As the first rays of dawn crept through the tower window, casting a warm, ethereal glow upon the opulent nursery, queen Aria woke up in a cold sweat, her heart pounding. The weight of her swollen belly pressed against her nightgown, reminding her of the life growing within. But it was no ordinary life. This child, this daughter, was the hope of a kingdom. She was the answer to a curse that had plagued them for generations.
As the queen lay there, her breath coming in ragged gasps, she couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding. She knew that the curse was strong, and that the odds were against them. What if she wasn't strong enough? What if she wouldn't be able to make it before the curse swallowed everything? The thought of leaving her unborn child to face such a fate was unbearable.
She forced herself to sit up, ignoring the dizziness and the pounding in her head. The room was dark and cold, lit only by the flickering flame of a single candle. Shadows danced on the walls, casting an eerie glow over the bare stone. She could hear the distant howl of the wind outside, a harsh reminder of the world beyond the castle walls.
With trembling hands, she called for her handmaiden, her voice a mere whisper. The woman came rushing in, eyes wide with fear and excitement. She took one look at the queen and knew the time had come. The handmaiden helped Aria to her feet, supporting her as they made their way to the chamber where the kingdom's most skilled midwives and healers were waiting.
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As soon as the Princess was born, both King Edon and Queen Aria became deep into sleep due to the curse of sloth. The Queen's body felt heavy, her limbs leaden as she struggled to keep her eyes open. The King's chest rose and fell slowly, his breath coming in raspy gasps. The court physician, concerned for their well-being, administered a potion to try and break the curse, but it had no effect.
The newborn princess, Hope, lay in her cradle, her tiny fingers curled into fists. Her parents' slumber seemed to weigh heavily upon the room, pressing against the walls like a tangible force. The gathered nobles stood silently, watching as the baby's small chest rose and fell with each labored breath. They knew that it was up to Hope to find the answer to the curse that plagued their kingdom.
Queen Aria, now deep in her sleep, was haunted by a recurring dream. In it, she stood before a great door, its surface carved with intricate designs. As she struggled to open it, the door seemed to move further and further away, taunting her. The weight of the slumber that had befallen her felt like an anchor, dragging her down into the depths of despair.
The King, Edon, lay beside her, his breath labored and shallow.
Though he was deep in slumber, his face twisted in anguish, as if he were fighting against something unseen. The court physician hovered nearby, wringing his hands, unable to do anything to help.