Chapter Text
Six years after King Baelor Targaryen ascended the throne, the crown needed more immediate heirs due to the lack of them.
The court began gossiping, as they always did, about the Crown Prince Valarr's marriage and its empty cradle.
And so, after seventeen years of fruitless marriage, Crown Prince Valarr Targaryen finally annulled his marriage to Kiera of Tyrosh.
It was not an easy decision for the crown, yet it had to be done. Seventeen long years and many stillborns alongside countless miscarriages were enough proof that their union was not blessed by the gods.
Soon, Lady Kiera packed up the life she had built in Westeros and returned to Tyrosh, where she wed an older alpha woman who already had heirs and lived her life quietly there.
As for the Crown Prince, in no time, he was betrothed to another. Not to widowed omegas that proved fertile, nor to highborn ladies; Crown Prince Valarr bethrothed to his own cousin, who just had his first heat at the tender age of thirteen, Prince Aerion.
Prince Aerion, the fourth son of Prince Maekar and Lady Dyanna. Prince Aerion, who was the first omega in their family since Prince Lucerys Velaryon. Prince Aerion, whose existance shrouded in mystery.
"Surely there were any other omegas available, Father," Valarr almost protested. "Uncle Maekar couldn't possibly agree to this match."
Father played with his rings, as was his habit he could not ignore. "Your Uncle was the one who proposed this match. Your cousin refused to leave Starfall, and my brother missed his son most of all."
Cousin was too far of a stretch, for Valarr had never seen Aerion except when he was presented at the court. He was three and twenty that time, watching from afar his youngest cousins in the arms of his Grandsire.
Aerion was born sickly, Valarr was told. That was why he spent his childhood in Starfall, where the weather was much more agreeable than in King's Landing or Summerhall.
By the time he was well again, Aerion had presented as an omega and refused to leave Starfall, for they had omega cousins aplenty, unlike the alphas and betas that filled the Red Keep.
"He was a fair omega, taking after his lady mother well." Father then said, trying to placate him. "You will be pleased."
"He was young enough to be my son," Valarr reminded him.
"You are not the first alpha to wed a young omega, nor will you be the last." Father sighed, almost sounds too tired. "Being older than your cousin might be a boon; Aerion was spoiled, earning him a moniker—Brightflame, from what Maekar had said, he needs alpha to reel him in."
Father then rose and patted him on the shoulders. "It was time for you to hold a babe in your arms, son."
Valarr had always been a dutiful heir, and if the crown required him to bed his much younger cousin, he would do it.
His bride arrived in six moon turns, bringing with him an entourage full of Dayne cousins to serve as his handmaidens.
It was the first time Valarr saw him, and he would be a fool to say that Aerion did not please him so; a comely face with plump lips and long silver-gold hair to his bottom, donned in a flowing purple silk dress and haunting amethyst eyes.
Valarr was the one to receive him, helping Aerion from the wheelhouse. He was mesmerising, and Valarr felt like a boy nearing his first rut.
Hold yourself in, you fool, Valarr chastised himself.
"Cousin," Aerion greeted him, all too pleasant. His cheeks still had a youthful tinge to them. "Ah, I should address you as husband, now, don't I?"
Aerion's gaggle of cousins giggled in the wheelhouse. Valarr cleared his throat. "Quite, cousin."
As Aerion's feet touched the ground, a small ring of bells echoed, and Valarr wondered where it came from. He led Aerion inside to the throne room, where Father and Uncle had already been waiting.
"When I'm Queen," Aerion said when they neared the throne room. The courtiers, servants, and the guards alike kept glancing at his bride with wonder. "I shall clean all the waste on the Fleabottom. I abhorred the stench; it clung to the skin."
Father wished for Valarr to reel Aerion in, but he feared Aerion would be the one taking control in their marriage.