(Baelon's POV)
"I did not think we would be sitting here." Gwayne said as some servants came and served food, "All four of you and myself. I remember when each of you were born, including Prince Baelon. My sister, The Queen, had a glimmer of light in her eyes....well, for the three.....erm....everyone knows that the day you were born was quite...."
I nodded, "No need to say it." I said as I grabbed my cup of wine, "I understand."
He chuckled nervously, "The point is....I have known all of you since you were boys." He said, "And now, all of you are men. Aemond here was able to survive a Trial by Seven, much like myself. And well, the whole Realm knows how Baelon came out of that....victorious and without much of a scratch."
Aemond nodded, "Mm, yes." He said, "A true testament of skill."
"I must say, Uncle." Aegon said as he drank some wine from his cup, "Quite the luxurious setup you have for supper, especially in your chambers."
Gwayne chuckled yet again, "Well, being the Queen's brother has its merits." He said, "And having all four Crown Princes in one room dining also has its merits."
"Yes, of course." Daeron said, "Uncle, I am glad you are well, however. You suffered quite the wounds during the fight."
"Ah, yes." Gwayne said, "Prince Baelon, I apologize for my performance. Our opponents were rather skilled."
"It is fine." I said, "So long as our enemies didn't win....and more importantly, so long as you lived. She may not show it, but our Mother cares about you. Losing her brother would definitely put her in a sad period."
"Losing her brother is one thing, but losing her sons?" He said, "I am thankful to the gods that it did not happen."
"Yes, I would have hated for that to happen." I said
"Well, it did not." Aemond said, "We are both still here."
"That, we are." I said as I looked down, taking a sip of my wine, "We are both alive and we should be thankful for that. Not just anybody can claim they survived a Trial by Seven, especially in the victorious side."
"Well, not much of a victory for me." Gwayne told me with a chuckle, "I was down and out. It is interesting how a man can bleed so much in some situations and not die...I find it curious. Perhaps you are blessed, Baelon. And that rubbed off on us."
"Perhaps." I said
"I am curious, myself, brother...." Aegon said, "Whatever happened to that bastard knight? Garlin Flowers?"
"Ser Yohn Royce claimed he was killed." Aemond told him
"But by who?" Aegon said, "What exactly happened?"
Gwayne looked at him, "That's....right, we did not exactly figure that one out, did we?" He said, "And there was Lord Beesbury grandson who said that he was going to join in. But he did not....."
"Something happened with him, mayhaps?" Daeron asked, "I figured one of Trevor's men murdered Garlin Flowers....but Alan Beesbury, I do not know....."
They had a point. I hadn't seen Lord Beesbury and his grandson in a while so I was unable to ask them of what happened.
It is an interesting detail that needs to be investigated later.
"While it is curious, it should not matter now." I said, "At the very least, the threat is over. Trevor and all his scum allies are dead...."
"But the risk of someone lurking about could still be there." Aemond said
"You are right." I told him, "I will handle it."
"Oh and how will you do that?" Aegon chuckled
"Worry not about it." I told him
Gwayne cleared his throat, "Forgive my impudence, Prince Baelon...." He said, "But I spoke to my sister earlier and there are.....well....whispers about your future....and a decision His Grace made..."
"I do not wish to speak on that." I said seriously
"Of course not." He said, "My mistake."
I looked down and shook my head, trying to forget all about that at this moment. I did not want to think about any of it after just hearing the news about Helaena.
"You want my advice, Brother?" Aegon asked me
I looked at him, "What?"
"Just go with it." He said with a chuckle, "Go along with it. If the smallfolk accept it, great. If the Faith accepts it, great. The best thing about being a Prince? You don't have to do shit about situations like these. Just go with it and don't do anything afterwards. Don't protest or argue, and certainly don't do something foolish about it. Just let it happen."
I frowned, "Easy for you to say." I said, "Yes, the Realm could accept it. But you know what else they could do? They talk. Everyone talks. Nobody stops talking. And eventually, that talk will lead into disaster."
"That's a good point." Daeron said, "Except, I have no clue what you two are talking about."
"I agree with Aegon." Aemond said, "Just let it happen. Let everything pass. Continue your life with Helaena as intended."
Gwayne nodded, "Those are good points, My Prince."
I sighed, "Like I said....." I said, "Easy for you to say....."
"What is going on?" Daeron asked
"Father is going to make an announcement soon. Just keep appearances." Aegon said, "The better for everyone if you do."
