The Gentle Queen: HOTD

Readying themselves |32|

"You called for me, husband," Lillian said, entering the chambers and finding her husband at his table playing with his toys.

"I have been told that you, Rhaenyra, and your sister had a falling out," was the first thing he said, making her scoff quietly.

"And let me guess; Rhaenyra told you that." She remarked, sitting down and rubbing her stomach, feeling the baby quickly.

"Yes, she did, so what is the reason you were so disrespectful?" Visery asked, giving her a cold look.

"Because she lied to me, disrespected me, and insulted me, shall I go on?" She gritted out as she glared at the floor, recalling the events she felt so betrayed by them for her to say such things, and her own sister agreed with them and not said anything.

"Did she, or are you just being dramatic?" He remarked, raising a brow at her.

"No, I assure you, I am not being dramatic, my love. You may do as you please and be treated as you please, but I refuse to be treated that way by her or anyone," she said.

"I raised my daughter to treat people well; surely she would not do anything too bad. I am a good father and a good man," he said, shaking his head before she laughed.

"A good man, a good father," she scoffed as she heard his words standing up.

"What is Rhaenyra's favorite color? Her favorite time to fly Syrax? Her favorite book?" She asked question after question.

"What about our son? What dragon does he want to claim? What is his favorite color? What was his first word?" What was our daughter's first word?"

"Does a good man rape a child? Does a good man rip off his wife's dress, bend her over a table, and rape her just days after she gives birth? Does a good man beat his wife? Does a good man have his wife murdered just for a son, only to abandon the child when you learned that it would not live?"

Lillian watched as his mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water, making her laugh slightly.

"The answer is no; a good man does not do those things, but you have, and Rhaenyra does not have a specific time. She enjoys flying as long as she gets to fly; her favorite book is the story of Aegon and his sister's wife; her favorite color is blue, not dark or light, but the color of House Arryn, as it reminds her of her mother."

"Our son does not enjoy books very much; he enjoys me singing instead, and his favorite color is green because it is the color of his mother's eyes. His first word was Muna, and Helenas was the same." She was cut off by him grabbing her neck harshly, making her choke and grab at his hand, which squeezed harder.

"You will watch your words, or you will regret them. I can assure you, Lillian, that you may be my wife and queen, but I can and will make your life a living hell if you think you can ever treat me in such a way. I am your husband. I have not raped you," he spat as she chocked, trying to stop him as she turned red.

"I-I--I-I m-m Sosory," she stuttered out the best she could, falling to the floor. When he let go of her, she coughed and sobbed, holding her neck and stomach flinching hard when he garbed her chin, pulling her head so she would look at him.

"If you ever say that I have raped you or abused me, your head will be on a spike, along with your children's." He spat before pushing her head away.

"Now get out and get yourself together; the feast is in a few hours," he said, making her rush out of the room and making her way down the hall only to run into Rhaenyra and Alicent, who immediately took notice of the handprint on her neck.

"Lillian" Alicent gasped, but before she could say anything else, the young queen pushed past them, rushing down the hall. The two shared a look of pain, realizing how big of a mistake she had made.

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"My Queen, do you wish for rose, vanilla, or lavender oil?" Mary asked Lillian, who sat in the bath in her own world.

"My Queen," Mary repeated herself, gently touching the ladies, making her flinch hard.

"It is just me, my queen. I am sorry you weren't answering." Mary stuttered, making Lilly shake her head.

"It is fine, vanilla, please," she said, seeing the oils.

"Okay," Mary whispered, eyeing the bruises the queen had. An hour later, Lillian sat at her vanity as Mary brushed her hair.

"My queen, I have your dress ready," Lyra said, making Lillian look at the dress her friend had brought out of her wardrobe. She looked at the dress before shaking her head.

"Please put the dress back in my wardrobe. Lyra, I will not be wearing that tonight." Lillian finally said it after a moment, making Lyra pause for a moment before doing as she was told.

"What dress shall I get for you, then, my queen?" She asked, smiling at her,

"Let us just do my hair; for now, I will choose and get dressed on my own." Lillian answered, making the handmaidens nod and walk to the vanity.

"Do you wish for your hair to be straight or curled?" She asked as Mary began brushing her hair, admiring the long, healthy red locks that were now dry.

"Anything you please, but don't let it cover my neck. I wish for the marks to be visible." Lillian decided to make both girls eyes snap to hers.

"Are you sure?" Lyra asked, not wishing for the queen and her friend to do something she would regret.

"I am sure," Lillian declared, letting the women do her hair before she ordered her out, leaving the queen to herself.

Lillian sighed as she walked to the wardrobe, taking a shaky breath as she grasped the dress that she knew would anger many, but she refused to allow Rhaenyra, Viserys, and Alicent to get away with their actions.