The men called Lord Kaiser's squire a Ser already because they knew it was only a matter of time.
The six men gulped, finding the tall beast of a man overwhelming. None of them wanted to make rounds on the city wall as punishment. They'd already finished their shift.
"I see. Have I not given you enough work, lads, that you've time to sit and gossip like it's a whore's den?"
The six jerked, scared of Squire Chett's loud scolding. The man had a voice comparable to Lord Kaiser.
"I warned every one of you never to gossip about Lord Kaiser. It's the devil's own tongue. Were you spying on him? Speak true! For if you were, I'll be the one right proud to lay my blade across your necks."
The six men looked down, shivering.
"N-No… Ser… We would never dare."
"You, Seamas, you were there with us at Maidenpool. Lord Kaiser gave his warning clearly enough, no room for gossip. So what's this prophecy rot you've been prattling on about? Speak it. Let's hear what wisdom your old nan's filled your head with."
"It's true!" Seamas declared, not backing down. "It's true, Ser. He's the one me old nan always spoke of. She said the day the giants walk South, the North'll roar and the whole realm'll kneel."
"..."
The five other men were silent. Ser Chett was silent. Everyone looked at Seamas as if he had gone mad.
"Is that so? And what more did your old nan have to say, then?"
"Somethin' 'bout the North freezin' an' ice an' fire, but I don't recall it all. Old Nan died years back. I remember the giant's part 'cause... Well, they're giants, ain't they? I swear it, Ser. Our lord's the giant of the prophecy."
"..."
Pat!
Seamas went silent when he felt Ser Chett's hand fall on his shoulder. He gulped, looking up at the tall man's face.
"Seamas, you're a good man, no doubt of it. Likely you'll be among the first chosen for higher lessons, rise to lieutenant, then captain, mayhaps even commander if you prove worthy. You'll have hundreds of men looking to you. And still, you're squandering it on tales and fancies. If I hear of this prophecy once more, I'll have your head struck off. Same for the lot of you. Am I understood?"
"Aye, Ser!"
The six stiffly saluted and watched Ser Chett walk away. They didn't relax until the man disappeared. Then they slumped onto the floor, groaning.
"Damn ye, Seamas! Why'd ye have to run yer mouth?"
Seamas glared at Jorran. "I speak no lies."
"I'm starving." Another said and walked away. "I heard nothing."
"Me neither."
One by one, only Seamas was left alone. But then, he also shrugged and walked. He was just a soldier, after all. He had better things to do.
Like eating delicious food that the Lord Kaiser gave to all men-at-arms.
####
Ramsgate Castle,
After a hard day at work, covered in mud, Wylis returned to his castle and took a bath in the hot spring. Joining him were Rhaenys and his son, Magnus. Both had gone to play in the private forest and ended up covered in dirt like him. They were learning footwork and practicing swords from Wenda.
Afterwards, he arrived at the inner, smaller dining hall. Cozy, warm, and reserved for his big family. He found all his children there; the women were arriving one after another. Brandon was already there, enjoying a cup of wine.
But Wylis noticed a figure missing when everyone took their seats.
"Where is Rhaella?"
"She felt some discomfort and decided to rest in her bedchamber," Elia replied.
Ah, the second trimester is ending.
Wylis nodded and got up. "She's not to skip her meals. I'll make her something and dine with her. You all should eat without me."
Ignoring the little giggles the women gave him, he walked into the kitchen, startling the maids working there. All he did was give them a few encouraging words and got to work. Since spice was accessible in Ramsgate for his castle, most of the food that the maids made for them was flavorful.
But for a pregnant woman, flavor wasn't always palatable. So, he grilled some chicken and glazed it with some honey. He used no spice, just a little bit of salt. Since chickpeas were common, he made some hummus and vegetable sticks.
As he'd already optimised diets for all women, pregnant or not, he made sure to follow it. Rhaella currently eats small meals five to six times a day so she won't feel any discomfort. He also tracked fibers and proteins to keep them healthy. Daily walks were mandated.
