A LONG AWAITED BLESSING

[Cheese 8882]

 

Issued by the

DUCHY OF VALWYCK

On the 17th day of HARREN’S FOLLY of 2071 A.H.

 

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TO THE PEOPLE OF THE MOUNTAINS AND THE LAKES,

 

After a great period of wait, does the House Baruch announce the birth of a healthy and thriving daughter. Born to the Lady Constantina and Lord Duncan the Younger, the girl was delivered in the late hours of the evening. Quickly was she noted to resemble her mother greatly, with golden curls and vibrant blue eyes. The labor, however, was arduous for both mother and child and left the Lady Constantina bedridden, and the babe with weakened lungs. Both are expected to make a full recovery, but friends and family are implored still to pray for both their wellbeings.

 

Thus, it is announced the newest daughter of Valwyck’s name:

BRIANA AILEEN BARUCH

@MotherLay

 

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ENDURE AND PREVAIL,

 

HIS GRACE, Duncan Eirik Baruch, 

Duke of Valwyck, Count of Ayr, Viscount of Voron, Baron of Laval, Riveryn, and Gant, 

Laird of Barden and Tarnavon, Guardian of the Garenwald

 

HIS LORDSHIP, Duncan Garen Baruch

 

HER LADYSHIP, Constantina Regina Baruch

Spoiler

 

How long had it been?

 

Whether it had been minutes, hours, or days, Constantina wasn’t entirely sure. She only knew that it was dark outside. Not even the stars dared to shine. It had been more difficult than the previous two times, more painful, and it left the new, ailing mother with a sense of heavy dread. Never had Constantina been maternal, or even familial–after her previous children were born, she had them quickly ushered from her presence. She didn’t even care to see Margrait in the short few hours she drew breath. Whether a wet nurse or Duncan saw over the babies, Constantina didn’t care. As long as it wasn’t her expected to tend to their wails day and night.

 

This time, though, a faint curiosity stirred in Constantina. Who was the infant, this time, that had driven her to such weakness? Not even the triplets had left her feeling so pained, so heavy. “What is it?” Her voice dragged out slowly.

 

“You have a daughter, My Lady,” the midwife answered in a quiet tone. She seemed nervous of her Lady’s notorious sour mood.

 

And sour it was. A daughter, at last, and one that was deemed healthy. What should have been a cause for elation caused her stomach to sink. That was the dread, Constantina thought–the unwanted daughter finally cursed to suffer the care of her mother. The poor thing didn’t even know whom she had just been born to. With strained effort and assistance from the other midwives, Constantina raised herself to sit. “Bring it here.” She could hardly even dignify her daughter with a proper addressment.

 

When the swaddled Briana was finally handed into the crook of her mother’s arms, Constantina’s brows rose in alarm. A near perfect copy, with those dainty features, sun-kissed hair, and icy eyes. Almost identical to her mother, and to her father before her. The sight churned in Constantina’s stomach, and she was quick to hand the poor infant out to the nearest who would take her. “Take her. Remove her from my sight.”

 

“My Lady, maybe if you would–”

 

“I said remove her! At once!” The stiff shout of her mother’s voice startled Briana greatly, and soon it was her cries that filled the room. With what little gentleness she could manage in those now trembling hands, Constantina thrust her into the arms of the midwife, and but a few moments later the door clicked shut to leave the recovering woman in the care of her other nurses.

 

In the following days, it seemed all of Castle Barden was weighed down by the wretched mood of Constantina, who had confined herself to her room. Trusted family and friends–even her own husband and sons–were minimally welcomed into her presence. Surely, Constantina hoped, as wretched a thing such delusions were, this will pass in time, and I will not have to deal with this. She would not have to deal with the rearing of her child, or watching her grow into what she knew would be a beautiful and charming young Lady, or sending her off to a faraway land to someone she didn’t know. Constantina would bear no responsibility for the presumed inevitable, the wretched cycle that she had come to know all women must partake in. But she would bear no responsibility for the joys of motherhood either–a sacrifice she had accepted making a long time ago, even before her sons’ births.

 

What a punishment it was for a daughter to become a mother. And even more terrible it was for a mother to hate the reflection of herself she bore.

 

 

[MotherLay 942]

Briana Aileen goo goo and ga ga

[Lalosia 988]

 

Henry Baruch lingered near the ornately carved wooden cradle, within it, a babe of similar coloring to himself. His eyes remained transfixed on his infant sister, a sense of unknowing dampening his own little features. The young bear stole a glance to and fro, assurance that any attentive nurse was not paying attention at the given moment. At last, would he hastily move to place a yellow primrose next to Briana, an apt gift that matched her hair, he thought.

 

 

[Pureimp10 5691]

Duncan the Elder played with his new granddaughter, giving her his finger to hold as he admired the latest addition to his family.

 

"Come on Aileen," he started, choosing to call her by her middle name, "did ye have tae be blonde?"