During breakfast, Alyssa's leg kept bouncing. The tap of her shoes against the floor, she picked at her fingernails until they bled. She was desperate to tell her siblings about what she heard when she eavesdropped on her parents.
"Alyssa, my sweet. What is wrong?",
"Nothing mother".
"Are you sure?",
"What! What do you want from me?".
"Alyssa, do not raise your voice at me", Shaera spoke, oddly calm.
"Why, will you push me away like you tried to do with father?",
"What do you mean?", Baelon asked.
"Nothing, my boy. Would you mind taking your siblings to your chamber and then I will speak to you all after your father and I have spoken to Alyssa",
"Yes mother".
Baelon took Visenya and Rodrik by their hands and left with them.
"Aemma, you aswell. Your mother and I will be there soon", Daemon told her, his voice left no room to argue with.
"But father-",
"No, we must speak to your sister by herself".
"Alright".
~
Shaera went to shut the door whilst Daemon sat infront of their daughter. Fittingly, Alyssa resembled his mother whom he missed and remembered everyday.
"My sweet, why where you listening to your father and I?",
"I saw how you were looking at each other when we got back from Dragonstone. I saw you, mother almost lose yourself in your feelings when you thought father left with that bitch. I had not intended to listen but I couldn't help myself, you were going to push each other away and i- I'm sorry", Alyssa explained, her eyes welled up with tears as she looked up at her parents.
"Tis alright, my sweet girl. I had a momentary feeling of fear, I thought it would be easier to push your father away but I now know that it was never going to happen. I let my own insecurities cloud my judgement, I am sorry that you had to have heard it",
"Why did you seek to push him away?".
"Your mother was afraid of what could happen during this war", Daemon reassured.
"We could all die but shouldn't that bring us closer together, so that we may not separate ourselves from each other?",
"Perhaps". Shaera was hesitant to fully believe in what Alyssa said but she wanted to for the sake of her family.
~Thinking about Alyssa's words; Shaera was reminded of an earlier time in her life when she and Aemma were having tea after the celebration for Rhaenyra's eighth nameday. They were in the queens quarters resting after the dancing they had done per Rhaenyra's request.
"What a joyous day it has been", Aemma mused.
"Indeed. I must say, Rhaenyra is perfect",
"Yes, she is", Aemma sighed.
"What is the matter?".
"Nothing-",
"You cannot lie to me little sister, what is on your mind".
"Rhaenyra is perfect but I feel that Viserys is too blinded by his need for a male heir that he neglects our daughter. He is a wonderful father but-",
"But he does not pay enough attention to her".
"I understand that he is the king and he has duties to attend to but I cannot help but feel I am raising Rhaenyra by myself as of late",
"Father once told me that sons are heirs and spares to inherit assets whilst daughters are for the mothers. I told him he was wrong, children should be loved and cherished by both parents. Mother agreed with me, she had a gentle heart that should not have been crushed by fathers beliefs".
"Why are you telling me this?",
"You and Rhaenyra deserve better than an absent husband and father, your needs matter aswell as the realms. Don't allow your marriage to become what our parent was. They loved us deeply but some people are not meant to be which I believe you and Viserys are".
"So you are saying that I should tell Viserys that he has become absent?",
"Yes".
"Alright, I will. Thank you for your advice, sister",
"No need to thank me, my dear. I will always guide and love you, even when we are gone from this world I will find you".
"On the topic of people meant to be, have you spoken to Daemon?",
"Aemma-".
"No, No, you will not change my mind that you and Daemon are perfect for each other. Your souls are aligned, you burn for each other in a way that no amount of fire could match",
"I do not know what you speak".
"Now who is lying?",
"If I will myself to admit my feelings for Daemon I do not doubt that he does not feel the same".
"Why are you so against finding happiness? Why must you push away your feelings and separate yourself from being with the man you love and have desired for so long?",
"I fear ending up as the others have. I desire Daemon so greatly that I feel as though I lose control of myself when I am around him. He invaded my mind and refuses to leave my thoughts which fills me with dread at the thought of losing him or him hating me like he does his wife".
"Nonsence. Daemon could never hate you, he would travel to the ends of the earth and sentence himself to death for you. Tis about time you see that",
"When did you become all knowing?".
"I do not know all but I know you and I see the way Daemon looks at you",
"Perhaps you are right".
"Of course I am".
The two laughed when the door burst open and Rhaenyra ran in, Ser Harold ran in after her.
"My apologies your grace, Lady Shaera",
"No apology necessary. You may go, thank you Ser Harold", Aemma stated as she hugged Rhaenyra.
"Have you enjoyed your name day?",
"Yes mother".
"Good, I'm glad", Aemma yawned softly before apologising for it.
"Perhaps you should retire to your chambers if you are tired. I can escort Nyra to hers for you",
"Thank you. I am the most grateful that I have a sister like you".
"Goodnight Aemma",
"Goodnight mother".
"I shall see you both in the morn".
Shaera and Rhaenyra walked hand in hand, the princess was confused when her aunt led her away from her chambers.
"Where are we going, Aunt Shaera",
"You will see but for now try to be as quiet as you can so that we are not caught".
The two made it to Shaera's chambers. Within a minute of entering a know was heard, a tray of lemon cakes was brought in and placed on the table. Rhaenyra felt giddy with excitement at seeing the decadent cakes.
"Happy nameday dearest".
Rhaenyra jumped up and hugged her aunt before grabbing one of the cakes for herself and her aunt. The two enjoyed each others company and the cakes until they were full and satisfied.
~
Shaera longed for the days when Rhaenyra and Aemma were there and everyday seemed happy.
~
When they entered the room, Baelon and Aemma making Rodrik and Visenya laugh, the loud giggling brought them joy. When hearing the door open, they all watched as their parents sat down hand in hand whilst Alyssa brought her younger siblings into her lap.
"Can we know what is going on now?", Baelon questioned. He was sick of being forgotten and having secrets kept from him.
"Your sister heard your father and I talking. We were discussing my fears for the future-",
"Mother tried to push away father because she thought that was what he wanted after he didn't return from being with that- wench and I was afraid that we would lose one of them".
"Which would never happen regardless", Daemon added.
"No it would not which is why I am sorry for almost causing a divide between us. Our family is all that we need and I am forever glad that I have you all", Shaera beamed as she looked at her children before looking at her husband. Daemon leaned toward her and kissed her lovingly, an unknown gentleness was expressed in the kiss.
"We do not need to see that", Alyssa proclaimed, disgusted at seeing her parents kiss. She was glad they weren't angry at each other, she admired that her parents still loved each other the same even after all the time that had passed but she did not want to see them kiss. They all laughed at Alyssa's disgusted face. Shaera loved that despite the awful situation, they all still loved each other and enjoyed the moments they spent together as a family.
~
When it was the evening, Shaera went to see Rhaenyra. She hadn't spent time with her nieve other than when they were strategising for what to do next.
"You will overwork yourself if you do not give yourself time to breath",
"If I stop for even a moment, I fear they will take what we have worked so hard to obtain".
"Dearest, you must take time to look after yourself aswell. The stress will take its toll and only hurt you further if you let it consume you",
"You are right".
"Of course I am",
"I wish my mother and father could be here to see me as a queen, I wish my boys were still by my side and I continue relentlessly for them".
"I am not saying to give up but to continue the fight whilst ensuring your own safety in the process",
"I fear I do not know how to do so".
"I will help you, I have been there for you since the day you were born and I will do so until the day I die",
"I love you aunt Shaera, I thank you for all that you have done for me",
"I love you Nyra".