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The night was supposed to be peaceful. The house was quiet, save for the soft crackling of the fire in the hearth. But then...
The sound of Alex's ragged coughing tore Delphia from her sleep.
She turned swiftly, finding him hunched over, gripping his chest, his body shaking with the effort to breathe.
"Alex?" she gasped, sitting up immediately. "Alex...what's wrong?"
He couldn't answer. He heaved, his breath caught in his throat, his body desperately fighting for air. Panic surged through her as she screamed, "Help! Someone! please!"
The door burst open, handmaidens rushing in, their eyes wide with terror at the scene before them. One of them turned on her heel, running to fetch the physician, while the others hurried to the children's rooms, making sure they would not wake to the chaos.
Delphia held Alex's face in her hands, brushing his damp hair back as his body trembled beneath her touch. His eyes found hers, full of unspoken fear, not for himself, but for her.
"You're going to be alright," she whispered, pressing a kiss to his brow. "I'm here, Alex. I'm here."
But then, a sharp, unbearable pain shot through her.
Her body tensed.
A second later, she felt it. A rush of warmth pooling beneath her.
"No," she choked out, gasping as the pain doubled. Not now.
"Delphia?" Alex rasped, his voice barely a whisper. His hand found hers, gripping it weakly. "What's wrong?"
She looked down at the sheets, the unmistakable stain spreading beneath her.
Her water had broken. A fresh wave of fear overtook her. This was too soon. Too soon. One of the handmaidens saw it too, her face turning pale.
"My lady," she said urgently, "we must move you at once."
"No," Delphia gasped, shaking her head. "No, I won't leave him."
Alex's grip on her hand tightened as best as he could. "Delphia..go."
She shook her head fiercely, tears brimming in her eyes. "Not without you."
He gave her the softest smile, even through the agony on his face. "You and the baby, you come first."
She sobbed, leaning forward to press a desperate kiss to his lips, his skin burning hot against hers.
The physician rushed into the room, kneeling by Alex's side as another servant reached for Delphia, trying to pull her away.
