Blood Upon The Snow ||| Cregan Stark

forty-seven

With Jace and Baela married, all attention turned to Jacaera. She was approaching the end of her term quickly and everything was catching up to her. The fear, mainly.

Of her position, of the actual birth. Jacaera knew some things. But she also knew she would be wholly unprepared when the time actually came.

And the grief was coming back. That Rhaenyra wouldn't be there to see her first grandchild. To comfort Jacaera, help her through it.

Before the time came, Jacaera stressed that to her brother. That she feared if there had been some plot, some malicious plan to take her off the Throne, it would be executed when she was abed.

As her Hand, it would be his job to rule while she took the time required to have her child. Cregan had already made it clear he would be by her side. He would not be waiting for news; he would be with her the whole way.

He would not fail her.

And Jace would not fail to keep Jacaera in power.

So when things did begin to unfold, Jacaera felt secure. Like the only thing she needed to focus on was delivering her child safely.

Everyone wanted a tourney to mark the birth of the heir. Right on the week and days the maesters predicted Jacaera would deliver. She refused that, however, and stated that she wished to be present at the tourney for her own child.

So they compromised and had the tourney scheduled for two weeks after she was predicted to deliver. Wiggle room. In the hopes that she would be somewhat recovered enough to attend.

By the end, though it hadn't been terrible, Jacaera was ready to be done. She enjoyed making the baby much more than having to deliver said baby.

Everything was harder. Everything about her was bigger. She tired getting out of bed. Let alone walking up and down stairs.

What kept her happy was her husband. Who worshipped the abilities of her body. To create a child, a sibling for his son, a new life. One that was theirs. Their blood.

And his desire for her never ceased. He took care of her enthusiastically, just as he'd done when she hadn't been pregnant. Caressed her body, every part, with equal love and attention.

He often sat with her. At night, when the midwife had told Jacaera her body would be preparing her for birth with strange, uncomfortable contractions.

They were uncomfortable. But everything was uncomfortable. Breathing was uncomfortable.

She was still determined to do her duty as Queen. Even if she forewent the Iron Throne in her last weeks.

Everyone was asking her if she wouldn't feel more comfortable having her hand rule in her stead. And yes, she very much would have. But Jacaera was the first woman to sit the Iron Throne for an extended period of time.

It wasn't fair. It wasn't right. But it was her job to prove women could lead, even while pregnant, to pave the way for those who might come after. It didn't matter that she lacked a cock, that her body could create human life. That didn't make her weak.

In fact, they'd already had the loss of one tongue in court. When an angry supporter of Aegon had come asking for money from the crown as repayment. He called Jacaera a bastard.