chapter 8

As the tournament was in progress, Rhaenyra sat in the above stands, eagerly watching the jousting knights battle it out. The sun was shining brightly, and the breeze was refreshing against her skin. She was fully engrossed in the excitement of the competition, and the cheers of the crowd only added to her enjoyment.

Suddenly, a low murmur began to spread through the stands like wildfire. Rhaenyra and Alicent turned to see what was happening. They noticed Otto Hightower and Corlys Velaryon whispering to some of the other spectators, but then Rhaenyra's heart stopped as she heard a whisper that seemed directed at her.

In that moment, Rhaenyra's heart began to race as she heard the devastating news. They were whispering about her mother's death while giving birth. Her world shattered at that moment.

Not only that, the baby that was supposed to be birthed also died. Her breath caught in her throat, and she felt like she was drowning in the news. Her mother was gone, and she had no chance to say goodbye, to tell her how much she loved her.

Rhaenyra's mind struggled to process it. She felt the color drain from her face as she realized that her mother was never coming back. The thrill of the tournament faded away, replaced by a numbness that washed over her. She had been so caught up in the excitement of the day that the sudden news felt like a physical blow to her.

For Rhaenyra, the news hit hard. Her mother was gone, and with her, a part of Rhaenyra's own identity was lost. She was the daughter of the queen, and now that she was gone, Rhaenyra was left to face the world on her own.

As she sat there, Rhaenyra felt a deep sense of loneliness and isolation. The world around her seemed to fade away, leaving only her grief and pain behind. She wanted to scream, to let out all the emotions that were swirling inside of her, but she held back, not wanting to make a scene in front of the other spectators.

In that moment, Rhaenyra realized that nothing would ever be the same again. Her mother was gone, and with her, a whole world of possibilities had disappeared. Rhaenyra was left to pick up the pieces of her shattered life and try to make sense of the tragedy that had befallen her.

Alicent put a comforting hand on Rhaenyra's shoulder, but she was too consumed with her own emotions to take much comfort in it. She felt a lump in her throat as she tried to hold back her sobs, not wanting to make a scene in front of the other spectators. She was grateful for Alicent's presence, but she knew that her friend couldn't take away her pain.

As the news continued to spread through the stands, the tournament continued on, but for Rhaenyra, it was as though the world had ground to a halt. She could barely focus on the events unfolding before her, her mind consumed by thoughts of Aemma and the baby who would never know its mother. The sound of swords clashing sounded as if it was happening in another world.

It was hard to imagine a future without her beloved mother, and Rhaenyra knew that she would have to be strong for her family. But in that moment, all she could do was sit there, feeling helpless and alone in her grief.