Three Days Later

Rhaenyra shifted uncomfortably in her seat as she and the rest of the council listened to Corlys give his report. She did not know what her good father was saying, more focused on the pain that was coursing through her body.

The pain she was feeling had been occurring since she woke up that morning, and when Laenor noticed how she was walking, had asked her to stay in bed and send a messenger to relay her absence to the small council.

Stubbornly, Rhaenyra refused, pushing through the pain, and allowing her hand maidens to ready her for the day. She refused to show those men any weakness, to have them mock her behind her back and speak of how her womanly sensibilities had gotten the better of her.

I wish I had listened to Laenor. Rhaenyra thought.

As she looked forward, she saw that Alicent was staring straight at her, the Queen's eyes trailing across Rhaenyra's face and upper body, concern etched across Alicent's features.

Rhaenyra forced a smile and immediately looked away, rolling her attendance ball in its dish, wanting something distract her from both her discomfort and the feeling of having Alicent's attention.

"... My fleet has reported some activity in the Stepstones. It is unclear yet if the Triarchy wishes to reclaim the islands, but I believe they are readying themselves for battle." Corlys admitted.

"Again, Corlys? I thought after you and my brother staged a war there without my leave, that this would have been put behind us?" Viserys said, his displeasure with the never-ending issue that was the Stepstones, more than evident.

Corlys pursed his lips, fighting the urge to roll his eyes, "The islands were never fortified by the Crown after Prince Daemon relinquished them to you, Your Grace. It is not surprising that the Triarchy would take what they view as our unwatchfulness as an opportunity to take what they believe was rightfully theirs."

Lyman cleared his throat, "The cost to garrison the Stepstones; with men, ships, and watchtowers would have been far too expensive for our coffers. The Stepstones would not have been worth that kind of investment."

Corlys scoffed, "Too expensive? Ten years ago, that may have been true but now? After a girl of twelve summers thought of the idea of creating a central bank of Westeros? Princess Lilyanna has made the Crown richer than it has been in a generation, perhaps even more than. Why was fortifying the Stepstones not thought of in the more than a year since, instead of allowing all that gold to be horded?"

Aegon bit his lip to try and push down the laughter that was threatening to escape him. It was not often that someone talked back or down to his father, and he loved how Corlys made it his mission to do so ever since retaking his position as Master of Ships.

Jacaerys, knocked elbows with his uncle, seeing the amusement on Aegon's face and knowing what had caused it. Aegon turned to his nephew and the two shared a smile, both enjoying when small council meetings stopped being monotonous and boring.

Viserys stared pointedly at the Sea Snake, "Hording gold? You speak as if you are not the single richest man in the realm, Corlys. Why did you not put your gold into those barren rocks if they are of such importance? Why must the Crown, why must I, deal with things that only you yourself find problems in?"

Before Corlys could respond, the sounds of yelling could be heard coming from the chamber's balcony, in the direction of the city.

"What is that?" Orwyle asked.

Viserys slowly stood, walking towards the balcony, and pulling the doors open, trying to look beyond the castle walls to see what was going on in the streets of King's Landing.

Viserys squinted his eyes, seeing the streets filling with people, he could just barely hear what was being chanted repeatedly by the rowdy citizens.

'Viserys the Selfish! Viserys the Selfish!'

"What? Why... Are they..." Viserys asked softly, feeling nothing but dread.

"I believe that the smallfolk have decided to make their feelings known about your refusal during court, Your Grace." Lyonel said stopping just behind the King.

"What... what do I..." Viserys muttered, breathing heavily, grasping the railing to prevent himself from falling over.

The people are rioting? Against me? They think I am a selfish King? Viserys thought.

Since the day he was named heir during the Great Council at Harrenhal, Viserys strove to be the best King possible, to uphold the immense legacy that his grandfather left behind.

But deep down, he knew that he lacked many of the Old King Jaehaerys' traits; his strength, his willful and stubborn nature, his intelligence, his resolve, and his inner fire.

Viserys had long accepted that he would never be the great King that his grandfather was, so he worked to at least maintain the prosperous reign that Jaehaerys had begun, not doing anything that would lead to the peace of the realm being shattered. And now it appeared that the years of effort would all be for naught.

All Viserys could do was stand frozen in fear and indecision, thinking about all the ways this could become worse, of how his own reign would be remembered, and how he himself would be remembered.

"Viserys. Viserys!" Alicent called out but was ignored by her husband who remained oblivious to the world. The Queen then turned to the rest of the small council, "We need to send the Gold Cloaks to restore order."

Lyonel turned to face Alicent, still standing beside the King, "Chances are the City Watch are already doing all they can now to end this riot before it becomes worse. Although, if most of the city is involved than they will be overrun."

This did not surprise any of council as the City Watch of King's Landing only consisted of a little over two thousand men, while the city, had a population of about two hundred thousand.

"Then we shall send out Ser Harwin to properly lead his men and send the Red Keep's guardsmen with him to help restore peace." Rhaenyra spoke out.

"And leave the Keep undefended?" Jasper asked, a tinge of fear bleeding into his voice, "While there is a riot against our King?"

Rhaenyra narrowed her eyes, staring at Jasper with barely hide annoyance, "We will obviously not send them all, but we have the men to spare. With the remaining guards and the walls of the Red Keep as protection, all of us will be fine, but we will not be if the riot goes on long enough and the peasants decide they all wish to make their grievances known directly to the King's face."

"The princess is right." Alicent voiced, "Ser Harrold, please gather half of the castle's guards and any knights you can muster; they must ready themselves quickly and be made aware that they will follow Ser Harwin's authority."

"Right away, Your Grace." Harrold said, quickly leaving the chamber to carry out his orders.

"Ser Criston!" Alicent called out, gaining the knight's attention through the now opened door, "I must ask you to bring Ser Harwin Strong here. And that he is prepared to go out into the city."

Criston had a look of confusion on his face, but did as he was told nonetheless, "Yes, My Queen."

'Viserys the Selfish, Viserys the Selfish, Viserys the Selfish!' The Chants of the city grew louder, followed by the sounds of screaming.

Jacaerys moved to his mother's side, staring out onto the balcony, where his grandfather stood motionless. "Will... will the smallfolk move to kill us?"

Rhaenyra's head quickly turned to face her son, immediately holding the side of Jacaerys' face. "Of course not, they would not dare. This little squabble of theirs will soon be put down, there is nothing to fear."

