"Where's Aegon?" Alicent emerged from the cabin after changing her youngest son's diaper, carrying Daeron, who was still sucking his fingers. Her gaze lingered on Helaena for a moment before sweeping across the deck, her brows drawing together slightly. "Did Aemond go to Dragonstone with Aegon?"
She wore a deep green silk gown, its neckline embroidered with miniature Hightower motifs representing her birth family. Several pregnancies had left her belly a little fuller, but only added to her mature grace.
Viserys suddenly dry-heaved again, inevitably drawing her attention. She watched his hunched back, her emerald eyes brimming with worry.
One-year-old Daeron lay quietly curled in his mother's arms, his pale violet eyes watching the gulls passing overhead with curiosity. Now and then, he let out a soft babble.
As the youngest son of Viserys and Alicent, Daeron naturally received a great deal of affection. Born in 114 AC, he was now only a year old. He could already recognize his parents' faces, but could not yet walk.
Everyone knew Alicent favored her youngest son. Even when attending a grand occasion like this, she refused to leave him in the nursery at the Red Keep.
But only Alicent knew that favoritism was not the only reason she refused to put Daeron down.
Her precious Aegon was already eight. He no longer needed her as his mother.
Ever since the betrothal had been settled four years ago, Aegon's heart had flown entirely to Rhaenyra.
By day, he rode his dragon alongside Rhaenyra as they patrolled the Seven Kingdoms. When he returned to the Red Keep at night, he always ran to Rhaenyra's chambers first.
Even during those rare moments he spent with his mother, he was always saying, "Rhaenyra said this," or "Rhaenyra thinks that"-as though his entire world revolved around the