THE ATTACHMENT > AEGON TARGARYEN

FOURTEEN*

The next day, Valeria stood outside of Alina's chambers, her sister in law. She knocked on it softly while holding the basket she had made filled with goodies. She had made it for Alina herself, after her labours she figured the woman could use some respite.

Plus, perhaps she needed to spend some time from Aegon-for they were like animals when left alone.

He had meetings to attend, and she needed to get out of that bed.

Alina's door swung open, and there stood the glowing Baratheon woman herself, looking rather tired from the recent birth. But her face lit up when she saw Valeria. "Oh, Valeria," she breathed, a smile appearing on her weary face. "I thought I heard your knock. Please, come in."

"Alina, you are alone?" Valeria entered the room, frowning a bit at how desolate the place was. No maids, no servants. Alina's room was rather stuffy from the fireplace burning embers and closed casements. "Who has been tending to you?"

Alina let out a weary sigh as she sat down on a nearby chair. "The midwife and the Septa come in to check on me every few hours," she replied. "But other than that, I've been mostly on my own."

She managed a faint smile, trying to put on a brave face. "But don't worry about me. I'm managing well enough."

"And what of Aemond?" Valeria walked over to place the basket between them on the table. "Selene, fetch a cloth and warm water for the Lady Baratheon, and have Ser Desmond see to it that the cook sends up a good, clear wine for her to drink."

"Yes, Princess." Selene bowed quickly and left to her tasks.

Alina looked over at Valeria with weary eyes after the servant left. "Aemond...He has been quite busy. His mother requests him often these days," she murmured, a hint of exhaustion in her voice. "He visits when he can, but..." She trailed off, looking down at the basket that Valeria had brought in. "What is this?" she asked, her eyes lighting up with curiosity.

Valeria gave her a soft smile. "Just some cookies and small cakes, blankets for the babe, and some Dornish incense for you. The Maester's back in Dorne light these and the smoke calms the senses, helps the babe too while they sleep. I thought you might use it well." She gave the gentle woman a small look of concern. "I should scold the Master of Staff now for leaving you alone."

She could not believe that the poor girl had been left alone, while just last night there was a whole feast in celebration of said labors. There was enough servants at the feast to serve wine and drink but not enough to tend to the mother?

Alina's expression softened at Valeria's kind explanation, her eyes scanning over the items in the basket. "Oh, Valeria, this is all so thoughtful," she said, touched by the gesture. "You didn't have to go through all this trouble for me." At Valeria's mention of scolding the Master of Staff, Alina let out a soft chuckle. "No, no, please don't make a big fuss," she insisted. "I'm managing just fine on my own, honestly."