As they were leaving, Laenor Velaryon, Rhaenyra's supposedly and legally 'husband,' appeared with a beaming smile as he intercepted everyone. "A girl. I've just heard."
"Yes." She smiled at him, now feeling relaxed after being suddenly healed by her son's blood.
"Well done." He praised her. He looked at Rhaegon with a smile of unknown meaning. "Son, you must be happy about having a new little sister, ain't I right?"
"Yes, Father. Thank you for your hard work. It is a beautiful little sister."
"Dad! She is a cute baby, just like me, my brother said!" Alyssa grabbed Laenor's hand and swung it.
"I'm sure she is, sweety." He smiled at his 'first daughter's' cheerfulness. Then his face changed as he watched Rhaenyra leaving the room. "Where are you going?"
"She wants to see her." She spat through her teeth.
"Now?" He had a confused face before sighing. "I'm coming with you."
"I should hope so." Rhaenyra rolled her eyes, as if it were natural that he should come with her.
"Let me take her."
"No. I'm fine, I have recovered thanks to Rhaegon." Rhaenyra decisively denied giving her daughter to him. "She'll get no such satisfaction from me nor the spectacle she would have liked to see."
Laenor's eyes brightened in understanding at those words. "Then, at least take my arm. Even if your body is recovered, your spirit must be tired."
"Was it terribly painful?" he asked as they walked.
"Like hell, our precious baby took her time to go out."
The chatter of many people, servants, guards, and courtiers alike started resounding as they left the chamber for the hallways that were packed with people.
"Oh, Gods preserve me." Rhaenyra groaned a little annoyed, hearing that there were many people waiting to see her. She knew some had come here with honest blessings while others had come for gossip, for favor, or perhaps to see a joke.
But they would not receive the sight they expected, as she walked erect and tall with her chin lifted high, her baby softly in her arms, while at her side Laenor, and her son and daughter tailed behind. She showed everyone her happy family.
*Clap* *Clap*
"Congratulations, princess!"
"Congratulations, my lady Rhaenyra! Long health to the new little Targaryen princess!"
*Clap* *Clap*
"Praise to Princess Rhaenyra! A daughter of dragon's blood!"
"The gods have blessed House Targaryen with a fair maiden!"
"A joyous day! May the Seven watch over the little princess!"
*Clap* *Clap* *Clap* *Clap*
"Long may she live, and may her fire burn bright!"
"A fine child, my lady! The realm rejoices!" A noble spoke as they passed beside him.
"Blessings upon the babe! May she grow strong and true!"
"The Red Keep welcomes another rose of House Targaryen!"
Cheers resounded with praise along those lines, and indistinct chatter was murmured throughout the crowd as they parted to make way for the princess, clapping and offering their congratulations as she passed through.
"I took a lance through the shoulder once." Laenor snickered softly as they walked, making small chat with Rhaenyra to lift her mood and keep her distracted from all the noise that she wasn't enjoying at all.
"My deepest sympathies." She rolled her eyes.
"The Princess..." Servants saluted her.
"A beautiful child, Princess..."
"A healthy babe—praise the Seven..."
"I am glad I am not a woman." He added.
The princess was a bit moody, but it wasn't that she didn't like the heartfelt praises and cheers given to her and her baby; rather, it was because she was forced to present her daughter to the realm in such a way instead of doing so of her own volition.
Servant: "My Princess..." Servant: "My Lord, congratulations..."
As they reached the foot of the stairs, she stopped, a little exhausted in spirit, a slight headache lingering even though her body was recovered, but her mind was tired.
"What is it?"
She sighed as the tolling of bells announcing her daughter's birth started resounding all over.
"What is it? What is it?" Laenor asked, worried.
"Brother..." Alyssa quietly grabbed her brother's hand in worry as she saw their mother stop.
Rhaegon caressed her little soft hand. "She is fine, little sister. Just tired."
"Nothing... fuck..." She said to her husband as her headache diminished. "Walk... Walk!"
"What could she possibly want?" Laenor shook his head. "I thought we were past this."
