Chapter CLXIX: The least favorites

The rain poured steadily outside, its rhythmic patter against the castle windows blending with the muffled sounds of Queen Isabella’s cries as she went into labor to bring the eighth child of the Dragon King into the world. Rya stood in the dimly lit hallway, her arms crossed, her gaze fixed on her father from a certain distance. The King stood motionless before the heavy doors of the royal chambers, his broad shoulders tense, his head slightly bowed as if carrying the weight of the world.

Zayr approached silently, his boots barely making a sound on the polished floor. He stopped beside his sister, following her line of sight.

“He always does this,” Rya said softly, her voice almost lost in the rain and distant cries. “He stands there for hours until the baby comes... He doesn’t eat, drink, or even sleep. It’s like he refuses to live until he’s sure she’s going to survive.” She let out a small, wistful sigh. “Imagine being loved that much by someone.”

Zayr smirked faintly, breaking the heavy mood. “Well, sister, maybe you’ll know soon enough. As soon as one of those knights you’ve been meeting with past midnight knocks you up.”

Rya turned sharply, jabbing him in the ribs with her elbow. “And I wonder if Mother and Father would be pleased to know about the times you and Ikkar sneak off to the village to spend some nights in a pleasure house?”

Zayr winced but rolled his eyes. “It was a joke, Rya. No need to hit so hard.” Then he added with a cheeky grin, “But pregnancy is still a much bigger problem for you than it is for me anyway.”

“I’m careful enough, thank you,” Rya snapped, though her lips twitched with a small smile.

They stood in silence for a moment, the queen’s anguished cries filling the void between them.

Zayr broke the quiet, his voice unusually somber. “He never got to stand at our door, you know... To wait for us to be born. To welcome us to the world.” He paused, his eyes darkening. “We were far away in Allendor and he was here, unaware of our existence.”

Rya exhaled slowly, her expression softening. “Well, maybe that’s why we’re the least favorites.”

Zayr snorted. “Oh, no, there’s Kai. No way we lose to him.”

For a moment, their shared humor lifted the tension, but the queen’s cries pierced the air again, making Rya flinch. She hugged herself tightly.

“It’s painful to hear this...” she murmured. “When we were kids, at least Lady Alicent would take us to play, to distract us from the fact that Mother was being... Ripped apart.”

Zayr’s expression shifted, his usual smugness replaced by a rare flicker of empathy. “I think I understand Father now,” he said quietly.

Rya glanced at him, frowning. “What do you mean?”

“He must feel guilty as fuck,” Zayr said, his voice low but certain. He looked at her, his face unusually solemn. “He’s the one who did this to her, after all.”

***

The storm outside matched the chaos inside as Talia struggled to keep Mahir, Dayan, and Kira under control. Mahir and Dayan were wrestling on the floor, their laughter quickly turning to shrieks of annoyance as they shoved each other back and forth. Kira, meanwhile, had planted herself firmly in front of Talia, her tiny fists clenched and her face red with tears.

“I want to see Mama!” Kira wailed, stomping her foot.

“Kira, sweetie, the Queen is busy,” she said gently, though her voice was edged with exhaustion. “She can’t see you right now.”

“I want to see her!” Kira screamed, her tiny fists clenching. Her little face was red, tears streaming as she refused to be consoled.

Talia glanced at Mahir and Dayan, who had escalated their wrestling match into a full-blown scuffle, and felt her composure slipping. Talia pressed her lips together, exhaustion weighing heavily on her shoulders. Just as she felt on the brink of breaking down with exhaustion, the door opened, and Ikkar stepped in.

The eldest prince surveyed the scene—Mahir and Dayan locked in a mock battle, Kira mid-tantrum, and Talia visibly drained. Without saying a word, he strode over to Mahir and Dayan, he reached the boys and effortlessly separated them, his voice firm but calm.

“Enough, you two,” he said. “Go sit down.”

