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On the third day of summer the following year, Daella found herself on her birthing bed.
She had birthed twins, one a boy, Aenys, with white hair and bright violet eyes. The other a girl, Aemma, with white hair and dark violet eyes.
Her maid, Annalie, had looked down sadly at Aemma, who was the spitting image of her father.
But Aenys was the spitting image of Daella. The only thing separating them was his hair and eyes.
Daella lay in bed that night, staring out of the window by the side of her bed. She longed to have her mother by her side, but the raven was sent just after the birth.
"Are you all right?" A voice asked from the door, causing her head to snap toward it. She smiled tiredly as she saw Helaena.
Helaena closed the door behind her and went to Daella's bedside. "They gave me milk of the poppy."
Helaena nodded before glancing over to the two cradles. "Would you like to see them?" Daella asked as she struggled to push herself up to sit.
Helaena's hands shot out to keep Daella on the bed. "Stay here and rest." Daella sighed as she leaned back onto her pillows.
She turned her head as Helaena moved toward the cradles. Helaena looked softly at the babies before turning to look at Daella.
"They are beautiful, are they not?" Daella asked as Helaena walked back to the bed, hands clasped in front of her.
"You should rest. I will return at first light." Helaena told her as Daella held her hand out. "Thank you for being here." Helaena gently took Daellas hand before smiling.
"I should go," Helaena told her, finally letting go of her hand. Daella watched on with a faint smile as Helaena left.
Her head turned back to the window as her last thought before sleeping was her mother.
The following day she woke to the screams of her babies. But they soon quieted as she opened her eyes to see the wet nurses beside the cradles.
Her head turned to see Helaena sitting beside her bed. "Annalie brought you some food," Helaena told her, leaning over to help Daella, who was trying to sit up.
Daella smiled gratefully at her friend as Helaena put the tray over her legs. On the plate were two pieces of bread with some meat. A bowl was on the left with some soup.
The cup she already knew held milk of the poppy. She picked one of the pieces of bread up and held it out to Helaena. "I can not eat alone, Hel."
Helaena smiles before taking the bread from her. Daella then moves on to her bowl of soup. She smiles as it warms her up. She had not eaten since before the birth.
"Are you all right?" Asked a voice from the door. Helaena and Daella turned to look at the entrance to see Queen Alicent.
Throughout the birth, she was taken aback as the Queen sat by her. The Queen never left her side during the pregnancy and delivery.
The Queen moved over to the end of the bed. She scowled at the plate as she said, "Shall I have the servants make something better?" Daella shook her head, replying, "I quite like this."
The Queen nodded slowly with a faint smile, "Your mother should be here any moment." Daella's eyes widen as her smile grows, "Mother."
The Queen leans over and pats Daellas leg. "Enjoy your meal. Helaena, would you join me?" The Queen asked, causing Helaena to look between Daella and her mother.
Daella gave her an assuring smile before Helaena hesitantly stood. "I will be back for supper." She tells Daella, who nods with a soft smile.
"Would you like to hold them?" one of the wet nurses asks, turning with the baby. Daella nods as another maid takes the tray from her lap.
In her left arm was Aenys, as her right held Aemma. She smiled at them, whispering, "I will always keep you safe, I promise."
