Ruin Me

Chapter Seventeen

Laena Velaryon's funeral was indeed, a saddened event. They all listened intently to the sound of Vaemond Velaryon as he spoke the ancient words of passing for their house, for his niece, as everyone, including the king and queen, watched with bowed heads.

Rhaenyra stood next to her husband, an arm around each of her sons as they readied to push Laena's sarcophagus into the ocean. Daenyra stood on the King's other side as she had an arm around her own son, and both of them stared daggers at Vaemond when he spoke of how true the blood of House Velaryon was pure and true, whilst staring straight at Rhaenyra and her brown-haired boys.

Rhaenyra stared straight back at him, unbelieving in his audacity to do this right in front of her husband who was too consumed with grief for his sister to really care what was being said. It was true, of course, Daenyra knew that, but like their secrets of who they first lay with, they would deny it to their graves.

Daemon just laughed at Vaemond as his two daughters clutched their grandmother tightly. Daenyra could never tell what was running through his head.

And once Laena rested peacefully at sea, they all gathered on the seaside balcony for the wake as people mingled, but mostly stood in silence.

"Mother, I'm going to go and see Baela and Rhaena," Vaelon said, and she nodded.

"Of course," she replied as she kissed his head and they parted ways, him to his cousins and her to her twin. Rhaenyra's hugs were always like coming home as she wrapped herself in her sister's embrace, both twins seeking an equal measure of comfort. "How are you fairing, sister?"

"As well as I can. I do wish that my sister was by my side. These vile and baseless rumours would be squashed beneath the boots of my General."

Daenyra gave her a small smile, still gripping each other's arms. "I know you wish my assistance, but I rule two castles. Tis not an easy task, but if you ardently desire my help –"

Rhaenyra sighed. "No. It is fine, Dae. Even with your help, Laenor is the only true being who can quash these rumours about my boys. Except now, he will be useless."

Daenyra grinned something troublesome. "I'd be more than happy to speak to your husband about his responsibilities and duties."

Rhaenyra let out a small laugh. "Again, here you are, taking on mine own responsibilities on top of your own. Whatever did I do to deserve such a sister?"

"That is a question only the gods can answer, Rhae," Daenyra smiled before her gaze settled on where Vaelon was hugging the two girls. "Excuse me for a moment, Your Grace," she said jokingly, bringing another smile to Rhaenyra's face.

"Of course."

Rhaenyra watched her sister float across the balcony to her son whilst she did the same and approached Jace.

"Baela, Rhaena," Daenyra greeted as the two of them shot up to hug her like fired arrows.

"Daenyra," Baela cried into her shoulder as she held the girls tenderly, the way a mother would.

"Oh, sweet girls," she said as they pulled back and she dropped down onto her knees, each of her hands holding one of theirs. "I know well your pain. Your mother was a good woman, but do not think that losing her means that you will never be loved again. Your father loves you. Your grandparents love you. Vaelon loves you. I love you. And we will continue to love you no matter how despairing your pain seems to be. I am here for you. For whatever you need," she vowed and both girls lowered their heads down to her shoulders as they hugged her again.

From his spot leaning against the stone balcony, Daemon stood with his goblet of wine as he watched Daenyra with his daughters. He was not expecting it, but the two girls were the apples of his eye and to see them in such pain after losing their mother physically hurt something in him. He didn't know how long he'd stood atop the parapets in Pentos and hugged them, promising over and over again that he would not leave them in the wake of Laena's death.