Comfort

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(Baelon's POV)

I walked down the hallway, hearing that my Father had summoned me, once again. 

I yawned as I flicked some hair out of my face, "I ought to cut this..." I muttered

I had just woken up and didn't have time to properly comb this high-maintenance hair. Father and his summons were always exhausting because he would constantly lecture me about stuff I already know about.

I just hope that this isn't about Skagos, because I meant what I said about going there and dealing with things myself. I cannot ignore any requests for help from any Lord in this Realm. Well any Realm that is fiercely loyal to our House. 

As I walked, I turned a corner and ran into Helaena who was being escorted by Ser Harold. She was wearing a dress and her hair was neatly combed as usual. It was a very surprising sight, seeing her out of her chambers after what had happened. I occasionally went and checked on her, making sure she ate. It had been almost two weeks since it happened and I'm sure it'll take even longer for her to get over it. 

"Oh!" I said with surprise, "Sister, you've left your room!" 

Helaena looked down, "Brother..." she said softly

I walked up to her and smiled, "I'm glad." I said patting her shoulder, "What are you up to?" 

"Father summoned me." She said

"Oh, is that so?" I said, "He summoned me too. I wonder what for." 

She looked at me, "Oh, so you're going with him too?" She said

I nodded, "Yes, come, let us go and see what the King wants." 

"Uhm..." she said nervously, "Is it okay...if....well.....uhm, never mind..." 

I frowned, "What is it?" 

"I wanted to know if it's okay if we held hands....." she said as she blushed slightly

I blinked, "Oh." I said, "Well, Okay. I don't see why not. It's just like when we were younger then, haha. I held your hand while we went to see Balerion down in his cavern." 

She nodded, "Y-Yes..." 

I offered her my hand, "Very well." 

I watched as she slowly reached for it and gently grabbed my hand. 

"Thank you..." She said softly, "I can only find comfort with your touch, brother...." 

I smiled, "Of course." I said as I leaned in and kissed her on the forehead, "I understand. I won't let anything happen to you. Let's go." 

"I'll be by your side." 

***************

"Baelon." Father said as she stood up from his seat in the Small Council room, "Helaena. I've called you both here to....you're holding hands." 

We were standing in front of the table; nobody was present aside from the King and His Hand, Helaena's grandfather, Otto. He was merely looking at us holding hands without saying a word. I didn't notice a reaction from him, either. 

I nodded, "Astute observation, Father." I said

Father frowned, "I...." He started, "May I ask why?" 

"S-Sorry, Father...." Helaena said softly, "I asked him to....." 

"Oh." Father said as he walked towards us, "Is that so?" 

I saw as she nodded and looked down, not letting go of my hand, giving me a firm grip.

"Yes..." She said, "I....find his touch....comforting...." 

"Oh....Ohh..." Father said as he looked at me, "B-Baelon....You didn't....." 

I frowned, catching what he was insinuating, "What?" I said, "No." 

"Okay...." Father said as his eyes darted between us, "I see..." 

"Is there a problem, Father?" Helaena asked as she looked at him

"No, dear." Father said as he walked up to her and patted her shoulder, "Of course not." 

I saw as she slightly winced, uncomfortably. Father caught this as well and stepped away as he looked down. 

"It's okay, sister." I said reassuringly

Father cleared his throat, "I wanted the two of you here so we can discuss your futures." He said, "I didn't know if you were to have any doubts, but by the looks of it, I can see that the two of you are comfortable with each other." 

I raised an eyebrow, "Is that so?" 

Father nodded as he looked over at Otto, who was standing up, "You are my Heir, Baelon." He said, "And I've given it some thought of what you've said. I have to be more open-minded at what could happen to us, whether positively or negatively. I had made up my mind long ago but it is now that I wish to be vocal about it with the two of you. You two will wed and will produce more children. Helaena, I hope you can understand." 

Helaena slowly nodded, "I'll do my duty..." She whispered

"Don't think of it as just duty, my dear." Otto told her, "Of all the men in the realm, Baelon is the only one suitable for such a sweet soul for you. I am sure the Prince will be good to you." 

I looked at him, "Mhm." 

"If there's any questions, my children..." Father said, "Right now would be a good time to speak them....." 

"What if I don't want to....have children?" Helaena said as she looked at him

I didn't say anything, just looked at her. 

"M-My dear...." Father said, "I.....what do you mean?" 

"I....." She said softly, "I don't know, I'm sorry....." 

I gently squeezed her hand, "My sister, you don't need to be sorry." I said softly, "Whatever your feelings are, I'll respect them, worry not. I will not force anything upon you...." 

"The Princess is young." Otto said, "I'm sure she has doubts, like any young maiden would. But beloved Granddaughter, one day, you'll be Queen. And it is the Queen's duty to produce an Heir to her King." 

"I...." Helaena said as she looked at me, "O-Okay...." 

I turned to face her and patted her cheek, "Listen to me." I said softly, "If you don't want to, we don't need to. Fuck what everyone tells us. You are my precious sister, I'll do whatever it takes to make you happy." 

"Baelon." Father started

"No, I'm serious." I said without taking my eyes off Helaea, peering deep into hers, "You have doubts, sister? It's okay. It is fine to feel like this. But worry not, whatever choice you make, I'll support it. Nobody, and I mean Nobody, will tell you what to do." 

"You have to understand, Prince Bae-" Otto started

"I understand that I will marry my sister. She will be my wife, Lord Hand." I said seriously while looking at him, "And I will do whatever my Wife will ask of me. If she one day decides to give me a child, so be it. Until then, I will not force anything upon her." 

"Do I make myself clear?"