The palace had never been this loud
Footsteps echoed through the halls.Orders overlapped. Servant rushed in fear.
And from the royal chamber—
A cry of pain shattered everything.
"AAH–!"
"your majesty, breathe – please!"
"I–can't–!"
Charle's body trembled violently against the sheets, sweat clinging to his pale skin, finger clutching helplessly at anything he could reach.
"It hurts –!"
His voice broke
"Theo...!"
The king moved instantly.
Gone was the distant, untouchable ruler.
In his place was a man who looked terrified.
" I'm here."
Theo was at his side in seconds grabbing charles hand, holding it tightly .
Too tightly
"I'm right here."
Charles's finger clung to him like he was the only thing keeping him alive .
"I can't do this–!"
"You can," Theo said quickly, voice unsteady despite his efforts to stay calm. " You can, charles. just look at me."
Another wave of pain hit him.
AAH!
Charle's cried out,his grip tightening painfully.
Theo flinched—
But didn't pull away.
"Breathe with me," Theo said ,softer now. "Slow.... Just like before . You remember?"
Charle's shook his head weakly , tears spilling over.
"I'm scared..."
Theo froze
For a moment
The king of Empire didn't know what to say.
Then he leaned closer, pressing his forhead gently against charles's.
"Don't be. "
His voice dropped to something raw.Honest.
"I won't let anything happen to you."
"Your Majesty , you must push now!" The healer urged.
Theo tightened his hand on charles's hand.
"Hey –look at me," he wispered.
"You've always been stubborn... don't stop now."
A weak, breathless laugh escape despite the pain .
".....You're.... calling me ....stubborn now?"
"Always ," Theo murmured,brushed his damp hair from his face.
"And I'm still here, aren't I?"
Another wave of pain hit him.
Stronger this time.
"Now – PUSH."
Charles's screamed ···
And Theo's heart nearly stopped.
"I've got you"Theo said quickly ,panic slipping through ." Just one more – just one more, charles.
Then–
Silience.
"···The child is out"
Theo's breathe hitched.
"···why isn't he crying ?"
Everything froze
"··· No pulse."
The words dropped like a blade
"He's not breathing."
Charles's wet still.
Too still.
"...No .."
His voice came out hallow.
"No– give him to me–!"
Theo stepped forward immediately . "Careful..."
"THEO"
That broke him.
*...give him " Theo said sharply .
The child placed into charles's shaking arms.
Small
Silent
Lifeless
"...No ...."
Charles cradled him desperately , tears falling freely.
"My ····baby··· please"
Theo's chest tightened painfully.
This····
This was not supposed to happen.
"Do something ..." Charles wispered ,his voice breaking into peices.
"You... promised me"
Theo froze
Promised .
His gaze dropped to the child then back to the charles.
Charles looked like he was breaking.
Like if this moment continue—
There would be nothing left for him.
"..... Everyone out ....."
The room emptied instantly .
Theo stepped closer.
Hands trembling.
Just slightly.
"... charles..."
No response.
"..Hey.."
Softer this time.
"I'm here."
Charles didn't look up
"..he's cold..'
That was it.
Theo exhaled sharply.
Then he placed his hand over child's tiny chest.
The air shifted slightly.
Heavy.
Unstable.
But his voice was no longer calm.
"Breathe"
Nothing .
Theo's jaw tightened .
"Please..."
The Word slipped out before he could stop it .
"Breathe..."
For the first time —
The king sound desperate.
A second passed .
Then—
A gasp.
A cry.
Sharp .
Alive.
".....!"
Charles froze.
Then broke.
"He's breathing –!"
He clutched the child close and sobbing openly and loudly now
"He's alive– Theo he's alive–! "
Theo didn't not respond immediately .
His hand remained there just seconds longer. just to be sure.
Then slowly –
He pulled back.
His shoulder dropped just slightly.
"....of course he his,"Theo said quietly , through his voice still carried echo of panic.
Charles laughed weakly through the tears, pressing his forhead to the baby's.
"Our son"
Theo looked at them both.
Something soft flickered in his eyes.
Quick.
Almost gone.
"Yes...."
Inside those fragile arms–
Oliver's mind slowly awakened.
"I .... survived."
He could feel it.
The warmth.
The shaking hands holding him.
The presence watching him.
"This ...is not how story goes."
In the original.
He dies.
Charles breaks .
And everything falls apart.
But now—
I'm alive.
His tiny fingers curled weakly.
Then i'll change it.
Above him ,Theo watched silently.
But this time—
There was no cold indifference.
Only something quite.
Protective.
And just like that date shifted.