𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓣𝓱𝓲𝓻𝓭 𝓢𝓸𝓷

Chapter 66 A child to call my own

Alicent sat at the edge of the bed, smirking as she watched Rhaenyra, who was comfortably propped up against the pillows with a book in her hands. The sunlight from the afternoon filtered through the tent, casting a warm glow on them both.

"You seem quite at ease this morning," Alicent teased, her voice playful as she leaned in slightly. "How was your little outing with Aegon?"

Rhaenyra looked up from her book, her lips curving into a soft smile. "It was... enlightening," she said, a glint of amusement in her eyes. She set the book down and stretched slightly. "Aegon is ready to have another child," she confessed, her voice filled with a subtle excitement. "And hopefully, within a few weeks, I'll be with child."

Alicent's smirk deepened, her eyes gleaming with interest. "Oh, Rhaenyra, how exciting," she said, leaning back with a satisfied sigh. "I can't wait. Our children will grow together, just as we have."

Rhaenyra smiled, her gaze distant for a moment as she imagined the future. "Yes," she whispered. "A future filled with more children, more heirs... and perhaps less conflict."

Alicent chuckled softly, knowing how unpredictable their world could be. "Let's just focus on the joys for now. One child at a time."

Alicent shifted on the bed, pulling her legs up beneath her as she leaned closer to Rhaenyra, her smirk fading into a more thoughtful expression. "You've changed, you know," she said softly, her fingers brushing the edge of Rhaenyra's book. "There was a time when the idea of more children terrified you."

Rhaenyra smiled, a touch of vulnerability in her eyes. "I suppose... I've grown into it. I wasn't sure if I was ready, but after seeing you with the kids, it stirred something in me. I want that too, Alicent. I want a family with Aegon. I want to fulfill my role, not just as his wife, but as a mother."

Alicent reached out and took Rhaenyra's hand, squeezing it gently. "You will be a wonderful mother, Rhaenyra. And the bond between you and Aegon will only grow stronger." Her voice softened, laced with understanding. "There's a kind of magic in raising a child together, something that binds you in ways you never expect."

Rhaenyra's eyes flickered with a quiet hope. "I've seen that with you and Aegon. The way you look at him when he's with the children... it's as if there's nothing else in the world that matters." She glanced down, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "I want that for us."

Alicent tilted her head, her smile warm and knowing. "You will have it. And more." She paused, her eyes twinkling with mischief again. "Though I'm sure you're enjoying the process of getting there."

Rhaenyra laughed, shaking her head. "Aegon is... enthusiastic," she admitted, a playful grin tugging at her lips. "But he's also gentle. He told me last night that I didn't need to rush into this if I wasn't ready. It made me realize how much he cares, beyond the throne, beyond everything."

Alicent nodded, her expression softening. "He's a good man, Rhaenyra. And he will be a wonderful father to the next child, just as he is to the others."

Rhaenyra looked down at their intertwined hands, her heart swelling with a mixture of love and determination. "I know. And now, I'm ready. Truly ready."

Alicent gave her hand one last squeeze before letting go. "In a few weeks, perhaps we'll have more to celebrate. Another babe to bless the royal line." Her eyes sparkled with excitement. "And maybe, if we're lucky, I'll be expecting again soon too. We could raise them together."

Rhaenyra's eyes lit up at the thought. "That would be perfect," she said, her voice soft with longing. "Our children, growing up side by side, just like we did."

Alicent smiled knowingly. "Yes, just like we did. Only this time, we'll make sure they don't inherit the same rivalries." Rhaenyra smiled before going back to her books.

And that's exactly what they did.

A year later, Rhaenyra gave birth to a healthy baby girl named Visenya. The moment Visenya was born, it felt like the whole realm shifted, as if the gods themselves had blessed her arrival. Rhaenyra, Aegon, Alicent, and even Viserys doted on the little princess, each finding joy in her presence. She was Viserys' first grandchild through Rhaenyra, and it brought him a special pride, a connection to the future of their house.

Meanwhile, Sylvina had given birth to a son a year prior, a boy named Gaemon, who was already showing signs of growing into a strong and thoughtful child. The family's next generation was blossoming.

Jaehaerys, Jaehaera, and young Visenya all had dragons of their own, each a reflection of their personalities and future potential. Though still too young to ride, the bond between dragon and rider was unmistakable.

Jaehaerys' dragon was a majestic male with striking black and yellow scales, his eyes burning like embers with a fierce orange glow. He was already known for his raw strength and untamed power.

Jaehaera's dragon, in contrast, was a calm and regal male, his scales a brilliant white, like fresh snow under the morning sun, with deep, serene blue eyes. He embodied the quiet strength that Jaehaera herself possessed, a steady presence amidst chaos.

Visenya's dragon was perhaps the most unique, with dazzling blue scales that shimmered with shades of purple, her eyes a mix of soft pink and violet. She was a female dragon, graceful and vibrant, much like the young princess who had bonded with her.

Though the children had not yet named their dragons due to their tender age, they knew, deep down, that their dragons were waiting for them, bound by an unbreakable bond. It was only a matter of time before these creatures would grow into their full strength, and the children, too, would step into their roles as dragonriders of House Targaryen, carrying on their family's legacy.

Helaena doesn't have a dragon of her own yet.