160 AC

______________

KING'S LANDING

There's a queen's hands trembled as the weight of what she had just read settled over her. A moment of silence hung in the air before she let out a frustrated sigh, her open palm slamming down on the table. The sudden movement drew the attention of the council, all the eyes fixed on her.

"He killed him!" The Queen spat, her voice sharped with anger. Her hand was annoyed and it was onto the cold table as everyone jumped.

Baela sat across from her, furrowed her brow, confusion etched on her face. She spoke up looking at the Queen, "Killed who...?"

"Royce baratheon," Rhaenya hissed, her words like venom as she turned her gaze back to herh husband.  "Aerea's children, Mila and Jaehaerys, will not be staying at Storm's End. It's not longer for them there."

Jacaerys nodded, his face drawn with concern. He took his wife's hand brushing the edge of her ring as if he was trying to ground himself from all the chaos. "Mila is five.. Jaehaerys  he's only three," he murmured, his voice tinged with worry for his grandchildren.

"They're too young to be left in all this," Rhaenya continued, her voice resolute. "Jaehaerys has time before he is old enough to take his father's place. Until then, we'll keep him here and give him the education he deserves--- a stronger education. As for Mila, she'll find friends among the other girls at court. They will be happy, safer here with us. Until everyone is alright, we will have Maris take Storm's End,"

As if on cue, another raven swooped into the council room, the letter  delivered into Rhaenya's hands. She recognized the seal immediately-- Maris. A sigh escaped her lips as she tore it open, her heart already heavy with anticipation, knowing Maris must be grieving. But as she read the letter, her expression darkened. This wasn't just from Maris; Aerea had written well.

The queen's eyes widened as she scanned the page before lifting her gaze to meet her husband's. "Two nights ago," she began, her voice steady but filled with shock, "Aerea sent a letter to Jace . She said she'd had enough of Royce and his... behavior. She had him sent out to be murdered."

The room fell into stunned silence as her words lingered, the room was so tense... the realization crashing down on everyone. Aerea had taken matters into her own hands, and the consequences would ripple through their family and beyond.

The hesitation in Rhaenya's voice filled the council chamber with an uncomfortable silence. Her gaze drifted over the faces around the Small Council table. Jacaerys shifted in his seat, his voice uncertain. "Did they say when the funeral will be?"

Rhaenya nodded, her eyes fixed on the letter in front of her. "Three days from now. They want the entire family there," she sighed, her voice quieter now. "Apparently, the death hit Aerea harder than it should've..."

Baela, noticing the weight in her words, moved toward her, gently placing an arm around the queen. "It's going to be alright," She whispered, pulling Rhaenya close, allowing her to rest head on her shoulder.

The tension in the room was heavy, silence stretching as each member of the council processed the gravity of the situation. Rhaena finally spoke, breaking the stillness. "Who does Aerea want at the funeral?"

Rhaenya glanced at Jacaerys but chose to hand him the letter instead. "The family... had the Small Council," she answered softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

The significance of her words settled over the room like a heavy shroud. Rhaena, understanding the implications, nodded slowly. "Then we must be careful. No one outside this room can know what really happened. Royce's death... it stays between us."

The tension deepened as they all realized the fragility of the situation. Suddenly, the door creaked open, and Rhaenya's youngest son entered, his expression full of urgency. "Mother, Nyra is sick again..."

Rhaenya's head snapped from the table before the alarm flashing in her eyes. Without a word, she excused herself from the table and quickly left the council chamber following her son. His anxious pace reflected the urgency of the moment guiding her towards Rhaenyra's chambers.

Upon entering, Rhaenya wasted no time. She hurriedly slipped on an apron over her dress and rushed to her daughter's side, her heart tightening at the sight of her daughter lying helpless in bed. Rhaenyra is now six and twenty, but still her mother's child, she looked frail and her face pale and flushed with fever.

"Momma?" Rhaenyra's weak voice called out as she stirred beneath the blankets.

Rhaenya gently touched her daughter's forehead, her fingers cool against Rhaenyra's burning skin. Her heart ached as she placed a cold cloth on her daughter's head. "Sweetling, Momma's here," she whispered, trying to keep her own fears at bay.

Rhaenyra's hand was cold and clammy, the chill of it sending a wave of dread through the queen. Baelor stood in the doorway, watching with wide, worried eyes as his mother tended to his sister. After a long moment, he finally spoke, his voice small and filled with fear. "Momma... is she going to die?"

