Familiarity ||| Jacaerys Velaryon

forty-three

Alyssa and Jace did eventually make it to breakfast. It was a bit cold when they arrived but Alyssa figured not showing up with kiss-bitten lips would be preferable. They could at least try and act modest about their duties.

That day was actually quite tame in comparison. The feast with the boar they'd hunted was happening that evening but otherwise, there was nothing pressing planned for the day.

As a result, Alyssa and Jace spent it together. Blissful after a sinful morning, they decided on a walk in the massive Godswood to cleanse them of their sins. It was one of the prettiest places in Westeros. In Alyssa's very privileged and fortunate life, that Godswood was one of the only things she was envious of. The one in the Red Keep couldn't compare.

Ingenious also. Using the hot springs to warm the guest house and chambers of the Lord. It was amazing being able to be warm even with the cold winters the North had. That was something Alyssa did not envy. Their winters were harsh and she was happy to be anywhere else in Westeros.

And while the happy couple walked along the Godswood and spent their afternoon together happily, Cregan was in a predicament.

He knew she was pregnant. He could see it. But saying it outright felt strange. A Maester would be the best option. Sending one out of the blue would also be strange, however. There could be offence taken if a maester appeared out of nowhere when there was no mention of the princess feeling ill.

Perhaps he could mention something to the prince? Man to man, noticing her behaviour as that of his late wife when she was pregnant. But then that was a whole lot of emotions he liked to keep buried. Cregan stewed on that much through the day. But he was also distracted with making sure everything for the feast was prepared for that evening. He didn't have time to hatch an elaborate plot to somehow force Alyssa to discover she was pregnant.

Besides making them happy, it would mean the end of their tour. If they continued, she'd give birth to a baby somewhere that wasn't King's Landing. And besides, the road wasn't the safest place for a pregnant woman. Especially a woman carrying the future heir to the Iron Throne. Even disregarding the fact that they'd just exited a civil war, the crown always had its enemies. Those enemies didn't care about honour when they murdered pregnant women to get rid of heirs.

By the time he had any free time at all, it was just before the feast. His lords and ladies were gathering and even if he wanted to approach the couple, they were surrounded by nobility trying to garner favour. The absolute worst thing he could've done was approach them in the middle of a crowd; so he didn't.

Jace and Alyssa took it like champs, though, and greeted everyone. They thanked those that had fought in the war with them, apologized to those who'd lost someone, and promised to bring their grievances back to court in King's Landing. Cregan gave up by the time they sat themselves at the head table beside him. He'd just have to say something after the feast or in the morning.

When everyone was sat and mingling, a bit of music to fill the silence, Jace and Alyssa were settled together at the head table. Waiting on the feast to begin, they whispered to one another.
Until Lord Cregan banged his cup on the table, standing from his seat and commanding the attention of the whole room. He intended to make a toast to begin the feast.

"Tonight, we celebrate Prince Jacaerys Targaryen, Prince of Dragonstone and heir to the Iron Throne, and his royal consort, Princess Alyssa Targaryen." Jace and Alyssa bowed their heads as the room clapped for them. Silent thanks to everyone.