House of The Dragon-The Beauty, The Bold, and The Black Dread: Chapter 168: Pain

(Baelon's POV)

"Princess, you have to eat something." I heard a voice say, "The Prince is resting, he will be fine. You, on the other hand, have not eaten at all." 

"No...." Helaena's voice was soft, "I....I want to stay here...." 

I slowly opened my eyes, seeing that the ceiling above me was slowly spinning. I could feel nothing but a burning pain all over my body, like a fire was inside my skin. Aside from that, there were strong throbbing sensations all over my torse and legs, which I can assume were from wounds. 

I licked my lips, they were dry, as was my throat. The mere action caused so much discomfort. 

"Y-You....." I said, my voice was coarse and barely audible, "You have to eat.....my love...." 

For some reason, that is what came out of my mouth when I opened it. I was still confused, I did not know where I was or what had happened. All I knew is that I was asleep and my entire body felt like shit. 

"Baelon?" I felt a movement to my left, on the bed, "Are you awake?" 

I blinked slowly, "I....I believe so...." 

"I will get the Maester." I heard whoever was there say

"Oh..." Helaena said, a tone of relief and concern in her voice, "I am so glad...B-Baelon..." 

I felt her hand on my forehead, as if she was checking my body's temperature. 

"My body...." I said, "Everything hurts...." 

"It is burning hot...." She said softly, "The Maesters say it is normal...." 

"Where am I?" I asked softly

"You are in your bed." She said as she leaned closer to me, I could make out the shape of her head as she looked down at me while she was leaning over me, "In Dragonstone....what is it that you remember?" 

"A lot of things." I said, "Are....are you real?" 

My vision focused, I could see her beautiful eyes looking straight down at me. 

"Yes..." she said with a smile, "I am real....." 

"Are you sure?" I asked, "Pinch my cheek...." 

"What? No." She frowned

"Please." I told her

"Your body is pain, I do not want to worsen it." She said

"I need to know, Helaena...." I said, "Pinch it....please...I need this...." 

She reached for my cheek and gently pinched it. Even that caused a jolt of pain shoot through my body. 

"Ah...." I said

"Did it hurt?" She said with a worried look, "I am so sorry...." 

I slowly raised my arm and gently grabbed her hand, "It hurt....a lot..." I said with a weak smile, "But it is fine...." 

"Baelon..." She said as she looked at my left hand, "Why did you stab yourself?" 

"Pain...." I said softly, "I wish to know if the pain was real....." 

"It is real.... " She said as a tear ran down her cheek, "It is very real....you almost died..." 

"W-What happened?" I asked

I then heard footsteps approach the bed, "My Prince." Maester Gerardys's voice said, "You are awake. How are you feeling?" 

I slowly turned to see him standing on the other side of the bed, "Not good." I said truthfully, "My body is burning up...I feel wounds all over my body..." 

"Ah yes..." He said, "It appears that the poison was successfully purged from your body but the effects still linger. Your body will be in a very pained state.....it will get bad....but worry not, I have just the thing for that." 

He had a small cup on his hand. 

"Is that....Milk of The Poppy?" I asked

"Yes." He said, "Right now, your body is pain, yes.....but there will be periods where it will be even worse. Your body will convulse uncontrollably and you will feel pain like no other..." 

"No." I said

"My Prince?" He said

"Baelon, you need to drink." Helaena said, "Even once a day is enough." 

"I....I need to feel the pain." I said before gulping, "I need....I need water...." 

"Of course." Maester Gerardys said as he set the cup down on a table, "My Prince, you were attacked with a deadly poison that is extremely rare in the East. It attacks the mind first rendering the victim susceptible for it to reach the heart and killing them instantly." 

"What?" I said

"Princess, hold his head up slightly." He said as he had a cup of water in his hand

"Of course." Helaena said softly as I felt her hand under my head

As she lifted my head up slightly, the Maester gently poured water down my mouth. It was just water, but the mere sensation of it going down my throat was divine. I felt like I was bathing in a river just by taking mere drops of it. 

I gulped the small sips of water that he gave me, "Ah...." I said, "Thank you..." 

"After you were attacked....." He said, "You were found collapsed on the entrance of the lower level of the Dragonmont....with....well, your attackers dead....." 

"What?" I said, "My attackers?" 

"It's....." Gerardys said, "The Princesses do not want to worry you until you are in a better condition. For now.....at the very least, you are well. The worst part has passed...." 

"H-How did I not die then?" I asked as I grimaced in pain, my entire body burning up, sweat covering it, "If it was meant to instantly kill me....?" 

"I do not know." He said, "Perhaps the attackers did not properly brew it....but the poison is the same as the one that is used by them. "

"Them?" I asked, "Who is them?" 

"Do not answer him. Not now." Helaena said as she leaned down and kissed my forehead, "The danger has passed....he is well.....just rest, my love...." 

I looked at her, "You were by my side?" 

"Yes." She said softly

"The Princess, the entire time that you were in a slumber, your body boiling up as our treatment fought off the poison....she laid by you, not wanting to let go." Gerardys told me, "We tried our best to get her to sleep and eat something....but no avail..." 

"You need to eat, Helaena." I told her softly, "Please...." 

"No, I wish to stay with you...." She said as she leaned down, "I do not want to leave your side...." 

"Where is.....where is Rhaenyra?" I said as I grimaced again

"She is with the children." She said, "I do not want them to see you like this....and she often comes to check on you." 

"I want to see them." I said, "I want to see my children." 

"I know." She said, "But not now, my love....you....just rest, alright?" 

"The King and Queen are on their way." Gerardys said, "And Prince Daeron....he also made a full recovery." 

I looked at him, "What?" I said, "What do you mean? What happened to him?" 

"Ah....I spoke out of line....forgive me, Princess....." Gerardys said

"Daeron is well, Baelon." Helaena said softly, "He is fine." 

"What....wait...." I said as I grimaced, "I was going....I was going to Mereen...right? I had called Daeron to stay with you...." 

"You do not remember?" Gerardys asked

"I...." I said as I had one eye closed, "I remember climbing atop Balerion....and next thing I know.....I was in Mereen.....b-burning everything down....and then.....wait.....no.....that is not right....." 

"You never left Dragonstone." Helaena said, 

"You were attacked....right at our doorstep."