Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

1.

Viserys could feel death slowly creeping up on him.

And he welcomed it with open arms.

At last, it’s time to pass the legacy to his only child, his perfect little girl, his beloved Rhaenyra.

Though he regretted that he had not been able to hold on long enough to warn her the burden which would come with ruling the Seven Kingdoms, with sitting upon the Iron Throne. His Rhaenyra was intelligent, he reassured himself, and she would understand at some point after her ascendance.

At least he got to remind her one last time of the prophecy, A Song of Ice and Fire, and made clear that she knew it’s from her line the Prince that is Promised comes.

Viserys felt his body became lighter and the torturing pain slowly drifted away, his breath ragged.

And he saw her.

And he was happy seeing her right at the moment death consuming him——

His beautiful Aemma, standing not so far from him, wearing her gorgeous light blue gown, silver threads of hair pouring down on her back, her eyes sparkling as if in them filled with thousands of stars.

“Viserys.”

She called out for him, her tone as sweet as always.

He reached out his trembling, bony hand.

He was too excited to make a sound.

“Promise me, will you?”

He nodded without any hesitation. Anything.

Aemma smiled gratefully at him, her hand cradling her flat abdomen.

“No more, okay?”

Viserys returned her smile with his own, hand reaching further for her, head moving up and down.

“No more…”

He breathed his promise out through a weak exhale.

A drop of tear slid down his ruined, rotten cheek.

“No more, my love.”

As his last words came out in a whisper, he slid into the dark embrace of death.

With Aemma’s brilliant smile in his mind.

Viserys thought after death, or precisely in death, there would be nothing but endless darkness and hollowness.

Apparently he was wrong and he had no idea how he ended up back in decades ago, where he was still the son to the Spring Prince, grandson of the Old King and Good Queen.

At first he thought it was but some good memories replaying in one’s head before their last breath.

And what terrified him was that it felt so real. And that left him very confused in the whole process.

He found himself young and robust, his height almost surpassed his father who just left the room under the King’s demand of seeing him.

Not to mention that the shock befell him seeing his father at his prime, in his early forties. And he found his father’s image endeared to him. It’s been a long time.

Were the Gods playing with him?

Viserys was deep in his doubts and thoughts for nearly an hour until the door burst open in a sudden, startling him.

And here she was, his twin flame, living and breathing, and bouncing happily towards him, jumping onto his rigid body, arms circling at his neck, with a big smile on her pretty young face.

Viserys stepped back a little by that force, stunned.

“Aemma?”

“Viserys.”

Aemma beamed up at him, cheeks flushed, her light blue eyes sparkling.

And the world stopped, time froze, as if there were only two of them in this space, on each other’s eyes reflected each other’s faces.

Viserys thought at that moment, it might be a sweet dream realizing at his last agonizing moment in living world, which was to hold Aemma in his arms again, after a torturing long amount of time being without her.

He savored the moment, hugging the woman he had ever loved to his body tightly, burying his face into her soft, silky hair, inhaling the familiar scent of jasmine on her.

Viserys selfishly hoped the dream would last an endless time longer.

“My love,” Aemma squirmed a little in his embrace, “you are holding me too tight and I can barely breathe.”

He closed his eyes, enjoying hearing her sweet voice with a drop of annoyance in it. It’s been a very long time…

He would die a thousand times over for just a tiny moment with her…

“I’ve missed you…”

Viserys murmured longingly, voice muffled.

“What did you say? Viserys! Let go.”

Aemma pushed at his chest, struggling and finally broke her out of his embrace.

“I, I am sorry, my dear.”

Viserys sniffled, scratching his neck, composing himself.

“My love,” Aemma gently caressed his face and he leaned into her warm palm in instinct, “are you alright? Did Uncle Baelon say something?”

He smiled reassuringly at her, shaking his head.

“Everything is fine, dear, do not worry. I am, I am alright.”

“Why am I not convinced?”

She looked up at him with concern.

“I just, well, it’s lovely seeing you.”

“You sound like we just reunited after spending a considerable time apart.”

She was not wrong about that… He sadly thought.

Aemma scrunched up her button nose, arching her eyebrows in suspicion.

“Did the Maester already talk to you?”

“About what? Are you sick or hurt?”

He only met his father and her so far.

Aemma relieved with a victory smile.

“Thank the Gods I got to you before he did.”

“Aemma, is anything alright?”

She tilted her chin up proudly.

“More than alright I could say. I just visited the Maester this morning after you left, and, and I got his confirmation that…”

She paused to study his expression.

“…that, I am with child once more!”

She cheeringly revealed the news to him.

Viserys widened his eyes at her words, dumbfounded.

Why this scenario so familiar to him like he had experienced it before…

First, father asking to have a word with him about arranging a feast for cousin Rhaenys and Lord Corlys’ visit in a couple of days, and then he leaving for a meet with his Grandsire, the King, and suddenly Aemma rushing into the room happily telling him that she was…

Wait.

Viserys recalled everything that had just happened and he remembered.

That probably, he was not having a dream or a memory replaying but really going through what had happened years ago in exactly the same way and order as he remembered. And he pinched his thigh, feeling the pain clearly.

Viserys then realized that he was really back in a time where the doom of his personal life was still miles away from him.

Are the Gods playing with him?

Is it some kind of cruel jest?

Doubts danced around in his head.

Viserys took a breath and chased the disturbing voice away.

It was too dreamlike to be a jest or a prank from Gods if that meant he got another chance to be with Aemma, to be his family again, to do right what he had done wrong or not enough.

“Thank the Gods.”

He whispered, repeating Aemma’s praise.

Even if it was a dream, he decided to make it a sweet one as long as he was allowed.

“Viserys, I so much wish that, this time, we will be blessed with a living and healthy babe.”

Viserys’ eyes immediately watered, pulling Aemma into his arms instead of standing still like he did last time.

“Of course, we will.”

He remembered well that’s the day where Aemma shared the good news with him and almost ten long moons later, their only living child, their darling daughter, Rhaenyra Targaryen was born.

“I believe we will.”

TBC.

Chapter Text

2.

Four moons into Aemma’s pregnancy, so far she and the babe both had been in good conditions, according to the Maester. And she started to show down at her lower belly, a small bump.

As the last time, in a rainy night, when Viserys woke up in bed and found that he was alone and Aemma was sitting in front of the fireplace, hugging her knees, curling to herself.

He remembered last time, he just stared at her back for a second making sure he saw right and turned to other side, and sleepily beckoned her to come back to bed, nothing more.

What a senseless, careless husband he had been.

Viserys got up from bed and quietly walked towards her with a blanket on hand. Then, he draped the blanket over her, kneeling beside her.

And he found that she was crying.

His heart ached at the sight of Aemma silently shedding tears.

That meant, last time, she was like now, drowning in sadness alone.

Viserys’ eyes darkened, cursing himself inwardly. What a shitty husband he had been to Aemma. How could he have the authority claiming that he loved her back then?

“Did I wake you? I am sorry…”

“No, no, my dear, I woke up by myself. No need to apologize. What is wrong?”

Viserys wiped clean the tear stain on her pale face. He now knew pregnant woman would be sensitive physically and emotionally. He was a fool to not pay attention to that before.

Aemma leaned into his body.

“I just… could not sleep and, my mind is a mess. I do not know, I just feel, unsettled. Viserys, I am afraid that, that it would end up like the first two times…”

Aemma’s hand went to cover her abdomen protectively. And he followed her movement, covering his own over hers in a comforting gesture.

“Aemma, trust me, it will not and do not worry yourself, okay? The Maester said that you need to try to adjust and control your emotions for the sake of the babe. And he said the babe is fine and healthy, appearing no sign of unstableness. Do not worry, dear.”

Viserys embraced her small form, chin resting on her head, one hand smoothing down her velvet hair.

Aemma had two miscarriages before Rhaenyra’s successful birth, at just the shy of sixteen. And it’s all his fault. It’s never her failure to give him children but his of bedding and impregnating her too early which led to the struggles of conceiving and giving birth for her fragile body.

“How can you be sure of that? Last time, I did not make it to the second trimester.”

Aemma was sniffling, tear drops wetting his night shirt.

“Shhh,” he kissed her temple, shushing her softly, “I have a feeling that this time is different. And, I am sorry, my love. It’s my doing that cause you the loses, cause you so much pain. I am sorry, sweetheart. I will not let anything like that happen to you ever again, no more, my love.”

He would keep his promise to the Aemma he saw before his death. He swore on his own life.

Viserys promised he would never let Aemma suffer, and this time would be the last.

No more.

He silently made a decision.

“Viserys, it’s okay. Do not say things like that and take all the blames. It’s our duty to reproduce, to bring new life to the royal family, to strengthen our family with potential dragon riders. And loses are inevitable. It’s not your fault.”

His sweet Aemma was so kind that even in her distresses she still had the heart to comfort him. And her words almost made him burst into tears.

“Fuck the duty…” Viserys spit, “…as long as you are fine and safe. I care nothing else but you, Aemma, and our child.”

Aemma giggled, getting away from his hug, giving him a peck.

“Husband, it’s not befitted for a royal Prince to say that!”

“Feeling better now, wife?”

Aemma nodded, on her expression worry or uneasiness all vanished.

“Go back to bed?”

Viserys stood and took her up easily in his arms, carrying her all the way back to their warm nest of love.

Minutes later, they were still wide awake, simply enjoying each other’s warmth in peace.

“Viserys?”

“Yes, Aemma?”

“Do you have any names in mind for our Princeling?”

“Or Princess-ling?”

“It’d better be a prince, no?”

“Why?”

Viserys never hated himself this much at the moment. His pursuit of a male child, a Princeling, rolling his eyes, had doomed Aemma’s life to hells. He had killed her, his love of life for a stupid dream, for something she had already given him in the form of their beautiful Rhaenyra, for nothing!

He would never let history repeat again.

“It’s my responsibility to give the heir’s heir, an heir. So we better hope this babe born with a cock attached…”

Even though Aemma did not sound like she willingly wished that. He had been the one who put those disgusting words into her mouth and mind, like a reminder, a cold demand, a heartless mission thrusting onto her thin shoulders.

“Aemma, you see, what I said to you before, please forget them and I changed my mind, you know, um, I now, think that, girl or boy, does not matter, they are all my children and my heirs nonetheless. The gender is not a problem as long as the child is healthy. What do you think?”

“Well… The change was, fast, I can say. But, you always crave having a son…”

“Um, now I find myself so badly wanting a little girl, who takes from you in looks and personality.”

In the dark, he sounded cheerful but his eyes spoke sorrow and regret. He was glad that Aemma could not see him right now.

Rhaenyra was enough for them, and it’s a shame that he just realized that after it's all too late, after Aemma’s death, after HIS death.

“Since you sounded so sincerely… But, at some point, we still need to try for a boy, right? If this one is a girl…”

Aemma was hesitant, and scared?

“Let’s not think too far. Focus on now, Aemma, and please tell me, what do you want in your heart, a girl? Or a boy? Please be open with me, love. What you want is the only thing that matters, as you are the mother, the one who gives birth, who suffers during the whole process.”

“Well…”

Aemma began timidly.

“…I kind of, wish that, it’s a girl.”

And her tone turned hopeful, and a bit exciting.

Viserys leaned in to kiss her forehead.

“Then, let’s pray our wishes would come true.”

Due to their late night talk, they both slept in and were undoubtedly late for the breakfast with his father and his brother, and the latter did not waste this opportunity to tease him to no end.

TBC.

Chapter Text

3.

Viserys released another arrow, aiming at the bullseye, and this time, his shot nearly hit the red spot in the center.

Daemon whistled cheerfully, and threw a new arrow to him. Asides from his brother’s dramatic cheering, he also heard someone applauding from the upper spectating platform.

Viserys raised his head, turning to where the sound came from and he saw Aemma standing up there, her swollen belly visible, heartedly cheering for him.

His face blushed and he returned her applause a thankful smile, and a slight bow.

“How are you doing, my dear?”

