28 Chapter 28 - Interlude: The Queen Who Never Was
122 AC
Rhaenys Pov
As I sit here on the balcony of the Red Keep, overlooking the city of King's Landing, I can't help but wonder what my life would have been like if my father were still alive. He was the Crown Prince of the Seven Kingdoms, the future King of Westeros, and it was because of his duty that he was sent to Tarth to protect the shores. It was there that he died, and with his death, my world was turned upside down.
"The Queen to be," he used to call me with a smile on his face. I remember his pale lilac eyes looking at me with joy, and how his pale hair would shine golden when the sun hit it just right. He was my hero, my protector, and my guide. I missed him more than I could admit, and even now, years later, the pain of his loss is still fresh.
After his death, it was my daughter, Laena, who helped me get out of my stupor. She was a beautiful child, with her silver-gold hair and bright purple eyes.
She brought light back into my life, but it was already too late. The day my father died was the day I lost my birthright. The Iron Throne, which rightfully belonged to me, was taken away by the man who was my grandfather.
"A woman is not fit to rule," were his exact words to me when I asked him the reason as to why my heirship was taken away. I was shocked, hurt, and angry. How could he say such a thing?
But the truth was, he didn't care. He was an old man, set in his ways, and he believed that a woman could never be a good ruler. I tried to argue with him, to plead my case, but it was no use. He had made up his mind, and there was nothing I could do to change it.
Despite my grandsires beliefs, I knew that I was more than capable of ruling the Seven Kingdoms better than what Viserys had done. The fool had already set up the entire realm for war and once he died the realm would burn and It would lead to a war the likes of which Westeros had never seen and I hoped would never see again.
My heart ached at the thought of my family being in danger. I had hoped that at least my grandchildren would be safe from the looming conflict, but deep down, I knew that it was a fool's thought. War had a way of finding even the most innocent, and the Seven Kingdoms were not a safe place for anyone especially if one was a Targaryen.
As I reflected on my family, I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of loss. After the deaths of my children, just living seemed like a chore. The only real family I had left were my granddaughters, Baela and Rhaena, and keeping them safe was the only thing that kept me going. They were the bright spots in my life, and I cherished every moment that I spent with them.
My relationship with Corlys had also changed after the death of Laenor. We had grown distant, and our once-close bond had been strained. There were times when I missed the days when we were a united family, but she knew that life was full of ups and downs, and sometimes even the strongest bonds could be tested.
It angered me to think that my granddaughters had become pawns in the bitter enmity between the Queen and the heir which had seeped into their children which had led to my granddaughter losing her eye.
Rhaena was a gentle and introverted girl before the tragedies that befell her family, but the loss of my daughter and her eye had altered her beyond recognition. She was no longer the timid and hesitant child that she once was. Now, her eyes burned with anger and resentment, and she often behaved in a manner similar to that of her father, Daemon Targaryen, who was known for his mercurial temperament. Another 'Rogue' Targaryen was the last thing that the realm needed.
I could see the pain and trauma etched on my granddaughter's face, and it pained me deeply. I had always been a loving and caring grandmother, and the thought of my granddaughter's suffering was too much to bear. I knew that there was little I could do to ease Rhaena's pain, but I vowed to always be there for her, to provide her with love and support in any way possible.
Despite my best efforts, Rhaena continued to struggle with her emotions. She often lashed out at those around her, even those who loved her dearly. Her behavior was erratic, and it seemed like she was always on the verge of exploding. I worried that my granddaughter's trauma was too much for her to bear and that I might lose her to her own demons.
"Grandmother, can we go to the tourney grounds?" Baela's loud voice interrupted my thoughts. As I looked at my granddaughter, jumping up and down with excitement, and was reminded of my own childhood. I remembered how 'kepa' used to come and play with her whenever he had the time, and now, as she tried to remember his face, she was reminded of Ulf.
"Are you alright grandmother", came the low voice of Rhaena as she stood some distance away.
"Of course, my dear. Let's go.", I said as I stood up from my chair and took Baela and Rhaena's hand, leading them towards the door. As they walked through the corridors of the Red Keep, I couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia wash over her. She had spent so many happy days with her father in these very halls, and now, all these years later, she was walking them with her granddaughter.
