Chapter 40.6- The Seadragon's Roar

“Fair enough” I said, not bothering to argue. King-consort title or not, there was just no world where I wouldn’t end up being the one in charge. Whether I had to work against Rhaenyra to get it or not, I just had too much ambition in me to be satisfied as a showpiece adorning Rhaenyra’s hand. And then there was the truth of how Westeros worked. The Lords would turn to me to lead them regardless of what oaths they swore to Viserys or even to Rhaenyra herself.

Because she could be the greatest thing since sliced bread, but the curse of being born without a cock between her legs would follow her forever. I didn’t agree with it personally, but I had no doubts that I would take advantage of it if the opportunity came.

“And still I don’t want it. I don’t care about the Seven Kingdoms, Laena”

“You mean the same Seven Kingdoms that you so passionately debated your claim to at the Great Council?” She asked.

“Yes. Precisely those Seven Kingdoms .I was much younger then. I didn’t have the Stepstones. I didn’t have you” I said. She turned to me now, searching my eyes for something. She seemed to find it as she was in my hands in a matter of seconds. I held on to herass she pressed her face against her shoulder.

“I don’t want you to marry her” She said, finally saying the words.

“I don’t want to marry her either. But we don’t have to worry about that” I said.

“What do you mean?”

“While I might be a Knight, I still haven’t hit my majority yet. The same is true for Rhaenyra. They wouldn’t try to marry us until she turned six and ten at least. The best they’d do is negotiate a betrothal.”

“So? It’s just as good as being married to her. It’s not like you can break a betrothal with the royal family” She said.

“I have a good feeling Rhaenyra will give me cause all on her own.”

“How do you know that?”

“A feeling”

“So you don’t know for sure” She said.

“What do you want me to do Laena? Elope? Abandon everything so I can be with you?” I asked.

“Yes. Just that. Why can’t you do that? Why don’t you love me Laenor?”

“I love you. I love you so much—“ I began, but she cut me off soon as I started.

“But not enough. Not enough for us to get on our dragons and leave”

“And go where? As the last scions of Valyria found, the only place safe for dragons, is where we build for ourselves. That’s what I want with the Stepstones.”

“Then do it here. Marry me here” I felt my breath hitch as she made the request.

“I can’t. Not yet.” I said. There were so many things I had to do first to make it so our position was unassailable.

“You say not yet, but all I hear is not ever.” She said, extracting herself from my grasp. Before I could find the words to say, she was gone.

A/N: Laenor in this case is being logical. The Stepstones relies on Westeros for everything from food to even the ships they get from Driftmark. Rhaenys won’t support the wedding either. The wise thing to do from his perspective is let the betrothal move forward then either find a way to get Rhaenyra to break it or just break it himself when he is in a stronger position to bear the consequences. Laena, of course, only hears excuses where she has seen Laenor go after the things he wants with no hesitation for so long.