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Chapter 3
Contessa mourned for the young princess Rhaenys. Everything is packed up and extra guards to ensure that this alliance makes it in the North.
She kneels as the young princess is crying her eyes out. Rhaenys thought that Contessa was going to go with her to the North, but Contessa calmly explained to her that she could not.
Contessa knew that separating each other would hurt.
'But for the sake of this child. The blood of Princess Elia Martell flows through her veins.' Contessa clenched her teeth at the cruelty that it must be done.
"Listen to me, Rhaenys listen." Rhaenys sniffled as she looked at Contessa with such watery eyes. "I don't want to lose you either. But you must go to the North where you are safe. Remember what I always said to you. Can you repeat them for me?"
Rhaenys said, "You is kind. You is smart. You is important."
Contessa nodded, "That's right. Once things are settled here. I will write to you and visit you when I can." Contessa promised the princess. Rhaenys hugged the new queen and another mother figure as tightly as she could. Rhaenys wished to remember her as long as she could.
Rhaenys was gently escorted by Lord Stark who is carrying his illegitimate son, Jon Snow. Contessa saw Ned's bastard son.
He looked northern and Contessa couldn't help but feel something familiar of that boy.
She just couldn't put her figure in it.
"Your majesty," Lady Selyse called out to her. Contessa looked and decided to return to the court.
After all, Contessa's battle has just begun.
Nine months later…
In Baelor's temple, a woman wearing her humble garments presents herself before the Seventh.
The light shines on the statue of The Mother showing the woman's face. Queen Contessa, former House of Lannister now belongs to Baratheon.
She is praying for her son. Soon, she knew that the kingdom needed to end any Targaryen sympathizers to the Throne.
If she can deliver the King a son, surely, he can grant her wish to spare the Dowager Queen Rhealla, Viserys, and the newly born daughter Daenerys.
Contessa has been praying and performing her duties to the Kingdom for the sake of peace.
She has continued treating the common people, Faiths, and the court to the best ability. In order, to increase her power to tangle against her father's influenced members of their family. She welcomes nearly all noble members of the seven Kingdom to be under her service to guard her husband the King.
'Thou, I understand Robert does not like being King who listens to all the complaints from his courtiers.' Contessa sighed as she recalled Robert had felt bored and wanted to go hunting, drinking, and having fun. Contessa reassured Robert that it would take time, but she knows that Robert is not meant to be King.
Contessa knew that with his permission, she would have to help hold court in his name. Contessa knew what was expected of them, but she recalled in history that Alicent Hightower, second wife and Queen Consort of King Viserys I held the court for her sickly husband as her powers grew. However, there is a reason for her power to grow.
'She had her father Ser Otto Hightower as Hand of the King, and they worked together to overthrow Rhaenyra's position as heir to place his grandson Aegon as heir and king.' Contessa shook her head negatively. She refused to bring her father to court.
She will never be like Alicent Hightower nor like any other queens who went after power thanks to their fathers.
Contessa will make a standing one of her own. She made a vow to do whatever she could to ensure that peace would remain in their reign.
Contessa stood from her kneeling position to return to her chambers. Now that she is in her final months, she needs to prepare for the royal birth.
Three weeks later…
Contessa winced and squeaked at the pain of labor. She had sent Selyse to tell the king and his council that she had started her labor. Lady Selyse then told her that Robert went to a Baratheon hunting party to get a deer pelt for the new heir.
Contessa read that every Baratheon member would go hunting and present his wife's child as a gift.
She heaved and puffed as she was being tended by the midwives and Grand Maester Pycelle had to tend the queen.
Contessa doesn't want him here, but what other choice has she got?
"Now, my queen? It's time."
Contessa is a lioness. No better she is the huntress.
This will be worth it once she gives birth to the kingdom's new prince.
Contessa winced again.
Ba-bump! She could have sworn that she heard only her heart beating against her chest.
Contessa's mind began to wander with questions.
Is this how Joanna Lannister, her mother felt like this? Did she suffer pain like I do?
No! She can't think like that.
She is strong.
She can do this!
"I can see the head!" Pycelle praised as he muttered to the other midwives to get ready. Contessa heaved and puffed as she bared her teeth to push her heir!
