THE BASTARD QUEEN (Jacaerys Velaryon)

𝕸𝖞 𝖋𝖔𝖊, 𝖒𝖞 𝖑𝖎𝖋𝖊

You walked through the hall, trying to make your way back to your room. Maybe to wash the dirt from your hands, and the smell Flea Bottom away. More than likely though, you'd fall into your bed, staring at the wall, wondering what you were doing wrong. If Aegon could have a bastard and be happy. If your mother could have a bastard, yet hate Aegon's. What the fuck were you doing wrong? Why could nothing seem to fall into place? Jacaerys seemed content in your ignoring him. What were you doing wrong, if you were simply a pawn in these people's lives, not a pillar?

Your trip to your room was found to be unsuccessful when you found Jace standing right infront of your door.

You paused, and he smiled, "There you are."

"Here I am," you responded, slightly nervous at his presence.

He stood, hand in his own hand, "Would you like to go on a walk?"

You nodded, betraying your thoughts that you should stay away. He smiled widely, offering you his hand. You took it, taking comfort in the calloused skin and the burning of his skin on yours. In silence, you made your way out of the Keep, and into the gardens. The flowers were blooming as the spring came, the trees were erupting, coming off of the cold winter. The sight was beautiful, and the rain had been only fueling the growth.

The silence was broken as Jacaerys spoke, "I haven't seen much of you," tone slightly accusatory.

"I've been busy," you snapped, feeling defensive, as you pulled your hand from his.

He tensed, "You have not," he called out.

"Because you know my every movement?" You argued.

He rolled his eyes, "No, but when you spend the day locked in your room, only coming out for meetings, it's clear you're avoiding something."

"And you're self centered enough to think it's you?"

"Me, and your mother," he replied smoothly.

You took a step away from him, "Of course I'm avoiding my mother," you proclaimed, "She has lied to me for years. She used me as a pawn. Jace, even today she was a hypocritical bitch. There's no reason for me to seek her out."

"Seeking her out and avoidance are different," he argued, "I haven't seen you two in the same room together since taht night, until today. You haven't been in the same room as me either," he pointed out.

"Fine, I'm avoiding her," you gave in.

He laughed, "Obviously," he picked up your hand again. You were glad to see he dropped your avoidance of him.

"So," he spoke again, "Gaemon?"

You smiled, continuing to make your way through the garden, "He's with Aegon and Helaena. I'm sure he's asleep by now, he must be exhausted, but he was very excited about reading books," you explained.

He laughed, "That is cute, Aemond will take joy in knowing another scholar is in the Keep. Aegon and Helaena are ok then? With the new addition?"

"Helaena seems fine, and the boy is very attached already," you laughed, "Aegon is upset. He may be a fool, but he loves his children, so very much," Jace nodded, having seen the father with his children, "The fact that Gaemon lived without him for so long, in such conditions. It is driving him mad."

"The fact that any child is in those conditions," Jace added.

You nodded, thinking of the tiny, tiny, boy that sat with dirt stained into his skin upstairs, "We're in the position to do something about it," you reminded.