The Great Khalessi (GoT Fanfic)

18 - Kidnapped

Everyone in the palace knew what had transpired. The whispers echoed through the corridors as Viserys was tended to by the healers, while Rhaenys lay in her chambers, resting after the ordeal. She had checked on Quentyn earlier, ensuring his injuries were being treated. However, Elia's temper had reached a boiling point when she heard the full story.

Oberyn had just entered the room, nonchalant as ever, when Elia's fiery glare landed on him.

"Your daughter is truly a genius. She manages to hide her adventures even better than I ever did," Oberyn remarked with a sly grin, lounging lazily on a chair.

"As if you ever tried to hide anything at all," Elia shot back, her voice sharp as a blade. "I don't care if you're my brother or not, Oberyn. You manwhore, I am going to kill you!"

Oberyn blinked, feigning innocence. "What did I do?"

"Because of your flirty, shameless ways, you've influenced my daughter to sleep around!" Elia's voice trembled with anger. "This is exactly why I didn't want Rhaenys learning from you."

She had always been strict with Rhaenys' upbringing, ensuring her studies and decorum were impeccable. She had long feared this day would come, and now, her worst suspicions were confirmed.

Oberyn leaned back, crossing his arms casually. "Just so you know, I do well to keep my personal affairs away from the children's eyes and ears. Your daughter has her own mind, Elia. Rhaenys is Dornish through and through, and she's well past her teens. She carries a lot of responsibility on her shoulders, and it's only natural she's found an outlet to relieve her frustrations. Why don't you follow her example? All you do is shout at me lately. Perhaps you should find yourself a pretty man to lay with," he added with a cheeky smirk.

At that moment, Rhaenys entered the room, her face drained of patience. "Mother, please stop threatening Uncle Oberyn's life again," she sighed, exhausted by the drama.

Elia turned to her daughter, her expression stormy. "Who else am I supposed to get angry at when my daughter lets herself be sullied before marriage?"

Rhaenys stared at her, unamused. "Wow, 'sullied' is a harsh choice of words, Mother. Just because a woman chooses to sleep around, does it automatically diminish her worth?"

Elia's face softened slightly, but her frustration remained. "I'm sorry for my choice of words, Rhaenys, but you know not everyone shares your views. Not everyone is as open-minded as they are in Dorne. The majority of Westeros values a woman's purity. How are you supposed to marry now?"

Elia's voice cracked with the weight of her concern. It was every mother's duty to ensure a good match for her daughter, as her own mother had done for her. Elia was already pained by the fact that she couldn't secure a marriage for Rhaenys due to the political turmoil they were living through.

"Then I just won't marry," Rhaenys said coolly, crossing her arms.

Elia's eyes flashed, her anger quickly redirected. "Not marry?! Oberyn, you lecherous bastard, I swear I'll—"

"Mother, stop it!" Rhaenys interjected, stepping between her mother and uncle.

Elia took a deep breath, her voice lowering but still tense. "You are a proper lady, Rhaenys. Do you know how difficult it is for a woman to be without a family? What will happen when I'm gone? When your uncles are gone?"

Rhaenys held her mother's gaze firmly. "Mother, you taught me how to be independent. I don't need a man to survive. You've managed all these years without finding another husband."

"That is not the same," Elia said, shaking her head. "I will not allow you to sleep around like this."

"My sex life is no one's business but mine, Mother. I am a grown woman."