American stories, burning before me.

I'm feeling helpless

the damsels are depressed.

Boys will be boys then, where are the wise men?

Darling, I'm scared

-Taylor Swift, "Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince"

The hairdresser lowered the silver tiara on top of Dany's silk curls. Most of the tiaras in the Targaryen collection were intricate floral patterns dotted with diamonds but Dany's was special.

Her tiara was geometric. A band of silver with a large pear-shaped diamond set into it, surrounded by hundreds of smaller ones from the mines of Valyria. The pressure from the cataclysmic collapse of the Targaryen homeland a millennia ago created the most beautiful diamonds on the planet. The Targaryen royalty made it tradition to have the gems in all of their crown jewels. Dany was no exception.

It was the opposite of all things a princess was supposed to be. Angular, intimidating, and cold. The tiara was commissioned for her sixteenth name day, her official debut into society. The gala she planned for it was a testament to her excellent taste. All the best people, dressed in the best designers, and dancing to moody music in low lighting.

The Annual Charity Gala was nothing like that. It was outdated courtiers dressed in antiquated fashion with nothing better to do than gossip about each other. All milling around under harsh lights and awaiting Rhaegar's speech, indulging themselves in the expensive alcohol.

She jutted her chin and pouted her lower lip, checking her lipstick in the giant mirror before her. It was bad taste to wear a red lip with a red dress, she knew, but she couldn't resist, especially with the honored guests they were receiving. She needed a power move to show that even after her slight, she still demanded respect. Even from stuffy Northerners.

Missandei entered the boudoir dressed in one of Elia's old gowns the seamstress did quick alterations on. Yellow, off-the-shoulder, the train of the dress extending from under her shoulders. Her curls framed her face, highlighting her gorgeous complexion. All of Dany's old gowns were in soft, pastel hues and could never do Missy justice.

"You look stunning!" Dany cheered, wrapping her friend in another hug.

"Thank you. Elia has good taste."

"It's too bad we can't put you in a tiara."

Tiaras were for royalty only and they were only worn at evening functions or important state events. Like important speeches, coronations, and put Missandei in even a small one would cause the poor old patrons of the court to keel over where they stood.

The two girls laughed. Elia knocked at the door, stepping in cautiously when Dany called to her.

She was wearing a pale sunset orange, the frothy chiffon embroidered with the stylized sun of House Martell. A tiara composed of the same golden suns was nestled in her long curls. She glittered in the low light of the room.

"You two look beautiful," she complimented, reaching up to adjust Dany's tiara.

Elia looked at her with soft eyes, resting her hands on Dany's bare shoulders.

"Thank you," Dany smiled

"Rheagar wants to speak with you."

"Now? But the gala's-"

"He's in his office. It's very important so, please, don't keep him waiting."

Dany gave a sorry look to Missandei, "Duty calls."

"I'll keep our lovely guest company until you get back," Elia promised.

She traveled down the hall, the lavish rug muffling the click of her heels. Dany's apartments were on the north end of the palace, with Rhaenys' rooms and the main guest rooms. Because Dany was still living in King's Landing at the time of Aegon's birth, his rooms were prepared at the south end of the complex; closer to Elia and Rhaegar's apartments. She was surprised when she returned home and they hadn't moved her to the family guest suites on the opposite side of the palace.

The long hallway to Rheagar's study had a wall of windows on one side and mirrors on the other. The interior designers wanted the unusually small walkway to feel as wide and grand as the others.

She watched her reflection as she passed. A dangerous and proud woman ready to face the world. Ready to face her brother. She took a deep breath and rolled her shoulders back, lifting her chin for good measure.

The impressive door was open but she made sure to close it when she entered. From the way he didn't look up from the papers on his desk, Dany knew he wasn't excited about having her home.

"Dany, thank you for coming. It's good to have you back."

"It's good to be back."

She spotted the tray of liquor on a table and made her way over. She needed to be a little buzzed before the party started and Rheagar kept the best scotch in his office for his important guests.
Well, I am nothing if not important, she reminded herself with a pleased smile.

"How as Braavos?"

"Wonderful," she deadpanned, pouring herself a glass of the potent alcohol.

"Would you like water, Dany?"

The jab at her recent liquor fueled exploits didn't go unnoticed.

"No, I much prefer a good glass of scotch. They don't have this fine stuff in Braavos. Although, they do have a strong liquor from Lorath called vodka. It's knocked me off my ass quite a few times."

"I didn't ask you here to talk about your drinking habits while abroad."

"Then why did you ask me here?"

Dany lowered herself into the wingback chair in front of his impressive desk. The same desk Dany hid under during games of hide and seek with Viserys. Rhaegar never played with them, he was always too busy with lessons.

It was strange how much Rhaegar looked like their father, poised behind the antique desk. He had silver hair like all of the Targaryens but his violet eyes were much darker.

"Galazza Galare contacted Baelish earlier today and told him that your little slip up was the work of photoshop. You got lucky this time but it's not likely to change people's minds."

