𝑆𝛦𝛦𝛫 𝛢𝑁𝐷 𝐷𝛦𝑆𝑇𝑅𝛰𝑌 | 𝛨𝛰𝑇𝐷

𝛲𝑅𝛦𝐿𝑈𝐷𝛦 + 𝛢𝐶𝛵 𝑖

𝛢𝐶𝛵 𝑖

𝐿𝛢𝐸𝐼𝛢𝛮𝛮𝛢 𝑉𝐸𝐿𝛢𝑅𝑌𝑂𝛮 was the apple of her parents' eyes. The eldest, and only true-born, child of Laenor Velaryon and Rhaenyra Targaryen. Her conception had been both a miracle and a shock to Laenor and Rhaenyra, given Laenor's unconventional affections towards his fellow members of the male sex ━such rumors and speculations were often gossiped about at court.

Though mismatched in their union, their combined efforts had seen the pair establish an arrangement of sorts, made between the two just before their marriage, all those years ago. It was an arrangement that would suit them both, allowing them to continue to satiate their respective tastes away from their marital bed. And although initially thought to have been an easy solution for the circumstances, it soon proved much more difficult to maintain.

During the first half of their first marital year, the two had tried and failed to conceive time and time again, drawing the close watch of those who had nothing better to do than to watch the newly-married couple to settle into their roles, namely Rhaenyra. As a woman, carrying a royal womb, Rhaenyra Targaryen had been expected to produce heirs almost immediately after her marriage to Laenor had been made official in the sights of Gods and men, alike. After all, she was a gorgeous young Princess and the, eventual, heir to her father's throne. As for Ser Laenor, he was the incredibly handsome son of the sea snake. From one of, if not the most, influential and richest houses in Westeros. Their union was an ideal one for all those but Rhaenyra and Laenor, themselves. For them, it was a prison of duty and secrecy, one that the two begrudgingly continued in for the coming years.

Just six months into their marriage and no heirs to speak of, the whispers started. The gossips who lingered in the keep's halls would often pass rumors back and forth, these rumors traveling the keep very quickly. Doubts arose of the Princess's competence to sit the throne when she couldn't even bring forth an heir for her own reign. Along with that, quiet rumors of Ser Laenor's sexual preferences began to reappear. However, once she had been conceived and the announcement made, the whispers had dimmed for the moment.

Around the time of her conception, neither Rhaenyra nor her knight husband had been expecting the Princess to fall pregnant. Their marital duties were performed with very minimal passions, so lifeless, indeed, that the Valyrian-blooded second cousins had no hopes in bringing forth a child from their bleak arrangement. The Gods, however, deigned to save the two from the ruinous babble at court.

Nine moons and a ten-hour birth later, the Princess, Laeianna, was born, her little cries being a good indication of her successful voyage into this world. The little girl looked to be an exact mixture of her father and mother and even though her Valyrian white hair was not visible at this point, there was no arguing her legitimacy. She was their daughter, through and through.

The love and protection of a father was as strong as ever for Laenor. Before, he hadn't known whether or not he would have children. He had come to the conclusion of his rejection of women years prior, so the process of trying to conceive had been a struggle for both he and Rhaenyra. To lie with her felt wrong for him, though he'd been taught that it was his duty to carry on the Velaryon name, being the only son of Corlys Velaryon. It was his duty, insisted upon him again and again. So, he did his duty, or, at least, tried to.