Jacaerys was not sure if he believed Rhaenyra, not with how scared Viserys currently looked. The fact that Alicent and Rhaenyra had to act in the King's stead despite him being only a few feet away, did not help to settle the young prince.

Aegon took this opportunity to stand next to his own mother, "Does this mean I'm no longer the wayward child, mother?"

Alicent looked at her son bewildered, "The wayward child?"

Aegon nodded, a cheeky smile appearing despite the seriousness of the situation they were in. "Well, I can no longer be the wayward child of the family anymore since Lily started a riot. Anything I do from now on, will pale in comparison."

Jacaerys giggled as he heard this, and Rhaenyra smirked when Alicent's expression changed from bewilderment to a mixture of exasperation and mild irritation.

Alicent placed her hand against her forehead, "Your sister did not start a riot, Aegon."

"Are you sure? Because from where I am standing, Lily was the one who wanted to give the smallfolk a bathhouse and replace the sewers, father refused, and now those same smallfolk are angry with their King's decision and are rioting." Aegon stated, his smile becoming more playful.

I suppose this could be the faults of both father and Lilyanna. The eldest son of the King thought.

Before Alicent could respond, Criston entered the small council chamber, having returned with Harwin following behind him.

"Your Grace, I have been informed of the riot and am ready to leave at yours and the council's command." Harwin said to the Queen and bowing before the small council.

Alicent nodded, "Good. Then we shall-"

"Ssshhh!" Rhaenyra groaned under her breath, feeling a familiar sensation of liquid running down her legs, a tell-tale sign of what was happening within her body.

Of course, it starts now of all times. Rhaenyra thought.

"Rhaenyra?" Alicent turned towards the other woman, staring at her questioningly.

"My labor has begun." Rhaenyra said calmly, her face blank as she clutched her stomach tightly.

Everyone's eyes widened, staring at the princess in shock. Jasper Wilde was the first to speak, "Now, your highness?"

Rhaenyra started at the man pointedly, "Yes, now."

"And you can't hold it?" Aegon asked, his face twisting in disgust as he finally noticed the fluids beneath his sister's chair that were beginning to drip onto the floor.

Aegon flinched when Rhaenyra turned and glared at him, which was enough of an indicator that she found his question to be both stupid and insolent.

Before anyone one else could say anything, Rhaenyra's grip on her stomach tightened, feeling the oncoming contractions.

Harwin immediately moved to the princess, lifting her into his arms and turning around to carry her out of the chamber.

"Harwin!" Lyonel shouted, shocked by the informality of his son's actions.

Harwin ignored his father, quickly leaving the small council chamber with the Crown Princess in his arms. Corlys soon left the room with Jacaerys, intent on finding Laenor and informing his son of his wife's condition.

Aegon blew out a raspberry, "So that-"

"Aegon, leave. Now." Alicent told her son, her gaze still on the doors, in the direction Rhaenyra was going.

Aegon did as he was told, leaving the chamber, the door soon closing behind him. He could hear the council breaking out in discussion, now having to deal with the riot, the King's unresponsiveness, and Rhaenyra's labors.

Never a dull day around here... Aegon thought, laughing to himself as he decided to find Aemond, bothering his younger brother always made him feel better.

----------------------------------------

"Where are my fucking midwives?!" Rhaenyra cried out, another contraction ripping through her.

Elinda Massey, Rhaenyra's staunchest lady in waiting, stepped forward, watching as the other ladies brought water and towels for the princess to use. "No one was excepting you to go into labor today, Your Grace. The head midwife went out into the city this morn, so the riot is preventing her from returning, and we are not sure where the others are because the castle is in such pandemonium."

"I cannot give birth without them!" Rhaenyra yelled, writhing in the tub she was sitting in.

One of the other ladies spoke out, "Should we get the Grand Maester? He should be able-"

Rhaenyra glared at the poor girl, "No! I will not have that grey rat anywhere near me or my children!"

To Rhaenyra, there was no difference between Orwyle and Mellos, the new Grand Maester did nothing while Mellos cut her mother open like a pig, nothing when Mellos wanted to do the same to Alicent. She would not have someone who a student of the one responsible for her mother's death, administrating her labor, she would sooner die.

It was at this moment, that the door to her bedchamber opened and Laenor entered the room. The man was wearing armor with the Velaryon sigil on the front and was carrying his sword at his hip. He had a look of annoyance on his face that lessened when he took in the scene in front of him.

Rhaenyra looked him up and down, "And where are you going?"

Laenor walked to the tub, standing beside it, "I was going to help Harwin with the riot along with Qarl, but my father forbade me. Can you believe that? Like I'm still a child who he can force his authority upon. When I tried to push back, he said that you had gone into labor and that as a good husband I had to be here, as if he was there for my mother either time when she birthed Laena and I."

"I am so sorry that me pushing your big-headed children out of my cunt, was such an inconvenience in your quest to getting your sword wet, husband." Rhaenyra said, her voice dripping with sarcasm and her eyes with furious contempt.

"I did not mean-" Laenor began, his expression a mixture of guilt and compassion before Rhaenyra howled in pain. "Where in the seven hells are your midwives?"

"That's what I'd like to know." Rhaenyra whimpered.

Laenor then turned to Elinda, "Did you call for Orw-"

"Orwyle is not allowed within a hundred yards of me while I am in this state!" Rhaenyra growled.

Laenor looked at Rhaenyra seriously, "I know of your dislike for all maesters apart from Gerardys, but this does not just concern you but the children you are trying to birth as well. You need someone with the knowledge and skill, or you and our children may die here."

The princess was torn between her selfish desire to keep Orwyle away from her while she labored and the maternal duty to put her children's needs before her own. These two things raged within her, thoughts of her mother's pale face, her still opened and lifeless eyes, the blood pooling around her and staining her sheets, Alicent holding Elaera's body in her arms as she sobbed, the image of two stillborn children leaving her womb one after another.

But an idea soon rushed to the forefront of her mind, causing her to look at Laenor with a dazed and feverish impression. "Lilyanna."

Laenor scrunched his nose, "What?"

"Get my sister, she will help me deliver the twins." Rhaenyra explained.

"Rhaenyra, Lilyanna is a girl of two and ten; are you truly asking that she help deliver one let alone two babes?" Laenor asked incredulously.

"Yes, I am."