As they climbed the stairs, a pair of nobles—an old couple—walked past them. "Princess, Ser Laenor, it is a privilege to be amongst the first to congratulate you."
"Thank you, Lord Caswell." Rhaenyra smiled sweetly at him; she knew he was a loyal man to her.
"If I may be of any service..."
"The day may yet come, my Lord."
He bowed to the princess's back as she walked away, and saluted Rhaegon and Alyssa as they passed by. "My prince, princess."
"Lord Caswell." Rhaegon nodded at him in greeting without stopping as they followed after their mother.
"This isn't fucking right. She could come to us if she wanted to see the little baby." Laenor groaned, seeing the show they were putting on at every step and Rhaenyra forcing herself to go to her.
"There is nothing to be done. She is the queen."
Laenor sighed. "This is absurd."
"Mm..." Rhaenyra nonchalantly made a sound.
As they appeared before the queen's chambers, Criston Cole was standing guard outside the door. He stopped in front of the family, saluting without emotion. "Princess." And gave way for everyone to proceed.
Neither Rhaenyra nor Laenor looked at him as they walked past. Rhaegon pursed his lips in disdain at the knight as he also walked by, holding Alyssa's hand.
The wooden doors creaked open. Inside, Queen Alicent stood before a large mirror beside a windowed wall of the chamber, overlooking the city. She was being tended to by her servants, who dressed her in fine jewels. She was relaxed, enjoying herself.
When she saw the incoming family of five, her face morphed into one of disgusting, innocent, fake concern. "Rhaenyra! You should be resting after your labors."
"I have no doubt that you would prefer that, Your Grace." Rhaenyra said, showing nothing but mild acknowledgment.
"You must sit." Alicent insisted, looking at her lady-in-waiting. "Talya, fetch a cushion for the Princess."
"There's no need." Rhaenyra dismissed her.
"Nonsense." Alicent waved her hand. "We'll finish this later." She told her servants.
"Your Grace," Talya said as she left.
King Viserys soon appeared through the door. "What happy news this morning."
Everyone turned to see who was coming.
"Indeed, Your Grace." Laenor cheerfully smiled at the king.
"Grandpa!" Alyssa called out as she embraced his waist.
"Good morning, my lovely Alyssa." Viserys beamed with a radiant smile at his first granddaughter.
"Good morning, Grandpa." Rhaegon nodded to him.
"Rhaegon, my good grandson." Viserys nodded with a smile. Then he looked at the others. "Where is she? Where is my new granddaughter?"
Rhaenyra passed her daughter to Laenor, who took her with a smile and presented her to the king.
The baby gurgled softly as Viserys cradled her in his only arm, the other having been lost due to his advanced poor health. "There. There she is." He smiled softly at the newborn baby girl.
His look was one of such innocent love, with nothing more than happiness at the new child of his family. A new granddaughter.
"Oh." Viserys exclaimed with joy. "A fine princess. Soft features. She will be a beautiful girl, like her sister Alyssa."
"Grandpa! Brother said just the same." Alyssa giggled.
"Your brother is wise, my little one." He cooed softly. "Yes, you will."
"Does the babe have a name yet?"
Everyone looked at Rhaenyra and Laenor. Laenor hesitated less than a breath at the question as he instead looked at Rhaenyra, waiting for her to speak.
Rhaenyra thought for a moment before answering. "Visenya."
"She'll be called Visenya." Laenor nodded.
Alyssa's ears perked up at that name as she asked her mother. "Visenya! Like the Conqueror's wife?"
"Yes, my sweety. Visenya, like her."
"That's quite a name you've chosen." Alicent's sharp voice cut in.
Rhaenyra smiled at her with a bright smile, as if not hearing her displeasure.
"I do believe she has her father's nose." Viserys commented, looking at her. "Don't you?"
Laenor chuckled, nodding. "And the beautiful hair and eyes of the family, your Grace."
"Yes, clear Valyrian traits, like the rest of her brothers and sister." Viserys smiled at Alyssa and Rhaegon.
"Yes, Grandpa." Rhaegon nodded. "I believe Grandpa Corlys and Grandma Rhaenys would be pleased, too, with their new granddaughter."