When they finally reached the tourney grounds, the air was thick with excitement. Knights from all over the Seven Kingdoms had come to participate in the grand tournament, and the stands were filled with lords and ladies eager to watch the spectacle.
Baela's eyes widened with wonder as she took in the scene before her. Rhaenys couldn't help but smile at her granddaughter's excitement. She remembered feeling the same way when she had attended her first tourney all those years ago.
As we approached the royal dais, I saw that Rhaenyra and her children were seated on the right-hand side of the king, while the Queen sat on the left with her own children. It was clear that there was no love lost between the two factions. The tension between the two sides was palpable, and I couldn't help but wonder if this tourney was just another opportunity for them to compete and try to outdo each other.
The lower stands were packed with commoners, all vying for a glimpse of the action, while the various nobles and lords of the Seven Kingdoms occupied the top tiers. The atmosphere was charged with excitement, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia as I looked around at the sea of faces. It reminded me of the days when my father and I used to attend these very tourneys, and how he used to explain the various intricacies of the joust and melee to me.
As Baela and Rhaena scampered off to find their own seats, I settled in beside my husband and took in the scene before me. The air was thick with anticipation, and I knew that this tourney would be one for the history books. The Seven Kingdoms were on the brink of war, and the tourney offered a brief respite from the looming conflict.
As Viserys rose to give his speech, I couldn't help but roll my eyes at his words on honor, loyalty, and hard work. These were qualities that he himself lacked, and I doubted he even knew what they truly meant.
"Do you wish to make a bet, brother?" Daemon's voice broke through my thoughts, and I turned to see him grinning mischievously.
"My squire against your son, and the winner will get 10 gold dragons," he continued.
Viserys laughed. "My son will win the melee, Daemon, while your squire isn't even wearing any armor."
"The boy is mad," I whispered softly to Corlys, who seemed eager to see the upcoming melee.
"I believe he will surprise us all, Rhaenys," he said with confidence, and I couldn't help but smile at his optimism.
The smile on my face vanished as my gaze fell on Ulf. His features, the way his face was structured, his eyes...it was as if I was staring at a younger version of my father. How had I not noticed the resemblance before?
But it couldn't be possible. Ulf could not be related to Kepa. I was his only child and if he had other children, that would mean my father was unfaithful and had betrayed my mother. The thought was unbearable. My mind raced as I tried to make sense of it all, but my thoughts were interrupted by Corlys.
"Is something bothering you, Rhaenys?" he asked, noticing my troubled expression.
I shook my head, not wanting to burden him with my worries. But the truth was, I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that had settled in my stomach.
The melee had ended, and Ulf emerged as the victor. As I looked at him, he gave me a smile that sent a shiver down my spine. It reminded me of the last time I had seen Kepa, my father.
"Take care, my love. Your Kepa loves you, remember that," he had said with a smile on his face. His pale lilac eyes shone with warmth, and that was the last time I saw him smile.
Now, as I watched Ulf, I couldn't help but see the resemblance between him and my father. The structure of his face, the shape of his eyes - they were so similar.
As Ulf looked at me with that same smile on his face, I realized that he had the blood of my father running through his veins.
"Rhaenys, are you truly well?" Corlys asked, his voice laced with concern.
"I am," I replied as I took another sip of arbor gold.
"The girls are worried about you," he continued, his eyes searching mine for any sign of distress.
"Rhaenys, please talk to me," he said, shaking me gently.
"It's him," I said softly, my eyes drifting towards blackwater bay.
"Who?" Corlys asked, confused.
"Ulf," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
"What happened?" Corlys asked concern etched on his face.
Before I could reply, I heard someone laughing. As the person came into the light, I saw Daemon walking towards us.
"It is about time, dear cousin, that you recognized your own nephew," he said with a grin on his face, his eyes shining with amusement.
I looked at him in confusion, not understanding what he meant. "What do you mean?" I asked, feeling a knot form in my stomach hoping that all of this was a lie.
