BIRTH OF THE IMPERIAL HEIR

[kuerbis 3802]

 

 

Issued and averred by the office of the

IMPERIAL CROWN

 

 

 ✠ HEED, LEAL SONS OF HOREN;

… and have it joyously announced across the lands of the Empire and beyond, that under the watchful eye and enduring grace of the Lord Almighty, within the Imperial Seat of House Horen, Her Imperial Highness, Valentiná of Asturias has on this day of the 6th of Godfrey's Triumph 636 been delivered of a son born of the lawful union with His Imperial Highness, Marcus Tiberias Horen.

By divine favour, and as witnessed by Her Imperial Highness, Joan Mariana Horen, Her Imperial Highness, Lecelina Horen, His Highness, Adrian Marcel, and as attended to by the Court Alchemist Lady Manon and the Imperial Lady Physician, Andromède dey Medford, the newborn prince is found to be sound of body and spirit. His breath is strong, his voice is clear and his form is well-shaped, promising the makings of an heir. Thus is the Imperial line continued and the future of the realm set once more upon firm ground. 

Yet it must be spoken with gravity that the Crown Princess herself has been left frail by the ordeal of childbirth. Though she endures, her strength is diminished and she remains under careful watch of the Lady Alchemist Manon and the imperial physicians until her health is restored. In light of this, the Imperial Household calls upon all loyal subjects and faithful souls of the Empire to offer prayers and devotions for her recovery, that the Almighty may grant her renewed strength and swift healing.

Presented Before the Court…

HIS IMPERIAL HIGHNESS, Caius Tiberias of House Horen, Prince of the Empire and of Burgundy, Duke of Middelan

@cadazio

AVE IMPERIUM!

 

Spoiler

… And in the small hours of the night, after the imperial family had spoken their congratulations and gone on to celebrate the birth of a new heir, the young mother was, at last, alone. She had been instructed to rest, to not let the world outside her chamber bother her. There had been a precarious incident, too much blood lost. Any midwife could tell that such a wound would take its time to heal. 

That Crown Princess, however, found herself feeling restless. What of that child, that little boy? Was he well? Would his birth render her irrelevant like so many other imperial consorts before her? Surely not, no. This was different. 

But that boy…

She had only held him for a brief moment before. Valentiná grasped onto the bedpost to help herself onto her feet. The pain that shot through her body after a move made too quickly, was blinding. A gasp, a breath of air and then another; she was fine. This was fine. Slow and steady wins the race, and it would only be a few paces until she reached the adjacent chamber, where that little babe would rest within his crib. 

It took a while, but after that brief struggle, Valentiná found herself hovering over that crib, so beautifully engraved. A dragon, with rubies set for its eyes, watched over that infant day and night. Other symbols of that child‘s imperial heritage covered every bit of that crib, crosses, crowns, carvings of asturian design as well. What did an infant need such a fancy crib for? Valentiná‘s father had insisted, however. "What are we, poor?" Did he say. The aged duke had stayed with his daughter for months during her physician‘s ordained bedrest. They had grown closer, laughed, argued and discussed Adrian Marcel‘s late wife most nights. He never likes to mention her, so Valentiná saw this as a treat. She had scarcely known the woman before she died on high seas. Now, however, she felt closer to Maria del Chey than ever before. What advice would she give her imperial daughter now, that she stood before her own child‘s crib, hesitating to lift that baby, swaddled in gold and purple, up into her arms?

Have heart, Val. He won‘t bite you.

 

Indeed, instead of sleeping, he gazed around the room curiously, green eyes wide with wonder, though he was still unable to make out shapes. Unadorned fingers traced her boy‘s cheek carefully, letting out a breath of relief. So he was alive, and well. Did he not yet know, that he would one day inherit a grand Empire? Was he looking around so curiously to try and grasp the weight that has been born onto him, hoping someone would lift it off him? Soft sounds came from that baby, merely a slight fuss, as he found himself within his mother‘s arms. The crown princess rocked him carefully, and let out a hush, trying to silence him. So small and frail he was.

Surely he would be no tyrant like Hadrian. He would be more akin to his father and his great-grandfather, a future warrior, perhaps. Or a scholar, a statesman born to do his duty.

We shall see, that Asturian mused. Slowly did she make her way toward the window that let gentle moonlight and the faded sounds of a town, still ripe with celebrations, into the nursery. She checked his hands and his feet; ten fingers and ten toes, rosy cheeks, and a little button nose.
 

My son, don’t you know that you are a perfect child?

 

…

Perfect, but you are not mine to keep, though I am your mother. You are a child of the Empire, belonging to the Empire, belonging to the throne. 

 

That thought broke Valentiná‘s heart. Had Elizabeth of Balamena felt the same when cradling Marcus? What of Circe of Myrine? Did she feel like crying when realizing that Hadrian was not born for happiness?

Child, you may not cling to my skirts as your younger siblings might. You will receive a strict education, you will feel so lonely, though everyone seems to love you. How I wish I could spare you from it all; spare you from your fate - but this is real life. This little innocent baby will be Emperor of all of Mankind someday. I pray you shall not resent your father and myself for putting this on you. I promise, I shall do my utmost to protect you.

The mother set a gentle kiss upon her son‘s brow, lingering in that peaceful moment while it lasted. Tomorrow, he might be the heir to an Empire, but tonight, he is only a young mother‘s newborn son..

