The Palace of Versailles, 2004 (Louis)

Subject: The Palace of Versailles, 2004 (Louis) Sun Dec 12, 2021 12:52 pm

The pains began just after breakfast as Lady Clement was being helped to her withdrawing room, no amount of well sewn clothing or shawls able to cover the noticeable bump that took place of pride at the center of her body. The palace had been “informed” of the new arrival shortly after Lord Clement had been, but Grandmere had seen the wisdom in keeping it from the public for a bit longer resulting in the news only being fully revealed to France when Vanessa was safely Into her sixth month. As it turned out, the decision had been for the best, three months was quite enough of a period of time for the masses to get excited over, any longer and the feeling would become stale and forced.

The Maesters had given her an August date, the second week and so time had changed once again, now every minute of every day counted down to when the heir to the vast Clement fortunes would be borne. Though for the parents, the incoming child meant so much more. As the weeks passed, Vanessa’s personal trips became lesser and Louis organized his schedule to remain in France, in Versailles as often as he could. With the public announcement of her expecting, there was little excuses needed to clear her social calendar but Louis had to work harder. Where most men left their wives to deal with the finer workings of womanhood on their own, her husband intended to stay involved – more involved perhaps than any Clement male had ever been. Vanessa could see it irked Maman and Grandmere but she forgave them.

As July turned into August, flower dominated almost every inch of the palace grounds, spilling out from gardens and their beds to decorate even the gravely paths and floating into the water features dotted throughout the area. Dahlias, Irises, peonies, jasmines, azaleas, each brighter than the other as they all competed to catch the eye and sooth the senses. Even nature seemed to put out its best for the Prince on his way to greet the world.

And right on time, after a breakfast in which Vanessa had been instructed to eat more, the first pang of pain reverberated through Lady Clement’s form, making her gasp slightly. In many ways, this would be her first real experience, the last marred by spells of unconsciousness between wishes for a swift death. The aftermath left her somewhat surprised, almost as if someone had politely knocked on her insides, asking permission to continue. The witch smiled, an expression that turned into a grimace not a moment later as the same pain accosted her once more.

“M’lady, its time,” her maid informed Vanessa, making the brunette nod.

“Find His lordship, he ought to be in his Solar, inform him…” Almost at once, the maid’s wand was in her hands, summoning a footman to convey the message as she herself continued to help Vanessa to Lady Clement’s bedchambers.

“Can you walk M’Lady?” she asked as the brunette made her way slowly to their destination, slow both from fear of the sudden pain jolting her once more and the fear that a hurried pace might harm the child. If it was the last thing she managed, she would not let any harm come to the new life inside her.

“Yes, thank you,” the brunette managed, slowing her pace even more regardless of her conviction. There was time. The pains had only begun. And it was likely going to be a long process.

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The Palace of Versailles, 2004 (Louis) Rsz_ve10

Subject: Re: The Palace of Versailles, 2004 (Louis) Sun Dec 12, 2021 12:53 pm

Since the news of a child, their child, was growing inside of Vanessa, Louis had made sure every precaution was taken with Vanessa's health that was necessary. This time, they would risk nothing to make sure the safety of both Vanessa and their child was not compromised in any way.

The announcement at six months had, in Louis' opinion, been much too late. Vanessa's duties not slowing off until this point. It had worried Louis, but he'd kept himself from speaking against his wife's decision. She knew what she could manage, Louis knew, but he simply wished she'd think of herself before the house at such times.

Where Vanessa became less busy with social events, Louis became busier. Though he confined himself to France, Louis didn't slow his own schedule until Vanessa was eight and a half months pregnant. Though, even then the young man was working hard from his study, making sure Vanessa's ideas did not fail underneath them with the distraction of their child.

Not that Louis would begrudge that, of course.

Most of their evenings were spent quietly together, excusing themselves to their rooms early. Being Lord and Lady of the palace meant it would never be fitting to coo over the bump publicly. That was a woman's prerogative, Louis was sure. But simply lying beside Vanessa, his hand on the soft swell of her stomach and waiting for the soft kick to reply had become one of Louis' favourite pastimes. Though, he'd learned not to do it too much, for the small kicks made Vanessa uncomfortable, his happiness would never be that which left her in pain.

But the fond smile on Vanessa's lips when he would look up from his hands to her would be enough to tell him that everything he did was okay.

And each time Louis would seal the moment with a soft, tender kiss.

August had been a slow month, waiting was not fun when you could not influence the arrival of a child by any means. The due date crept closer, though, and Louis confined his work to the Palace, trusting those working for him to deal with the day to day matters. Further launches had been delayed until September, but Louis was not worried by that decision.

It was the day the maesters had given them for the arrival of their child. Louis' eyed kept flickering from his work to the clock and back again as he tried to work out how long it might be. As if these things had a time limit. It was safe to say Louis had not done anything that morning of worth. He'd been pretending at best.

