The Beauty That You Are

Se Gevives Bona Ao Issi

The day it was announced that my sister, Alicent, was to be married to King Viserys, I was distraught. It is a memory that plays continuously through my mind. I remember keeping my feet planted on the firm ground of the floor of the King's Courtroom, for if I hadn't, I would've collapsed out of shock. Rhaenyra's face fell as she heard the news. Her eyes, once fueled by the fire of the dragon, were extinguished. She attempted to keep up a smile, but I saw through her facade. My sister's marriage to the King collapsed the once childlike friendship the three of us had, into one filled with false hopes and snide comments. I was filled with a hatred for my sister that I had never felt before, yet, here I am. Ten years later, I am a cupbearer for the King, the Queen, and their council members. King Viserys called for a council meeting today, just in case anyone had any issue to bring forth. As the members walk in and take their seats, I walk around the table setting down elegant silver-coated wine cups to the right of each member. I then walk over to a wooden table that stood behind Rhaenyra's seat and took the bottle of wine. I started with the King, filling his cup with the finest of wine then poured my sister a cup, and so forth.

It had been mere days since Rhaenyra gave birth to her third son, Joffrey Velaryon. Yet, due to her stubbornness, she decided to sit for her father's council meeting today, for she had finally been promoted from cupbearer to a council member. A promotion she had pined for since she was a teen. I have always admired Rhyaenyra's strong will. If I were in her heels, I wouldn't want to sit in a hard, wooden chair in a room full of mostly men who cannot come up with a solution to anything. Yet there she was, looking beautiful as ever in her grey, floor-length gown with her long silver hair draping down her back. She sat there swirling the spherical crystal embedded in a slab made of stone, her mind wondering. I stood to the right of my sister as she sat in her seat. The sunlight oozed from the sheer curtains at the entryway from the balcony, casting a light on the right side of my emerald green gown. I stood in silence with my hands held behind my back. My gaze went back and forth from the sheer curtains to the stone floor, back to Rhaenyra. I am not truly listening to what's being said in this room today. Most voices go through one ear and out the other. That is until King Viserys and other members of his council stood from their seats.

My attention was immediately directed to the others in the room. I tensed for a moment until I heard Rhaenyra's, "Wait, I wish to speak." King Viserys pauses before telling the others to be seated and they follow the King's orders, except for Alicent and Rhaenyra. I stood my ground, looking cautiously between the two of them. Rhaenyra beings to apologize for any offense she feels she may have caused and proposes that she and Alicent betroth their two children, Jace and Haelena. I smile at the proposition, thinking it was a grand idea. Alicent shook her head and kept looking at Rhaenyra with a face of disbelief. As Rhaenyra began speaking of Syrax, I looked at the grey cape that covered her matching gown. It was beginning to stain from lactation. My sister noticed as well, as she looked down at the table and back up to Rhaenyra. "Rhaenyra," she said, her voice low, and looked down at her grey cape, signaling to Rhaenyra to look down as well. She does, noticing the stain, and covers herself. The other council members grow uncomfortable and the room becomes silent. Rhaenyra sits back down with her hands on her chest. "The King and I thank you for your offer and we will consider it duly. You must rest now, husband." Alicent says, all in one breath. She then goes over to King Viserys, her hand on his shoulder. He stands up and he and Alicent make their way out, along with the other members. The room is now empty. It is just Rhaenyra and me. I finally get the courage to move. I swiftly reach Rhaenyra, placing my hand on her left arm. "Come, princess. Let me help you." She looks up at me and laces her left arm around mine. Her right arm still covering her chest.

