Sunspear, several years earlier
The Dragon Prince was about to arrive. Officially the king had not yet chosen a bride for his son, but Dyana had heard rumors within the walls of the castle that it was the ancestral home of House Martell. Rumors had it that the king had decided that his son would marry Princess Elia of Dorne and that the prince had traveled to Dorne to ask his future wife in person and also probably to visit Dorne and meet the family of his bride-to-be. If this was all true Dyana wondered if the prince had any idea of the mess he was in danger of getting himself into.
Doran and Oberyn were very fond of their sister, in particular Oberyn. In truth, Elia had bonded more with the letter due to their much smaller age difference. Princess Loreza of Dorne had unfortunately lost more than one child after the birth of her first and had suffered several miscarriages, so it had not been easy for her to become a mother for the second time. Loreza was a strong and fearless woman and fortunate because losing one child had to be devastating let alone more than one and Dyana hoped that never in her life would she have to experience such pain.
Dyana had been born in a brothel to a prostitute from Lys. She had only vague memories of her mother and had only discovered she was a Martell after her mother's death. The girl's father was a distant cousin of Princess Loreza belonging to a cadet branch of House Martell, one that he would only inherit if the dozens before him in the line of succession died. Dyana's father had entrusted her to his cousin and then disappeared from his life. At first, she had thought he would come back for her or at least visit her sometimes, but it had never happened after her father had died. She had not been as upset by his death as any normal daughter or at least one who loved her father, and he loved her back.
Loreza and her husband were the only parents she had known, and their children were the only siblings she had known.
Occasionally, she thought of her mother and tried to remember what she looked like, but the most she could remember was a faceless woman with long, fair hair. She had heard that her mother was of Valyrian descent. Dyana did not have the purple eyes and silver blond hair typical of Valyrians, but she imagined that this did not mean anything and that the Martell physical characteristics prevailed because she had the typical Martell appearance and moreover she and Elia Martell were very similar and could easily pass for sisters. It was just that Dyana's surname was Sand while Elia Martell's was and although in Dorne mongrels were treated very differently to the rest of the Seven Kingdoms, and it was not uncommon for them to grow up within the family of origin, perhaps even with their legitimate siblings, they remained mongrels who could not inherit and did not have the same rights as legitimate children.
She had lost count of the number of men who had tried to ask for Elia's hand, but she had never had a suitor, or at least not one who intended to marry her. All the men who had tried to marry her had not had noble intentions, and she had soon lost faith in finding love, even though Elia had told her again and again that one day they would both marry, and perhaps their children would grow up loving each other as siblings, just as they did. The princess did not want to understand that her cousin was unlikely to marry because even if in Dorne the bastards were treated better than in the rest of the kingdom they hardly made respectable marriages, or perhaps until then she had just had bad luck as Elia told her.
The bastard combed her cousin's hair as she did every day only that this was not a day like any other because today Elia would meet her betrothed. Loreza had already clarified that it was her daughter who had the final say and that if Elia would give her opinion against the wedding, she would not force her to marry a man she did not want and had rejected. It did not matter if he was the future king even if that had meant unleashing the anger of the ruler.
"I have actually met him before." Elia admitted, placing the necklace with the two snakes that would wrap their coils around her neck had been the last gift her father had given her shortly before he died.
"I, on the other hand, have never seen it." Her cousin replied, setting the brush down on the dressing table. She had never left Dorne, she had always remained in Sunspear unlike her cousin who had been able to see other parts of the kingdom. Truth be told, she had never strayed far from Sunspear either.
"Oh, you will see him soon. He is so charming, and they say he is excellent at playing the harp." Exclaimed the princess as she rose from her chair and approached the large mirror beside the dressing table and gazed at her own reflection. The dress she wore was orange, the colors of the Martells and had a single, long sleeve. It was made of Dornish silk and was a beautiful dress.
"You look beautiful." Said the other and her cousin smiled at her.
"Thank you." She said she was happy and eager to meet her future husband. Someone knocked on the door.
"Come in." Elia said and Oberyn entered the room. Elia's sibling held a dress of the same color as the one his sister was already wearing only it had two short sleeves and on it were laid what looked like two masks of the same color as the fabric of the two dresses. "Oberyn, I have already chosen the dress I will wear for the meeting, I'm sorry." Said Elia.