Aemma was seven moon pregnant and as he predicted or, as what he remembered, this pregnancy was smooth and comparatively easy, at least for someone like her, comparing to her other pregnancies.

Before Aemma entering the third stage of her pregnancy, he asked Daemon, who was quite in shock to hear such a request from him, to search some woman healers and midwives from Essos to tend to Aemma during this period for the sake of cautiousness, helping her better dealing with the difficulties came with carrying children, despite of the disapproval from the Old King and his father.

He promised to not let Aemma suffer or not suffering that much like she had endured the last life.

And those exotic, experienced healers and midwives turned out a very good help for Aemma.

Somehow, deep down his heart, he just knew that he could not wholly trust the Maesters working in the Keep.

“I am good. But, can you come up here for a moment? Sorry for interrupting your training, dear, and your tutoring, Cousin Daemon.”

Daemon shrugged, collecting the arrows and the bows and put them away, elbowing his brother playfully.

“Now, I will leave you lovebirds, see you at dinner.”

“Good, same time here, tomorrow morning, okay?”

Daemon clapped at his shoulder, nodding and left.

Viserys now started to train with his younger brother at sword battles and physical combat and archery, who was newly knighted recently by their grandsire, at the young age of 16, who was capable enough to teach him all these martial arts and weapon usages.

He needed to be strong and well-trained for better protecting his family instead of indulging himself at reading, feasting and carving marble. He still read for keeping his mind sharp and occasionally handcrafted, mostly for making some wooden toys for Rhaenyra, but he feasted less for preventing gaining unnecessary weight which would only slow him down.

Especially now, he trained harder and harder every day with Daemon or sometimes his father, for he was going to grow muscles, to be buffed enough to protect Aemma and their daughter who would soon join their little family in about three moons.

He trotted up the stairs, greeting Aemma with a lingering kiss on the lips.

“What’s the matter, love? Is our girl alright?”

His hands naturally went to hold her belly.

Aemma wiped away his sweats on the forehead with her handkerchief.

“She is fine as well. I just want to show…Oh.”

That’s the moment he felt a small kick at the underside of her belly.

And Aemma beamed at him.

“You felt that? I was going to tell you exactly about that, the baby, she kicks!”

Viserys could not hold back his smile, and almost could not contain his tears at bay.

His baby girl did that again. It’s a shame that he could not recall how was it in his last life, the first time he felt Rhaenyra’s movement when she was still inside Aemma’s womb.

“I think the babe is greeting her father.”

Aemma lovingly said.

“Good afternoon to you too, my little love.”

He cooed at Aemma’s bulge, voice wavering because of his excitement.

“When?”

“Oh, actually, it happened last night, but you were already sound asleep. You know, these days, it’s hard for me to fell asleep…”

Aemma looked apologetically at him.

“It’s okay, Aemma. Do you feel any pain? Any uncomfortableness?”

“So far, I am used to her making those little kicks, don’t worry.”

“Okay, let me escort you back.”

Late at night, Aemma was already drifting into dreamland, lying on her side with a pillow supporting her lower back.

However, this time, Viserys could not find any trace of sleep.

Because he was busy circling on her belly with his large, warm palm, trying to make Rhaenyra settle down who just displayed a third kick or punch.

“Shhh,” he lied in a strange posture almost curling into a ball himself, with his ear touching Aemma’s belly, “stop moving around, baby girl, or you would wake your Muna. It’s time to rest, it’s late.”

Another small kick.

“Someone is excited tonight, huh? Cannot wait to meet Muna and Kepa?”

Viserys found himself more and more awake, cherishing this moment where he could talk to and feel his daughter, in the depth of a night. Just two of them, father and daughter.

“Kepa cannot wait too, to see you, again, Rhaenyra.”

He choked on his words, feeling tear drop sliding down, but he did not care.

“Do not fret, and do not worry, my love, I promise you, this time it will be different. I will not waste this opportunity, okay? I will make things right for you, and your mother. I will never leave you and never let you suffer, like you had been, the last time… I am sorry.”

Aemma stirred and Viserys stilled, afraid of waking her but relieved that she had no sign of waking up.

He kissed the top of the belly, feeling another kick.

“I love you, Rhaenyra. I will spend my entire life, to prove that.”

He could not help but drop two more kisses on the spot where she kicked.

“Okay, now, sweet dreams, my precious girl.”

TBC.

Chapter Text

4.

How could one forget the day your very first child born?

Viserys remembered it vividly.

In the last time, during the birth, he paced back and forth outside Aemma’s chamber, hearing her painful cries and discontinuous screams in agony to a point that he could not stand it and he chose to leave, reassuring himself that she would be alright and he would pray for her and the babe in the solitude of his study, cowardly leaving his wife to face the difficulty alone, in the battle field in form of birthing bed.

And by the time a servant informed him of the birth of his child, he relieved the breath he had been holding and rushed back to Aemma’s room, hurrying to see his firstborn and when he went through the threshold the only thing in his mind was no other than hoping it was a son.

He remembered he himself mumbled “a son, better be a son” when he set his eyes on a sweaty Aemma holding a squirming small bundle.

And in the next moment, Aemma smiled at him with tears in her eyes, happily telling him that:

“Viserys, come meet our daughter.”

He remembered what an asshole he had been that day, because the first thing he felt upon knowing he had a daughter, was disappointment, while Aemma was so thrilled and eager to show him their first, and sadly, their only, living child.

Rhaenyra never was a disappointment, but the best of them, of Aemma, and he was regretful that he realized that too late.

So, this time, he was determined to make a difference.

Viserys was almost tripping himself when he was running up the stairs, heading straight to Aemma’s bedroom, right after receiving the news that she was in labor.

He paid no mind to his father and Daemon who were already waiting outside, going straight to push the door open but his father stopped him in time with a grip on his arm.

“Viserys, what are you doing?”

“Father, my apology, but, please let me go to be with my wife.”

His father, Prince Baelon frowned, lecturing him that it’s not fitted for a man to be inside a birthing room.

“Son, I know you worry about Aemma, but we as men can only be patient in this circumstance. Calm, Viserys, it’s Aemma’s battle which she has to fight alone, and I am sorry to say that, you cannot do much aside from distracting…”

Viserys yanked his arm away, free from his father’s grip, directing his firm words at his father:

“I will not let her go through this alone.”

Not this time.

With that he pushed open the door, shoving aside a healer who was trying to stop him, heading to the bed in quick steps. Behind him, Daemon helped by pulling at their father, asking him to let his brother be and go to the Dragon Pit with him, retreating the egg they had chosen for the babe.

Aemma was half lying on bed, looking in pain, sobbing loudly, with a red face smeared with tears and sweat, her silver-to-almost-white hair a mess.

“I…I can’t!”

She yelped after a hard push, falling backward into the back cushions.

“Aemma…I am here, it’s okay…”

He knelt beside her bed, one hand holding onto hers, another stroking her flush, teary face.

“Vi…Viserys? What, what are you doing...here?”

She gritted her words out, sounding strained.

The midwife instructed Aemma to push again, meanwhile put force down on her swollen belly.

“Aemma, focus, do not mind me, I am here for you, do not fear, love. It will end soon.”

Aemma shook her head in despair, biting onto her lower lip, squeezing his hand with all force when she did as the midwife asked.

“No… It hurts! I, I… I rather die now!”

Viserys did not realize he was crying at the moment witnessing his wife undergoing the hardship of giving birth.

No wonder women fear birthing bed. Now he knew how much pain they need to endure during this torturous, long process. And his heart ached for Aemma.

It hurts, yes, but he could not do anything to help her ease the hurt. And what’s ironic was that he was the one who was responsible for all she was feeling now.

“Princess, keep pushing, I can see the head!”

Aemma was sobbing loudly, giving another push accompanied with a harsh complaint.

“I am pushing!!!”

He sniffled, telling himself to be strong for her not causing her more upset.

“Oh… no, no, no, it’s too hard…”

Another attempt of hers to bring forth their babe.

“The head is out!”

The midwife declaimed excitedly at them and urged Aemma to push right after the next contraction.

Aemma took a long and quivering inhale, looking at him with her head twirling a bit to his direction with puffy red eyes and wobbling lips.

“I have had enough. I am done… Viserys… It hurts… so, so much.”

Viserys touched her forehead with his own, one hand caressing her hot, red face.

“Aemma, you can do it, love, just one more push, our daughter will be in your arms, okay? I am sorry, I am so sorry that you hurt. Just think about our baby girl, she is as beautiful and intelligent as you. One more, and then no more, I promise.”

Viserys’ tears streamed down, wetting the bed sheet, voice chocking.

And, in fact, it took Aemma two more pushes to get their daughter out of her body.

“Congratulations, Your Graces! A healthy Princess!”

The midwife happily handed over a squirming, screaming pink little babe onto Aemma’s sour waiting arms.

Viserys could not hold back his sobbing. And he did not give a damn about the people surrounding them, releasing his piled up emotions.

Aemma smiled through tears, hugging the babe close to her chest, cooing sweet words to her.

When Viserys peeked at the babe, he cried louder, mumbling “oh Gods” repeatedly.

It’s exactly their precious Rhaenyra, as a new born babe. He had never forgotten what she looked like when she was born, how could he?

She was as beautiful as he remembered.

“Viserys, look! It’s a girl! The Gods heard our pray indeed!”

Aemma was beaming, totally different from the person she had been before their daughter’s arrival.

Sweet tears took the place of bitter tears.

Agony was gone and their joy filled the room.

Viserys shakenly reached out his pinky finger, nudging the babe’s tiny fist.

“Aw… Rhaenyra…”

He murmured without noticing he slipping out her name. And Aemma heard him.

“Rhaenyra? That’s the name you have chosen for our babe?”

Viserys bit his lips, displaying an timid glance at her.

“Uh, yeah, what, what do you think? The name?”

“Well, I thought of naming her ‘Daella’, after my mother, if it’s a girl, but… ‘Rhaenyra’…”

Aemma looked down at their daughter who was content lying in her mother’s embrace, tasting the name.

“… ‘Rhaenyra’ sounds beautiful and more fitting! A marvelous name for our little Princess. I like it!”

“So, Rhaenyra Targaryen?”

Aemma shared a small kiss with him, and they both returned their attention to their baby girl with proud smiles gracing their tear stained faces.

“Rhaenyra Targaryen, it is.”

TBC.

Chapter Text

5.

There were just the three of them, after the healers and midwife and maids leaving the room.

Viserys looked affectionately at baby Rhaenyra, who was staring at her mother with her almost transparent, amethyst eyes, her little hands and feet could not stop waving.

Aemma held the babe more firmly, afraid that she would drop her, and she also could not avert her eyes from her baby girl.

“She is perfect, Viserys, isn’t she?”

He was so lost in his own emotions to reply her with words, only nodding along.

Rhaenyra was always perfect, from the day she just came out the womb, to the day she became a mother herself.

“Aw, husband, look at you…”

Aemma shifted her attention to him, seeing him shedding tears non-stop beside her, and she supported Rhaenyra with one arm, then she used the spared hand to gently wiped away his tears, after that she did not pull away but caressed his cheek lovingly, studying him with her blue-gem like eyes.

“You do change a lot, my dear. So different from the man you used to be.”

Viserys leaned closer, resting his chin on her shoulder, using his index finger tickling Rhaenyra’s belly, making her squirm happily.

“How so? I do not feel any difference.”

He played clueless, shrugging.

Aemma giggled because of Rhaenyra’s movement, holding her closer to her breasts.

“You are more emotional, more sentimental, and, and I quite like this change in you. Somehow, I feel you are closer to me than before, than ever... And these days, I have often witnessed you being vulnerable which gladdened me, I can say. You are being honest with me, by showing your concerns, your fears and also, your joys, by not concealing things from me. Viserys, I am very happy that you feel free to be your true self in my presence. I love the man you have become, so much.”

Aemma’s sincere words sent waves of warmth over him. She was a smart, observant person, so he did not find it surprising that she could read him like an opened book.

