widower!maekar x second wife!reader
summary : years into their marriage, reader begins to suspect she is carrying maekar’s child. however, after spending years living in the shadow of his late wife, dyanna dayne, she finds herself unable to believe that he could ever love her the same way. as the distance between them grows, maekar is forced to confront the grief he never truly let go of—and the wife he may be losing because of it.
cw : canon-era westeros. arranged marriage. widower maekar. deceased spouse. grief. emotional neglect. unrequited feelings. loneliness. pregnancy scare. feelings of inadequacy. comparison to a deceased wife. miscommunication. strained marriage. angst. hurt/comfort. happy ending. please read individual warnings for each chapter.
Lately, you could barely eat anything The mere scent of roasted meat drifting from the kitchens was enough to make your stomach churn. Foods you once loved now left you nauseous, forcing you to push away plates that returned to the kitchens nearly untouched The servants assumed you had fallen ill At first, you thought so too Until you remembered something You hadn’t told Maekar Not even after weeks had passed.
The nausea grew worse with each passing day. Some mornings, you could hardly keep anything down, and there were moments when dizziness forced you to sit before your legs gave out beneath you Still, you said nothing Because the more you considered the possibility growing inside you, the more frightened you became Not because of the child. But because of the child’s father
That night returned to you again and again The night Maekar came to your chambers after months of keeping his distance The night he seemed quieter than usual. And for a brief moment He called you Dyanna You still remembered how your entire body had gone rigid.
Maekar hadn’t noticed Or perhaps he had Perhaps he simply chose not to acknowledge it Just as you had The following morning, moon tea was delivered to your chambers as it always was And you forgot to drink it. Just once Only once At the time, you thought nothing of it now…
You couldn’t stop wondering how Maekar would react if he found out Would he see this child as his own? Or as a reminder of a mistake made on a lonely night? A night when he had looked at you and seen another woman The woman he loved The woman who had died Your hand drifted to your stomach Slowly, you closed your eyes.
Because deep down, you thought you already knew the answer You weren’t afraid that Maekar would be angry You were afraid he would be disappointed that this child was not Dyanna’s.
At first, Maekar assumed it was nothing. People grew busy. They found new interests. There was no reason to dwell on something as trivial as a few missed conversations.
Yet the silence persisted. Days turned into weeks. And somehow, you were never there anymore. When he returned from the training yard, you were not waiting in the hall. When he broke his fast, there were no flowers left on the table beside his seat.
When he spent long evenings buried in letters and reports, nobody appeared at the doorway to ask if he needed anything. The absence should not have bothered him. But it did. Eventually, he asked one of the guards. “Where is my wife?” The man hesitated before answering. “Her ladyship has been spending more time outside the castle, my prince.”
Outside. It became a pattern after that. You rode through the countryside with an escort. You wandered the markets near Summerhall. You attended performances from traveling singers. You walked the gardens for hours. Anything. Everything. As long as it kept you away from the castle. Away from him.
The realization sat heavily in his chest. Because before…. You had always found reasons to be near him. Now, finding you within Summerhall itself was becoming difficult. One evening, Maekar spotted you crossing the courtyard surrounded by servants and guards.
For a brief moment, your eyes met. A year ago, you would have smiled. You would have walked over. You would have asked how his day had been. Instead, you lowered your gaze and continued walking. As though he were a stranger. Maekar stood there long after you had disappeared. His jaw tightened. Without meaning to, his thoughts drifted back to that night.
The last night he had shared your bed. The last night either of you had spoken for more than a few minutes. And then he remembered. One word. One name. Dyanna. The memory struck him with uncomfortable clarity. He remembered the way you had gone silent afterward. Remembered how distant you had seemed the next morning.
At the time, he had dismissed it. Now, he was no longer certain. For the first time, Maekar found himself wondering whether that single mistake had cost him far more than he had realized.
Maekar learned of your menstrual cycle from a maid. He didn't mean to be nosy. But when his wife, the princess, secluded herself in her room almost all day, refusing to come down for meals and looking increasingly weary, the people in Summer Hall were naturally concerned. Including him.
"The princess hasn't had her period for two months, Your Highness." That statement made Maekar pause. Two months. He wasn't a fool. And he remembered that night well. The night he came to you. The night he let memory and reality become indistinguishable. The night he called out Dyanna's name.