"Oh, but it is not for you but for Dyana." Explained the prince and his lips curved into the typical smile he did when he was up to something.
"For me?" Asked the bastard. It was not the first time Oberyn had given her a gift, yet she felt sure that something was up.
"Yes, I thought I would play a little prank on the prince." He explained, putting the dress in his cousin's arms and giving one of the masks to his sister.
"What prank? Oberyn won't be one of yours? Look, our father will be angry and not a little if we offend the prince." Elia exclaimed in a worried tone.
"He will not be offended, it is only a joke to see if he can recognize his future wife." Smiled the prince in reply. His sister did not look convinced at all.
"But Oberyn we have only met a few times. How will he be able to recognize me? Especially with a mask covering my face?" She looked skeptically as she lifted the mask, which was of the same material and color as the dress.
"If he was careful and is lucky he will recognize you and besides it's just a game for fun." He replied.
"I guess it's more for your amusement, but that's fine." She agreed Elia was always like this when her brother wanted to convince her to do something. She resisted at first but ultimately, he almost always managed to convince her. Oberyn was a charming, charismatic young man who knew well how to deal with people and convince them that he was right or that what he wanted to do was right, especially women. It was no surprise that many young women who lived within those walls had a crush on him. Dyana suspected she was among the few who had not fallen victim to his charms.
"Of course, if Princess Loreza gets angry, she's more likely to take it out on me than on you." She commented annoyedly. Loreza was kind to her and loving, but it was a fact that she was stricter with her than with her children. How many times had he told her: you are a bastard, never forget it. People will always be harsher and more critical of you. I know that sometimes I seem unfair to you, but I want you to know that I love you and that is precisely why I try to treat you as the rest of the people would treat you. She always repeated this phrase to her when she pointed out that she was stricter with her than her children, and although she hated to admit it she knew that what Lorenza repeated to her was true and even on the off chance that she was legitimized things would never be forgotten because people had a superb memory, especially for unpleasant things, and they would never forget that her surname was once Sand, and they would make sure that she would never forget it either.
"Don't worry Dyana, it's just a joke, an innocent game. No one will be upset and no one will be scolded." Replied her cousin with a more serious air. "You can keep the dress if you like it." She added and then left the room.
Although she was not entirely convinced Dyana went behind the large screen that hid the bathtub behind it from view so that Elia could not be seen when she bathed. The girl changed into the dress her cousin had procured for her, and after Elia had finished tying the laces on her back, she looked at her own reflection in the mirror as the princess had done moments before. The dresses were very similar, the most significant difference and the one that immediately jumped out at her was the fact that hers had both sleeves, albeit short ones.
"You are beautiful." Elia commented in an enthusiastic tone, looking over her shoulder. "Let's put on our masks and go." She added handing Dyana hers. "Do you want me to help you or do you manage on your own?" She proposed.
"I think I can manage on my own." She replied in a confident voice placing the mask in front of her face so that it covered half her face, but at the same time she could look through the eyeholes. After she had tied the ribbon behind her head and Elia had also put on the mask, she looked at their reflections in the mirror. The two of them looked quite similar, and it was quite difficult to recognize them with their faces covered by a mask.
"I'd say we're ready." Announced the princess excitedly. Elia opened the door and Oberyn, who had remained in the corridor, told them that they were beautiful and that he would accompany them to the castle atrium where they would meet Rhaegar.
When they arrived the prince was chatting with Loreza and Doran, there was also a member of the Kingsguard, a man quite advanced in years whose hair was now turning white. He was wearing armor with the Kingsguard's white cloak.
"What's going on? Elia, why are you wearing a mask?" Loreza exclaimed in surprise. The cousin could not tell if she was also angry. The Targaryen looked equally surprised however he was not angry at all, he seemed rather intrigued.
"I thought of playing a mother game and Elia and Dyana agreed to take part." Oberyn explained, smiling. "I challenge Prince Rhaegar to recognize his betrothed." He continued, stopping a short distance from his mother and turning to look at the two women.
