The Rogue Prince has lost his wife in a terrible accident which leaves him the option to remarry.
Lady Anastasia Tully is a kind girl from the Riverlands thrown into the mess of the dragon family - a mess she is trying so hard to avoid yet it seems...
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As Alyssa's first year came to a close, Dragonstone was filled with quiet joy. With her curly red hair and blue eyes, she resembled her mother, inheriting the Tully looks entirely. Her dragon egg had not hatched, but it didn't worry Anastasia much—Alyssa could claim a dragon of her own, if the time came and her heart desired it.
One morning, Anastasia sat with Daemon, watching Alyssa crawl across the stone floor while her older siblings, Naella, Daemax, and Daemian, played nearby. Anastasia's thoughts turned to her sister, Astrid, whose first child was due any day now. "I've been thinking, Daemon," she began. "Astrid's time is nearing. I want to be with her when the babe comes."
Daemon looked over at her. "You should go," he said without hesitation, "She'll need you."
Anastasia smiled. "Thank you. But... are you sure?" She leaned forward slightly, her brow furrowing. "You've never been with the children without me for a long period of time."
Daemon chuckled. "What do you think will happen? That they'll turn into wildlings without you here?" His tone was teasing. "I'll be fine. We'll be fine."
She raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a playful smirk. "You're certain? No wild feasts while I'm gone?" she teased back.
"Of course not," Daemon said, grinning, "Unless Naella plans to host one. She has the fiercest temper of the lot." He glanced toward their eldest daughter, who was currently bossing her brothers around with an air of authority that even Daemon couldn't deny. "But I'll manage. The children will hardly know you're gone."
Anastasia laughed softly. "I'll take Alyssa with me," she added after a moment. "I don't want to leave her behind while she's still so little."
Daemon nodded, understanding. "Good. Though she'll be missed, I'm sure her siblings will survive a few days without her."
"I'll stay with Astrid until the babe arrives and for a few days after," Anastasia said. "Then I'll return. I won't be gone long."
Daemon reached out, taking her hand gently. "You'll do what you need to, Anastasia. The children and I will be here, waiting for you."
The next day, it was time for Anastasia to say her goodbyes. The ship, ready to set sail, waited at the harbor. Ser Adrian Redfort, stood by, keeping a vigilant eye on the preparations. Anastasia bent down to kiss Naella, Daemax, and Daemian one by one. Naella tried to act unfazed by her mother's departure, though she hugged Anastasia a little tighter than usual.
"When will you be back, Mama?" Naella asked, her big eyes searching her mother's face.
"Soon, my love," Anastasia assured her, brushing a curl away from Naella's forehead. "I won't be gone for long. Look after your brothers while I'm away, alright?"
Naella nodded, as if already taking the responsibility to heart. Daemax grinned up at her. "Bring us something from Raventree, Mama!" he said eagerly, his eyes lighting up at the thought.
