I Think He Knows // Viserys Targaryen

13. Butterflies

Alisha loved being a mum. She loved Aegon and Helaena and got to know some tricks for parenting while she raised them but a baby was different.

The staff said they would tend to Aemond. He would have a wet nurse and she not worry but Alisha shook her head. No no no. This was her baby. She wasnt letting anyone else near him that she didnt trust completely.

Alisha decided that criston was a great guy. She never had brothers or sisters but she had begun to think of Criston as a brother.

Criston liked this new Alicent, she was more affectionate than she used to be. If he didnt know how in love Alisha was with Viserys he would think that Alisha was making a move on him. 

She held delicately to his arm leaning into him, she liked eye contact, something criston didnt recall about the queen before, in fact she never looked anyone in the eyes. 

Alishas gran always said that eye contact was a sign of respect. Letting the person know you are focused on them, that they have your attention, to many people are fiddling with their fingers, pulling on their clothes, you must be respectful. No matter your standing in the world, we are all the same in here. Alisha could still feel her grans hand tap her chest. 

Just bone and meat and flesh, Gran reminded her. We all live and we all die, no one is better or worse than anyone else. Alisha thought Alicent might have liked Gran, she certainly would have learned a lot from Gran. 

"Come on Aegon, Aemond is fast asleep but he wont be for long." Alisha realized. "Lets make some breakfast." Aegon jumped up eager to help. 

She whisked the milk, the eggs, flour, making a paste, she added more water and Aegon watched her sprinkle in vanilla beans and some other little powders he was intrigued by her creation already. 

"Okay, can you help me mix?" Alisha questioned pressing a kiss to the top of his head. 

"Yes!" Aegon agreed somehow within a moment of grabbing the whisk Aegon had batter on his face and in his hair. Alisha laughed out. 

"You silly boy, you are going to need a bath after breaking fast." Alisha decided. Helaena ran in a big smile on her face. "Maybe we can make a butterfly pancake for you my little love." Alisha suggested. Helaena didnt know what a pancake was but turn it into a butterfly? Yes please. 

"Okay my love, time to pour." Alisha took a little ladle and scooped some batter onto the hot pan. "Now you must always be careful in the kitchen, it can be dangerous, lots of things that are hot and sharp." 

"Hot." Helaena repeated. 

"I know mama, I'm a big kid." Aegon reminded her. At five Aegon was a big kid in his mind but he was Alisha's baby, he was short, because he was five, but he still strut around with the knights acting the part. Then he would come back to Alisha giggling. Telling him that he was following around Ser Harwin or ser Erryk, or Ser Criston. He would be laughing like he did something bad following the knights but Alisha would just smile and kiss his perfect little face. 

"You see how the batter is bubbling?" Alisha questioned as Aegon peered over. "You see it? That means The pancakes are ready to flip. Can you help me?"

"Yeah!" Aegon agreed and she helped him flip it. 

Helaena got a deformed, broken winged butterfly pancake on her plate, she stared back at Aegon as he munched at her the wing. 

"You ruined it!" Helaena declared. 

"No I didnt." Aegon corrected. 

"He's not perfect." Helaena corrected factually.

"You are going to eat him Hela, it doesnt have to be perfect." Aegon corrected. 

"Mama!" Helaena begged. 

"I will make you a new one," Alisha assured. "But no need to raise our voices my loves."  Viserys peered in as they cooked, Alisha wiped Aegon's face as they cooked. She hummed a little tune and Viserys couldnt help but think this wasnt his wife, she was too good to be true. Alisha looked up when she noticed him and smiled.

"Are you hungry Viserys?" Alisha questioned. He moved to her as she flipped a pancake. "Aegon and Helaena helped a lot, right kiddos?"

"I helped!" Aegon agreed. 

"I eat." Helaena answered as Alisha put a butterfly shaped pancake in front of Helaena she squealed with delight. 

"I can make you a... I'm really good at butterflies apparently," Alisha mused. "You want me to make you a butterfly pancake too?" 

Instead of answering he pulled her into a warm and delicate kiss.