Laenor sighed, "Rhaenyra-"

"Lilyanna knows what she is doing, she knew about Eleara. Hell, I'm sure that she merely continues her lessons with Orwyle to placate our father. I'm sure she knows more than the Grand Maester, but chooses to hide it."

Rhaenyra had been watching her younger sister for far too long to not be aware of Lilyanna secretive nature; Lilyanna was far more intelligent than she let people believe. Others; Rhaenys, Corlys, the small council, Criston, and Alicent had all noticed as well, although they were all content to watch with the desire to see more of what she was capable of.

"I understand that, but this our children-"

Rhaenyra eyed him fiercely, "Laenor, bring Lilyanna here, or roll your sleeves up and deliver these children yourself."

Laenor turned on his heel and left the room, quickly heading towards Lilyanna's bedroom. He let out a deep breath as he soon saw the figure of Rickard Throne standing in front of Lilyanna's bedchamber, letting him know that Lilyanna was indeed inside.

"Ser Laenor." Rickard said to the man in greeting once he came into view.

"Ser Rickard, I must enter the princess' bedchamber." Laenor said, stopping front of the Kingsguard.

"I shall let the princess know." Rickard said before turning and knocking on the door, "Princess Lilyanna. Ser Laenor says that he must see you."

A loud crash was heard coming from the room followed by a few curses, a moment passed before Lilyanna answered the man. "I'm busy. Tell him to leave, Ricky."

Rickard huffed, since he was made her protector, Lilyanna had taken to calling him Ricky, the knight was not sure why, but he knew not to question his charge's strange musings.

Laenor glared at the door, "Lilyanna! This is serious! Rhaenyra has gone into labor and none of her midwives can be found, and she is refusing any help from Orwyle!"

A few more crashes were heard before the door was thrown open, and Lilyanna was standing in the doorway, she had an old scarf and apron wrapped around her head and waist, and a pair of black leather gloves on her hands.

Her apron and gloves had splotches of a dried orange-brown substance, but what drew the men's attention the most was the foul, repugnant odor that was coming from within the princess' room.

"What are you doing in there?" Laenor asked, covering his nose with his hand. Even Rickard was unable to keep himself from recoiling as the smell hit his nose.

"What do you mean the midwives are missing and Rhaenyra refuses to see Orwyle?!" Lilyanna asked, a manic look in her eye.

Laenor began to breath out of his mouth, the smell growing worse as it lingered. "No one knows where any of them are, and you know how Rhaenyra feels about maesters."

Lilyanna stared at him for a few moments before shaking her head, "Give me a minute."

Lilyanna went back inside, leaving the door open as she took off her gloves, apron, and scarf, quickly going to her desk where her travel bag laid, taking out the things she did not need and putting in the things she did.

As she was doing this, Laenor leaned his head into the room, fighting the urge to gag as the smell became worse, looking inside and seeing a large steel pot filled with the orange-brown substance he saw on Lilyanna clothes, sitting over a fire in the room's fireplace, bubbling.

"What are you doing?" Laenor asked again, looking between his good sister and the vat.

"Don't worry about it." Lilyanna said as she walked towards the fireplace, putting a lid over the pot, and using the poker to put out the flames.

"Lilyanna-"

Lilyanna stared at the man, a coldness gleaming from her eyes as she spoke. "It's not any of your business, Laenor. So, let it go."

As she came closer, Laenor was forced to lean back, and Lilyanna forcefully shut her bedroom door closed behind her, still staring at Laenor sharply.

She did not give him the opportunity to speak again, pushing past Laenor and running to her sister's chambers, and quickly disappearing from sight.

Laenor sighed, tired of having to deal with stubborn Targaryens, and running after Lilyanna. While he did not turn around, he could hear Rickard's armor clanking as he followed them.

Lilyanna did not bother knocking on the door once she reached Rhaenyra's room, simply opening it and walking inside. She was not surprised to see her sister's nervous ladies in waiting flittering about or Rhaenyra herself gripping the sides of the tube she was sitting inside, her body flushed and sweaty, her face strewn with discomfort.

Lilyanna looked towards two of the younger ladies, "Bring more towels, and a bowl of clean water."

The two hesitated for a moment, looking at each other and then Rhaenyra before moving to carry out the younger princess' order.

Lilyanna then looked towards Elinda, "Help me get my sister out of the tub."

"Yes, princess." Elinda said, moving to one side of the tub as Lilyanna went to the other.

Rhaenyra blinked as she looked at Lilyanna, "Hāedar."

"I am here, sister. I know this is how you usually do things with your midwives, but I want to move you to your bed. Can I?" Lilyanna spoke softly, brushing some of Rhaenyra's hair away from her face with her fingers.

Rhaenyra nodded her head, grimacing as Lilyanna and Elinda gently took her arms and lifted her to her feet. She bit her lip, almost drawing blood as she was forced to move one leg after the other up and over the side of the tub, hobbling as the two people by her sides carried most of her weight.

It was a relief when her back finally touched her mattress, letting out a deep sigh as she allowed her body to relax as much as possible.

It was then that the door opened and Laenor once again entered the room, the man relaxing when he saw that Lilyanna was inside.

Rhaenyra looked surprised that her husband had returned, "Laenor, what-"

"I wish to stay." Laenor voiced.

Lilyanna looked at him impassively as she stood at the foot of the bed, "I think it would be best if you wait outside, Laenor."

Laenor shook "I want to make sure that Rhaenyra is safe."

Lilyanna scoffed, but her expression remained bored, "You have never wanted to make sure that my sister was safe the first two times she did this. So why now?"

It was clear that Lilyanna wanted Laenor to say how he truly felt about her capabilities, but Laenor did not rise to the bait. "Do not tell me you believe those superstitions that men should be away from the miracle of life, Lily? Is that what the Faith and Queen Alicent have been teaching you?"

Lilyanna's expression became stony, and when she opened her mouth to speak, Rhaenyra cut her off, "Enough, I do not care for this squabbling! Laenor shall stay, and Lilyanna will act as my midwife, are we clear?"

Laenor looked at the floor and Lilyanna scowled in Laenor's direction, but neither disputed what the Crown Princess had said.

Lilyanna turned and took the bowl that one of the ladies brought, placing it on the nearby table and using it to rinse her hands. After drying them, she turned back to the bed, lifting the bottom of Rhaenyra's chemise, "Can I-"

Rhaenyra huffed, "Lilyanna, I asked you to be here, I do not care if you must shove your whole hand up there. Besides, it not as if my midwives ask before they do."