She knew him so well, always having the ability to see the true him through the layers of skins and bones.

Viserys thought, mayhaps, that’s the reason he fell for her so easily after only a few moments with her.

They were one soul lived in two different bodies.

And now, there was a new soul grew out of theirs, out of the love they shared, in the form of their Rhaenyra.

“I… I suppose you are right. And, I am glad, that you like my change. As long as it pleases you, my love, I will be anyone you want me to be, for you and for our girl.”

Aemma turned her head and kissed him on the temple.

They were enjoying the new little family they just built.

“…And you were so sure that it would be a girl, as if you knew it would be one, the moment you learned that I was with child. Can you be honest with me on this, asides from the talks of Gods’ blessing or your sudden change of your desire, Viserys?”

Aemma reopened her mouth, her question directing to him while her attention solely landing on a sleepy Rhaenyra.

He fell speechless. What could he say without spilling the truth that he awoke after his death at the past with memories of his last life, of the potential future?

Aemma pushed forward in his quiet.

“Did you have that same dream again? Did the vision change, that instead of a boy, you dreamed of a girl?”

Yeah, he did not forget that in the last life, after Aemma revealed that she was pregnant for the first time, he had a dream, or a vision disguised as a dream, and he shared it with Aemma as soon as he found the chance, telling her firmly that their unborn son would sit the throne with the crown on one day. That damn dream was the same one he had been having from then on until Aemma lost her life to a brutal birth of a son he claimed he had seen in his stupid dream, who barely lived a day long.

So, it’s not a wonder that Aemma already knew the dream he constantly had. And he did not plan to lie to her.

What’s strange was that after arriving back at time, after waking up from death, he had lived at least eight or nine moons here, and he did not have that haunting vision any more, or other disordered, blurring dreams. Now that he thought about it.

“In fact, I have not had that dream since the day you told me you were conceived with Rhaenyra.”

He confessed.

“Is that so? Your vision ends with our daughter’s life beginning? Do, do you think it’s a bad omen?”

By that, Aemma cradled Rhaenyra protectively to her, kissing her small head.

“No, Aemma, dear, mayhaps, it even has nothing to do with the visions or dreams. And, and people always say that dream is the opposite of reality, vice versa. Need not worry.”

However, in his last life, the vision continued even after Rhaenyra’s birth. But this time, it seemed not likely to happen. And to be honest, he did not know the reason.

But he could say now he dreaded about those dreams so he hoped they would never come back.

TBC.

Chapter Text

6.

The door opened from other side, through it came his brother, who was hugging an egg in one arm, dressing in his riding suit, and his father followed closely behind.

“Congratulations, brother, good sister!”

“Where is my grand-daughter?”

Daemon and Prince Baelon made their greetings one after another.

Viserys wiped his tears with haste, nicely asking Aemma if he could take Rhaenyra and show her to his father and Daemon, and he got her permission.

It’s not his first time holding a babe and he took her up in his arms with practiced hands.

Rhaenyra’s tiny body started fidgeting once she left her mother’s warm embrace, showing her displeasure.

Viserys rocked her gently, murmuring comforting words in their ancestor tongue, approaching his father who was already reaching out.

“Look at her!”

Prince Baelon could not wait, taking Rhaenyra up onto his chest with extra cautiousness, eyes gluing to her all the time.

Viserys would never forgot how much his father loved Rhaenyra, the only grandchild he had ever met and known. It’s heartwarming to see him holding Rhaenyra.

“Father, meet Rhaenyra.”

“Rhaenyra?” His father pondered the name for a moment, “A fine name for the prettiest Princess of the Realm!”

While his father kept admiring his grand-daughter, eyes watering, Viserys noticed Daemon looked their way from a small distance, eyes glistening with curiosity, and a bit shyness.

Viserys knew his brother well enough that the talks about disliking children he often spilled with eyes rolling, were none but a disguise of his unusual excitement of first time being an uncle to someone.

At least that knowledge applied to a sixteen name day old Daemon, a teen soon-to-be a man.

So, he beckoned him over with a waving hand.

After what he saw and felt before his death, he finally made peace with his daughter being together with his brother. Although his eye sights were bad, but he did not miss how happy Rhaenyra had been with Daemon by her side, and the bond they created through decades’ time was indeed undeniable.

He was a fool back then to forbid them binding their hands in marriage. He wondered in regret that if he allowed Daemon taking Rhaenyra’s hand, to be man and wife, then would Rhaenyra’s life be easier?

He now thought that the answer was probably positive. It’s his fault pushing the remaining two closest blood-kin away from him, leaving him alone consumed by a religion which had been always foreign to him, and the color green.

This time, he would not let his brother down. He owed Daemon a life he deserved.

This time, he would not interfere what was likely going to happen between them.

They are dragons and they are meant to roar, to soar, to burn, together.

Let them be, Viserys mused to himself, as long as his family are safe and sound, and united.

“Daemon, come meet your niece!”

His brother made a neutral face, hiding away his true feeling, getting near, and tentatively took a peek at the babe.

And Viserys knew, from Daemon’s lightening up eyes, it’s love at first sight.

“Daemon, this is Rhaenyra, your niece.”

The one and only.

“Rhaenyra…”

He rolled the name on his tongue, seeming struck by her existence.

“Well… She, she looks, cute.”

Daemon was already smitten by his daughter. It’s not out of his expectation.

“Do you want to hold your niece, son?”

“Um…”

Daemon was still carrying the egg, nervous.

Viserys took it from him.

“You chose this one for her?”

He nostalgically studied the familiar dark golden dragon egg.

Syrax, hello to you again.

“Daemon picked it, because it’s the hottest among others. And its coloring is unique, eye catching, he claimed.”

His father gave the credit to his brother, who was fixing his hair, face blushed.

“Thank you, brother.”

Viserys walked to where the cradle was placed, first showing the egg proudly to Aemma, who gave him a content smile, then he kissed the egg before carefully put it inside.

When he turned, he saw that his father already shifted the babe into Daemon’s slightly shaking arms, helping him cradle Rhaenyra steadily.

Viserys admitted that he indeed had become sentimental, for his eyes felt hot and wetted at the sight of Daemon first holding Rhaenyra.

The scene was unforgettable for him.

He was so grateful that he gained this opportunity to re-live all of these.

His father moved to the bedside, fussing over an obviously exhausted Aemma.

Viserys went to Daemon’s side, finding Rhaenyra was looking up at her uncle, closing her tiny fingers around Daemon’s index finger.

“She likes you.”

He felt no jealousy, only warmth.

“I don’t know. She is only hours old, babes do that.”

Daemon did not spare him any glance, eyes focusing solely on Rhaenyra, introducing himself to her in a soft tone, in High Valyrian:

“Rhaenyra, it’s good to meet you, I am your Kepa Daemon.”

“Whatever you say, brother, just know this, Rhaenyra loves you. She always will.”

TBC.

Chapter Text

7.

Viserys’ grandparents, the Good Queen and Old King came visiting the new born Targaryen Princess not long after, and they both claimed through bittersweet tears how much Rhaenyra resembled his aunt Princess Viserra as a babe.

Princess Viserra was the most beautiful one among their children.

“My little flower.”

The Queen cooed at his daughter, while her husband the King using his shaking hand to wipe the tear drops on her cheeks.

Aemma and he watched the old couple putting away their estrangement for the moment, with their bodies leaning against each other, and the distance between their hearts, mayhaps, closer than before.

In fact, Viserys had not seen his grandparents be in each other’s presence since his other aunt Princess’ Gael’s tragic death.

Before leaving, Queen Alysanne kissed Aemma on the top of her head, thanking her for bringing forth such a perfect Valyrian babe, strengthening the Dragon blood, and she praised her heartedly that:

“My dear granddaughter, you have done a great job and, and your mother would be so proud of you if she had been here. My sweet Daella’s blood runs in you and in Rhaenyra, and her legacy can continue on through this new life. Well done, my child. I am grateful for you.”

The King and Queen left the room escorted by his father and Daemon.

Now, there remained once again, only their little family.

“Viserys, can you please take a seat and rest yourself, and put Rhaenyra back to her little bed?”

“I will, love, but allow me to hold her for another hour? I find myself a new hobby, that is, cuddling our daughter!”

“Are your arms not tired?”

Aemma yawned, eyelids heavy. The aftermath of giving birth finally tolled on her.

“I am good, you rest, Aemma. You need sleep to gain strength. Do not worry, I will take care of Rhaenyra. We will be fine.”

Viserys rocked his daughter in light movements, could not bear the thought of letting her go.

In his previous life, he did not hold Rhaenyra frequently enough, always leaving her to the care of nursemaids or her mother. Back then, after his daughter’s birth, all in his head was a hope for a boy in the next try. He had not hugged her or kissed her enough times to show her how much he treasured her, how important she had been to him.

He loved Rhaenyra, of course he did but he had never loved her that sufficient.

So, this time, he needed to compensate her, and also himself in terms of the love a father should have showed at his daughter, his only child.

“Aww, love, you are so charmed by her.”

Aemma was lying down on her side, looking at where he sat beside the fine carved cradle which had been used by him and Daemon when they were babes.

Viserys grinned, looking so in love with his baby girl, could not help and dropped a small kiss on her blonde head top.

Then, Rhaenyra whined and started screaming, squirming restlessly.

He would know the sign if he had spent enough time caring for his own child in his last life.

Viserys panicked and soothed her by swaying her back and forth, not knowing what made her unease out of a sudden.

“I think she is hungry. Viserys, give her to me.”

Aemma clearly knew what was going on by mother’s instinct.

“What? You need to rest…”

“Yeah, after our baby has her fill of milk.”

“Or we can call for the wetnurse?”

“No need, husband, I want,” Aemma shyly spoke up, “want to feed her myself.”

Viserys hesitated for a second, because he learned from the midwife another day that suckling a babe would be painful for the mother in the beginning and he worried for Aemma.

“Are you sure, my love?”

This time Viserys made himself to respect Aemma’s decision instead of taking the choice away and deciding for her as he had done in last life, where he selfishly deprived her of the opportunity to feed their daughter with her own milk and bond with her as a new-to-be mother should do, simply for he listened to the Maester’s advice which indicated that women could only be fertile again as soon as they stop producing breastmilk, for his shameful desire of siring a son on her. So, he did not allow her to nurse Rhaenyra back then for the sake of preparing her body for the next pregnancy.

He had been a Gods awful man to do that to Aemma.

“Yes, I am certain, Viserys.”

“Okay, as you wish, my love.”

He put Rhaenyra back to her arms, helping her removed the cotton barrier that was her night gown, exposing one of her swollen breast.

Viserys watched their daughter latch onto her mother’s nipple instinctively, hungrily devouring every drop of milk she could get. And his eyes watered once again at this heartwarming scene.

“Someone is starving.”

Aemma winced at the sudden sharp pain but still put up a smile.

“I, I will leave you two to it.”

He sniffled, bending down to kiss Aemma’s temple, then Rhaenyra’s little head. He had cried enough times today, and he best composed himself to not upset Aemma and gave mother and daughter some time to bond and rest.

“I will be back soon, loves.”

With that, Viserys quickly walked out of the room.

He was heading to find the head healer, wanting to ask her if there was any herb or method would ease the pain came with breastfeeding.

“My Prince!”

Someone he just passed greeted him with enthusiasm.

Viserys halted at his step.

And Otto Hightower made his way to him, bowing curtly to him.

“My Prince, congratulations to you and Princess Aemma.”

He had been busy these days caring for Aemma and training and helping his father dealing with crown business. So, he had spent little time with his once close court friend, Otto, for the past few moons.

It’s still strange to see his old friend displaying such humbleness, eyes containing a touch of geniality, and moreover, without the Hand pin on.

Otto Hightower came to King’s Landing moons ago, now serving as an advisor in the Small Council.

Viserys had to be honest that Otto had always been an insightful man and his ideas or solutions had often gained other council members’ approvals and indeed as the last time, had done the Realm good.

