Dragons Fight, Little Light

Chapter 3

Eraena

Eraena found little sleep that night. Her mind wondered if her uncle was saying the truth or was just trying to get a rise from her. Was she thought of as the promiscuous princess of Dragonstone? Well, she knew that many knew of her ventures to the village near the keep in Dragonstone but she did no wrong other than sneaking out. Eraena lay and stared at the ceiling trying to convince herself she had not done anything wrong. The realm already saw her as a bastard, she fear that they would also see her as a whore, even though her honor stayed intact. Eraena groaned and covered her head with a pillow.

When morning came, Eraena was groggy from the lack of sleep, though the bath drew for her helped her wake. "What dress will it be today princess?" Lyn asked and Eraena thought for a moment. "That one," She pointed to a dress of strong blue that fashioned her skills in embroidery once more. A chain of sapphires hung around her waist, the latest gift her father had given her.

Eraena ventured into the halls of the keep with a box in her hands. She headed towards her Aunt's apartments. "Princess Eraeana, your Highnesses." The girl tried to hide her distaste when she saw Aemond. The prince had caused quite the commotion last night, why could he not let a wholesome family moment be? Eraena licked her lips and turned to Helaena with a small smile on her lips. "Good morning," She greeted and headed towards the princess. "Oh Eraena, so good of you to visit me," the princess smiled. "Of course, and I came bearing gifts," Eraena placed the box on a nearby table which Helaena made her way to. "Open it," she said and smiled at the look of giddiness Helaena was trying to surpass. "Oh my," she whispered. "I had the resident entomologist in Dragonstone curate a collection for you of rare insects that only inhabit the island," Eraena explained and checked the box to see if everything was in order as she had instructed.

The princess had figurines in her hands for the children but her uncle still sat with them, she thought it better that she would give it to them later when he had left. Avoid him, do not engage. The girl reminded herself she cannot afford to cause trouble once more, especially with her Mother in such a state. "Are those for the children?" Helaena asked softly, eyeing the three wood figurines that Eraena had practically forced Lucerys to make. Eraena had spent days meticulously painting a princess, a knight, and a dragon. "Oh, yes, Lucerys had carved them for the children," Eraena said and Helaena took her hands to inspect the toys. "He painted them too?" She asked, pale fingers tracing the figurines. "Well no, I painted them."

"Come, let me introduce you to my children," She said with a ghost of a smile. Aemond was still seated on the floor with the twins, both Jaehaerys and Jaehaera on his lap. Eraena avoided her eyes from the prince fearing it would entice him to tease and torment her. Helaena crouched down and Eraena cautiously did the same. Five purple eyes turned to the girl, "This is your cousin, Eraena," Helaena said to the twins and if Eraena were to look at the elder prince, she would see him roll his lone eye. Eraena felt her lips twitch when the twins hurriedly left their uncle's lap and made their way to her. The look of shock and annoyance that adorned the prince's face amused the princess but she quickly turned away and focused on the babes in front of her.

Jaehaera clung quickly to the princess and Eraena let out a laugh on how the young princess found her way to sit on her lap like she did on her uncle earlier. "They like you, already!" Helaena mussed and watched as her children switched from their uncle to their cousin. Eraena gave the princess figurine to little Jaehaera and the knight figurine to little Jaehaerys. "You have a third child, do you not?" Eraena asked and brushed the little blonde hairs away from the babe's eyes. "Yes, Maelor, but he is still fast asleep." Eraena nodded and returned her attention to the babes.

She would expect Jaehaera's attention would be on the new toy but Eraena saw purple eyes on the necklace on her neck. "I—I want," Jaehaera mumbled and tried to grab the emerald pendant that was gifted to her on her most recent name day. Eraena's eyes widened as Jahaera pulled on the necklace making the elder princess jerk her head forward. "Jahaera, no!" Her mother said and came to Eraena's aid. "I'm sorry, I—" Eraena smiled, "It's fine, my younger brother, Viserys has the same habit." She said and moved to unclasp the pendant so the young princess could inspect it more. When Jaehaera had the pendant in her hands, a toothy grin spread across her face making Eraena laugh at the adorable face of the younger princess. She surpassed the urge to pinch the cherubic cheeks and turned to Jaehaerys who now played with both figurines.