Dragon Princess || Aegon II Targaryen

𝖢𝗁𝖺𝗉𝗍𝖾𝗋 23

Several moons had passed, long enough for Rhaenys and Aegon to be unable to part or look at each other without smiling. Long enough for him to admit to himself the new feelings growing within, and for her to fear more and more the possibility of being sent north.

To be honest, Aegon was surprised by himself. After all, the art of patience and waiting wasn't in his nature, but he was more than content, more than happy, with simply pressing his lips to Rhaenys's. It was all he needed. All he required to make it through another day of his mother urging him to take his role as heir, a role that didn't really exist, seriously. To endure seeing Aemond's face every day without wanting to take his second eye. To bear the dreams and thoughts he had of his sister, over and over, which often drove him to the Street of Silk to clear them from his mind.

As for Rhaenys, she couldn't deny it. She couldn't deny that her thoughts wandered too often to the lilac eyes that tormented her. To the afternoons spent in the Keep's gardens and in the air, riding Karnax and Sunfyre. She couldn't deny the pride she felt when she saw Aegon defeating whoever his opponent was in training. And she couldn't deny the warmth that had begun to steadily grow in her chest and body with each kiss.

"Are you well?" Rhaenys heard someone say behind her. Looking ahead, she saw Jeyne's raised eyebrow, which made Rhaenys widen her eyes, realizing she hadn't heard a single word Jeyne had said.

"Of course... Forgive me. I got lost in my thoughts," the princess replied, reaching for the cup of water Jeyne had placed before her.

As expected, Rhaenys had asked Ser Arryk to take her to the orphanage to visit Jeyne and the children. And so, she found herself there again. Sitting in the chair with Jeyne, a little older than when she had first met her, seated across from her, while the children played in the background. However, unlike that first day, both the children and Jeyne now appeared in much better condition. Her father had kept his promise.

As agreed, Rhaenys had never opposed her marriage to Cregan Stark, and in return, the king had provided a portion of supplies for Jeyne's orphanage. Of course, nothing came without a price from the crown, so Jeyne had to abide by several rules. Among them was the restriction on anyone taking the supplies and a limit on accepting new children until at least one left. Naturally, Jeyne wasn't pleased with these rules, but she couldn't complain. After all, not only did she have food for herself and the children, but a part of the City Watch also patrolled her street, ensuring nothing happened to the orphanage or the provisions meant to feed the children.

Rhaenys knew nothing of these rules, as she hadn't been informed. But she saw the progress and change that a simple act of help could bring to the lives of people who had nothing. She saw the change in Jeyne, in Gaia, and in Petyr, who was no longer just skin and bones. Today, he was full of life, even full of dreams, thinking about how he could one day join the Gold Cloaks. Seeing that boy, practically her age, having dreams made a smile appear on the princess's face.

"Hmm... And these thoughts of yours..." Jeyne began, taking a sip from her cup and looking at the princess. "Do they have a name?" she asked, setting her cup down with a knowing smile.

Jeyne wasn't foolish. It had been several years since she had met Rhaenys, and the princess had been visiting her establishment regularly, always accompanied by Ser Arryk. Over the years, Jeyne had become closer to the princess, almost taking on a motherly role in Rhaenys's life. So, though she was used to the younger princess's light and cheerful aura, she had noticed the change in her over the past few moons.

The princess had a different sparkle in her eyes. A happier gleam. A light brighter than the sun itself. A glow that illuminated Rhaenys even more. Not to mention her smile, which appeared more frequently, even when she was lost in her own thoughts. Jeyne had seen this state before: it was the same one that had given her her daughter.