Dragon chapter 3

So, the princess?

276 AC

As I was rethinking and replanning all of my schemes I couldn't help but wonder how I missed this. You would think a princess would be mentioned, but it seemed like everyone just did not talk about her. It was fucking baffling and irritating.

With the visit from the princess, Robert would not stop boasting about how he would impress her by hunting a deer or boar for her. I of course kept rolling my eyes. Along with this visit apparently, there would be another tournament, because this was all these fuckers had for entertainment. Birthday, tournament, wedding, tournament, win a war, throw another fucking tournament.

I really need to make more games for these people, maybe open up a casino and introduce them to cards. That wouldn't be a bad idea at all.

XXX

As I later found out, no one talked about the princess before because this was her first outing; no one aside from the few people who went to the capital had seen her. Thus, there was nothing to talk about. I had no idea why she chose to visit us first, but so far no one is taking offense to it. However, from the rumors and whisperings that I had heard over the past week, she was a prodigy, in music, numbers, and even languages. All of those things came easy to her, of course, this could just be royal boasting, but every rumor had a grain of truth to it.

Those who have caught glimpses of her say she is a beauty unlike any other, people say that she is Shiera Seastar reborn, a beauty a top of all other beauties. There was already a rumor that a few of the young heirs that had been to a tournament for the princes' nameday had fought a duel for the right to sit beside her. More and more absurd stories had started to flow around, while I took each with a grain of salt, others became more and more enamored with the princess they had not met yet.

I on the other hand was reeling from the fact that I was not in the 'cannon' world. I knew now more than ever that I had to get my spy network up and running, I was so fearful of that fact that I placed my other projects on hold and spent the past two weeks recruiting people for my network. With the nobles and crowd of people who would be coming to the vale once again, it would be easy for almost all of my spies to head back with them.

XXX

It was the day the princess was going to arrive and everyone was nervous. Within the 3 weeks of the announcement, the castle had seen a drastic overhaul. It almost looked like it was brand new. This must be a bigger deal than I had previously thought. Not even for Lady Arryn's nameday tournament was the place this clean.

As the royal carriage came through the gate and everyone began to dismount, I spotted someone who should not be here, or at least he wasn't wearing the Kingsguard colors. The Sword of the Morning, Arthur fucking Dayne is here. While I may be off a bit in the timeline, I know he should be a kingsguard right now. As my brain was trying to piece together this puzzle, Arthur began walking towards the carriage to let the princess out. That's when it hit me, Arthur fucking Dayne, knight of knights, the best sword of the last I don't know how many generations was the sworn sword or shield of the princess. Well shit.

XXX

The carriage door opened, and she stepped out. My breath hitched as I looked at her for the first time, she was beautiful. Hers was the kind of beauty that would make the goddess jealous and the gods fight for her. A beauty unlike any other, "She had a heart-shaped face, and thick and curly Targaryen silver-gold hair that she wore long. Although she had two mismatched eyes — one dark blue, the other bright green — the "defect" only enhanced her beauty." That is how Shiera Seastar was described, and word for word that is how Princess Rhaenyra looked. She was mesmerizing. Truly Shiera reborn and when she smiled, I knew she was dangerous.

She took a moment to gather herself and then the usual noble bullshit began. First Jon Arryn, then Lady Arryn, then it was Robert and me. She smiled and greeted Robert politely, and then when it was my turn something felt off in the way she greeted me, but those were thoughts for another day. Now it was time for a very festive lunch.

Once again, I was reminded of how different Westeros was compared to what I knew from the show and books. Of course, I knew what was to come, but for now, it truly felt like I was living in a fantasy. As I dwelled in my thoughts of once again just killing Littlefinger a nudge brought me out.

"Say Ned, what are the odds that the princess falls in love with me?" Robert whispered to me while glancing at the person who was quickly becoming the center of the room.

"I would say there is a small chance, Robert," I answered.

Since this was not the cannon world, for all I know Robert will never be betrothed to my sister and then the war doesn't happen. Then all the future was fucked for sure. I mean no war means the Targaryens remain in power, and Robert becomes the Lord of Storm's End. I get shipped off to some corner of the North and married to a daughter of one of my father's bannermen. The white walkers come and end it all. Shit, that was another thing I had not considered, the white walkers not even existing. Great just great. Just what I needed, more reasons to worry. I'll need a spy on the Night's Watch now.

XXX

More guests continued to arrive over the next week, as the preparations for the tournament began. During that time, the princess did not interact with us at all, only saying greetings during mealtimes. Most of her time was spent in lessons with various tutors and once again rumors began to fly around that she was also being trained by Arthur himself. I did find that hard to believe, however, she is the princess. For the most part, the royal family has lived by different rules.

Even though the princess had not talked to us, apparently everyone else was enamored and charmed by her. She was kind to the servants, greeted everyone, and spent time talking to everyone. Everyone except Robert and I that is. Once again something was not adding up and it was starting to frustrate me. That all being said, Robert kept trying to talk and spend time with the princess, but she kept rebuffing him. It was becoming quite hilarious watching him try and fail to get her attention.

As I walked around the castle one day, what I assumed at the time was a coincidence, I ran into the princess, and it seemed like she was in a talking mood.

"Hello Princess," I said as I bowed my head.

"Hello, Eddard how are you doing today?" She responded, with a tilt of her head. Even her voice was melodious.

"I am well Princess, it is rare to see you without the company of Ser Dayne," I replied. "I am on my way to the training yard."

"What a coincidence, I am also on my way to the yard. Ser Dayne is waiting for me there," Rhaenyra answered and then smiled as if a devilish idea had stuck her. "Eddard, since Ser Dayne is not here to escort me, would you mind being my escort to the Yard?" She asked as she held out her right elbow for me to take.

Seeing no harm in this, I held out my left arm and looped it through hers and we made our way to the training yard making small talk along the way. As usual, when the princess walked into a room, or anywhere for that matter she was the center of attention, such is her beauty. It was only when Robert looked at us and then his face settled into a rage that I realized why the princess was smiling earlier.

'Clever, very clever princess.' I mused to myself, preparing for what would be a hard spar because Robert would see no reason now.

Then to add salt to the wound, the Princess leaned into me and whispered, "Good luck." As if sharing a secret or talking to someone she fancied. Smiling as I could see the start of the game, I whispered back "Well played, the first point is yours."

XXX

The ending to this was fun to write, but the chapter overall was a rough one to write. The story is moving in a different direction than I thought it would, but I'm excited to see where it goes.

Anyways please read and review.

The next chapter is already out on the p=tron. If yall want to send me some money lol.

Thanks!

S95N out!