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When princess Rhaenyra’s first child was born, the entirety of King’s Landing celebrated. Prince Jacaerys Velaryon, Rhaenyra’s future heir, the one who would sit on the Iron Throne after her. There were rumours about the prince’s lack of resemblance to his father, though Laenor Velaryon seemed to share the princess’s happiness when it came to their firstborn.
What no one knew was that behind closed doors, the man holding prince Jacaerys in his arms was none other than Ser Harwin Strong, princess Rhaenyra’s guard. He delicately swayed the little prince in his arms as he kissed his tiny head. Rhaenyra looked at them both from the bed with fond eyes, her body still recovering from her first time giving birth.
“Prince Jacaerys.” Harwin sat on the bed next to Rhaenyra, his eyes switching between her proud smile and the baby. His armour rested on a char nearby, next to his golden cloak. “It does have a nice ring to it, does it not? Jacaerys Velaryon.” He repeated, adding his last name then.
“It will be Jacaerys Targaryen one day.” Rhaenyra mimicked Harwin’s previous gesture, leaning down to place a loving kiss on the prince’s head. “Future king of Westeros.”
Little Jacaerys whined as if he had understood his mother. Both Rhaenyra and Harwin were quite protective of the baby the moment they heard the first rumours of him not being legitimate, so Jacaerys didn’t leave the princess’s chambers. Even king Viserys didn’t protest when Rhaenyra chose to wait a little before officially showing Jacaerys in public.
“It does not matter the last name he carries, I will always be proud of him.” Harwin’s tone was soft and gentle. “Future king or not, I already love him.”
Placing her hands on Harwin’s shoulder, Rhaenyra kissed her lover’s cheek. “Me too.” She switched her eyes to the baby. “I never saw myself as a mother, but I just know this little one will never lack my affections. It does not matter what the rest of the world thinks.”
Though Rhaenyra knew that what others thought did matter. Not because his alleged bastardy could become a problem when it came to his inheritance, but because unsolicited comments about his legitimacy could mentally affect not only Jacaerys but the rest of Rhaenyra’s children with Harwin, if they had more – and both of them they most likely would.
“You already are a wonderful mother, princess.” Harwin cupped her face, kissing her softly before standing up again, taking a sleeping Jacaerys to his crib. “Let us give the little prince a rest, I’m sure he could use it.”
Rhaenyra’s eyes never left Harwin as he gently left Jacaerys under many blankets, not regretting the decision of choosing him as the father one of his children even for a second. She tried with Laenor – not many people know that, but she did, though it was of no use. And Rhaenyra needed heirs, not only for the Iron Throne but for Driftmark as well.
It wasn’t like being treated as a body which produced babies by some people was ideal – it enraged her endlessly in fact, but at least she had found some stability after the unexpected mess that was her wedding to Laenor. Her husband felt horribly useless and broken for being unable to fulfil his duty, but Rhaenyra assured him that it wasn’t his fault nor his choice.
Laenor treated Jacaerys as his legitimate son and loved him as such, which was what mattered.
“Is your body still in pain, princess?” Harwin asked while he sat by Rhaenyra’s side again.
“You do know you can call me by my name if we are alone.” Rhaenyra grinned. “I am a better despite the pain, but I think a little more rest would help. It is… odd, the way my body feels now.”
“Take all the time you need.” Harwin moved a few strands of her silver hair behind her ear. “We should any kind of… intimacy, for the moment. It could feel painful for you.”
“That is what I have been told as well.” Rhaenyra had been explained all the ways in which not taking proper rest after childbirth could damage her body by Elinda. “Pity we have to wait.”
“Whenever it is safe for you to engage in that again, then we will.” He assured, his lips forming a grin. “There is no hurry.”
“Lord Corlys thinks differently.” Rhaenyra let herself fall to the bed, lying on her back. Corlys hadn’t insisted her to have another baby, but the man made clear he wished for an heir – he made no comment about Jacaerys having not an inch of resemblance to the one who was supposed to be his father. “He has already thought of names for his future heir.”
“He does not seem to care about Jacaerys not resembling Ser Laenor at all.” Harwin recalled Corlys being quite affectionate with the prince the first – and only time so far that he had seen him.
“He knows Laenor prefers men.” Rhaenyra reminded him. “And will not make questions. Besides, it is Laenor’s inheritance as well, and my husband will without a doubt pass his titles to our children, no matter if they are not his. Velaryon is their last name regardless of what the rest of the world says.”
Without another word, Harwin lied next to Rhaenyra, laughing through his nose when the princess quickly made herself comfortable on his chest. His finger began threading through her hair as he had done multiple times before. Harwin was not only Rhaenyra’s guard and lover, but also a safe place for the princess – she wished to be by his side every minute of the day.
“Please do tell me to stop talking if I make you uncomfortable by asking this princess.” Harwin hesitated before asking, his voice barely louder than a whisper. “Was childbirth as scary and painful as you expected it to be?”
It took months into her first pregnancy for Rhaenyra to speak of the trauma she carried related to childbirth. Having a son put her own mother through many failed pregnancies until it killed her – Rhaenyra deeply feared suffering the same fate. Both Harwin and Laenor were by her side when she gave birth to Jacaerys, holding her hands and helping in any way they could.
Rhaenyra took a moment to answer. “For the most part, yes.” She inhaled and exhaled deeply. “The thought of having to do it again more than once makes me anxious, but I take comfort in knowing I have you and Laenor by my side.”
“Of course.” Harwin’s voice was as firm as it was reassuring. “As long as I’m alive, you will always have me by your side, princess.”
A sincere smile grew in Rhaenyra’s face as she met his eyes before leaning in to kiss him. “Will you use my name when speaking to me?” Her last word ended in a yawn.
“Princess just comes more easily due to habit, I’m afraid.” Harwin laughed. “Do you wish to rest now?”
“I think so.” Rhaenyra responded, burying her face in the crook of his neck. “I know you have to guard my door, but could you please stay until I fall asleep?”
“I will.” Harwin lovingly kissed Rhaenyra’s hair, wrapping his arms around her. “Sleep well, Rhaenyra.”