The dragon to be // House of dragons

36

Raina placed her hand on her round belly, her gaze shifting between Daemon and Rhaenyra, who also cradled her own pregnant belly. "So they're questioning Luke's titles," Rhaenyra remarked with a hint of frustration. Raina sighed, her eyes rolling. Ever since she had revealed to her grandfather that Luce would be his heir to Driftmark, they had been facing constant scrutiny. She was tired of it.

"So now we have to go to King's Landing to defend him," Raina stated, her jaw clenched.

"Well, this should be quite the spectacle," Daemon chimed in. "I mean, I've been waiting for this moment. Raina in a terrible mood while defending her brother—it's bound to be entertaining," he added, causing both women to turn their heads sharply towards him.

"Do not!" they both exclaimed simultaneously.

Daemon raised his hands in surrender, and Raina shook her head. "Let's just get this over with," she said, striding away.

They wasted no time in preparing everything and embarked on their journey across the water. Raina walked over to her brother and halted beside him on the boat. "What's troubling you?" she inquired, noticing the troubled expression in his eyes.

"I... I don't even like the sea, Raina," Luke confessed, his gaze fixed downwards. "It makes me sick. I don't think I would make a good lord. If they had just kept you as the heir..."

Raina gently reached out and took hold of his chin, making him look at her. "My dear Luke, listen to me," she said softly. "You will be an exceptional lord. Don't pay heed to what others say. You can accomplish anything. You are a Targaryen prince and the rightful heir to Driftmark. Be proud of who you are. And if you can't do it for yourself, do it for me, because I am and always will be proud of you."

His brown eyes locked with hers as he nodded in understanding.

"Good," Raina said, planting a tender kiss on his forehead before walking away.

Soon, they arrived in King's Landing. Raina disembarked from the ship, her guards following closely behind, carrying her two sleeping sons.

"I'm going to put them in their rooms, and I'll join you," Raina informed Rhaenyra, who nodded in acknowledgment. Raina swiftly settled her sons in her room.

"Mama," Wyrion whispered, looking up at her. Raina gently brushed his hair away from his face. "Shhh, my sweet boy. Go back to sleep," she whispered soothingly. Gradually, he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep. Raina leaned over to kiss Aerion's head before straightening up. "Is there a guard outside, yes?" she asked her guards, who nodded in confirmation. Satisfied, she stood up and made her way out of the room and down the hallway to where Daemon was.

"Raina and her sons aren't here?" she heard the queen inquire, just as she stopped outside the door.

"Of course she is. You know how she is with her brothers, especially Luke," Rhaenyra replied. As Raina's knights opened the door, everyone turned their gaze towards her.

Raina's eyes met the queen's and Aemond's, and their gazes immediately shifted to her belly. "Princess Raina," the queen addressed her.

"Queen Alicent," Raina addressed her, her gaze shifting towards Aemond, whose eyes were fixed on her round belly. "Who will be handling Luke's case?" she inquired.

"The Hand," Rhaenyra responded, causing Raina to clench her jaw in frustration.

"The Hand?" Raina repeated, seeking confirmation. Daemon grinned as he looked at the two women.

"See? Awful mood," he remarked. Raina stared at him intently.

"Do not provoke her," Rhaenyra warned him.