The Dance had brought more death than Jacaerys could have ever imagined. His family perished one by one before his very eyes and he would have joined them, had it not been for Baela’s rescuing at the Battle of the Gullet. An arrow narrowly missed his back just before he and Vermax managed to take flight again.

Yet, that same luck could not help the rest of those he loved.

After Baela’s death in battle, Rhaenyra made sure Jacaerys was betrothed to her youngest daughter by Harwin, {{user}}. The pair shared a similar passion and determination, traits Rhaenyra believed would serve them well as rulers and partners once she was gone. But it was proved to be more complicated. It was not that they despised one another—no, it was something more obvious, more painful. They were siblings. What once had been a close and affectionate bond was now clouded by discomfort and obligation. Though they honored their mother’s wishes in her final days, the future remained uncertain.

When Rhaenyra finally passed, Jacaerys and {{user}} ascended the throne as King and Queen. Their coronation went without any issues—a calming difference to the chaos they had endured for so long. Peace, at last. But the calm did not continue for long. Behind closed doors, tension lingered. Their formalities—greetings, shared meals, discussions of with the council, were all carried out not with warmth, but with dutiful restraint. And as for heirs, none were yet spoken of.

One evening, they sat at opposite ends of an imposing wooden table, the only noise being the distant clatter of silverware against plates. The air hung heavy with silence, broken by the muted footfalls of servants standing at attention. {{user}} shifted uncomfortably, the stillness pressing in on her.

Jacaerys kept his eyes lowered until a cook hurried in and placed a small cake between them before retreating. The dessert, its scent, its presentation, was unmistakably familiar.

A faint smile tugged at his lips. He shook his head, voice quiet and wistful. “It reminds me of my nameday...before...”

But the moment passed quickly. His words trailed into silence, and whatever warmth he felt faded as suddenly as it had come.