However, his presence would make Viserys uncontrollably recall from time to time some fitting but disconcerting advices he had proposed to him, such as not funding the war with the Triarchy, disinheriting Daemon and naming Rhaenyra heir, suggesting him naming his firstborn with Alicent, “Aegon”, and later, encouraging the marriage between a two-year-old Aegon and Rhaenyra… Not to mention that he had sent spy to track his daughter’s whereabouts behind his back, without notifying him.

Viserys rethought about his friendship with Otto and admitted that he had been a helpful friend to him, mayhaps, a loyal servant to the Kingdoms, a competent Hand to the King, but he had doubt on Otto’s true intentions now that he reanalyzed their conversations and most of his advices and thoughts in his previous life, or should he say, his future if he had followed the old path he had taken.

Otto Hightower seemed an honorable man with a heart at building a better Realm, but behind his kind and intelligent mask, who is he?

Viserys terrifyingly found that he did not really knew this man. They always met and talked at Small Council or in King’s Study, or in the library, discussing politics, other than that, were the fests or tourneys they both had taken parts in, but in those occasions they seldom exchanged words.

The Otto he had known for almost his life somehow had still been a stranger to him in some sense. Though he certainly knew his King well enough. And that realization also terrified Viserys.

Viserys cleared his throat.

“Ser Otto.”

“My Prince, are Princess Aemma and the little Princess faring well?”

“They are good. Thank you for asking.”

“Oh, it’s a relief to hear that.”

Viserys felt a bit awkward, and he was not quite used to seeing Otto smiling that genuinely.

He was grateful that Otto had showed him the way of how to rule a Realm, but, here, this time, he had the knowledge stored in brain, needing no more his assistances. Therefore, he chose, for now, to keep a distance from Otto Hightower, making changes for a better future where he and his family were safe and whole.

“I need to go, see you around, Ser Otto.”

Viserys trotted away, heading to the head healer’s room.

The head healer from Essos was a middle age woman who was specialized in treating and caring for pregnant women.

Viserys thought she might know a thing or two about preventing women conceiving children after intercourses with their men.

First he asked if there was method for reducing the pain of breastfeeding and he got the answer that she had already instructed her apprentice and Aemma’s handmaidens to tend to her using their Essoi traditional way, after she finished her first nursing.

“Your Grace, quit worrying, the Princess would be alright. This method always works.”

But before he had the chance to go straight to his objective topic, the older woman seriously told him that Aemma’s condition from the very beginning did not suit for bearing children and she was lucky that she pulled through this pregnancy and the birth alive.

“She is a small woman, thin, and her hips are narrow, and there is little fat on her belly. Princess Aemma was fortunate that the little Princess is a tiny babe or it would have been very hard for her to carry the child to term and give birth without difficulties or threats of killing her on the process.”

Viserys swallowed the lump in his throat finding himself shivering at her words. That’s the first time someone spoke to his face, revealing his deepest fear, and the cruel truth.

“I know you royal families, you need heirs… But, as a healer to women, I need to warn you this, My Prince, your lady wife would be in great danger if she continued to bear more children, and I predict that she would hardly carry them to term due to her physical condition. She bled a lot in this birth, and you were there and you saw that she had not enough strength to do the pushing. She is weak in body naturally, I can say. Some woman born weaker than others. She needs at least couple of years to heal from this birth. No bedding until after a year, and no more impregnating until three years later, I highly advice you.”

Viserys felt numb, absorbing every word spilled out of the healer’s mouth with his eyes misty.

He did not decide to sire more children on Aemma anyways. And he was glad that she kindly informed him of all these.

“Thank you. I, I appreciate what you just told me. I sincerely thank you…”

He only wanted his wife to live, to spend her life by his side, by Rhaenyra’s side, till the end of their story, till the glory of Rhaenyra’s life began.

TBC.

Chapter Text

8.

After hearing his grateful words, the Pentos healer, named Maandy, gave him a warm smile in return.

“You need not thank me, My Prince, I am simply doing my part.”

She handed him a steaming cup of light yellow tea, emitting herby scent.

“I am out of hands here, if you don’t mind, Your Highness, you can take this to Princess Aemma for me. It’s good for easing the pain after the birth, meanwhile helping her regain some energy.”

“Oh, thanks… Actually,” he received it and place it on the table, continued with “I have another concern to discuss with you.”

Maandy wiped her hands on her apron, gesturing him to speak out.

“The thing is, I have already made my mind not to have more children with my wife, and I thank you again for your kind remind just now. I just, know that it would have Aemma… killed one day.”

Viserys expressed his true thought. Maandy’s warning only made him more steadfast on his decision.

He wanted Aemma to survive, to LIVE.

He wanted a whole life with her, to grow old with her.

He longed to die in her arms, if he had that chance.

So, he went on:

“Therefore, I want to consult you if there is any way to, permanently prevent having babes. You see, in Westeros, if a woman wants to prevent pregnancy, the Maesters or local healers usually give them a tea, called Moon Tea, to drink, after, um, laying with men… But, I learn from some book that, consuming Moon Tea would probably cause the woman stomachache, worse influencing their moon courses, and if I understand it right, Moon Tea brings negative effects to the woman who constantly drinks it. The more they have the more harm would befall their bodies… And sadly, it’s the only way for my wife to stop conceiving more children. I do not want her to be affected by the side-effect Moon Tea carries.”

The head healer nodded and commented sarcastically that.

“My Prince. that’s kind of you, as a highborn man, to consider the wellbeing of his wife.”

Viserys did not take her slight but very bold words to offense.

“So, I want to know if there is some medication will cure the harm Moon Tea has on one’s body, or neutralize the harmful effects?”

He was a lustful man in some extent, if spoke honestly. There was no way that he would give up making love with his beautiful Aemma. How could he resist the attraction she emanated? He is a MAN, added to that, a man in his prime! But he did not want her to get hurt, truth be told.

Maandy the healer thought about his question for a beat and shook her head.

“I am sorry that I cannot find a solution to this case. I know little about Moon Tea. And frankly, it’s the first time I heard of it. In my hometown, a small village in the south of Pentos, we usually dose man to dysfunction his ability to impregnate women.”

Viserys was quite astonished to hear such thing, wondering curiously what kind of medication could do that. He did know in Westeros, there was a poison which could disable a man’s manhood, making it never get rigid again.

If that’s what she was talking about then he was leaving.

“That’s interesting. How?”

“It’s a pill made out of the seed of a kind of flower called ‘rhuanyii’, only grows in certain land in southern Essos. One pill and its effect can last about a moon for a grown man. There is a poison in those seeds, which is harmless to one’s life but can make his seed unable to take root in the womb. It poisons only man’s seed. No harm will fall to that man’s health nor the woman’s whose womb he just spilled his seed into.”

Viserys thought out loud:

“What if to forever sterilize said man? Can it achieve that?”

He found this pill very appealing. He would rather take the risk himself, sacrifice his own good than to let Aemma be the one who suffered.

“Of course, if you truly are prepared for this irreversible change. You just need to constantly take the pill every day before bed, for forty-nine days, and, during the treatment, no intimacy with your wife. That will do.”

“Do you have enough pills with you?”

“Only a couple of them. I will give you one piece. Mind you, My Prince, it tastes bitter and sour. Better wash it down with something sweet.”

Viserys left with a brownish, tiny ball of a pill which no bigger than half of his pinky’s nail, concealed in his handkerchief.

After delivering the cup of healing tea to Aemma, he went to the Grand Master’s room.

He commanded Maester Allar to test if the pill was poisonous and got the outcome after an hour’s wait that it contained no poison. The Maester also mentioned that the ingredients in it was nothing he had ever seen or found in their land, asking him where did he find it. Viserys just threw him a “thank you” and a “none of your business”, and left the room with relief.

Later that day, He ordered the head healer to go back to her village to bring more of the pill to him in two moon’s time and promised her that she would be well rewarded after her return.

When he walked back to their shared chamber after a haste supper, the first sight welcoming him was not only Aemma holding their daughter but Aemma holding their daughter with a golden hatchling standing on her shoulder!

He was totally dumbfounded. What had he missed? He was just gone for a while…

Viserys missed the hatching of his daughter’s cradle egg also the last time.

Syrax was chirping, screeching with smoke coming out of her small nose and her bony wings fanned happily.

“My…Gods.”

He almost slipped out Syrax’s name but he held his tongue in time. He had changed the history, his life story and also his family’s in some way so he did not know if in this life, Rhaenyra would still name her dragon “Syrax”.

And it’s her birthright to name her dragon whatever she likes. Mayhaps, Syrax would be called something else.

At least, she still looked familiar, and endeared to him.

“Viserys! Where have you been? The maids could not find you anywhere…”

“I am sorry, my love. It seems I have missed a big scene.”

He quickly went to Aemma’s side.

Syrax crooked her lizard like head, studying him with interest, her round, golden eyes blinking.

“I woke up and wanted to check on Rhaenyra, then I saw this little one was crawling on top of our girl, its egg shells scattering everywhere in the cradle! Good thing that Rhaenyra is not hurt.”

Viserys reacted fast to catch Syrax who was going to jump onto Rhaenyra’s wrapped up, tiny form. And the dragon landed on her wobbly back legs on his large hands.

The she-dragon opened her mouth and coughed out grayish smoke at him.

Seemed like he pissed her off.

Aemma chuckled, patting a whimpering Rhaenyra on her small butt.

“These two are already a bonded pair. The hatchling is so clingy to Rhaenyra.”

Viserys tapped Syrax on the head.

“*I know you like my daughter but she is soft and fragile as a human babe. Be careful with her, will you?*”

Syrax responded with a temper-filled chirp, chin tilting up arrogantly.

Already, like rider, like dragon.

“It’s like we have two babes at the same time.”

The night was peaceful.

Viserys rocked Rhaenyra to sleep after Aemma done nursing her, with Syrax curled up to a ball on her little body, hiding her face under her tail.

He set them both down gently into the newly clean cradle.

“*Sweet dreams, my little hatchlings.*”

He got on bed and spooned Aemma from behind, dropping a kiss on the back of her head.

However, right before sleep claimed him, he heard a very small cracking noise coming from the wall behind a tapestry.

Viserys was on alert within the second, one of his hands reaching under his pillow, grabbing the knife he put there for emergency.

He watched closely at the shadow which moved on light feet to the cradle. By the dim moonlight, he saw the suspicious person facing away from the main bed, his back to his direction.

Viserys held his breath and got out of bed, making little sound. He was relieved that the shadow was oblivious to his movements.

Until he covered that person’s mouth and pointed the knife to his throat did that man realize his presence and started fighting back.

After a while of silent struggling from both sides, Viserys found out the intruder was none other than his little brother…

“What the Seven Hells and Fourteen Burning Hells are you doing here in the middle of the night, Daemon?!”

TBC.

Chapter Text

9.

Viserys questioned Daemon in hush tone, keeping in mind not to disturb the babes and Aemma.

The latter got out of his hard grip on his collar, readjusting his night shirt, and he did not answer him.

“Relax, brother, I bear no ill attempt. Can you please put your knife away?”

Viserys cursed under his breath, sheathing the knife.

“What is the problem with you? Coming through secret passageway to others’ room in the hour of owl? Are you lost or drunk?” He sniffed Daemon but smelled not a trace of liquor.

He knew Daemon would never hurt his family but his uninvited and sudden appearance in the middle of night did startle him to some level, especially now in their room resting his new born child who was delicate as a kitten and highly relied on her parents for surviving.

“I, I came to see my niece! Is that not allowed?”

Daemon retorted back, arms crossing.

“Yes, because it’s late night and people supposed to sleep in such time not sneaking around or visiting sound-asleep babes!”

Viserys sighed and softened his voice.

“Daemon, why are you here?”

In the dim light, it’s hard for Viserys to tell Daemon’s expression.

Daemon gave out a long sigh as well, one filled with reluctance.

“Brother, I am leaving before sunrise. I just want to see Rhaenyra before my departure. This,” He pushed a hard object into his hand, “I made for her as a birth gift.”