The hour struck, the soft orchestra of clocks in nearby rooms denoting that. Louis laid down his quill, looking out across the gardens to the Dahliantelle. He was worried, of course, for Vanessa. Their child. With their first child... Louis pushed it from his mind. This child was strong, Vanessa had said as much one evening as they led quietly together in bed, one of the many times she'd seemed to know of his internal worrying on the situation.

Louis closed his eyes briefly, steadying himself before he let out a slow breath. Opening his eyes, Louis picked up his quill and attempted to concentrate once more. A second, maybe two. A knock.

"Enter." Louis said, looking up at the door as a footman entered, looking out of breath.

"M'Lord, Lady Clement is going in to labour." The boy said, excitement clear on his face. Louis had been up before the second word had been uttered, his quill strewn across the parchment leaving an inky mess.

"Where?"

"Her bedchamber, m'lord."

Louis hurried off, breaking all etiquette of the house as he broke in to a run. Ven's bedchamber was not far, and he'd made it there in less than a few minutes. Servants were rushing around on someone's orders. Towels, water, flannels were among some of the things he heard being called for.

A number of rushed curtsies met him as he entered the room, finding his wife just about setting herself on the bed. Her brow was warm, Louis could already see that. Looking around, he took one of the dampened flannels from a returning maid and moved to Vanessa's side. His free hand took one of hers, as the other brought the damp cloth to her forehead, his touch ever so soft as his features tried to register her feelings.

"M'Lord, it's custom for the Lord to wait outside until the child has arrived." The master said from the other side of Vanessa, he himself was busy getting himself ready for the next step.

"It is." Louis agreed, though his eyes never left his wife. The unspoken part of the sentence was that Louis would not be leaving. Custom could be damned. His wife needed him, and he would not move for the world.

"Ven..." Louis whispered softly, giving her hand a small squeeze. There was nothing else he need say aloud, Vanessa would know everything she needed to know from that alone. That he was here. He would not leave. And together they would bring their child in to the world.

Because the Gods could not thwart them when they were together.

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~ Lord Clement ~ Profile ~ 55 ~

Thank you to the amazing Ruby for the signatures! <3

Subject: Re: The Palace of Versailles, 2004 (Louis) Sun Dec 12, 2021 12:53 pm

Vanessa had barely made it to her bed when she felt Louis enter the room, his essence always so much more attuned to hers that she could tell it was Lord Clement without having to look up. The hand that came to close around her own confirmed her belief as her husband came to kneel by her side. The room was by no means empty, in fact it was steadily getting more crowded as word was sent of the impending birth all over the palace. Soon enough there would be half a dozen midwives in addition to the ancient Measter who had birthed both Dominic and Louis and probably their Lord Father before them. Her Lady’s Maid was by her other side, preparing towels and ice cubes in case they were needed but the pain, for the time being had stopped.

Stopped but the aftershock of it all still rang through Vanessa’s body, making her jumpy. There was no way to tell when the next one would begin and all the witch could do was close her eyes in wait. When over five minutes passed and nothing of note happened, the Lady Clement opened her grey eyes once more, only to see yet more people entering the room. Louis was still there.

“Maybe it was a false alarm?” she suggested quietly when another few minutes passed with no pain. To her right, the Lady’s Maid merely shook her head.

“It starts slow M’Lady, then it gets quicker.” Just how slow, they would learn over the next several hours.

***

The sun was low in the sky outside, it must be close to setting and yet the pain was only slowly progressing. After the first hour or so, it had become apparent that the birth would be a slow and painful one. Books and music had been bought in, food the young mother had not touched and that had been equally refused by his Lordship who – despite assurances that there was still time – had not left his wife’s side. Maman had come in after her evening tea to have a look, her expression a little contrite but mostly curious.

She had wished Vanessa good fortune and asked if the new Lady Clement would like her good mother to stay. The young brunette had merely shaken her head, thanking Lynnette but insisting that she was fine. She had Louis as well as the entire medical team to work with her. At that, the former Lady Clement had cast a doleful glance at her son, not quite as disapproving as she would have in the olden days but certainly not one that praised Louis for being here.

“Some people say its bad luck for the father to be in the birthing chambers,” she warned, not unkindly. Vanessa could believe easily that the words were not meant as much to rebuke Louis as in concern for the coming child. “And I’m sure your Papa would not have wanted to see me bring his sons into the world. My first especially was a messy affair.” The tone of sadness that tinged Lynnette Clement’s voice was so sincere, Vanessa wanted to sit up and extend a hand towards her Maman, but at that very moment, another contraction shook her body, sending the room into a flurry.

