Chapter 13
The king paced anxiously outside the physician's clinic, his mind racing with anticipation. He could hear the sounds of Queen Mara's labor, the physician's calm instructions, and the occasional cry of pain from the queen. The scent of herbs and blood wafted through the air, a potent reminder of the life-changing event unfolding inside.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the physician emerged with the baby in her arms. "Congratulations, Your Majesty," she said with a warm smile. "You have a prince, a beautiful and robust child."
Queen Mara, exhausted but triumphant, smiled weakly, her face flushed with exertion. But the physician's expression suddenly turned grave. She gazed at the baby's face, her eyes widening in distress. "Your Majesty," she whispered to the queen, "I fear our prince has been born with a rare affliction. His eyes...they are without sight."
The queen's face contorted in anguish and outrage. "What sorcery is this?" she demanded, her voice rising in indignation. "How could this have happened?"
The physician hesitated, then explained, "The prince's eyes are formed without eyeballs, and his gaze is dull and grey. It appears he has been born blind, Your Majesty."
Queen Mara's reaction was immediate and intense. She jerked up, her eyes blazing with fury and accusation. "I knew it!" she exclaimed. "I knew she was behind this! The king's concubine, with her jealous schemes and dark intentions, has brought this curse upon my child!"
The physician tried to calm her down, but Queen Mara was beyond consolation. Just then, the door opened, and the king entered, a look of expectant joy on his face. But as he saw the queen's expression and the physician's somber face, his smile faltered. "What is the meaning of this?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern and uncertainty. "What has happened to our child?"
The physician bowed to the king and said, "Your Majesty, the prince's condition is dire. He has been born without eyeballs, and his eyes are a dull grey, devoid of pupils. This affliction appears to be irreversible."
The king's face contorted in anguish as he struggled to comprehend the news. "What implications does this hold for our child's future?" he asked, his voice heavy with concern.
The physician bowed again, her voice barely audible. "It signifies that the prince is blind, Your Majesty. His visual faculties are irreparably damaged."
The king stood petrified, his mind reeling from the devastating news. "My child, the heir to the throne...blind?" he repeated, the words echoing in his mind like a mournful dirge.
Before the physician could offer her condolences, Queen Mara erupted into a frenzy of accusation. "Your Majesty, this is the concubine's doing! Her malevolent intentions and jealous nature have brought this calamity upon our child. She threatened me, Your Majesty, she threatened me with dire consequences if I were to bear a child before her."
Queen Mara's voice rose to a hysterical pitch as she feigned tears. The king's countenance turned stern, his ire growing. "Explain yourself, my queen. What precisely did the concubine threaten?"
Queen Mara's voice trembled as she spoke. "She warned me that if I bore a child before her, some calamity would befall our child. And now, behold! Our child, the heir to the throne, is blind! It's likely she's consulted dark sorcerers, who've foretold our child's destiny as heir, and she's taken measures to ensure his incapacitation."
The king's face darkened with unbridled rage. "The audacity!" he growled, his anger boiling over. He turned to the physician. "Attend to the child's needs. I shall return shortly."
As the king stormed out of the room, Queen Mara's expression transformed into one of calculated satisfaction. Her plan was unfolding with precision, and she knew she had the king precisely where she wanted him.
************************
The king's fury was palpable as he stormed towards Concubine Odessa who was at the courtyard,his face twisted in rage. "You dare to conspire against my child?" he thundered. "Did you threaten the queen? Did you resort to dark magic to curse my son?"
Concubine Odessa stood up, her heavily pregnant body swaying slightly, and signaled to her servant to step aside. "Your Majesty, I swear upon my honor that I know nothing about the prince's condition," she said with conviction. "I didn't threaten anyone, and I've done nothing to harm your child."
The king's anger only intensified. "Don't try to deceive me! Did you consult sorcerers or magicians to bring about this calamity? To render my child blind?"
Just then, the queen mother's voice cut through the tension. "What's the meaning of this commotion?" she asked, her eyes narrowing as she took in the scene.
Concubine Odessa spoke up, her voice steady and calm. "Your Majesty, I'm being accused of a crime I didn't commit. I implore you to consider the evidence before passing judgment."
The king's gaze turned to the queen mother, his expression accusatory. "You're not taken aback by this news, are you? You've always harbored a deep-seated dislike for Queen Mara. I wouldn't be surprised if you both conspired to harm my child in making him blind."
The queen mother's expression was inscrutable, but a hint of amusement danced in her eyes. "Ah, so Queen Mara's child is blind? How...intriguing."
The king's face darkened. "You both are hiding something. I can see the deceit in your eyes. And as for you, Mother, I know you've never been fond of Mara. But have you forgotten that the child is also my son?"
The queen mother's laughter was like a cold breeze. "If the child's blindness is a concern, it's easily resolved. When concubine odessa gives birth, her child can still ascend to the throne. But a blind prince...that's a liability. An abomination, even."
The king's face contorted in anger, and Concubine Odessa's eyes widened in shock. The queen mother's words hung in the air, heavy with malice and calculation.