King's Landing, The Red Keep - 125 AC
Today was the day of my wedding. At just fifteen namedays, I felt a mixture of excitement and nervousness as I prepared to take this monumental step in my life. I, Cassandra Baratheon, was not just any highborn lady of Westeros. I was the eldest daughter of the Lord Paramount of the Stormlands, the heiress of Storm's End. It was a title that I had carried with pride since I was but nine namedays old. From a young age, I had been taught the responsibilities that came with my station, and I had strived to be worthy of the honor bestowed upon me.
My pride swelled even further when it was announced that my future husband would be none other than Prince Aegon Targaryen. The realization that I was to marry a prince filled me with a sense of awe and wonder. I had always wanted to marry a prince, it was the dream of every girl across Westeros. It was why I was so obvious on my attempts to charm Prince Aemond, not that I succeeded. I still flush in embarrassment every time I recall Prince Aemond's vicious glares and the scolding my mother had given me after being warned off by Princess Rhaenys. I knew I had been wrong, but I had seen how kind and gentle Prince Aemond was with my cousin and I wanted the same. I later learned that Prince Aemond only behaved like that towards Princess Lucerys, and with everyone else he was cold and distant.
At the end, I did get my dream of marrying a prince. However, the excitement of marrying Prince Aegon was overshadowed by the rumors circulating the realm. Despite his lofty titles, none of them were flattering. The people of King's Landing whispered of his frequent visits to the Street of Silk, earning him the moniker of the Prince of Silk. Meanwhile, the courtiers of the Red Keep spoke of his penchant for revelry, dubbing him the Drunkard Prince. As I pondered these rumors, a wave of apprehension washed over me. Would a life married to a man like Aegon bring me happiness? Would he prove to be a faithful and loving husband, or would I be left alone and bitter?
Yet, despite my misgivings, I knew that I had little choice in the matter. My future was inexorably tied to Prince Aegon's, and I needed his dragon, Sunfyre, to safeguard my position as the future Lady Paramount of the Stormlands. Without the protection afforded by royal blood, my hold on Storm's End would be tenuous at best. My children needed to have Targaryen blood, as to raise a sword against anyone with royal blood was deemed high treason.
I sighed as I stood in my chambers, surrounded by maids and handmaidens fussing over me, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of disbelief wash over me. Was this truly happening? Was I really about to become a princess, bound to a man I hardly knew?
I stared at my reflection in the mirror, taking in the sight of the lavish gown that draped over my frame. It was a sight fit for a princess, crafted from the finest silk and satin, adorned with intricate embroidery and embellishments that sparkled in the light. The style was elegant and flattering, accentuating my figure in all the right places, and the color—rich shades of gold—honored the sigil of House Baratheon.
But it wasn't just the gown that left me in awe. My hair had been meticulously styled into an elaborate updo, adorned with a stunning piece of jewelry—a small crown made of antlers—that added a touch of regal splendor to my appearance.
As the final touches were made to my attire, I couldn't shake the feeling of surrealism that enveloped me. This was not the life I had imagined for myself, yet here I was, on the verge of entering into a union that would forever alter the course of my destiny. Despite my doubts and fears, I knew that I had a role to play in the grand tapestry of politics and power that governed the realm. As the future wife of Prince Aegon Targaryen, I would be expected to embody grace, dignity, and strength—a princess in both name and deed.
Taking a deep breath, I squared my shoulders and straightened my spine. I glanced at my sisters, Ellyn, and Maris, proudly clad in their black dresses, representing the other color of House Baratheon, a swell of pride washed over me. They stood by my side, unwavering in their support, already proving themselves valuable assets to our house by serving as ladies-in-waiting to our cousin, Princess Lucerys Velaryon.
I couldn't help but admire their strength and determination, qualities that I knew would serve them well in the years to come. Yet, even as I felt a surge of pride at their side, a sense of frustration gnawed at me. I had tried to incorporate black into my wedding gown, a subtle nod to our house's colors and my allegiance to the Black faction. But Queen Alicent had recoiled at the mere suggestion, her disdain evident as she dismissed the idea outright. The Drama Queen had even fainted when I had brought it up during our meetings with the royal dressmaker.
In the end, my mother, Elenda, had relented, choosing to keep the wedding gown resplendent in shades of gold—a decision that left me feeling resentful and conflicted. As I grumbled to myself, my sisters exchanged knowing glances, their eyes reflecting a shared frustration. We were proud members of the Black faction, unwavering in our allegiance to Princess Rhaenyra and her rightful claim to the Iron Throne. And though I would fulfill my duty by marrying Prince Aegon, I was determined to ensure that he would never produce heirs capable of challenging our cause.
My admiration for my father, Borros Baratheon, knew no bounds. He had been a pillar of strength and wisdom, guiding me with his unwavering support and love. His teachings had instilled in me a sense of duty and honor, virtues that I held dear to my heart.
