(Drakken's POV)
"The boy is...." Daranne said softly as she held Sylas in her arms, "I cannot say it exactly, as the words are difficult to find....but he has my hair, a bit of my face....but he is much like you, My Lord."
"Hm." I said as I gently stroked her hair, "Is that so?"
We stood at the balcony of her chambers, overlooking the entirety of Harrenhal. I looked at her, she was wearing a red dress while holding my son. I had taken the liberty of spending more time with Daranne, feeling that she requires more company than usual. The past two years, I have been doing my best in that. It took some time of convincing, despite deciding that I wanted to impregnate her but I had second thoughts.
While I did want another child to aid Riktor in his fate eventually, I was not sure if I should add more children that were not Maegelle's. But eventually, both Mya and Maegelle convinced me. Daranne was something else, I will admit.
She is different than Mya....different than Maegelle.....
Maegelle is good, she is a gentle soul. And so is Daranne....but she desires a certain amount of attention, she needs it.
As she said it; she just wants to be loved.
And I was unsure if I could provide that for her.
But why? Why do I feel like this?
I should not feel this way for any ordinary human, much less a woman, a girl who is a child compared to the life I have lived. She is not Athena....she is not Artemis....she is not those women who I have met in my lifetime.
So I ask myself at times; Why?
Is it truly Maegelle's influence? Does her good override my bad?
I am not a good person, I never claimed to be. But why is Maegelle being in my life so impactful? It contradicts everything I stand for. My Calamity claims me to be weak but I have gone and murdered people, destroyed cities, all for the sake of prove it wrong.
So why do I look at Daranne with fondness?
She looked at me with a warm smile, "I will cherish this child for eternity." She said softly, "You gave me a purpose...a reason to live..."
"Live?" I asked, "Is that not what everyone wants?"
"Not everyone, My Lord." She said, "Some people wish for their suffering to end."
"And you were one of them." I said
She nodded, "Is it so wrong to admit that?"
I patted her cheek, "No, my sweet flower." I told her, "It is not. But know this; there is no reason to not want to live. You are the mother of my son, I expect you to be in his life. Do not think like that, not anymore."
She nodded, "Thank you, My Lord." She said, "For giving me such a wonderful opportunity."
"Hm..." I said, "I am fond of you, Daranne. I will not have you forget that."
************
"Many flowers, My Lord." Daranne said as she crouched down and picked the flowers in Mya's garden, "Lady Mya has been working hard...."
I stood behind her, looking at Mya's field. She had been working hard lately, growing more and more flowers when she was not doing her duties. I did not mind it, it was her hobby.
Daranne stood up and walked over to me, with the basket in hand, "Do you think Sylas will like them?" She said as she showed me the basket, "These flowers?"
"I do not know." I said, "The boy is young, he might not know what they are."
"Lord Riktor's intelligence is advanced for a boy of two." Daranne told me, "Do you think Sylas will be the same?"
"I do not see a reason he should not be." I told her, "Why do you ask?"
"I am sure he will know what a flower is." She told me with a smile
"Is that so?" I asked, "Well....I guess so."
She handed me one, "Here."
I took the flower, a white rose, "What?"
"A gift, from me to you." She said with a smile
"Thank you." I told her
"My Lord...." She said with a frown, suddenly
"What is it?" I asked
"You will take Saera as your lady, will you not?" She said, "Lady Mya has told me of your plans..."
"What of it?" I asked as I smelled the flower
"She is a Targaryen Princess, like Maegelle." Daranne said, "I will not compare."
"You are my son's mother." I told her, "Saera will not be that."
"But what if she does?" Daranne said, "Will you cast me out?"
"I will not neglect you." I told her seriously, "I have already given you my word. Mya is fine with the way things are and she will be fine with the way things will be. As for you, do not worry. Nothing will happen to you. You are Lady Daranne Drakkengard. Neither Saera nor anyone else can do anything about that."
She looked down, "Thank you."
"If I had not made up my mind." I told her as I brought her closer to me, wrapping my arm around he waist, "Perhaps you would bear all of my children."
"Stop saying such things." she said softly, "I know they are meant to make me feel better."
"Is it working?" I asked her
"It is." She said
"Then I will continue saying them." I told her, "Look at me."
I lifted her chin up, her eyes gazing upon me.
"My Lord?" She said
"You are mine." I told her, "You, Mya, and Maegelle. Do not forget that. Anyone who dares say otherwise will meet a nasty end."
"I understand...." She said
"For eternity, do you understand?" I told her, "I will hold you dear..."
"As long as I can remember."
*******************
(Third Person POV)
"Father, take me to Harrenhal!" Saera Targaryen said as she barged into the King's chambers, "Now!"
Jaehaerys and Alysanne were sitting in the couch, holding each other's hands when Saera entered the room. They were both looking up with a bit of surprise, wondering why their daughter had suddenly come to them.
"What?" Jaehaerys said, "Why would you want that?"
"To see my husband, of course." Saera flicked her hair back
"Ah....." Alysanne frowned
Jaehaerys's eye twitched, "Your....husband?" He said, "What do you mean?"
"What do you suppose I mean?" Saera said, "I am Ten and Four now, I have long since bled. I think it is time for my Husband to take me, if he will not take Maegelle."
"That man, huh?" Jaehaerys said, "You are too young."
"No, I am not." Saera said, "Take me there at this moment. It is time for me to grasp the power that everyone is too frightened to tame."
"Saera, you need to comport yourself with dignity." Alysanne said, "You have to understand that there is no point in going there since Drakken will not take you the way you are now."
"Then when?" Saera asked
"In another four years." Jaehaerys said
Saera scowled, "I will not wait four years!!" She exclaimed, "If he will not take me now, I will look for a man who will!!"
Jaehaerys stood up immediately, "What did you say?!" He said, "You will do no such thing, Saera!"
"I will do as I please!" Saera said as she turned around and stormed away
Jaehaerys rubbed his temples, "This is not good...." He said,
"This is the worst..."