Dany couldn't celebrate the news of her accident being manufactured. Not with Rhaegar staring her down. If anything, she held her breath in anticipation of what he would berate her for next.

"There's still the fact that you were hanging on this… Daario Naharis. Do you have any idea what people will say?"

"You don't have to worry about Daario. He's just a fling. Nothing like the last time."

"Dany, we can't have you acting like this. The public will assume you've gone down the same path as Viserys. You had your freedom but it's time to reign it in."

Being compared to Viserys hurt and the tone of Rhaegar's voice reinforced the image of their father. She'd never been the victim of one of his lectures on reputation but Rhaegar was subjected to them all the time. The need to protect the Targaryen name was ingrained in his brain like a bad tattoo.

"I think you're forgetting that I spent my time between semesters in Slaver's Bay helping with the human trafficking crisis."

"No, I didn't forget that, but the negative aspects of your personality have taken the spotlight over all of your good deeds."

Dany considered for a minute with a long drink. Other people said scotch burned on its way down but Dany only felt a tickle. Targaryen's knew how to hold their alcohol. The last drop slid from the glass and into her mouth. She set the cut crystal down with an indignant sound and traced her finger around the edge.

"There's something you're not telling me."

"Dany," Rhaegar sighed.

"You called me home for a reason and it's bigger than my reputation. So, spill it."

Rheagar opened a desk drawer and pulled out an official-looking manilla folder with the state seal printed on the front. It was a variation of the old Targaryen sigil. A single dragon with three heads, each representing a branch of the state intelligence agency, and a set of scales and a longsword grasped in its talons.

"A couple of months ago we received a message from King Eddard Stark of the North. He seeks an alliance."

"An alliance?"

"Yes. He said the North suffered a low harvest and needs men to man the Wall before winter comes."

Dany raised an eyebrow at him. Rhaegar was never good at getting to the point, a habit he learned from their father. He met her eyes and cleared his throat.

"I see this as a way to finally secure the North and eliminate the threat of war."

"Okay…"

"So I offered him a marriage contract between our house and his."

Dany's hand tightened around her glass, dreading the next words out of Rhaegar's mouth.
"Between you and his heir."

The expensive glass hurtled at his head. Rhaegar ducked in time but the cut crystal shattered against the ornate marble mantle behind him. She couldn't stop herself. Part of the reason she always got into so much trouble was because she didn't know when to stop.

"And you didn't think to talk to me about it first," she yelled.

There was no doubt her voice carried through the halls. She wasn't known for holding her tongue and always vocalizing her distaste. The palace staff were used to her outbursts.

"Dany, please, sit down-
"No! You can't expect me to go through with this!"

Rheagar sighed and rubbed his temples, "I expect you to do what is right and put your family before yourself. When Aegon conquered Westeros he didn't do it because of a silly whim, he did it to save his family. The same family that you and I are now tasked with preserving."

"The Northmen pose no threat to us. And even if they did, we outnumber their forces."

"I'm afraid they might be a greater concern than we originally thought."

"What are you talking about?"

"The North is sparsely populated, which makes filling the ranks hard, but one of the great houses have been steadily building up their forces for some time. If the situation is as dire as King Eddard claims, we could expect him to utilize these forces to attack our borders for resources."

"I will not be your pawn."

"Have you ever stopped to consider that there are some things bigger than you!" he slammed his palms on the desk. "Monarchy is dying, Daenerys. Every day more people turn against us and you make it worse by acting like a common whore. Do you know what they say about us?"

For once in her life, she was too stunned to speak. Rhaegar never lashed out like this. But she wouldn't let him get to her.

"Oh, let me guess! Those Targaryens are outdated, a symbol of the old world! We'd be better off without them. And that Daenerys, she's the worst of all, the filthy whore," Dany spat.

She was in Rhaegar's face, leaning over the desk. The tears burned and her throat was tight. Daenerys Targaryen does not cry, she assured herself as she inhaled a shaking breath. Her hands balled into fists, fingernails digging into her palms. She needed to punch something or someone, she needed to run.

"This isn't a foreign policy matter. It's punishment for my behavior. Do you honestly think selling me off to a foreign country is going to silence the rumors about me?

Rhaegar's eyes softened with the realization of what he'd implied and he sunk into his chair.

"I don't expect you to understand the delicacy of this situation but you need to acknowledge that you are a member of House Targaryen. The same regal house that has ruled over these kingdoms for hundreds of years. We do not let our personal feelings get in the way of duty."

"That is so-"

"Like it or not, you belong to the Crown and when it calls, you answer."

"What if I don't want to?"

"I wouldn't advise that."

"Why not?"

He took a deep breath, clasped his hands, and looked her dead in the eyes, "I'll disown you."

She laughed but the stoic look on her brother's face said it all.

"Oh, you're serious. You're going to disown me because I want to be viewed as a human being instead of a political bargaining chip?"

"It's not an easy decision but if that's what it takes."

She clenched her jaw.

