Irna. — She asked, then took a syringe from the inside of a pan hanging over the fireplace. — I asked the servants to boil the water with the syringe for a long time. It's sterile.
Ronan nodded.
— Would you name him first, Queen Irna?
Irna was caught by surprise.
— Does the boy… still not have a name?
Sabna shook her head.
— Well… then… he should be called Rhovian.
— It's a beautiful name. — Sabna smiled, then proceeded to skillfully pierce his soft skin and get a sample of his blood. The baby cried a bit. — King Ronan, you should carry him, now.
He did as told, soothing and rocking the boy to stop crying.
— Now, are you ready?
Irna nodded. Ronan watched as Sabna pierced Irna's arm with the syringe full of the brilliant blue blood and started releasing the liquid into it.
— It… it is hot. — Irna complained. — It burns.
— It's gonna pass. Please, endure it for now.
Soon, Irna was holding back the urge to scream. Ronan had left the baby on a pillow on the bed and rushed to her side.
— Is this supposed to happen?
— It has never been done before, but this reaction is expected.
— Never done… You don't even know if your blood is actually safe for us?!
— We know it is. If our blood could kill you, the baby wouldn't be alive now. — She answered calmly. — Don't worry. She will be fine.
Ronan could not shake the worries while holding Irna's hand. Her skin felt hot and she was shivering and sobbing with pain.
When it felt like it had lasted for eternity, suddenly, she went back to normal.
— How are you feeling? — Ronan asked in a hurry while seeing her rise to seat.
— I… I am better. — She answered, looking baffled. — I am so much better… Like I have not been in… years.
— R-really? So… it worked? Are you cured?
Irna smiled warmly.
— Yes… Yes! I… am completely well now.
Ronan hugged her tightly, crying tears of happiness.
— Thank God… My love… I am so happy.
Irna patted his back, then pushed him gently and called.
— Sabna. Thank you so much. You went through a hard, enormous task. And I'm cured thanks to you. And to your child.
— It's my pleasure, Queen Irna. This child is not mine, but yours. I was an instrument that the gods used for him to come to this world.
— Sabna… — Ronan started, feeling deeply relieved that his wife was now doing better. — I am beyond grateful to you. No words can describe what you and Uilla have done for my wife, and for me as well. Please, if there is anything I can do for you-
— Don't worry. I just played my role in the gods' plan. Whatever they want you to do as a payment, will not be for me. You'll be faced with their will in the future.
— Alright…
— But. There is one thing you must be aware of. — Sabna started. — He is a Ciani, but he is your son, and you have to protect him from now on. If someone finds out about his blood, he will be endangered. Don't treat him as a mere instrument for the Queen's cure, but as a true son of yours.
— That is a given. Do not worry about him.
Sabna smiled, scoffing politely.
— I am worried about you, not him. Now, I must take my leave for the night. The baby will still need me for a few months more, but I'll leave for good as soon as possible.