Shadow Over Happiness

I think is high time you let go of the crazy sentiment about not wanting a female child Margaret .

Very soon, she will be in your life ,you think I don't know ?how you had a priestess come over uhhh!,her mother in-law said to her.

How… ?she asked looking shocked,I know about everything you do,every steps you take Margaret she said sounding indifferently.

What is the noise all about this early morning ?Fredrick Evergreen queried startling his wife who stood up almost immediately looking at her mother in -law .

It is nothing, I was just telling her to look after her health because it matters a lot to her and the baby inside of her she said half smiling looking at her daughter in- law who doesn't want her husband to know of her act.

Yes! mother is right,she was just checking on me ,you know how worried mother could get she replied smiling at her husband who still looked suspiciously at both his mother and his wife .

Hmm ..I see he said straightfully ,seeing her husband wasn't buying into the idea she tried persuading him more but changed her mind when she spotted her son who just arrived from his study center,"Leonard she called" trying to end the conversation.

How was lesson today ?she asked her young son .If there was anything she was proud of ,"it was her son" .she made sure to give him the best life he can ever boast of having .she trained him to be a son who was brave and courageous.

It was fine mother, he replied before he went to his father bowing his head slightly.I'm back , he said politely to his father who was standing with his hand crossed at his back .

Hmm what a polite child you are ,his grandmother beamed touching his shoulder while he bows to her showing respect.

I would be on my way now mother ,father ,grandmother he said excusing himself.

One week later, the best thing that could ever happen ,which the villagers had been praying for happened as they were blessed by the rain that continuously kept falling from the sky with no signs of stopping anytime soon such that the villagers were now even afraid of flood wrath .

The villagers were overjoyed by the immense pouring of the rain as some begins playing in the rain ,some pulling out their tongue out to taste the rain .

Our plan has been destroyed ,that was the perfect time to strike,I don't know why this had to happened ,he said facing the other four in front of him.

What are we going to do leader ?Another man amidst the group asked .

We wait for another perfect time, the man in a white robe with an hat covering over his face said which made others in the room stare at him.

It is good the rain finally fell,the queen said interrupting the king from his silent thought who had his hands crossed at his back standing all alone .

What are you doing out so late ?he asked the queen who already stood beside him , looking at her closely ,the queen was his favorite among his wives ,she was the mother of two of his son ,he loved her most .

I figured you would be out here all alone trying to clear your of head of some pressing issues ,she replied as they both continue chattering until someone's immediate call broke the conversation .

My king ,the courtmaid who came in sight breathing heavily called .what is the matter the king questioned .

It is concubine Agnes ….she is … in labor she broke out stuttering.take the lead the king said to her as he and the queen followed her .

Huuum …huuum , the concubine shouted as she laid on the bed with her leg wide opened as she breath heavily blowing air .

You have to keep blowing maam , the midwife said to her who was already tired of the instructions.

Open the door, the king ordered the guards who stood outside the door blocking the entrance .

I'm sorry my king ,but the madam gave the instructions of not allowing anyone in until she labor he said bowing his head .

Ouchhhh..!,someone screamed filled the Evergreen manor as few people rushed in to check what the problem was.

What is the noise all about ?madam Evergreen asked looking at her daughter in -law who was standing strangely .

My water .. broke mother ,she replied with pain as she touched her belly .

Prepare the room ,her mother in - law informed the maids as they all rushed out.

You need to push ,the midwife attending to her gave instructions.No,I don't want to ,get it out from my tummy she screamed as veins popped out on her head .

The baby is almost out maam just a little more she said encouraging her .Arrrgh …she tried pushing again lifting her head up while dragging the cloth her hand was holding as she pushed out the baby .

Mphmp ..mphm ,A baby cry took over the room as the midwife gave the baby to the other nurse in the room to bath while she attends to the mother .

What gender is it ?the mother who was feeling sleepy asked . It a girl maam, the midwife replied .

Here you go madam ,the midwife called trying to give her the baby to breastfeed.

Take it away , the mother said shocking the two nurse as the they looked at her .

But she needs to feed the nurse persuaded .Is it your child… ?The mother replied the nurse as she put the baby who was continuously sucking her hand beside the mother who had her back face the child .

You need to keep on pushing, the baby head is out already just one more push the baby willl be out .

Phhh..phhhh.. she blowed as she pushed one more time shouting while holding her belly as the baby slip out .

Finally relieved ,she asked the midwife what the gender was . It a … boy the midwife replied sounding strange .

What is the matter ? The mother asked sensing something was not right as she looked at the other three in the room one after the other .

The baby is … is what ? She asked shouting, dreading the worst .

The baby is born as an .. imbecile the midwife said bowing her head afraid to see the mother reaction as she took the baby to show her .

Madam we need to bathe the baby ,very soon the king and everyone will asked to see the baby the midwife stated .

An imbecile.. ? You want me to show the world I gave birth to an imbecile the madam said to the midwife who tried to carry the baby .

Are you trying to mock me .. ? She said again not letting go of her pride .what do you think people will say about me and my son?.How do you want me to say this…? That the king son is an imbecile .

Do you think everyone will gladly embrace him ?he is a taboo ,she added finally.

How …. Disability ?the mother questioned as she was lost in thought after truly seeing the baby predicament .still in her trance,a knock brought her to reality .

What is it ? The midwife questioned the guard at the door .The king asked to know about the health of the mother and the baby ? The two are perfectly fine she responded.

A boy or a girl ?he asked again while the midwife look at the madam who kept her hand on her lips indicating her to know what to say.

It's an Healthy baby boy she replied the guard ,who walked away to deliver the message he had received .

Looking at the maid who was in the room, she instructed her to go call her personal guard who came in immediately bowing his head .

I need you to do something for me the concubine said as she look at the maid who walked to where the guard was as she murmured something into his ear .

I got it ! He said leaving the room immediately as he called on the other secretive guards as they headed to the village hospital passing the back door .

Give me back my baby the woman shouted as they carried her newly born baby away from her putting a sword to her neck .

Stay back woman the guard warned as they attempt to leave before she dragged the man who had her son in his arms by his leg.

Let go woman,we wouldn't want to kill you he instructed ,seeing she was adamant he looked at the other guard in front of him motioning him to do something as he understood immediately.

A thud sound was heard as the guard knocked out the woman who rolled on the floor facing downward .

Everything that happened here today must not be heard by anyone the king concubine gave her orders as she bribed the mid nurses.