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House of The Dragon-The Beauty, The Bold, and The Black Dread: Chapter 157: Stagnancy
🕑 Added 2025-04-14 04:48:59 +0000 UTC(Baelon's POV)
After our exploits in Essos, we retreated back to King's Landing and received stern scolding from the King. A few weeks after that, we had received reports from our sources in Essos, Pentos, and Volantis that the presence of the Dragonseed had been reduced to zero at that point.
It did seem like they went to Mereen.
Father had told us that we were not allowed to go that far without his leave and warned us about our next move.
According to our sources, their forces were yet again crippled due to our actions. Not only that, The Sealord of Braavos required some compensation for the deaths of his commanders and Father amicably gave him a few Velaryon ships. The Sealord did say that he would consider his alliances from that day forth, saying that he would not want to suffer the wrath of the Black Dread any time soon.
While I had killed Erys, Gael's brother and the one who forced those girls onto me.....
I was not satisfied.
I wanted Gael to pay.
I wanted her to be punished for what happened to me. I told Father that I was not satisfied and he understood but did not want to start a war with the entirety of Essos simply because I would fly over. He had sent letters to the Free Cities and warned them about the Dragonseeds but they had not responded, which told us that they want nothing to do with this.
I was ordered to stay still.
And so I will.
But I was not happy with it.
Whatever was happening in Mereen, it would mean a serious deal in the future for us. I cannot help but think that Father made a mistake, holding me back...
But our spies could only reach so far in such a short amount of time. Larys had told me he will send some that way but I would need to be patient.
So be it.
Now, around a month or so had passed and I was back in Dragonstone.
I wanted to keep that anger, that resentment out of my mind.
But it was more difficult than I imagined. I am afraid it is going to affect my life here more than I care to admit.
But I had to try to move on.
I will only act for the sake of the Realm.
Enough of my emotions.
******************
"Word is that the girls that were there that night....." Daemon said as he leaned on the balcony, "They died, Baelon. Except for the YiTish one that is here."
I frowned, "Died?" I asked, "How?"
"I do not know the specifics." He said, "But I went to Pentos, asking around for a few weeks. You know I have a good relationship with their Prince."
I nodded, "Right." I said, "Is he sour about the threats I made back then?"
"Not really." He said with a slight smirk, "He is over it."
"Good." I said, "He seems like a decent man, as decent as a prince could get."
"Yes...." He said, "Anyways, about the girls...."
"I do not know what to say...." I said, "It checks out....Min said that she was separated....probably to prevent any sort of mass escape like the one she did. I figured they were all locked away..."
"And in Braavos..." Daemon said, "When you said some women and babes were used as shields.....did any of them look like you?"
"No." I said, "And not just that....I just did not feel like they were mine...it is strange..."
"Hm..." He said, "What do you mean?"
"It is just a feeling..." I said, "I rejected it with the girl....at first....but I had a feeling...when I looked at those children.....I did not feel anything from them....except for the one that woman had in her arms...I felt a pull....I cannot explain it... "
"A Father's instincts..." He said, "I understand."
"Something like that." I said
"What happened to the children?" He asked me
"Oh, I had to go and personally fetch them." I said, "They were basically trapped atop the horses.....gods, it is a miracle how none of them got hurt. I was so relieved...but I returned them to the city.....I hope they are doing well now...."
"Gods know if they are." Daemon said
"Right...." I said, "I ask myself if that boy is mine or not....I want to know....I have to know....."
"One day, you will know." Daemon told me, "But about the other girls....I hoped they were not with child....because I know that they were the ones that I was told about...."
"If they were...." I shuddered at the thought, "That means....either there are more bastards of mine out there....or they also died....."
"I would not think about it if I were you." He told me
"I cannot help it." I said, "Would you just discard the thought if it were you?"
"...Yes." He said
I scoffed, "Of course you would." I said, "You are you."
"I was tracking the smith, the bastard." He said suddenly, "It appears he was with them and went to Mereen....I do wonder what the deal is.."