Mahir and Dayan grumbled but obeyed, retreating to opposite corners of the room. Kira darted to him, latching onto his leg like a vine. “Ikkar! Lady Talia won’t let me see Mama! I need to see her!”

Ikkar knelt down, prying her gently off his leg so he could look her in the eyes. “Kira, listen to me,” he said, his tone calm but serious. “Mama is really busy right now. She’s working very hard to bring our new brother or sister into the world. It’s not easy for her. Have you thought about this, Kira? You’re going to be a big sister now, just like I’m your big brother.”

Kira sniffled, her big eyes staring at him, filled with worry. “Is Mama going to be alright? Will she still play with me?”

Ikkar’s expression softened. “Mama will be fine,” he assured her. “But she’ll need to take care of the baby for a little while. That doesn’t mean she won’t play with you. She’ll play with both of you soon. But right now, we all need to behave and be good. Can you do that for me?”

Kira’s bottom lip quivered, but she nodded slowly, wiping her tears on her sleeve. Ikkar’s expression grew more serious as he continued. “But right now, you all need to calm down and behave, alright? Lady Talia must be really tired of you three acting like little kids.”

Kira sniffled but gave a small nod of agreement. Behind her, Talia let out a quiet, shaky breath, her shoulders relaxing as she caught Ikkar’s gaze. She whispered softly, her voice full of sincerity, “Thank you.”

Ikkar settled himself on the floor, letting Kira climb onto his lap with a book she’d insisted on bringing over. He held her steady as she eagerly leafed through the pages, her small finger tracing the words she struggled to sound out. Every so often, he would quietly correct her or read a passage aloud, his voice soothing and low.

The room fell into a rare moment of peace, and Talia used the lull to gather her thoughts. After a moment, she mustered the courage to break the silence. “You didn’t have to stay, Your Highness,” she said softly, glancing over at him. “It’s my duty to look after them.”

Ikkar looked up, his expression warm but resolute. “It’s not a problem,” he replied, a faint smile playing on his lips. “Everyone knows you take good care of them, Talia... I just wanted to help.” He hesitated briefly, then added, “And I could really use the distraction right now.”

Talia studied him for a moment, her brows knitting in concern. “The queen will be fine,” she said gently, as much to reassure herself as him.

Ikkar gave her a faint smile, though his eyes betrayed his lingering unease. “I know,” he said softly, but he didn’t elaborate. Instead, he looked down at Kira, who was happily absorbed in her book, and rested his chin lightly on her head.

“It was my first memory, you know,” Ikkar smiled faintly but didn’t meet Talia’s eyes. “Visiting my mother on her childbed after Rya and Zayr were born. I must’ve been Kira’s age when Dayan was born… And I remember the weird, anxious rage of not being allowed to see her for some mysterious, complicated reason. Deep down, I knew something was happening, even if no one told me. I’m the eldest, looking after them is also my duty.”

Talia smiled softly. “You’re a good brother.”

Ikkar looked down, realizing that Kira had fallen asleep in his arms. As Talia moved to take her, Ikkar shook his head. “I’ve got her.”

He rose effortlessly, carrying his sister to her bed and tucking her in gently.

The boys laughed too loudly at some private joke, and Ikkar turned to them with a sharp look. “Keep it down,” he warned. “Your sister’s asleep.”

Mahir rolled his eyes. “Why can’t we leave the room?”

Ikkar crouched to meet their gaze, his tone soft but firm. “If you promise to behave, I’ll let you play in my room.”

The boys lit up, racing for the door without a second thought.

As Ikkar moved to follow them, he hesitated, glancing back at Talia. His eyes lingered, intense and thoughtful, and Talia felt her cheeks warm under his gaze.

“I’ll play with them for a while,” he said softly. “Take some time for yourself.”

Talia blinked, flustered. “You really don’t have to—”

“I know,” he interrupted gently. “I want to.”

Their eyes met, and a small, shy smile passed between them before he left with the boys.