Heir
"Pregnant!!" Choksha yelled so loudly that I bet the guards outside could have heard.
Fear grasped my very being as I covered my best friend's mouth with my tenuous hands. Aghast of the fact that this little piece of information could spread like wildfire in a matter of seconds, the walls hear all things in secret. But fair enough, I couldn't find it in myself to blame her because I couldn't fathom the fact that I was pregnant either.
"Nobody has to know about this; you need to stay quiet about this secret." I said that my timorous manner betrayed the fear I felt at the moment. Choksha nodded her head, understanding why this needed to stay between us. I averted my eyes from hers as I brought my hands to rest on my sides.
"How? Why Amoriah?." She queried almost as if she were in pain from all I had just told her.
"I don't know how it happened; I just couldn't refuse him." Part of me feels ashamed to call what I just said an explanation.
"Him? Who are you talking about??"She inquired with curiosity in her eyes; our voice was so quiet that words were barely above a whisper.
"The king," I whispered.
I watched my friend's face turn from one of shock to a state of qualm. She was looking at me quite like a different person, like she found it unbelievable. I would if I were in her position: a shy maid who remains aloof while all the rest converse, reserved, and almost afraid of everything. A commoner, a mere maid, had warmed the king's bed and, in her womb, held his progeny. It was more of a curse than a child at this point. Not only have I lost my purity, but I have also gone against every rule of being a maid in the palace to have gone close to the king.
"You're kidding, right? Amoriah, you would never- you can't even." The looks in my eyes told her it was all true. "But the queen, she's going to behead you if she finds out; how could you even do things?"
"The deed has been done; let's not cry over spilled milk." I chimed in.
"Isn't it too early to gossip when your chores are lying around waiting to be done?" Madam Margaret inquired. We were so invested in the conversation that we didn't notice when she entered. The Lord knows how much she has heard.
"Oh, Madam Margaret, we didn't see you there, aren't you quite lovely this morning? Don't mind these silly maids; we will be off now and done with our chore before you know it." Choksha spoke sweetly and smiled a saccharine smile. And with that, we were on our way.
Months passed like minutes, I was already 7 months away, I couldn't hide the baby bump anymore, rumors had started to spread that I was infected with a disease that made my tummy swallow, some cut up with the fact that I was pregnant because of how I couldn't stomach anything in, and my cravings only went from bad to worse. Choksha covered up for me to the best she could, but I knew she was also endangering her life by getting involved with me.
"Amoriah, her royal majesty, the queen wishes to see you right now." Madam Margaret said, before the guards came to escort me, it was just a matter of time before my secret was out there for the world to see. We walked into the Royal Chambers, and then I was told to go inside while the guards waited behind. I straightened up my dirty dress and made sure my stomach was hidden before entering the queen's chamber. I saw the queen and the king with some of their royal guards inside. I felt out of place in such a large room.
"Who's child do you dare carry in my palace?" The queen glared at me.
My whole being paralyzed as I stood before the king and queen—how did she know?—the queen wasn't one to address rumors. I gulped multiple times. It seemed like my throat was more dried than ever. I couldn't even raise my head because of the shame that settled in my chest.
"I can't—it's the king's child." I stuttered. My hands were sweaty. I felt like a deer caught in broad daylight. I couldn't breathe properly as my breath hitched.
"And you expect me to believe that? Lying and falsely accusing the king of such abomination, for that you will be executed in front of the village tomorrow dawn."
"I would never lie. I swear on the life of my unborn child. Please, you have to believe me. Just allow me to give birth to this child. I promise to face my punishment afterwards. I beg your majesty." I pleaded. All this time, the king never affirmed or denied my claims or accusations towards him.
"Guards!! Take this filth to the dungeon; tomorrow she will face her punishment ."
And that's how I ended up in this filthy dungeon—hunger, hurt, betrayal—the feelings were so overwhelming that I fainted twice. Each time I woke up, I cried out my soul, mostly for my innocent baby's life. He did nothing to deserve this. My mind was so lost in deep thoughts that I didn't notice when the dungeon doors opened.
"Amoriah, Amoriah." I heard a soft whisper. I thought it was too early for me to face my execution, but when I turned around to see who called, I was surprised to see Choksha and Madam Margaret. "Common, get up; we need to hurry before they notice you're gone." I gasped as my eyes almost popped out of my sockets. "Why? What's going on??"I asked, but still reached out for Choksha to help me stand. "There's no time for your question; we are leaving right now." Madam Margaret said it sternly.
Madam Margaret had so many keys she used in opening secret doors I never would have thought existed in this castle. We walked for a pretty long time. We stopped at a tunnel, and Madam Margaret instructed us to walk further, the tunnel leading to a forest. She told us to go northeast into the dark forest of norms and never stop till we find the graveyard for witches. There we will find a house isolated; nobody has lived in it apart from her late grandma, who was accused of being a witch and was banished. She told me to give birth to the future heir to this kingdom because the queen was barren for life and the king was her little puppet, and because of jealousy whenever she found a maiden pregnant for the king, she killed them and made the king watch the whole process. She told me never to come back if I had not brought up a true king to this kingdom.
Like a mother, she gave me a kiss on the forehead and said her farewell to us. I looked at Choksha, and she nodded like she understood the unspoken words I couldn't let out, she hugged me tightly.
"We will be fine." She said hopefully, and that was enough to bring a smile to my face. 'We will be fine.' We had enough to eat and survive for the journey ahead, all thanks to Madam Margaret.
I enjoy the build of the story, it seems quite interesting but the story is not complete
Is this the weekly fiction prompt?
I'm glad Amoriah was saved from her dark fate by good friends! You write very well and kept me intrigued to the end.
Oh my, @jazclassic, how hungry you leave us for clearer resolution. Although you have solved one element in the central conflict, still you leave unanswered so many questions. Does Amoriah make it to the cabin in the woods? Is she accepted by the grandma? Does she give birth successfully? Does the child grow well? All these questions have implied answers, but there is so much left in the air. We would like to know.
You have a wonderful story here. We are involved as readers in Amoriah's fate. This is why we are frustrated by the lack of full resolution.
Great writing. Great imagination. Great story. Just a little bit more would have been very satisfying. Thank you for sharing the story with us.
Awww, this is what happens when you're entangled with a married king. I do not blame the queen as she was only trying to save her marriage and her spot.
This was a lovely read babygirl
It was so evil of the queen to do that to you, at least, she would have pitied the unborn child. Well, thank God your friend came right on time to save you.