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CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
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AENORA AND RHAENYRA STEPPED OUT of the carriage with the children following behind them. People clapped as the King and Queen and their son exited the carriage.

"Hail, Hail Aegon the Conqueror-Babe, Second of His Name! Here's to his Grace on his second name day!"

Aenora looked to Rhaenyra, who appeared to be glum. She knew why. Her sister was sad that no one celebrated her like this, simply because she was not male. It also hurt Aenora, because neither was she celebrated as greatly as Aegon. But, Aenora was glad her brother got to experience it.

She knew Rhaenyra needed a minute so she stayed outside with her until she was ready to go in.

They were the last to enter the King's tent. Aenora saw people talking amongst themselves, crowding around Alicent and Aegon, drinking, and much more.

Aenora stood back as Rhaenyra wandered through the large tent.

"Mama," Rhaemax nudged his mother.

"Yes, sweet boy?" Aenora looked down.

"Can we go play outside? It's hot in here." Rhaemax asked.

"Only if you ask Lydia and Emely to go with you. But you must behave," Aenora told them.

The twins smiled before going to Lydia and Emely. The maidens obviously said yes since they cannot deny them, but it was nice for Aenora to act as if they had a choice.

"You do not wish to play with your brothers?" Aenora asked her youngest.

Aeva simply shook her head before putting her hands up, as if asking to be held. Aenora smiled before picking the small child up.

Anyone whose been a witness to Aevas growing up would tell you she is utterly attached to her mother. She was a smart child, she knew what she liked and she knew what she disliked. And she just happened to dislike being away from Aenora. She also didn't like very many people. The only people she truly enjoyed being around were her brothers, Rhaenyra, Lydia and Emely, and obviously her mother. Other than that, she only tolerated anyone else.

Aeva often slept with her mother, and sometimes so did Rhaemax and Jaelyx. All of Aenoras children were very attached to her. Alicent had called this unhealthy, but Aenora knew it was because Aegon did not act like this with her. And she often told Alicent this.

Aenora saw her sister quickly walk away from the other ladies and out of the tent. Aenora followed her with Aeva on her side.

"Nyra," Aenora called out, ignoring all of the whispers.

Rhaenyra turned to her sister with an annoyed face. "Those ladies are obnoxious."

"I could've told you that." Aenora stated. "What did they do?"

"They we're talking about the Stepstone,.. and Daemon." Rhaenyra said.

Aenora felt her blood heat up hearing that ladies were talking about her husband. She sighed out of annoyance.

"Of course they were. All those ladies do is talk," Aenora said.

"And do nothing to help what they are talk about," Rhaenyra scoffed.

"I've often had to remind myself that they were married because of their positions and not their intelligence,.. or beauty." Aenora smiled, causing Rhaenyra to chuckle.

"You are not wrong about the beauty," Rhaenyra nodded.

"Oh I know," Aenora laughed.

"You are lucky you gave birth to such a beautiful little girl," Rhaenyra touched Aevas arm and smiled.

"I am not lucky, it was a given." Aenora told her.

Aenora, Aeva, and Rhaenyra continued to walk down the makeshift road and people kept whispering.

Aenora looked at all the food and people. She wondered what it would've been like if she was born a common girl and not royal.

"I wonder, Princess... was your own second name day as grand as this?" A voice spoke.

Both girls turned to look at him. Aenora could quickly tell he was a Lannister by the clothes he wore, and his hair.

"To which are you referring to?" Rhaenyra asked.

"My apologies. I meant the Princess Aenora," the man answered.

Aenora shifted Aeva to her other hip, "I was a small child. I don't recall."

The lannister smiled.

"Lord Jason Lannister," he puts his hand out for Aenora.

She ignored his hand as she was holding her child, and simply didn't want to touch him.

"I gathered as much," Aenora said.

"I didn't think we've been properly introduced," Jason told her. There was a long pause before he spoke again. "You know, if Daemon doesn't return from the Stepstones, I'd be glad to take you and your children as mine own."

Aenoras face dropped and anger built in her. She didn't even know how to react.

"And when he does return, he'll be sure to take your hands just for being near me. Or maybe he'll be merciful and just kill you," Aenoras voice was calm, scaring the Lannister man. "But I highly doubt that."

Rhaenyra kept her face straight, even though she wanted so badly to laugh at the man. She knew what Aenora was saying was true. If he didn't kill Jason just for standing next to her, he'd surely kill him just for breathing next to his child.

"I'm going to take my leave now. Rhaenyra."

Rhaenyra followd her sister back towards the tent, laughing.

"I wouldn't tell Daemon of that," Rhaenyra said.

"If I did Daemon would be sure to erase the entire Lannister name from existence," Aenora chuckled.

Aenora and Rhaenyra made their way back into the King's tent.

"You know what Jason Lannister just told me, father?" Aenora said as she walked up to Viserys. "He told me that if Daemon wasn't to return from the Stepstones, he'd be glad to take me and the children as his own."

Viserys's smile faltered. "I talked to him about Rhaenyra, not you."

Aenora was quick to turn to her sister.

"What?" Rhaenyra asked in pure shock.

"You are of age, Rhaenyra." Viserys said. "Jason Lannister is an excellent match."

"He won't be after I tell Daemon of what he has said," Aenora whispered to herself.

Aeva was playing with a strand of her mothers hair.

"He is arrogant and self-serious," Rhaenyra said.

"Well, I thought you might have in common. Since you've came of age, I've been slowly drowning in a lake if parchment doug from every corner of the realm. Marriage proposals, all. And I have tried often to discuss it with you but you've refused me at every turn." Viserys's voice rose.

"That is because I do not wish to get married!" Rhaenyra told him.

"Even I do not exist above tradition and duty, Rhaenyra!" Viserys yelled.

Before anything else could be said Aenora took her sisters arm and pulled her away. But Rhaenyra had gone off and walked out of the tent.

Aenora had turned back to her father with a disappointed look. She knew everyone was staring.

"Now was not the time, father."

Aenora took Aeva and walked out as well.

She saw Rhaenyra on her horse riding towards the Kingswood.

She sighed. She couldn't chase after her with Aeva in her hands, all she could do was wait.

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AUTHORS NOTE
y'all thought i was finna forget about this book with my new one out huh? nope. i stay up all night writing just for y'all🥹 but go check out 'THE REALMS DESIRE' if you haven't! And before you read it, her names pronounced Dane-Yell.
thoughts?