***

It was well past midnight when the pain became more frequent, a soul crushing jerk that threatened to tear her frail flesh apart every forty five minutes. Nothing could be done about the pain even when they knew it was coming, and it took far more time than the small gap allowed for Vanessa to really recover. As it was, the witch simply settled for closing her eyes and leaning back weakly when the contractions passed, whimpering in wait for the next one. In the background, she could hear rushed voices, someone assuring either her or Louis that this was normal, that the pains would come quicker soon and then it would all be over.

Someone warned Louis that there might be screaming, that he should leave as his distress would affect Lady Clement more negatively than her own physical pain. Vanessa had no strength to reply to this but she kept her fingers entwined tightly through her husband’s conveying softly that him leaving was the last thing that would make any of this better.

She also decided in that moment that no matter what happened, she would not scream.

Sleep was impossible with the frequent spikes of outstanding pain shooting through her body but she was encouraged to rest in the “In between” while they still lasted, something she was assured every hour would become smaller and smaller.

The sun was rising once again when that promise came true, leaving Vanessa drenched in her own blood and sweat as the pain tore through her body every ten minutes, making her convulse where she say, tears spilling from her eyes but her lips stubbornly closed, trapping the screams within.

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Subject: Re: The Palace of Versailles, 2004 (Louis) Sun Dec 12, 2021 12:54 pm

Louis had never seen, in person or otherwise, a birthing situation. He had never realised the amount of people that would be present, but the he kept quiet, taking up as little room as possible to allow the others to work as they needed. So long as whatever they did would not take Vanessa's hand from his own.

As the others worked, Louis' thumb gently rubbed across the back of her hand, trying to soothe her through this as everyone else kept busy. His eyes darted around the room, taking everything in, before moving back to Vanessa to see that she was okay, circumstances considered.

But, what Louis did do, however, was cling to the information given by the lady's maid. These painful outbursts -- contractions, he would correct himself -- were going to get get quicker.

What Louis had not been prepared for, however, was just how slowly this 'quicker' would come in to being.

But, throughout the time, Louis' thumb kept moving slowly back and forth across his wife's hand, trying to bring some comfort.

***

As the evening drew in, Louis had not moved from Vanessa's side. Listening intently to the maesters, and waiting patiently through the few contractions that had wracked through his wife's body. It took a lot for the man to stay calm beside her -- after all, what man could watch his wife in pain and not wish to stop it from happening? What man in the world would not wish to swap places to save their wife from the agony that was clear on Vanessa's features?

Louis had simply kept outwardly calm, for he knew his worry would not help.

Instead talking softly to Vanessa about anything that might help her through. Ignoring the room until a hushing of noise and a muttering of greeting that announced his Maman's appearance. Louis had stood, out of respect, greeting her, but never letting go of Vanessa, before his attention turned away from his Maman once more.

He'd barely registered her words until Vanessa declined the offer of her to stay. Louis had tuned his Maman back in at this point, in time to hear her words of it being bad luck and that his Papa would not have done such things. "I'm not Papa, and I am not leaving Vanessa." Louis replied coolly, his eyes not moving to his Maman. It would be clear in his tone that the current Lord Clement did not appreciate, even for a moment, his Maman's words. Even if they were meant to be helpful in that moment.

As the older woman left the room, Louis let out a soft sigh, bringing his lips to ghost Vanessa's knuckles, letting her know that he would not do such a thing. Too many times he'd left her, and the results had been disastrous.

Never again, he'd promised himself.

***

The hours ticked by slowly, Louis doing what he could to help Vanessa, which equated to very little. When a new wet cloth was brought to mop the Lady Clement's brow, Louis would take it from the person's hands without looking, feeling that if he could at least keep her comfortable, he was doing something. As the pain grew, Louis brought up the fond memories of their childhood together, trying to push the pain away with the fond memories as Vanessa held on to him tightly through each contraction.

The question had rose without a second thought when Louis had believed Vanessa to be sleeping if there was anything they could do to stop the pain. Anything. But that had been a swift no, Vanessa needed to be in control of her body to bring the child in to the world, unless they were to perform some procedure that sounds both dangerous and not something Louis wanted to try unless necessary.

It had been in and amongst the same time that Louis had been told his own worry would not help Vanessa. That it might, this was said tentatively, be more beneficial if he left Vanessa to deliver the child. The tightened grip -- as if necessary -- had been enough to let Louis know that this would never be something Vanessa wanted.

As the sun rose, Vanessa's cheeks were strewn with tears, her forehead covered in sweat, and her lips trembling. Louis' face was pained with the knowledge he could do nothing to stop this. "You're doing amazingly, Vanessa." Louis whispered softly, keeping his voice from shaking for the simple fact he had to in that moment. His strength was needed, and he would not let Vanessa down on that much.

"S'il vous plaît, ne vous inquiétez pas de moi, ma chérie." Louis spoke, only just loud enough for Vanessa to hear, and no one else. Giving her hand a soft squeeze, Louis gave her a small smile. It would never take much for him to know when Vanessa was trying to keep things from him -- whether rightly or not.

