┊͙✧˖*°࿐ 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍

  𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐀𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐝 called for the maids to draw a bath for his wife. They had a little while to prepare for dinner so Rhaella wanted to take advantage of the peacefulness for a moment longer.

After Aemond had undone the laces of her dress she couldn't help the sigh of content that left her when she slowly sat in the warm water, as warm as the maesters would allow while she was still carrying. She moved forward so Aemond could slide in behind her. The water sloshed when he sat down, his arms wrapping around her, pulling her body to his.

Aemond kissed the bare skin of her shoulder while he rested his hands on her stomach, rubbing soothing circles across her skin. Rhaella sighed as she rested her head back against him.

It was only quiet for so long before Rhaella grew tired of the silence. "I wish we could stay here."

Aemond hummed softly as he nestled his nose against her hair, reaching for the cloth sitting on the table beside the bath, he dipped it in the water and began dragging the wash rag down her body. Rhaella watched as he took his time once he got down to her stomach. She smiled softly, Aemond had been entranced, hands barely leaving her when he had first felt the babe kick only a moon ago.

  "It won't be long now." Rhaella whispered, turning around in his arms so she could straddle his lap to the best of her ability. Aemonds lips quirked at the sight, watching his wife as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders, fingers interlacing at the back of his neck.

  "The maester says I'm nearly six moons." The happiness that was exuberant in her voice made a smile appear on Aemonds face. He could feel the kicks from the babe against his stomach where Rhaellas stomach was pressing against him.

  "She seems to be already strong-willed like her mother." Aemond told Rhaella, tucking a strand of her silver hair behind her ear.

Rhaella raised a brow at his words, gently taking the cloth from him. "She?" She was confused given that most men wanted a boy to solidify that they had an heir but Aemond had always been one to surprise her.

Aemond pursed his lips, nodding ever so slightly. "Only a feeling."

The Princess only nodded taking one of his hands in her own. She twirled the rings on his fingers, the one with the dragon stood out most to her. More than likely because it had been a gift from her, made of Valyrian steel.

Worry still settled in her stomach, as it had since she found out about the dinner taking place when the sun went down. She hoped it would be peaceful for her grandsire's sake but the tension between the family had grown, and the petition all but solidified it.

"Promise me that you will behave tonight." Rhaella looked back up when he raised her chin to look back up at him. She felt as if she was scolding a child but she needed to know he wouldn't say or do anything to her brothers.

Aemond sighed, placing his arms on the sides of the tub. "You can't expect us all to break bread, my love." He felt her fingers trace his scar, learning not to flinch when she touched it, trying his best to remember that she meant no harm. "The noose has grown rather tight over the years."

"That shouldn't mean you allow it to grow even tighter, Aemond." Rhaella told him, she wasn't expecting him to let years of anger go. But he could try, for tonight at the very least. "I know why you're angry, you have every right. But for tonight, try to break bread." She used his previous words making him open his eyes once again.

Over the years, he had learned that he would do nearly anything that his wife asked of him. She never pushed, even now. And again he found himself unable to deny her.

~

Rhaella's nerves still had not settled, even as she and Aemond made their way to the dining hall. She kept her arm looped in his while they walked, gripping the green leather in her fingers.

She hadn't realized they had made it until Aemond gestured for the doors to be opened. Upon arrival, Rhaella noticed they were the last ones to arrive. She instantly caught sight of her mother who was rather awkwardly sitting by Alicent. Rhaenyra had already been watching her daughter as soon as she heard the doors open.

The sight of her daughter made a small smile appear on her face before it slowly fell. Even though she had been of her age when she had the twins it made her rather sad at the sight of her daughter carrying a child so young at only seven and ten years of age. Daemon noticing his wife's change in mood placed his hand on hers drawing her attention elsewhere.

Aemond guided Rhaella to their seats at the end of the table. Luke and Rhaena at the opposite end. Taking a seat with the help of Aemond who pushed her chair in gently, she smiled when she saw Helaena sit back down to the right of her.

Helaena whispered lowly to herself, so quiet that Rhaella couldn't hear but the words she spoke right as the doors opened once again made her sit up in confusion.

  "There is a beast beneath the boards."

Aemond held out his hand for Rhaella, to which she responded with a slight roll of her eyes. She could stand up well enough on her own but she allowed him to dote on her. Standing up she clasped her hands together as the King was brought around the table slowly and gently placed between the Queen and her mother.

Aemond pushed Rhaella's chair in once more as they all took their seats.

There was an uncomfortable silence that filled the room as Viserys breathed heavily, his tired eye looking around the table.

  "How good it is, to see you all tonight. Together." He spoke, looking to Rhaenyra who only nodded ever so slightly.

Alicent reached out to grab her husband's hand, smiling softly. "Prayer before we begin?"

"Yes."

Alicent clasped her hands together on the table while the others closed their eyes.

Rhaella set her hands in her lap, twisting the rings on her fingers as she listened to the Queens prayer.

"May the Mother smile down on this gathering with love. May the Smith mend the bonds broken for far too long. And to Vaemond Velaryon, May the gods give him rest."