Rhaenya froze, her hand resting on Rhaenyra's cheek. She couldn't show her fear, not in front of her son. Swallowing hard, she turned to Baelor, her voice steady though her heart raced. "No, sweet boy. She's strong, just like you. We'll make sure she gets better."

But deep down, Rhaenya feared for her daughter, unsure if her reassurances would hold true.

Rhaenya shot her head at her son, before she spoke, "Never talk like that! Ever. She is alright and she will get better. Is that understood?"

Baelor looked down and he nodded, "I'm sorry..." He whispered looking at how ill his sister was. He stood by his mother as he reached and held her hand, "I just don't want to lose her,"

The Queen kissed his forehead before she looked at him, "She is alright, do not worry,"

The room was quiet before the Princess had woken up, she was weak before she looked at her mother, Rhaenya got to her daughter and immediately got her some porridge. Baelor left a sigh on his lips realizing that his sister was okay.

"I need you to listen to me," Rhaenya looked at Baelor, her eyes were in quite a panic. The prince's eyes looked up at his mother nodding. "We need to leave King's Landing to go see your sister, I need you to make sure that your sister is well taken care of, is that understood?"

The young prince's eyes nodded listening to his mother as he watched over his sister, she knew that her sister was going to need his support. Rhaenya quickly went through her daughter's closet for a black dress, and she took in her arms.

Baelor looked at his mother... "Is my tutor coming along with me...?" his voice had a slight tone of embarrassment knowing he didn't want them to come along with them.

Rhaenya looked back at her son, "No, we will come home immediately, you don't need any lessons while we are there..."

The young prince nodded as he put his head down, Rhaenya took him out of his sister's room as she brought him into her chambers. Baelor's head looked up making eye contact with his mother...

The queen gently touched his cheek, as she looked up at her son, who was much taller than her, "Are you embarrassed?"

"Embarrassed of what?" Baelor whispered... as he refused to make eye contact with his mother... there was something there that he knew she was asking him... but he didn't want to answer.

Rhaenya tilted her head looking at her son, the motherly expression of knowing exactly what she was talking about. Baelor hesitated looking at his mother's eyes... before he slowly nodded his head.

His eyes wouldn't look at his mothers, his head tilted down... "I'm sorry, I'm sorry that I am a failure... and I'm not so perfect. I'm so stupid! I'm so embarrassed to be always needing extra lessons." A small pout formed onto his face, "I'm not Visenya or Aerea... or even Alysanne! I'm so stupid compared to all my siblings... I'm a failure in you and father's eyes! That's why father won't acknowledge me!"

Her eyes looked at him as she felt a sigh escape her lips, she grabbed his face gently forcing him to look at her. "Listen to me, you are no failure, not to me and not to your father. You are just taking longer to learn and that's alright. Not everyone is good at their maths... I wasn't either, let me talk to your father... and maybe you can go with him to Storm's End..."

Baelor's pout became bigger as his eyes sadden, "But I don't have a dragon... and I don't want father to take the carriage, that's just too much work,"

"Oh sweet Baelor," Rhaenya hugged him, bringing him closer to her, "I will force your father if he has too, and with Rhaenyra's condition like this we might just have to take the carriage, is that understood?"

The young prince nodded, Rhaenya kissed his head as stayed close to his mother for long warmth and comfort. Baelor pulled back after kissing his mother's cheek, "I will go pack now,"

She nods as she watches her son leave... she speaks up quickly, "Baelor, I love you,"

Before he could leave further out the door, the small prince turned his head responding to his mother, "I love you too,"

Rhaenya quickly went to check on her daughter, Rhaenyra was quietly sitting on her bed... looking quite tired. "Momma,"

"Sweet girl, I'm here..." She kissed her head, holding her hand as she gently caressed her head with the cold wet towel.

"Do I have to go to the funeral...?" Rhaenyra asked as she frowned looking at her mother, she had a small pout on her face.

"Aerea would love it if you could make it as best as you could, but if you really don't want to, you don't have to," Rhaenya whispered as she caressed her daughter's head, she touched her forehead again. "Your fever is going down though,"

Rhaenyra looked at her mother nodding, "Can I get the pretty black dress...?"

The queen got up and she went to her daughter's wardrobe. She picked out two black dresses and showed them to her daughter. "Which one?"