Ever so carefully, Louis reached up and tucked her hair back behind her ear. He did not want her to think she had to do anything to keep him from pain.

The maesters went back to fussing, insisting Vanessa push, insisting this, insisting that. Talking frantically, but Louis' focus would always, always be Vanessa, and nothing in the world could ever change that.

S'il vous plaît, ne vous inquiétez pas de moi, ma chérie -- Please, don't worry about me, my darling

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~ Lord Clement ~ Profile ~ 55 ~

Thank you to the amazing Ruby for the signatures! <3

Subject: Re: The Palace of Versailles, 2004 (Louis) Sun Dec 12, 2021 12:56 pm

Later afternoon sunlight filtered into Lady Vanessa Clement’s bedchambers, falling in lazy slants across the group of quiet but alert observers around her bed. When it had become clear in the morning that the contractions were making no more progress than their usual pace, the birthing team had lapsed into quietness with the wait. There was little room for reading, playing music or distracting the young mother with conversation as every now and then, her body shook with the force of someone trying to tear her apart, the pain coupled with exhaustion leaving the witch in a half awake state until the next jolt of pain hit her.

Dark circles ringed her eyes and despite a fresh change of gown, she could feel the sweat already gathered at her neck and shoulders, soaking the back of her thin cotton garment. The Maester was possibly the only person in the room not on edge, having seen enough deliveries to know that this one too, would pass. He made notes quietly on a piece of parchment as the midwives assisted how they could, sometimes helped by Louis and other times simply unaided as he focused his energies on simply being there for his wife. Vanessa herself had lost count of the hours she had already been in labor though she knew it was more than a day now. The happiness and excitement of yesterday had long since faded, leaving her with only the stubborn resilience and grit that demanded she do her job.

That and an exhaustion of the kind she had never felt in her life before. It was as though every bone in her body begged for rest, only to come alive screaming at the next contraction. Knowing that if she opened her mouth, the pleas to make it all stop would invariably fall out, the brunette kept her lips sealed, only murmuring small endearments now and then in her exhausted state to both Louis and the child. The murmurs were more to keep herself awake and Louis reassured than anything else but they seemed to do the job. She could feel herself slowly getting delirious as the light moved across the room, fading to a purple pink as the sun set across the palace grounds.

***

The bouts of pain increased in frequency as the clock neared midnight, the quiet shudders ripping through Vanessa’s frame with such violence that the witch couldn’t even bring herself to scream. Her lips simply parted in silent agony, all the breath and sound stolen from her as the pain ripped through her very being, her eyes closed as she fought agony and exhaustion all at once. Vanessa had always assumed she was strong enough for this. Only now, in the corner of her mind, the witch was starting to realize that perhaps she was wrong.

It was a good thing that the brunette was rendered temporarily mute as any words out of her would have been to simply want everything to stop. As it was, she couldn’t speak and the pains wouldn’t stop. At one point, everything disappeared; even Louis’s comforting touch, the midwives encouragements, the sheets now soaking through with blood and fluids. None of it was real and she was simply in a world where nothing but pain existed. She could feel the last of her resolve melting away with the darkness. She had tried, she had tried so hard. The tears now leaking through her closed eyelids were not one of pain but one of defeat because Vanessa knew, as soon a she opened her eyes, the defeat would be clear in them. And Louis would instruct them to stop.

He would put her above the coming child. One of the reasons she had held on for so long was because deep down, she had always known that. It would kill him to risk the child this way but he would do it for her. And that thought was the last thread of strength that kept Vanessa committed to this ordeal. So she continued, eyes closed, lips parted in silent screams, bleeding her life slowly away.

Until Grandmere arrived

***

“Vanessa Jhalak.”

The witch involuntarily turned her head the other way, not wanting to speak to Grandmere in this state, not wanting the matriarch to see her so frail, so weak, on the edge of defeat. The young Lady Clement had no idea what time it was but she fancied she could see the pink of dawn beyond her closed eyelids. Had the night really passed?

“It won’t be long now,” Lissette Clement offered, her voice still devoid of any kind of sympathy or comfort. Yet somehow, the authority in it assured Vanessa more than the Maester’s words had. Even with all his years of experience, he had never physically birthed a child, Lissette Clement had. And Vanessa was certain Grandmere had done it with a lot more grace too.

Grandmere’s sharp tone was like daggers in her ears as she snapped at the midwives. Something about stop making Vanessa comfortable, now was the time to keep her awake. The witch felt the edge of a stinging hex on her ankle, making her eyes fly open in pain but before she could cry out, another contraction contorted her frame. It soon became apparent that sick and frail as she was, Lissette Clement still had more sense than anybody in the room. In the background, she could hear the Maester’s feeble attempts at dissuading the older witch but to no avail. Or perhaps it was Louis. Who she was talking to wasn’t important, what was important was that she was outlining how keeping the witch rested between contractions would make the pain hit twice as hard, making her want to curl up to deal with the internal shock instead of doing what was conducive to the delivery.