"Agreed." Aemond said
"Yes....." Daeron said, "I am lost."
I looked down and shook my head without saying anything.
"I am interested to know what Mother's actual feelings are in the matter." Aegon said, "She does not play about when it comes to Baelon. Ha, it is funny! She loves her a bit more than her actual sons."
"Don't say that." I heard Gwayne say, "She loves all of you the same."
"This situation might have her in a more serious mood than usual." Aemond said, "Mayhaps that is why she hasn't spoken to Baelon. She is probably processing it still."
"Processing what?" Daeron asked
"This could cause some issues, but nothing we cannot handle." Aegon continued, "But oh well, it happens."
"Nothing will change, I hope." Aemond said, "We are still Royalty, that will not change."
"I am very confused." Daeron said
I let out an exhale, "Helaena is with child."
Everyone stopped talking and I felt all eyes on me.
"Say again?" Aegon said with a dumbfounded look
I nodded, "She just told me." I said, "I am not so sure if anyone else knows, but she is with child."
"O-Oh...." Gwayne said as he glanced at the others, "That is.....that is actually great news."
Aegon grinned, "That is amazing, brother!!" He bellowed as he stood up and walked up to me, patting my shoulder, "A great incentive to drink to our heart's desire!!"
"Oh boy." Aemond said
"You will be a father, Brother?" Daeron asked
"Yes." I said
"That is amazing news." He said with a smile, "Congratulations, I am sure you are elated."
I nodded, "Yea..." I said with a chuckle,
"I really am."
****************
[The Following Day.....]
I walked up to Helaena who was placing some books atop of each other in the library, "I found you." I said, "What are you doing here?"
She looked at me with a smile, "Oh, Baelon." She said, "I....I am just gathering some books...I have gotten the urge to read...."
I stopped and looked at the tomes, they were aged and from the looks of it, some of them were from Essos.
"Oh." I said, "They look rather heavy, are you taking them back to your chambers?"
"Yes." She said
I walked over to the table and gently nudged her away from them, "I got them." I said as I grabbed the stack, "This all of them?"
She nodded as she moved a lock of her hair away from her face, "Thank you."
I picked the stack of books up, "What are these books about?" I asked her
"O-Oh, well...one of them is about Old Valyria and their dragons." She said, "And another is on the mystical creatures of Essos."
She gestured for me to walk and I started doing so, making my way towards the library door as she walked alongside me.
"Dragons and mystical creatures." I said with a chuckle, "What has sparked this interest?"
"I do not know...." She said as she held her hands in front of her as we walked, "I just wanted to read."
"Hm..." I said, "Old Valyria....is this one of Father's tomes? The ones he is obsessed with?"
She nodded with a smile, "I do wonder if he'll be delighted to hear that I am taking an interest in subjects he loves." She said, "He is intrigued by our Family's history...."
"He does have a replica of Old Valyria in his chambers." I told her as we walked, "By the way, does anyone else know.....?"
"Know what?" She asked, "About my interest in these books? Well, I do not know.....I may have mentioned it to Mother....and-"
"No, Helaena." I stopped, "About you....."
I looked at her as she stopped; we were both in the middle of a hallway. She looked around nervously as she patted her stomach, her eyes then laying on me. There was nothing but worry and concern on those eyes.
"I...." she started, "I have not...."
I sighed, "You should tell Mother at least." I told her, "I already told our brothers."
"You have?" She said softly, "T-Then mother will find out soon."
"I told them to keep their lips sealed." I told her, "Worry not. I leave it to you to tell her."
She looked at her hands, which were still on her stomach.
"I am scared, Baelon..." She said
I frowned, "Why?"
"How would she react?" She asked
I chuckled and shook my head, "You are worried about that?" I asked, "She will not react badly, Helaena....she is your Mother. And you are my wife. In fact, I guarantee you that she will be delighted to hear she is getting a grandchild from you. Trust me."
She nodded slowly, "Okay...." she said, "I will trust you....can you call her to my chambers then? I feel comfortable in telling her there...."
"Sure." I said, "Father obviously needs to know, if he does not already.....I am sure one of them might have spoken...."
"You said not worry..!" She said
I chuckled again, "I know, I know." I said, "This is.....well, Helaena....I am happy.....I don't know, I just....I am really happy right now..."
She looked at me, her eyes were filled with a glimmer of light that only shows when she is full of emotions; the good kind.
"I...." she said softly, "That is all I wanted..."
"To make you happy."