[a/n: probably the last chapter of the weekend until we get patreon back to 30 chapters ahead. Enjoy]
(Baelon's POV)
"Unicorns." Helaena said
I raised an eyebrow, "Pardon me?" I said as I looked at her, "What about them?"
"I wish I would have seen one at least." She said as she looked at her book, "But it is more likely they all died."
I blinked, "Hm…."
"Because of what you did…." She said awkwardly
"No, I get what you meant." I said, "I do not understand why you would have wanted to see one."
"Because they are fascinating creatures." She said with a smile
We were in our chambers, sitting down in the couch. She was reading her book as I was just drinking wine and inspecting some of her newly sown tapestries. There was one of a single red apple in a white background. Drinking wine while doing this made the experience a bit better.
"Visually unpleasant is what they are." I said with a chuckle, "And associated with savages. But I suppose I should have saved one and brought it here so you could have seen it."
"Do you think some still survived?" She asked me, "I would very much take that offer."
I shrugged, "Not sure. I have not heard much of Skagos after what happened." I told her, "I could fly around, see if there's one grazing about."
She smiled, "That would be nice."
I nodded, "Anything for you."
"Will we leave after tonight's supper?" She asked me, "I am enjoying it here….."
"We can stay longer if you wish." I told her, "But I am eager to return home. After all, Balerion is getting restless. He feels more at home over at Dragonstone."
"I suppose that is true." She said as she looked back down
"And let us not forget that you are with child now." I told her, "I do not want you to ride a dragon that much in your condition. So once we are done here, we will fly back swiftly. If you wish to come visit King's Landing, you will have to sail."
"What if I get seasick?" She asked, "Remember, I occasionally do...."
"Well, you stay in Dragonstone. Mother will have to visit you there if she needs to see you." I told her, "We have to be safe."
"Very well." She said, "It is an exciting feeling, Baelon."
I gave her a smile, "It is, isn't it?"
"I....I wonder if I would feel the same should everything had still been going on...." She said as she flipped the pages of the book
"It is no use thinking about it now." I told her, "It has passed. We should move on...and let us look forward to the future."
"Right." She said, "Back to the topic..."
"What topic?" I looked at her
"Unicorns." She said with a smile
"Oh, yes." I said, "I mean, I suppose if a hairy creature with a single horn is fascinating.....then anything would be fascinating to you, my love."
"They are...." She pouted, "Why would they not be?"
"I don't know." I shrugged, "Take cattle for example, They have two horns, the males at least. What is so special about a creature with one horn? I don't see it."
"Is it because the Skagosi used them as mounts and we are Targaryens? So anyone that uses a mount that is not a dragon is inferior?" She asked, "That is what I am understanding, Baelon."
"Perhaps." I nodded, "But there are far more interesting creatures out there, I am sure."
"Like what?" She asked
I nodded at her book, "Does that book not mention them?" I asked, "You talked about wyverns, that is quite something. Dragon-like creatures that do not breathe flames.....they are kin to our beasts, no? Don't you find that fascinating? They are so similar but are very different.....how are they so different? What is it that made them different? What came first? Was it the wyverns or was it the dragons?"
"Wyverns." She said, "There are stories that the blood mages of Old Valyria created dragons by using firewyrms and wyverns..."
I blinked, "Oh, really?"
"Yes." She said, "Or at least, that is what they say."
"Huh." I said, "How about that...hey, Ser Laenor once told me that there are giant whale creatures north of Essos...they were called Leviathans."
"What about them?" She asked
"I mean, that is quite interesting, no?" I said with a chuckle, "Giant creatures that are potentially larger than balerion himself. Don't you think that such beasts are fascinating? Imagine witnessing that in the sea? Must be terrifying if you are a sailor atop a measly wooden construct."
She looked down, "Good point." She said softly, "But...Unicorns..."
I leaned in and kissed her cheek, "My sweet love. I will make sure you see one someday." I told her, "Worry not."
She nodded, "Thank you....."
I heard a knock on the door, "Princess, Prince Baelon." Ser Criston said from the other side, "You have a visitor."
I raised an eyebrow, "Are you expecting someone?" I asked Helaena
"No." She said as she shook her head
I looked at the door, "Who is it, Cole?" I called
"The Princess Rhaenyra." He simply said
I looked at Helaena, who was a bit surprised by this as well.
"Should we....?" I said softly
She nodded, "I do not see why not...."
"I did not know she was allowed to be outside her chambers..." I said
"Why would father imprison her?" She said as she looked at the door, "Let her in, Ser Criston."
I straightened up and cleared my throat, "Do as she says." I called out as well
The door opened and I watched as Rhaenyra walked inside. She was wearing a black dress with dark red embroidery. Her hair was combed straight and it draped on her shoulders.
"I..." She started as she stood a couple of feet away, "I hope I am not interrupting the two of you...."
I looked away, "N-Not really..."
"No, sister, it is fine." I heard Helaena say, "What brings you here?"
"I heard of the news, sweet Sister." Rhaenyra said, "You are with child?"
"Y-Yes..." Helaena said, a hint of joy in her voice
"Congratulations, Helaena...." Rhaenyra said, as there was a bit of a crack in her voice, "I am so happy for you.....I really am....I came to personally congratulate you...and well.....erm..."
"What is it?" I said
"I just needed you to know that if you need anything from me, Helaena...." Rhaenyra started, "Just ask your Elder Sister....I....I am experienced in being a Mother....the first is always the scariest one.....but once it comes without issue, the rest will come easily.....if....if there is plans for more....."
I felt Helaena's hand on mine, "I do not know..." She said softly, "Baelon...?"
I looked at Helaena, "I...." I said, "It is up to-No, let's just wait until this one comes...then we speak on that matter....no?"
