The Realm's Angel

Chapter 3

   (Shit's about to get real in this chapter. I hope y'all will enjoy this, Rosalies)!

   Two days later, it was time for the games. Rhaenyra and Jahaenya sat in between Alicent and Lucius, with the latter being on Jahaenya's left side. Viserys announced to the crowd that Aemma had begun her labors, which worried Jahaenya. In a way, she was excited to no longer be the baby of the family. But she was also worried about her mother, just as Rhaenyra was. They both knew the struggles their parents had with previous pregnancies. They knew full well that they were their parents' longest living children.

   The games began, and immediately started becoming brutal, with one knight knocking the other one off his horse. Jahaenya overheard Alicent tell Rhaenyra that the knight was from House Cole of the Stormlands. Lord Boremund Baratheon rode over on his horse to where all the royals and associates of the king were sat. "Princess Rhaenys Targaryen! I would humbly ask for the favor of 'The Queen Who Never Was.'" Lord Baratheon called. Jahaenya rolled her eyes. Rhaenys was her father's older cousin, who nearly became the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. Her grandfather, King Jaehaerys, picked Viserys instead. Since then, everyone has called her "The Queen Who Never Was," which the youngest Targaryen thought was disrespectful.

   Rhaenys threw down her laurel wreath onto Lord Baratheon's sword. "Good fortune to you, cousin." She called down. Her mother was Lady Jocelyn Baratheon, so Rhaenys was the product of two strong houses. "I would gladly take it, if I thought I needed it." Lord Baratheon responded, before riding away for his turn. "Lord Stokeworth's daughter is promised to that young Tarly squire." Rhaenyra began to gossip to Jahaenya and the Hightower siblings. "Lord Massey's son?" Alicent asked in disbelief. "Mhm. They're to be married as soon as he wins his knighthood." Rhaenyra responded. "Best get on with it." Alicent said. 

   "I heard that Lady Elinor is hiding a swollen belly beneath her dress." Alicent revealed, causing the other three to gaze at her in shock. "Well, that's madness." Jahaenya said. Shortly after, the knight from House Cole knocked down Lord Baratheon off his horse, causing the crowd to exclaim. Jahaenya and Lucius looked at each other with dropped jaws. "Holy mother of the Seven Hells!" Lucius exclaimed. Jahaenya giggled, still in shock over how well this knight fought. Ser Harrold bent down between the Targaryen sisters after the elder called him over. "What do you know about this Ser Criston Cole, Ser Harrold?" Rhaenyra asked. "I'm told Ser Criston is common-born, son of Lord Dondarrion's steward. But other than that, and the fact that he's just unhorsed both of the Baratheon lads, I really couldn't say." Ser Harrold explained before getting up and stepping away.

   Eventually, the Master of Revels walked out. "Prince Daemon of House Targaryen, Prince of the City, will now choose his first opponent!" He yelled. Daemon rode in on a black horse, causing everyone to cheer. "Come on, Daemon!" Jahaenya yelled. She knew everyone in her box was looking at her now, but she could care less. Daemon looked at all the knights, before eventually choosing Gwayne Hightower, Alicent and Lucius' older brother. "Oh great, he chose my father's favorite son." Lucius muttered sarcastically, rolling his eyes. Lucius knew his father favored Gwayne more than him. He knew it and nobody could tell him otherwise.

   The game started, with Gwayne hitting Daemon and nearly knocking him off his horse. Jahaenya nervously clutched her necklace, desperately wanting her uncle to win. He came back stronger than ever, causing Gwayne's horse to fall forward, knocking him off. He lay there for a moment until he was dragged away. "I knew that was going to happen. I've always said Daemon is much better than my brother." Lucius muttered, causing Jahaenya to giggle. Daemon rode over under the box, and the Targaryen sisters and Hightower siblings walked over. "Nicely done, Uncle." Rhaenyra complimented. "You were marvelous! The best there is!" Jahaenya excitedly added. "Thank you, Princesses. Now, I'm fairly certain I can win these games, Lady Alicent. Having your favor would all but assure it." Daemon said, holding out his sword Dark Sister. Jahaenya and Lucius chuckled, knowing he asked Alicent on purpose considering he beat Gwayne. 

   Alicent hesitantly slid her laurel wreath onto Daemon's sword. "Good luck, my Prince." She muttered. As the quartet sat down, Jahaenya saw Otto, Alicent and Lucius' father, whispering something to hers. Her father looked worried before leaving the box, which worried her considering her mother was in the midst of her labors. Lucius looked back as Viserys left, and rubbed Jahaenya's back to try to reassure her. The tourney eventually continued, and Jahaenya began to slowly forget her father's worried glance. Violence continued as a knight's face was torn off. Lucius quickly hugged Jahaenya so she wouldn't see, but she already saw too much. She wasn't going to be scarred for life, she knew that well enough. Blood continued to be shed, and more knights grew injured or died as a result of the tourney. 

   Ser Criston Cole and Daemon were now going to battle. "Fuck, those two are masters in their craft. Ser Criston certainly proved himself today and Daemon proves himself all the time. Now who will win?" Lucius muttered. "We'll have to find out." Jahaenya whispered as she clutched her necklace. They hit each other with their spears as they rode, with Ser Criston slightly knocking Daemon off his horse. He collided with the pole and slid, his armor making a loud screeching noise, before falling off his horse. Eventually, he and Ser Criston continued in a contest of arms, with Daemon using Dark Sister and Ser Criston using a flail. As they fought, the latter shattered Daemon's shield with the flail. Just when it seemed like Daemon won and knocked Ser Criston onto the ground, he was quickly blindsided when the latter hit Daemon on the back with the flail. Daemon eventually yielded, and the fight was done. 

   Alicent, Rhaenyra, Jahaenya, and Lucius rushed over to the edge of their box as Ser Criston walked over. "Gods. He's Dornish." Alicent muttered. "I was hoping to ask for the Princess's favor." Ser Criston said. "Which princess?" Jahaenya asked. "Princess Rhaenyra." He responded. She threw down her laurel wreath, which he caught. "I wish you luck, Ser Criston." She said. The quartet sat down once again, but as they did so, they caught the shock etched on everyone's faces. Everyone started getting up and leaving, but Jahaenya couldn't understand why. Rhaenys glanced over at her and Rhaenyra before whispering something to her children. 

   Jahaenya couldn't figure out what occurred until after they left the tourney. She realized the painful truth. Her mother had died during childbirth, all because of a decision her father made. Hours later, her baby brother Baelon, who never lived past a day, died as well. What her father did, was all for nothing. 

   (God what Aemma went through was so fucked up. Damn it Viserys! I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. See you soon)!