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

[a/n: right guys, for those who are exclusively reading this story, I have ended "For The Queen, Not The Prince". It was a nice ride and I admit some chapters were a bit rushed, but necessary.

I intend to finish "The Black Lord" by either December or January, but we'll see. I want this story to be one of two stories I focus on at the beginning of 2025 and even then, this story will not be that big of a focus. With my novel and all, I didn't want to spread out my attention in many different directions. 

If those who haven't read "For The Queen, Not The Prince", I recommend you finish it now that it's ended. I know it had a drought but I pulled out 60 some chapters within 2 weeks just to finish it. And I intend to do the same for "The Black Lord" soon. 

that is all, thank you. Also, sorry for the short chapter]

(Baelon's POV)

"Not bad at all..." I said as one of the maids held a mirror in front of my face as the other combed my freshly cut hair, "I like it, feels.....fresh." 

"You do look good, My Prince." The Maid said with a smile, "Although, I'm sad that you had to cut this long and beautiful hair...." 

I shrugged, "I didn't like maintaining it..." I said, "Doesn't bother me." 

I saw as she lifted the cut hair that was on the floor, running her fingers across the strands with a smile.s.

"Still, a prince's hair is prestigious." she said, "You could always ask us to comb it for you every morning like we do for the Princess and the Queen." 

"I'm not going to bother you with that." I said as the maid stopped combing me, "It's alright."

They had cut my hair short, at Helaena's suggestion. It was a good excuse to finally lop off these locks, they were a burden to me. Always getting in my face when flying on Balerion. I do find myself to be a bit nervous to see how she'd like it. And surprisingly, I wonder if Mother and Father would like it. 

It was significantly shorter than everyone else's, possibly the shortest of the family. Even shorter than Uncle Daemon's when he once had that short and slick-back hair. I had asked the maids to look at portraits of my grandfather and go for that similar hairstyle.

I don't know, I kinda liked it. 

"My prince, you offend us." the one behind me said, "It is an honor to maintain your hair, you are Baelon Targaryen." 

"Do you do that with my brothers?" I asked

"Well, no, they comb their own hair." She said 

"Ah." I said with a chuckle, "What is done is done. My betrothed wanted this, who are we to defy her?" 

"W-We are lowly servants...." She said, "You are the Prince.....The Heir...." 

I looked at her as I stood up and patted my shirt, "I am her betrothed." I said with a slight smile, "And you are my servants, yes, but you're not lowly.....anyways....thanks." 

"What should we do with the ha-" the other said as the doors opened

I turned around to see Mother walking in, wearing her dark green dress, "Baelon, your father is waiting for you at the table to ea-" She said before stopping and widening her eyes in surprise, "B-Baelon?" 

I smiled, "What do you think?" I said as I rubbed the back of my head, "Pretty nice...." 

She walked up to me and reached for my head, gently running her fingers through my neatly combed hair, "Baelon...." She said softly, "I-It looks good....but...why?" 

"Hm?" I said, "Oh, Helaena said she'd like it." 

She stepped back, "What?" 

I nodded, "Yea, she told me it'd look good." I said, "So I figured that I'll try it." 

"Oh." She said before clearing her throat, "Oh....look at that...." 

She walked past me and I turned to see her go to the maid who was picking up my cut locks. She gently took them from her hands and held it in hers. 

"Mother?" I said

She looked at me, a sad look on her face, "This hair..." she said softly, "I combed it when you were just a boy...." 

"Oh...." I said as I scratched my cheek, "I....I am sorry...." 

She cleared her throat as the maids stepped away, their hands in front of them, "It is fine." she said as looked back at the hair, "It's so soft....and nice.....well, if it was my girl's decision, who am I to object? And your Father? He won't as well." 

I nodded, "Well, not much he could do about it." I said, 

"It's done." 

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

"Now, Husband." Mother said as I walked into the room, "Do not be angry, I know you didn't want him to but....." 

Father frowned as he looked at me, "Your hair." He said, "You cut it?" 

I stopped in front of the table that had food prepared all over it, "Yes." 

"Huh." He said as his eyes scanned me up and down, processing the sight of this new me, "Why?" 

"Because I felt like it." I said with a frown of my own, "What are you going to do about it?" 

He raised an eyebrow, "Oh?" 

Mother sat down next to him and leaned towards him, "No, it was because Helaena said she'd like it." She said with a slight smile, "Isn't that sweet?" 

"H-Helaena said she'd like it?" He said with a surprised look, "A-Are you serious? The Great Baelon Targaryen, The Bold Rider of The Black Dread. He cut his own hair because he younger sister would like it?" 

"You got a problem with that?" I muttered as I looked away

He chuckled, "Hehe, that is...." He said with a smile, "That is actually humorous. Sit down." 

I sighed and sat down in the chair, "Where are the rest?" 

"It's just us." He said, "They, like you, do as they please. The perks of being royalty." 

I nodded, "Okay." 

"You look like your grandfather." Father said, "I cannot be surprised, you do act like him sometimes. Always so unruly, always so positive. No, scratch that, that's more of Mother than Father." 

I nodded, "Mhm." 

"It's like both their souls fused into one and went into your frail little body when you were born." He said as he began to cut into his steak, "I find it to be ridiculous, the spitting image you are of both of them. I have vivid memories of the two of them, it is difficult to forget them." 

I nodded again, "Hm." 

I began to eat my food as I drank from my cup as he kept stealing glances at me. 

"You know, I wanted you to be like my Uncle, Aemon." He said, "He had long hair and was a great warrior, elegant and dignified." 

"Should've named me Aemon, then." I said as I took a bite off a piece of bread, "Now, you're stuck with Baelon the Second." 

He chuckled as he looked at Mother, who smiled, "Look at this one...." He said, "So....has Helaena seen you?" 

I shook my head, "No." I said, "Not yet. I wonder if she'll like it." 

"She will." He said, "I trust that she will." 

"She's the one that wanted it."