Vanessa didn’t understand, she just did as told, and another hour later, the group was gathered around her, all telling her to just push once last time. Just one more time. Just one last push.

And then there was the crying. It took Vanessa a moment to realize the crying wasn’t her own but from a new and healthy set of lungs. The crying was the only thing she heard before darkness enveloped her once more, the exhaustion finally taking over.

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Subject: Re: The Palace of Versailles, 2004 (Louis) Sun Dec 12, 2021 12:57 pm

The labour had been the longest wait Louis had experienced with Vanessa by his side. It was singularly the most painful experience, but also the most beautiful in the same time. Though, Louis could decide that it was something that he did not wish to see again.

Vanessa had struggled through the pregnancy, he did not need to be a medical professional to know that much. The colour in her skin had faded over the hours, and as her body worked hard to keep her awake, Louis could see the fatigue growing in her features.

But they battled through the hours together.

How much Vanessa had been totally aware of, Louis couldn't be sure, but he didn't give up. Vanessa hadn't given up, so he kept talking, kept encouraging, and kept trying to keep her comfortable as the maesters were instructing the nurses. Making sure she had everything she needed. The young Lord Clement knew no better, how could he?

***

When Lissette Clement had come through the doors of Vanessa's bedchamber, Louis could not be sure, but the sound of Vanessa's name from the elder witch made Louis' head turn quickly towards the elder woman. Instructions were coming quickly, making Louis' head spin from the lack of sleep was making it difficult to know who was talking the most sense.

The young man had been happy to sit back and let his Grandmere take the reins, to help Vanessa through all of it, but as Vanessa's eyes flashed open in pain -- pain that Louis knew to be unexpected, different to the contractions -- his eyes moved back to his Grandmere. Quickly berating her in rapid French for using such things on his wife, only to be scolded and told to be quiet. Lady Lissette Clement had, as she pointed out, birthed children. She knew what she was doing.

After an hour of more contractions, and stinging hexes to push Vanessa through, the sound of their child's cries filled the room. A healthy set of lungs had been announced by the birthing team as they moved to clean the child up.

"A boy," The Maester had announced to Louis, who's features had lit up with that news. Turning to Vanessa to echo that news, he found his wife relaxed back in the pillows, soundly asleep from sheer exhaustion.

Louis had leaned up to press a kiss to her forehead, resting her hand over her stomach carefully before he stood up. His body ached from the lack of movement through the last couple of days. Almost as soon as he'd moved, the midwifes were fussing over cleaning Vanessa up.

"Get some rest, Louis Charles Phillip," Grandmere said, already retiring from the room as her part was done. Louis had said something in the way of agreement because she'd left only a moment later.

But before he could think further on the matter, the image of the maester appeared before him. The overwhelming amount of information that came in that moment made the Lord Clement stand for a moment, simply keeping himself upright with a great deal of thought. Vanessa was still bleeding, and needed a lot of care. Bed rest, for a minimum of two weeks. She would not be strong enough to feed the child herself, so a wet nurse would be needed, at least short term, to which Louis had nodded.

The child needed to eat, after all, and if Vanessa wasn't awake, or ready to do such things, he couldn't ask for her input before making the decision.

But the point that stood out clearly. The point that made Louis subtly reach for the post of the bed to keep himself steady, was that Vanessa and he... couldn't do this again, if Vanessa were to get through it. Dangerous, was what the maester had said, but even sleep deprived Louis could hear the warning. And, he knew that he would have to be the one to divulge the news.

Explaining his two decisions -- the need for the wet nurse, and that no one tell Vanessa of the risk of subsequent children, Louis moved to the small cot where his son lay, already clothed, and being cooed over by one of the midwifes. "Take him through to my chambers, and... keep him there." Louis told the woman, motioning to the adjoining door that lay between his room and Vanessa's.

Turning back towards Vanessa's bed, Louis moved to the vacant side and was about to sit down when the maester stopped him.

"M'Lord, it would be best if you left her ladyship with her own space, so that you don't cause her discomfort with your movements."

Louis had paused, nodded to show he understood, before turning to the chaise lounger behind them. Levitating it to the side of Vanessa's bed, Louis sat on the piece of furniture, waiting for the room to empty. It was a slow process, there was too much to do. Blankets came for Louis, but the Lord barely registered such things as he waited. Perhaps two hours after their child had come in to the world, Louis had fallen asleep on the lounger, his hand safely on top of Vanessa's as he passed out from sheer exhaustion.