Rhaenyra pointed at the second one, "That one, are we taking the dragons?"

"Of course not, Baelor is also upset that he doesn't have a dragon himself, so we are going to take the carriages," The Queen smiled, "I will have Lady Elora have your dresses ready,"

The princess nodded as she kissed her mother on the cheek, then Rhaenya left as she went into her room. She realized one thing about Aerea, she was just like her... The queen put her hands to her face and just sobbed... never realizing what kind of situation she had put her daughter in.

The door opened and Jacaerys walked in, he looked at his wife as he immediately came to hold her. He asked no questions but brought her close to his chest, gently brushing her hair out of her face.

"What is going on darling?" He whispered, he gently held her face up to his. Rhaenya had more tears, she was sobbing as she looked up, "I failed Aerea,"

Jacaerys brought her closer to her as he realized what she meant, "No, darling you didn't fail her,  do not say that,"

"No I failed her," She choked out between sobs, her voice trembling uncontrollably. "She went through almost the same thing as I did. Her husband was just like A-Aemond," She stuttered, her words barely coherent through her gasp for breath. "But what I did to my gir-"

Her voice broke entirely, and she collapsed into her husband's arms, her body shaking with the force of her crying. Tears streamed down her face as she clung to him desperately, her cries getting  louder and more heart-wrenching. She buried her face in his chest, as her sobs wrecked down her whole body. Her body felt heavy, from all the weight of her guilt and sorrow overwhelming her.

The King held his wife close, his heart heavy with guilt as he watched her struggle. Gently, he lifted her face to meet his eyes, "Rhaenya, breathe," He urged, his voice steady but filled with concern.

Rhaenya took a trembling breath, her body shuddering with the weight of tears. He held her tightly, one hand tenderly caressing her head. "You must be strong, for her... for us..."

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 The Queen's nodded, wiping away her tears, she had to be strong, and stronger than ever, just for Aerea's sake. Rhaenya clung to his arms, grounding herself in his presence, when the back door creaked open. Elaena stepped in quietly, "The bags are packed."

The Queen straightened, drawing in a deep breath as she smoothed her dress and wiped the last remnants of her tears. She fought to keep her emotions in check, as she reached for her husband's support, gripping it firmly.

He squeezed her hands in return, hesitating before turning fully to face her. Rhaenya looked up at him, their foreheads touching in a moment of shared strength... "Aerea sent me many details..."

The Queen's breath caught as she froze, eyes locked with his as a single question weighed heavily on her heart. "No children... were harmed right...?"

The king's eyes looked directly into his wife... Right then there Rhaenya knew something had happened to her grandchildren. "Which one...?"

"Both of them... were harmed in their own way... but none of the children were killed-- but Jaehaerys was covered in his father's blood... and Mila was left with a scar on right wrist..."

Rhaenya froze... "Mila was injured... and Jaehaerys..."

Jacaerys took him in her arms, gently brushing through her hair trying to comfort her the best that he could. "Look at me, we will go to Storm's End and deal with the children ourselves, is that clear?"

The Queen nodded as she calmed down trying her best to calm down, the door opened immediately as the king turned to see who it was. Ser Robert Thorne had arrived as he bowed his head, Rhaenya slowly turned her head to look back to see who had come in.

"Your majesties, I have some news..." Ser Robert's voice was still low.
Rhaenya's hands tightened around Jacaerys' as he looked at the guard, "Speak,"

"Prince Baelor... has claimed a dragon, and is gone off flying," He spoke nervously as he was slightly looking up to see the reactions.

The Queen's eyes traveled upwards looking at her guard and then to her husband... "He- he claimed a dragon...?" 

She was happy for her son, but this wasn't the exact timing to be claiming a dragon... Rhaenya went towards the balcony to see what was going on. She saw a dragon flying around King's Landing and she was quite literally in shock.

The dragon was quite calm as her son was having the fun of his life, as his silver hair flew across his face as he screamed at the top of his lungs. The prince held onto the reins of the saddle as he felt like he was going to fall off....

Rhaenya's voice started to shake as she turned to her husband, there was a sense of panic,  "Get him down now!"

Jacaerys saw a panic in her eyes as he acted quickly, as he ran down to get on Vermax to stop his son from falling. Her fingers gripped tightly on the railings of the balcony as she looked at her son... her eyes flashing back to when she witnessed Joffery's death. She started to panic even more as she needed Jacaerys to get there and reach him.

