Belle would have preferred to focus on Seer, he had promised that the pup’s father would be here. She trusted him and had to put him from her mind as Luce commanded her attention. Her heart beat rapidly as she struggled with her nerves. This was it, this was happening. The Empress was about to give birth. She tried to focus on her sister as she groomed her affectionately, and talked soft and smooth as she got started working. Belle tried to breathe and tried to remain calm. Being a tense nervous wreck would not help her unborn any at all. She did as she was bid to, and cautiously sipped from the gourd that was offered to her before another contraction hit her.
As she suffered through the pain Luce was quick to give Seer his duties, though she was too distracted to think it, him having something other than her distress to focus on would be good. Luce’s attention was quickly returned to her patient though, as Belle was encouraged to lay down and make herself as comfortable as possible. Had she not been so distracted by the pain she might have blancheed at Luce’s words about secreting fluid, but a lot worse was about to happen. She tried to steady her breathing as the contraction faded, though her breaths were quick they were also even.
Then Archon appeared. He entered easily into the den with Obi, his words calm and soft as he looked her over and offered his quiet support. "Archon," Belle gasped in surprise at the relief she felt at his presence. She managed a smile as he took her focus from the pain. "Lay with me?" She asked shyly as she looked up towards his giant form. "I wish to share your strength." She wanted him close, to be able to lean on him when the birth got rough. She wanted to experience this together. "Whenever you’re ready, Obi. Just be mindful of Lady Lucretia’s work." Her last words were muffled as she tensed through another contraction. Were they supposed to get more painful like this? The time in between was shortening, and the real work would begin soon.
"Speech"
Deathbelle wears a rosebud tiara that is not shown in her art.
