Better Than Revenge// Otto Hightower (1)

7. Breech

'The infant is in breech, Your Grace.'

'All attempts to turn the babe have failed.' They told her solemnly so her screams continued she was going to lose another child.

'Do something for her!' Viserys demanded when Mellos told him of Aemma's condition.

"What's happening?" Gaena questioned.

"The baby is in breech princess." Mellos told her.

"That's not good." Gaena agreed seeing the look on Mellos face.

'We've given her as much milk of the poppy as we can without risking the child. Your Queen is a strong woman. She's fighting with all her might, but it may not be enough.' Mellos told them.

"Please keep an eye on Daemon and Rhaenyra." Viserys requested kissing Gaena's head as he left. Viserys left the joust quickly he couldn't lose another chance at a son.

'No!' Aemma screamed out still trying to get the child from her womb.

'Aemma. Aemma... I'm here. I'm here.' Viserys coed coming to her side.

'Help me, please...' Aemma whispered through pained breaths.

'I'm here. It's all right. It's all right.' Viserys coed but men could never understand the pain of labor.

'I don't wanna do this.' Aemma murmured

'You're going to be all right. You're going to be all right.'

+

Metal struck down hard as the contenders were getting violent, lunging from their horses and taking their losses to heart, mutilating their competitors.

'Kill him!'

'And the day grows ugly.'

'I wonder if this is how we should celebrate the birth of our future king.' Gaena mused

' Hm?' Otto hummed leaning towards her.

'With wanton violence.' Gaena clarified.

'It's been 70 years since King Maegor's end.' Rhaenys reminded them 'These knights are as green as summer grass. None have known real war. Their lords sent them to the tourney field with fists full of steel and balls full of seed, and we expect them to act with honor and grace. It's a marvel that war didn't break out at first blood.'

'Mellos.' Viserys exclaimed

'Your Grace. If you would.' Mellos said urging the king away from his wife. 'During a difficult birth, it sometimes becomes necessary for the father... to make an impossible choice.'

'Well, speak it.' Viserys said urgently.

'To sacrifice one... or to lose them both. There is a chance that we can save the child. A technique is taught at the Citadel, which involves cutting directly into the womb to free the infant.' Mellos told him and Viserys listened intently. 'But the resulting blood loss...'

'Seven Hells, Mellos.' Viserys muttered he couldn't sacrifice his wife... could he? 'You can save the child?' Viserys questioned.

'We must either act now or leave it with the gods.' Mellos told him

'Ser Criston Cole will now tilt against Ser Daemon Targaryen, Prince of the City!' they declared and the crowd broke out in cheers as the competitors got ready.

'Viserys.' Aemma questioned in a hazy state.

'Yes?' she looked to him confused as they started to hold her down. ''They're going to bring the babe out now.'

'Mm.' she didn't understand.

'I love you.'

'Ooh.' Her moans and screams amplified. 'What is happening?'

'No, it's all right.' Viserys assured

'No... what is happening? Viserys, what...' Aemma struggled under their tight hold.

'No, it's all right.' Viserys assured.

'Wh-what are you doing?'

'They're going to bring the babe out.' Viserys told her again.

'How are they...'

'It's all right.' He kept repeating trying to convince himself the same thing.

'Viserys, please.'

'It's all right.'

'No, I'm scared. Not in...'

'Don't be scared.' Viserys told her.

'What is happening?'

'Don't be scared. They're going to bring the babe out.' He repeated again and again

'Oh no.' she started to scream as they began to cut into her.

'It's all right. They're going to bring the babe out. '

'No! No! No!' Aemma shouted screaming and gripping at Viserys pelading with him but he wouldn't listen.

'I'm making the first incision.'

'No, no, no! Viserys, no! Please! No, no, no!' she screamed and shouted thrashing in their hold.

'Don't be scared.'

+

''I should check on my brother and Aemma.'' Gaena remarked as she got up. Otto had been teased and tormented by her the entire tournament. He didnt know what came over him but he followed Gaena out of the viewing box.

''Princess,'' he called after her and when Gaena turned around his lips were on hers. He held her face gently to him as their lips mingled. He should have stopped pulled away she was a princess the kings sister but he could not pull himself away.

Gaena had a way of captivating his mind so effortlessly on her part. His hands traveled down her waist as he walked her back into the wall. Her hands wrapped around his neck arching into him her brought a hand down around her leg pulling it up her knee against his hip as his lips traveled down her neck a little breathy moan escaped her lips as a scream echoed down the halls. Her foot dropped to the floor hands fell to her sides as her eyes shifted to aemmas room, a scream echoing down the hall.

''Dont move,'' she requested her lips against his as she walked briskly down the halls. Otto, out of breath, heart pounding leaned against the wall his pants were tight and his heart was purely set on Gaena. He knew it was a crazy thought but she kissed him back held him closer maybe it wasnt so crazy.

''Whats going on!' Gaena declared.

''Argh!'' was all aemma could reply as she screamed out

''Viserys!'' Gaena demanded as they cut open Aemma soon her screams dwindled and blood soaked the bed.