Seconds turned into Minutes... minutes felt like hours... slowly she was going mad all over again. It had been a while since she had her last episode because of the war and she didn't want to have one happen again now. Her fingers tapped the railing even more before she saw the beautiful green dragon arrive.

The King commanded his dragon in High Valyrian to get his attention, he looked at his son, "Baelor I need you to repeat  after me..." He slowly nodded at his son, Jacaerys started to teach his son commands in High Valyrian.

Baelor repeated back to Silverwing as she listened to his commands... the prince was able to get onto his dragon safely and take it back to the dragonpit. Rhaenya saw the landing as she let out a sigh of relief, there was something just comforting to know that her son was safe.

Rhaenya didn't just run down the stairs--- she sprinted, urgency flooding her veins as her thoughts centered on her son. No one understood the depth of her need to see him safe. When she finally reached him, she pulled Baelor into a tight embrace, her arms trembling as they wrapped around him. He squirmed her grip, unused to such intensity but he couldn't deny the comfort of her warmth.

"Don't ever do that again, do you understand?" Rhaenya's voice, though soft, carried an undeniable edge. Her gaze locked onto her son's, her concern masked by the firmness of her tone.

Baelor, still wide-eyed from the chaos around him, nodded, though confusion lingered in his expression. Then, with a flicker of excitement, he asked, "Can I take her to Storm's End?"

Rhaenya glanced at her husband, Jacaerys, searching for reassurance. Jacaerys met his son's gaze, his face serious. "Will you fly safely, Baelor?"

The boy's chest swelled with determination. He had spent years studying and training in High Valyrian, waiting for the moment his dragon would hatch. His heart pounding his chest as he realized the gravity of the task. "I can do it," he declared, voice firm despite the doubt gnawing at him.

Rhaenya's eyes softened but there was no time to linger, "We need to prepare," She said, her tone swift and decisive. "I have readied your flight gear,"

With urgency flowing through her body, she led Baelor towards her chambers, Jacaerys followed close behind. They all knew Storm's End awaited, and Aerea needed them.

160 AC

_________________________________

STORM'S END

The arrival at Storm's End was crowded, as there were multiple dragons... there was a quiet loom over the castle. Rhaenya was in her daughter's chambers holding her weeping daughter close to her chest.

"Aerea, my sweet girl," She whispered, pressing her lips to her daughter's trembling head, cradling her against her chest as the heart-wrenching sobs echoed through the chambers. Each tear, each broken breath, pierced through Rhaenya's heart. She held her daughter tighter, trying to anchor them both in the storm of grief. "Darling you must be strong, Not only for yourself, but also for your children."

Aerea trembled violently in her arms, her fingers clutching her mother's gown with a desperation that broke her more. "He killed him!" she gasped, the words spilling throughout between sobs, raw and jagged. "Jace killed him! And he--- he hurt her! Mila trusted him, Mother! Trusted him!" Her voice cracked, her grief too great to contain, spilling out in waves that seemed to swallow the room whole.

She held her daughter closer to her, knowing how her own mother struggled to comfort her, she needed to be there for her daughter. She knew how much her daughter hurt, she held her tears back staying strong for her daughter. The Queen pulled back, lifting her daughter's face to look at her tear-streaked face, "Your children... They will need your strength when they are old enough to understand what has been taken from them. You must be their shield,"

The youngest daughter's eyes bloodshed red looking  gazed at her mother nodding before retreating into her arms, seeking warmth and comfort. The room was quiet, the door slightly opening as Baelor and Lucerys entered. Their presences filled the space with a subtle tension.

"Sissy..." Baelor whispered, his voice soft but steady.  He reached for his sister and pulled her into a gentle embrace. Aerea clung onto her brother gently holding him tightly. . Rhaenya stepped back, allowing them space as her children embraced one another. For the first time in what felt like ages, a fragile peace settled over Aerea, her brothers standing before, feeling sorry for their sister. 

Rhaenya's heart ached at the sight of her daughter, so distressed by everything that had unfolded-- especially over a husband who treated her daughter with cruelty. She could no longer bear to witness Aerea's silent suffering. With her mind made up, she swiftly walked the hall, her feet carrying her toward her husband's chambers.

