Ceryse knew that her father's ravens would come more often after the announcement of the birth of a second prince. He was concerned about her lack of children other than Rhaenyra. On the day she and Maegor and Queen Visenya arrived at the castle to present their daughter to the court, her father, finding himself alone with her, struck up a conversation.
- A daughter is good, but she is not a son. Try to do your duty properly next time.
Duty. Oh, of course, Ceryse knew it. The septas had hammered it into her head since she was a child that a good wife should, no, must, bear her husband a son, a future heir. Though would Maegor have anything to inherit? He may have the dragonstone now, but the servants were already whispering that in the future it would go to Prince Aegon, the eldest son of Crown Prince Aenys.
No matter, though. For her duty and her family, she would lie with Maegor and become pregnant by him.
In 31 A.C, the Westerosi had finally won the War on the Stepstones and returned home. The Conqueror greeted the commanders, Aethan Velaryon, Osmund Strong, and his second son, in the throne room, thanking them for their service, rewarding them, and promising to grant them one wish.
- But it must be within reason, of course.
The commanders promised to give an answer, but later. For now, they would like to rest.
As soon as everyone except a few of the royals and Maegor had left the throne room, Rhaenyra rushed to her father.
- Kepa! (Father!) - she cried joyfully.
Maegor knelt and embraced her.
- I have returned, little dragon.
- I'm not a little girl!
- Really? You don't look like you've grown since I last saw you.
- Neplavda! Marlta said I've grown!
- Stop teasing her, son, - Visenya came up to him. - I see you're not hurt.
- You made it clear what you'd do to me if I came back hurt, mother. And I kind of want to live.
- You were really threatening him? - Aegon asked, looking at his wife in disbelief.
- More of a lecture than a threat, - the woman waved him off.
Knowing you, I can tell you it was a threat, - the king thought.
- Welcome back, brother! How glad I am that you're back! - Aenys said, hugging his brother. - You know your uncle is back?
- Yes, congratulations on that, brother.
The prince then turned his gaze to his wife, who stood silently to the side. Noticing his gaze, the woman came a little closer to him and, curtsying, greeted him.
- Husband, welcome home. I am glad to see you in good health.
He did not answer, simply nodded his head in response.
- Well, go to your room and rest. We will have a family dinner in the evening.
- Let's go, Kepa!(Father!) Let's go! - his daughter pulled him by the hand.
Rhaenyra was impatient to tell her father a lot.
- Rhaenyra, that's enough, your father is tired, he needs rest now. - Ceryse said, looking sternly at her daughter.
- It's all right, daughter, I will always listen.Sīr skoros gōntan ao jaelagon naejot ivestragon issa, zaldrīzes?( So what did you want to tell me, dragon?)
—Isse general..... (In general...)
The girl told him about her games with her cousins, lessons with Visenya's grandmother and boring septas, how often she visited little Viserys and even held him in her arms.
— He was so heavy!
And she also told him how Alyssa came and told her that she was not Viserys's sister.
"Ha, she found fault with the fact that my daughter considers the boy a brother. Well, she's in her element," - Maegor chuckled.
- See you at dinner, dragon.
- Goose.
How long had it been since he washed himself in warm water! Finally washed off all the dirt, the blood of enemies and his own. Immediately after the water procedures, he lay down to take a nap. Even he needs rest. And when he woke up, it was already evening. The servants came, helped him change, and he headed to dinner. Everything went even better than Maegor expected. This time Alyssa did not pester him, perhaps it was because her father returned alive from the war.
And when he put his daughter to bed, a surprise awaited him in his chambers: his wife in a dressing gown was sitting on his bed.
- What are you doing here?
Ceryse was not a frequent guest in his chambers. After the birth of Rhaenyra, they no longer shared a bed. She had already fulfilled his wish, gave him a wonderful daughter, he did not need more.
- She came to visit her husband. Perhaps even to please you.
- Oh, don't tell me that you came to me because of those rumors? Don't worry, I do not look at other ladies. I have no time.
Usually he did not pay attention to rumors. He was not interested in pure dirt. And yet sometimes he heard some people say that if Ceryse did not get pregnant from him again, then he would turn to another woman for a favor.
- Why rumors right away? Can't I just come and please my husband? By the way, stubble suits you very well, it makes you look more mature, - the woman said, running her hand over her stubble.
He had no time for appearance during the war. And when he returned, he decided to keep it. With it, he really did look older, and he liked it.
- Hmm, well, since she came...
Having his arms around her waist, he pressed her to himself.
- Entertain me, wife.