Rhaella opened her eyes, making eye contact with Daemon who smirked at Alicents words. Rhaella despite having not enjoyed the gruesome sight couldn't help the quirk on her lips.

"This is an occasion for celebration, it seems." Rhaella looked away from Daemon to her grandsire who had a smile on his weathered face. "My grandsons, Jace and Luke, will marry their cousins, Baela and Rhaena. Further strengthening the bond between our houses." Rhaella smiled at her brothers, taking a sip from the goblet in her hand.

He then raised his hand, Rhaella along with the rest of her family raised their cups in Jace and Luke, and Baela and Rhaena's direction. "A toast to the young princes and their betrothed." The King then raised his cup in Rhaella's direction. "Let us toast as well, to my son, Aemond, and his wife and my granddaughter Rhaella who will bless me with another grandchild before long."

Rhaenyra was the first to raise her cup in her brother and daughter's direction. "Hear, hear."

Rhaella nodded her head in thanks, feeling Aemond slip his hand into her free hand, while she gently placed her own on her stomach. He noticed she had grown uncomfortable under all the attention. Her eyes looked away from their hands when Viserys stood up with struggle, his hands gripping the table causing the cutlery to bang against the wood.

Taking a few harsh breaths he looked around once more at his family. "It both gladdens my heart and fills me with sorrow to see these faces around the table. The faces most dear to me in all the world, yet grown so distant from each other, in the years past."

Rhaella couldn't help the sadness that filled her as his hand reached up to pull the mask from his face. Faces of sorrow surround the table, taking in the Kings appearance.

"My own face, is no longer a handsome one if indeed it ever was. But tonight I wish you to see me as I am. Not just a King, but your father. Your brother. Your husband, and your grandsire. Who may not, it seems walk for much longer among you." He let go of the mask, the metal clanging against the wood. "Let us no longer hold ill feelings in our hearts. The crown cannot stand strong if the House of the Dragon remains divided. But set aside your grievances. If not for the sake of the crown, then for the sake of this old man, who loves you all so dearly."

Aemond looked over at his wife, who was looking down at the table. He could see the sadness in her eyes, the tenseness in her hand that was still holding his beneath the table.

Rhaella only looked up from the table when her mother stood up rather quickly once the King had fallen back into his chair. She raised her cup, her eyes falling upon Alicent.

"I wish to raise my cup to her Grace, the Queen."

Alicents face held shock, at least that's what it looked to be to Rhaella who saw the Queen's eyes fall on her mother.

"I love my father. But I must admit that no one has stood more loyally by his side than his good wife. She has tended to him with unfailing devotion, love, and honor. And for that, she has my gratitude and my apology." With that Rhaenyra took her seat once more. Alicent stayed quiet trying to gather her words before speaking.

She held Viserys hand in her own. "Your graciousness moves me deeply, Princess. We are both mothers, and we love our children. We have more in common than we sometimes allow."

Rhaella couldn't fight the smile that came to her face as she watched the sight of her mother and the Queen. Watching as the Queen stood and raised her cup.

"I raise my cup to you, and to your house. You will make a fine Queen."

Everyone raised their cups once more as the Queen took her seat. Now the only noise filling the room was the sounds of the plates and cutlery hitting against one another.

Aegon cleared his throat after tossing back the rest of the contents in his cup, he looked over and saw the large wine pitcher sitting in front of Rhaella. He stood up from his chair and made his way behind her.

Aemond turned his head and looked at his brother, his eyes held a warning that his older brother paid little to no attention to as she placed his hand on Rhaellas shoulder making her jump slightly, his hand gripping the material of her dress as he leaned over her to grab the wine.

"I regret the disappointment you are sure to have suffered in the time it took in creating my niece or nephew." He whispered into her ear as he leaned back up, pouring the wine into his goblet.

Rhaella pursed her lips as she tried to shrug his hand from her shoulder, her jaw clenched when he refused to remove it.

"But if you ever wish to know what it is to be well satisfied, all you have to do is ask." His words had struck a cord in Aemond, having struggled to hear the previous words that his brother had whispered in his wife's ear but he heard these and saw the way his wife was trying to remove his grip.

Aemonds hand slammed against the table, causing all eyes to turn toward him, even Rhaella jumped at the noise. But Aegon just smirked at the furious look in his brother's eye. Rhaella watched as the brothers held one another's gaze, Aegon not backing down until his mother harshly whispered his name.

He dragged his hand across Rhaellas arm, sweeping her hair back, and slowly went back to his seat. Rhaella placed a hand on Aemond's forearm when he went to stand up from his seat, his head snapped over to her to which he slowly took his seat when she shook her head at him.

It seemed that Aegon hadn't quite gotten the reaction out of Rhaella that he wanted so he moved back over to Jace and Baela and whispered something to her instead.

Rhaella's eyes widened when Jace hit the table with his fists, the same way Aemond had but this time Jace stood up. Aegon smirked as he sat back down in his seat.