"They should." Lilyanna muttered to herself as she reached forward and slowly inserted her index finger into Rhaenyra's vaginal opening and feeling around her vaginal canal to check the dilation and effacement of her cervix. After a few moments, she inserted another finger, "When did your labor start?"

"Al-almost th-three hours." Rhaenyra breathed out.

Lilyanna clicked her teeth, upset that she was not called earlier, "That sounds about right; your cervix has dilated about three, possibly four centimeters, so your still in early labor."

"Cervix?" Rhaenyra asked, never having heard the word nor knowing what the word meant.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

"The cervix is a small canal that connects a woman's uterus to her vagina, that allows fluids to enter and leave your uterus. And during pregnancy, the cervix must dilate and flatten to allow the fetus to pass through the birth canal." Seeing the blank stares she was getting from the room's other occupants, Lilyanna gave a simpler explanation, "It's the opening of your womb. It is what keeps the babe inside of you during pregnancy and what slowly widens to allow the babe to be pushed through during labor."

Laenor made a face, "That is... interesting?"

Lilyanna removed her hand, grabbing a towel and wiping her fingers before going to and opening her medical bag, "Do you want something for the pain, Nyra?"

"Are you offering milk of the poppy?" Rhaenyra asked.

Lilyanna shook her head, pulling out a jar with a green liquid, "What I have is nowhere near as dangerous, but more potent. It will make you feel boneless, as if you are floating on a cloud."

Rhaenyra thought about this for a few moments, "I would rather have my kits about me, hāedar."

"If that's what you want." Lilyanna said before putting the jar back in her bag.

Rhaenyra would soon find herself regretting not taking her sister's offer for something that would dull the pain.

----------------------------------------

Mysaria stood on the balcony of her manse, staring at the city.

She had received word from Talya about the City Watch being deployed to put down the riot, with Harwin Strong, Lord Commander of the City Watch, leading the charge.

The Queen's lady in waiting also informed her about the King being incapacitated with fear and anxiousness at the idea of his subjects hating him, a piece of news that brought a smile to her face.

A laugh even escaped her when Tayla told her that Rhaenyra was in labor, and that the princess had chosen Lilyanna to help deliver her children.

Lilyanna must be happy to be given more responsibility and the chance to prove herself to her family. Mysaria thought, knowing that Lilyanna disliked whenever her knowledge was ignored or disregarded simply because of her age.

Now, the riot was ending as the Gold Cloaks had slowly restored order, forcefully clearing the streets, yelling that on the order of the King, a curfew would be in place shortly, a way to ensure more unrest would not occur.

Mysaria knew that this order was done by order of the small council, as Viserys was still out of commission, drowning with indecision.

Garrat, her faithful attendant walked onto the balcony, standing behind her. "Your guests have arrived, my lady."

"Thank you, Garrat." Mysaria walked off the balcony and out of her room, Garrat following closely behind.

The pair walked through the manse until they reached a set of large black doors. Two attendants who were guarding the doors greeted them and opened the doors for their lady.

"Wait for me, Garrat."

"Of course." The black-haired young man replied.

Mysaria confidently walked through the doorway and entered a room with a long rectangular table, each of its seats filled with the people she had summoned.

Mysaria took the only available seat at the head of the table, "I must thank you all for accepting my invitation. I know that you all had other engagements."

A chuckle was heard in the quiet room and all heads turned to the madam of the House of Kisses, one of the most prolific and high-end brothels in King's Landing.

Sylvi was a woman of slightly below average height, dark blue eyes, and long brunette hair styled in a long braid that rested over her shoulder. The woman smiled at Mysaria, "Let's not beat around the bush, we all know you summoned us here to discuss the riot."

"Well, you should let the woman get to that part instead of wasting time." Kella said, looking at the other woman distastefully, Sylvi returned the look, the two now having a silent standoff.

For as long as Mysaria had known the two women, they did not get along with each other. She did not know what the reason was, she always assumed it was because the while Sylvi owned the most popular brothel in the city, and Kella owned multiple well frequented brothels, including the Blue Pearl and Mother's, so the two women considered the other their rival, but right now she did not care what had started their feud. "Enough, we have more important matters."

Mysaria the looked across the table, "But as Sylvi said; I have brought you all here to discuss the riot. More importantly, what we shall do in its aftermath."

Another laugh was heard, this time coming from a tall man with pale skin, short sandy blond hair, and pale green eyes. He was a handsome man, the type that drew attention from those around him, especially in his expertly tailored red clothes.

This was Daven Hill, rumored natural son of the late Tymond Lannister, the former Lord of Casterly Rock and father of Jason and Tyland Lannister. But most notably, Daven was the head of the Scarlet Song, a large guild of artisans and entertainers, one of the richest in King's Landing.

Most things that were handmade in the city; art, furniture, sculptures, clothing, and tools, were made by an artisans in Daven's employ.

"What else is there to do, Lady Misery?" Daven said with a taunting smirk, "The riot is over, there will be a curfew tonight, and everything will return to normal by the morn."

Mysaria maintained her composure, "You are not a slow-witted man, Daven. Today was the first time in over sixty years, since the Winter Plague of 59AC when Rego Draz was killed by a starving mob, that the people of King's Landing have risen in any form against the Crown. Only this time, the King who rules us is a weak one, my people in the Red Keep tell me how he was by stricken with fear, how he paces about his chambers frightened at the thought of losing his subjects' love and admiration."

"So, you believe that we can take advantage of the King's desire to please?" Daven asked.

The man next to Daven asked his own questions, "And how would we be able to do that? Wait until another petition hearing is held? Where King Viserys will surely reject the proposal again, only this time, locking up or executing those who do?"

Greedy Clarton was a small man with beady rat-like eyes, a bald round head with only a few strands of brown hair on the sides, a smarmy face, and was covered head to toe with jewels, gold, and silver. Most of his teeth had been removed and replaced with solid gold ones, only adding to his extensive efforts to show off his wealth.

He rose from a street rat of Flea Bottom to the owner of most of the gambling houses on the Street of Silver. But what made him a man that Mysaria deeply hated was that he was also the owner of the child fighting pits.

While she desired to end his influence along with his life, Clarton had an amount of wealth that made him almost impossible to touch.

Clarton was a paranoid man, using the coin he generated to hire the best muscle he could find to guard him, even now, two large and burly men with axes in their hands stood behind his chair. He also never ingested any food or drink that he had not watched be prepared or was not ingested by a taste taster first.

