Naerys did not have the fairytale life, nor did she want it. As the youngest child of King Baelon she would be expected to marry and be the dutiful wife. That was not who she was. Naerys had a dark secret that she would never whisper to anyone. That...
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Supper that evening was tense. Nobody spoke and barely anybody looked at each other. Daemon had nearly drowned himself in wine. Frynne sat by Naerys at the table. Naerys had not even touched her food and barely dipped her drink. She felt as if Daemon had slapped her across the face. At first she refused to even sit at the same dinner table as Daemon but she knew her presence would make him squirm like a worm.
"Do ladies and waiting usually sit at the same dinner table as their mistresses?" Mysaria inquired as she drank her wine. Frynne did not say anything. She knew she was not allowed to say anything. Naerys gave a sickeningly sweet smile to the woman.
"Do brothers usually bring their whores to family dinner?" Daemon helped his head. It felt like a hangover was already coming over him. Wait, no. That was just his ego and self respect rotting from his core.
"Enough, Naerys."
"I was not speaking to you." Naerys but back. She didn't even look at her brother and continued her assault on Mysaria. "Now, where is it you are from Mysaria?"
"Essos. I came to Westeros for a better life." Her words struck familiarity with Naerys. Naerys hummed in acknowledgement as she swirled her drink around the chalice. She could tell by Mysaria's body language that she felt extremely uncomfortable.
Good.
"Interesting. Did you run away with my brother because you love him, or because his bed is much nicer than the floors of the whore house?"
"Aemma is dead, Naerys." Naerys snapped her head to her brother. Her face drained of color and she nearly spilled her drink. "Aemma died and I found comfort in Mysaria. The death of my sister by marriage and nephew was gut-wrenching." Naerys set her jaw stiffly and set her drink on the table.
"When someone passes, you bring flowers or a letter of condolence. Not a filthy harlot." Daemon slammed his hands on the table. It shook the dinner table and Naerys follower suite. She dumped her drink across the table and Frynne was quick to grab a cloth. She tried to clean before it reached the floor but it was too late.
Naerys was fuming. She looked more like a dragon than Caraxes at that moment. Her face always red and hot. Her first were clenched on the table so tightly the whites of her knuckles showed.
"You will not talk to my wife in that manner." Daemon pointed his finger in Naerys face. She shook her head in disbelief and jolted forward as she yelled in his face.
"She is your whore!"
"And you are nothing but a Bastard! But I took you in and gave you a place to stay, a safe harbor!" Naerys felt as if Daemon had shoved a blade straight into her chest. She stared at Daemon, possibly examining it for any sign of guilt. She could not seek it out and her heart dropped.
This was not the Daemon who had a hand in raising her. This was a shell of a man. She did not know if his lust for the crown had became so insatiable he was crazed or if he was simply showing his true colors. His eyes were tired.
"I see you are an expert in picking up strays." Naerys grabbed at her skirts and turned to leave the dining room. She had expected Daemon to be following her, right on her heels like a pup. When she turned to look over her shoulder it was Frynne that was close behind. Her kind eyes and the hand guiding the Princess out of the room was the only comfort Naerys had. Daemon dropped back in his chair and covered his face with his hands.
Mysaria reached to touch his arm but he jerked away. He did not seek her touch. He sought the touch of another. Someone who he could never have. Mysaria removed her hand from Daemon and placed her hands into her lap, dropping her head.
Frynne hushed Naerys sobs as they approached their conjoined room. When the door closed behind them, Naerys released her emotions into Frynne's chest. The older woman simply held her, rocking on the heels of her feet as a comforting gesture. "I have you."
Naerys did not speak. She tried to hush her cries enough so it was not evident to others that she was breaking. It was not working very well. Naerys and Frynne sat on the edge of Naerys bed. Frynne continued to just hold the woman, squeezing her own eyes shut as she felt every ounce of Naerys pain.
"Why would he do this to me? Why?" Frynne did not have any answer to that question. She was more sure if there would ever be an answer. Frynne stroked back Naerys hair, lifting the girls head so she could look at her properly. "I'm sorry, you deal with far too much from me."
"That is my duty. Not as your servant, but as your friend." Naerys tilted her head into Frynne's hand and finally smiled. "Tell me about Aemma while I prepare the bath." Naerys sat up as Frynne began the bath for her. She slowly stripped of her clothing while she spoke.
"Aemma was the kindest woman I've ever met. Her daughter Rhaenyra was my best friend. Aemma treated me like her own daughter." Naerys rubbed her round belly. "I wish to be half the mother she was." Naerys stood and held onto the bed frame for balance. Her legs felt weak as she walked to the bath. Frynne was waiting with a robe for her to wear while the water warmed.
Naerys carefully sat on the stool by the bath. Frynne added honey and the sweetest oils she could find. The fire beneath the tub burned large and hot. Naerys had once called it a human soup pot.
"She sounds like an amazing Lady." Frynne placed her hand in the water to test the temperature. "Come." Frynne helped the unsteady Naerys into the water. The young girl hissed at the hot temperature. It was hotter than Lighthries scales when she stroked him. It was just enough to loosen the taunt muscles in her back and turn her skin a light shade of red. Frynne guided her into the water the handmaidens had prepped beforehand.
"Daemon will regret the way he speaks to me." Naerys sunk low into the bath, the water right below her nose. "He does not deserve to meet my child." Naerys fingers circled around her belly button. Frynne carefully unbraided Naerys hair so she could wash the long silver locks.
"I figured a bath would calm your nerves. But I see you are still angry, rightfully so." Naerys laughed and laid her head against the edge of the tub. Frynne carefully poured water from Naerys scalp and used her fingers to massage the Princess' roots. "Give him time. Men tend to think with their loins and ego more than women."
"My brother should be cast rated. Maybe then he will realize the pain he has caused so many women." Naerys had heard of how many whores his brother had bedded. But never had he dared to bring one home. Many fawned over the Rouge Prince.
There was a knock on Naerys door and both women startled. Frynne stood with a towel in her hands. She gave a look to Naerys before cracking the door open just enough to see who was on the other side. There stood Daemon, appearing as if he had been beaten and defeated. Frynne nearly just shut the door in his face but Daemon shoved his boot into the crack. "If you do not open this door, I will break it off of its hinges. I suggest you move."
Naerys heard this conversation and quickly stood from the bath. She was dripping and naked, still standing in the water. "Open it. Let him see what he has done."
"Your grace."
"Frynne, please." The maiden was hesitant but opened the door for Naerys older brother. Daemon opened his mouth to no doubt say an apology but when he took in Naerys naked, dripping, pregnant form he froze. Her belly was round with child. His child. Her breast were bigger and she had finally filled in her curves. She looked miserable. Daemon wanted to tear his eyes away but he couldn't.
"Is it mine?" Naerys rolled her eyes. The first words he spoke to her were accusations. Frynne rushed to cover Naerys shaking body back with the robe. The silver haired woman hugged the robe tighter around her and carefully stepped outside of the tub.