Until he knew his wife was safe, nothing else in the world could possibly matter.

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~ Lord Clement ~ Profile ~ 55 ~

Thank you to the amazing Ruby for the signatures! <3

Subject: Re: The Palace of Versailles, 2004 (Louis) Sun Dec 12, 2021 12:57 pm

It was nightfall when Vanessa finally awoke. Her grey eyes opened to bright slants of silvery moonlight entering through her window, illuminating everything in a soft, peaceful glow. One of the first things she realized was that she had been bathed and changed. The witch could still feel the slight dampness in her hair from when they had been washed but unable to completely be dried due to her state. The room no longer smelled of sweat and blood and tears and worry, instead the usual floral scents that made up her chambers were dominant. She felt clean, new… alone.

Her eyes opened completely at that, a hand reaching blindly in the dark, only to realize that she wasn’t alone, that Louis was spread on the easy chair right beside her. The empty space on the bed beside her simply an illusion. The witch reached to wake her husband but then stopped. Years of practice compelled Vanessa to take in her state. closing her eyes again, she breathed deeply, assessing the damage as best she could. It didn’t take long to realize that she was still bleeding. Someone would be in to see to that shortly. A small amount of weak struggling also revealed that she could not sit up on her own, she would need help with that too.

But the fear that struck her most poignantly was the lack of a baby anywhere. Grey eyes swept the room for a crib, a nanny holding the child, anything to show that their son was nearby but they only came to rest on covered platters of food someone must have brought in at some point and left there upon finding both Lord and Lady Clement soundly asleep. “Louis,” she finally called out, her voice whisper thin and crackling from the lack of moisture. Too weak to get herself a glass of water, the witch simply waited for her husband to respond.

“Louis, the baby…” she managed through quivering lips, afraid that somehow they had lost this one too, refusing to believe that all their hardships these last few days had been for naught. Her fears were laid to rest however when her husband reached for a nearby bell, ringing for a servant. A moment later, someone knocked on the door, seeking permission to enter.

And that someone was carrying the most beautiful sight Vanessa had ever seen.

The nanny waited patiently for Vanessa to be propped up before placing the baby gently in her arms. Taking her cue from the new parents, the servant left them quietly to stare at the most beautiful creation in the world. Soon, the other members of the household staff would be alerted of her awakening but for the next few minutes, they had their baby to themselves.

Their very own child.

A single tear slid down her cheek as Vanessa stared at the future they had made together. A future so perfect in detail, from his tiny eyes to his pink cheeks to his perfectly miniature fingers and thumbs. Vanessa had seen countless babies in her life but this one was by far the best.

He was a Clement, after all.

“Je l'aime tellement, ça fait mal à l'intérieur…”

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Subject: Re: The Palace of Versailles, 2004 (Louis) Sun Dec 12, 2021 12:58 pm

Louis didn't really know what time it was when he awoke to the sound of Vanessa's voice calling out his name. Had it been anyone else, he doubted he would have woken from his sleep, but Vanessa had broken through to him and his eyes were open only a few seconds later, focusing on his wife in time to hear her ask for their baby.

Assuring her softly that their son was okay as he reached for the bell, Louis sat up from his painfully uncomfortable sleeping arrangements, and rubbed his eyes softly until the knock at the door came.

Letting the servant in, Louis had watched the relief sweep through Vanessa's features upon seeing the small bundle that had been their gift to the Clement name, to themselves. His smile grew in that moment, before realising Vanessa needed help. Carefully, he aided her to be sat up in bed, making sure she was completely comfortable before their son was handed to her.

Louis watched her closely in that moment, seeing how she naturally fell in to the role of mother with their child as if it were second nature. For just a few moments, Louis watched the two with complete adoration on his features, telling himself that the news of their future could wait just a little bit longer.

Ven's comment brought a soft laugh from Louis' lips as he leaned over to press a soft kiss to her forehead. "He's perfect," Louis agreed as he moved back to sit by her bedside, watching the child in her arms who was looking at them both inquisitively in that moment, little hands moving with little or no goal, but seemingly happy. "I'd... like to call him Jacques..." Louis suggested, eyes moving to Vanessa's to see if she approved. His middle names, they could discuss -- not that they hadn't already done so. But Louis simply felt this name was the more adequate of those they'd spoken of before.

"The maester has arranged for a wet nurse, until you feel strong enough to feed him. If you want to." Louis explained -- they'd spoken about it, of course, how they would bring the child up, but Louis still wanted Vanessa to be sure that the decision made before their son's arrival didn't have to be the final one if she didn't feel up to it. After all, Vanessa would be the first Clement in a very long time to bring the child up fully. Something Louis was more than accepting of, because it was Vanessa's happiness that meant the most to him, not the tradition of another woman feeding their child.