But it was Princess Rhaenys and Lucerys Velaryon who truly commanded my utmost respect and loyalty. Princess Rhaenys had fought tirelessly to secure my inheritance of Storm's End, ensuring that I could fulfill my destiny as the future Lady Paramount of the Stormlands. And then there was Lucerys, my cousin and savior. It was her dragon who had rescued me and my sisters from a fate worse than death, sparing us from the clutches of the Dornishmen who sought to sell us to pillow houses. Her bravery and selflessness had earned my eternal loyalty, and I vowed to stand by her side no matter the cost.
While I had accepted my duty to marry Prince Aegon, my allegiance lay not with him or his mother's house, but with the Black faction and Princess Rhaenyra's claim to the Iron Throne. Though I may not hold Princess Rhaenyra in the same regard as Princess Rhaenys and Princess Lucerys, I recognized the importance of her cause. For me, Princess Rhaenyra represented more than just a ruler; she was a symbol of hope and progress, a beacon of light in a world ruled by men. Her ascension to the throne would pave the way for women across Westeros to inherit lands and titles traditionally reserved for their husbands and brothers, and I was determined to protect that future at all costs.
Even if it meant I would need to kill my own husband one day.
The entrance of my father to my chamber snapped me out of my dark thoughts. His presence seemed to fill the room, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of nervousness wash over me. His eyes lingered on me, and I fidgeted under his gaze, unsure of what he was thinking. But then, to my surprise, a single tear escaped his eye, tracing a path down his weathered cheek.
I gasped in concern, rushing to his side, my heart pounding with worry. My father was not one to show his emotions so openly, and to see him shed tears was a rare and unsettling sight. I reached out to him, a mixture of fear and concern swirling in my chest, but he waved away my worry with a small smile.
"You look so beautiful, Cassandra," he said softly, his voice thick with emotion. "You've grown into such a remarkable woman, and I couldn't be prouder of you."
His words touched my heart, and I felt a swell of gratitude and love for him. With a shy smile, I bowed my head in gratitude, unable to find the words to express the depth of my emotions. But my father simply reached out and took my hand, his touch a silent reassurance that everything would be alright.
Together, we made our way towards the courtyard, my father leading the way with a quiet strength that belied the turmoil in his heart. Behind us, my mother and sisters— Maris, Ellyn, and Floris—trailed closely.
We stepped into the courtyard, bathed in the golden light of the sun, and entered the wheelhouse appointed to us. As we made our way towards the sept, I couldn't help but feel a surge of nervous energy coursing through me. The anticipation of the impending ceremony weighed heavily on my mind, yet I couldn't deny the excitement that pulsed through my veins.
When we arrived at the sept, I couldn't help but marvel at the splendor of the scene before me. The sept had been adorned with flowers and banners, the air filled with the soft strains of music and the murmurs of anticipation from the gathered guests. All eyes turned to us as my father and I made our entrance, and I felt a flutter of butterflies in my stomach at the attention.
With my father's arm firmly linked with mine, we made our way down the aisle towards where Prince Aegon awaited. As I approached, I couldn't help but notice the slight quirk of my eyebrow as I took in his attire. Instead of the customary green associated with his mother's house, he wore red—a bold choice that seemed to make a statement of its own. In that moment, I felt a flicker of hope stir within me. Perhaps, despite our differences and the looming shadow of the war over the Iron Throne, there was a chance for us to find common ground. Prince Aegon's indifference towards the factions and his desire to distance himself from the conflict offered a glimmer of hope that maybe our marriage was not doomed to fail.
As my father passed my hand to Prince Aegon's, I felt a sense of solemnity settle over me. As the sept's ceremony commenced, I found myself lost in a haze of prayers, vows, and singing, my thoughts drifting in and out of focus as the words washed over me. It wasn't until the moment of the cloak exchange that I snapped back to attention, my senses sharpening as the significance of the ritual became apparent.
Unlike traditional weddings, where the bride would wear the maiden cloak of her own house, I found myself adorned in a cloak emblazoned with a three-headed black dragon—the sigil of House Targaryen. It was a stark departure from tradition, a symbol of Prince Aegon's decision to leave behind his Targaryen heritage and join House Baratheon.
My father, ever the dutiful patriarch, accepted the Targaryen cloak with a solemn nod, his expression betraying a sense of pride at his daughter's union with a prince of the realm. And then, as Prince Aegon placed the Baratheon cloak over my shoulders—a golden cloak adorned with the proud stag of our house—I felt a swell of emotion wash over me.
This, Prince Aegon had insisted, was a requirement of our union—a declaration to the world that he was forsaking his Targaryen lineage to stand by my side as I assumed my rightful place as the future Lady Paramount of the Stormlands. Our children would bear the Baratheon name, not Targaryen. I had been present at the meeting where Aegon had made his demands known, and while King Viserys had shown little interest in the matter, my father had nodded in appreciation. Princess Rhaenyra had been ecstatic, her enthusiasm evident, while Queen Alicent...