Outside of the courtyard…
Robert Baratheon quickly came back as he managed to hunt a fine stag that was fit for their child.
He quickly ordered his pages to be cut and opened and made a pelt just for his wife and son. Robert was already fussing with his men to hurry it up and see what news was on the birthing process.
Ser Barristan was there and mused at how a King like Robert fussed like a lady when they demanded perfection.
Robert took the pelt and almost ran through the court and headed towards the birth chambers.
Grand Maester Pycelle was about to come out and was startled by Robert's appearance.
"Oh, your Grace…!" He placed his hand on his heart as if he had given him a heart attack. Really, why must the King give him the reason why he wished for a peaceful death?
"Well?!' He gave a booming order, but excitement in it. He hasn't stopped thinking if it's his son or if Contessa is alright.
"It's a boy… Wait, your grace!" He gave the good, but Robert's eagerness didn't let him finish what he was about to add.
Robert came bursting into the chambers and startled the ladies with his present with a loud door hitting the wall.
Lady Selyse Baratheon had no qualms about lecturing the King.
"Really, your grace! Mind your manners, the queen recently had just quieted them down." Selyse whispered at the end of the sentence.
Robert stopped and saw his beautiful queen holding newborn babies in her arms. Contessa is glowing in such a calming aura.
The queen has given birth to twins.
"My king, it seems that the Gods have blessed us with a son and daughter," Contessa announced happily. Robert came forward and quickly placed the pelt on the bed for the gift. His queen noticed it's pelted and said, "It's a good thing my lord husband placed such a kingly gift that is big enough to hold two children." And it is true. This pelt is a big one and she does not doubt that she will sew it together as a warm blanket for their twins once winter has come.
Contessa showed his son first. A big blacked haired boy with his mother's eyes. Robert reached for his son and held him in his arms. The boy seemed bored, but maybe he was just sleepy. He has a feeling that his son is a good-making king. He knows that his mother will make sure their son is educated while Robert will be the fun parent to sneak him out to go hunting with him.
Robert is also curious about his daughter. He looked down and saw golden-brown hair, but saw his daughter inherited her mother's face. Looks like a mini version of Contessa if she had golden-brown hair. He couldn't see her eyes because she was sleeping more peacefully than her brother.
And judging by his wife, looks like she has a favorite child to dote and is spoiled above all.
"You did well." Robert kissed her forehead as a thank you. She knows it was his effort and she is glad to be thanked for this blessing.
"My lord, I was thinking of naming the boy after your friend, Eddard Stark. I would rework it into a southern name. I believed Edward would be a fine start as we can nickname for Ned." Contessa had thought about it and decided to make a new name for the next king.
Robert beamed at the thought of naming their son after Ned.
"Edward Baratheon, I like it," Robert commented.
"And our daughter?" Contessa questioned her husband. Since she named their son, it makes sense that Robert gets to name their daughter.
Robert looked at his daughter and he didn't have to think too hard.
"She looks more like you. So, it makes sense she inherited her mother's name." Contessa shed a tear in joy. Yes, her daughter will be the finest princess to the highest bidder.
They didn't notice that Grand Maester Pycelle sneaked away after checking both the mother and her children. He had sent a raven to one message.
"Casterly Rock."
The raven flew fast as it carried to the next destination to the west.
Tywin Lannister is in his private office to write many reports as the maid enters to serve him his snacks such as bread, grapes, and cheese with wine. Plus, there is a message from Kingslandings.
Tywin quickly stood and read his message from Pycelle. He looked at the contents and words. His eyes widened and looked pleased at the news.
He reached for the wine. Tywin toasted and said,
"Cheers to the crown Prince Edward who has Lannister blood claiming the Iron Throne." He sips his wine as he starts planning to get ahold in court.
Kingslandings…
All of the Seven Kingdoms have come to Kingslandings to celebrate the birth of a new prince and princess.
All came forward to congratulate the royal couple. King Robert is celebrating by drinking.
A lot.
Contessa is doing all the talking and gathering a few potential allies. However, she is not too far from her children since they had already blessed them by the sevens Septon and are holding the court with celebration.
