The Knighted Princess

In the dead of night, a sorrowful wail echoed through the halls of the royal palace. Not even the harsh rainstorm outside could drown it out. The cry alone answered the fear that swirled in everyone’s minds.

The queen had a miscarriage.

Her faithful husband sat at her side on the bed, his hand clutching hers. The king tried to hold himself together, showing strength despite his shattering heart. One of them had to. His wife was a fiery and passionate woman, but now she hung her head, tears streaming down her cheeks.

The doctor stood in silence, unable to look them in the eye. Even the sky weeped over the life severed before their first breath drawn.

“I’m sorry, Your Majesties… but it wasn’t meant to be.”

The queen sobbed, clutching her chest. The king rubbed her back and nodded to the doctor.

The doctor nodded and left their chamber. Maids and retainers lined the hall, anxiously waiting. When they saw the doctor’s expression, their faces dropped. Not a word was uttered. Thunder clapped. The truth didn’t need to be spoken.

Their heir was no more.

Once the king and queen were alone, he murmured, “Victoria…” His effort to calm his grieving wife was futile. Her body trembled with her sob. His wrinkled hand desperately squeezed hers. “Darling, please…!”

A king must never show weakness, he reminded himself, taking a deep breath.

“The loss of the heir will take a heavy toll on Embercrest. We’ll have to—”

The queen suddenly smacked his hand away, shouting, “This isn’t about an HEIR, Austin!” Her temper’s flare dwindled into ashes, voice trembling. “This was our baby… our baby! I…” Victoria’s golden hair curtained her woeful face, her blue eyes void of light, muttering, “Is that really all you care about…?”

Austin flinched. His willpower crumbled. The king’s throat grew tight as he whispered, “...I wanted a daughter.”

Victoria’s eyes flew wide. She smiled weakly and leaned her head on his shoulder. “...Me too.” They sat in somber silence before Victoria murmured, “I agree. This will devastate our kingdom. I hate to admit it, but we’re too old.” She squeezed the covers with her wrinkled fist. “My body can’t do it.”

Austin’s brows furrowed. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying that…” She took a breath, squaring her shoulders. “I accept. We’ll settle for adoption.”

“Victoria…” He sighed, embracing her. “We’ll get through this. Everything will be okay.”

Victoria’s shoulders shook, her strength crumbling in his arms. “We should’ve heeded the doctor’s words from the beginning. But my damn pride... This is my fault. I—”

“It’s not your fault,” Austin whispered. “I didn’t want to acknowledge it either. After so many years of trying, I should’ve known better.”

“We both should’ve known better.”

“We’ll go tomorrow. Everyone may grieve the loss of our unborn heir, but there will still be one to celebrate.” Austin’s hugged tightened. “All is not lost, my love.”

Victoria gave a small smile, closing her eyes. Her heart ached. Her abdomen hurt. Her world spun. But there was still a flicker of hope.

News of the miscarriage spread like wildfire in the daily newspaper. The kingdom was devastated, mourning their future king or queen. Embercrest had never been quieter. Shops closed early, and the streets were empty. Even the sky mourned with dark, melancholy clouds.

The adoption agency had carefully picked a child for them. A caretaker came with a baby wrapped in a green and white checkered blanket.

"Your Majesties," she greeted. "I'm sorry for your loss, but I hope you know you've gained something just as precious." The caretaker pulled the blanket beneath the baby's chin, revealing the round face, pinkish cheeks, long eyelashes, and jet black hair. Her closed eyes were red as if she had recently cried herself to sleep.

Victoria's eyes lit up as if the lost sun had finally broken through the storm. Even Austin gawked as the baby was placed in his arms. They didn't request a specific gender, but received a girl. As expected, the baby looked nothing like them. But they didn't care; they fell in love with her at first sight.

"She's beautiful..." Victoria murmured.

The king regained his composure, turning to the caretaker. "Her background?"

"This little one has been through a lot," the caretaker explained. "She wasn't abused, but she was removed for a violent enviroment. Her parents had an abusive relationship and... well, their child wasn't their top priority. She was neglected."

Victoria covered her mouth in shock before hre face flushed in fury. "Where did this happen?"

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. This was far outside Embercrest. They were arrested." The caretaker looked down at the baby, eyes full of pity. "The things she's witnessed have made her rather timid. She cries often, but she's a sweet girl. She deserves a second chance. Nobody deserves her more than Your Majesties."

"How old is she?" Austin asked, cradling the baby.

"We're not sure, but we believe she's around five months old. We don't know her birthday either."

"Well then." Victoria smiled at Austin. "I guess that means her birthday is today."

Austin nodded to the caretaker. "Thank you."

The caretaker smiled, dipping her head before leaving.

Austin turned to his wife. "Did you have a name in mind, my love?"

"Hmm..." Victoria stroked the baby's silky black hair. "How about Amina?"

"Amina... safe, honest, and faithful. A perfect name." He smiled softly. "Amina Ray, our little princess."

Embercrest Kingdom had its crowned princess.

As the caretaker warned, Amina was overstimulated easily and would cry for hours, eventually crying herself to sleep. The emotional scars showed. As months turned into years, living in a household full of love and kindness healed the damage done, and the fearful baby grew to be a sweet and cheerful girl.

The maids pampered her, and Embercrest adored her, beloved by everyone. They celebrated her birthdays with a festival. Though pampered, she didn’t behave spoiled. Amina was well-mannered and polite. She took her role as the crowned princess to heart, always wearing her diamond tiara, and dressed in the Ray’s signature colors — ivory and gold.

The girl who was born with nothing now had everything. Five wholesome years go by…

Then, the unimaginable happens.

At the ripe age of 52 years, Queen Victoria Ray was pregnant again.

The king and queen’s prayers and wishes had ended once Amina was placed into their arms, and yet, they were given one final miracle.

Everyone was shocked but ecstatic. Even Amina was excited to be a big sister.

Then other thoughts started to cloud the young girl’s mind. People were enraptured by her mother’s growing belly. The unborn baby was already receiving so much attention. A single thought continuously crossed Amina’s mind.

Will I be replaced…?

The thought filled Amina with dread that deepened as the months turned into weeks, and then days. Finally the moment came. This time, the queen’s screams of pain weren’t from the loss of her baby, but the birth of a new one. A girl. She inherited her father’s silver eyes and platinum blonde hair—nearly white.

They named her Liliana Ray. The crown belonged to her now.