Tension V

(Baelon's POV)

"We should keep appearances." I told Rhaenyra as we sat in the table, "Just so others do not get the wrong idea." 

We were in my quarters, a table was set up to eat breakfast as some servants walked in and served us food. Helaena was getting ready to join us in just a little bit so Rhaenyra and I were there, waiting for her. 

She nodded, "R-Right." She said, "How would we do that?" 

"The way we appeared when we got married, serious and distant." I said as I looked down, "I do not want others to think that I was unfaithful to Helaena before I married you. If we appear to be close right away before my child is born, they will think just that." 

"I understand..." She said

"I spoke to the servants here." I said, "They will keep whatever they see and hear to themselves. Ser Robert will keep them in check and Maester Gerardys knows not to speak. Whatever happens in this castle, well, it is between all of us." 

"And what will happen, Baelon?" Rhaenyra asked, "You....you only hugged me last night....and left..." 

"I do not know." I said as I rubbed my temples, "I....well.....I do not know...." 

"Oh, you two are speaking?" I heard Helaena say

I looked up to see her slowly walking up to the table, a bright smile on her face. Immediately, I stood up and slid her chair out so she would sit on it. 

I leaned in and kissed her cheek, "My love." I said as I helped her sit down, "Are you hungry? We were waiting for you." 

She nodded, "I am hungry indeed." She said, "Sorry if I kept you waiting too long." 

"It is okay, sister." Rhaenyra gave her a smile, "Baelon and I were merely discussing some things." 

"Something I should know about?" Helaena asked as I sat back down

"Well...." I said, "The thing is....Rhaenyra and I decided to keep appearances." 

"Appearances?" She looked at me, "How so?" 

"I will admit, love...starting today and onwards, I will try my best to better my relationship with her." I said as I looked down, "I will stop being cold towards her. You were right, I love her. I care for her. She is our eldest sister, she means everything to us.....but....you are my wife..." 

"As is she." Helaena grabbed my hand

"I know...." I said as I looked at her, "But....people talk. The discord that was caused back then....they will think Rhaenyra and I had an affair....and I do not want that. We did not do such a thing and even if you know it, how are people going to react when all of the sudden, she and I are holding hands at every moment?" 

"So...." Helaena said as she looked at Rhaenyra, "What would this mean?" 

"I believe Baelon wants us to put up an act....keep appearances whenever we are not in King's Landing." She said, "At least for a good while.." 

"But here...?" Helaena said as she looked at me

"This is our safe place." I said as I scratched my cheek, "Whatever develops, we'll be in our natural state here...." 

"Oh." She said, "I agree with this then. As long as you treat her well." 

I noticed Rhaenyra was drinking wine from her cup, "He told me he loved me." 

"Ohh...?" Helaena said with an amused tone, "Is that so, Baelon?" 

I looked away, "Do not start." I said, "I...." 

"He held me from behind." Rhaenyra said, "Even kissed my cheek." 

"Baelon...." Helaena teased, "You are quite the lover, eh?" 

"Stop it..." I said, "This is awkward for me, I do not know what to do." 

Helaena leaned in to me and kissed my cheek, "You have no idea how happy that makes me." She said, "You should not neglect your wife. I want you to treat her like you treat me. Your heart is big enough for the both of us to share, I know it." 

I looked at her, her eyes were full of life and love, she was simply too beautiful to me. 

"It is all because of you...." I said softly, "You are the reason this is working as well as it is." 

"Hm, is that so?" Helaena said, "Well....in any case.....let us stop speaking and start eating." 

"I am starving." 

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

"You have not told me of the name, love..." Helaena said as I held her from behind, "I wish to know it." 

"I told you...." I said as I kissed her neck while gently holding her belly, "It is a surprise. And would you not know what it is? You saw a son in my dream. A Dragonknight that rides both bronze and red wings...." 

We were in her quarters, sitting on her bed. It was already nightfall and Helaena is to go to sleep early, she has been tired lately. I wanted to spend some time with her before she fell asleep and holding her like this was more than enough for me.

"Well, I saw a son....not a name..." She chuckled, "Can you give me a hint?" 

"Well...." I said, "A hint will give it away...but the moment you hear it, you will sigh and say 'I should have known', haha...." 

"Of course." She said as she looked at me, "These past couple of months....while I have been worried, they have been delightful, holding your child inside me....feeling our son growing by the day..." 

"Why would you be worried?" I asked her

"I have been gaining weight...." She said softly, "My breasts have gotten much larger....I wonder if I looked good." 

"You look beautiful." I said as I kissed her cheek, "Do not think otherwise." 

"Are you sure?" She asked

I nodded, "Yes." I said, "I do not lie when I say that my heart still flutters when I see you like this." 

"Oh, Baelon." She blushed, "You know how to flirt..." 

I chuckled, "Of course I do." 

"What will you do after I go to sleep?" She asked me

"I do not know." I said, "Perhaps sleep with you? I have been trying to rest more recently. I will go and have Maester Gerardys brew me a tea to sleep and come back." 

"Hm....I would like that." She said, "Sleeping in your arms is always a delight..." 

"Hm, yes...." I said as I hugged her, "Of course." 

"But...." She said, "I would like for you to be with Rhaenyra." 

"Eh?" I asked, "Why?" 

"We should take turns, you know." Helaena said with a chuckle, "Go sleep with her tonight." 

"I do not know, Helaena..." I said, "You are with child and that will seem like....." 

"You just said that whatever happens and develops here...it will stay here..." She said as she patted my cheek, "It is just us here, nobody else. Nobody will say anything, I know of it. You have been sleeping in your quarters whenever you do not sleep with me to not disturb me...it is no different..." 

"But...." I said

"Please." She asked, "Do it for me." 

"Why?" I asked

"I want her to feel as loved as I feel..." She said, "She has been through a lot. She needs this..." 

"I suppose so...." I said, "I just.....if I crawl into her bed.....something could happen, that is all I am afraid of." 

"Well..." she said, "Perhaps that is what I want. If you have pent-up urges, she can satisfy you while I am in this condition." 

"That feels wrong." I told her

"It is not." She said as she kissed me on the lips briefly, "I will not repeat myself again; she is your wife." 

I sighed, "I will try." 

"After the child comes and I recover..." She said, "You are mine and we will occupy this bedchamber nightly. Worry not about anything. Until then, spend some time with her." 

"Hm....." I said, "Fine...." 

"You win."