"Ulf is not some random squire, Rhaenys," Daemon asserted, shaking his head. "He's actually your nephew, the child of your father's bastard," he added with a smirk.
The words hit me like a ton of bricks, causing my knees to give out as I let out a loud yell. "Shut up!" I screamed, feeling the hot tears streaming down my face. "Kepa would never do that to my mother," I shouted, desperately trying to deny the possibility.
But Daemon just laughed at my outburst, taunting me further. Anger surged through me, and I clenched my fists, ready to strike. "I will gut you, I swear it!" I seethed, my voice shaking with fury.
"Both of you, calm down!" Corlys shouted, his voice ringing with authority.
"Daemon, what is the meaning of this? How can Ulf be related to Prince Aemon?" he demanded, his expression stern.
"You really must have grown old if you couldn't recognize the boy," Daemon replied, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
Corlys shot him a withering look. "Do not take that tone with me, Daemon. Explain yourself."
Daemon's smirk faded as he realized Corlys was not in the mood for his usual games. "Very well," he said with a sigh. "Ulf is the son of Prince Aemon's bastard. Although he was not born in wedlock, he still carries the blood of the dragon in his veins."
"How do you know all this?" I demanded, my voice laced with anger and confusion.
Daemon leaned in, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "The eyes, dear cousin," he said, his tone patronizing. "They never lie."
I gritted my teeth, feeling the urge to throttle him. But before I could reply, Corlys intervened. "Enough of this, Daemon," he said sternly
I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. This revelation had shaken me to the core, but I couldn't afford to lose my composure in front of my Daemon of all people.
I needed to find out more about Ulf and his connection to Prince Aemon, and I needed to do it fast and the only one who knew about it was standing right in front of me.
"Do you remember the last time we met our grandmother, Rhaenys?" Daemon asked, his gaze distant as he reminisced.
"I do," I replied, a small smile tugging at my lips. "She was so frail, but her mind was still sharp as ever."
Daemon nodded, a wistful look in his eyes. "And do you recall the young girl who was always with her?" he asked, his voice lowering.
At first, I struggled to recall anyone in particular. But then, a vague memory stirred in my mind. "Yes, I think I do remember seeing a girl with Valyrian features," I said, my brows furrowed in concentration. "But then again, almost everyone on the island had Valyrian features, so I can't be sure."
Daemon chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Ah, but this girl was different, Rhaenys. She had a certain grace and poise that set her apart from the others."
I shrugged, feeling a sense of unease creeping up on me. "I don't know, and frankly, I don't see why it matters," I said, trying to dismiss his musings.
Daemon's enigmatic smile deepened, and he spoke with a sense of gravity in his tone. "But it does matter," he said, his words drawing my full attention. "That young girl you saw with our grandmother was, in fact, your step-sister, Rhaenys."
I felt a jolt of shock run through me at his words. "My step-sister?" I repeated, my mind struggling to comprehend what he was saying.
Daemon nodded solemnly. "She was born after Uncle Aemon was killed on Tarth," he explained. "And the best part? Our grandmother knew about her but kept her a secret from everyone."
I felt a mix of emotions rising within me - confusion, anger, and sadness all vying for dominance. "Why would she do that?" I demanded, feeling a sense of betrayal.
Daemon shrugged, his expression unreadable. "Who knows? Maybe she thought it was for the best, or maybe she had her own reasons. But the fact remains that your sister has been hidden from us all these years."
I stared at him, feeling a sense of disbelief wash over me. The thought of having a sister I never knew about was both exhilarating and terrifying. I wondered what she was like, and whether she knew about our existence. But most of all, I wondered why our grandmother had kept her hidden for so long.
"But how did you come to know about her if our grandmother didn't tell anyone?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.
"I was there when she died," Daemon replied, his tone softening. "While all of you were away, I stayed by her side. I knew her flame was slowly flickering out, and I wanted to be there for her."
As he spoke, I could sense a sadness in his voice, and I realized that despite their differences, Daemon had loved our grandmother in his own way.
"It was then that I heard her talking to the girl," Daemon continued. "At first, I didn't know what to make of it. But as I listened, I realized that she was talking about your father and how proud he would have been If he would have met his younger daughter."