I turned to where Queen Alicent stood in the front rows, in her emerald-green gown, her lips pursed in disapproval and a frown marring her features. It was the same expression she had worn when Aegon had first made his requirement known—a silent protest against the union that threatened to reshape the balance of power in the realm. I barely stopped myself from smirking viciously at the Green Whore. Acting all righteous and dutiful when she seduced her way into the bed of a dead woman and babe, her own friend's father's bed. I could not believe she had a gall to wear that seven-pointed star pendant when the whole realm knows about her sins and how she sold her body for a crown.
As the ceremony progressed, and the time came for the exchange of vows, I found myself reciting the words with a sense of detachment. "With this kiss, I pledge my love," I murmured, the words feeling foreign on my tongue. There was no love in my heart for Prince Aegon, only a sense of duty driving me forward.
As Prince Aegon echoed my sentiment, declaring his commitment to our union, I listened with a stoic expression. "I take you for my lady and wife," he said, his voice carrying across the sept. And though the words were meant to bind us together in matrimony, they held no weight for me beyond their ceremonial significance.
In response, I repeated the words as required, though they felt hollow and meaningless. "And I take you for my lord and husband," I said, my voice steady but devoid of any true emotion. The words hung in the air, a solemn reminder of the obligations that now bound us together.
As the septon pronounced us man and wife, declaring that we were now "one flesh, one heart, one soul, now and forever," I felt a sense of resignation settle over me. This marriage was not about love or passion, but about duty and obligation, and I knew that I must fulfill my role as Prince Aegon's wife, regardless of my personal feelings.
And so, as we sealed our vows with a kiss, I closed my eyes and let it happen, knowing that it was but a small price to pay for the greater good of my house and my family.
I barely paid attention as the lord and ladies of Westeros cheered for us. Prince Aegon escorted me to the open wheelhouse outside the sept, which we rode back to the Red Keep. As Prince Aegon and I paraded through the streets of King's Landing, our faces fixed in fake smiles and our hands waving to the cheering crowd, I couldn't shake the sense of unease that lingered in the pit of my stomach.
It was then that Prince Aegon leaned in close, his voice barely above a whisper as he spoke words that sent a chill down my spine. "I will not touch you tonight," he murmured, his words carrying a weight that belied their softness. My heart skipped a beat at his declaration, my mind reeling with confusion and disbelief.
"Why?" I managed to choke out, my voice barely audible over the din of the crowd. Prince Aegon's gaze was steady as he met my eyes, his expression serious yet unreadable. "Why will you not consummate our marriage?"
"To everyone else, our marriage will seem consummated," Prince Aegon began, his voice low and grave. "But I will not risk your life by bedding you. I cannot bear the thought of you becoming pregnant at such a young age, only to face the dangers of childbirth. It is not worth the risk."
"I have no desire for the Iron Throne," he continued, his tone resolute. "And having you as my wife is the best way to keep me away from King's Landing. Our children's blood would be too diluted for them to claim any dragons or hatch any egg. If you were to bear my child and die in childbirth, the Greens would push for me to marry Helaena. That is something I want even less than ruling Westeros. I will not allow it to happen."
As we continued our procession through the streets of King's Landing, I forced a smile onto my lips, my hand still clasped in Prince Aegon's as we waved to the cheering crowds. But beneath the facade of celebration, doubt gnawed at me like a persistent itch.
"How can I trust you?" I finally whispered, unable to keep the question from escaping my lips.
Prince Aegon's response was swift, his voice tinged with bitterness and resentment as he. "I hate my mother and grandfather," Prince Aegon began, his voice carrying a bitter edge. " Their abuse has left scars that may never fully heal." His words rang with a raw honesty that struck a chord within me, stirring a sense of empathy for the man who sat beside me.
"I am indifferent towards King Viserys and Princess Rhaenyra," he continued, his tone matter-of-fact. "Let the Blacks and Greens battle it out for the Iron Throne. All I want is a life of leisure, free from the burdens of kingship and the expectations of others."
"With each word I speak, I hope you understand," Prince Aegon began, his voice soft but resolute. "I swear to you, Cassandra Baratheon, I will not stand in your path. Storm's End is yours to rule as you see fit. I want only my freedom, to pursue my own desires without anyone dictating my actions. I want to fly on Sunfyre unburdened. You give me this and we will protect you and your position as the future Lady Paramount of the Stormlands."
As I looked into his eyes, I saw a glimmer of sincerity that reassured me, dispelling the lingering doubts that had plagued me since the before we had even exchanged vows. This, I realized, was the start of a new chapter in our lives, a partnership built on mutual respect and understanding.
And so, with a smile that reached all the way to my heart, I whispered, "This is the beginning of a wonderful marriage." Prince Aegon's laughter rang out in response, a sound that filled me with a sense of hope for the future.