Maekar closed his eyes for a moment. A wave of guilt surged through his chest. But another feeling followed immediately. Relief. Strange. And illogical. But a genuine relief. If you were pregnant… That would be his child. Your child. The thought didn't make him angry. It didn't make him sad. On the contrary, it made him unconsciously think of a little child. Before he realized you still hadn't told him. And that meant… You may not want him to know.
That night, Maekar walked to your bedroom by himself. No soldiers. No servants. Maekar pushed the door open quietly. The room was dim, lit only by the fading glow of the fireplace. You were lying on the bed with your back turned toward the door. He heard it immediately. The soft sound of your sniffles, muffled as though you were trying desperately to hide them.
Maekar stood still for a moment. Then he walked closer. “My lady.” The sound of his voice made your shoulders tense slightly. But you didn’t turn around. “I’m fine. My prince” You said it before he could even ask. Your voice was so quiet it was almost lost beneath the crackling fire. Maekar looked at the slight tremble running through your shoulders beneath the blankets. Then he sighed. “I know you’re not.”
This time, you said nothing. Because both of you knew it wasn’t true. The mattress dipped slightly as Maekar sat down beside you. Silence followed. No accusations. No questions. Only the feeling of his hand slowly moving through your hair. Tentative. Careful. As though he wasn’t entirely certain he had the right to touch you anymore.
You closed your eyes. And somehow, that only made the tears come faster. “I know.” Maekar finally broke the silence. Your fingers tightened around the blankets. “Know what?” Your voice came out muffled against the pillow. He was quiet for a moment. “The child.”
Everything inside you seemed to stop. Even your breathing. You stared at the wall in front of you. Unable to move. Unable to speak. “Who told you?”
“No one.” His answer came immediately. “But I’m not a fool.” Silence settled over the room once more. You couldn’t bring yourself to look at him. Couldn’t bear to hear whatever came next. Then the bed shifted again. Maekar lay down beside you. Close enough for you to feel the warmth of his body through the blankets.
“Look at me.” You shook your head. A small sob escaped before you could stop it. For a moment, you thought he would insist. Instead, his hand returned to your hair. Slowly. Gently. Again and again. “My lady.” His voice was lower now. Softer than usual. “Why are you crying?” The question made your throat tighten painfully.
Because how could you explain it? How could you tell him that you were terrified? Terrified that he wouldn’t want this child. Terrified that he would look at your baby and see nothing but a mistake made on a lonely night. Terrified that part of him would always wish this child belonged to someone else. To Dyanna. Not to you.
“I’m not crying.” The lie sounded weak even to your own ears. Maekar let out a quiet breath. Then moved a little closer. “You’ve never been very good at lying.” The tears came harder at once. And for the first time in weeks, Maekar felt something twist painfully in his chest. Because he was beginning to understand that whatever burden you had been carrying…
You had been carrying it alone. In the end, neither of you said anything else that night. Not after Maekar called your name. Not after he asked you to look at him. You remained turned away from him, just as before. And Maekar… didn’t force the matter.
Silence settled over the room once more. The only sounds were the occasional crackle of the fire and the quiet sniffles you tried so hard to hide. Maekar didn’t know how long you had been crying. An hour. Several hours. Or perhaps several weeks. He didn’t know. Because if he had noticed sooner, perhaps things would not have come to this.
His hand slowly slipped from your hair. Then wrapped carefully around your waist, pulling you closer. You tensed immediately. After a moment, you gently pried his arm away Maekar let you. Quietly. But before long, he moved closer again. Wrapping an arm around you from behind once more, as though he had no intention of leaving.
You said nothing. Neither did he. He simply lay there beside you, listening to your uneven breathing. Feeling the occasional tremor that ran through your shoulders. Sensing a sadness he did not know how to comfort.
At some point during the night, his hand drifted lower without thinking. Until it came to rest over your stomach. He stilled. It was not obvious yet. Not enough for most people to notice. But beneath the thin fabric of your nightgown, he could feel it. The slight curve beginning to form beneath his palm. Only the faintest swell. Yet it was there.
And for the first time in months, something softened inside his chest His child. Your child. The thought still felt unfamiliar. But it did not fill him with dread. Quite the opposite. A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. Hidden safely in the darkness where no one could see. He found himself imagining a child. Perhaps with your eyes. Perhaps with your smile. And the thought made something inside him ache in a way he had almost forgotten.
