Claimed By The Tyrant King

She needed him now more than ever, yet he was forced to remain outside because the midwives had forbidden anyone else from entering.

What kind of husband was he if he couldn’t even be beside his wife when she needed him the most?

Unable to bear it any longer, Rowan took a determined step toward the door.

A hand rested firmly on his shoulder.

He turned to find King Adrian standing behind him. "You can’t go in right now," Adrian said quietly. "Trust me."

Rowan clenched his jaw until it ached. "My wife needs me."

Without waiting for another response, he pulled away, strode to the chamber door, and pushed it open. Adrian remained where he was, letting out a slow, heavy breath as he watched him go.

The moment Rowan stepped inside, every pair of eyes turned toward him. "Your Majesty..." one of the midwives said, clearly startled. "You can’t be here."

But Rowan barely heard a single word they were saying. The moment his eyes fell upon Rosalind and the blood surrounding her, he stopped in his tracks. His breath caught in his throat as he stared at the sight before him.

Bloody hell...

Now he understood why they had tried to keep him outside.

The room was stained with blood, the sheets beneath Rosalind were soaked, and every servant moved with urgency as fresh cloths and bowls were brought in and taken away. It was a sight that would have unsettled even the strongest of men, and anyone less composed might have turned pale or collapsed where they stood.

"Rowan?" Rosalind called weakly as her gaze found him.

He immediately snapped out of his daze and hurried to her side.

"Your Majesty..." one of the midwives began, clearly intending to stop him.

Tradition frowned upon a king witnessing a queen’s labour. Many believed it invited misfortune, which was why men were usually kept outside the birthing chamber.

Rowan turned to her, and the sharpness in his gaze silenced her before she could say another word.

"Enough," he said coldly.

The midwife lowered her head at once.

Verity quietly stepped aside, giving him room without needing to be asked. Rowan reached Rosalind in a few quick strides and immediately took her hand into his.

"I’m here, Rosalind," he said, his voice softening the moment he looked at her.

The instant she felt his hand around hers, fresh tears spilled down her cheeks.

"It’s alright," he whispered, gently brushing the tears from her face with his thumb. "I’m right here."

She shook her head helplessly. "I’m sorry... I can’t do this anymore. It hurts so much... I feel like I’m going to die."

Those words struck him harder than anything else that day.

"You won’t die," Rowan said quietly, tightening his hold on her hand. "Please... don’t say that."

He couldn’t bear to imagine a world without her. Rosalind had become his home, his peace, and the greatest blessing his life had ever known. If he lost her now... because she was bringing their child into the world... he wasn’t sure he could ever forgive himself.

He leaned closer until she could see nothing but him. "Look at me, love."

Rosalind’s hazel eyes slowly lifted to meet his.

"You’re strong, you’re capable, and you’re the bravest woman I’ve ever known," he said steadily. "You’re my wife, Rosalind, and if anyone can do this, it’s you. I believe in you with all my heart."

Despite the agony coursing through her body, the corners of Rosalind’s lips lifted ever so slightly.

Looking at him felt like seeing a light she could hold onto in the middle of a storm. His hand wrapped around hers, the warmth in his voice, and the unwavering faith in his eyes eased a fear she hadn’t even realized had taken hold of her heart. At that moment, she didn’t feel alone anymore.

"Do you hear me, Rosalind?" Rowan asked gently.

She swallowed past the tightness in her throat before giving him a small, trembling nod.

Rowan nodded in encouragement before offering her a reassuring smile. "That’s it," he said gently as he gave her hand a careful squeeze. "Before you know it, our child will be in this world. Just one step at a time."

Despite the pain, Rosalind let out a faint breath that almost sounded like a laugh. Somehow, hearing his confidence eased the fear tightening around her heart. Even the midwives exchanged brief glances. The king’s presence had calmed her more than they had expected.

"Push, Your Majesty," the chief midwife urged.

Rowan met Rosalind’s eyes once more and tightened his hold on her hand. He gave her a small nod, silently reminding her that she was not alone.

Rosalind drew in a shaky breath before gathering every ounce of strength she had left.

"That’s it," Rowan whispered. "I’m right here."

She cried out as she pushed again.

"The head is out, Your Majesty," the chief midwife announced, relief filling her voice.

A flicker of hope spread across the room.

"Just a little more, Rosalind," Rowan encouraged softly. "You’re almost there."

Rosalind gritted her teeth as another wave of pain surged through her body. With one final effort, she pushed again, her cries filling the chamber until, at last, the baby’s cry rang through the room.

The chief midwife carefully lifted the infant into her hands.

"The baby is here," she announced with a smile that she could no longer hide. "It’s a girl."

A breath Rowan hadn’t realized he was holding escaped him.

"You did it, Rosalind," he said, his voice thick with emotion as he leaned down to press a tender kiss against her forehead.

Rosalind managed a weak smile, her entire body trembling from exhaustion. She thought it was finally over, yet before she could even catch her breath, another sharp pain swept through her.

She frowned.

"...Wait."

The chief midwife’s expression suddenly changed.

"There’s another baby."

The words stunned everyone in the room.

Rowan stared at her in complete disbelief, while Catarina and the others exchanged astonished looks. Before anyone could fully process what had just been said, another contraction came over Rosalind. This time, the delivery was much quicker, and after one more push, another loud cry echoed through the chamber.

The chief midwife lifted the second infant with careful hands before looking up with delight.

"It’s a boy."

The royal physician let out a relieved breath before smiling at everyone gathered around the bed.

"They’re twins."

For a moment, the entire chamber fell silent.

Then astonishment gave way to overwhelming joy. No one had expected such an extraordinary blessing, and yet there they were... A princess and a prince, both safely brought into the world.

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