Aegon stared at his sister; Helaena was cute, with chubby cheeks and a curious gaze; she won the hearts of every maid!
'She is known to be a dreamer…' Aegon mumbled inwardly, holding his sister's hand, 'her words vague and her habits… a little odd!'
But then he shrugged his shoulders, 'It doesn't matter what she's like; she is my sister and…'
"I will make sure you love a happy life!" he whispered aloud, his eyes gleaming with determination.
Just then, Alicent walked towards the bed, followed by a few maids. "Aegon, Mother is going out for a walk with your sister; do you want to come?"
The Queen had a bright smile on her face that never left her since Helaena was born.
Why would it? She had a second child, a daughter. Her son is the sweetest thing in the world, and she is finally, gradually closing the distance between her and her friend.
"Yes!" Aegon answered, raising his hands high in the air, his eyes sparkling, 'maybe I can see something interesting?' he wondered inwardly.
CHUCKLE
Alkcent chuckled, picking Helaena up from the bed.
The trio then walked out of the room, followed by a few maids, which made the queen turn toward them, "I want to walk alone with my kids."
The maids bowed in return, stopping in their steps while the family resumed walking.
They walked past a few halls, Aegon trailing his mother, his face contorting in annoyance and struggling to keep up.
"Mama, slow!" he exclaimed, a little frustration in his voice.
CHUCKLE
"Yes, baby," Alicent replied, slowing down with a chuckle, "Where do you want to go, baby?" She asked.
'Hmm, just wandering around would get us nowhere,' Aegon mumbled inwardly, 'I guess we use this time usefully…'
"Gwodswood….!" he exclaimed aloud, pretending to struggle spelling it.
Alicent smiled at her son; she knew that's where Rhaenyra spent most of her free time. Shaking her head, "Alright," she agreed.
They walked towards the Godswood and would reach it in a few moments when Alicent stiffened.
Her hands twitched while she looked at a woman! A woman in her thirties, with silver-gold hair and purple eyes—it was Rhaenys!
"Good day to you, Your Grace," Rhaenys said, bowing to her slightly while a small smile bloomed on her face.
Alicent broke out of her daze, stretching her lips into a thin smile; she said, "Good day to you too, my lady."
The two ladies stared at each other for a moment, one smiling while the other was nervous. But then, suddenly Rhaenys turned to Aegon, "Nice to meet you, my prince." She said looking at Aegon.
Aegon narrowed his eyes in return, staring at her but did not reply.
Watching this, Alicent swiftly added, "I'm sorry, my lady. But Aegon doesn't talk much with others!"
Aegon's face almost crumbled; he glanced at his mother, 'mom, you weren't supposed to say that, you are a queen! You owe no explanation!' he commented inwardly.
Rhaenys's smile widened as she shook her hand, dismissing, "It is nothing, Your Grace," she said, looking at Aegon, "I was just wondering how much the prince resembles His Grace, Viserys. I'm sure he will grow up to be a great and valiant knight for his queen sister!"
Silence.
Silence engulfed the hall as Alicent pressed her lips; she understood the woman's jab. She clenched her fist, her mind thinking of a comeback.
Aegon watched his mother, waiting for her, ready to swoop in and break the stance.
But just as he was about to do so, Alicent replied, "I too hope for that, my lady."
A confident smile bloomed on her lips as she looked down at Aegon, her eyes flickering with love, "I pray to the gods every day that my Aegon will grow to become a valiant knight, and the protector of this realm!"
Rhaenys raises her brow slightly, her smile still on her face, "Of course, Your Grace!" The woman was about to say something more, but Aegon cut her off.
"Mama!" he called, tugging at his mother's dress.
Knowing what it was, Alicent looked at Rhaenys, "Apologies, my lady. But I promised Aegon we would play, so…"
"Of course, Your Grace!" she repeated with a smile, moving out of their way.
Alicent smiled at her as they walked past Rhaenys while Aegon just gave her a blank stare.
Rhaenys watched them, watched them as the trio left for the Godswood before she too walked away.
…..
Rhaenys walked into her quarters, her mind filled with thoughts about the queen and her children.
But then she shook them away and glanced at the middle of the room, specifically at her husband, "How was your meeting with His Grace?"
"I believe it went well," a tall dark man with broad shoulders answered as he turned to his wife, "His Grace says that he is worried about the princess."
"Oh?" Rhaenys exclaimed, raising an eyebrow as she took a seat opposite him, "What is he worried about?"
Corlys looked at his wife for a moment before he sighed to himself and answered, "His Grace complains that he is getting many letters of proposals for the princess's hand in marriage. He asked the council for advice on who would do well beside Rhaenyra."
"So?" Rhaenys asked, her smile widening, "What did the council decide on?"
"Well, the council is divided!" Corlys replied, "Lord Strong and I proposed, Laenor!" he added while exchanging a knowing glance with his wife.
"The Lannisters proposed one of their own…" Corlys continued before he took a pause; his mind wandered off, his thoughts unknown.
Rhaenys frowned at this; she thought about her husband's words for a moment, "And Lord Hand?"
".....Lord Otto proposed his grandson, Prince Aegon!"