First Born Son
“Congratulations! It’s a girl!” The doctor said with a smile.
“What?” the corner of the room hissed.
The doctor turned, perturbed by the sound. The two nurses stared at the corner as well.
“What is it, doctor?” Queen Hamilia asked, innocently.
“I thought I heard a…” he peered closer for only a moment, then handed the Queen her child.
“What will you name her?” one of the nurses asked giddily.
The Queen thought for a moment and smirked internally.
“Alex seems like a fitting name,” she said.
The wall shook angrily, but this time the medical staff’s attention remained on the Queen.
“Umm… isn’t that a masculine name?” the doctor asked.
The wall shook in agreement.
“Ah, yes, it will be Alexis then. But Alex for short. Please leave me in peace with my child for a moment.”
“Very well, then.” The staff left the room. It was silent for a lot longer than Hamilia expected it to last.
“Not coming out this time?”
“Alex??” The demon hissed from the corner, making his form visible.
“I thought it was a good name.”
“Just like Chris?”
“Another good name?”
“And Angel?”
“Very fitting for a beautiful young girl.”
“You’re mocking me!” The demon screamed, a blast of smoke exiting his eyes.
“No smoke around the baby,” the Queen demanded.
“Apologies, but you have yet to pay up on your part of the deal. You have no choice but to try again!”
“Ridiculous! A ninth time in a row has to be a sign that you are not destined to get my son, as I am not destined to have one.”
“That is none of my concern, you must deliver on your promise.”
“I don’t think my promis — What are you — “
The demon opened his mouth wide, and a faint noise could be heard within, crescendoing until it was the clear sound of a voice. A young Hamilia was panting as her feet collided rapidly against the ground beneath her.
“Demon! Please! I am Princess Hamilia! Heiress to the throne! I need your help, I can’t get away from it!!” she pleaded.
“And what reason do I have to help one who will never govern my kind?” came back the voice of the demon, mischievous as ever.
“I order you to!!”
“You cannot order me, Hammy. Try again.”
A thunderous boom approached the two voices now.
“Please! I don’t know! Whatever you like!”
“Very well… I would like your firstborn son,” the demon said plainly.
“Absurd!” Hamilia cried.
“These are my terms.”
“Then think of other terms!!”
Another thunderous boom and the sound of rocks crashed around the two voices now. Hamilia squealed in both pain and terror.
“FINE! Fine! My firstborn son, just please,” she begged.
“No matter the circumstances, you’ll give me the firstborn son?”
Another boom and a monster roared in anticipation, seemingly around the corner.
“Yes!”
“So I am guaranteed a son born from you.”
“Yes!! Yes!!”
“Even in the case that you constantly bore daugh — “
“YES!! I ACCEPT THE TERMS!!”
A roar split through the open demon’s mouth as he closed it, cutting off the audio. He raised his eyebrows expectantly.
“I don’t seem to hear any discrepancies in my request for you to try again.”
“Demon, please. I am aging. I don’t even know if I can bear to have another child. Pregnancy is no easy task.”
“Indeed,” the demon agreed. “That’s why you were given a big favor in order to do it.”
“Demon — “
“I could bring the beast back, you know,” the demon threatened, the room turning cold. Baby Alex began to cry hysterically in Hamilia’s arms. It squealed and fought to get away from whatever was causing the cold enveloping her. Hamilia only stared back at the demon, frozen in pure, unadulterated fear.
“You will have your son, demon,” the Queen whispered.
“Excellent!” With that, he snapped his fingers and vanished from the room. A small knock came from the door. It was pushed open slowly by Hamilia’s oldest, Leslie. She approached the bed slowly and looked at Alex.
“Aww man, I wanted a brother.”