The Winter Queen

Chapter 15

Cregan

Soon enough, the feast began and the different nobles came up to the High Table to present their gifts and best wishes and blessings to him and his bride.

It did not take long for him to realize how good she was at charming people and making everyone feel at ease in her presence which absolutely delighted her as he saw her intrinsic grace and charm truly charm his vassels.

Outside of the polite chattering with their guests, the conversation at the High Table was a bit stifled. Lord Otto and Queen Alicent were still fuming that the King hadn’t given in to their wishes despite them repeatedly working on wearing him down and giving in. Lord Otto had also spoken to Lady Jeyne rather rudely since he did not believe that she had any right to be a ruler in her own right, claiming that only men were truly capable of ruling anything ever.

The one bright spot was that Rhaenyra seemed to get along with his father and children quite easily and he could tell that she already was beginning to form friendships with her new ladies.

After the feast had been cleared away, it was time for him to dance with his bride for the first time ever.

He stood and then offered her his hand, “A dance, my Lady?" 

"Of course, my Lord,” she replied, taking his hand.

He then led her out into the center of the Hall even as music began to play.

“Rhaenyra, you are very beautiful and it seems as though you’ve already managed to charm the North." 

"Well, let's say that I didn’t earn my moniker based on my beauty alone. Grandsire swore I was born charming everyone. I wish he were here as he would have been a better King than Father, far less easy to manipulate as well.”

“I never met the Spring Prince but would love to learn more about him, if you would like to share memories with me." 

"I would love to as I already truly believe you both would have gotten along.”

Cregan and Rhaenyra continued chatting easily as they finished their dance. When it was over, he bowed to her and she curtsied to him even as the King approached.

“Lord Cregan, may I beg a dance with my daughter?

“Certainly, my King," he replied as he took her hand in his and lifted it to his lips to kiss it. “My Lady, I will see you later." 

Viserys

It truly delighted him to see his daughter smiling at and already seeming so comfortable with her husband despite not even having known him for a full day. It also made him very glad to see that the eight and twenty year old Lord already seemed to be fond of his little girl. The only negative he could see was that in just a couple days he would be leaving her behind at Winterfell to start her new life even while he returned to the South where, with any luck, his wife would soon deliver his long awaited son.

“Lord Cregan seems to be a nice man, don’t you think, my darling?" 

"Indeed father. I believe I shall be rather content with him and that he will treat me with all proper respect. I am sure that we will be able to carry out our duties as necessary without too much difficulty,” she replied, looking away from him.

“Well, I hope your Lord does not keep you too busy as I do hope that one day, perhaps five years or so from now, the both of you will choose to journey to Kings Landing so that I may meet my grandchildren, such as the one that, even now, may be taking root in your belly." 

"Father!” she gasped, "please give it at least a few months before doing too much talk about my children as it may take awhile for us to learn if the seed has taken." 

"Well, that is why you must welcome and even encourage him, to find his pleasure between your thighs as often as possible as the more seed he sows within your womb, the better the chances of it taking root.”

“Father, today is my wedding day! Can we not talk about babes that are still months away from being realized and at least nearly a year away from being born?" 

"I suppose. I just cannot wait to have you see the joys of motherhood first hand.”

“Well, I am getting a taste of it already since I am now the step mother to young Lord Benjen and young Lady Alys." 

"You are right and I hope that you can become close to them both.”

“I’m sure I will." 

With that said, the pair went silent for the rest of their shared dance.

Rhaenyra

Following the dance with her father, she shared one with Lord Rickon and one with Benjen who seemed both nervous and excited at the prospect of dancing with her despite how she was only a mere three years his senior. She then danced with the fathers of her new ladies with whom she promised that she would help find good matches when the time came. She also shared a couple more dances with her husband.

However, soon enough, it had grown late and it was time for her to retire to her new chambers, alongside her husband where he would help her disrobe before taking her for the second time that day.