Chaoter. 40.5- The Seadragon's Roar

“So what is it? Lay it all on me” I said, missing the warmth of her body as she took a step back and reached into the satchel she carried on her shoulders. I’d made small messenger bags— more like had them made by a leather worker from Tyrosh so we could carry around some things while we flew our dragons. Laena had taken to wearing hers basically all the time.

I accepted the scroll she took out of it, rolling it open.

“The Queen gave birth to a son. A healthy boy they have named Aemond”

“Two princes now”, I said as I read the very standard royal childbirth notice. It was much the same as the one e had received when Aegon had been born. And just like that one, there was a note that Rhaernyra remained the heir and that Aemond himself was now third in line for the throne. How interesting. Otto must have hated that one.

“And an invitation to attend a tourney celebrating his birth” She said.

“Seven months after his nameday seems oddly long” I commented.

“The paranoid part of my mind says it’s so you can make it in time. Another part says it’s because seven is an auspicious number, and it gives both mother and child time to recover so they can be presented to the realm at the best.”

“I don’t think the King cares enough about me to make it so he schedules his tourney around my attendance.”

“That’s because you haven’t read Mother’s message yet” She said. I noticed she had handed me one scroll and left the other in her grasp. I stretched out my hand to receive it. She shook her head.

“I’ll just tell you instead. She says Hightower is on his last legs. The King is going to rescind the shipbuilding tax after the tourney to celebrate the new one’s birth. She said you have to make sure you attend”

“What’s she need me there for?”

“What do you think?” Laena asked, looking away.

“She wants to negotiate my marriage.” The answer came relatively easily. From what I knew, my canon self’s marriage to Rhaenyra was still years in the future from being agreed.

“She does. She doesn’t say as much, but she does.”

“A betrothal” I said, testing how the word tasted on my mouth.

“Do you want to marry her?” Laena asked. I noticed how she failed to meet my eyes. Staring at the wall instead. That reminded me— I would have to look into getting some windows installed in this damn place. We had the glass, after all. And even if it led to worse defensibility, who would dare attack a castle with dragons roosting within.

“No. Of course not” I said, trying to reassure her.

“You’re lying. I know you. You’re just like father. What could be more ambitious than being King of the Seven Kingdoms.”

“King-consort” I corrected.

She scoffed. “We both know what would happen” She said.