Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Abigail nearly collapsed to the ground. She looked pleadingly at the midwife, but the midwife was also at a loss. In her lifetime, she had witnessed the dangers of childbirth many times, but when it became that perilous, there was no saving either the mother or the child. "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 could only repeat those two words, her gaze pleading for help from one person after another, but no one could offer her relief.

Outside, hurried footsteps echoed-Heather had arrived.

She rushed into the delivery room, pushed Carissa aside, and took Leona's hand in her own.

"Leona, I'm here. How are you feeling?"

"Hurts..." Leona looked at her mother with no trace of joy. In fact, she looked fearful and wanted to pull away from Heather's grasp as she searched for her cousin.

"Just endure a little longer. Giving birth is painful. When I had you, it was agony, too, but I made it through. You can do this." Heather squatted down beside her and spoke softly. "Take slow, deep breaths in and out. It will help with the pain."

Ivy interjected, "Your Grace, she took a blow to the abdomen. The baby is likely in danger, and it could endanger the duchess' life as well. This pain is beyond mere endurance."

already gone to fetch the royal physician. He

Only Sebastian could truly help, but she refrained from saying so. It wouldn't do to undermine the royal physician's reputation, as it would

after, but he couldn't enter the room. Instead, he stood on the other side of the partition screen, asking about the situation before preparing more labor-inducing medicine. They had already given Leona a

excruciating pain made her nauseous. She managed to sip the concoction a couple of times before retching

hesitated, citing that men should not enter the birthing room, especially considering Leona's status.

physician frowned as he looked at the results. "Is her cervix not

opened a little,"

this be? Is there a lot

her waters broke. It's been over two

physician asked, "What about using acupuncture to induce

tried, but

urged, "You have to come up with something!" Hearing Leona's cries