And a part of her feared that even if she got rid of him, someone far worse and unpredictable would immediately take his place.

Mysaria forced herself to hide the disgust she felt at the man, "Do you think most of the Kingslanders will sit back after toady? No, they will continue to make their anger known, it is why I am proposing that we weaponize that anger."

An intrigued glint flashed through Clarton's eyes, "Is the White Worm suggesting that we pool our gold and influence in order to gain more from the Targaryens?"

"I am."

A derisive scoff followed Mysaria's words, their voice carrying a strong accent, "What a foolish idea."

Mysaria turned to a man she disliked as much as Clarton. "You have not heard all of what I am proposing, Aran."

Aran Ostoris was the eldest of the Ostoris triplets, Volantenes siblings who came to Westeros as merchants.

The trio used the little coin they had with them, along with boasting heavily about being of the Old Blood, and the knowledge that their father was once one of the Triarchs of Volantis, to enrich themselves, creating the merchant guild, The Three Kings.

The Three King's was the largest and richest group of merchants in King's Landing and was among some of the largest and richest guilds in Westeros.

Aran was a tall and slender man with deep brown eyes, dressed in fine silks and wraps. His dark red hair, sharp jawline, and rich brown skin were the only features that he shared with his two brothers who sat on either side of him, Harlario on his left, and Vyrero on his right.

Harlario was the tallest and biggest of the triplets, having a bulky build, a serious expression on his face, his own red hair was shaved down, with multiple earrings hanging off each ear.

Vyrero was the smallest, his red hair was longer than his brothers, flowing down his shoulders in elegant waves. An impish smile had yet to leave his face from the moment they entered the room, resting his arms on the table, his fingers tapping against the wood.

Aran was also the most temperamental and critical of the three, "I have heard enough. You speak of wanting us to band together to gain gold, power, and influence? My brothers and I already have that and more, so you must see how insulted I feel to be lumped into the same category as bastards, thieves, and whores, even now, having to listen to a whore such as yourself speak on matters you have no understanding of."

I am no whore! Mysaria screamed in her head, her jaw clenched, her eyes burning with rage.

"There is no need for insults. You have come here to discuss the political situation like adults, not bickering children." Connas said appealingly, looking in between Mysaria and Aran.

Connas was a blacksmith on the Street of Steel, coming from a family of blacksmiths who have lived in King's Landing since the city was founded, their shop considered the top of the top.

He was the oldest person in the room, his hair and beard having long since turned white, but he still carried a muscular and large build from decades of smithing. There was a kindness in his eyes, his voice never rising as he spoke.

Aran turned his eye towards Connas, his disgust evident, "There is nothing to discuss, at least not with you worthless, insipid fools!"

Harlario visibly bristled, "Brother, please, calm yourself."

Vyrero smirked as he looked at the other at the table, "Apologies for our elder brother, this is why we cannot take him anywhere."

Aran scowled at Vyrero, staring down his youngest brother, but Vyrero paid him no mind, not bothering to face him.

Before Aran could berate his brother, Mysaria spoke to him directly, "You speak of having power and influence, but you are wrong; what you have is nothing compared to the nobles of Westeros."

Aran's face began to turn red with anger, "How dare-"

"Tell me, Aran; how often have you and your brothers been looked down upon, have been treated as lesser than because you are from a foreign land, and are of foreign blood? Have the nobles of Westeros cared that your bloodline is just as, and possibly even more ancient than their own as they mock you? As they take your wares and refuse to pay you? As they use their armies to strong arm you into unfair deals?"

Aran said nothing, he, and his brothers each having their expressions darken, the triplets could not deny that the woman was right. In Westeros, being of the Old Blood meant nothing to the citizens of the continent, not unless you were a Targaryen, Velaryon, or Celtigar, it eventually became a parlor trick the Ostoris siblings used to amuse their rich customers once they realized that the nobles did not care that they too were descended from Old Valyria.

Mysaria then looked at everyone else at the table, "Every single person in this room, in this city, has experienced being toyed with by the nobility, of our businesses almost ruined by some pompous lordling who believes they can do whatever they please. To them, we are all just peasants with more gold than the norm, we have no say in government, we are beholden to the whims of those who could care less if we live or die."

Aran's scowl deepened, "In Essos-"

"This is not Essos, in Essos you would have a say, you would have true power, but we are not in Essos. In Westeros, you must make sure you do not do too much to, to not become too arrogant and get the wrong attention from nobles." Mysaria then pointed to herself, looking at him smugly, "Here, you and this whore are of equal status and worth. In this current world, neither of us hold true power."

Aran gritted his teeth, and Mysaria knew that the man wanted to kill her for daring to compare him to her, but regardless of his feelings towards he, he knew that she was right, which only served to anger him further.

"You still have not told us how we are going to accomplish this, Mysaria." Halario spoke before his brother could potentially explode.

"We show the Red Keep that peace in this city will not be restored until real change is made for the people who live in it, until we are given true power."

Clarton chuckled, "It is a nice dream to have, but what you are saying is treasonous. I don't know about everyone else, but I don't want to risk my life and my businesses if there are no reassurances that this won't end up biting us in the ass."

"As much as I hate to agree with this short fucker, he is right. I think I speak for all of us when I say I don't fancy a trip to the Black Cells, Mysaria." Sylvi added.

As Mysaria was about to respond, the doors to the room opened and Garrat entered, the man quickly making his way to Mysaria's side, bending slightly as he whispered in her ear.

As he spoke, Mysaria's eyes twitched slightly, somewhat surprised by what Garrat was telling her. When he finished Garrat stepped back, waiting for further instruction.

Kella, after years of friendship with Mysaria, was attuned to the other woman's reactions and noticing the barely notable twitch, smirked playfully. "Oh, do we have an important guest tonight?"

"Kella." Mysaria said warningly, staring pointedly at the woman.

This only made Kella's smile grow, realizing just who could have caused this reaction in her friend. "Don't be so stiff, Mysaria. Will this not help you in convincing the others? Having your cute little princess here in attendance?"

This caused the room to become silent for a moment, Connas was the first to speak, "P-princess Lilyanna is here?"

He, like everyone else in the room, knew that Mysaria and the King's youngest daughter had some kind of partnership, that the princess would heal anyone that the White Worm would ask of her. But no one knew how deep their relationship went nor the true extent of it.