Rheagar held the folder out. Dany scowled at her brother as she snatched it and retreated from his extravagant office in a huff, her red dress added to the dramatism of her exit.

He never apologized. Never. 'It's not a King's job to apologize', their father would say.

She found Elia and Missy in her boudoir, giggling over something on a phone.

"Did you know about this?" Dany demanded of Elia.

Elia's dark brows furrowed in confusion.

"Did you know that Rhaegar sold me off for some alliance we don't need?"

Elia sighed, "He asked me not to tell you. He knew you would react like this."

"Wait, what's happening?" Missy questioned from the ottoman.

"I'm engaged."

"Excuse me? You're getting married and you didn't tell me."

"As the bride, I only found out minutes ago."

Missandei balked, Dany's same reaction. The tension in her limbs was back and the familiar urge to hit something burned in her.

"Political business, I'm afraid," Elia confirmed.

Dany handed the dossier to Missy, watching her face as she laid eyes on the official portrait of Prince Jon.

"Oh, he's hot!"

Elia hummed in agreement, "He's the Heir to the North. His country seeks an alliance with the United Kingdoms of Westeros. And he is handsome, you could do a lot worse."

"So your brother arranged a marriage contract without your consent?"

"Yes, and I will not be going through with it." Dany took the file back so she wouldn't have to hear anymore about her fiance's looks.

Her fiance. The word made her want to vomit. No, he wasn't her fiance, he wasn't even a suitor. He was a minor inconvenience she needed to weed out.

She flipped through it unceremoniously before taking the official portrait from the paper clip and tossing the rest onto her bed. Elia reclaimed the papers.

"Three brothers, two sisters. He's served in the military and was very successful in school," she recited.

"And he's hot," Missy singsonged.

Dany considered the photo again. Despite his military time, his face still held the softness of youth. Arrogant and buoyant.

"He's a legitimized bastard." Elia pointed to the specific line.

Dany looked up from the photo, "That's hardly appropriate. I'm the Princess Royal of the United Kingdoms of Westeros! I can't marry a bastard, even a legitimized one."

"He's going to be a King," Elia stressed, "Give the guy a chance."

"I've spent six years in Slaver's Bay making change, real change. And not by holding fancy galas and bullshit fundraisers but by getting my hands dirty. If I marry him, all of that goes away. I can't go where I want when I want…"

"Dany," Missy spoke, "I agree with Elia, um- Her Majesty. You did all of that work, but only as a Princess. If you were a queen, you could do so much more. I'm sure they'd let you go to Slaver's Bay and do your work."

"But I'll have so much security, my work would hardly be impactful. And I don't know anything about their customs. I'll just embarrass myself-"

"So? You'll learn. You're forgetting that Rhaegar and I's marriage was arranged. I survived and you will too."

"Not if I have anything to do about it!"

"Like it or not, this is life as a member of the royal family. You could abdicate but you know Rhaegar would never allow it and nobody likes a disgraced royal."

Dany glanced back at the photo, still clutched in her hand. She hadn't noticed how tight her grip was and relaxed her hand. Even with the crinkles in the photo she could see what Elia and Missy saw. She wasn't blind. In his military uniform, he looked dignified and strong. He looked worthy of a woman like Dany.

Unfortunately, looks didn't determine a successful marriage. She would need to get him alone to determine if he was really worth the risk.

"What do you think, Dany?" Missy prompted.

"Fine. I'll give him a chance, but I'm expecting your help."

Elia gave her a smile.

"What do we need to do?" Missy asked, excitement and mischief in her voice.

"Be my agents. Talk to him, gather more information, report back to me. I'll make my move when I feel it's right."

An assistant poked their head into the room and reminded them that they needed to get into place for the gala. Missy had to leave with the assistant to go through the secret side entrance since she wasn't an aristocrat.

Elia and Dany found Rhaegar waiting for them, checking his watch. When he smiled at them, Dany could only scowl back.

"It's about time you two showed up." he planted a kiss on Elia's cheek.

He placed his hands firmly on Dany's bare shoulders, "Please, remember to smile."

She shoved his hands off and he sighed.

Elia swooped her into a tight hug and whispered, "I'm so proud of you, no matter what."

When she pulled back she had the mom look on her face. The same one she gave Dany when she got into university or when Aegon took his first steps.

Rhaegar and Elia entered to monstrous applause but when Dany entered, she faced dead silence. Despite the number of people in the Grand Hall, the whispers echoed. And that Daenerys, she's the worst of all of them, the filthy whore, she couldn't stop the thought from coming back. She shook it off. She was the blood of the dragon, dragons do not care about the opinions of sheep. She didn't need their approval. They were all jealous and petty.

Dany paused at the top of the stairs to survey the court. She spotted the newcomers immediately, situated in the furthest corner by a window. Her eyes caught on the eldest daughter's hair before she saw the eldest brother and finally, her fiance.

Her breath caught in her throat as she realized he was a real person. And the situation she was so sure she could get herself out of, felt even more impossible.