"Oberyn you and your nonsense." Exclaimed the mother in a contrite tone. "Take off your masks girls." She continued however before the two maidens could do or say anything the dragon intervened.
"No, Princess Loreza." She said quietly, staring at her future mother-in-law with her indigo eyes. "I, too, am curious to see if I will be able to pass this test. I have already met Princess Elia, although it was a brief encounter." He continued and then turned to stare at the two cousins. "Come closer, please."
"Prince Rhaegar, observe carefully and... Choose." Oberyn exclaimed excitedly. Doran and Loreza did not seem to share his enthusiasm, yet they both fell silent and stared at Rhaegar who stared intently at the two masked women. The dragon stared at them from head to toe and circled each then after staring at them again in front he took a step towards one of them and smiled confidently.
"Princess Elia are you?" He asked. The girl took off her mask and a short silence followed as the two young men stared at each other. Silence that was broken by the princess' sibling.
"Congratulations Prince Rhaegar, but how did you do it? Instinct? Luck?" He asked curiously as his cousin in turn removed her mask and stared in curiosity at the Heir to the Iron Throne who seemed unable to look away from Elia and she from him.
"The mole." Simply replied the Targaryen, arousing the hilarity of those present who stared at him even more puzzled and curious.
"The mole?" Repeated the princess, puzzled.
"Yes, the small mole you have under your neck. I remembered noticing it at our first meeting some time ago and thinking it was beautiful." He explained. Elia and Dyana stared at the small dark mole at the base of the princess's neck. The necklace she wore around her neck did not cover it.
"I always thought it was cute too." Commented Elia with a shy smile, it was clear that the prince had already managed to win the heart of his betrothed, and although she could not be absolutely certain, her cousin was certain that the princess would consent to the marriage. She did not know why, but there was something about the prince who did not convince her. Perhaps he seemed too good to be true with his long, fair hair and indigo eyes. Her instincts told her that such a man could not be trusted, or maybe it was just her reluctance to trust men?
Later that day she and the Kingsguard, who she discovered was called Ser Barristan, were tasked with escorting the two princes to the castle garden. Elia had expressed the wish to show her betrothed the park of Sunspear, which was a wonderful place where different varieties of plants grow luxuriantly, filling the environment with scents and colors.
Dyana and Ser Barristan had the task of making sure that nothing inappropriate occurred between the two betrothed before the wedding and to safeguard the princess's reputation. Barristan also had the task of ensuring their safety, especially that of the dragon. Sand did not dare to imagine the possible diplomatic incident that might have occurred if anything had happened to the Prince of Dragonstone while he was a guest of the Martells. Surely, the king would have accused them of treason no matter that there was no evidence to confirm the theory and would have found them guilty of plotting against the royal family and that would probably have been the end of them all. There were rumors that the ruler became crazier every year and that he mistreated the queen blaming her for their lack of other children besides their firstborn and Prince Viserys who had arrived after a series of miscarriages and stillbirths and fortunately seemed to be surviving childhood.
"They make a nice couple, don't you think?" Ser Selmy asked, breaking the silence between them that had settled from the start of the walk. Dyana had not even cast a glance at the man walking beside her as if he were not there, and instead she was alone with her cousin and the Targaryen. She could tell from the knight's tone of voice that he was just being polite and trying to start a conversation. The two bride and groom-to-be stopped near the orange plants and Rhaegar rose on his toes to pick one.
"Elia will make a good queen and one day her son and then her grandson will sit on the Iron Throne." She affirmed with a tone of conviction without taking her eyes off the couple and staring at the prince as she handed the orange to her cousin who accepted it with a bright smile painted on her face.
"I think anyone in your place would say the same thing. Not long ago Lord Tywin tried to convince the king of the same thing." He observed the man. The other did not flinch.
"In Dorne women are raised to rule, and I really mean rule not just to be good mothers and wives. We are a people of princesses and female warriors who do not like to be told what to do and when." She explained seriously. "Elia was born to be able to rule one day if something were to happen to her brother Doran, and she had no children first, and does that not give her an advantage over other women?" She continued, looking for the first time at the man standing next to her.
