A year had passed.

Not that she noticed, Viserra had no time for herself these days. Every waking moment of her life since marriage, she could feel those eyes on her, waiting for her to grow with child. Helaena had gotten with child after her first night with Aegon, the Mother had shined her blessing on her, and yet she did not receive the same.

They often whispered it was a sign, the Mother was refusing to bless her and the rumors surrounding her only seemed to grow. She couldn't stand how the people became more bold with their words, sometimes she wished she could send them to their deaths. Even Rhaenyra got pregnant, they whispered, and she was rumored to have bastards. The Mother had blessed Rhaenyra with her bastard children and yet refused Viserra one of her own.

Viserra could not claim how she would feel about bringing a child into the world, her mother and Helaena seemed happy enough. Rhaenyra was the only person she had seemed to shine at being a mother to her boys from her memory and she wanted that for herself deep down. To have something innocent that adored you in such a way only a child could.

But she would not get that, not with Aemond being the father. That child would likely be as cold as him and she would do everything she could to shower that child with the warmth to be great.

As the months passed, and Viserra had failed to get with child, Aemond's temper seemed to shorten with her. He grew quick to outbursts, especially when the two were alone, blaming her for their inability to have a single child. And she could not find him wrong, she blamed herself as well. She had one job and failed. Viserra could not give him an heir, no matter how she prayed.

It wasn't long after the blaming began that she began to spiral with these thoughts, her sickness growing increasingly worse, her mind fogging up mid-conversation without her realization. And this only proved to anger Aemond further. After all, he hated being ignored.

As he was now.

Viserra looked up at him, sitting in her chair while embroidering, to see him staring at her with that piercing violet eye, "..Did you say something..?" making him turn away from her, hand on his forehead. He gave a short huff, "Of course.." Before beginning his pacing once more, his breathing went harsh. The anger was practically filling her chambers.

"I apologize, Aemond.." Viserra spoke, setting her embroidery hoop to the side, and clasping her hands in her lap. He sighed harshly, turning back to face her, "Have you been seeing the maesters?" making her frown. What else would she do?

She stood, slowly, to ease her aching head, "I have..they still don't quite know what is wrong.." because why else would they not have a child yet, it could only be her illness, at least that was what Aemond believed. He was perfectly healthy so it could only be the sick sister that was to be blamed.

Aemond nodded, "I see..we will try again tomorrow night." and if that wasn't a stab in the gut, she knew where he was going. To see his whore, a woman he found more comfort in rather than the blood of his blood. Her handmaidens had often assured her that this was no longer the case, he had stopped sneaking out after their wedding, but their words didn't reach Viserra. And the spark of her anger rose again though she was quick to suffocate it. Viserra could not lash out at him, no matter how much she wished to, his wrath would be so much worse than anything she could throw at him.

"I'll be waiting then.." She smiled, strained, as he nodded once again, leaving the room in a small hurry. The smile dropped and her eyes rolled, turning back to her embroidery and resuming her work. One day she hoped she would have a child, and she wanted to be ready for that day with a bountiful amount of embroidered gifts. Hopefully this would show the Mother that she was ready.

Viserra spent the day finishing her handkerchief, putting all the love and care she could into it, wanting her future child to know that they were loved even before they were a concept in this world. How excited she was for the day when she could hold a small babe in her arms, to hear it's cry as it entered the world.

It wasn't long until her three handmaidens made their way in, preparing her dinner for her, a simple piece of mutton cooked with potatoes on the side, telling her the latest gossip they heard. It never failed to put a smile on Viserra's face seeing how excited they get over the smallest rumor. Though she was often surrounded by rumors, she never hated gossip when it was about others, after all, how could she hate it when it made the three women so excited.

Myna walked over to her to help Viserra to her feet, and walked her to the table with eased practice. Sitting down, Viserra thanked her handmaidens, before beginning to eat her supper. Lehna smiled at her, "Are you well, princess?" causing the girl to pause, turning her head to the girl. Lehna often worried about her health, taking it upon herself to aid in any way she could.

