The following weeks passed excitedly after the royal pregnancy was announced. Unfortunately, Denah’s good mood was marred by whispers amongst the servants. Though Helen was keeping quiet, out of trouble, and out of Dixon's bed, people couldn’t notice how snug her clothes had gotten, even more snug than Denah’s. The King had decreed that no one was to discuss the circumstances of Helen’s return, but Dennah knew she had his favour. She seized her opportunity when she had another chance encounter with Helen.
“I noticed you are...withchild”
“Yes My Lady, it’s true.”
Denah quickly did the math in her head.
“You’re quite large… how far along are you?”
Helen knew she needed to be careful “Not too far My Lady, though the midwife suspects two babies.” Helen knew that would hurt Denah. The timing was just right to put the paternity in question.
“And who is the father?” Denah could sling dirt as well as she could take it.
“Why, my husband of course.” Helen replied with a smirk.
“Is that right?... Well, I wish you a safe pregnancy and easy birth."
“The same to you, My Lady” Helen bowed her head and stepped to the side to allow Denah to pass.
Denah took a few steps, then turned back to Helen.
"I do wonder...why would a man send his pregnant wife away?"
Helen kept her eyes on the floor and cooly replied
"That is something only the King will ever know."
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Both pregnancies progressed without complication, and the castle was buzzing with rumours and bets over the paternity of Helen’s child, and which of the King’s ladies would give birth first. Denah tried to ignore all of the terrible things she overheard, but she couldn’t help but worry. She confessed her fears to Danica, who was also pregnant again.
“What if it’s another girl? What if it’s two more girls? He’ll send me away!”
“Denah! Stay calm, you’ll upset the baby! He won’t send you away, The King and Queen love you too much.”
“And if that woman delivers first? I’m almost certain Dixon is the father, and if she has a son, guess where would that put my son?”
“It wouldn’t put your son anywhere, because any children that woman has will be bastards without claim to anything.”
“No, it would put my son’s succession in danger. Her son could claim first born rights!”
“And who would accept that bastard as their King? You are the favoured woman in this Denah, you need not worry.”
“I have a horrible feeling about all of it Danica.”
“Please Denah, lets talk about something light! Have you thought of names?”
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Next post!
Helen, the servant girl gives birth!
Monday, March 29, 2010
Saturday, March 20, 2010
An unexpected turn of events
Over the following months Dixon made a point of lying with Denah at least twice a week. He was determined to have a son, and wasn’t going to let his emotions stand in the way of his duty to his kingdom. Denah didn’t mind the loveless marriage, she knew what she was destined for and decided not to fight her fate anymore.
The castle awoke to a commotion mid fall when a carriage arrived unexpectedly at the front gate. Denah was woken up by raised voices, and quickly dressed and went to her window. She could hardly believe her eyes. Helen Walton was standing in the courtyard. A man she did not know, whom she assumed to be Helen’s husband, was shouting and throwing bags out of the carriage. The man left before any of the castle servants could address him, and Helen was left standing alone and crying in the courtyard. Denah felt sorry for her. She knew exactly how it felt to be tossed aside by the man who was supposed to love you. Her emotions were short lived, as she knew the exact circumstances of Helen’s marriage.
Denah stood at the window for a few minutes watching Helen. She looked... different. Helen turned her head up to the window Denah was standing in and they locked eyes. Helen's cheeks were red and stained with tears, but she still managed to pull a smug smile for Denah. Something was going on, and there was a siniser reason behind Helen's return. Before she could figure it out, the door to Denah's bedchamber burst open and 3 of her handmaidens fell into the room.
"My Lady!" one said breathlesly "Miss Walton has returned!"
"Yes, I see that.... help me dress."
The royal family received Helen formally, and King Caleb silently read a letter from Helen’s husband. When he finished reading the letter he looked angrily from Helen to Dixon, then back to Helen.
“Your new post will be in the kitchens. You are not to leave the kitchen quarters unless you are going to your own bed, do you understand?”
“Yes, my Lord” Helen replied quietly. She walked out quietly and was embraced by the staff, happy to see her returned, but unaware of the circumstances. Denah looked in disbelief at her father in law.
“The truth will be out soon enough” was all he said.
The following week Danica arrived for her visit, and Denah filled her in on everything she knew, which wasn’t much. None of their servants knew what had happened either, and Helen had kept her story to herself as instructed by the King. There was also important Kingdom news, Denah was pregnant again.