As she approached, the sound of a hushed whisper reached her ears. Curiosity piqued, she peeked through the slightly opened door and froze. Inside, her husband sat with their granddaughter Mila on his lap, reminiscent of when their own children were small. Rhaenya felt a pang of nostalgia but pushed it as she entered the room, crouching to Mila's level.

The queen peeked through the doorway, her heart clenching at the sight  of her husband with their granddaughter, Mila, on his lap. IT felt like a moment pulled from the mast, a tender echo of the days when their own children were small. But this time the weight of their world was heavier. Rhaenya quietly entered the room, lowering herself to Mila's level to her voice soft reassuring.

"Mila, sweet girl, let me see your scar,"  She said, her eyes filled with concern.

Mila hesitated, but then slowly rolled up the sleeve of her dress, her small hand trembling. The scar was raw, reminder of the pain inflicted upon her, her voice quavered, "He hurt me,"

Rhaenya sighed deeply,  her heart aching for her granddaughter. She kissed the top of Mila's head, her voice gentle but firm. "We will do everything in our power to see that he is punished, understood?"

Mila nodded slowly, her wide eyes looking at her grandparents. With a small smile, she leaned forward and kissed her grandfather's cheek before hopping off his lap. "Good night Grandfather... and grandmother," she whispered before making her way to her mother's chambers, seeking comfort in her presence.

As the door clicked shut, Rhaenya stood still, her dress brushing the floor as her gaze lingered on the closed door. Jacaerys watched her closely, sensing the distress etched into her every movement.

"How is she?" he asked quietly, his voice heavy concern.

"She's... not well," Rhaenya whispered, her voice barely audible as she squeezed his hand tightly.  "She's so young... she didn't need to lose her husband. Not like this."

Jacaerys gently kept his hand around her and he looked at the tears already forming in his wife's eyes. She got up from the floor and went to the nearest chair as she put her hand onto her face, as she started to sob. She held herself together just for her daughter, but now she was falling apart. "Jacaerys," She whispered looking at the floor, "I have failed her,"

"No you did not fail her, we never thought he was going to turn out the way he did," Jacaerys whispered, kissing the top of her head.

"No, I failed her. As her mother, she went through almost the same thing as I did... Her husband was just like A-Aemond," The name of the devil had come out. Her voice was stuttering barely coherent through her gasp for a breath, "But what I did to my girl---"

The King approached the Queen, his presence heavy with sorrow as he pulled her into his chest. His voice cracked as he whispered, "You didn't fail her alone—I failed her too, as her father and as the King." There was something in Jacaerys' eyes that Rhaenya hadn't seen in a long time, a vulnerability that made her heart ache.

Jacaerys sank into the chair beside his wife, the weight of his grief settling in. His hand covered his face as he tried to compose himself, but the silence between them only deepened the cracks in his resolve. Rhaenya, who had been holding her own grief tightly, watched him break down before her.

Without a second thought, she rose and moved toward him, her movements swift as she wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into her embrace. Jacaerys wept—a sound more profound and devastating than any cry. It was the weeping of a man, a king, but more than that, the deep sorrow of a father who felt helpless.

She held him close, her fingers tenderly running through his hair as she pressed his head to her chest. The rhythm of her heartbeat seemed to anchor him as she whispered, "It's not just your fault, love. It's mine too, okay?"

Jacaerys nodded, though the guilt still weighed heavily on him. Gently, Rhaenya helped him rise, guiding him to their bed. They lay down together, her arms still wrapped tightly around him as they both sank into the quiet of the night, sharing their grief in silence. Neither needed to speak; the comfort of being together was all they had left. Slowly, exhaustion overtook them, and they drifted into a fragile sleep, holding each other close.

160 AC
_____________________________________

STORM'S END

Tension hung thick in the air as everyone gathered at the top of the tower of Storm's End. Rhaenya, already dressed in mourning attire, steeled herself to face the body of her son-in-law. Just then, a small hand tugged at her skirt, and she looked down to find Mila standing there, her small frame leaning against her grandmother's side.

Mila wore a black dress, a delicate headpiece adorned with a veil cascading down her back. Around her neck, she proudly displayed a Baratheon necklace, her fingers clenching Rhaenya's hand tightly.

"Mommy said the body is coming," Mila whispered, her voice small and uncertain. "Daddy was all fixed up and wearing his favorite clothes now..."

