Alicent Hightower raised a bastard - The Stranger's Child.
Except she didn't.
Naenyra looked nothing like the Targaryen beauty that her father expected. She was, as her mother always wished, a Hightower at heart, and how she looked only proved it...
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No one could describe the feeling of fear that had sunk in her stomach at those five words, of the failed motion of a brain as it tried to make sense of what had been said. Whatever it was that gave her the strength to fling herself up, to think of the only thing that mattered. All she could remember was feet pounding against dry grass, of a heart beating so strong in her ears, and a panic so deep in her gut that she wasn't sure if she was going to be sick or not.
She could remember her lying there in her bed, Hobby and Mondy at her side as Nyra burst in. She had never seen her aunt so small, or her hair so dull against yellowing skin. It terrified her, panicked her at such a strong being being tucked amongst so many blankets. She could remember grasping a cold hand, of tucking it in her own as she collapsed on the side of the bed. "What happened?" She asked her uncle, voice devoid of anything but defeat.
Hobby shook his head. Tears had stained his cheeks, marred with dry rivers and blotchy redness. "Maesters believe it to be cancer, they've been treating her for some moons now." For some moons now? Aunt Ness knew and didn't tell them? "They don't think she has long left."
"No." Nyra uttered. "I only saw her this morning, she was fine." She spoke of plans for the future.
Hobby nodded. "I know, my love. All we can do now is ensure that she is comfortable."
"You're speaking like it's going to happen today." Mondy hissed, his arms folded as he rested against the wall.
Hobby looked at his son. "I'm speaking like she will only have weeks, son. The Maesters have said it is progressive and vicious, that the treatment they've been prescribing has only worked for so long."
Nyra shook her head. "That's impossible." How could she have hidden something like this from them?
They didn't get much from her when Ness did awake, looking more tired than ever with dull eyes that refused to focus on the ceiling. She looked fed up and frustrated, unsurprised by the state she was in as her eyes searched the room. Hobby was to one side, the weight of a sleepless night clear in his face as he kept tight to Ness' side. "I suppose you know now?" She uttered, voice hoarse and scratchy.
There was a small nod, Mondy pushing himself from the wall before coming closer, resting a hand on Nyra's shoulder as his eyes rested on his mother. "Why didn't you tell us?" He asked, the betrayal clear in the sapphire shade.