The castle awoke to a commotion mid fall when a carriage arrived unexpectedly at the front gate. Denah was woken up by raised voices, and quickly dressed and went to her window. She could hardly believe her eyes. Helen Walton was standing in the courtyard. A man she did not know, whom she assumed to be Helen’s husband, was shouting and throwing bags out of the carriage. The man left before any of the castle servants could address him, and Helen was left standing alone and crying in the courtyard. Denah felt sorry for her. She knew exactly how it felt to be tossed aside by the man who was supposed to love you. Her emotions were short lived, as she knew the exact circumstances of Helen’s marriage.
Denah stood at the window for a few minutes watching Helen. She looked... different. Helen turned her head up to the window Denah was standing in and they locked eyes. Helen's cheeks were red and stained with tears, but she still managed to pull a smug smile for Denah. Something was going on, and there was a siniser reason behind Helen's return. Before she could figure it out, the door to Denah's bedchamber burst open and 3 of her handmaidens fell into the room.
"My Lady!" one said breathlesly "Miss Walton has returned!"
"Yes, I see that.... help me dress."
The royal family received Helen formally, and King Caleb silently read a letter from Helen’s husband. When he finished reading the letter he looked angrily from Helen to Dixon, then back to Helen.
“Your new post will be in the kitchens. You are not to leave the kitchen quarters unless you are going to your own bed, do you understand?”
“Yes, my Lord” Helen replied quietly. She walked out quietly and was embraced by the staff, happy to see her returned, but unaware of the circumstances. Denah looked in disbelief at her father in law.
“The truth will be out soon enough” was all he said.
The following week Danica arrived for her visit, and Denah filled her in on everything she knew, which wasn’t much. None of their servants knew what had happened either, and Helen had kept her story to herself as instructed by the King. There was also important Kingdom news, Denah was pregnant again.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Give me my son! *Content Warning*
The following day Denah called on Danica again to tell her about Helen Walton. They decided the best way to get information was to employ their most trusted servants as spies. Within a few weeks their suspicions were confirmed. Helen Walton was well known in her village for being ‘friendly’, and the dispute between her parents and the parents of her fiancée was over her virginity. Helen swore she was untouched, and no one would come forward and admit to lying with her, despite the rampant rumors. Denah and Danica decided they would write the families in secret and pay a handsome fee to be rid of Helen once and for all.
Two weeks later Helen left Legacyville Castle to be married. The entire household saw her off. Denah, King Caleb and Queen jenny were all very happy to see her gone, while most of the men servants and Dixon watched dejectedly as her carriage rolled away from the castle. Denah was quite happy to have her husband to herself again, and was looking forward to him in her bed again. She wanted to prove to him that she could give him the son he so desired.
Denah got her wish that night, but not the way she was expecting. Denah was settled in bed, reading a book when her bedroom door burst open. Dixon was in the doorway, sweaty, shirt unbuttoned, an almost empty bottle of rum in his hand. “Are you happy Now?” he slurred
“Pardon me, my love?”
“She’s gone! Are you happy now?! You got what you wanted, you’ve got me all to yourself!”
“Dixon please, stop shouting you’re scaring me!”
Dixon stumbled into her room and dropped his rum. “You got what you wanted now give me what I want!”
Denah suddenly realized what Dixon meant and pulled her blankets up around her neck. “Please don’t do this Dixon!” Dixon climbed into the bed and threw himself on top of Denah. “Give me what I want” he whispered into her hear “give me my son.” Denah knew there was nothing she could do to stop what was about to happen. All she could do was close her eyes and cry.
Two weeks later Helen left Legacyville Castle to be married. The entire household saw her off. Denah, King Caleb and Queen jenny were all very happy to see her gone, while most of the men servants and Dixon watched dejectedly as her carriage rolled away from the castle. Denah was quite happy to have her husband to herself again, and was looking forward to him in her bed again. She wanted to prove to him that she could give him the son he so desired.
Denah got her wish that night, but not the way she was expecting. Denah was settled in bed, reading a book when her bedroom door burst open. Dixon was in the doorway, sweaty, shirt unbuttoned, an almost empty bottle of rum in his hand. “Are you happy Now?” he slurred
“Pardon me, my love?”
“She’s gone! Are you happy now?! You got what you wanted, you’ve got me all to yourself!”
“Dixon please, stop shouting you’re scaring me!”
Dixon stumbled into her room and dropped his rum. “You got what you wanted now give me what I want!”
Denah suddenly realized what Dixon meant and pulled her blankets up around her neck. “Please don’t do this Dixon!” Dixon climbed into the bed and threw himself on top of Denah. “Give me what I want” he whispered into her hear “give me my son.” Denah knew there was nothing she could do to stop what was about to happen. All she could do was close her eyes and cry.
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