"As much as 'Grandmother' Alicent is, right?" He looked at Alicent with a mischievous glint as he strongly emphasized 'grandmother.'
Rhaenyra snickered softly as she watched Alicent's stupefied face.
"They sure must be." Alicent awkwardly replied.
Rhaenyra tugged at Laenor's clothes and gave him a look. She wanted to leave this place and rest; her spirit and mind were tired, and she had no desire to stay for Alicent's amusement.
Laenor, catching her meaning, cleared his throat. "If you don't mind, Your Grace, your daughter has exerted herself heroically and should rest."
"Of course." Viserys nodded.
Alicent's small smile faded as she watched them about to leave. She moved beside her husband and looked at the baby girl in his arms.
"There." Viserys whispered, showing the baby to her.
Alicent took the child and cradled her, rocking her slightly. "Indeed, pretty Valyrian features." She muttered with a hint of resignation. Inside, she cursed Rhaenyra—slut, bitch—there was no way this child was Laenor's. Everyone knew he only bedded men and young boys, like his lover, Ser Joffrey Lonmouth. It was an open secret.
She looked meaningfully at Rhaegon, her firstborn and most beloved child. The court knew how much she doted on him, even to the point of extended breastfeeding, nursing him past toddlerhood because he wanted to suck at her tits, as the rumors said. She smelled the wrongness of everything; she was sure something was happening behind closed doors, but if that were the case...these childrens...every one... even she felt herself a bit perverse for even having such a thought.
She gasped and cursed Rhaenyra again —slut, bitch— but even she had doubts about her line of thought as it was so wrong if that were the case in many ways.
But there was nothing more circulating to support her newly arising suspicions. Even the rumor of her nursing Rhaegon past his age had vanished as quickly as it had appeared.
"Well done, my girl." Viserys smiled at his daughter, taking her wrist softly. "I do hope the labor was easy."
"I think I called the midwife a cunt at some point." She snickered.
"Oh." Viserys was amused.
"What is a 'cunt,' Mother?" Alyssa asked innocently.
"Nothing, little sister." Rhaegon quickly covered for Rhaenyra. "Do you want to go see what Corwyn and Baelon are doing?"
"What are they doing?"
"They went to fetch a dragon egg for our new little sister, Visenya, from the dragonpit."
"Dragon egg!" She exclaimed excitedly. "Let's go, brother!" Alyssa took his hand and pulled him away.
"Be careful, don't run!" Rhaenyra yelled after her children.
Viserys smiled at the lively children leaving, then embraced his daughter in farewell.
"It is a beautiful daughter, Ser Laenor. But she looks more Targaryen than Velaryon, like the rest of your children." Alicent said quietly, her tone laced with unknown meaning, probing. "But keep trying. Sooner or later, you may get one with beautiful silver-white hair like yours, or blue and grey-green eyes like other members of your family."
"They are fine as they are, my Queen. And they do have Velaryon traits in them. The royal family are not the only ones with purple eyes and silver-gold hair. These features run through our blood, too, besides those you've mentioned." He shrugged off her words, head held high, unfazed, as his 'children' were normal, whatever she meant to say.
"But I do thank you for your 'considerate' words. Maybe one will come with my beautiful silver-white hair soon enough at this rhythm, but my other two boys have a good platinum color, and that's close enough for me."
Alicent looked at him, hiding her emotions, and without further comment, she passed Visenya back to him and moved away. She was pushing and poking, trying to find answers or something suspicious, and while she didn't get anything from it, her aroused doubts could only further strengthen.
Laenor watched her leave with a smug look and took Rhaenyra's hand as they walked away.
"She tried to make a fool of me." Laenor said, voice wronged. "That bitch."
"She is fishing for information, husband." Rhaenyra didn't care about Alicent's attempts to pry into their children. "After all, everyone knows your tastes around here."
"But don't worry. Our children are perfectly Targaryen and Velaryon."
"Yes, they are." Laenor smiled knowingly, giving her a naughty look.
"Stop looking at me like that, cousin." Rhaenyra chided him softly, giving him a weak pat. A small smile, however, couldn't help but crease her beautiful lips.