A quiet, fragile sort of happiness. The kind he had not allowed himself to feel in a very long time. Then another muffled sob escaped you. And the smile disappeared at once. Maekar lowered his gaze toward the back of your head. Before moving closer still. Resting his face against your hair. Holding you a little tighter. As though he were trying to say something. Even if he had never been particularly skilled with words.
And you— You remained awake in the darkness. Silent tears slipping onto your pillow. Completely unaware that the man lying behind you was not mourning the fact that this child was not Dyanna’s. He was quietly smiling at the thought that he might become a father once again.
Everything changed after that night. At least, for Maekar. You noticed it almost immediately. The servants noticed too. The guards certainly did. Because somehow, the Prince of Summerhall seemed to have forgotten he had an entire castle to manage.
Every morning, someone was sent to check whether you had eaten. Every afternoon, someone reported whether you had rested. Every evening, Maekar himself would ask what you had done that day, how much you had eaten, whether you felt ill, whether your head still hurt, whether you had been sick after breakfast. At first, you thought it would pass. It did not.
If anything, it only became worse. “Your Highness, I’m only walking in the gardens.”
“I know.”
“Then why are there four guards following me?”
“Because you’re with child.” You stared at him. Maekar stared back. As though that explained everything. Apparently, to him, it did. It became impossible to be alone. If you stayed in your chambers, Maekar appeared. If you sat in the gardens, Maekar appeared. If you went riding, Maekar somehow discovered it before you had even left the castle gates.
More than once, you returned to find him waiting. Arms crossed. Expression unreadable. As though he had been standing there for hours. “You have been gone too long.”
“I was gone for an hour.”
“Too long.”
“My prince.”
“Come back inside.” The worst part was that he sounded completely serious. It became so ridiculous that even the servants struggled to hide their amusement. And then there was the sleeping arrangement.
Or rather— The complete lack of one. Because despite having his own chambers, Maekar had seemingly decided they no longer existed. The first night, you assumed it was temporary. The second night, you questioned it. By the fifth, you finally protested. “You do not need to stay here.” Maekar looked up from the book in his hands.
“Why not?”
“You have your own chambers.”
“So do you.” You blinked. “Then why are you here?” Maekar frowned as though the answer were obvious. “Because you are here.” You stared at him. He stared back. Neither of you spoke. Eventually, Maekar returned to his book. As though he had just won the argument. Which, annoyingly enough, he had. From then on, he refused to leave.
Every night, he climbed into your bed. Every morning, he woke beside you. And every time you tried to create even the smallest amount of distance, he somehow found a way to close it again. Sometimes it was a hand resting on your back. Sometimes it was his arm around your waist. Sometimes it was simply his presence. Large. Silent. Constant.
You didn’t know what had happened. Didn’t know why he had suddenly become so impossible. But everyone else seemed to know. Because whenever Maekar wasn’t looking, the servants exchanged knowing smiles. The guards looked suspiciously entertained. And once, you even caught an old maid muttering under her breath—
“Our prince has finally lost his mind.” For perhaps the first time in years… She wasn’t entirely wrong. For the past few days, Maekar had been quieter than usual. You noticed it during breakfast. You noticed it during supper.
He still sat beside you as he always did. He still made sure the foods you could stomach were placed within reach. Yet there was something oddly distracted about him. You had a feeling you knew why. A few days ago, you had finally complained. “You don’t have to watch me all the time.”
“I watch you?”
“Yes.”
“Oh.”
”…”
“You’re carrying my child.” After that, you had sighed and told him he worried too much. Maekar hadn’t argued. But he hadn’t looked particularly pleased, either. And now he sat at the table looking unusually glum. Like a large dog that had been scolded. No matter how hard he tried to maintain his usual expression.
That night, you retired earlier than usual. The nausea had not entirely faded. You had barely been lying down for ten minutes when the mattress dipped beside you. Then came an arm wrapping around your waist from behind.
“…Maekar.” No answer. Only the feeling of him burying his face against the side of your neck. You froze immediately. Because in all the years of your marriage… Maekar had never done this. Not once. “Maekar.”
“Hm.”
“What are you doing?”
“Sleeping.”
“…” You fell silent. Meanwhile, he remained exactly where he was. As though nothing at all were unusual. Less than a minute later, you felt the brush of his nose against your cheek. Then your forehead. Then your temple. Your eyes snapped open. “My prince.”
“What?”
