As a child, you would wait and watch from far away
But you always knew that you'd be the one
That work while they all play
In youth, you'd lay awake at night and scheme
Of all the things that you would change
But it was just a dream
Here we are, don...
Raina stood, gazing out at the sea. It had been years since her last visit to Dragonstone, and memories of her father still lingered in her mind. As she watched her dragons soar through the sky, a smile formed on her face.
"Raina, you have a letter," her grandfather called out. She made her way to the room where everyone was gathered.
Taking the letter, Raina unfolded it and began to read. Her grandfather was urging her to return to kings landing without delay.
"It's nothing," she replied dismissively. Her grandfather understood not to press further. Raina had been in a terrible mood lately, feeling unwell throughout the day. He wondered if there was someone special in her life. He knew she wouldn't just settle for any random person; she didn't look at her brothers that way. She hadn't been to King's Landing, so it couldn't be her uncles. There was only one other person that came to mind.
Everyone had noticed the undeniable connection between Raina and Daemon. Even Rhaenyra, couldn't ignore the way they acted around each other—the lingering looks, the subtle touches, the whispered words, the teasing. But they all chose to ignore it, pretending like it wasn't happening. They knew that if Raina were to become pregnant, they could no longer turn a blind eye to their feelings. It wouldn't be like the first time.
Raina glanced at Daemon, her heart full of mixed emotions, before turning to her brothers with a smile. They held each other, smiling back at her. But as she walked away, a wave of nausea washed over her, and she instinctively placed her hand on her belly.
"Are you alright?" Daemon's concerned voice broke through her thoughts. He had noticed something was amiss. Raina met his gaze, realizing that he knew exactly what was happening. It had been a while since her last moon cycle, and she had visited the maesters that morning to confirm her suspicions. She was unsure of what to do next, feeling overwhelmed and uncertain.
"We have a... problem," Raina said, her voice filled with worry. He looked at her, confusion etched on his face. His eyes followed the direction of her hand on her belly, and suddenly his heart began to race. "What are we going to do?" she asked, her voice trembling with a thousand questions. His mind was overwhelmed with thoughts. What would they do? He was overjoyed about the child, but the prospect of living a life as a bastard posed challenges. How could they possibly fix this?
"Marry me," he blurted out, the words escaping his lips before he could fully comprehend the weight they carried. Raina's eyes widened in disbelief as they met his gaze. He could hardly believe he had just proposed, but he knew deep down that he loved the young woman standing before him, and not in a fatherly way.
"But you're married," she responded, her tone filled with a mix of surprise and sadness. "And to my mother."
"Rhaenyra has never truly been a mother to you, Raina," he replied honestly. It was true; what kind of mother sends her five-month-old child away to be raised elsewhere? Their relationship had always been more like friends than mother and daughter. "We all need to talk. We can figure this out," he suggested, hoping she would understand the complexity of the situation. Raina nodded, signaling her agreement.
"There is something else," Raina said, her voice filled with trepidation. "Wyrion, he's not Kol's," she revealed, her gaze shifting towards him.
"Whose child is he?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.
"Aegon," she replied, nodding, her eyes flickering down to her belly. "I told him to stop, but he didn't listen," she confessed, her voice laced with a mix of frustration and sadness. He stepped closer to her, running his fingers gently down her face.
"We will figure this out," he assured her, determination shining in his eyes. "I will not let our child be labeled a bastard. I don't care what anyone says," he declared firmly.
"What about Rhaenyra?" she asked. "What about what she says?"
"We will bid farewell to the Lord and Lady, and then we will confront her," he replied, shaking his head. "I can take two wives if need be. It has been done before," he added, trying to reassure her. Raina nodded and walked off
"Raina," her grandfather called out as she approached him. He now held Wyrion in his arms. She moistened her lips and took a seat beside him. "Are you alright?" he inquired, concern etched on his face.
"I'm with child," she revealed, her voice filled with a mix of emotions. He looked at her, realization dawning upon him. The gods, he thought, how did he not know?
"What will you do?" he asked, his voice filled with concern. Raina shook her head and met his gaze.
"I will figure it out," she replied with determination. Her gaze shifted, and she continued, "I'm going to be the heir to the throne. When that happens, Leuk will receive Driftmark," she explained. Her grandfather looked at her, silently pondering her words.
"And if she doesn't make you the heir?" he questioned, his eyes falling upon the slumbering baby in his arms.
"She will have to," Raina declared firmly. "If she names me as her heir, the children I have can marry hers or those of my brothers. Either way, she will sit on the throne, and I, along with our children, will follow in her footsteps," she explained, her voice filled with conviction. With that, she stood and walked towards the window, lost in her thoughts.
"Either way, she will get what she wants," Raina said with a hint of resignation. "And I will get what I want if she doesn't want a war to erupt within the Targaryen house," she added, her voice filled with determination.
"There will already be a war within the Targaryen house," her grandfather acknowledged. "But going against you, Raina... She is smarter than that," he remarked, his voice tinged with concern. Raina turned to look at him, her expression questioning.
"Is she?" she retorted. "I would hope so. It's my right to be the heir, being my father's only true child. And if I have to, I will use that against her," she stated firmly, her gaze fixed on the world beyond the window.
"Will you marry him?" her grandfather suddenly asked, causing Raina to hum inquisitively. "Daemon," he clarified. "It has become quite apparent what has been happening between the two of you. Well, I've known for a while now," he admitted.
"That's because you know me," Raina replied with a small smile. "We have talked, and he is willing to take me as his second wife," she explained. Her grandfather averted his gaze, clearly conflicted.
"You are willing to marry your mother's husband?" he asked, his voice filled with a mix of disbelief and concern. Raina didn't look directly at him but spoke with conviction.
"She has never been a mother to me, grandfather," she said softly. "We both know who I consider my true mother," she added. Her grandfather nodded in understanding.
"Whatever happens, Raina, whether it's good or bad, you can always come home," he assured her. "We will be here for you," he said with sincerity. Raina's smile widened, and she walked towards him, enveloping him in a warm hug.
~~~ ↓
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