Rhaella saw movement out of the corner of her. Aemond pushed himself out of his chair and stood up, resting his hands on the table in front of him, settling his eye on Jace.

Rhaella sighed and closed her eyes, leaning her forehead against her hands.

Jace sucked in a breath, calming himself before punching Aegon in the shoulder, raising his cup. "To Prince Aegon and Prince Aemond. We have not seen each other in years, but I have fond memories of our shared youth."

Rhaella pulled on Aemonds sleeve, pleading with him to sit down.

"And as men, I hope we may yet be friends and allies. To you and your family's good health, dear uncles."

Everyone raised their cups as Aegon sighed in annoyance. "To you as well."

Rhaella's eyes flickered over to Helaena who was fiddling with her fingers and once again spoke under her breath. "Beware the beast beneath the boards." When Aegon sent his wife a look she stood up, raising her cups toward the girls at the end of the table.

"I would like to toast to Baela and Rhaena. They'll be married soon. It isn't so bad. Mostly he just ignores you, except sometimes when he's drunk."

Rhaella watched her aunt with sad eyes, knowing that most young women didn't get as lucky as she had with their partner that was chosen for them. The Princess reached out and placed her hand in Helaena's, smiling when her aunt's eyes lit up at her touch, her hand squeezing back.

Rhaella continued to keep her hand in Helaenas, watching the girl play with her bracelets with her other hand.

"Let us have some music." Viserys quietly ordered.

Music began to softly play, as Rhaella spoke to Helaena softly about her children.

A figure came into Rhaella's sight seeing her brother reach his hand out to Helaena who looked at the gesture but with a little encouragement from Rhaella she slipped her hand into his and followed him to the open floor beside the table.

Rhaella held Aemonds hand in her lap as she rested her chin in her hand, watching the duo with a bright smile, the rest of the family seemingly happy as everything calmed down after the toast.

This is what she had wanted, peace, and for the moment it had seemed as if she had gotten her wish. Her eyes flickered over to her grandsire who was being lifted, everyone stood up out of respect as he was carried out of the room. After he had been seen out they all carried out as if he had never left.

Rhaella laughed with Aemond, the Prince finding her voice distracting from the hatred that had been bubbling under his skin all night. It was being contained for her sake but when the servants carried the pig through the door and placed it on the table, he looked over at it.

Rhaella noticed his change in behavior looking at the pig and then to the laughter she heard. Luke was chuckling as his eyes moved from the pig to Aemond.

The Princess tried to stop her husband from lashing out, but as his fist hit the table even harder than the first time, she knew the peace had been lost. The promise he had made her long forgotten.

Raising his cup he ignored Rhaella whispering his name. "Final tribute. To the health of my nephews," His words were slow and held venom that had Rhaella closing her eyes in hopes he would stop. "Jace, Luke, and Joffrey. Each of them handsome, wise,"

Rhaella reached her hand up and grabbed his arm, tugging. She tried to stop the next words that were to flow out of his mouth. "Aemond, please."

He instead hummed. "strong."

"Aemond." His mother said with the tone Rhaella had, but her words held the same effect.

"Come, let us drain our cups to these three, strong boys."

"I dare you to say that again." Jace lifted his chin, narrowing his eyes at his uncle.

Aemond pursed his lips, pushing away from the table. "Why? 'Twas only a compliment."

Rhaella stood up when Aemond began to make his way over to her brother. "Do you not think yourself strong?"

The Princess gasped as Jace sent his fist into Aemonds face, her husband's face turned but his body didn't move. She turned to see Aegon slamming Luke into the table going to move over to them but to stop Aegon from hurting her Alicent grabbed the young girls arm.

Placing a hand on her stomach she pulled away from Alicent and grabbed Aemond just as he pushed her twin onto the floor. When he chuckled it only angered the Princess more, and she shoved his chest to which he shook his head turning when his mother grabbed his arm.

"Why would you say such a thing before all these people?"

Aemond pushed Rhaella behind him when she tried to go to her mother. "I was merely expressing how proud I am of my family, mother. Mm, though it seems my nephews aren't quite as proud of theirs."

His wife didn't stay behind him long as she stepped in front of him, pressing her hand to his chest to keep him from moving toward her brother who was struggling against the guard. Her head turned to see Jace pull out of the guard's arms and rush toward her and Aemond.

Placing her hand on her stomach as Daemon held out his hand, stepping in front of Jace. "Wait, wait."

Rhaenyra turned toward the girls and her sons. "Go to your chambers. All of you go, now."

Rhaella felt her nerves spike when she saw the look in Daemon's eyes as he looked into Aemonds, holding one another's stare. She gasped quietly when a sharp pain erupted in her lower abdomen, she gripped onto Aemond to steady herself.

  "Aemond." His eye glanced down to his wife who was staring back at him with tears gathering in her own as she clutched her abdomen. "Please let us go."

Seeing the distress in her eyes he didn't argue any further and held her in his arms, helping her walk out of the room.

Rhaenyra watched her daughter with worried eyes as Aemond cast one last glance at Daemon before walking down the hall until they fully disappeared from her sight.