"He could be another of Saera's son..." I said, "I do wonder.....is that woman alive?"
"Who knows." Daemon said, "Truthfully, I always thought she died."
"Hm....." I said, "Gael and her brother never spoke about her as if she were dead...perhaps she is still alive."
"She would be an old hag by now." Daemon said, "Harmless...."
"Please...." I said, "Jaehaerys was decrepit before he died and I bet you he was anything but harmless. When you hold as much power as a King.....especially someone like Saera, from the stories told, she is a threat...that much is for sure...."
"They are resilient roaches." Daemon said, "Nothing more, nothing less."
"Believe that."
***************
[A Few Months Later.]
"Ma...mama...." Valerion said as he crawled over to Helaena
"Oh!" Helaena said with a bright smile, "Yes, my boy, I am your mama!"
She leaned down and picked him up, giving him a kiss on the cheek while she smiled brightly.
I could not help but smile myself, sitting down in a chair as Helaena sat in the couch in my chambers. Rhaenyra was also there, smiling as she watched this.
My son had grown so much, he is moving about more than I can handle. Every time I see him being himself, I could not help but just stand by the side and watch with nothing but pride.
I wonder if this is how Father felt with me.
It must have been.
"You are so big, my Valerion~" Helaena kissed him again on the cheek, "Oh, you are so precious, I love you so much..."
"Take it easy, love." I said with a chuckle, "Do not smother him too much."
"Ah, but he is my babe...." Helaena smiled, "Is he not the most precious creature?"
I nodded as I crossed my arms, "Of course."
I then saw that out of the corner of my eye, the girl was making her way towards Rhaenyra slowly, a joyous smile on her face.
"Oh?" Rhaenyra said as the girl stood up on her feet and wobbled over to her, "Daella, look at you..."
"Mama!" She said with a smile and hugged her leg
Rhaenyra smiled, "Oh, Daella." She said as she picked her up, "You are precious....but I am not your Mother, you should know that...."
Rhaenyra stood up, holding her in her arms and looked at Min, who was standing a few feet away from her.
"She spends more time with you than her actual mother." I said, "Who else would she call that?"
Rhaenyra frowned, "What is that supposed to mean?"
"You became attached to her since she came to us." I said seriously, "You treat her like your own, you might as well call her your own daughter."
"I..." Rhaenyra said, "I would not do that to Min."
"N-No, Princess." Min said softly, "It is okay...."
"But she is yours." Rhaenyra said
"I....I am just a commoner...." Min said flustered, "She carries the blood of a Targaryen....you who are seen as gods, My Princess.....she is above me...."
"Do not say that." Rhaenyra said, "You will make me feel bad...."
"B-But, the Princess Helaena told me about her dream..." She said softly, "D-Daella is to be part of this family, happy and united....without me....."
"I...I did not say you were not there.." Helaena said, "Min, you are always welcome in Daella's life, you are her mother! She is Baelon's girl, we will simply not reject her!"
"I...I know...." Min said, "But after everything that has happened, she is comfortable...and at the very least, she can grow up properly....and live a good life....as good as it could get for someone like her.....and well.....I...I have accepted it...."
I tilted my head, "What does that mean, Min?" I asked, "What are you saying? You will leave?"
"I.....N-No...." She said as she looked down, "I have nowhere to go....but the girl is too young to remember me.....so she can grow up calling the Princess her mother....I am okay with it...."
"I am a reminder of the pain you went through, My Prince..." She said softly, "I do not wish to cast a raincloud over your family...."
"Enough." I said seriously, "I do not want you to think that you are to be cast aside like garbage. You are the girl's mother, do you understand? You will not go anywhere else, you stay here by our side. That way, you will remain safe. Nobody will harm either you nor her, do you understand?"
"Baelon..." Helaena said softly
"But, My Prince..." Min started, "I-"
"I have spoken." I said as I stood up and began to walk away, "I do not want to hear it anymore."
"Spend more time with her."
