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When she asked the role of being the rightful Queen’s Mistress of Whispers, she never could have imagined that this would become her life. That someone like Rhaenyra- dragon riding Valyrain royalty- would give someone like her-lowborn foreign whore- so much. Yet Mysaria now finds herself sitting on the Queen’s council her voice heard and thus the voice of the small folk finally being listened to greatly by those who reside over them, sipping on the Queen’s finest wines, eating the Queen’s food and sleeping in the Queen's bed.
She is Queen consort in all but name and almost everyone in King’s Landing knows it, but no one dares to voice such a thing. Fears of the dragon's wrath silencing them.
Her duties have grown with such a thrust in power. Daemon being Daemon cares for little but himself and upon finding his place by Rhaenyra’s side gone via his own selfish actions sent him running back to Dragonstone to whine and pout to his uncaring daughter and good son. Both of them aware of Daemon's own failing and her relationship with their mother.
After the war, Prince Jacaerys and Lady Baela wed in front of the masses much to the delight and celebration of the small folk who saw the marriage as another step towards restoring peace and stability in the seven kingdoms.
Aemond the Kinslayer alongside his dragon were slain by the combined force of Rhaenyra, Daemon, Addam Velaryon and Hugh Hammer. Prince Dareon was forced to surrender under the respective power of Jacaerys Baela, Rhaena and Ulf. Both Prince Dareon, Princess Helaena and her daughter now reside in the Red Keep as Rhaenyra works on repairing the fractured bonds of her family. While Alicent Hightower remains locked away in the furthest tower for her actions leading up to and during the war.
The False King Aegon fled in the middle of the night with Lord Larys Strong. No one not even her has been able to locate them but they will turn up eventually. And with every day that passes Rhaenyra secures her hold on the throne and the might of the dragons more and more.
It was a whirlwind of chaos, brutality, fear and love as she and Rhaenyra grew closer and started to understand each other more or more. Upon taking the city Rhaenyra moved Mysaria into the royal chambers and they used the secret passages to be able to spend the night with each other. Their secrecy was a necessity at the start but as more and more people began to catch on to how their new Queen simply showers her Mistress of Whispers with gifts and affection their relationship became less of a secret and more of an unaddressed everyday fact.
Her newfound duties as the Queen’s unofficial concert were running the household and making sure everything in the keep was running properly. Yet even with her growing responsibilities she never would have assumed her greatest challenge wouldn’t be keeping the nobles and servants in line, nor keeping her spy network operating and expanding it over the rest of the kingdoms making sure the Queen will never be blindsided again.
No, her most difficult task lies in making sure that the new Queen actually looks after herself. At first, Rhaenyra’s dedication to keeping her people safe and restoring order was something Mysaria greatly admired about her. The constant and true need to be a good ruler far succeeding her own desires was a sign of the kind of ruler Rhaenyra was and would grow into.
However, the downside to that dedication is the mere fact that Rhaenyra will run herself ragged trying to fix everything.
On more then one occasion Mysaria has awoken to an empty bed only to find her lover perched at her desk looking over scrolls and letters. A familiar sight during their time on Dragonstone but one that should have passed with the end of the war. She has also skipped far too many meals for Mysaria’s liking leading to the White Worm having to dine with Rhaenyra every morning and night under the disguise of looking over plans in order to get the Queen to at least nibble on her meals.
Not that she minds having to dine with Rhaenyra, but she would prefer to do it without the constant worry that if she doesn’t the Queen wouldn’t eat. Coaxing the Queen to bed was much easier at the start using their all-consuming desire for each other tiring both of them out.
And although their desire for each other hasn't sizzled out or weighed in their many moons together, Rhaenyra still can’t fight the constant need to be working towards the betterment of her people. Hence Mysaria waking up on more than one occasion to a cold bed. Her worry for Rhaenyra growing more and more.
Which is why when Mysaria wakes up alone for the tenth day in a row she decides enough is enough. If Rhaenyra doesn’t stop acting like this, she is going to hurt herself. Throwing back the covers Mysaria roots for her hastily discarded nightgown before leaving the lowering warmth of their bed to curl around the steady heat of her dragon. Winter is far too cold for her to sleep alone.
Any time is too cold to sleep alone in her new reality but Winter is by far the worst time for Rhaenyra to pull this on her. She refuses to climb back into bed without her loveable furnace wrapped around her chasing the cold away.
Finding her was not difficult as Rhaenyra was once again sitting at her desk going over the notes from their council meeting earlier in the day. Silent as a shadow Mysaria slips across the dark room until she is directly behind Rhaenyra wrapping her arms around the Queen and resting her head on her shoulder. “You should be sleeping.” She mumbles her voice still heavy with sleep.
