The uncertainty had driven him to seek advice discreetly.
The palace physicians had offered endless explanations to what might be wrong with her but none of it had satisfied him.
His mother had provided the only answer that felt genuine.
He could still hear her voice as she said, "Son, childbirth takes a heavy toll. Your wife has spent months carrying the child, and the birth itself has drained her, both in body and soul. She needs time to recover, and that recovery won't happen overnight. Be patient with her. Stay by her side, speak gently, make sure she eats, drinks, and gets as much rest as she can. Some women recover quickly, while others need much longer before they start feeling like themselves again. Most importantly, don't leave her to struggle through it alone. Your support will matter more than you realize."
Ragnar had taken those words seriously.
