Burning Love: Daemon Targaryen x Laena Velaryon

Ten Years|1|

Ten years had passed, and during those years, many things had changed.

Marcella gave birth to four more children: three sons, Eryx, Rhaegar, and Jasper, and a daughter named Aemma in honor of her mother. She was eight months pregnant with her and Theo's sixth biological child.

Theo had become the Lord of House Tyrell and Lord of Highgarden, Lord Paramount of the Mander, Defender of the Marches, and High Marshell of the Reach after his father died seven years ago, and he named Eryx, their secondborn son, his heir, who was happy with the role. Both Marcella and Theo did their best to go between Highgarden and King Landing with their children.

The king and queen welcomed two more sons, Aemond and Daeron, whom Marcella raised as her own with Theo. It was slightly difficult as she had the twins Rhaegar, Aemma, and Aemond to care for around the same time, so in truth, Marcella and Theo had nine children: Aegon, Helena, Baelon, Eryx, Rhaegar, Aemma, Aemond, Daeron, and Jasper.

Rhaenyra welcomed two boys, Jacaerys and Lucerys, who in no way were offspring of Laenor Velaryon, with their pale skin, brown eyes, and dark brown hair, their features being too similar to the princess's sworn guard, Harwin Strong, to deny such truths, but no one said much in fear of the king's anger, or more so the princess and heirs, because Marcella knew if the truth was confirmed, her nephews would face the price.

Daemon and Laena married nine and a half years ago, and Laena managed to claim Vhagar, the largest dragon in the world. They then welcomed two twin girls into the world, Baela and Rhaena. Daemon and Laenas have pride and joy. They had not been to the keep or driftmark for seven years after the twins were born, as Laena wished to give birth on driftmark. The distance hurt Daemon, Laena, and Marcella, but they accepted it, knowing it was for the best.

Despite the Queen's worsening temper and resentment towards Marcella and Rhaenyra after she gave birth to her first bastard, Criston remained by her side. No matter how hard Marcella tried to have him banished for what he did to Joffrey, he sprouted lies that the king believed, which led to the dornish man staying by the queen's side.

The queen barley ever paid attention to her children; she only spoke to them when she needed to yell or berate them for something they did wrong, but she hadn't done much of that recently after Theo threatened to have her poisoned because she raised her hand to sweet Helena all for her love of bugs. Let's just say Alicent made the maids take a bite of her food and wine before she herself did for months.

The Kings health continued to decline, leaving Marcella to take on more responsibilities. Marcella had brought over a hundred different maesters from all over the realm, hoping for one of them to help him, but her efforts were fruitless.

The seven kingdoms grew to love Marcella even more throughout the years. Many whispered of the princess's beauty, even after birthing five children and raising nine. She still looked young and elegant. They spoke about how the princess's heart grew as she took care of her people, allying the crown with parts of the world the crown had never been allied with before.

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Marcella made her way through the large orphanage she had built, rubbing her baby bump with a smile as she felt the little one kick.

"Is the baby kicking?" Ser Derek asked softly as he walked by her side, making her smile up at him and nod.

"She is quite the active one," she said, making him hum.

"Why, so sure, it's a girl," he teased, making her laugh.

"My pregnancy is as it was with Aemma, unlike with my boys," she argued, but before he could say anything, their attention was taken.

"Princess, Princess," a little voice shouted, making her stop and look towards the sound with a soft smile.

"Yes, my dear," Marcella asked gently as she looked at the young girl, who stared up at her with her big, round blue eyes.

"Thank you for my dress and blanket, princess. I love it so much," the girl said, expressing her gratitude as she held her blanket and messed with the dress she now wore, making Marcella smile.

"Of course, my dear, I will do my very best to provide for you and everybody else that I can assure you," Marcella assured the young girl, who smiled and nodded before running off again with a large smile.

"Mama, we must go," Aemma said gently as she approached her mom, making her look at the sweet young girl, whom she named after her late mother, and she did not regret doing so. Her young daughter lived up to the name with her kindness and elegance.

"Yes, we do. Well, let me go say a quick goodbye, and I will meet you at the carriage. You go with Ser Erryk," she said softly, kissing the crown of her daughter's head as she gestured to the Cargyll knight who stood not far from them.

"Okay, mama," Aemma responded before leaving with the knight, whom her mother trusted with her life.

Aemma only waited a few minutes in the carriage before her mother entered it, sighing when she finally sat down concerning Aemma.

"Are you alright, mother?" Aemma asked, grabbing her mother's hand while she looked at her in concern, making Marcella smile and gently squeeze the small hand that held her larger one.

"I am fine. My sweet girl, do not worry. Just when you're pregnant at eight months and walking all day in heels and up and down stairs, your ankles and back tend to hurt a little."

"Then you shouldn't walk anymore today," Aemma decided, making her laugh.

"I mean, mother Derek, Caleb, or Bash can carry you into the castle and to your room, and then papa can carry you everywhere else until the babies are born."

"Mmm, I will be fine. My sweet girl, thank you for the concern, but I have done this four other times. It is pain I have grown used to."

"If you say so, but I wish you weren't in any type of pain," she grumbled before leaning into her mother's warmth, closing her eyes, and waiting until they arrived back at the castle.