𝐇𝐎𝐖𝐋 - House of the Dragon

𝐈𝐈.

𝐇𝐎𝐖𝐋

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑: 𝐈𝐈.

- 112 A . C .

King's Landing

Pregnancy had suited Daenys. Everyone said as much, that she had a glow about her, that she looked like a woman grown at just eighteen. She had basked in the attention, all the people who wanted to offer names or tell her that her children would be just as beautiful as herself.

She hates to admit that pregnancy does not suit her cousin Aemma.

Five pregnancies in twice as many years have begun to take their toll. Aemma's cheeks are hollow, her pale hands all skin and bone, and they shake when she reaches to take Jocelyn into her arms. All the same, she smiles at Daenys and notes, "I can only hope mine own babe is half as lovely as her."

"Rhaenyra is the most beautiful girl in the realm," Daenys replies. "You've nothing to worry about. I'm sure your son will be the perfect prince."

"If it is a son," Aemma says, a rueful sort of chuckle slipping past her lips. She smooths her hand along Jocelyn's dark curls, shaking her head. "You all seem so convinced it's a boy, but... I've told Viserys, I can't bear it again. If it's not a boy..."

"If it's not a boy, then you have a daughter, and that's it," Daenys concludes. "I understand. I could not imagine the pains you've suffered, dear cousin. One taste of childbirth was more than enough for me."

"Has Orys begun to ask after an heir?" Aemma asks. "I- - I don't mean to push, so soon after your last child, I only wonder..."

"If all men want the same thing?" Daenys says. "Orys takes his pleasures elsewhere. I suppose he'll come crawling with his tail between his legs when the time comes for me to give him a son."

"I had heard he took one of your maids as his lover," Aemma says. "Has the girl left your service, then?"

"It's not her fault," Daenys replies. "He can be charming when he'd like to be, I cannot fault her for falling for it."

"You can't mean to keep her here?"

"She is a Tyrell, a minor cousin. Her family will disown her if I send her back disgraced. I plan to help her find a husband to keep matters quiet in case she finds herself with child."