House of The Dragon-The Beauty, The Bold, And The Black Dread

(Baelon's POV)

"Baelon....." I heard a voice call for me 

"Hmmmm....." I groaned through my pillow, drifting in and out of sleep

"Baelon." the voice got firmer

"Mm....." I said as I laid there face-down on my bed

"Baelon!" the voice shouted

I opened my eyes and lifted my head up, "W-What?" I said as my eyes adjusted, "W-What happened? Who died?" 

I slowly turned my head to see my stepmother, Alicent Hightower standing there with a frown on her face. She was wearing her usual outfits, a dark green dress while wearing the usual jewelry the Queen would wear. 

She raised her eyebrow, not saying a word as I drowsily rolled over to my side, one eye closed as I looked at her. 

"Oh, it's just Mother...." I said as I blew my bangs out of the way, "What is it?" 

"You missed breakfast." She said, "All of us were at the table, everyone but you." 

"Ah." I said as I yawned, "Mine apologies, Mother." 

I plopped back down to my back, stretching my arms as I felt her gaze not move from me. 

"Get dressed, we're going to the Kingswood today." She told me, "Your Father has already ridden out." 

"W-what?" I said as I looked at her, "What's happening at the Kingswood?" 

She rolled her eyes, "Have you forgotten?" She asked, "The Royal Hunt? For your brother's name day." 

"Ah." I said, "Are we late?" 

"Very." She said as she turned around, "Hurry and get dressed, I'll wait in the wheelhouse." 

I nodded, "Of course." I said as I slowly rolled off my bed, "I can always fly there." 

She was walking away but she stopped and turned around, "And scare every single stag and boar in the vicinity? No." She said, "What were you doing up so late last night? The maids claim you snuck out in the middle of the dark." 

I wiped my eyes, "Nothing." I said, "Just...you know, stuff...." 

"Mhm..." She said looking at me, "I best not hear a scandal, Baelon." 

I frowned, "What? Me? A scandal? Never." I said with a chuckle, "I'll meet you out there." 

"Okay." She said as she walked away

I leaned on the cupboard, rubbing my eyes, trying to wake up, "Hm....." I said, "Oh boy, last night was something else, eh? I wonder if the blood can be washed off in time. Oh well." 

I then took a step forward and began to stretch. 

Today was Aemond's name day, I had forgotten we were going to go the Kingswood and have a Royal Hunt for him. Shame, I wanted to fly with him today and have some brotherly fun, but I suppose that won't be possible. Royal Hunts usually take a day or two after the start and knowing Father, we are all to be there at all times. 

Rhaenyra won't attend, she's busy at Dragonstone. 

Which reminds me.....I am soon to inherit that island as Heir, huh? The time is nearing, I am 17 already. Oh well, no point in dwelling on it, I suppose I should change and tackle this day like usual. 

*****************************************

"My Prince." Ser Erryk said as he bowed slightly

I nodded, "Erryk." I said as I walked up the stairs to the wheelhouse

As I stepped inside, I saw Mother sitting down with her hands on her lap, giving me a neutral look. 

"Mother." I said as I leaned towards her and kissed her on the cheek, "Thank you for waiting on me. Ah, my beloved sister!" 

I leaned into Helaena, who was sitting next to her, and kissed her on the cheek as well. She didn't react, she was focused on sewing on her tapestry, like usual. 

"Brother..." She replied softly

I sat down across from them and patted my pants, "So, a Hunt, huh?" I said, "I wonder if Aegon is up for a little competition." 

I felt as the wheelhouse began to move; We were on the move. 

"Do not tempt that boy." Mother said, "He'll get hurt trying to impress you." 

I leaned back, "Ah, but we're young men..." I said with a chuckle, "Besides, he should learn how to hunt, it's good for exercise." 

"Not all young princes are like you." she replied, "So eager to shed blood....in the middle of the night." 

"Ah." I said with sweat rolling down my face, "You know." 

"Of course I know." She said seriously, "What business do you have encouraging the City Watch to get into bloody fights?" 

I twirled my hair as I looked away, "Justice." I said under my breath

"What was that?" She asked sternly

"Justice." I said a bit louder, "Murderers, fiends, they deserved a bit of discipline. I didn't kill anyone, neither did the goldcloaks." 

"Still, people talk." She told me, "Be careful the next time you decide to sneak out." 

"Yes, Your Grace." I said, "I should cut my hair." 

"No." She said, "Your Father doesn't want you to." 

"I hate how long it is." I muttered

My white hair was long and reached my shoulders, I had it tied up in a ponytail and had a single bang that sometimes got in the way. I once tried cutting it but Father forbade it. It's not his hair, it's mine....

"I like it." Helaena said with a slight smile

I smiled, "Oh, well, I guess I can keep it then." I chuckled

"When we get to the camp, Baelon, you are to quickly greet your father and apologize for not attending the table." Mother said, "And after that, you are to greet the other Lords that have gathered all the way here to celebrate your Brother's name day. Not only that, you will not go off to hunt on your own. You will wait until the entire group moves out. Understand?" 

"If my Queen commands it, then so be it." I said looking up and leaning back, "Way to make a Hunt boring." 

"You'll have to endure it." she replied

Queen Alicent Hightower is Father's second wife, my stepmother. They married when I was a babe, quite quickly after my birth mother's death. I never understood why, but apparently, it was out of Duty for the Realm. She's the mother of all my younger half-siblings, so I guess there's that. But not just that, she raised and loved me, almost like my birth mother would have, so I always have that debt to her. So she is deserving of me calling her that; Mother.

She can be rather clingy and strict with me. 

I am the rider of Balerion, I do not need constant coddling. 

My sister Rhaenyra tells me the reason she's this smothering is because when I was a babe, I nearly died due to illness on multiple occasions and much like Balerion, I refused to die. 

"Now that we're all here alone, Baelon, Helaena." Mother said, "It is time to discuss the inevitable, you two marrying." 

I looked at her with a raised eyebrow, "Is it really appropriate?" 

"Yes." She said while looking at me, "You are going to marry your sister and that is final." 

"Ugh..." I groaned, "Marrying my beloved Helaena? She doesn't deserve such a fool like me....It is an insult to the precious Princess...." 

Helaena smiled at me, "I don't mind, brother, it is Fate." She said softly, "We must do our duty." 

I smiled at her, "You're too good for me." I told her

"It is for the good of the Family, the Targaryen name." Mother said, "Targaryens-" 

"Keep the bloodline pure." I cut her off, "I know, yes, no need to remind me." 

"Then you will do your duty." She said with a serious frown, "When she's a bit older, you two will marry, do you understand Baelon?" 

"Fine." I said with a sigh, "I will treat her like she's my goddess, if that's what you want to hear, Mother." 

"I give you my word."