YEAR 1690
The Delivery Room burst out with the sound of crying as Duke Veylen rushed in.
"Is she alright!? Is my wife alright!?" The Duke called out as he ran straight to his wife, who was, quite clearly, tired and panting.
She had specifically requested him to stay outside this time, since during the birth of their first child, he was panicking more than she was.
"Ronan... I'm alright. How is our baby?" She meekly called out, reaching the ears of the doctors and the Duke.
"It's a girl. She's fine. Congratulations Duchess Veylen." One of the doctors announced. Duke Veylen was slightly pissed, but it was quickly replaced by excitement when his wife began squeeling and crying tears of joy.
"Let's name her Elizabeth, can we Ronan? Please?" The Duchess pleaded with the Duke, as though there was even a possibility he would say 'no' to the light of his life. And he didn't. The baby girl was named Elizabeth.
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The family's joy lasted quite some time. In order to prevent nobles from prying into their life, they simply announced that a baby girl was born healthy. However, nothing could prepare the world for what would happen next. Following the birth of Elizabeth, the Duchess's health quickly spiraled downward.
She was bedridden almost daily, and within 2 months, she had lost the ability to move without assistance altogether. Within the next month following that, she had passed away.
The entire Veylen Duchy mourned. A private funeral was held, which was attended only by close relatives and friends, firstborn and heir to the Veylen Duchy, Rian Veylen, and Duke Ronan Veylen. Elizabeth was excluded.
No one could hear her cries from within the castle as rain poured down. Following the funeral, the Duke changed Elizabeth's name from Elizabeth to Elira.
He couldn't stand hearing the name "Elizabeth" anymore, since that was the name of the girl who had caused the Death of the Duchess.