Mysaria continued to glare at Kella while the other woman grinned at her, eventually, Mysaria turned her head to look at her attendant, "Garrat, bring the princess here."

Garrat nodded his head and quickly left the room to retrieve the princess. The room became silent again, the time feeling as if it were moving slower than it was as the group tensely waited for Garrat to return with the princess.

Eventually the doors opened again, and Lilyanna Targaryen strolled into the room, a hooded cloak covering her body, and her gaze firmly held on Mysaria.

"Lady Mysaria, it seems I have interrupted your oh so important meeting." Lilyanna said pointedly, still staring directly at the woman.

----------------------------------------

Hours Earlier

"Seven fucking hells!" Rhaenyra cried.

"Bring more towels, the babes are coming now." Lilyanna told Elinda before turning back to her sister, "I need you to breath, Nyra, and when I tell you to, push."

"I know, Lilyanna. I have done this before." Rhaenyra hissed, her words trailing off with pained moaning, and taking in deep breaths.

Lilyanna would have given her usual dry and sarcastic retort, but held back as she knew her sister was only acting this way due to the terrible pain she was experiencing.

Laenor who had been standing next to the bed, looked between his wife and good sister nervously, "What should I do."

"Stand there and keep looking pretty." Lilyanna said, not bothering to look in his direction.

Laenor did not appreciate the jest, "I am serious, Lilyanna. I know that I was not here in the past, but if this labor will be more intense than the others, I want to be useful."

"Laenor." Rhaenyra said, visibly surprised. Her cousin, like most men, did not want to know about the goings on of childbirth, seeing it as a woman's task that they were more than happy to remain ignorant about. So, she was taken aback by his shift in attitude and how earnest he was being.

Lilyanna stared at him, "Come over here, Laenor."

Laenor moved and walked along the bed, standing next to Lilyanna. "Yes?"

"Look." Lilyanna said softly, pointing down to the opening of Rhaenyra's legs, where the head of one of the babes was being to emerge.

Laenor looked confused, "What do you want me to-"

As Laenor's eyes took in the wet and bloody scene before him, his eyes rolled back into his head, losing consciousness before his body even hit the floor.

Rhaenyra jumped at the sound of Laenor's body falling to the floor, she then looked at her sister, "Did he just bloody feint?"

"Fucking pussy." Lilyanna muttered under her breath, looking at the unconscious man with an immense lack of respect.

"What should we do about Ser Laenor?" Elinda asked, looking between the two princesses and the prince consort.

"Just fold a blanket or a towel and put it under his head. Something tells me he will be out for a while." Lilyanna said before turning back to Rhaenyra.

The next several minutes were hell on earth for Rhaenyra, feeling as if she was being split in half.

Lilyanna looked and saw that more of the baby was beginning to come forth, "Rhaenyra, I need a stronger push."

Rhaenyra grunted, the burning in lower extremities growing worse the longer and harder she pushed.

"C'mon, keep pushing. The head is out, one more big push, Nyra."

Rhaenyra let out a sharp cry, slumping into the sheets of her bed a few moments later, gasping for breath.

Lilyanna smiled as she caught the newborn in her hands, looking over the crying babe to make sure there was nothing visibly wrong with them and using scissors to cut the umbilical cord. "It's a boy, Nyra."

Rhaenyra smiled softly as she watched her sister holding her child before handing him off to her ladies to be washed and swaddled. "Another son."

She was more than happy to have her third son, knowing that she would love any child of hers regardless of their gender, but there was still a part of her that longed for a daughter, for a little girl to spoil.

Lilyanna laughed, "Don't give up hope yet, the other twin may still be the daughter you so crave."

Rhaenyra's eyes widened a bit as she remembered that she was still in labor, that she had yet to give birth to the second child still in her womb. She then groaned, "Why can they not come out at the same time?"

Lilyanna smiled, "Most twins are born minutes or hours apart. It's why Helaena is five minutes older than me."

Rhaenyra scoffed, "I hope they come out in a few minutes rather than hours. I do not think I could take it if they do."

When Rhaenyra began to groan and grit her teeth, Lilyanna knew that the second twin was coming. "It looks like you have gotten your wish."

More blood began to spill onto the bed, as Rhaenyra cried out, pushing with everything she had. And after a few more minutes, the pain ceased, and the sounds of another newborn crying could be heard.

Lilyanna laughed again, her smile growing as she looked at the newborn in her arms, "It seems I was right; you finally have a daughter, sister."

Rhaenyra gave Lilyanna a tired grin, looking at her infant daughter happily, "Thank the Gods."

When Lilyanna gave the second child to her sister's ladies, she immediately went to grab an empty bowl, going back to the place at the foot of the bed and holding it there, knowing that she would soon have to prepare for the oncoming after birth.

There seem to be no tears or extra bleeding; that's good and a bit surprising. I'll have to monitor Rhaenyra to be sure nothing tears later. Lilyanna thought as she used the bowl to catch the now expelled placenta.

Rhaenyra wanted to close her eyes and go to sleep, but her desire to hold and name her newborns kept her from doing so.

Eventually, Lilyanna walked to her sister's side, two small, wrapped bundles in her arms, and handing the twins to Rhaenyra.

Rhaenyra's smile grew, tears forming in the corner of her eyes as she looked at her children. The boy was the bigger of the two, his skin a shade lighter, appearing more like Laenor's, his silver hair was fewer and sparser, and she saw that his eyes were the same shade of purple as her own as he stared up at her.

The girl was smaller, but she was already proving to be louder and fiercer than her twin just by how loudly she was crying. Her skin was more of a rich golden brown, and the tuff of hair on her head was fuller and thicker than her twin's.

Rhaenyra began to rock her daughter, gently humming to her, the newborn slowly stopped crying. And when the infant opened her eyes, Rhaenyra was shocked when she saw that her daughter possessed one purple eye and one green eye.

"Heterochromia, like our grandmother, Alyssa." Lilyanna whispered, staring at her niece in surprise.

Father will surely be pleased. Rhaenyra thought as she looked at her twins.

A groan rang through the room, causing the two sisters to turn their heads to the side, watching as Laenor clutched his head, blinking a lot. "What happened?"

Rhaenyra huffed, but was staring at him amused, "You fainted."

"I fainted?" Laenor asked aloud.

"This is why I said you should have waited outside." Lilyanna added.