"I was shocked to say the least," Daemon said, his expression somber. "But I knew I had to honor her wishes and keep your sister's existence a secret."
I nodded slowly, still trying to process everything.
"What was her name, Daemon?" I asked softly, my heart pounding in anticipation.
"Mary," he replied simply, and I felt a jolt of emotion run through me at the sound of it. The name of my long-lost sister.
"What happened to her?" I asked, my voice trembling with trepidation.
"She died," Daemon said quietly, his expression sad. "She passed away when Ulf was merely a child, due to some illness."
I felt a pang of sadness and regret wash over me, knowing that I had missed out on the chance to know my sister. But at the same time, I felt a sense of closure, knowing the truth about her.
"Thank you for telling me," I said to Daemon, my voice barely above a whisper.
He nodded in response, his eyes meeting mine with a solemn expression. "I know this is a lot to take in," he said. "But you should know that you have family out there, Rhaenys. And no matter what happened in the past, we are all connected by the blood of the dragon."
"Does the boy know?" asked Corlys, his brow furrowed in concern.
"No, he does not," Daemon replied, his expression serious. "And he will not know about this," he added, his tone leaving no room for argument.
"Why not?" I asked, feeling a sense of unease growing within me.
"It is too soon," Daemon replied, his eyes meeting mine. "If the truth about his father gets out, then he is truly doomed."
I felt a chill run down my spine at his words. "Who is his father?" I asked, my voice shaking with fear.
"The King," Daemon said solemnly, and I felt shock and disbelief wash over me.
Corlys looked just as stunned as I felt, his face pale with shock. "What are we going to do?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
For a moment, Daemon was silent, and the tension in the room grew thicker. But then, suddenly, he burst out laughing, revealing that it had all been a joke. "It was a jape, cousin," he said, chuckling. "He is not the king's son. I just wanted to see the expressions on your faces."
As Daemon's smug expression lingered, I couldn't help but feel a surge of anger rising within me. "One day I will feed you to Meleys," I said, my voice laced with venom.
"I hope that day never comes, cousin," Daemon replied, his tone light but his eyes serious.
Taking a deep breath, I tried to calm myself down. I couldn't help but ask the question burning in my mind. "Who was his father then?" I asked, turning to Daemon.
Daemon's expression turned serious as he replied, "I am not sure. I've asked every servant on the damned castle and nobody knows. If only I was there in Dragonstone instead of fighting in the Stepstones, it could have been me who would have been Ulf's father."
I couldn't help but let out a chuckle at Daemon's remark. "I bet Rhaenyra would love to hear that," I said, trying to lighten the mood.
Daemon's expression hardened at my comment. "It was just another jape," he said, but I could tell that he was serious. "We need to focus on the matter at hand."
I nodded, feeling a sense of unease settle over me once again. "But I am serious about him not getting to know about who he truly is," Daemon said firmly, trying to refocus the conversation.
"What I have just told you both does not go out of this room. Nobody can know, do you understand?" he continued, his gaze flicking between Corlys and me, making it clear that he was indeed very serious.
"I wish to see him," I said to Daemon, my determination unwavering as I longed to catch a glimpse of the boy we had been discussing.
"Very well, Rhaenys, but he is sleeping. After all, he was very tired," Daemon replied, his voice calm yet cautious.
"I will stay here," Corlys chimed in, his face etched with concern. "I have a lot to think about."
As I entered the room where he was sleeping, I slowly made my way toward him. He had reached six feet, and I couldn't help but be struck by how peaceful he looked. His arm was bandaged, and it reminded me of how the silent sisters had wrapped my father's body. I could feel my tears welling up just thinking about Kepa. I thought that I would never see him again but here was his grandson who bore a striking resemblance to him.
Bastard or not, he was my family, and I would do anything to protect him. I gently brushed his white hair away from his face and looked at him closely, feeling a lump form in my throat. I leaned down and gave him a soft kiss on his forehead before turning to leave the room. As I walked away, I felt a sense of resolve wash over me. I would keep him safe, no matter what it took.
