Lotus Throne

Chapter 28: Shadows in the Dragon's Wake

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden hue over the royal gardens of Dragonstone, where laughter and chatter mingled in the warm air. Zhihua stood at the edge of a gathering, a quiet smile gracing her lips as she watched her husband, Viserys, and his brother, Daemon, animatedly exchanging stories, their voices echoing against the ancient stone walls. They seemed utterly carefree, lost in their own world of brotherly banter.

Beside them stood Alicent, her expression composed yet contemplative, as if she were observing a play that did not quite hold her interest. Zhihua felt a pang of sympathy for her sister queen. She understood the weight of expectation that pressed upon Alicent's shoulders, yet in this moment, her heart was full. The joy of her own children, their laughter echoing like music, filled the air around her.

At her feet, her four-year-old twin boys, Baelon and Aeryon, raced around, their small hands grasping at the air as they pretended to fly like dragons. The vivid imagination of youth brought life to the garden, a contrast to the heavy conversations that often permeated the halls of power. Nearby, her triplets, Valen, Asha, and Elaera, babbled excitedly among themselves, their voices rising and falling in a rhythm that you could almost poot words to the babble. Zhihua couldn't help but chuckle at their animated expressions, each trying to outdo the other with tales of their latest adventures.

"Look, Muña! I'm Caraxes!" Baelon exclaimed, spreading his arms wide and pretending to breathe fire.

"I'm Vhagar!" Aeryon shouted back, launching himself toward his brother, and in the blink of an eye, they were both tumbling to the ground in a heap of giggles and shouts.

Zhihua's heart swelled with warmth as she watched them play. Here, at this moment, they were free from the burdens of the crown, free from the weight of expectation. Here, they could simply be children.

Her moment of peace was briefly interrupted as one of her personal staff approached her with a measured step, their expression serious amidst the joy surrounding her. Zhihua instinctively straightened, her maternal instincts stilling her contentment as she sensed the shift in the atmosphere.

"Forgive the interruption, my queen," the servant murmured, leaning in close to whisper in her ear, the soft words barely audible above the laughter. "I've sifted through the reports. There are whispers of Otto's spies are lingering around the streets of silk."

Zhihua's brow furrowed slightly, a cloud passing over her sunny disposition. Otto Hightower's influence was like a shadow over the court, ever-present and unsettling. She had ordered a careful watch over her surroundings, determined to shield her family from the prying eyes and scheming whispers that often accompanied the political game.

"Continue your efforts," she replied, her voice low and firm, yet calm. "I trust you and the others to be vigilant. tonight we will deal with them."

The servant nodded, and Zhihua felt a surge of determination course through her. It was crucial to protect her children and their innocence, to shield them from the darkness that often lurked just beyond the light of their laughter.

As the servant slipped away, Zhihua returned her attention to the scene unfolding before her. Viserys, his laughter ringing out like a bell, playfully wrestled Daemon, the two of them locked in a mock struggle that sent Alicent's lips curving into a faint smile. In that moment, Zhihua allowed herself to breathe again, to immerse herself in the joy of the present.

With a flick of her wrist, she beckoned her children closer, the twin boys scrambling to her side, their faces flushed with excitement. "Come here, my brave dragons! Let us get you down for a nap" she called out, her voice brightening the mood.

"Nap time, Muña?" Baelon protested, his eyes wide with disbelief as he clung to her leg. "But we're playing! We have to defeat the enemies!"

Aeryon, ever the eager accomplice, chimed in, "Yeah! We can't rest when there are dragons to fight!"