𝑨 𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚 𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝑯𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚 // 𝑨𝒆𝒈𝒐𝒏 𝑰𝑰 𝑻𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒂𝒓𝒚𝒆𝒏

22. Finally

The dining room fills with talk and laughter. The whole family sits and eats together in the dining room for the first time in a long time.

A few weeks had passed now since Alyssa had kissed Aegon under the tree and everything had changed since then. Before they could even talk to each other in a way. But now it felt tense every time they would engage in conversation, as if everything they said to each other was embarrassing, as if everything that left their lips was wrong.

Aemond and Daeron were sitting on the other side of the table, they were talking about their previous sword training when Aemond had almost hit Ser Criston Cole. It was an exciting sword fight, indeed. He had been only a few steps away from winning, but there was no doubt that it would happen soon no matter what.

Helaena fiddled with a gem that Daeron had given her on her name day just a few days ago. She smiled as she fiddled around with the glittering stone. But it was difficult for her to move around the castle. Because her stomach had grown incredibly in the last few days and the grand master had informed that she would give birth any day now. Therefore, the queen had insisted that Helaena eat in her chamber, but she wanted so badly to move, no matter how hard it was.

Alyssa looked at her grandsire, he seemed alert. He had also started going for walks with Alyssa like they used to do when she was little. It filled her with joy that he seemed to be well again. Alicent sat and discussed something with the king and with Otto. Something about Helaena and her birth preparations or something like that.

Aegon and Alyssa sat beside each other and ate in silence. He took a sip of wine now and then but to his surprise he had not drunk more than a cup that evening.

Alyssa rested one arm on the armrest while the other dangled freely. Aegon did the same, their honors hung down and touched each other ever so slightly, but no one dared to step up and do anything. Aegon stood up and walked out of the dining hall without a word. Alyssa remained and began to converse with Viserys as no one seemed to notice Aegon's absence.

Just then the queen began to speak to her. "dear me and Helaena need to make new clothes for the baby, according to master it's due any day now so we need to be prepared."

She smiled at the older woman and nodded "Of course your grace" Alicent returned the smile and continued talking to Viserys.

Alyssa ate the last piece of meat left on her plate and stood up. "I thank you for the company, but I should go now. Helaena, shall I follow you to the chamber?"

She nodded and stood up with Daeron's help. He gave her a kiss on the cheek before they left the room.

A smile made its way to Alyssa's face. It was such a strange thing that the queen first thought to betroth Aegon and Helaena first. But luckily she had Daeron who loves her more than life itself.

"Let's go now Aly" Helaena said holding Alyssa's arm as they left. "I will soon arrive at your chamber, my dear" they heard the queen call from the table. But there was no point in answering as they had already left the dining room.

"How do you feel, Hel"

"Good, it's awfully hard to move around the castle without getting tired and gassy, ​​but I'll see them soon"

Alyssa smiled and frowned "Them?"

"I've suspected it for a long time now, because my belly is unusually large for just one baby, or not. Either I'm having twins or just a very big baby"

They both started laughing at the thought, Helaena had usually been modest, but not with her. It made her feel special.

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