(Baelon's POV)
"We do not choose who we love, Baelon." Helaena told me as she gently rubbed my back, "It is a cruel truth."
I sighed, "Is that so?"
She leaned against my shoulder, "I understand your concern..." She said softly, "I understand your feelings. I am so sorry that it has come to this. I know that you see me and only me. I know that you were so angry that everything had to happen the way it did....."
I closed my eyes, "There is not much we can do now...." I said, "It is over now."
"Yes..." she said, "It is.....and I am sorry for trying to trivialize your emotions. I love you so much, I would never do something like that again. Everything you do is for me, I understand that. And the reason I wish to bear your child, to give you one, is because no matter how you act, I know that it is the one thing you want the most. You want to have a child, a child that I give you."
I looked at her, her beautiful eyes, "Helaena..." I said, "Do you know how many people I have killed?"
She blinked, "Eh?"
"How many lives I have taken, do you know?" I asked her
"I...I do not...." She started
"Neither do I." I said as I looked back ahead, "I have killed, I have taken lives, I have set men ablaze. All for the sake of the Realm, the Crown, and our Family. I never once thought twice about it, because I felt that I was doing what was right. Everything I do is for the sake of someone that is not me."
"It is a duty we must do." She told me, "It is not an easy one. I understand, Baelon. I know that if you could avoid it, you will. But if it is not, you have no choice but to go that route."
"I burnt Skagos down for the sake of our people." I told her, "I went to Essos and burned an entire fleet down, killed men who were running for their lives, and threatened the lives of those who were on the sidelines. All for the sake of our Family's safety. Our enemies think they can walk up to our doorstep and do as they please? I will not allow it."
"I know, love...." She said softly, "I know."
I know she was just letting me speak.
"And I will do it all over again if it means protecting my Family. If it means protecting you." I told her, "Because you are everything to me. Do you hear me, Helaena? You are everything to me. How is any of this supposed to make me feel? I felt insulted, I felt like I was spat on...I...well, it does not matter....."
"Baelon...." She said
"Rhaenyra will get what she wants." I sighed, "And I will have no choice but let it happen and be alright with it because you have accepted it. I cannot bring myself to cast her away because deep down, I still care deeply for her. She and I, we are blood.....she is my sister, she is our sister. It angers me that she had gone through all those horrible things and when I think about the possibility of you going through the same, my blood boils even more.....I cannot stand it, Helaena....the thought of you being alone without me...I know that you will be in despair and I will not allow it...."
I felt her hand on my cheek as she turned my face to her, "My love...." She said, "It is over. The threat has passed. You have made sure of that. But listen to me, Baelon. Whatever happens, know that I am with you. We will go through with it because our duty demands it. I am sorry for delaying my duty for so long but I am ready now."
"There is nothing to be sorry about." I said softly, "I would never force you to do this."
"I know." she said, "But I want it.....now.."
"Thank you." I leaned in closer to her and kissed her on the nose, "You are the most beautiful woman in the world.....and I want nobody else....."
"I love you so much." She said, "I look forward to giving birth to your son."
"Son....?" I said with a raised eyebrow
She smiled, "Yes..." she said, "I have dreamt it...it is a son that I give you."
"Is that so?" I asked with a chuckle, "Well...."
"Thank you."
*************
I was sitting down in the chair in my chambers, looking at the candles in front of me. I leaned against my arm as several thoughts filled my head. I did not think that everything would come to this, everything that was happening.
Just last night, we had dinner with everyone present. It was a rather quiet and somewhat awkward dinner but Aegon was there to lighten the mood up a bit, especially since the news of Heleana bearing my child was officially announced.
I was still thinking of the conversation we had with Rhaenyra.
I did not like it still, the fact that it was going to happen. But her words could not leave my head.
This whole time, she wanted me. Why would she want me of all people? A foolish man who recklessly went after the life of her husband?
I would never understand it. But Helaena is right; we don't choose who we love.
She is right about that.
But I love her, I love Helaena. That will not change at all.
I heard the door open and the slight clanking of armor, "My Prince." I heard Ser Harold's voice, "The Lady Aemma."
I nodded, "Let her in."
"Uncle...." I heard Aemma's voice, "Are you busy?"
"No, sweet child." I shook my head, "What is it?"
I could hear her footsteps as she slowly walked over to me. I was still looking at the candles, deep in my own thoughts.
"I...." She said softly, "I have heard of what happened....the news.....well, the other one...."
"Hm...." I said, "About your Mother and I?"
"Y-Yes...." She said, "Well, I-"
"I want you to know that whatever that person said, it was not true." I cut her off, still not looking at her, "Your Mother and I never had any relationship, not like that. I would never do such a thing to my wife."
"I know!" She said suddenly, "Gods, I know it is not true.....You are not that kind of person, Uncle....I just...I am sorry for ever doubting you...."
"You? Sorry?" I asked
"Well, for a few seconds, I almost believed it." She said, "I just....it was all so much to process....I....well, I-"
"What are you being sorry for?" I asked with a frown, "Aemma.....I killed your Father...in front of you.....if anyone has to be sorry, it has to be me."
"He was not my father." Aemma said suddenly
I looked at her, "what?"
"No Father of mine kills my beloved brothers..." She said, tears in her eyes, "He was a monster.....who did not care for anybody but himself.....I see that now....."
"Aemma...." I said, "You....."
"I love my Mother." She said as she walked closer to me, "Is it so wrong for me to feel joy when I heard that Grandsire will marry her off to you? It matters not to me that she will be a second wife, but so long as she is safe and happy, I will be happy...."
"Well..." I said, "I do not like it."
"I am sorry for that. You must have your feelings on that matter...." She said as she patted my shoulder, "But things are changing, I can tell."
"Right...." I said, "They are...."
"You are going to be a father." She said with a smile, "You will give me cousins, right?"
"Y-Yes..." I said, "I hope so."
She leaned in and kissed me on the cheek, "I love you, Uncle. You are a very special person to me." She said, "I know that you love our Family so much that you are willing to destroy armies for us. I could not have asked for a stronger person to care about me so much...I hope that no matter what happens, we are always on good terms...."
"Aemma...." I said
"I was named after your Mother..." She said as she hugged my neck, her voice getting shaky, "I hope I can live up to my grandmother's name....I...."
I hugged her back with one arm, "My sweet niece...." I said, "You have grown so much....I am sorry for everything....I promise....from now on....."
"Our Family will be as happy as we could be."