"I am well, thank you for asking" she smiled, turning back to her meal and listening in on the near conversation. Myna leaned over, "Did you hear, Lehna, apparently that washmaid, Elyse, got caught with the stableboy, Markas, even though he is engaged" making Lehna gasp. The two continued their gossiping, giggling as they went, they were the closest friends. They even once mentioned that they sometimes shared a bed on the coldest of nights.

Talana shook her head with a sigh, "Young girls and their gossip" picking up the plate as she finished her food. Viserra giggled, "Let them have their fun, Talana, it is quite enjoyable to hear some times.." catching both the young girls' attention, they all knew that Talana was big on gossip. The two smiled before turning to ready the bath, the whispers between the two continued.

Myna poured the hot water into the tub as Talana untied the dress from Viserra's body, easing her into the hot water. She let out a relaxed sigh, feeling Lehna begin to scrub her body with oils, ensuring that she smelled clean.

Talana moved to start working on her silver hair as Myna put an odd herb into the bath, humming softly, catching Viserra's attention, "Myna..what are those..?"

Myna looked up, her brown eyes wide before softening, "Where I'm from..we put these herbs to soak in to aid fertility" and she couldn't deny the girl's eagerness to help. It was a beautiful plant, similar to a rose, with a golden color to it with a pattering akin to white veins. The petals were scattered into the water, seemingly becoming more golden, the fire only aiding in their shine.

Viserra scooped one, staring at it, "What is it called..?" in awe at the beauty of the golden flower. Myna smiled wider, "It's called Mother's Blessing, Princess, it's a symbol of fertility and luck.." before joining Lehna in scrubbing Viserra's skin. The girls began their whispers once more as they worked.

She couldn't look away from the petal in her hand, she had never seen a more beautiful flower. It was as if the sun itself blessed a flower, similar to what she had heard of the Winter Rose, and a smile appeared on her face.

Talana began to rub Viserra's shoulders, humming softly, a familiar tune, "Hopefully that flower will aid the princess..and give her a child for her to dote on.." making the other two girls nod. Viserra giggled, her anxieties escaping her mind as was often the case when her handmaidens were present. Her wish to be a mother only grew with each day, to see that small smiling face look up at her, something her own mother fed into.

The girls continued to talk into the night, smiles on each of their faces, as they watched over their lovely princess.
___

They both laid there with the only sound being their breaths, the cold chill from the night slowly filling the room. Aemond began to shift as if to leave before Viserra grabbed his arm, "Could you stay here, Aemond..?" longing filled her heart.

Just one night she wished for, one night where they could go back to how they were. She would forgive all his actions, all the harm he had caused her, for just one night of his affection. Viserra was desperate, she knew that, and yet she could only crave the soft touches from their childhood. How he held her hand as if she was the only thing keeping him alive.

Aemond looked back at her, "I have no need to stay" before standing, dressing into his clothes as Viserra watched, and left. And it was true..why would he stay after he fulfilled his side of duty when now only hers was a matter of importance? Though she was not sure how she would do that, she couldn't force it, no matter how she wished.

A wave of nausea hit her before she yelled out, "Ser Rickard! Can you call my handmaidens?" and no response sounded but she knew he heard her, following her command with haste. For it wasn't long before Lehna, Myna, and Talana walked in, bowing before her, tired smiles on their faces. They likely were getting close to their sleeping hours and guilt hit Viserra's heart.

"Run a bath for me, please..and Myna..can you put those flowers in..?" Viserra asked, seeing their nods and hurried to begin preparations. The pot was put on top of the fire so the water could grow hot and the bath was brought out. Standing, Viserra let the sheets fall from her naked body, watching Myna and Lehna's movements.

Talana walked over to her and pulled her into a hug, "You can rest now, Princess, we shall care for you" and tears were brought to her eyes, fingers clinging to the back of Talana's dress. The small bit of comfort was what she needed. Some small part of her heart often saw Talana as more of a mother then her own, she was always there when she needed her.

Viserra looked up at Talana, "Thank you..I can't thank you enough.."

Talana smiled, "No thanks are needed, my Princess"