"Some, however, might suggest that because of your temperament and upbringing you are not suited to be only the queen consort and that you might try to overrule your consort." He retorted, turning to look at her, and Dyana's lips curved into an impertinent smile. "Do you seriously think it's bad? That it is wrong for a woman to try to give advice to her husband and not just keep quiet as one would expect her to?"
"I believe that a woman can give good advice to her husband just like any of his advisors, and you have already shown in the past that you can be strong and combative just like a man. Take for example your ancestor Princess Nymeria." He recalled.
"Think how different the history of the realm would have been had Rhaenyra Targaryen not had to fight her half-brother Aegon so that her birthright would not be challenged. If the Iron Throne also adopted our law of succession, which states that the firstborn shall inherit no matter the sex." She commented.
"I suppose perhaps in that case the Dance of Dragons would never have happened, and House Targaryen might still have control of those big fire-breathing beasts because they would not have died out as a result of the war." He asserted.
"Dyana would you like to taste an orange?" Elia asked, handing her cousin one of the orange fruits. The latter approached and took the round fruit the princess handed her and removed the fruit and then bit into the pulp.
"Good." Said Rhaegar also took a bite of an orange in his hand and offered one to the knight who, however, refused it. At that moment, they must have formed quite a scene the four of them and the future king seemed like a nice person, yet there was something about him that still didn't convince Dyana.
A few years later
Things had changed a lot in a few years. First Elia had married Prince Rhaegar and at first everything had seemed to be going well and Dyana had thought she had been mistaken about him. Only then the prince had become obsessed with a prophecy about a Promised Prince and was convinced that Elia could not be his mother, after which he had become convinced that the dragon must have three heads only for the Maesters to say that Elia could no longer have children after the birth of their second child Prince Aegon and at that point Rhaegar had overstepped all bounds by eloping with his cousin Robert's betrothed, abandoning his wife and children unaware, and even she did not know at that moment, that his wife had unexpectedly become pregnant for the third time.
Robert Baratheon had declared war for about a year and Queen Rhaella had decided to do everything possible to safeguard the fate of House Targaryen, so she had hidden her daughter-in-law's third pregnancy and when the baby was born, everyone was told that the mother was Dyana. Fortunately, Princess Visenya had taken more from her mother than her father except for her fair hair. Everyone knew that if Robert won the war, he would probably have Rhaegar's sons killed and there had been no time to mourn Elia's death. They had to try to be strong and prepare for the worst.
A few days earlier the news had come that Robert Baratheon had won and Dyana wondered how long it would take the man to march on the capital with his army. Queen Rhaella had left the capital with Prince Viserys on the king's orders and Dyana remembered the woman's desperate pleas to persuade the king to let her take her grandchildren away, but Aerys wanted to hold them hostage in the capital until the last moment, apparently. He feared the Martells might rebel and join Robert's army if they did not, even though Dyana was sure her cousin's siblings would never do such a thing.
The woman was in her room together with Visenya, whom she called Meria in deference to her cousin's last will. Rhaella was a good and just woman, but she had ignored her daughter-in-law's wish to name her third child Meria if it were a girl. Suddenly, the door to the room swung open, and the bastard gasped in fright then calmed at the sight of Ser Jaime and another guard.
"What is happening?" The woman exclaimed as she heard the commotion and screams of people running in the corridor.
"Lord Tywin has arrived with an army. The king believed he was coming to our rescue, but as soon as he had the city gates wide open the army started raiding. They do not mean well." Jaime explained, taking the newborn from the cradle and placing her in Dyana's arms. "You must flee. I am afraid of what will happen if my father were to storm the castle." He added, pushing her out of the room along with the newborn who began to cry. They both knew what would probably happen if the soldiers entered the castle. Jaime was nervous in excitement.
"Prince Aegon and Princess Rhaenys." Said the woman in a pleading tone as the other guard tried to drag her away.
"I will do what I can." Replied the lion. The heart was beating fast in the woman's chest as she feared it might come out of her body. She was afraid for the lives of her cousin's other children and wanted to stay and try to save them as well, but then the queen's words rang in her head: saving at least one child is better than losing all three, and it is easier to protect a princess no one knows about, so she began to run after the man who was in charge of protecting her and the princess. She would never know if the man was aware of the importance of one of the people he had saved.