Rhaenya bent down to kiss the top of Mila's head, holding her close as the little girl leaned into her. A small pout formed on Mila's lips as she watched more people enter the somber room. Soon, Rhaenya's family arrived, all her children gathered with Rhaenyra in one place, a bittersweet reunion in the shadow of tragedy.

Jacaerys picked up little Mila, who immediately wrapped her arms around her grandfather's neck. Rhaenya's heart swelled at the sight of Jaehaerys being carried out by his mother. She reached up to take him in her arms as well.

"Gamma!" he exclaimed, his little fingers gently playing with her braids. Rhaenya smiled down at him, planting a kiss on his forehead. His brown curly hair and wide brown eyes sparkled with innocence, a stark contrast to the heavy atmosphere around them.

Visenya approached, her own belly round with child, and Rhaenya felt a rush of pride. She smiled and kissed her daughter's hand, then gently touched her belly. "Third child?" she inquired.

"Fourth, Mother. We have someone to introduce," Visenya replied, revealing a little girl wrapped in a blanket held securely in her father's arms.

Rhaenya's heart melted as she gazed at her new granddaughter, Princess Rhaena. She leaned down to kiss the soft head, her smile broadening as she exchanged a proud look with Visenya.

The moment was fleeting, however, as her son Lucerys entered the room with his wife and daughter. Rhaenya's heart warmed further at the sight. "Jaehaerys, let's go meet your cousin!" she whispered, taking the little boy's hand and leading him toward Lucerys and Laena.

Joy bubbled within her as she witnessed her children coming together in the face of grief. Visenya was comforting her sister, and Rhaenya and Jacaerys were attending to Aerea's children, providing the support they so desperately needed.

Lucerys caught her eye, and though they hadn't had the chance to speak the night before, he stepped closer. "Mother," he said, relief washing over his face.

"Lucerys," she replied, embracing him and pressing a gentle kiss to his head. She offered Laena a small kiss on the hand, grateful for her presence.

Just then, a little Velaryon girl dashed forward, her bright smile lighting up the somber room. "Hello, Grandmother!" she chimed.

"Oh, hello, sweet Liana!" Rhaenya exclaimed, kissing her head. Jaehaerys squirmed in her arms, eager to be let down.

As Rhaenya placed him on the floor, he rushed to Liana, the two children embracing in a sweet hug. Lucerys smiled at the sight. "I can watch them, Mother. Go comfort Aerea," he offered, and Rhaenya nodded, grateful for his support.

Slowly, she made her way toward her daughter, who was being cared for by her elder siblings. Baelor stood quietly in a corner, his expression somber as he watched the family that had once been so whole now fractured by grief. The King cradled one of Aerea's daughters as the funeral began.

Aerea walked slowly beside the casket, the lords loyal to House Baratheon bearing it with solemnity. The atmosphere was thick with sorrow, and Rhaenya felt her heart ache for her daughter, whose strength was faltering under the weight of loss. She and Jacaerys let Mila and Jaehaerys wander toward their father's casket.

Silence enveloped them, broken only by Aerea's quiet sobs as she clung to Maris for support. Mila kept her head down, her gaze fixed on the casket, the gravity of the moment pressing heavily on her small shoulders.

The solemnity of the scene was disrupted by soft snickers escaping from Rhaenya's other children. She turned, irritation bubbling beneath her grief, to see them stifling laughter as they watched the lords and guards struggle to carry the large casket.

Visenya buried her head against her husband's chest, while Lucerys and Baelor nudged each other, trying to suppress their giggles. Alysanne entered the room with two of her daughters, attempting to hold back her laughter alongside her brother Daeron.

Rhaenya shot a fierce glare at her children, yet their laughter persisted, echoing through the somber space. It was irreverent, disrespectful, and yet, it was a glimpse of their family's bond, even in the midst of tragedy.

Finally, the casket was lowered into the mausoleum, and Aerea, Mila, Maris, and Jaehaerys stepped forward to say their last goodbyes, the finality of the moment sinking in as the ceremony came to a close.

After the funeral, a small feast was held in remembrance of Royce Baratheon. As the night wore on, Rhaenya, alongside Aerea and her siblings, helped pack up belongings, preparing for the journey back to King's Landing. The weight of their loss lingered in every shared glance, every soft-spoken word.

Surpirse... i'm BACKKKK