Chapter 629
25 BONUS
Abigail nearly collapsed. She looked pleadingly at the midwife, who was equally distraught. The midwife had witnessed many dangerous childbirths, but this was beyond her skills; neither mother nor child seemed salvageable.
“What do we do? What can we do?” Abigail cried, tears streaming down her face as she wiped the sweat from Leona’s brow. “You’re suffering so much, Leona. I’m so sorry.”
“It hurts…” Leona repeated, her gaze pleading for help, but none could offer relief.
Hurried footsteps echoed outside—Heather had arrived. She rushed into the delivery room, pushing Carissa aside, and took Leona’s hand.
“Leona, I’m here. How are you feeling?”
“Hurts…” Leona looked at her mother with fear, wanting to pull away from Heather’s grasp. She cried out for her cousin.
Heather squatted beside her and spoke softly. “Just endure a little longer. Giving birth is painful. It was agony when I had you, but I made it through. You can do this. Take slow, deep breaths. It will help.”
Ivy interjected, “Your Grace, she took a blow to the abdomen. The baby is likely in danger, endangering the Duchess as well. This pain is beyond mere endurance.”
Heather snapped, “Enough! Prince Harvey has already sent for the royal physician. He’ll be here shortly.”
Ivy thought the royal physician's skills were comparable to her own. Only Sebastian could truly help, but she remained silent. Undermining the royal physician would bring trouble for the Arcane Sanctum.
The royal physician arrived but couldn't enter, remaining behind the partition screen. He inquired about the situation before preparing more labor-inducing medicine. Leona had already received a dose; they could only increase it.
Leona could barely swallow. The excruciating pain made her nauseous. She managed a few sips before retching.
They hung a curtain and called the royal physician to check her pulse. He hesitated, citing that men shouldn't enter the birthing room, especially given Leona's status. He was unwilling to risk offense and instructed Ivy to check the pulse instead.
Ivy obliged. The royal physician frowned at the results. “Is her cervix not fully dilated?”
“It’s opened a little,” the midwife replied.
“How? Is there heavy bleeding?”
“It’s not excessive, but her waters broke over two hours ago.”
25 BONUS
The royal physician asked, “What about acupuncture to induce labor?”
Ivy replied, “We’ve tried, to no effect.”
The royal physician frowned, silent for a moment. Heather urged, “You have to do something!”
Hearing Leona’s increasingly desperate cries, the royal physician felt helpless. He sighed.
“I don’t know what else to do. Please forgive me, Your Grace.”
Heather paled. “You’re a royal physician! If you don’t know what to do…?”
Her eyes wide with urgency, she looked at Carissa. “Carissa, think of something! You know Sebastian. Send someone for him!”
“Alana’s already gone,” Carissa replied. Turning to Hazel and Kate, she said, “Bring more hot water and apply a warm compress to her belly. Let’s see if that helps.”
Abigail left Hazel and Kate with Leona to give orders. Gracehold Estate needed to act, however futile it seemed.
Meanwhile, Harvey received updates in the side hall. Initially, he thought the royal physician would suffice, but learning of his helplessness brought a wave of anxiety.