''Keep breathing.''
Rhaenyra gasped for breath as she pushed and pushed. Her breathing rapid.
"And push."
Rhaenyra groaned out in agony.
"And again.'
"I c... I can't." Rhaenyra whined
''Push!'' the midwife demanded
''The head!'' another midwife declared kneeling between Rhaenyra's legs. Rhaenyra kept pushing, moaning and groaning in agony but it was almost done, it had to be.
''A boy, Princess.''
''Praise the Mother!'' The baby's cries rang out.
"Ahh." They placed the boy in Rhaenyra's arms, she smiled down at him, another boy. "Healthy?"
" Kicking like a goat, Princess." They assured. Rhaenyra had but a fraction of a moment before the door opened
"Princess... the Queen has requested that the child be brought to her... immediately." Elinda one of Alicent's handmaidens informed her.
Harwin came at Aislynn with intensity. She was excited at first, she hadnt seen this side of him. He kissed her feverishly, rough hands pulling at her dress, cupping her cheek. She pulled at his pants as he bunched up her dress. He grumbled as he thrust into her kissing her neck and the fantasy of what could have been faded as Aislynn heard Rhaenyra's little boy... her boy with Harwin no doubt, the screams echoed out. Another baby, a royal bastard born. Her children, her Emmett and Clayton were perfection and Aislynn was sure that Rhaenyra thought the same of her children and Aislynn wouldnt have cared so much if it was with an unmarried man. Criston was single, forever single. Assigned to the kings guard. Aislynn picked a man at least, fell for a man that wasn't breaking another woman's heart in the process.
She sucked in a tight breath as she pat his chest he looked back at her a heavy breath in his lungs.
"I'm just not feeling it." Aislynn offered. His face pinched, lips pursed. He looked down at where their bodies were connected, still buried inside her.
"Really?" He countered unmoving.
"Yeah." She said with a shrug. Harwin huffed out a breath as he pulled out pulling away from her. She looked him over, it was a nice cock, it was large but the man attached to it... was less appealing. She got up fixing her dress as he pulled up the blankets around his hips.
"Is something wrong?" Harwin questioned.
"Just not really... in the mood." Aislynn offered.
"You seemed like it." Harwin countered.
"And now I'm just not." Aislynn answered. "Bye." Aislynn said as she walked out, Harwin stared after her.
+
''Why?'' Rhaenyra said with a groan. Elinda just stared back at her holding out her hands for the babe. ''I'll take him myself.'' Rhaenyra said stubbornly.
''You should remain abed, Princess...''
''Yes, I should!'' Rhaenyra spat. ''Help me dress.'' She struggled she felt the blood dripping between her legs. ''Ooh... Mmm...'' Rhaenyra froze her face pinched her lip quivered
'Princess... your dress?''
Rhaenyra tried to hush her crying babe as she the pain erupting in her stomach. Aislynn hoped her birth was painful, half hoped she died in childbirth. That would be something to make this day better.
''Princess? Oh, it's coming. The afterbirth!'' Rhaenyra doubled over groaning.
The whispers of a boy, a boy, echoed through the castle. Aislynn tried to block it out. She didn't care. She didn't give a damn. She did. That was a lie. Of course it was. They were doing good and then they werent but still... one bastard Aislynn could have forgiven but three.
"A boy?" Aislynn questioned stiffly.
"A boy," Criston agreed. Aislynn leaned into him.
"And with thick black hair I assume." Aislynn went on as they walked to Alicent's chambers. Criston wanted to kiss her, to tell her everything she wanted to hear, everything that would make this betrayal better but he couldn't find the words so he grabbed her hand.
''A boy. I've just heard.' Laenor said happily
''Yes.'' Rhaenyra said through pained breaths.
''Well done. Where are you going?''
''She wants to see him.'' Rhaenyra hissed
''Now? I'm coming with you.''
''I should hope so.'' Rhaenyra countered
''Let me take him.'' Laenor offered
''No, she'll get no such satisfaction from me. Just take my arm, at the least.'' Rhaenyra told him stubbornly and he held onto her trying to help her walk.
''Was it terribly painful?''
''Oh gods.'' Rhaenyra grumbled men knew nothing of birthing pain.
''I took a lance through the shoulder once.'' Laenor remarked.
"My deepest sympathies." Rhaenyra hissed. Laenor peered in and saw the black tuffs of hair. He had not known Harwin well or Aislynn but after Jaeton was born... Laenor didn't even want to think about it.