She is pleased that she has both an heir and a daughter to love and cherish. Now Contessa needs to raise them thoroughly.
'My son Edward will be the finest prince with his father's athlete body and my mind.' Contessa looked at her son Edward who was wide awake and curious all around. 'And my daughter's beauty will be sought out to pass the blood of the king, but she must choose which Lord to remain loyal to the King.' Her daughter Contessa, nicknamed Tessie is giggling a lot. It seems she has lots of energy in her body.
Contessa smiled until the announcement made her body cold.
"Announcing Lord Tywin from House of Lannister, Lord of Casterly Rock, Shield of Lannisport, and Warden of the West."
Contessa's head looked at the entrance.
She had hoped that he would send Uncle Kevan or someone else. However, she has no doubt he wished to fix their bridges that had been burnt. For the sake of her son who would be influenced by Tywin in his image.
'He can raise my son when my body is cold and buried in the ground.'
Robert noticed his good father and then his wife who looked like she was ready to pounce if needed to shield her children.
He knew that sooner or later someone in court would send a message about Edward and Contessa's birth to Tywin Lannister.
Looking at his wife, she will remain cordial but keeps her lord father by arm's length since she hasn't forgiven him over the siege and death of Princess Elia Martell and her infant son, Aegon.
'Knowing my wife, she holds her tongue and would wait until she is away from public eyes.' Robert knows he married a true lady. A smart person who knows how to analyze her next step. As a husband, he should continue to defend his family from any threats, even her father.
"Lord Lannister," Robert greeted as he stepped down from his throne. He did this to shield both his wife and their children. Contessa is surprised that Robert would do such a thing. Every man she met would never defy her father like this. However, she was reminded of one thing about Robert Baratheon. He wasn't called the Demon of Trident for nothing.
"I see you came to honor us with your presence." If anyone could hear it. Robert had sarcastically put the word honor.
"Yes, since the news had reached me that I hear that I have a grandson," Tywin spoke yet never mentioned her daughter. She knew how he felt about women in his family. They are pawns for him to spread the influences of his power.
Robert looked slightly at his wife. He nodded to her and Contessa repeated the motion. She waved her nursemaids to bring her children into their nursery. Contessa curtsies before she leaves to make sure her children are carefully tended.
Robert waited for this moment this entire year.
He waited for a moment to bring his guests. A pity he couldn't let Contessa see that he kept this gift to present him with his heir.
"Announcing former queen, Dowager Lady Rhaella of House Targaryen, and her only son, Viserys, and daughter Daenerys."
Gasped and a few cups dropped in surprise. Tywin looked back and saw tis indeed the former queen Rhaella Targaryen. Why is she here?
Rhaella is wearing her house colors, black and red. With a three-headed dragon broach tied to her scarf around her neck. Her hair is cut as a sign of widowhood as she stated that she is no longer a wife. The young and only male of his house Viserys is present clean and wearing his house colors. While Daenerys is wrapped in a red bundle of blankets as she is awake.
Robert Baratheon then came forward. "Have you read the letter sent by my hand alone?"
"Yes, your grace." The former queen replied.
"Well?"
Rhaella kneeled along with Viserys who followed her example as she held her infant daughter.
"I Rhaella, matriarch of the House of Targaryen swear to you that I am your able subject to your will and the will of your offspring. I do so swear by the gods both Old and New."
Robert nodded and decided, "I Robert Baratheon accepted you back into the fold and welcomed you in open arms. You knew that your seat would not be Dragonstones."
"I understand your grace." The former queen knew it. No doubt Robert wants to make sure there is no isolation or any contact of loyalty to the Targaryen.
"Your new seat shall be Summerhall under the pledge to House of Baratheon."
Shocked everyone to the core. The House of Targaryen once ruled the Seven Kingdoms now served as a humbled subject to the new Royal the Baratheons.
It set the risk factor to test the loyalties to Baratheon.
When in later years, in history they have written the memoirs by Viserys Targaryen from his childhood to how he worked hard to earn grace and honor back to his family.
The court is changing and now begins the real Game of Thrones.
Reviews are welcome.
Next Chapter, five years later, rumors of the Rhaegar Targaryen is alive, Imposter rebellion.