Race against time

(ooc- wrong char?)

*to his manservant*
Tell her I'm here, and they are to send for me if anything begins to go wrong. I shall pray, now.
*to the chapel*

*taking some time away from prayer to pace with some of his gentlemen*
I wish I could help her, do something for her, in this her time of need! Even I, the Emperor of Christendom, though, can but stand aside as she labors to bring forth our child! You! *points to one* Go, talk to her ladies and make sure she needs nothing.

The mood begins to turn dark as a scarlet liquid begins to ooze out of Isabella's body, her stillborn child clutched in her arms. Isabella screams and wails like a commoner.

My baby, my baby boy!

This will NOT be happening again. You *points to one of his gentleman* I hear you have an excellent doctor- a Muslim? Oh yes, I know about that. Fetch him to me, and make sure he washes his hands. You *to another* get a priest. I will go to her now.

Isabella clings tightly onto the corpse of her child - refusing to let go, in a rage she begins to shout for her ladies to leave her prescence.

Be gone, get out I say GET OUT!

Make sure that doctor's dressed like a Christian, man.
*runs up the stairs, entering his wife's quarter's as the ladies leave*
Stay in the anteroom, ladies. Which of you has the most experience with this sort of thing? You? Good. Please wait for my summons.
*gently opens the door and closes it quietly behind him.*
Darling, the baby...please, may I hold it?

*Isabella's face is covered in her offspring's blood, she slowly looks up to face her husband, paints on a face of composure and slowly reliquinshes the child*

A boy.

*She says, looking away*

Ah my poor darling, the boy is with God, now. I wish to wash him and hold him a moment.
*gently takes the little body, still warm, from his wife as his eyes tear up. Tenderly cradles the bloody body in his arms disregarding his fine clothes, and hums a quiet song, almost unconsciously, as he carries the baby across the room to the wash basin. As he dabs the boy's tiny head with a damp cloth, the child whimpers then begins to wail.*

My love look what a wonder you have made! I shall bring him to you post haste. *finishes cleaning the baby, then wraps him up in fine linen.*
*there is a knock on the door and the priests and doctor enter, bowing to the emperor*
Doctor, Father Jeromin, tend to my wife. Father Manuel, to my son.

*Isabella smiles slightly before nodding her head in greeting to the Father and Doctor*

*taking the baby back from the priest and carrying him to Isabella, laying the child gently in his mother's arms, then sitting by her on the bed.*
I do not know what to say but thank you, and I love you.
*brushes her hair back and wipes her face clean with his sleeve.*

*The Scottish Ambassador to the court of Spain knocks politely on the door*.

*Isabella turns to the door after sweetly smiling at her husband and firmly taking hold of the child*

My love, do you want visitors? And have you a name for the boy?

*opens the door slightly*
Senor thank you for calling upon my lady wife. I shall be with you momentarily.
*shuts the door*
In fact- the rest of you lot- leave.

(OOC: I love that picture!)

Yes my love, allow them to see the child.

As for a name I wouldst heartily like to name the child Fernando, after my grand father on my father's side. What do you think?

And our grandfather on our mothers' side as well! Excellent choice, my love!
*Strides over to the door*
My lord ambassador, ladies, gentleman, my wife wishes you to meet the Infante-Archduke Fernando.
(ooc me too!)

*Isabella sits as regally and as beautiful as she can*