''What could she possibly want? I thought we were past this.'' Laenor remarked. "Past you fucking the queen's sisters husband." he murmured under his breath. Laenor could be a good husband, even if Rhaenyra didn't want her anywhere near their children, he had tried over the years but Rhaenyra made it clear he was not welcome. ''We are turning back, all right? She can come to us, all right?'' Laenor offered
'No. Not unless you wish to carry me down those fucking stairs.'' Rhaenyra hissed and Laenor sighed in defeat.
''This is absurd.'' Laenor didn't know if he was talking about Alicent or Rhaenyra though. Absurd that Rhaenyra kept doing this to their children, putting them through the rumors spreading, all for the pleasure of fucking an already married man. At least Laenor had assumed with Aislynn's hatred for Rhaenyra that it was Harwin.
"My lady." Criston coed pushing the door open for Aislynn.
"Thank you Ser." Aislynn dragged her hand over his stomach as she headed in. "Ali, I'm feeling murderous." Criston heard as he closed the door. It wasn't long after he closed the door that Rhaenyra and Laenor came strolling up.
''Princess.'' Criston remarked stiffly, opening the door for them.
''Rhaenyra! You should be resting after your labors.'' Alicent declared.
''I have no doubt that you would prefer that, Your Grace.'' Rhaenyra seethed.
''You must sit. Talya, fetch a cushion for the Princess.'' Alicent instructed and a cushion was placed on the couch for her.
''There's no need.'' Rhaenyra countered meeting Aislynn's harsh glare.
''Nonsense. We'll finish this later.'' Alicent assured offering Rhaenyra her fakest of smiles.
''Your Grace.'' Talya said nodding to the queen as she left. Rhaenyra sat with a groan. Alicent held tight to Aislynn's hand to keep from attacking Rhaenyra.
''What happy news this morning.'' Viserys declared
'Indeed, Your Grace.'' Laenor remarked. Laenor looked to Aislynn, she could already tell this was another bastard. She didn't need to see the hair to know, he looked like a mini luke.
''Where is he? Where is my grandson? There. There he is. Oh.'' Viserys took him from Rhaenyra and held him up. ''A fine Prince. Sturdy. You will make a fearsome knight.'' Viserys told her and Rhaenyra couldn't help but smile as she gave Aislynn the side eye smirk. ''Yes, you will.'' He added softly to the babe.
"Strong." Aislynn remarked her gaze locked on Rhaenyra, her face pinched.
''Indeed." Alicent agreed and Viserys chuckled, if he knew he didn't give a damn, he pretended to be ignorant. "Does the babe have a name yet?'' Alicent questioned.
''We haven't spoken...'' Rhaenyra began as Laenor spoke up
'Joffrey. He'll be called Joffrey.'' Laenor told them proudly.
'That's an unusual name for a Velaryon.'' Alicent remarked.
"Joffrey, that's the man from your wedding day? Was it not?" Aislynn recalled and Laenor nodded. "How sweet, you get to have a piece of your former lover with you in your bastard son." Aislynn rasped as she moved closer to Rhaenyra and Laenor.
"Shut up." Rhaenyra seethed. "I could have your tongue."
"I would love to see you try." Aislynn corrected. Laenor saw the venomous glare in Aislynn's eyes, in both women. He half expected Aislynn to shove Rhaenyra right out the window.
''I do believe he has his father's nose.'' Viserys offered with a chuckle. Alicent looked at the little black hairs on Joffrey's head. ''Don't you?'' Viserys offered.
"Father." Aislynn agreed before giving Laenor a sympathetic glance. He was in the same boat as her. Being cheated on, lied to, sure Laenor wasn't a fan of the female anatomy but still it must hurt. It killed Aislynn, so a fraction of her pain must have been radiating through Laenor as well.
''If you don't mind, Your Grace, your daughter has exerted herself heroically and should rest.'' Laenor offered
''Of course. There.'' Viserys passed Joffrey back off to Rhaenyra ''Well done, my girl.'' Viserys kissed her cheek ''I do hope the labor was easy.''
''I think I called the midwife a cunt.'' Rhaenyra remarked.
''Oh. Do keep trying, Ser Laenor'' Alicent whispered. ''Sooner or later, you may get one who looks like you.'' She offered.
"Or never." Aislynn added. "I do hope you speak with your wife about her night time activities... I would hate for something bad to happen."