"Lily, do not act as if you did not find enjoyment in watching my husband collapse. You told him come to your side and watch." Rhaenyra told her sister, not believing that she had noble intentions.

Lilyanna crossed her arms, "I only showed him because I wanted him to realize that there was nothing he could offer in terms of assistance, you act as if I was planning on him dropping like a bag of rocks. I mean, he is supposed to be a war veteran who has killed countless men both with his sword and with his dragon, Rhaenyra, and yet seeing you give birth to the children he himself put in you, causes him to pass out?"

Laenor felt his face burning with embarrassment at the princess's words, both for losing consciousness and for underestimating both Lilyanna's abilities and what women must go through to bring life into the world.

"Leave Laenor alone, I'm sure he feels bad enough on his own without your commentary." Rhaenyra said.

Laneor pushed himself off the ground and made his way over to the bed, standing over Rhaenyra and leaning into to see their newborns. "They are beautiful, Nyra. I am sorry that-"

"There is nothing to apologize for, Laenor. Moreover, I am certain that this will become a comical story to tell in the future." Rhaenyra told him, staring at him mirthfully.

Laenor smiled as he lifted his hand and played with the hair on their daughter's head, "Have you named them, or was I unconscious for that as well?"

"No, I have not." Rhaenyra said before looking down at the twins, "But I am positive you already know what name I wish to give our daughter."

Laenor chuckled, "Visenya it is. And for our son?"

Rhaenyra looked at her newborn son, "I am not sure, the name we thought of before don't seem to fit him."

"Then perhaps..." Laenor trailed off, staring at Rhaenyra hopefully.

Rhaenyra looked at him blankly for a few seconds before sighing, "Fine."

Laenor's eyes widened as he peered at his wife in shock, "Really?"

Rhaenyra smiled, "Yes, I have given our daughter a name that have been craving to give to a daughter for so long, it's only fair that I allow you to do the same with our son."

Laenor smiled brightly, his joy more than evident as he leaned down and kissed the top of Rhaenyra's head. "Thank you." He then turned his attention back to their children, "Our little Joffrey and Visenya."

Lilyanna smiled at the scene before going to the door, opening it, and telling a servant nearby to tell the King and the small council about the births of Prince Joffrey and Princess Visenya Velaryon.

As the servant went to deliver the news, Lilyanna looked around the hall and noticed how tense and quiet the Keep was.

"Did something happen while we were in here?" Lilyanna asked her sister and good brother when she returned to Rhaenyra's bedside.

Rhaenyra looked at her sister strangely, "Lilyanna, were you not aware of the riot in the city?"

Lilyanna mouth gaped, "Riot? There was a riot?"

"Yes, there was, during the small council meeting. Although, hopefully, Harwin and his Gold Cloaks have ended it and restored the peace."

How the fuck did I not notice any of this? Lilyanna thought.

She knew that the people of the city were planning to make their displeasure known to the King, but she had hoped that after a few days of silence, that calmer, more rational minds had prevailed.

I should have known better.

"I suppose Lilyanna was too busy in her room with her concoctions to notice." Laenor said to himself.

Lilyanna did not respond, lost in her thoughts, planning to find out just what happened today from a source with ears on the ground.

"Concoctions?" Rhaenyra asked.

Laenor nodded, "She was making something in her room when you sent to me to retrieve her, something horribly foul and pungent. I thought it was more of the scale cream she made for the dragons but when I asked her what it was, she made it clear that I should not ask any more questions."

Rhaenyra turned to her sister, seeing that the young girl was not paying attention to them and was lost in her own world. Not an unusual sight to see Lilyanna in, but Rhaenyra saw the worry and fear in her sister's eyes.

"Lilyanna-"

"I have to go." Lilyanna said as she moved to pack away her things.

"Lilyanna, wait!" Rhaenyra called out, but Lilyanna ignored her, leaving the room as quickly as she could.

"What was that about?" Laenor asked, still staring at the door that Lilyanna just ran out of.

"I don't know." Rhaenyra said.

But I will find out...

----------------------------------------

"Instead of getting the Grand Maester, you had my daughter deliver your children for you?" Alicent asked Rhaenyra.

After receiving word about the birth of Rhaenyra and Laenor's twins, Alicent had decided to bring her own children along with Jacaerys and Lucerys so that they could be introduced to the newborns.

This was the only reason, no matter how much her mind screamed that she was simply using the children as an excuse to assuage the fear she held since Rhaenyra's labor began without appearing as if she were distraught.

But as she moved through the Keep with her children, she noticed the stares of courtiers and servants alike on them, more so than usual.

Alicent was able to hear scattered parts of people's hushed conversations as she walked, mentions of her youngest daughter, and how the Crown Princess ordered her sister to deliver her children as she claimed that Orwyle could not.

Alicent thought these claims to be false, nothing more than ludicrous rumors and gossip of a nosy court that were looking for something to distract them from the dangerous situation that was occurring just beyond their walls.

She did note that Lilyanna was not in her bedroom when she went to get her siblings, but she was not worried. Figuring that Lilyanna was somewhere else in the Keep, the princess had a habit of disappearing for hours, lost in one fancy or another.

When Alicent finally reached Rhaenyra's bedchamber with the children, she allowed them to surround Corlys and Rhaenys, who were holding Joffrey and Visenya respectively as she went to Rhaenyra's bedside, both to be sure the princess was healthy and to humorously ask if the rumors were true.

But her amusement turned to disbelief when Rhaenyra told her honestly what had happened, that the rumors she heard were true.

"You know that I do not have maesters attend to me during my labors. And my midwives were nowhere to be seen." Rhaenyra said.

So, it was necessary to call on my child? Alicent thought incredulously.

Before the Queen could say this aloud, Rhaenys spoke, "And your sister was not bothered by what she had seen?"

"No, she wasn't." Rhaenyra answered.

I am sure after looking after our father for so long, there isn't much that would frighten Lilyanna about the human body. And I doubt Orwyle hides much from her during their lessons. Rhaenyra thought.

Rhaenyra then looked at Laenor mischievously, "She barely reacted when attending to me I cannot say the same for Laenor however."

"I thought this would be a story for the future." Laenor said, looking at his wife pointedly, not wanting their family to know about how he reacted to the whole affair.

"But it is the future." Rhaenyra grinned.

Lucerys looked between his parents, "What happened?"

"Your father was so excited that he decided to sleep on the floor."

Corlys let out a snort as he realized what Rhaenyra was implying, staring at his son with both exasperation and merriment.

