Chapter 37: A Little Sneak |
As Rhaegar pondered, a gentle knock interrupted his thoughts.
Furrowing his brow in confusion, he wondered who could be visiting at this hour.
"Brother, it's me…" Helaena's soft voice drifted through the door.
Recalling his promise from the previous night, Rhaegar responded, "Come in, the door's open."
With a soft crunch, the door creaked open, revealing Helaena clad in a silk nightgown, cautiously peering inside.
Assured that the coast was clear, she entered the room with practiced stealth, swiftly closing the door behind her—a display of skill akin to a seasoned thief.
Amusement twinkled in Rhaegar's eyes as he quipped, "What are you afraid of? Are there monsters lurking in my room?"
Helaena shook her head, pressing a finger to her lips. "Shhh, I snuck out; Mother's still awake."
"Is Alicent in your room?" Rhaegar inquired.
A wry smile tugged at Rhaegar's lips, knowing full well that Alicent had likely been summoned by their father.
That was for the best; at least he wouldn't have to endure Alicent's feigned sympathy.
Turning his attention to Helaena, Rhaegar gestured towards the fireplace. "I brought some toys, including a leather ball. Go take a look."
"Yay!" Helaena chirped, darting excitedly towards the array of toys by the hearth.
Erryk was a stern individual, committed to executing the tasks entrusted to him by Rhaegar with utmost seriousness.
The toys procured were the latest fads from various shops, sure to delight the youngsters.
Helaena eagerly seized a vibrant leather ball and a plush dragon-shaped doll, her eyes sparkling with delight as she settled onto the carpet to explore her newfound treasures.
Rhaegar watched with a gentle smile, allowing her to revel in her playtime without interruption, before reclining on the bed, his eyes drifting shut.
He had pledged Helaena a space where she could freely indulge in play, a promise he had no intention of reneging.
Moreover, this newfound half-sister seemed to possess an uncanny intuition, making increased interaction seem prudent.
Though it was not within her purview to assist him in deciphering the laws of the Dreamer's Gift, Rhaegar couldn't shake the feeling that her unique abilities might hold significance.
A comfortable silence enveloped the room as the siblings pursued their individual pursuits.
The handsome lad lay prostrate on the bed, his countenance pallid with illness, while his rosy-cheeked sister gleefully played by the hearth.
It was a tableau of familial warmth and serenity.
Until Helaena plucked a bright silver bracelet from the assortment, holding it up inquisitively. "Brother, is this bracelet for me too?"
Rhaegar sniffed, eyeing the imitation crafted by the local blacksmith, and nonchalantly replied, "No, that's mine."
"Oh…" Helaena murmured, a hint of disappointment flickering across her features as she set the bracelet aside.
Observing her crestfallen expression, Rhaegar couldn't shake the memory of his own past rejection, a pang of empathy tightening his chest.
After a moment's hesitation, he offered a gentle smile. "It's yours now. Wear it if you like, as a gift from me to you."
He couldn't bear to see Helaena experience rejection, just as he couldn't bear to recall his own sister's rejection of him.
Brightening instantly, Helaena beamed. "Thank you, brother. I really like it."
"It's nothing. You deserve what you love," Rhaegar replied softly, a twinge of discomfort gnawing at his injured back, his brow furrowing in pain.
Noticing Rhaegar's discomfort, Helaena approached the bedside, clutching the bracelet, her expression puzzled. "Brother, why are you lying down and not moving?"
"I'm nursing an injury. I can only lie still for a while," Rhaegar explained truthfully.
"Does it hurt a lot? Aegon sometimes pinches me, and it hurts," Helaena remarked innocently, offering to assist. Climbing onto the bed, she puckered her lips. "Let me help you. Blowing on it will make the pain go away."
Rhaegar couldn't help but chuckle at her earnestness, though laughter exacerbated the ache in his back.
"Cursed chains, why couldn't they just kill me!" he cursed angrily, the pain intensifying as he vented his frustration at the treacherous restraints.
Startled by Rhaegar's outburst, Helaena shrank into a corner of the bed, fear flashing in her eyes.
"Don't be scared, I'm not angry with you. I'm just frustrated with the person who caused my injury," Rhaegar reassured her with a bitter smile, reaching out to comfort his sister.
It was a difficult moment for him—enduring his own pain while tending to his naive sister.
Though Helaena couldn't hear his heart, her actions bespoke her own unique brand of comfort.
Approaching Rhaegar cautiously, she pursed her lips and blew gently at his bandaged back.
Observing her earnest efforts, Rhaegar felt an inexplicable sense of solace wash over him.
Reaching out to stroke Helaena's silver locks, he smiled tenderly. "There, my wound doesn't hurt anymore."
Helaena ceased her blowing and gazed at him with a puzzled expression, as if silently questioning, "Really?"
Noticing the bracelet in her hand, Rhaegar offered, "Would you like me to help you put it on?"
After a moment's contemplation, Helaena nodded.
Taking the bracelet, Rhaegar gently fastened it around her wrist, finding it a perfect fit thanks to his past frailty.
"Such a chubby little girl, just right for this bracelet," Rhaegar remarked with satisfaction.
Unexpectedly, Helaena's demeanor shifted abruptly.
Her smile vanished, replaced by a pout as she withdrew from Rhaegar's touch, turning away and curling into herself.
Rhaegar's smile faltered, surprised by the sudden change. He hadn't realized that a two-year-old could be concerned about matters of weight.
Calling out to Helaena yielded no response; she remained stubbornly silent and motionless.
Helpless, Rhaegar resigned himself to silence, turning his head to prepare for sleep.
As for apologizing? Well, Targaryen men weren't known for it.
As the minutes ticked by, the night descended into darkness.
Helaena stole a glance at the sleeping Rhaegar before slipping out of bed and quietly leaving the room.
...
On the flip side, Rhaenyra had just returned from Dragonstone Island.
Upon her arrival at the Red Keep, she was promptly summoned by an attendant to meet with the king.
"Alright, wait for me while I change," Rhaenyra replied, eager to shed the chaos of the day and present herself before her father.
After freshening up and changing her attire, Rhaenyra approached the door to Viserys' chambers, poised to knock. However, before she could do so, the door swung open from within.
Alicent emerged, adorned in an exquisite gown, catching Rhaenyra's eye.
In a rare display of goodwill, Rhaenyra greeted her stepmother and former confidante with a warm smile.
Alicent, however, forced a smile of her own and cautioned in a hushed tone, "Rhaegar is injured, your father is in a foul mood. Try not to provoke him."
Though recent events had strained their once close relationship, Alicent still harbored a modicum of loyalty towards Rhaenyra, courtesy of her father Otto Hightower's influence.
As news of Rhaegar's injury reached her ears, Rhaenyra's concern spiked. "How could Rhaegar be injured? Doesn't he have Ser Erryk to protect him?"
Before Alicent could respond, Viserys' voice cut through the air, brimming with frustration. "Rhaenyra, must you keep your king waiting any longer?"
"Forgive me, I must tend to the children," Alicent apologized with a regretful glance, swiftly passing by Rhaenyra.
Furrowing her brow, Rhaenyra entered the room, finding Viserys seated at a stone sandbox, engrossed in crafting a dragon sculpture.