Breakbones and the Dragonrider

Chapter 31

As Rhaenyra watched Alicent hold Daeron, she recognized something in her that she hadn't seen for many years. A glimmer of her old friend flashed before her eyes. As if she felt Rhaenyra's eyes on her, Alicent looked up, and the two held each other's gaze. Between them passed something of recognition—mother to mother, a kind of respect. A pang of regret shot through Rhaenyra, and she wished things had not turned out so.

She wished that the babe in Alicent's arms weren't her half brother. She wished that Alicent had been able to marry some lord, and that Alicent and Rhaenyra's children could have played together. But now there was too much bitterness and resentment between them. After it had been decided that Alicent would marry Viserys, every interaction between them had felt like some kind of insult or transgression. It was difficult to keep them all straight. Now, years later, Rhaenyra knew there was likely no turning back the tides.

A small gathering had formed in the gardens to greet the young prince, and congratulate the King and Queen on the birth of their son. Alicent sat in a padded chair holding Daeron, and the rest of court ate and drank, coming to Alicent and Viserys in their own time to give their well wishes to them.

As if guided by some invisible hand, Rhaenyra stepped forward, hoping to offer even the slightest of gestures. "May I?" Rhaenyra asked, indicating to Daeron. Alicent blinked in surprise, and her mouth hung open a moment. With Viserys seated next to her, Alicent couldn't say no. With mixed feelings, she shifted and held Daeron out for Rhaenyra to take.

When Daeron was safely in Rhaenrya's arms, Alicent watched as Rhaenyra rocked her little brother from side to side. Viserys beamed, glad of the sight before him. Rhaenyra smiled down at Daeron and cooed at him. For a moment it warmed Alicent's heart, but as she caught her father's eye from across the garden, she remembered what he'd told her once. And at that, her resentment rushed in like water under a door.

Could Rhaenyra do it? Would she really put her half siblings to the sword?

Alicent looked back up at Rhaenyra, who murmured to Daeron in Valyrian. Rhaenyra was a mother now, and Daeron was only days old.

"Another prince born to the realm in such a short time," a voice said from beside Otto. Otto looked to his right, and it was Larys Strong who approached him, leaning heavily on his cane. Otto swallowed, and looked back at Princess Rhaenyra, who held his grandson. "A joyous occasion."

"Indeed," Otto said dismissively. He had been allowed back in King's Landing to celebrate the birth of Prince Daeron, and he had reluctantly returned. It was the tone of Alicent's latest letter that had swayed his decision.

"Two children born of Targaryen blood, yet they couldn't look any more dissimilar," Larys said thoughtfully. Otto looked over at Larys, who didn't even bother to hide the amusement on his face.

"Clearly Prince Jacaerys favors his grandmother, Princess Rhaenys," Otto said gruffly. "Or perhaps Rodrik Arryn, though the relation is less close."

Larys gave a small hum of amusement, and looked in the direction of Alicent and Rhaenyra. "Did you receive my raven?" he asked, cutting through even more pretense.

Otto shot a glance over to Larys again. "I'm sure I don't know of what you speak..." he said quietly. He lowered his voice even more, and continued. "And if I did, I would take care not to discuss it so openly."

Larys nodded. "Perhaps then we should find a moment to speak in private."

Otto sighed and looked back at his daughter. His foolish, weak daughter, who had done nothing in his absence to secure Aegon's inheritance. And here was Larys Strong... who, if his missive was to be believed, had tried to fix that himself. The cutthroats he had sent after Rhaenyra had failed, and Rhaenyra was able to have a son. Though Larys had failed, he had done more than Alicent had so far.