Louis paused, his eyes turning from Vanessa back to their son. He took another moment, before carefully bringing his hand up to the very small fingers that were currently opened up. As his finger met the soft skin of the child, the small fingers curled around his, grip quite tight and Louis' heart melted in that moment, his eyes seeking out Vanessa's in a manner that said 'look!' without needing the words.

The first time his child would do such a thing.

His only child...

The thought stabbed at him, and Louis looked away from Vanessa, knowing his features would betray him in an instant. He couldn't keep the news from her, no matter how much he might want to. However much he might feel that he needed to keep it from her.

"Ven..." Louis spoke ever so softly, as if talking more quietly would mean she might not hear him, and that he would be able to confess and she would never hear the words. The words stuck in Louis' throat, if Vanessa's eyes had moved to him, they would see before he spoke that bad news was coming. He needed to tell her before she worried for their son...

"I... don't know how to..." Louis stopped, shaking his head because that wasn't the way to start this. "We probably... most certainly shouldn't... have another child. The maester said that to try again could mean... Je ne peux pas te perdre, je ne te perdrai pas. Notre fils sera suffisant pour nous." He explained, managing just about to stop his lower lip from wobbling in the fear of the words he'd spoken.

"Je ne peux pas te perdre." Louis said again softly, feeling like he'd just done the worst thing in the world. However necessary, he'd just put a huge weight on his wife, when he should have been making her as comfortable as possible. But the rest of the house knew, he could not bear to think they would look at her with pity without Vanessa understanding why that might be.

Much like Vanessa's tear of happiness, Louis' body betrayed his wish for a calm explanation with a tear of loss. A loss of a singularly happy moment, clouded by the news of the future.

"Je suis désolé, ma chérie."

Je ne peux pas te perdre, je ne te perdrai pas. Notre fils sera suffisant pour nous. -- I can't lose you, I won't lose you. Our son will be enough for us.

Je suis désolé, ma chérie -- I am so sorry, my darling.

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~ Lord Clement ~ Profile ~ 55 ~

Thank you to the amazing Ruby for the signatures! <3

Subject: Re: The Palace of Versailles, 2004 (Louis) Sun Dec 12, 2021 1:00 pm

The baby’s inquisitive face raised to hers, a pair of eyes staring back at her remarkably like Louis’. The similarities the witch was only beginning to notice caught her by surprise each time as she noticed the curve of his tiny mouth, the slant of his nose, the set of his miniature jawline. He seemed to be the most beautiful mix of both his parents as he looked up at them in polite inquiry. A hand had come free from the blanket wrapped around him and that hand reached up for something neither adult could see but Vanessa rather found herself believing he was reaching for the stars because they would someday be his for the taking.

Louis breathed the words she was thinking, how perfect he was. But when he followed those up with the name he wished for their child, a soft smile lit up her face. “Then Jacques he will be,” she confirmed as the baby let out a soft sound reaching to wrap his tiny fingers around Louis’. “And it looks like he approves,” she observed with another smile. It was tiring siting up but for the two people in her life, she would bear all the exhaustion in the world.

At the mention of a wet nurse, the brunette simply shook her head, dismissing the idea. She was well aware of wet nurses and the role they played. Nor was she opposed to them on principle. But this was her son and she would nurse him. Vanessa may not be strong enough for many things yet but this one sacred duty of a mother she would fulfil. “I have strength enough to nurse our child, please talk to the Butler and get the wet nurse dismissed,” she requested, unconsciously holding the baby closer to her. The Lady Clement knew it wouldn’t be any trouble to get her husband to agree to the unconventionally attached upbringing but her mother in law and Grandmere were another story.

It was his next words that were worrying. The Maesters had apparently seen fit to imbue Lord Clement with the notion that he would lose his Lady Wife one day, and that Vanessa knew would never happen. All the fear, pain and uncertainty she had felt during labour had been about the baby and her own strength in bringing Jacques to this world. It had never been about losing Louis. A perspective gained in exchange for living as only half of herself for years now made her confident that no force on this earth or the skies above could separate her from Louis.

“Vous ne me perdrez jamais, mon amour,” she promised, her free hand reaching for his and squeezing It softly, quiet strength radiating from her grey eyes as she looked up at her husband. “Vous ne nous perdrez jamais.” That was all Vanessa would say on that particular subject before she coaxed him back to their baby, pointing out similarities to him and her found in the tiny being.

It didn’t’ take long for the witch to tire herself out, the exhaustion making her frame unsteady. Realizing it was time to call in the nanny, the new parents rang the bell once more, watching the servant take their child away along with strict instructions to wake Vanessa whenever Master Jacques needed nursing. The brunette was certain Louis would deal with the wet nurse situation once she was asleep.

And asleep she was as soon as she had managed to drink some soup in lieu of dinner, if she was going to nurse, she would have to keep herself healthy too.

