(Baelon's POV)
"You know..." Helaena said seriously, "Father has to know about this."
I looked at her, "Yes." I said, "There is no doubt about that."
"When will you tell him?" she asked me as she sat down and held Valerion in her arms, "Do not wait too long, Baelon."
"I do not know." I said as I sat down next to her, "It is all too much for me to even process."
"Right...." She said softly, "Well.....I hope he takes it well."
"Hm...." I said
"What will you do?" She asked me, "Now that you have learned what happened."
"After Min tells us what she knows, I will probably make a move." I said as I hunched my head, "I don't know."
"I see...." She said, "I hope you make the right choice.....and if you do intend to go.....over there...be careful."
"I will." I said
The doors to the room opened and I saw Rhaenyra walk in holding the babe, Min was walking slowly behind her.
I saw the way she held the babe, she was so graceful and beautiful, akin to a goddess. She was just like Helaena in that regard. She had a warm smile on her face as she walked over to us, looking at the babe.
"Min has calmed down" Rhaenyra said as she stood in front of us, patting the babe's cheek, "And she will tell us what she knows...."
I looked at Min, who stood behind Rhaenyra, a worried look on her face, "Is that so?" I said, "Thank you."
She looked down, her face still had a bit of exhaustion in it. I could tell she was anxious as well, like she was not sure what to do or say.
"It is okay, Min." Rhaenyra told her, "You need not worry. You are free to speak your mind."
"I...." She started, "I am sorry."
I looked at her, "For what?"
"For making you feel this way." She said, "I am sorry. You....you are married...and I know you are a good man.....and the fact that I brought you a bastard....it must be an issue for your marriage."
I frowned and looked away, "Hm...."
"Do not worry about that." Rhaenyra said, "The circumstances that this child came to be is neither Baelon's fault nor is it yours."
"I know...." Min said, "But still....I...I should have gotten rid of-"
"Stop." Helaena said, "I understand your feelings and I apologize for everything that has happened to you. But do not speak that way. We do not hate you for this, we do not hate the child. It must have been terrible, yes....but you are here now....and I want to thank you for being brave....for believing in us....for bringing the child with us....."
She nodded, "T-Thank you, Princess..." She said, her voice getting shaky, "I am graced by your kindness."
I looked at her, "Let us get to it." I said, "What do you know?"
"Baelon." Rhaenyra frowned
"Before she gets overwhelmed by the rightful anxiety again, i would like to know as much information as possible." I said, "So, Min, tell us what you know."
She nodded, "R-Right..." She said softly, "M-Myr...."
"What of it?" I asked
"They are mostly based in Myr." She said, "G-Gael and Erys....they move around alot....with their brother....but they have a base in Myr in which they have total control of....."
"I see..." I said, "How is it they have control?"
"I do not know." She said softly, "They have a large band of mercenaries that a single dark-skinned man commands...he is in charge of everything...the majority of them you wiped out but he is known to easily recruit men to the cause. I once saw him speaking to the other brother after they came back from a battle.....he mentioned a promise to their mother...."
"Saera...." I said
"Y-Yes.." She said, "I think.....and well, I assume that he became in charge of them.....because of her....."
"So Saera was acquainted with this man who can gather mercenaries and he what, looks out for them?" I asked
"I-In a way...." She said, "That is all I know....."
"How many more?" I asked, "Gael has brothers, does she not? I know of Erys and this other one. Any more that we should know about?"
"T-There was.....D-Daron....Lynn....Erys..." She started, "And.....two more...but they disappeared a long time ago...nobody has seen them since...their mother left...."
"Saera...." I said, "She is alive? I figured she would be dead, she is much older than Father."
"There could be a way for her to survive." Rhaenyra said, "But maybe she left and died somewhere else in Essos."
"So they are based in Myr mostly." I said, "Do you know where exactly?"
"I....I can point to it on the map...." Min said, "I do not know much of the names....."
I nodded, "Fine."
"W-What will become of me....?" She asked, "I-I know you will more than likely keep the babe...b-but....I...."
I sighed and stood up, "You will stay here." I said, "You will be taken care of. I will have you work as one of the servants to avoid suspicion and keep appearances up. The King and Queen occasionally come and visit. Dragonstone is where you will stay, it will be safe for you here. Rhaenyra and Helaena's handmaidens will teach you what you need to know and they will treat you well. I know they are treated well, they are fed well and they have warm beds to sleep at night."
She nodded, "T-Thank you..."
"Elinda will guide you in your first few days." Rhaenyra said, "There is plenty of things you need to learn and grow accustomed to here in Dragonstone. It is mostly the Dragons and their sounds that you have to be careful with. Do not wander to the Dragonmont if you value your life."
"How blunt...." Helaena chuckled
"A-And.....the child?" Min asked
"She stays." Rhaenyra said as she looked at her, "We will care for her. Of course, being one of the handmaidens, you will have your turn.....after all, we will keep appearances....if you want, that is...."
Min looked down, "I...."
"She will be taken care of...." Helaena said with a smile, "Right, Baelon?"
I walked towards the door, "Right..."
"Where are you going?" Rhaenyra asked
I stopped, "I have something to do."
"Do not go." She said, "I have decided on a name."
Min looked at her, "Princess...?"
"You are the mother." Rhaenyra said, "Will you allow me the honor?"
Min nodded, "Y-Yes...."
Rhaenyra smiled, "I named my daughter after my Mother...." She said, "And I never thought I would have another one.....and I did want another one....but....I suppose this is as close as I will get....."
"You....you have claimed her as yours?" Min said with surprise, "I....I am surprised, Princess...."
"She is a beautiful child...she does not deserve to be hated...." Rhaenyra said, "I will show her affection, what she deserves."
"Thank you..." Min said as she began to shed tears, "Thank you...."
"Daella." Rhaenyra said softly
I looked at her, "W-What?"
"I wish to name her Daella." She said as she looked at me, "After our Grandmother...."
"B-But....Rhaenyra...." I said as I took a step forward, "You wanted to name your daughter after her, to give her that name....this one...she is not-"
"But she is yours." Rhaenyra said softly, "Daella's blood is in hers..."
"I...." I said, "Rhaenyra....I...."
"Tell me, Baelon, when will I have another daughter?" She asked as she looked at the babe, "I have made up my mind, you gave me leave to do so."
"It is decided then." Helaena spoke up, "Little Daella...."
"Such a beautiful name~"