𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑫𝑹𝑨𝑮𝑶𝑵 𝑺𝑯𝑨𝑫𝑶𝑾

𝟎𝟎𝟏

"ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴜᴄʜ, ʏᴏᴜ'ʟʟ ɢᴇᴛ ᴏʟᴅ ᴛᴏᴏ ꜱᴏᴏɴ"

The red-haired girl, Aelya, stood behind the queen, Alicent, as she prepared her blue dress. Aelya helped the maidens with the dress, keeping her head down and doing her best to ignore the awkward tension in the air.

Then, the door opened, and Aelya looked up, surprised to see the princess, Rhaenyra, and her husband, Laenor. Alicent stood stiffly at Aelya's side. "Rhaenyra." Alicent spoke with a sweet tone in her voice, which only served to increase Aelya's frustration. Alicent had ordered that the newborn baby be brought to her after the birth. Rhaenyra stood next to Laenor, looking down at the tiny baby in her arms.

Aleya snapped and spoke up in defense and comfort for the princess. She ordered Talya, one of the maidens, to find a pillow for the princess. "Your Grace, you should rest after your labours." she said, trying to be reassuring.

"It's not necessary, Aelya." Rhaenyra answered, as the red-haired woman helped her sit down on the couch. Although Rhaenyra said that she was fine, Aelya didn't believe her, she could tell that the queen was still recovering from the birth, just by looking at the stains of blood on the floor. However, she wanted to do whatever she could to help even though.

Alicent approached Laenor, who was now holding the newborn. As she passed by Aelya, Alicent whispered into her ear with a sweet tone and sharp venom: "You would do well to remember your place, Aelya." Unphased by Alicent's words, Aelya continued to tend to Rhaenyra, trying to make her comfortable and keep her sane.

Viserys entered the room with his arms open and joy on his face. "What a wonderful news," he said with a sense of relief and pride. Aelya stood off to the side, quietly observing the scene and waiting to see how things would unfold.

"That's right." Laenor said, smiling at the king as he walked towards Rhaenyra. "Where is he?" the king asked, his joy and pride spilling out in his words. Rhaenyra couldn't help but smile at her father's happiness and eagerness to see his grandchild. "Where is my grandson?" He chuckled.

The king cradled the newborn in his strong arms, feeling a rush of pride and love. Rhaenyra laughed softly and smiled, delighted that her father was so happy and proud of their new family member.

Alicent stood near the group, looking less than pleased with the turn of events. Aelya stared at the scene with a proud smile, leaning over to Rhaenyra and whispering: "He is beautiful, Rhaenyra." Rhaenyra responded with a sweet smile, happy for the support and comfort Aelya was providing. Alicent couldn't help but notice the close connection between the two women, and her jealousy once again flared up.

As the king admirably cradled his new grandson, Alicent tried to be a part of the scene. She asked, "Has the couple decided on a name for the baby?" The tension in the room was palpable, as Alicent seemed to be testing the waters.

"We have not decided a name," Rhaenyra explained. Laenor, however, spoke up first, saying: "He will be called Joffrey." This drew some surprised reactions on the Queen and her Hand, as it was not the typical Velaryon name.

"That's not a typical name for a Velaryon," Alicent expressed with a hint of disappointment and disapproval. Rhaenyra just nodded in response, deciding not to argue about the name. Aelya tried to relieve the tension in the room and offered words of support. "I think it is a great choice." she expressed, directing her words towards Laenor and trying to create some levity during this tense moment. She knew the backstory of the name's choice, and how it honored the past lover of Laenor.