Viserys raised the thing and studied it under the moon light, discovering that it’s a fined piece of Dragonglass carved into dragon shape.

“Where are you going? And you just told me about it? What happened?”

Viserys’ brain worked hard to find any memory linked to Daemon leaving right after Rhaenyra’s birth and he recalled that episode where he had been notified by his father in the next day after his daughter’s arrival that his brother was nowhere to find.

And what drove him away back then, he recalled now, was the proposal made by the Good Queen about betrothing him to Lady Rhea Royce of Runestone. How could he forget about that? He had been busy these past days so that he had not been paying attention to what’s happening around him, including Daemon’s matter.

In his last life, he did not care much about to whom Daemon was married but now he could not sit back and let history repeat itself with the knowledge that his brother had never been happy about this match and left the marriage unconsummated.

Viserys refused to once again let his only brother down, to ignore his desperation.

He pulled at Daemon, dragging him back to the tunnel behind the thick tapestry, moving away from the sleeping ones so they could talk.

“Daemon, tell me what’s happened and I will help you with what I have. You know, running away is not the right solution.”

Until this moment, Viserys was starting truly acting like an older brother to Daemon.

He felt ashamed of himself. He was glad that it’s not too late.

Daemon looked at him for a second, showing uncertainty, but soon he shrugged and be opened to him.

“The Queen wants to sell me to some commonly, lowborn bitch from the pit of sheep.”

Viserys furrowed his eyebrows at his sneer. He did not want Daemon to enter wedlock with a woman he did not like but he disliked the way he spoke about Lady Rhea who he remembered had done nothing wrong to deserve such slander.

“Well, I am sure she is no lowborn GIRL but a lady from a noble house since she is qualified enough for a match with a Prince. Please be nice to someone you have yet to meet.”

“Yea, but not qualified enough for a DRAGON Prince! It is unfair, Viserys! You, father and even the Queen herself have a match with someone you love, someone who has DRAGON blood floating in their veins! Why I get a sheep while you mate with dragons? Our beloved grandmother looks down at me. She just hates me and wants to send me away from her sight!”

Viserys now leaned to be patient and sympathy with Daemon, being a good big brother who he had chosen not to be in his last life. He listened to Daemon’s whining, complaining without interrupting, or rolling his eyes.

He was the favored child, not because how outstanding he had been, simply because he was the firstborn son, so he had never really empathized with Daemon, always thinking he was being childish and immature.

He was an annoyingly arrogant brother to Daemon all the time, looking down at him, acting as if he had the very right to comment on his behaviors and decisions, as if he was above him at everything.

He could not be more wrong and cocky.

Daemon had never had anything he truly desired. He had to accepted what their grandparents, their father, and he deemed “good” for him.

His poor little brother had been denied almost his whole life…

“Calm down, Daemon, I understand your anger and I, see the unfairness in it. You have the right to be pissed. But, brother, I think you should not leave home because of this.”

“Or… I stay and be forced to marry that… woman. I rather run and never turn back.”

“Have you talked about it with father? Have you expressed your unwillingness towards this match to him?”

“He was there when the news dropped. He said, and I quote, ‘a fine match’. What else should I say to him? I extremely displayed my displeasure to their face but they brushed me off like I am a three name day old.”

Viserys clapped on Daemon’s shoulder, smiling reassuringly at him.

“I see. Do not worry, Daemon. I will talk with father tomorrow. I will help you. There is always a way to turn the table. Now, go back to your room, and sleep.”

“You will help me? You? How? It’s not that I do not trust you, Viserys. What are you going to say to persuade father, and what about the Queen?”

“I do not know but I will try my best, okay? Everything will be alright, Daemon. And I meant it that running away on dragon back is not going to solve your problem. Just think about how worried father and Aemma would be if you were gone. Think about little Rhaenyra, okay? Do you want to miss out her first word and first step? You are an uncle now.”

When was the last time he was being this nice and helpful to his own brother? Viserys blinked away an unshed tear in the dark of the tunnel.

Daemon had gone away, alone, last time, because there was no one reaching out, to give him a pull-back.

Viserys had contemptibly chosen to turn a blind eye to Daemon’s loneliness, to his helplessness, all the time.

You will never be alone again, brother, I promise you. Viserys internally said to Daemon, to himself.

“Well… Since you put it that way. I… Oaky, I stay, then.”

Daemon was about to walk away but he turned, though he could not see him in the black, he said that:

“By the way, I almost forgot, congratulations to the hatching of Rhaenyra’s egg.”

“Thank you, brother.”

TBC.

Chapter Text

10.

In early morning, Viserys went to the training ground, performing his exercise routine.

It felt beyond good to work on his muscles in the chilly morning air, burning away the extra energy in his body.

And he was so relieved that Daemon was here, not so far away from him, doing push-ups, which meant he did keep his word, that he stayed.

That he gave him his trust, as he always had done in another life.

“When do you go to father?”

With a final pushing up, Daemon jumped to stand up, looking at his direction with expectation.

“I am having breakfast with him this morning, so… now. I am going to him now.”

Viserys wiped clean his sweaty face and neck with a wet cloth he purposely carried here for cleaning up. Then, playfully, he threw the used cloth to Daemon, hitting him right on the face.

He trotted away, laughing, playing deaf to the filthy words his brother spat at him in his back.

“Is Aemma and Rhaenyra doing well?”

There were just the two of them in his father’s private dining room.

“Mother and daughter are faring well so far, according to the healer, father.”

“Good.” Prince Baelon downed a cup of tea, smiling big, “Can’t believe you are a father also, now, my son. And I, a grandfather!”

“Aye, father, I am so content. I,” Viserys swallowed down a piece of dry bread, as well as the sudden feeling of nostalgia, “I… I will do my best to fulfill my duty as a father, to little Rhaenyra.”

How he missed his little girl, even though he was just parted from her for mere hours, couldn’t wait to hold her close to his heart.

“I am happy that you realize that there is responsibility one should take on as a father. You are, truly a man now, son. Your mother would be proud of you.”

His father looked at him with pride.

“That babe is such a delightful creature. I would like to visit her later in the afternoon, is that fine with you and Aemma?”

His father joyfully announced, taking a big gulp of the tea.

“Of course.”

He would not forget that his father had been the second major “force” at spoiling his daughter, after Daemon.

This time, Viserys decided to join them, spoiling her, loving her with all his attention and unwavering determination, fighting to gain his own daughter’s affection, for that brilliant, angelic smile of hers.

I will give you whatever I have, love you with my heart and soul, Rhaenyra, I promise you.

He mindlessly took a sip of the same tea, his thought already flying back to his daughter.

He frowned when the yellowish water touched the point of his tongue, leaving a strange taste on its wake on his tongue. Then, he pushed the cup away from him with a slight grimace.

He did not know how his father could enjoy this weird tasting tea.

Prince Baelon chuckled at the face he made.

“Does the tea they served offend you, Viserys?”

“No, father, it’s just, the taste is a bit much for me.”

He had never drunk a tea with such odd flavor. First, it tasted bitter, then the bitterness faded into a very slight sweetness, and he could even taste the sweetness on the back of his throat.

“You young people know nothing about teas and it’s your loss. That’s a fine tea, healthier than liquors and it helps lift your spirit. You should drink it more often.”

“Okay…” he cleared his throat, throwing some ripe grapes into his mouth to wash down the strange taste, “… Well, there is a matter I would like to discuss with you.”

“Do continue.”

“It concerns Daemon.”

“Oh, I forgot! Yes, about your brother, there is a good news…”

Viserys took a bold act to interrupt his father, the Crown Prince.

“Do you really think that, it’s a good news? For Daemon?”

Prince Baelon showed his confusion.

“Seemed like he already spoke with you, no? What, do you have different opinion on this matter, concerning Daemon’s future betrothal?”

“Yes, as his elder brother, I would speak for him and indeed, I do not see this match is right for Daemon.”

Viserys had been a King and he had no choice but to let his old sense of authority leak out a bit, to appear more confident.

“And Daemon himself has showed his rejection to it in the Queen’s and your presences.”

“Daemon was just throwing tantrum like an underage child. And, Viserys, hear me out, your opinion or his has little effect on the decision made by your grandmother, the Queen. And I believe you are aware of that. You are kind enough for voicing up for your brother. And…”

“Daemon does not want it, father. This marriage will not be a happy one!”

“How do you know for sure? We all have arranged marri…”

“No, father, not we, it’s just Daemon who will have to endure an arranged marriage.”

“You and Aemma…”

“At least we were fond of each other before our betrothal became official. We KNEW each other well enough before I took her as my wife.”

His father fell speechless for seconds.

And Viserys kept pushing on the topic.

“I am aware that our opinions are unimportant to this matter but, father, think about it, Daemon is also your son and it’ not fair to sell him off to the Vale. What would mother say if she was still around? Daemon used to be her favorite. That’s how you treat him, your dear wife’s favorite son?”

Viserys felt sorry for making use of his passed away mother’s memory like that. But deep down in his heart, he knew that his mother, Princess Alyssa would be supportive in this matter, backing him and Daemon up. How he wished she was still alive…

“No one is selling him off to anywhere.” his father sighed, eyes saddening at the mention of his late wife, “It will do good for the unity of the Realm, this match, and makes Vale more loyal to us…”

“Aemma is from Vale. The relationship between us and the Vale has been solidified through our marriage and the Vale people are always true to their oath. We do not need another marriage to achieve something we already possess.”

“I, I suppose your words make sense but, there are few limited number of highborn candidates who are at the right age for Daemon… Lady Rhea is the perfect choice for him.”

“She is just the heir of one of the Houses in Vale, not even the paramount House. How is she the perfect choice? And, Daemon’s just sixteen and in no rush to marry. He has an abundant time for this later… And he is the rider of the mighty Caraxes, an experienced, warrior dragon, and you are fine with giving him and the dragon away on a nice silver plate to the Runestone? What if there is an attack against the Throne, or rebellion?”

Prince Baelon thought about his words, still showing his hesitation.

“He marrying Lady Rhea does not mean he will stay in Vale for life, he can come back if there is emergency which requires Caraxes’ help. The flight from Vale to King’s Landing is, well, not that long.”

“And I wonder, if the Lady Rhea herself agreed to this?”

“Her father is approved of the match and that’s what matters. The Queen has already talked with Lord Royce and he is honored and glad to this offer.”

“When?”

Viserys was confused, because his father sounded like this matter had been settled for some time now. And they just informed Daemon of it yesterday?

“Like one or two moons ago, at that feast, celebrating the name day of Aegon the Conqueror, you remembered? Lord Royce came to the Queen and they had a pleasant chat and… he proudly boasted about his sixteen name day old daughter, Rhea Royce. Your grandmother was interested in the girl who can ride and hunt with eagle and fight with sword…”

“Wait, so, you were saying that, it’s not grandmother who first picked up the potential topic of a match?”

Now, Viserys sensed why there was something off about this sudden betrothal.

“She did mention about Daemon and the possibility of a fine couple he would make with the Royce girl first.”

“After Lord Royce purposely MENTIONED of his daughter, who is at the same age as Daemon and the heir of his House. A ‘perfect’ candidate for the Queen’s youngest and single grandson, a Prince of the Dragon Blood.”

Viserys wanted to roll his eyes. He bet the Queen and his father did not even know what Lady Rhea look like. All they had was an image Lord Royce put forth. But he did know about Lady Rhea and she had indeed been a marvelous woman who deserved a husband who respected her and loved her, who was not named Daemon Targaryen.

“Well, a father can be proud and talks whatever he likes about his children. And also find their children good matches for marriage.”

Prince Baelon stressed.

“Well, then, I have a suggestion. How about we invite Lady Rhea to the Keep and let her spend some time with her future husband to be, and see if she and Daemon can get along? You will not tolerate the sight of your son and an innocent young girl being forced into an unwanted marriage, right, father?”