“What are you doing?”
“I don’t know.” That answer made you turn toward him at once. The Prince of Summerhall was lying beside you with his head resting on one arm. His expression was perfectly calm. As though he had not spent the last several minutes nuzzling against you. “How can you not know?”
“I just don’t.” He sounded entirely sincere. Then he moved closer again. Close enough that your foreheads nearly touched. You began to wonder whether he had a fever. “My prince” he hum in response “Are you feeling unwell?” he quickly shakes his head “Then why—”
“Do you love me?” You went completely still. The room fell silent. Maekar continued looking at you. Far too serious for someone making a joke. Not that Maekar was ever known for joking “…What?”
“Do you love me?” He asked again. As though he genuinely needed an answer. You blinked. Too startled to form a proper response. Because was this truly the same Maekar Targaryen who avoided discussing feelings whenever possible? “Why are you asking me that all of a sudden?” Maekar was quiet for a moment. Then his gaze lowered. For perhaps the first time, he looked uncertain.
“Because you said I don’t need to pay so much attention to you.” You froze. “So I thought…” He stopped. As though the words felt awkward in his mouth. “…perhaps you don’t want me near you.” Something inside your chest softened immediately.
Maekar still wasn’t looking directly at you. The prince who had never feared battle. Never feared dragons. Never feared anyone. Now looked genuinely uneasy about your answer. “My prince…” You said softly. The moment you spoke his name, those violet eyes lifted to meet yours again. Waiting.
As though the entire world depended on whatever you said next. You stared at him for a long moment. Unsure how to answer. Because the question seemed so… simple. So simple that you couldn’t understand why he had to ask it.
For years, you had thought you made it obvious. More than obvious, even. You followed him everywhere. You asked if he needed anything. You brought him flowers. You kept him company when he worked late into the night. You were always there. Even on the days when he barely seemed to notice you.
“You thought I didn’t love you?” you asked softly. Maekar didn’t answer right away. Which was answer enough. You almost wanted to laugh. Instead, your chest ached.
“My prince…” Your voice softened. “If I didn’t love you, I wouldn’t still be here.” Those violet eyes remained fixed on yours. As though he were carefully considering every word. “Really?” You blinked. “What do you mean, really?”
“You truly love me?” For a moment, you were completely speechless. And for perhaps the first time in your marriage, you thought Maekar was being unbelievably ridiculous. “Of course I do.” The answer came without hesitation. Then you paused.
Because the moment the words left your mouth, something in his expression changed. Only slightly. But you saw it. The tension easing from his face. The faintest relaxation around his eyes. As though he had finally received something he had been waiting for. “Oh.” That was all he said. “Oh?”
“Hm.” You stared at him in disbelief. “You asked all of that just to say ‘oh’?”
“Yes.”
“My prince.”
“I simply wanted to know.” He said it calmly. Yet somehow managed to move even closer. Until there was barely any space left between you.
“And now you know?” you asked. Maekar nodded. Then reached up and gently touched your cheek. His thumb brushed away the tears still lingering there. So carefully that it almost felt unfamiliar. “I know.” he said. “Good.”
“Very good.” You frowned slightly. “Why very good?” This time, Maekar was quiet for so long that you thought he wouldn’t answer. But eventually, he spoke. His voice lower than usual. “Because I love you.” Everything stopped. Your heart seemed to miss a beat.
You simply stared at him. And Maekar stared back. His expression remained completely serious. As though he had no idea how much those words meant. “What?” you whispered. Maekar frowned slightly. As though surprised you hadn’t heard him.
“I said I love you.” This time there was no mistaking it. No room for misunderstanding. You could only look at him. While tears slowly gathered in your eyes once more. Because these were the words you had waited years to hear. Years. So many years that you had nearly given up waiting altogether.
“Why are you crying again?”Maekar asked immediately. Concern replacing whatever calm he had before. “Did I say something wrong?” A laugh escaped you through your tears. You shook your head.
And for the first time in months, you were the one who moved closer first. Burying your face against his chest. Maekar visibly relaxed at once. The moment he realized you weren’t crying because you were hurt His arms wrapped around you immediately Holding you tightly. As though afraid you might disappear if he let go.
And in that quiet warmth— For the first time, you truly began to believe that this child was not a mistake Not to either of you But someone already loved by his father Long before he ever opened his eyes to the world.
by @velvetsainthills do not repost
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