H V M A N I T A S    I N V I C T A

“Für Gott und Kaiser,”

HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, Hadrian I of the House Horen, by the Grace of GOD, 

Emperor of Man, Holy Imperator, King of Seventis, Salvus, Renatus & Oren, 

Duke of Middelan, Helena, Lorraine, Sunholdt, Grense and Reutov,  Protector of Grense, Protector of the Heartlanders, Patriarch of House Horen & the Tiberian Dynasty, 

Captain-General of the Church, Defender of the Faith.

ALEA IACTA EST

HIS IMPERIAL HIGHNESS, Marcus Tiberias of the House Horen, Crown Prince of the Empire, King of Burgundy, Duke of Grense

NON DVCOR, DVCO

HER IMPERIAL HIGHNESS, Valentiná Antonia of Asturias, Crown Princess of the Empire,
Imperial Chamberlain, Queen-Consort of Burgundy and Duchess-Consort of Grense,
Baroness of Montero and Lady of Asturias.

DOMINVS VOLVIT, SIC FACTVM EST

 

 

 

[Mescaffier 6197]

Spoiler

 

[pkdon 1977]

"Oh, this is my son!" Exclaimed the Crown Prince

[trinn 5128]

For the first time in a long time, Joan prays 
One might wonder what she's praying for - the obvious answer, Valentina's health and the baby's, of course.
The less obvious one. . .  that the baby would grow up to look more like Valentina than Marcus, god bless his poor soul .
 

 

[cadazio 2105]

 

Caius Tiberias, of the blessed namesake of a great many men, smiled ☺ wholesomely at his being-ness. Could he pray, he'd bid gentle words to Saints Caius of the Westerlands and Caius Primus.

[Phoebe202 1057]

Francesca, leal lady-in-waiting of Her Imperial Highness, offered her overwhelming support as she herself returned from maternity leave!

[annanicole__ 2802]

Ipera smiled softly at the news. “I pray Princess Valentina recovers in comfort and strength after her travail. We must send a gift—not only for her, but for the young prince as well—something that may serve them both in different ways.

 

Yet what does one offer those who possess all, and yet so often lack what cannot be bestowed by rank or gold? What might Valentina long for in these quiet hours? What might the young prince one day seek?

 

Perhaps the truest offering is not a thing at all, but the promise of friendship—and for Valentina, a listening ear, should she ever have need of one.”

[juliaINC 592]

The Imperial handmaid Ysawynn knelt beneath the Lorraine cross within the servant's quarters, her hands clasped in a grip so vigorous her knuckles whitened. She prayed, and prayed for Empire's heir and the sound return to health of the gracious Princess Valentiná!

[The Black Lubba 563]

Upon reading the missive, Giorgia signed the Lorraine across her person. Filled with worry for the Crown Princess. She made note to herself to pray for her during her nightly prayers to GOD. For healing for her Imperial Highness, and that the future heir remained strong and in good health.

[PufferfishTrash 75]

Vivienne had gotten word of the news of such a joyous announcement by reading the papers. A thing she does often these days to keep updated with the goings on within the empire, gossip, actual news, and some important events, she reads nearly all of them. Though this one had struck a chord with her as she read the last paragraph of the missive. She was in the middle of eating her breakfast at Trier and stopped, setting her fork down, squinting as she re-read over the piece of paper a few times... She quietly excused herself from the table, sparing a glance at her Mother and Father before departing and heading upstairs to her room. She went to her desk and sat herself down as she opened a drawer, taking out a quill with one of her nicer pieces of paper, and she began to write a letter. A lot was on her mind, but she thought to at least reach out and say something.

[cometking123 236]

As news o' missive spread throughout the land, the people clamor for learned men to recite once more the happy news to farmers, smiths, bakers and tradesmen.

 

It is in these time that a certain minstrel brings news to the raucous crowd at the Pour House, the tavern of Rittersburg known for cheap ale and cheaper ramblings. 

 

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Hark, fine friends! A child o' Imperial lineage has been born to our Crown Prince and Princess! In fairest palace, the knights of our Empire guards not three, but now four generations of heirs! By the grace of God and Empire's prayers, hear now a spoken rendition of this missive proper. 

 

In this missive, the baby is born healthy, with "strong breath, clear voice, and well-shaped form"!  Does our physicians and alchemists know no equal to deliver the baby in sound body and mind? 

 

Does our Crown Princess hold more strength than the sturdy dwarves of Urguan, to deliver a child most healthy in these trying times? Indeed, for she has endured the most grueling trial of all, to nurture newest life through storm and squall!

 

Ti's not a coincidence that a chapel consecrated just days before. Now all citizens can pray in our fair city for the health of our Crown Princess and to wish Caius Tiberias a long and fruitful life. 

 

Another round o' ale on me, friends! 

 

Edited January 9 by cometking123

[Werew0lf 24179]

"... it is not enjoyable, my son, to birth a child who will inherit all that you create for them," The Emperor bid towards his son, Marcus, as they sat within his office. Hadrian's quill flicked through the parchment, having yet seen his grandson in person. 

"You will feel it rip through your soul; guilt -- to pass on your burdens onto your son. As though you run away from responsibility."

 

"Let us hope your reign, and his reign thereafter is one that brings much fortune and joy to our Empire, and the continent itself. However, for now, it shall bathe in blood. All of this is for you, my son."

 

@pkdon

[Yeetboy0206 1574]

Maddock Tam read the missive and couldn’t help but smile. “Congratulations.” He grew serious upon remembering Livia, however. He knew that child should not be compromised, no child should be compromised. He sighs as he tries to reason to himself why he shouldn’t reach out, but his basic instinct to protect children from harm wins out. He gets to his desk and drafts a letter… “To whom it may concern, I am writing to you out of a duty as a fellow member of Descendent-kind to help you protect your child…”