Viserys just knew Lord Royce was definitely plotting to get a betrothal between his daughter and a dragon riding Prince and he had achieved his goal.

But, “sadly”, this time, his brother and Lady Rhea would be saved from a dull and loveless marriage. He would make sure of that.

TBC.

Chapter Text

11.

Luckily, his father considered his advice about inviting Lady Rhea to King’s Landing, to spend some time with his brother, her future betrothed, and he gave him his words that:

“I will talk with your Grandmother about it.”

“Thank you, father.”

Prince Baelon clapped on his shoulder with a small smile on his way leaving the dining room.

When Viserys went back to their shared chamber, he found that Daemon was there, sitting on the floor beside Rhaenyra’s cradle, in his arms rested his baby daughter, and her dragon was standing on the top of Daemon’s head.

Aemma was laughing at something Daemon just said, her angelic face flushed.

“What are you two gossiping about?”

He entered and went to his lovely wife and greeted her with a light kiss on her forehead, sitting beside her.

“Just something silly… how’s your breakfast with Uncle Baelon, Viserys?”

“It went well.”

Daemon eagerly questioned:

“What did he say?”

“There is a good news and a bad news… Which one would you prefer to hear first?”

Viserys purposely skirted around his question, purely for teasing his little brother.

Daemon pouted, shooting him a disappointing look.

“The bad news.”

“I am sorry to inform you that, Lady Rhea is, probably going to visit King’s Landing in the near future.”

Daemon widened his eyes in disbelief, jaw dropping. He almost bounced up from his sitting position, startling Syrax who was wiggling her tiny wings, lifting herself to the air. And he returned Rhaenyra back to Aemma in a quick motion, about to stomp out of the room.

Viserys chuckled and dragged Daemon back.

“Viserys! That’s your way of helping? Well, how HELPFUL you are! I am leaving before that sheep of a common girl’s here!”

“And the good news is…”

Daemon turned to face him with a furious expression.

“Father picks our side and, you have a very big chance of getting away from this displeasing, potential marriage.”

“How? They are summoning that girl to come here! How is father taking our side would help? He is not the King, not yet.”

“Daemon, please lower your voice or you’d scare Rhaenyra.”

Aemma warned him gently.

“Sorry, Cousin.”

Daemon boyishly apologized in a much lower volume.

“Daemon, hear me out, okay? That Royce girl coming here will serve as that chance for you to get her out of your way forever. You understand? The Queen will not turn down this proposal more so with father supporting it…”

Daemon was confused and he could see that, but before he made a further explanation, his brother seemed uncertain and asked tentatively that:

“You are not implying that… that I…” he mimicked a motion of slicing a throat to indicate what he was thinking, “…her when she is around?”

Aemma gaped at Daemon’s display.

Viserys took a big sigh, shaking his head in disbelief.

“What… what are you thinking, Daemon? No! Of cause not like THAT! What I mean is that you grab this opportunity to make her dislike you or even hate you, then, she would definitely run to the Queen and reject the offer of your hand. I heard that Lady Rhea is a young woman with a strong mind who is not so easy to compromise and the Queen would most likely listen to her plead since she is always caring women’s opinions. Now, you get my point?”

He sometimes wondered if all those fights Daemon had taken part in had made him a chaotic, violent, aggressive person who inclined to hurt, to kill, to draw blood and the first thing came to his mind when talking about getting someone out his way was to finish their life… And that always, in no matter which life, terrified him.

However, Viserys knew that it’s a little late to reshape Daemon into a man who was kinder and less chaotic, or less cruel, and what he could do for the time being was to prevent him to take a wrong way and hurt others while hurting himself.

What he could do now was help secure a better future for Daemon, for all of his family.

“That’s your method? I don’t know, brother. Look at me! I am not bragging, you see, all the girls here like me, some even madly in love with me, Prince Daemon Targaryen, the Charming. I just simply do not know how to make a flowering girl hate me…”

Aemma giggled, covering her mouth to muffle her laughter, rocking Rhaenyra lightly on one arm.

Viserys rolled his eyes with a silent laugh, pushing at Daemon playfully.

“Trust me, brother, that girl already hates you. Mayhaps you do not need to act dislikeable, your very existence only is enough to make her back away. And, modesty makes men look more appealing.”

Daemon smirked, arms crossed.

“No, Viserys. It’s confidence that makes men look more attractive. You lack of it, you know that?”

Aemma could not hold back, chuckling till tears pricking out of her eyes, shaking with laughter.

And then, Rhaenyra started wailing.

As he predicted, the Queen was convinced and order his father to write an invitation to Lord Royce. And the Lord of Runestone accepted the invitation and replied that they would be in the Red Keep in three moons.

Viserys was relieved that all things went as planned.

A moon later, one day, when he was prepared for bed, Aemma presented a small dark brown wooden bottle to him:

“The head healer, Maandy, you remember? She came searching for you earlier, and she said, this, is what you asked for. Here.”

Viserys almost forgot about that… He did not think that Maandy could come back in a moon’s time with the special pills.

He timidly took the bottle from Aemma’s hand, feeling guilty out of blue. He did not talk to Aemma about his decision for he did not know how to put it in words, so he decided to push the matter aside for later.

“Viserys, are you okay? What is this? Medicine? What is it for?”

He closed his eyes, then reopened with determination.

“Aemma, there is something I need to discuss with you…”

TBC.

Chapter Text

12.

Viserys lowered his sight to the bottle in his hands.

Aemma carefully covered her small hand on his larger one, understandingly said that:

“My love, if you do not want to talk about it then don’t force yourself to share. It’s okay. I am just… just warrying about you, that you may be sick or…”

“No, Aemma, dear, I am healthy as a buffalo. I planned to tell you about it when the time is right, and now is the time. The thing is, the day you gave birth to Rhaenyra, I went to Maandy and had a talk with her.”

Viserys studied Aemma’s expression, considering his next words. She was looking at him with her sole attention, waiting for him to continue.

“Aemma, she told, no, she warned me about your health, about your condition not fitting for conceiving and bringing forth life naturally. She said that, it’s predictable that you likely not be able to carry a child to term or, or give birth safely without costing your, your own life.”

He wiped away an escaping tear, could not help but feeling emotional anytime he thought about the possibility of losing his beloved soulmate. He swallowed, taking a shaking breath.

“She said your pregnancy with Rhaenyra is an exception, or a miracle I assume. But the labor made you suffer and bleed a lot, made your already fragile body weaker. It is not a good sign. And, and it’s all my fault, Aemma. I am so sorry…”

Viserys chocked on his own tears, inevitably recalling Aemma’s bloody, brutal death on her birthing bed, by his own stupid cold command.

Aemma collected him into her embrace, patting on his back.

“Viserys, you have done nothing wrong. No need to say apology.”

“No, I have done all of these to you, Aemma, by bedding you when you were barely a woman, making you pregnant with child at such a young age with such, such young, immature body… And I did that out of no consideration, but only for selfish reason. I had been an awful, irresponsible, careless husband to you.”

“Viserys…”

“To be honest, Aemma, I… I think, I think that, you, you deserve someone better than me.”

He fell apart in her slender arms, crying like a child, drowning in his sea of guilt, of shame.

“Viserys,” she kissed his temple, “don’t say such nonsense. I rather have no one if it’s not you.”

“Maandy said some woman born with a weaker body than others which does not meant to carry children or else would have them harmed.”

Aemma hummed to acknowledge his words.

“I see. Like mother, like daughter.”

“What?”

Viserys pulled away, looking at her with confusion.

“I am like my mother, Princess Daella. She had been through a lot for conception and her pregnancy with me was hard on her I heard. And my birth meant her death. She was too weak to even hold her new born child and days later, she was gone for good.”

“I, I… I am sorry.”

He forgot his aunt Princess Daella had the similar experience in child bearing as Aemma. How could he not relate the similarity between mother and daughter back in his last life was remained a mystery to him. He should have paid more attention to this matter. He had failed Aemma by his ignorance.

“My love, stop apologizing.”

He could not stop his shameful tears though.

And Rhaenyra’s sudden whimpering followed.

Aemma jumped a little and quickly went to their daughter who was probably dirtying herself or crying for her late-night feed.

A father cried for his guilt while a daughter cried for the hunger for her mother’s milk.

Aemma checked on their baby and shushed her, taking her up to her arms.

“Please, Viserys, Rhaenyra here is the babe, not you, you know?”

She tried to lightened his mood up by teasing him a bit. Once Rhaenyra latched on her mother’s tit, her crying stopped.

Aemma sat back on their bed. Viserys leaned closer, lovingly stroked Rhaenyra’s soft cheek.

He got his emotion under control so as his tears.

“What else did the head healer tell you? Is the medicine for me?”

“No, just warning me of your situation at this matter and no, the pills,” he shook the bottle, “are for me.”

“You are not sick, right?”

“No, before I explain its purpose, can I ask your opinion on having more babes? I just want to know your thought and I do not want to deprive you of the right of seeking what you truly want.”

“Viserys, I just gave you a daughter. You want more already?”

Aemma’s face turned a shade paler.

He cursed inwardly.

“No, no, no! You interpreted me wrong. I just want to know how you feel about having other children in the future. I respect whatever you desire. I do not wish to hurt you or see you get hurt. Your thoughts matter the most to me.”

Aemma averted her gaze down to their precious baby girl, her point finger gently drawing line from her almost white eyebrow to the point of her tiny nose.

“I suppose you are right about Rhaenyra being a miracle, at least for a mother like me. I know my body and my strength. Maandy is right about me as well. But I am a woman married into the Royal family. I am aware of my limited choices on matter such as producing heirs. I have to, don’t I? That’s how women like me serve the Crown, through bearing children, continuing the bloodline.”

“No, Aemma, that is wrong. And you have already done you part perfectly. Can you lay this stupid duty on the ground and think of what you actually want even for a moment? What do you want, Aemma?”

“I don’t know… You are a man, Viserys, and it’s easy to say for you. I…”

Aemma held Rhaenyra tighter, seeming at lost. He nudged her to leaned back to his chest, circling the most cherished two persons in his life.

“I am sorry… You can tell me what you are thinking at the moment. I am all ears.”

“I am quite content with what I have for the moment. For me, more means worse I think. But, I have made peace with my position and what sacrifice I should make for doing my part. I accept my fate. I just… I hope you will promise me that, if anything did happen to me, you would take care of Rhaenyra, raise her, protect her with all you can give, for me…”

Aemma looked up to him with a pair of glassy blue eyes, shining with tear as waves of sadness reflected in them.

Viserys shook his head in sorrow, in tenfold shame. That’s all his fault. He had sentenced his wife and daughter tragic lives.

“Aemma, that is not the answer.”

“What do you want to hear from me? Everyone fears death, Viserys, a mother fears death even more. But I have no choice… if it ever come to the worst circumstance.”

“What if you have?”

Aemma gave out an ironic chuckle.

“Then, I suppose I would have no more. Carrying child is not a walk in the garden. It’s so uncomfortable, so awfully exhausting. It’s like the child was sucking my life to nurse hers. I do love our daughter and she is the best thing happened to me, but still… And the birth, such a hell-like, torturing process, I don’t even want to recall it…”

Aemma shuddered in his embrace.

Viserys hated himself for paying no mind to learn about his wife’s inner thought back in his last life, pushing her to her limit, putting child after child in her womb, murdering her without knowing he had been her murderer all the damned time.

She must have been scared and helpless… But she was such a dutiful wife that she chose to swallow down her fear and her bile, even they felt like broken, sharp glasses.

“Thank you for telling me and, and guess what? You do have a choice now, my love.”

He dangling the small bottle in front of her eyes.

“These exotic pills can help.”

“Help? How?”

Aemma unlatched a sound asleep Rhaenyra from her nipple, rocking her, eyes focusing on the object before her.

“They are medicine, for men specifically. For poisoning their seed and to some extreme, sterilizing them. I am going to take them.”

“What? You are going to sterilize yourself? You do know that you are the heir to the Throne, yes?”

