JP - The Keep - Healing Room - A rude Husband

Mrs Royce nervously looked at Miyuki. She had not expected going into labor to hurt this much.

“You’ve never had a baby before, have you?” Miyuku asked gently. “I know it’s painful, but you’re doing great so far.”

“Ny- no. Lost them.” Mrs Royce gave Miyuki a scared look.

"You're having this one, so take slow and deep breaths, okay?" Miyuki told her in a gentle voice. "You can do this."

“Da-yes.” Mrs Royce nervously looked at the door again.

Miyuki kept trying to distract Mrs Royce with her kind words and the reminders to breathe. It was all she could do and once the baby was born, she offered the newborn to the woman. "Congratulations Mrs Royce," She said softly, smiling kindly.

It was a little girl. It barely looked like Mrs Royce, it did not look like Mr Royce at all. Mrs Royce cradled her in her arms, clearly loving the baby, but she looked nervously to the door.

Looking at the door, Miyuki's eyes narrowed slightly. "Don't you worry about him, Mrs Royce," She said and set a gentle hand on her shoulder. "You need to focus on you, take care of yourself and this adorable little girl."

Mrs Royce still looked worried.

Difyr came over and adjusted a screen giving Mrs Royce some privacy. “Something is wrong with Mrs Royce’s husband.” She told Miyuki in a low voice.

"I take it he doesn't normally speak that way?" Miyuki whispered back to Difyr. "He was rather…rude." Her hand settled on her own stomach with worry.

“I honestly don’t know how he normally speaks.” Difyr admitted. “Unlike the partners and families of the other women here, I have seen very little of him.”

Mrs Royce shifted uncomfortably.

Miyuki, concerned, went to Mrs Royce. "May I ask…is that how your husband always acts?" She inquired.

Mrs Royce looked down and nodded.

Miyuki gently squeezed Mrs Royce's shoulder and returned to Difyr, telling her what happened.

“I was afraid of that.” Difyr frowned. “Like all the other women here she was taken by the raiders nine months ago. Her husband has never acknowledged that.”

Miyuki nodded slowly in understanding. “What can we do?” She whispered again, a hand settling on her own stomach once more. “And how does she put up with someone so…crude?”

“I don’t know. I had not actually seen much of either of them before the raid.” Difyr whispered. “They had been rather isolated on their farm.”

Miyuki nodded in understanding. “We should keep him away from her and the child.” She suggested and went to tend to another woman.

It will be a busy day of work…