Soon, he prepared a large tray with food and walked to Rhaella's bedchamber. The tray was large because most of it was his food.
Knock! Knock!
A maid was standing outside Rhaella's bedchamber; it was her duty to always be ready to answer the call. He passed her a smile and walked inside the ex-queen's room. It was airy, the window was open, letting in a soothing breeze. Pots of her favorite flowers were placed around the room, giving it a sweet scent.
Candles were lit nearly everywhere, illuminating the bechamber well. Especially near the bedside, as he found Rhaella lounging with her back against the headboard, legs under the quilt, a book in her hands.
Gorgeous.
Just as the first time he'd seen Rhaella, the woman still had ethereal beauty to herself. Her warm, gentle nature seemingly radiated from her, as if pheromones. Dressed in a loose, full-sleeved, thin white gown, her silvery hair combed and free-falling around her shoulders, she was a sight to behold. Her kissable pink lips curved in a welcoming smile, a smile that could be seen through her lilac eyes as well.
"My lord?"
"Lord?" Wylis turned around to see the door. "Where? Me? I'm just Wylis. Rhaella's Wylis, if you will. Here to feed you with my own little hands."
"Little?" Rhaella chuckled. "Forgive me, I caused you trouble."
"Trouble? Gods, I don't have to hear Brandon ramble at the table, thanks to you," Wylis said. He walked around the bed to the empty side and slid onto it, tucking his legs beneath the quilt till he sat snug beside Rhaella, the heavy tray of food resting in his lap.
Rhaella smiled softly and drew nearer, letting her shoulder and sides touch his. "I'm not unwell, Wylis. Truly, you needn't trouble yourself so. I'm quite well, I promise you."
"Not worry for the mother of my children? Rhaella, you ask the impossible," Wylis said, slicing a bit of chicken while it was still warm. "Come now, eat a little. Your body needs it. Gods know it does. All my children come into this world larger than most."
Rhaella giggled, slid an arm around his biceps, held it firmly against her full breast, feeling his masculine presence, and then bit the piece of meat he offered on the fork. She simply couldn't bring herself to refuse him.
Wylis ate some as well, making small talk with the woman who could have been mistaken for an angel if Targaryens weren't so damned known and hated. One by one, he fed her small bites until all of her portion was finished. It took him a few more big bites to finish his.
After that, he poured themselves two glasses of mildly flavored wine to wash the aftertaste. He then lounged back in the bed, head and some of his back propped by pillows. Rhaella was snug against him, hugging him from the side, her head on his shoulder.
His one hand caressed her back while her soft hand rubbed his chest.
"Wylis… what do you think Daenerys' future will be like?"
"You mean my daughter's?" Wylis said, catching the faint blush on her pale face. It took all he had not to kiss her brow. "She's but two. Too soon to say what she'll be. She's mine, and she'll choose her own road. A warrior, a singer, a scribe, a wanderer. Blood or no, she sleeps on my chest all the same. And…"
He turned a little and looked at Rhaella. His one hand held her chin, his thumb rubbed her lips. "What's yours is mine."
Rhaella almost moaned as she smiled and parted her lips, taking his thumb in her mouth and giving it a soft bite, and then suckling.
Wylis felt her hand slide down from his chest and rest on his loins. He felt her hand recoil instantly, her eyes focused on his.
"Wylis? You…"
Wylis shrugged. "What? Can't fault a man for being aroused by his gorgeous woman."
Aye, Wylis was hard as a rock.
"Then… would you like to…"
He shook his head before she could finish. "Rhaella, any day, any hour, my answer would be yes. Always yes. But we can't. You know I'm a bit too much, and… I'd not risk hurting you, not now."
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Advance chapters on [PATREON] are in long-form format. I have 12 long chapters of this story on P@treon. That's equal to 45-50 Webnovel chapters.
Check out Solo Dacey Mormont & Wylis X Elia NSFW art, and advance chapters at [email protected]/MrPlotThickens Or Subscribestar.adult/mrplotthickens
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