“Yes, so? My heir is sleeping in your arms right here, right now. And I will do anything to fulfill your wish, my Lady wife. This time, I am the one who will make sacrifice, for you.”

He proudly announced.

“Why are you saying ‘this time’? And are you sure? I am fine with taking Moon Tea. You don’t have to…”

“I insist! Maandy said in her hometown, men take this to prevent their seed taking root. And I have the Grand Maester tested it, it will not harm my life. And I learned from medical scripts that regularly drinking Moon Tea will affect your stomach in a bad way and your monthly course. I shall not allow any harm befall you, love.”

“Okay… But, that’s not how things operate, dear. Rhaenyra cannot be heir, we both know it. She is, she is not a son and she will never be one.”

Viserys seethed, furious at those fools who had looked down at and questioned his firstborn once upon a time.

“I do not care how things work! When my time comes, I will make a change. You do not worry about that. And, by doing it, we can secure Rhaenyra’s future.”

He was not a blind, easily manipulated weakling anymore.

“People would get suspicious and call me barren…”

Aemma concerned.

“You are not barren, since you have given me a daughter. I am the one who cannot make his seed take in his wife’s womb. I am the one who is barren and let them gossip. We can just ignore them. Such rumor hurt little. And this secret, must be known by only you, me and Maandy, and the Gods.”

“Are you sure about that? What if you regret it sometime later? Can that be undone?”

“I will not regret a thing at doing it to make sure you and Rhaenyra live a happy life. And it’s irreversible.”

“Viserys, I… well, I do not know what to say…”

Aemma was taking in his words, digesting them.

“Say no more, my soul. As long as you are by my side, that’s all I am asking for. That’s how I repay what you have gifted me.”

“Then, it’s decided? No… no more children, just, just Rhaenyra?”

He literally could see the burden melt away from Aemma’s slim shoulders, her eyes glinting hope, and genuine happiness.

Viserys nodded determinedly.

“Yeah, no more, my love. Rhaenyra is more than enough.”

In the first time since forever, Viserys felt his life, their life, full of hope once more.

TBC.

Chapter Text

13.

Sunlight filtered through the narrow openings between curtains, pouring down on the carpeted floor near the windows, some reaching to the bed, shining upon Viserys’ face.

He grunted, turning his head, hiding his face into Aemma’s soft curls.

A few moments passed, he was wide awake.

Sunshine on his body, warmth embracing him, the scent of jasmine and clean sheet, of a hint of milk in his nostril, Viserys blinked his eyes, and took an inhale. It’s still a wonder for him to wake up this early and without any feeling of fatigue, of gloom, but the excitement and expectation for life, and for starting a freshly new day.

He wanted to savored a quiet moment with a sound asleep Aemma’s head resting on his broad chest, and he did just that, so he did not get up immediately.

Thank the Fourteen Flames. Thank the Old Gods and the New.

He was home. He wanted to stay in this very moment, forever.

He dipped his head, dropping a feather light kiss on Aemma’s hair.

Viserys then, gently raised their entwined hands onto the sunbeam, appreciating how fitting her hand was in his. And also their matched, refined, gold wedding rings.

Aemma’s ring was once again back on its rightful place on her ring finger instead of his little finger with time winding back decades…

He remembered, back in the future which he had fucked up, he often found strength or the courage to continue his day by taking a look at Aemma’s ring, and through it recalling her face, her smile, her voice, her touch, her warmth, anything about her, or sometimes, kissing it as if he was kissing his lost love.

He had been miserable, agonized inside his weakening heart without his twin flame.

Now, seeing the smaller ring on its mistress’ finger where it belonged, Viserys sighed with content.

He gave a little kiss on Aemma’s ring, this time, he could land his kiss on her delicate pale finger too, instead of his cold, boney one.

Viserys got up from bed with light movements and decided to fetch their breakfast by himself with a good mood.

He dressed and went to check Rhaenyra, surprisingly finding her also awake, her eyes staring up at the ceiling, quietly lying on her cradle.

“Good morning, my little early dragonling.”

And the real dragonling was still slumbering with her wing over her small head.

Viserys took up his daughter and brought her out their room to the nursery placed right beside their chamber and asked a nursemaid to clean and change his babe girl while he waited aside.

Rhaenyra had always been an easy baby maybe because she had always been well-fed and well-clothed till she was not because she had been spoiled rotten by Daemon and his father, becoming demanding and hard to please unless you gave her what she desired or follow her every word.

Viserys selfishly wished that she would still grow into that person, grow into the Rhaenyra he had known and loved for his whole life, and he wanted to be one of the people who had made her that way and by then he would be so proud of himself for being such a good enough father for her, for this time.

The maid worked swiftly and returned him a well-groomed, happy babe.

He said his thanks and carried Rhaenyra with him to find Aemma’s lady-in-waitings and asked them to prepare their Princess for the morning and leave the breakfast for him to handle.

Today, he wanted a good morning with his little family.

“Since you are not hungry yet, let us go and get your Muna’s morning meal, okay?”

He kissed Rhaenyra’s plump cheek, holding her protectively.

Rhaenyra just made adorable babe noises to reply.

However, when he came near to the Royal kitchen, he ran into the servant girl who was in charge of delivering their breakfast who was sniffling and not noticing him.

“Watch your way, girl.”

“Ah, my Prince! I am, I am sorry…”

She carried a tray of bread slices and apple slices and a bowl of butter with a plate of bacon, almost knocking him and Rhaenyra with her speed.

She bowed and apologized, with tears.

“My Prince, I am so sorry. The, the breakfast is ready.”

He forgot that the crew of servants worked in the Keep were always earlier than them.

“I can see that. It’s all right. Why are you crying? What happened?”

The girl, he guessed, was not over fifteen, and had served them for a couple of moons and she was always right on time and had a pair of steady hands.

She shook her head in a controlled way, eyes red and misted.

“I am okay, thank you for asking, my Prince.”

Viserys did not buy her answer.

He wanted to be a better person this time.

“I insist to know why are you crying in such a good morning. Anyone gave you a hard time?”

“No, no one hurts me, my Prince. I, I…” she cried a little, voice shaking, “I am, am crying for, my, for my… brother.”

Viserys raised his eyebrow.

“What happened to him?”

“He… he…” she was hiccupping, “he died, they, they found him on his bed, no breath, no, no heartbeat, before sunrise. He was fine last night…”

Even they were servants, their lives did matter in some sense.

“How? Anyone behind his sudden death?”

“The, the healer, he, he said he died of a burst belly…”

Burst belly… That illness rang a loud bell in Viserys’ head.

His father had been dead because of it! How could he forget? He almost forgot about his father’s passing, since he revived back in the past.

He counted the days in his brain, and terrifyingly realized that his father would be dead in three years, if he did nothing by the Gods damned same incurable disease!

He bit his lip. He needed to do something before it’s too late.

“How did your brother get a burst belly? What had he eaten for his meals last day? What’s your brother’s job in the kitchen?”

He needed to find any clue that would link to the cause of this disease and to his father’s health. In his last life, shamefully, he knew little and cared little for it.

He still had no trace of what had caused his father’s life, caused his belly bursting.

The servant girl shook her head in despair.

“We ate as usual. The healer just said it’s burst belly befell him and nothing more. And, he had served as Prince Baelon’s food taster for some years now.”

TBC.

Chapter Text

14.

Viserys went back to their room with the servant girl following behind.

After she set the table, Viserys required her to wait outside. His face wore a stern look during the breakfast, and of course Aemma noticed.

“What happened? You went fetching our meal and came back with this face. What for?”

“Yes, something did happen that needs my attention.”

He did not want to hide things from Aemma, not in this life.

Aemma put down her fork, looking worried.

“The girl, who delivers our breakfast every day, Martha, you remember?”

“Sure.”

“It’s her brother. He was dead last night, of a burst belly.”

“Gods, poor her and her brother. May the Gods bless his soul.”

Aemma, as kind as ever, said a prayer for that dead boy.

“His death, I think, is suspicious.”

“A burst belly, an incurable disease. Why?”

“Martha told me he was fine last night and before, he was always healthy, seldom falling ill. His death is out of place and I do not know what would trigger a burst belly so far, but I wonder, how did a young and healthy man like him catch this kind of sickness? Isn’t it questionable? And, the most important is that, he had been father’s food taster for some years now.”

His last words made Aemma gaped in shock.

“Are you indicating that…”

“I do not know, Aemma. There is possibility. But what’s strange is that, before his death, he ate as usual, and tasted the food served for father as usual and he was fine until death befell him at some time in midnight. And so far, father is fine, appearing in good condition.”

“I pity for his life, but as long as uncle Baelon is fine, where is your concern come from, then?”

Viserys held his tongue, not wanting to reveal the truth that his father would die of the same sickness three years later, if he let history flow toward the same direction.

“I just think, that if I find out what caused his death then, at least I can prevent something similar happening to father, and us.”

“Viserys, you have a lot on your plate these days. Why don’t you leave this matter to the hands of the Maesters? Do not exhaust yourself, my love.”

He reached out, overlapping their hands.

“Aemma, I am alright and I am confident that I can handle this. Do not worry for me, love.”

“So, you cannot accompany me and Rhaenyra to the garden after breakfast?”

Aemma looked him with a hint of sadness in her beautiful blue eyes.

“I am afraid no, sorry, my dear. I can ask Daemon to go with you. He likes hanging around you and Rhaenyra nowadays.”

Aemma agreed.

After they shared a lingering goodbye kiss, and he giving a small kiss on baby Rhaenyra’s soft curls, Aemma was walking out of the room with their daughter secured in her arms with two of her ladies-in-waiting companying them.

Viserys summoned the servant girl, Martha, and Maester Allar, the most trusted healer in the whole Keep, and a servant man who used to work with Martha’s brother, whose main job were delivering food and setting tables for Prince Baelon, to his personal study.

Maester Allar was the master of the healer who examined the boy’s death this early morning. And his student told him everything.

First, he directed his question to the Maester.

“Maester, I am wondering, what’s the main cause behind a burst belly?”

Maester Allar gave out a sigh, and shook his head.

“I am afraid that there is none, My Prince. It’s a strange illness and usually happens in a sudden and no method can cure it or ease the pain. Most people die of the intolerable pain, not actually the burst of a belly.”

Viserys frowned in confusion.

“There must be a reason. No way it happens because of nothing.”

“My Prince, there are a load of things mysterious to human in nature. Some mysteries are unsolved and would never be by the limited knowledge we possess. But…I do have a theory on this matter.”

Viserys gestured him to continue.

“It’s just a theory, or a guess, having no evidence to prove it or any case to speak for it, though. I believe, in some way, a burst belly might be the result of poisoning, however, the people who caught it appeared no trace of being poisoned. Mayhaps, it’s a slow poison, which would finally lead to a burst belly.”

Viserys considered his explain and he moved his attention to Martha.

“Martha, tell me, in the last moon or last moons, had you and your brother have unusual food or drink?”

The kitchen servants usually ate what the Royals ate but the left, untouched part of the food or drink. And some of them would use the not that fresh vegetables or left part of the raw meat to cook meals for themselves. If there is poison was it a quick or a slow one, at least they, or the tasters would know before the food was made and served. And the healers paid close attention to what the Royals consumed every day.

Viserys did not know what had gone wrong. By far, there was only one case of the kitchen servant dying of a burst belly, or a potential poisoning.

Martha’ eyes were still red and swollen, and she thought for some moments, then:

“My Prince, I do not know if that counts as unusual that yesterday, my brother went home with a bottle of strong wine made of male deer’s blood mixed with Ale I assumed? He used to drink pure Ale… But last night, at dinner, he boosted about that strong wine he got from a merchant…”

Viserys tilted his head at her words and looked at Maester Allar.

“Usually, strong wine is hardly poisonous because of the amount of alcohol it possesses. However, strong wine could probably accelerate the absorption of the toxins through digestive system which are already accumulated in one’s system.”

Viserys nodded with understanding.

