𝐶𝐻𝐴𝑃𝑇𝐸𝑅 𝑋𝐿𝐼𝑋

                                    

                                          

                            

                                
                            
                              
                                  
                              
                              
                                
                                  
                                  
                                
                              
                             
                            
                            
                          
                          

~The Greatest Grief~
May 11th 1474, Windsor Castle....
Her arm looped around Edward's, Constance walked through the castle gardens, the warming temperature pleasant on her skin, although making her ever so hot because of the babe. At eight months the little one was nearing fully grown and moved very little in her belly.
She groaned a little as she took another step and the weight of the babe made her back ache, causing Edward to stop immediately and look her up and down with loving worry. 
"Are you well? Is the babe well? Is there anything I can do? Would you like to go inside? Should I send someone?" 
"No, no, my love" She assured him, pulling him back to her side as he'd already begun to take off in search of a servant "It is just....oh never mind"
"No! Not never mind!" He corrected, cupping her face "Tell me, tell me what ails you" Her heart swelled with love for him, despite her pain. 
"Well, it is only the babe grows heavier by the day....it makes my back hurt terribly at times but I love walking with you and I do not wish to stop!" Edward smiled, pressing his lips to her forehead. 
"It will not stop. Here...." He moved behind her, slipping his hands around her waist, under her belly. She was about to ask what he was doing when, suddenly, he lifted it and a great relief washed over her, greater than when a knight removed his armour she wagered. Sighing in contentment, she leant her head back against Edward's shoulder and he chuckled, kissing her neck. 
"Better, Connie?" He asked and she nodded. 
"Much....thank you, Ned"
"Good!" He laughed "Now all we need is to figure out how to walk thus to keep you comfortable, you put your right foot forward and I'll do the same" Constance giggled as she did so "Now the left....now the right.....left right...." 
Eventually, they managed to find a rhythm, slowly making their way through the gardens, Edward whispering sweet nothings and jokes into her ear while she laughed. The heat disappeared from her body so she no longer felt dizzy and she relaxed, leaning her head back against Edward's shoulder, content. 
"The roses are beginning to bloom, Ned" She remarked, smiling when suddenly, unbearable pain shot through her belly and she cried out, bending over to try and protect herself from the agony. 
"Connie!" Edward yelled, instantly wrapping his arms around her and trying to figure out what to do as she cried out again, clutching at her belly. Suddenly her eyes went wide and one hand was clawing at her skirts, drawing them up until she could reach between her legs. A quivering breath escaped her after a moment and slowly, slowly, she drew out her shaking hand into the light, her lips parting when she saw her fingers drenched in blood.