Her appearance startled Rhaenyra momentarily before the Queen recognised who was hugging her settling further into Mysaria’s arms. Rhaenyra turns her head so she can place a series of small kisses along the side of Mysaria's head in greeting. “As should you.” Rhaenyra refutes nestling into Mysaria’s neck. Her favourite place to rest her head.
“How can I sleep when you’re so far away.” She pouts knowing the effect it will have on Rhaenyra. Her lover had made it one of her life missions to make sure that Mysaria always felt loved and cared for. That no matter what might befall her she would make sure Mysaria would always be treated kindly and respected.
She heard from Baela that Rhaenyra had made Jacaerys promise that if she was to die then he would see to Mysaria's welfare. A sweet gesture but in truth, she would rather have Rhaenyra by her side then having the young Prince making sure he was well looked after.
She would rather have Rhaenyra in her life then all the riches in the world. Something that her younger self would have frowned upon. Before Rhaenyra she never trusted anyone and sought to do as much good for her people as possible before death claimed her like it always does.
She looked upon the high-born and royalty, especially with disinterest and annoyance at how they treated people they believed to be below them. Now she would gladly give her life if it meant the Queen was protected and the mere thought of losing her was something unfathomable. How one person could change her so much she has no idea. But being around Rhaenyra has made her a better person. Just another reason why she loves her so.
Rhaenyra sighs tightening her hold on Mysaria. “I’m sorry, there’s just so much work to do.” Tiredness leaked into Rhaenyra’s voice only making Mysaria more certain in her mission this evening.
“There will always be work to be done Rhaenyra. But you need to sleep as well. You're no good to anyone exhausted.” She tries to argue.
But her sound reasoning falls on deaf ears. Rhaenyra pulls back exhaustion evident in her features and this conversation only adds more to the weight she is trying to bear alone. “I’ll rest properly when the realms are firmly secured under my reign. Until then I must make sure everyone is cared for. Aegon still has support and if I dwindle in my responsibilities, they will jump back to supporting him.”
Seeing that using the Queen’s own health as sound enough reasoning she brings out her greatest weapon.
Letting go of Rhaenyra she moves around the chair until she can sit across Rhaenyra’s lap resting her head against the silver-haired woman’s. “Please Rhaenyra I can’t sleep without you. I don’t want to have to sleep without being lovingly wrapped in your arms. It makes me feel safe and loved. When your not there it’s cold and lonely. A reminder of my life before you. I don’t want to feel like that anymore.”
Was it a manipulative to use her own vulnerabilities in order to sway Rhaenyra to go back to bed? Yes. Was it necessary also yes. Besides what she is saying isn’t a lie. She does feel like that. She hates waking up alone as sometimes when she does she thinks that maybe she dreamed the whole thing. People like her don't get to live as she does and in those moments it all feels more like a distant dream then the truth. That it was all some kind of hidden craving that had finally fought itself back to the surface despite the many walls she put up to protect herself.
But she never would have told Rhaenyra this fearing she would be acting selfishly.
Rhaenyra’s face drops as she reaches out to tentatively cup Mysaria's face with one hand while the other wraps around her keeping her securely situated on Rhaenyra’s lap tugging her closer. “Why did you never tell me this.”
“Because you are Queen, and I know how seriously you take your duties.” She admits her voice dropping to a whisper fearing to voice her own desires. “I didn’t want to be selfish.”
“You are far from selfish Ñuha pendagon.” (My Wonder) Rhaenyra mummers pressing softly kissing to head, cheeks and nose. “I’m sorry I ever made you feel like that. I will endeavour to do better from now.”
Fighting the flicker of a smile she asks, “So, you’ll come back to bed. And remain there.”
“Of course. Ñuha pendagon.” Rhaenyra promises pressing a slow apologetic kiss to her lips. One Mysaria savours before tugging Rhaenyra back to their bed.
The coldness of the room slowly melts away as they lay under the covers together. Mysaria is safely wrapped in Rhaenyra’s embrace as the silver-haired woman presses more kisses into her hair. Relishing the onslaught of affection, Mysaria sinks further back into Rhaenyra’s warmth and love.
“I love you Mysaria,” Rhaenyra whispers reverently. Her nose brushing up against the side of Mysaria's neck as Rhaenyra berries herself back into her favourite spot.
Closing her eyes she allows Rhaenyra’s words to cocoon in her heart washing away all the worries of the day. “I love you too. Now sleep.” She orders feeling Rhaenyra smile into her.
“Of course, Ñuha pendagon.” Rhaenyra teases back lightly. Ignoring how Mysaria shushes her moments after. Instead choosing to bury herself into Mysaria’s hair and intertwining their hands over Mysaria’s stomach.
It may be a difficult part of her job making sure Rhaenyra looks after herself but it’s a task she would never allow another to do. This is hers and her alone. And she loves every second of it.