She nodded, "Very well...."
"That is all...." Rhaenyra said, "Just...just know that no matter what happens from now on....I support the two of you....I...."
I sighed, "Thank you, Sister." I said, "You can leave no-"
"Baelon!" Helaena cut me off, "Do not be like that!"
"No, it is fine, Helaena." Rhaenyra said, "I understand his feelings on the issue....the main issue...there will be an official announcement....and Father has made up his mind."
"B-But, Rhaenyra..." Helaena said, "He's just being cold for no reason. He needs to know that we need to protect you.....I understand that he is angry...that-"
"That is enough, My Love." I said standing up, "I do not want to speak about that. Not now...."
"We have to speak about it at some point, Baelon." Helaena said, "Please, I hate seeing you like this...."
I looked at her, "I am sorry."
"No, it is I that should be sorry." Rhaenyra said, "I never meant for this to happen."
I looked at her, "You don't have a problem with this?" I said, "Seriously?"
She shook her head, "No, Baelon." She said, "I-"
"Does nobody in this place see the problem about this?" I started, "Is this some cruel joke?"
"Baelon?" Helaena said as she looked at me with worry
While looking at Rhaenyra, I gestured at Helaena, "I did all of this for her...." I said, "For my wife. He ruined her day, the most important day of her life, by attempting to kill me. Her joy was ruined, her entire being was insulted, and I wanted justice for it. Not only was she spat on, but the entirety of our House was also insulted. So what did I do? I fought, I killed for her Honor, for our House's honor! I killed a man in front of his wife and daughter!"
Rhaenyra's face hardened, "Baelon...." She started, "Not here, not now.....I-"
"No!" I continued, feeling the emotions rush to my head, "I did something that would earn the resentment of a young girl like Aemma! The resentment of a woman like you, Rhaenyra! But I did what had to be done! For the Realm, for our Family, but most importantly, for my wife! And what happens after that? I am told that I have to take someone else as a wife as a result? H-How is that not an insult to me? To her?! T-Tell me, Rhaenyra!"
Helaena stood up, "Calm down, my love." She hugged my arm, "She is not at fault."
I sighed and looked down, shaking my head, "I know, I know...." I said as I panted slightly, "She is not at fault, but fuck.....w-what am I supposed to say to her, Helaena? I.....I don't know what to think. I am to be a father, Helaena.....we are having a child.....the Heir...the prodigal son of King Viserys is to be a Father. My long-awaited child is finally on the way, and it is news that will take the Realm by storm....but that would be overshadowed by the fact that the future king of Westeros will marry another woman.....how would the people see this? The things they will say.....about you, Helaena....about her....? W-What am I supposed to do about this?!"
I placed my hand on my forehead, feeling my body tremble a bit.
"I know, love..." Helaena patted my cheek, "Gods, I am so sorry...I did not know you felt like this...but it is good....to let it out....I do not want you to keep it inside, eating you out..."
"I freed her, Helaena...." I said as I looked at Rhaenyra, "I freed her from a Monster who wanted to destroy us. Someone who didn't care about her...about Aemma, about her boys.....She could have anyone she wants now....she could marry someone who actually cares about her.....someone that is loyal to the crown and will never act out of his own ambition.....she could have anyone, she always had that choice, I never wanted to take it from her....so...why?"
"Baelon..." Helaena said, "I....I do not kno-"
"I want you." Rhaenyra said suddenly
I looked at Rhaenyra, "What?"
"I admit it." She said softly, "I want you."
"You want me?" I said, "Y-You want me?"
"I was willing to live the rest of my wretched life knowing that I will never have you, Baelon." Rhaenyra told me, "Helaena was meant to have you, not me. The two of you deserve to be happy....to have beautiful children who bring nothing but joy. All while I stand by the side, yearning for the man I could not have."
"Sister..." Helaena said, "Do not speak like that...."
"I wanted to live the rest of my life, being eaten from the inside as I watch from afar....that he lives happily without me..." Rhaenyra said, "Because I deserve that. I don't deserve Baelon, Helaena.....I made a mistake...the choice I made long ago was the reason that day was ruined for you. And in the end, it is Helaena's smile being taken away that made me realize that.....I will regret that for eternity, even after I die....If I could have only seen through his lies....none of this would have happened...."
"N-No, Sister, don't say that." Helaena said shakily, "I never once blamed you.....d-don't.....do not break my heart...."
"It is wrong, I know." She said softly, "For me to have these feelings. But I have them...and they are strong. I want him....but I will never have him....even if this goes through, even if I become his second wife, I will never have him...because he is already yours....Baelon's heart, his love, everything that he stands for.....it's yours, sister. And I will never take that away from you. I cannot.....I do not....."
Helaena let go of my arm and walked over to Rhaenyra, "Sister...." She said as she hugged her, "Stop....."
"I am sorry, my beautiful sister..." Rhaenyra sniffed as tears formed in her eyes, "Everything is my fault..."
"It is not..." Helaena said softly, "Stop speaking like that....."
"But...." She started
"I love you, Sister..." Helaena said, "I would never come to hate you....or resent you.....and neither would Baelon....the two of you need to get along now....if not for yourself, but for me....for the child.....Baelon has always loved you....but maybe the kind of love has changed...maybe he loves me now like he did you in the past....but he still cares for you.....he still adores his sister...."
I sighed, "Helaena..."
"I only wish for you to be happy, Rhaenyra..." Heleana continued, "Even if the Realm is against us, I want you to be happy. I accept you, Rhaenyra, I do....so please...do not speak that way...."
Rhaenyra looked at her, "Helaena..." She said as tears ran down her cheeks, "Nobody deserves such a sweet soul like you...."
"Nobody..."