King's Landing – 118 AC

"Such a sad day for House Targaryen," my wife, Elenda, commented, as she handed our youngest daughter, Maris, to a maid. "I just can't think of the pain the Queen Mother and princess must be going through."

"The princess was quite distraught during the mass, a true diligent daughter," I agreed.

Though, you could not find that kind of pain in any other Targaryen member, I thought, with scrutiny. The closest was Daemon, and even the devout younger brother held some kind of hate in his eyes.

"Will you be ok kneeling for the princess during the crowning?" Elenda asked me gently.

"I might have my opinions about women ruling," I sighed. "But she had proven herself worthy and has three sons to inherite the throne from her. Maybe even more in the future, with how young she is. Also, what's the other option? A six namedays boy?"

"I've heard he is quite a smart prince," Elenda pointed out. "Gentle as well... it would have been nice to betroth Cassandra or Ellyn to him."

"Prince Jacaerys and Prince Lucerys betrothal to their cousins, will bring peace to the three lines of House Targaryen. Finally bringing unity and stability to the realm," I shook my head. "It was the smart decision. However, we still have Prince Joffrey, who will inherite Dorne from his father. That is an excellent prize to one of our daughters."

"Maris is his age," Elenda commented with excitement.

"I'll make it happen," I promised her with a smile. "For now, we have a crowning to get to."

Ever since we received the letter of the king's passing, I felt a tension in the realm that I've not sensed since when I was a boy and the decision between King Viserys and Princess Rhaenys happened. My court had been busy for the last four moons, in which the crown made all the arrengements. For what they've been planning, they did not take that much time. Which raised my suspicions, but I kept quiet about the whole thing. There was no proof, after all.

The funeral was private, as dictate by Targaryen tradition, only the Small Counsil and family was there for the burning of the body. Syrax having done the favour, or the Golden Queen as the commonfolk and some nobles have started to call the princess' beautiful mount.

Last week there was a mass and service for the lords and ladies of the realm to mourn and pay their respects for the king. Then there will be the crowning ceremony for the future queen and then a week long tourney celebration. On each night there will be a banquet, with one principal topic. Night one, a celebration to mourn the king. Day two, a celebration for the new Queen and King Consort. Day three, a celebration for the Crown Prince and his betrothed Rhaena Targaryen-Velaryon. Day four, a celebration for the second prince and his betrothed Baela Targaryen-Velaryon. Day five, a celebration for the third prince and to show off the deep bonds the crown now has with Dorne.

Quite smart if you ask me, I thought. The gasp of my wife, caught my attention. I turned to the entrance of the throne room and my eyes widened. Gods!

By the entrace, ready to walk down towards the Iron Throne, stood Princess Targaryen. She was wearing a beautiful carmesi dornish dress, made of the finest silk. A deep v-neck, decorated with diamonds that went around her neck and into the back. Long open sleeves, that fell to the floor and looked as part of the skirt.

Beside her, stood her husband. He wore a proud smiled, preening at his wife showing off her loyalty to his house and region. He dressed on his usual dornish noble coat, but this one was carmesi red, like his wife's dress, and had black dragons embroidered.

Other than what a striking couple they make, what took me by surprise was how simple the princess dress and hair looked. A delicate braid fell down her back. I could see that she was trying to show off her natural beauty, but there was no jewelry in place, no extravagance, on the biggest day of her life.

It was not until the crown came out that I understood the why of the simplicity. A pure gold Halo Crown stood in the Mother Queen's hands. It was more extravagant than anything the previous kings ever used. The gold of the halo was shapped in the form of flames, representing the dragons of her house, and flowers, to represent her nickname as the Realm's Delight. More rubies than in Aegon the Conqueror's crown, decorated her crown.

When the delicate monstrousity of a crown was placed on her head, I could heard the whole room gasping for air. She was breathtaking. She looked like a Sun Goddess come to Earth, the halo coming out like sunrays around her head. Like Dorne's famous Sun. A reminder that will go down on history of what she had achieved. Of who was backing her.

Well, played princess, I thought as I knelt, giving my oath to her and her heir. No, well played, Your Majesty.

"That was beautiful!" Elenda exclaimed with happiness. "That crown! Such a fitting crown for the first queen of the realm! Bards will be sung about this day! I can assure you of that!"

"That they will, and of so many more things," I agreed. But then I frowned, when I noticed a Kingsguard approaching me. A Swann from the Stormlands. "Ser Robert, what brings you to us?"

"Lord Baratheon, Lady Baratheon," he bowed. "Her Majesty, Queen Rhaenyra, is requesting your presence in the Small Counsil room."

"The queen?" Elenda's eyes widened in surprise.

"Well, we better get going," I said, trying to hide my surprise. "We can't have the queen waiting."

"Your Majesty," we both bowed when we reached our destination.

"Lord Baratheon, Lady Baratheon, please take a seat," she offered with a smile.

We did as commanded and I noticed a couple of things. She no longer wore her crown, her husband and princess Rhaenys were sitting next to her, and Ser Harrold Westerling was standing behind her. Now, that was quite the shock. I understood that now as queen, only the Kingsguard... sorry, Queensguard was entitled to protect and guard the queen. But Ser Harwin Strong has been with the princess since her betrothal was announced. He had become part of her image as much as her dragon. Not seeing him standing behind her was quite the shock, even after hearing the news that he was now the Crown Prince's Sworn Shield and his betrothal, Clarissa Dayne, became the Crown Prince's main caretaker.

"You must be wondering why we brought you here so soon after the crowning ceremony," Prince... no, King Consort Qoren spoke up. "As you know, during the next week a tourney will be celebrated. After each day a banquet will be held out, it's leftovers will be donated to various orphanages and soup kicthens in King's Landing. However, what we would like to focus on, is the celebratory topics."

"For each banquet, we will celebrate something," the queen continued, with an ease that surprised me. I knew they royal couple loved each other very much, the whole realm knew and rejoyced the fact. However, to be in such a coordination was a pleasant surprise. "The last three days will be for my sons, the princes of the realm. Two of them are already betrothed and it will be celebrated." She smiled at us, as I tried to keep the excitement from my face. "I would like to do the same for my youngest. Joffrey as the next Prince of Dorne will need only the best as his betrothed. Who better than a Lady from House Baratheon?"

"We would like to discuss a betrothal between our children Joffrey and Maris," King Consort Qoren finished. "If everything goes well, we would also like to ask you to join us on the High Table during the last week. It would be only fair, as the parents to a future princess."

Well played, Your Majesty, I thought very impressed. With this any doubt or uneasiness is gone. Why would I raise a sword against you when we will become family and you will make my daughter a princess? Well played indeed.

"We would like that very much," I agreed with a smile.

A/N:

Rhaenyra's dress: pin/211174975742487/

Rhaenyra's crown: dk-en/listing/1045301974/flames-halo-crown-gold-halo-halo