***

The next few days passed in a daze of sleep and nursing, it took Vanessa three days to finally be able to sit up on her own and another two to stand and wash herself. She was still mostly confined to her bed but now at least she could walk around the room, rocking the baby in her arms and singing him to sleep before handing him off to the nanny for the evening. Another bright side of her recovery was that Louis was able to join her in her chambers properly again, the chaise lounge banished to its previous corner io the room. There had been no more talk of the Maesters warning and Vanessa rather hoped her husband had forgotten all about it.

Grandmere came a week later, to find Vanessa sitting up in bed, nursing the child tenderly. Lissette Clement made no effort to be polite, staring straight at Vanessa’s exposed breast and the child suckling happily on it. Was it Vanessa’s imagination or did her Gradnmere look disgusted?

‘Pardon Grandmere,” she cautioned, slipping a shawl one handed around Jacques and herself to cover up the sight that seemed to be offending her grandmother so. “He’s almost done, he almost needs more food than I can readily provide,” she attempted to lighten the mood. it didn’t work, the matriarch simply waited in silent until the Nanny was called for to take Jacques to the nursery. Once Vanessa was really able to focus on Grandmere, it struck her once again how old Lissette Clement had suddenly become. There was more wrinkles than face now, only two brown eyes flashing through the cobwebs of her skin.

“You are well?”

“As well as can be, Grandmere.”

“What is this nonsense I hear about you and Louis Charles Philip not intending on more children?” As usual, Grandmere had no problem getting to the point. Her body may have aged and become frail but her sharp tongue still cut like swords. “Surely you don’t believe your duty is done, Vanessa Jhalak.”

“I’m afraid someone has lead you to believe incorrectly, Grandmere,” the younger witch replied, her voice steady and her eyes trained on Lissette’s to underline her sincerity. Any Clement woman knew that one son was barely no son. Three would be a better number. She couldn’t’ really blame Grandmere for wanting to secure the future of the House she gave her life too. “In fact, I would humbly request you pray for another son soon.”

Vanessa had never seen Grandmere smile, and today was no different. The old woman simply nodded, secure in the knowledge that something as insignificant as a threat of death would not stand in the way of Vanessa considering more children. Clearly the idea that Louis would care more for the womb that delivered the lineage instead of the other way around was preposterous to her.

“And you will be nursing this one on your own?”

“I believe I am capable.”

“Very well, but see to it that he does not turn out as weak as his father.” With those parting words, the matriarch painfully rose to her feet, refusing help even at this age. Of all her virtues, Lissette Clement’s pride would be the last thing to leave her.

***

The dark shadow cast by Grandmere dissipated over the coming days as Jacques grew and Vanessa recovered. The small family found it impossible to be anything but happy as the days progressed and soon enough, even the maesters’ warnings were forgotten. Vanessa was young enough to recover after sufficient bed rest and a month after the birth, even well enough to go out to the palace grounds. The small family had celebrated with a picnic in the Dehlientelle before Lord and Lady Clement were overtaken by their usual schedules. Another week or so and Vanessa was ready to make local trips again, small appearances with the baby which the masses lapped up with adoration and envy in equal parts.

Jacques seemed to be the perfect baby, borne with the acute knowledge of when to make a scene and when to stay quiet and charming. As a result, Vanessa brought him with her everywhere, quietly showing off her exquisite baby in comparison to wailing toddlers who soiled themselves with great frequency. The witch wasn’t surprised to find she couldn’t relate with other mothers. They labored under the responsibility of motherhood alone whereas Vanessa always, always had Louis on hand to support her. Once when she had been taking too long to remove herself from a particularly fussy dress with the help of her maid, she had even heard Louis attempting to sing the baby to sleep in his mother’s absence. What was even more surprising was that when she returned, Jacques was indeed sound asleep.

Grandmere had not visited since that fateful day, nor had she been seen around the palace. Lynnette Clement however seemed to be present more than usual these days, offering to help Vanessa at every turn. The new mother supposed it was all due to the latent grandmotherly instinct awakened in her mother in law for Lynnette was offering to read to Jacques, offering to look after him with the nanny should Vanessa wish to leave him as she went about her duties outside the palace. The Lady of the Palace smiled to herself as she caught Maman’s expression fall when she found out Vanessa would be taking little Jacques with her. Of all the crimes she had perceived committed, it now looked like monopolizing on Jacques time would be at the forefront.

So the witch made more effort to take Jacques to visit his grandmere from time to time, but for the most part, the little family of three was inseparable. And so they would remain over the next two years.

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Come Plot With Me <3

» The Palace of Versailles, 2001 (Louis)
» The Palace of Versailles, 2009 (Louis)
» The Palace of Versailles, 2006 (Louis)
» The Palace of Versailles, 2002 (Louis)
» The Palace of Versailles, 1978 (Louis & Vanessa)