"Is your head alright?" Rhaenys asked her son, but Laenor could see and hear the laughter she was trying to hide.

"I'm fine, mother." Laenor muttered before glaring at Aegon and Aemond, who had understood what Rhaenyra had said and were trying but failing to hide their laughter at his expense.

"Where did Lilyanna go?" Alicent asked, bringing the conversation back around.

Rhaenyra pursed her lips, "We don't know. After she told a servant to deliver the news, she ran out of here when we told her about the riot in the city. Apparently, she was unaware it before that moment."

"She's probably avoiding father, knowing that he will not be happy about how she started the riot." Aegon exclaimed, continuing his jest from earlier.

"Your sister did not start a riot." Alicent repeated for nearly the dozenth time.

"And yet she's not here to defend herself against my claims." Aegon grinned.

Rhaenyra thought about Lilyanna's expression when she learned about the riot. The perturbed look on her face, made Rhaenyra believe that despite it all being a joke on his end, Aegon was right in a sense; while it was not Lilyanna's fault that the riot occurred, Lilyanna believed the opposite.

"Why would Lilyanna be at fault? Those filthy peasants are the ones who decided to foolishly revolt." Aemond commented.

The young prince was appalled when he first learned of the riot. To him, the smallfolk should have been grateful that they were even thought about at all. His family were not only nobles and members of royalty, but Targaryens.

They were God's amongst men, dragons made flesh. So, if Viserys, the head of House Targaryen and the King of Westeros, had made a decision and refused to change it, then the commoners of the realm should have accepted that decision with a stiff lip, they had no right to rebel against their overseers.

"But why were the smallfolk upset that grandfather said no to the bathhouse and the new sewers, he has refused petitions before, and it did not cause the people to riot against him?" Jacaerys asked.

It was something that had been bothering Jacaerys since the riot began, to him it seemed like all of this was an overreaction on the part of the smallfolk. He could not understand why they were all willing to fight, rob, destroy, and kill for things that he viewed as trivial.

Corlys put a hand on his grandson's shoulder, "It's not just about the bathhouse or the sewage system, Jace. The people of King's Landing do not believe that they are being heard, so they sought to force us to listen."

"The smallfolk do not have the political sway or influence, let alone the coin that the nobility has, so the only way they can make their anger known is with their vast numbers. Rioting is not the smartest of decisions, but I suppose cooler heads are unable to prevail when others are so emotional and refuse to see reason." Rhaenys added.

When his grandparents explained it that way, it made sense to Jacaerys, to see this all as the smallfolk's way of making their displeasure known, but he still believed that a less violent path could have been found and taken.

"So, what will father do now? What if there's another riot?" Daeron asked, his unease evident in his tone.

Before anyone could respond, the door of the princess's bedchamber opened and the man in question entered the room.

"Viserys," Alicent spoke, making her way to her husband, "Is it wise for you to be... out and about during this time?"

As the small council was waiting for information about the situation outside the Keep, Viserys had remained frozen in place, staring despondently at the city.

After some time, Alicent quietly asked Harrold Westerling to escort the King to his bedchamber, taking away the uncomfortable cloud of anxious hopelessness that emanated from Viserys in waves.

Viserys brushed off his wife's concern, "I am fine, Alicent. And I will not be sequestered in my room whilst my daughter lies in bed after giving birth to my newest grandchildren."

Viserys made his way to the bed, standing next to Laenor as they stood over Rhaenyra, "My dear girl, how are you doing?"

"I am well, father." Rhaenyra said, smiling softly.

Viserys returned the smile before looking at Corlys and Rhaenys, making his way to them as quickly as he could. "Ah, another grandson and an adorable granddaughter."

"Their names are Visenya and Joffrey, Your Grace. Joffrey is the elder of the two." Laenor told the King as Viserys took Joffrey from Corlys.

"They are perfect." Viserys said, his smile growing as Joffrey moved against his chest. He then looked back at Rhaenyra, "You have made me an even prouder grandfather, Rhaenyra."

Aegon rolled his eyes at the display. How great, more grandchildren for him to ignore us in favor of.

He did not blame Jacaerys, Lucerys, and now Joffrey and Visenya, for how they were treated by Viserys, but it was hard not to feel some resentment for how he and his siblings were so easily ignored by comparison.

"And I am sure that their older siblings will be getting them dragon eggs for their cradles soon enough." Viserys said to Jacaerys and Lucerys.

Lucerys smiled, "We didn't think the babes would come so fast, grandfather, but Jace and I were going to go to the Dragonpit tomorrow. Jace even said he would let me choose the eggs!"

"Would it be wise for any of the children to venture into the city?" Rhaenys asked aloud, "Streets are still not safe."

Viserys looked confused, "I was told by Lyonel that the council called for a curfew and is having all the Gold Cloaks patrolling the streets to enforce it. Does that not purport that King's Landing is once again under control?"

Rhaenys studied Viserys hollowly, once again questioning her cousin's naivety and ignorance on matters of the realm and its governance. After all these years it was not surprising to the woman, but maddening all the same.

"Despite Ser Harwin's leadership, the Crown's forces... struggled to contain the riot." Alicent said, pausing as she looked at the children, "Even with half the household knights added, it only boosted the Gold Cloaks numbers from two thousand to three thousand, which paled in comparison to the size of the mob. Losses were suffered."

"How many men?" Rhaenyra asked.

"Over a hundred, so far." Alicent replied solemnly, "A true estimation has not been reached yet."

"Father," Rhaenyra called, "Something must be done, this is not a situation that can be ignored and will disappear on its own."

Viserys exhaled, feeling the stares of everyone, silently waiting for his response. "If the situation grows worse, we shall discuss what to do during tomorrow's small council meeting."

Rhaenyra looked at Viserys unconvinced when he said if the situation grows worse, "But father-"

Viserys did not give her the chance to respond as he turned to Alicent, "Alicent, tell Lilyanna that I will be expecting her to be there."

Alicent felt her heart stop, seeing the resolute expression on Viserys' face, and was suddenly thinking of Aegon's jests about Lilyanna being at fault for the riot. "Viserys, Lilyanna-"

"Will be in the small council chamber to speak on this matter with us all." Viserys added, disregarding how panic-stricken Alicent had visibly become.

The King handed Joffrey back to Corlys and left the bedchamber, unaware of the tense atmosphere that he had left behind in his wake.