because am just a girl

Chapter One: An Heir (third person pov) In the east of the empire, a woman's agony cry could be heard, and a very anxious man could be seen pacing up and down. A basin full of blood was passed by the duke. The North Princess was in labor, the expected heir to the eastern empire, so it was told. "Push, Your Highness," one of the midwives advised the North Princess. "If not, we will lose His Little Highness." "I can't," the North Princess responded, her voice weak. "The pain is too much. I don't think I can do this anymore, His Highness." One of the maidens hurried out to summon the duke. Soon, the shaking duke entered, his eyes piercing like an eagle's as he took in the scene. Seeing the blood on the woman he loved, he rushed to her side, taking her hand in a comforting manner. "My dear, please don't give up," he said softly. "I need you. Okay, you can do this." Here's the revised version: The duke's face turned towards the maiden responsible for the safe birth of his son. "Do everything," he growled. "You must make sure both of them live, or your head will be hanging outside the gate of this palace." The maiden shook with fear from the duke's threat. The poor princess couldn't even voice out a word, weakened by the ordeal. "Your Highness, something is wrong," one brave maiden spoke out. "Her Highness was supposed to have a safe delivery, as predicted by the fortune teller. But seeing now... I think it's all a lie." The duke's anger was palpable as he turned to the maiden who had spoken out of concern. "Drag her out!" he ordered, his voice low and menacing, due to her uncalled-for spoken words. The maiden cowered, finally backing away as the North Princess, Ahina, found the strength to speak. "your higness, don't blame them," she said softly. "I'm sure I and my baby will be fine." The duke's expression softened slightly as he turned to Ahina. "Don't worry, my dear Ahina," he said, his voice filled with comforting warmth. "You will be okay. I will do everything that must be done to ensure you and your baby have a safe delivery. You will both be fine." The duke said, "Don't worry, Ahina, you'll be okay. I'll do everything for you and your baby." As he spoke, he turned to leave, his mind already focused on the fortune teller he had summoned. Unknown to Ahina, he was determined to question the fortune teller about his prediction of a safe delivery. The duke's anger and concern grew with each step as he made his way to confront the fortune teller. The duke stormed into the room where the fortune teller waited, his anger and concern evident. "Explain yourself," he demanded. "Why did you predict a safe delivery when the North Princess is struggling?" The fortune teller, aware of his own deceit, trembled. "My lord, I...I saw signs that the child would be a boy, and the princess's difficulties are just a test of her strength." The duke's expression darkened. "If anything happens to her or the child, you'll pay with your head." The fortune teller nodded frantically, relieved the duke seemed slightly reassured. As the duke rushed back to the delivery room, he heard the baby's cry, the maidens stood frozen, holding the child and exchanging shocked glances. However, the duke's attention didn't waver on the child or the maidens' expressions. He rushed towards the North Princess, his concern evident. "Doctor, quickly!" he called out. The doctor hastened to the North Princess's side, checking her pulse. "Her pulse is very weak, Your Highness," he said gravely. The North Princess's eyes fluttered open, and she gazed at the duke. "Take care of my child..." she whispered, her voice fading as she drifted away. The doctor checked her pulse again, his face somber. "She's gone," he said, his voice trembling with fear. The doctor bowed his head in condolence, his words barely above a whisper. "The North Princess is dead." The duke stood paralyzed, his mind reeling in shock. He didn't utter a word, his gaze fixed on the lifeless body of the North Princess. The doctor's words hung in the air, but the duke remained still, frozen in grief.The duke stood frozen in shock, still reeling from the North Princess's passing. The maiden approached him, holding the child, her voice trembling. "Your Highness...the child...it's...it's a girl." The words hung in the air, and the maiden's voice shook as she repeated, "It's a girl, Your Highness...it's a girl." The baby, wrapped in swaddling clothes, looked up at the duke with big, round eyes. The shock was palpable, and the king's expression reflected the weight of the maiden's words. The room fell silent, the only sound the maiden's trembling voice still echoing. "It's...it's a girl." When the king found out that it was a girl, he just took a sign, silently stood up immediately to go and look at the child. She had black raven hair with green eyes. She looked... the first thought that came to the king's mind was that she looked exactly like the North Princess that just passed away. Could he hate the baby now? Could he dislike the child, because it's a girl? And as the king was now bearing in mind, he still thought about how they told him he was of advanced age and that he couldn't have any children, and that there was even a miracle that the North Princess became pregnant with his child. So he now took the baby and ordered that the child should be taken to the baby nursery. He now went back and knelt there in front of the North Princess and just ordered everyone out, including the doctor. They started mourning, looking at the North Princess' body, calling her name... Ahina. "Ahina...Ahina...“ The king's voice cracked with emotion as he whispered to the lifeless body of the North Princess, "I promise you, I will take care of her. I promise." He gently lay beside her, holding her hand. "Even though she's a girl, she's our child, and she's mine. Rest well, my love." Tears streamed down his face as he buried his face in her hair.