We had reached Rhaenyra's chambers. The confused and judgemental looks that were thrown our way were the last thing on my mind. My top priority was helping the Princess. Once inside her chambers, I walk her over to her large cushioned chair that sat in front of the fireplace. She begins to unlace her arm from mine as she takes a seat. My hands stay hovering around her bicep just in case she needs me. Once she is fully sat, she huffs, looks up at me, and smiles. Her dimples are prominent. She is exhausted, I can tell, but I shoot a smile back at her. A genuine smile. "Give me one moment, Princess. I will get you something for the pain." I turn away and walk off to get a clean towel, a bowl, and some hot water. I fill the bowl with hot water and tuck the folded towel between my arm and my side. I reach Rhaenyra once again and gently set the water-filled bowl on the cluttered table next to her, careful not to spill any water. I pull the towel out from the crevice of my arm and submerge it in the warm water. I move it around a few times to make sure the rag is drenched. "You do not have to address me as Princess. I believe we are passed that" I hear her say. I look back at her and she's got her head tilted to the side, gaze meeting mine. I exhale, "I know, but I believe it is polite of me to address such a strong woman by her title." Her lips curl into a smile, as do mine. I turn my attention back to the task at hand. Once the towel is saturated, I slowly pull it out of the bowl. I take both my hands to wring it out, the bowl beneath it catching any water that seeps out. I then hold the towel up to let it unfold, just to fold it back up to the desired size. Once I have the warm towel folded, I step over to Rhaenyra. She unbuttoned her cape and pushed it out of the way. I set the towel over her chest with gentle hands, being mindful of my movements. "This will help with the pain until the milk dries up," I say to her as she covers the towel with the cape and holds her hands to her chest.

Rhaenyra sighed in relief and closed her eyes, leaning her head back to rest on the back of the chair. Her shoulder's relaxed and she looked less tense. I look behind me and decide to sit in the chair opposite her. I sigh as I sit back and admire her. The sunlight that shines through the room casts a beautiful light on her pale skin. She looks at ease. No stresses in her mind, no worries about the rumors that slink in the halls of the castle. I long to keep it that way. I long to make her happy. Rhaenyra slowly opens her eyes. Her eyelashes fluttering against one another, "You're staring again. Not that I mind. I have noticed that you are doing it much more often though." Her voice is flirtatious. I smirk and open my mouth to speak but before I can, she cuts me off, "I felt your gaze on me all throughout my father's meeting. I will admit, it was nice to feel a gaze that wasn't one of judgment." My smile falls. She looks down and shakes her head in disbelief before leaning her head back, and looking up at the ceiling. I stood up and walked over to her, crouching down beside her seat. I place my hands on the arm of the chair. The fireplace behind me cast a warm sensation against my back. My sudden movements alert her and she looks down at me. Those luminous blue eyes meet mine. I am always left breathless when I look into her eyes. I feel as though those blue orbs are the waters of Driftmark. Cold, callous, yet warm at the same time. Inviting, even. "Rhaenyra," She looks down at me, her blonde eyebrows raising in concern. "I need you not to worry about what the people of King's Landing think of you. What they might think means nothing." She smiles and moves her right arm off of her chest to place her hand on my cheek. My eyes flutter shut, marinating in the feeling of her soft, warm hand on my skin. I open my eyes, and my gaze met hers, "What do you think of me?" her voice is soft.

I look up at her quizzically, her thumb now skimming up and down the side of my face. "You said I need not worry about what these people think of me, but I must know, what do you think of me, my love?" Her voice wavers. Those ocean eyes fill with tears. Almost as if the ocean is at high tide. I adjust my body to sit a little higher, "I think you are the most beautiful woman in all of the Seven Kingdoms." She rolls her eyes and scoffs as she hides a smirk. "I do not jest Rhaenyra. You are beyond beautiful. Your hair runs down your back as a waterfall runs down a mountainside. Your eyes are as blue as the oceans of Driftmark. Your smile warms my chest and my face as if I were drunk off of the finest of wines. You are as beautiful as Mother Nature and as strong as Vhagar herself. I have always thought highly of you, Rhaenyra. I always have and I always will. Until I am cold in my grave." Tears begin to stream gently down her face. My vision begins to go blurry as tears fill my eyes. I have never felt this much love and passion for another person before, but Gods forbid I don't express how I feel. Rhaenyra attempts to look down to hide her tears. I sit up on my knees to stabilize myself and move my hands up to her face. I begin to wipe her tears away. She smiles down at me and I smile back up at her. We gaze into each other's eyes for what feels like an eternity. I finally reach up and clasp my hands on her tear-stained cheeks. I close my eyes and my lips meet hers. It was a simple kiss. Closed lips meet closed lips yet mold together like two missing puzzle pieces. I pull back, my eyes still closed and our faces mere centimeters away. I could live within her presence for the rest of my days if the Gods allowed it. "I love you, Rhaenyra Targaryen."