“So, let us make a hypothesis that your theory works, Maester, and some unknown poison, a small amount, was already stored in his body, not enough to cause serious damage to the body or show signs, but by the amplifying of the consummation of strong wine… How much did he drink again?”

Martha was taken back for a second.

“Um… I think, I think he drank quite a lot. He was in high spirit last night, because he won a gamble and I think that’s why he had the coins for that wine.”

Viserys turned his eyes to Maester Allar and the latter confirmed with:

“That would do the trick if my theory was feasible.”

“And then the poison awoke, and then a burst belly.”

Viserys concluded and threw out another question:

“The point is, from what did he get that poison? You,” he cued the servant man who had been silently waiting aside the whole time, “you were there every time he tasted food for the Crown Prince, was there any kind of dish or drink appeared out of place for you, recently, as in, the last moons?

The man thought for a moment and shook his head, but in the next blink of an eye, he hesitatingly nodded.

“My Prince, in fact, everything seemed ordinary to me, but there was this yellowish tea with a light fragrance, which the Prince quite enjoyed in the morning from about six moons. He used to drink black tea in the morning before changing to that tea. And Marque tasted it for him also every morning.”

It’s like something sharp hit his brain, Viserys remembered that day when he was discussing with father about Daemon’s matter, that strange taste tea he had and disliked immediately…

“Is there any left? Is my father still having it in the morning?”

The man shook his head.

“No, My Prince. The supply ran out days ago. Now, Prince Baelon is drinking black tea again.”

Viserys pinched the bridge of his nose.

“My Prince,” Maester Allar voiced up, “mayhaps the tea is the key, you need me to examine it for you?”

“Yes, for sure, but there is none left. I need to speak with Prince Baelon.”

Before he walked away, he asked the servant man one last time:

“Where did you get this tea from?”

“Um… it’s the Crown Prince who gave us to brew for him every morning. We did not know where it came from. We just followed his order.”

TBC.

Chapter Text

15.

Viserys dismissed Maester Allar and the two servants before he was out of the door.

He decided to act swiftly and accurately, leaving no regret, no failure this time around. He was determined to save his family, to secure their future prosperity.

He grabbed a passing pageboy by the arm.

“Do you see Prince Baelon?”

The boy was stunned for a moment for his sudden action, then shook his head in slight fear.

Viserys let him go and kept his quick steps, almost trotting toward his father’s study.

There was none in the study and one of the cleaning servant told him that Prince Baelon was leaving for the summon of the Queen some time ago.

He arrived the moment his father walking out of the Good Queen’s chamber.

“Viserys?”

“Good morning, father.”

Prince Baelon looked him up to down, refocusing his eyes on Viserys’ flush face which due to his fast walking.

“Good morning, son. Why are you here? Anything okay?”

“Can we talk?”

He beckoned his father following him to the open balcony on the corridor.

“Is grandmother well?”

For the sake of mannerism, he asked about the Queen first.

“She is well. She wants to visit Princess Rhaenys and asked me to arrange her trip to Driftmark. What happened, Viserys?”

“You are aware that, the food taster of yours, Marque, is dead, yes?”

His father’s face saddened a bit, nodding.

“Yes, I feel sorry for him and his family. I already paid for his burial and compensate his family with sufficient gold dragons. What’s the problem?”

“I assume he died of poisoning.”

“No, they said he died of a burst belly.”

“Triggered by some unknown toxin accumulated in his body, and which I am afraid is also likely in your body…”

“What?! It’s nonsense, son. I don’t feel any discomfort or any sign of poison …”

“Listen to me, father. I consulted Maester Allar about that, that it’s possible that a burst belly is caused by some kind of slow poison, whose toxicity could be ‘aroused’ by the consuming of strong wine and leads to a burst belly. Have you been drinking strong liquor lately?”

Prince Baelon was confused but he denied and he seldom drank wine these days, only did so on occasions.

“So, where did he get this poison?”

Viserys stepped closer, and lowered his voice.

“Do you still remember that strange taste tea you have been drinking for the last moons?”

“You mean the Changscheng Tea? No way… It’s a nutrient tea. It helps slow the aging progress of one’s body and it’s good for one’s health and lifts one’s spirit after taking it.”

Viserys frowned because he had never heard of this kind of tea around King’s Landing.

“I suspected it has something to do with Marque’s death. Because he tasted it for you every morning, right? And I have never heard of it before so I assume the tea is not from the local. And it’s the only thing that out of ordinary in your meals.”

“But, but I felt nothing wrong…”

Viserys expressed his theory that:

“Mayhaps the toxin in it is minuscule and slow to affect one’s health but, but the more tea you digest, the more poison would be piled up in your body and hard to excrete. And Maester Allar said strong wine can accelerate the absorption of certain poison in one’s body. Therefore, father, please be careful and better stop drinking any sort of strong liquor from now on.”

Disbelief was still decorating his father’s face.

“Do you think that’s a coincidence or, or a conspiracy against my life?”

“Father, can you tell me where did you get this tea from?”

Prince Baelon seemed hesitated for a second.

“It’s, Ser Otto Hightower, who gifted it to me when he arrived at the Keep. No, he presented to the King first, then father said he dislikes teas, so, Otto gave it to me and explained the benefits it would bring to one’s body…”

Viserys’ face whitened. Could Otto be that obvious if he wanted to plot such treasonous scheme? He was smarter, more cunning than that… And he did not see the reason because the present Otto needed the recognition from the Royals and the Court…

“What did he say when he offered you the tea?”

Prince Baelon tried to recall.

“He… well, he just told me it’s a very special tea made of the leaves of some rare plant which only grows in the land of Old Town. And he said the elders in his family likes to drink it in the morning. It’s so cherished that only the most respected elder in the Hightower family can enjoy it. He said this tea values thousands of golds.”

Viserys’ expression hardened.

“Father, we better call for Ser Otto and demand answer from him. We cannot let this possible conspiracy slide away. We need to be cautious.”

Prince Baelon raised his hand to stop him.

“Viserys, do not rush, for now, what we need is proof. We cannot harness only our assumption or Maester’s so-called theory to convict Ser Otto. And there is no crime done so far. That poor boy died of a disease in people’s eyes, not poisoning.”

Viserys considered his words and nodded along.

So, his next step was to find out if what Otto had said was true.

TBC.

Chapter Text

16.

Viserys asked his father to make a request to Otto, asking for more of those “magically nutrient” leaves to make tea, disguising their real intention with fake favor of this tea to convince Otto. Once they got it, Viserys would take it to Maester Allar for examination.

“Father, do not ever drink that tea again, okay? Once you have it, give it to me or to Maester Allar, and he will know what to do. And be careful when you talk to Otto about it. He is a clever man, like a fox, just try to not rise his suspicion.”

His father clapped on his shoulder, nodding.

“I know, son. Leave that to me. You have done well, Viserys. I can say that you are more observant. Mover mature even.”

Viserys’ cheeks blushed slightly, cleaning his throat.

“Thank you, father. I am trying.”

“I think, fatherhood changed you. You seem like a different man.”

“Yes? Well, by your words, I deem it a good thing, then.”

He shared a knowing smile with his father and then they bid each other a good day and departed.

Viserys turned back after walking for a few steps, watching his father’s figure disappearing down the stairs, eyes shining with tears.

He wholeheartedly hoped that, this time around in this promising new life, he would successfully prevent his father from felling into the net nit by the God of Death.

Viserys went straight to the Royal Garden after finishing his business this morning, hoping to spend some family time before lunch, by the way briefing Aemma and Daemon on the progress of his investigation. He assumed that Aemma had already filled Daemon in with what was happening.

And he was right on that.

He found them under the Weirwood. Aemma was sitting with her legs crossing, enjoying a piece of berry pie and his brother was lounging on the blanket covering the grassland with Rhaenyra lying on her stomach on his chest, seemed like she was slumbering.

Viserys could not help lifting up the corner of his mouth, seeing this peaceful scene.

He picked his speed on walking, joining his family, sitting down beside his wife.

“Everything went well, my love?”

“About time you came, brother, Rhaenyra was asking for you just now.”

Daemon sat up and carefully cradled a sound asleep Rhaenyra.

Viserys smiled apologetically.

“Fortunately that you are still here. I am sorry, Aemma, brother.”

Aemma leaned closer and kissed him on the cheek.

“It’s not a big deal. Glad you came find us.”

“So, is father alright? Should we call for the Maester to check if his health is affected already?”

“I told Daemon what happened. I think he should know of it for obvious reason.”

Aemma kindly explained.

“Viserys, I can help with whatever you need me for. You know that, right?”

He nodded.

“Of course. I know, I know. I am going to tell you anyways.”

Viserys briefly reviewed the conversation between him and Prince Baelon with them, most importantly about the source of the poison being probably from the tea their father had been drinking every morning before, and stressed that now their main mission was to dig out proofs.

Daemon was not pleased with the outcome of their talks.

“Can we just imprison Otto Hightower for the time being? In the name of his suspective attempt to poison the Crowned Prince?”

“Daemon, we cannot arrest him for something he might not commit to. What if he really did not know the tea is toxic? That is why we need tangible proof first.”

Aemma chipped in thoughtfully:

“You said that he told uncle Baelon that tea can be only produced in Oldtown, and only the most respected elders can have it… Do you think they would serve those esteemed people with poisonous tea? Even if the toxin in it is very little?”

Viserys thought about her queries and articulate his theory:

“What if they do not know there is toxin in it? Or… or they know but according to the little content of it, they just ignore it and as long as those aged people have no drinking strong wine hobby, they will be fine.”

“When did you become a Maester, brother? And Otto just left this supposed, life-or-death massage out? And you called him ‘innocent’?”

“I did not say he is innocent, Daemon, for Gods’ sake. And I learned from Maester Allar that it’s possible the toxin would be triggered by the consuming of strong liquor and therefore cause the symptom of a burst belly.”

Viserys defended himself.

“Otto comes from Oldtown. How could he know nothing of this tea? Clearly, he knows…”

Daemon protested.

“But, mayhaps, he only knows the surface since he is not a specialist in teas. I remember that Oldtown grows various kinds of tea plants and is famous for its teas for hundreds of years. I somehow do not doubt the uniqueness of this, um, ‘Changscheng Tea’, but I doubt if he really knows its natural ingredient, that aside from its positive effects on human body, there is also a tiny deficiency.”

Viserys was astonished by Aemma’s insightful words. His wife was so intelligent. He could not love her more. Or he could if he tried harder.

“Then, why did he choose it out of all those teas?”

Daemon hurried to voice out his question.

Viserys rolled his eyes.

“Because it’s the most valuable one among them, obviously, the most suitable gift for his sovereign.”

Daemon seethed at him.

“Well, you did not mention THAT, how would I know?”

And their back and forth bickering woke up babe Rhaenyra, who started screaming in a moody way.

“Aw, my poor little girl, come to muna.”

Aemma took up a squirming Rhaenyra into her own arms from a guilty Daemon.

“We should go back to the Keep and let her have her nap in her cradle.”

Viserys suggested, patting his daughter on her soft tummy. Aemma agreed and they three left the garden together.

Right before Daemon turned to another direction once they were at the end of the main stairs, Viserys grabbed his arm and slowed his pace down.

“I do need your help, Daemon.”

“Yeah?”

Daemon showed his iconic arrogant face.

“I need you to go to Citadel and find any book or written record about the tea plants which can only grow in Oldtown’s soil. I believe there must be one of this recordation. Or you can ask the Maesters there about it and better take an exact copy back with you. Better if you can borrow the original ones. And then, pay a visit to House Hightower, request to see where they grow the source plant of Changscheng Tea and also a visit to the whole processing of this tea.”

“What if the Hightowers requires answers behind this sudden visit?”

“You can tell them that, you are there on behalf of Prince Baelon, who likes the tea they gifted him very much and is very interested in it, and require to know the making of it.”

“Okay, then, I will leave in one day on my dragon.”

“Good, thank you, brother. I wish you a safe trip. Return home soon.”

TBC.