Chapter Text
Jace was greeted by Joffrey immediately upon entering his mother’s solar. Well it was more like tackled, but Jace figured that was more than fair as it had been several moons since he last saw him. Luckily for him, Joffrey was only ten and so Jace only stumbled slightly as he caught him and picked him up.
“Good morning, Mother,” Jace said, inclining his head to where his mother was sitting at a table laid with food. The invitation to break his fast with the Queen had come while Baela was retching into the chamber pot. The invitation was for both of them but since Baela wasn’t feeling well, it was just him.
There was a seat at the table for Joffrey and Jace sat him in the chair before sitting in his own.
“Where are Aegon and Viserys?” Jace asked.
“With the nursemaids,” his mother replied, “Where’s Baela?”
“She was still sleeping,” Jace lied smoothly, “We had a late night last night, I thought to let her sleep.”
His mother smiled knowingly and panic shot through Jace. Did she not believe him? Baela always said he needed to work on his lying.
She patted his hand, “Ah, young love,” Maybe she did believe him. If she had even an inkling that he was hiding something she would certainly be asking questions. “Do be careful not to be too demanding though.”
Too demanding?
Jace didn’t understand what his mother was talking about, but she didn‘t seem to suspect anything so he just nodded, “Of course, Mother.”
“You did tell her about what we had discussed last night though?” his mother asked.
“Yes, she agreed.”
As if she wouldn’t. Joffrey was as much her brother as he was his, he would always have a place with them.
His mother smiled, then looked at Joffrey, who had been happily eating his meal without paying much attention to them. “Joffrey,” she said, who’s head snapped up at his name, “I know you have been… unhappy, in the Red Keep. Jacaerys and Baela have offered to ward you on Dragonstone, if you would wish.”
Joffrey looked at Jace with wide eyes, “Really?”
Jace nodded, and Joffrey practically threw himself from his seat and into Jace’s side. He wrapped an arm around Joffrey instinctively and glanced up at his mother who had a small frown on her face.
At that moment, a knock sounded on the door and a servant ducked in.
The servant dipped into a bow, “Your Grace, I was sent to fetch Prince Joffrey for his lessons.”
Jace released Joffrey, “Go to your lessons,” he told him.
Joffrey pouted, “But I wanted to see Jace.”
“I’ll come find you after your lessons then, but you have to go to them first,” Jace compromised.
Joffrey considered it, then must have deemed it acceptable because he left the solar with the servant.
“Well, I’m glad he’s excited,” Jace comments once Joffrey is gone.
His mother looked troubled, “Yes, I- I did not expect him to be quite so enthusiastic.”
“I’m sure he just misses his home,” Jace said soothingly, “Before the war, Dragonstone was all he knew.”
“Perhaps,” she conceded, “I must admit, I have been busy lately and haven’t had the time with my children that I would wish for. Maester Gerardys was the one that brought concerns for him to me.”
“Concerns?” Jace asked.
“Just that he was not settling well. He’s about the same age as Luke when we moved to Dragonstone.” Jace suppressed a flinch at Luke’s name. It still felt like a knife in his chest even though it had been years. He didn’t think he would ever stop expecting his brother to be at his side when he turned. His mother, however, continued without even a pause, “You and him didn’t struggle at all with the move, it hadn’t crossed my mind to worry about it.”
Jace had the urge to laugh. He had hated Dragonstone at first, as had Luke. Luke had missed their uncles and their rooms, and the yard, and the Dragonpit and everything else there was to miss. And Luke had complained plenty- just not to their mother. Jace wouldn’t let him. It was impossible to not notice how much lighter she was at Dragonstone, with Daemon. He hadn't realized how unhappy she was until she wasn't. He hadn’t wanted to ruin it.
Of course he had come around to Dragonstone eventually. There’d been less people that cared to whisper about the color of his hair. He’d enjoyed that. Dragonstone had also eventually had Baela. He’d enjoyed that too.
“That is an easier adjustment, Dragonstone is much nicer than the Red Keep,” he said.
His mother laughed, “I hope you don’t hate the keep too much, It will one day be yours.”
“No, of course not,” he said, “I just-”
“I’m jesting, Jacaerys,” she said, “I understand. Dragonstone certainly has its perks.” Jace flushed a little, and his mother smiled, “I forget, sometimes, that the keep is not necessarily your home as it will always be mine.”
“Hopefully it will be a while until then.”
“I hope so too,” she said with a smile, “I have no plans of dying anytime soon so do not worry.”
He laughed a little, “That is good to hear.”
His mother shifted in her seat, “I suppose that brings up the other topic I wanted to discuss with you.”
“Yes?”
“Looking back, I have realized that perhaps my father did not do well in preparing me to be Queen, and if he had, maybe my ascension would have been easier,” she said.
Jace frowned, “The war was not due to any fault of your own, Mother. It was the greed of the Hightowers.”
“That is one way to look at it,” she reached out and grabbed his hand with hers, looking surprisingly serious, “I will not lie to you, Jacaerys. You have always been my heir- and you always will be- but there are people who think that you should not be.”
Jace swallowed uncomfortably at the change in topic, “Mother-”
“And it has been brought to my attention that your right to the throne may be challenged after my passing.” Jace felt a little hysterical. He always tried to be realistic and had known that many lords would be loath to accept a bastard on the throne, but he had always clung to his mother’s steadfastness in that he was a Targaryen and that was all that mattered. Her acknowledgement of it now, shook him.
“While I do not want to disturb your peace with Baela on Dragonstone, by my side, in King’s Landing is the best place for you to learn,” she released his hands, “That is why I asked you to come here more often, one week a moon, perhaps.”
“Yes,” he agreed, voice a little thick, “And Joffrey-”
“If Joffrey wishes to come with you he may,” she said, “although considering how excited he was I doubt I will see him anytime soon.”
Jace shook his head, “Don’t be so sure, I know he will miss his mother.”
“You’re too kind.” she wiped her hands on her napkin, and stood, “Thank you for joining me,” she said, “But I must go. I have a meeting to attend, and I’m sure Baela is up by now.”
Baela is probably done being ill and missing him by now.
Jace stood, “Of course, I need to talk to Baela before I go keep my promise to Joff.”
His mother laughed, “Do not let him drag you around too much.”
He waved a hand, “It’s no trouble.”
“Join us for supper tonight?” she asked, “The both of you?”
Jace nodded his assent and his mother swept out of the solar.