Rhiannon strolled gracefully across the training grounds, the hems of her flowing dark red dress swaying with each movement. Clutched close to her chest was a large book. As she made her way, her sharp gaze fell upon Aegon and Aemond, who were meticulously strapping on their armor in preparation for their upcoming training session. She knew her brothers and Ser Cristin Cole would join them soon, and she felt jealous at seeing them training in the open. Whenever her father found a way to sneak her away from her boring lessons, she eagerly embraced the chance to engage in her secret training sessions.
Aemond locked eyes with her, his lips parting momentarily before pressing into a thin line. Rhiannon halted, holding his gaze unwaveringly.
"Are you joining us?" Aegon taunted, propping himself against the straw dummy. His smug grin always made Rhiannon wrinkle her nose.
"You're fortunate that I'm not," Rhiannon retorted sharply, her lingering resentment toward her two uncles palpable from the day before. Aegon chuckled.
"The only sharp thing I've ever seen you hold was your sewing needle," he replied with a sly grin. Rhiannon could feel her blood boiling as she looked around before noticing the rows of bows and arrows beside them. She turned swiftly on her heels, heading straight to them.
Aegon lightly nudged Aemond's chest and joked, "Better watch out. You don't know where she might hi—" Before Aegon could finish his sentence, a sudden breeze whipped past his face. He turned and noticed an arrow only inches from his head embedded into the straw man behind him.
Rhiannon observed with a self-satisfied expression as Aegon's face paled and his jaw dropped. Aemond appeared to be quite impressed as he shifted his attention toward Rhiannon.
"Do you have nothing to say now, uncle?" Rhiannon inquired, casually picking up her book as she noticed her brothers approaching to join them.
Rhiannon executed a graceful curtsy, her gaze locked with Aegon's as she spoke, "I trust that your training is progressing well. If you'll excuse me, I have promised to read to the King." A warm smile accompanied her statement. As she ascended the steps, she found herself standing directly in front of Ser Cristen. Rhiannon was certain they had never exchanged a single word throughout her life. Despite the absence of verbal communication, Rhiannon couldn't help but notice the intense glare from the Queen's knight directed at her mother, father, siblings, and herself. She pondered what could have occurred before her birth to provoke such loathing. The knight stepped aside swiftly, allowing Rhiannon to pass. Rhiannon took the opportunity to pass promptly and go toward where she was to meet her grandsire.
Rhiannon sat on an uncomfortable wooden chair beside her grandfather, King Viserys. An ancient Valyrian history book was spread open on her lap, and she had chosen to read it in the high Valyrian. Her fluent and melodic voice comforted her grandfather as she read.
Meanwhile, King Viserys watched his son's and grandsons' training sessions. The clang of wooden swords filled the air as the young princes practiced diligently. King Viserys engaged in a lively conversation with his loyal hand, Lord Lyonel Strong, expressing his satisfaction at the boys' dedication to their training.
Rhiannon couldn't help but look up from her book and notice Aegon's distraction. He watched the young maids make their way across the grounds, completely forgetting about the training they were supposed to focus on.
"Aegon," Ser Cristen began, trying to return his attention to the task.
"I've won my first bout, Ser Cristen," Aegon interrupted, a smug look on his face as they walked towards each other.
"My opponent sues for mercy," he finished with a smirk. Ser Cristen then spoke about finding him another opponent while Rhiannon rolled her eyes at his overconfident attitude.
As her reading stopped, Rhiannon lowered her book and began to observe the scene below. Ser Cristen beckoned Ageon and Aemond forward to spar with him while her brothers watched from the sidelines. Rhiannon's jaw clenched with frustration as she noticed her brothers being left out. King Visery was so deeply engrossed in what was happening before him that he failed to notice Rhiannon had stopped reading.
Aegon and Aemond wielded their wooden swords with determination, but Ser Cristen effortlessly dodged their attacks. Meanwhile, Ser Harwin offered guidance to Jace and Luke, urging them to maintain their guard and press their advantage against their opponents.
As Ser Harwin questioned Ser Cristen's tactics, an air of unease settled over Rhiannon. Suddenly, her lady's maid discreetly interrupted, drawing the attention of Lord Lyonel and King Visery. Meanwhile, Rhiannon anxiously observed the unfolding scene. With an elegant curtsy, the maid requested Rhiannon's presence at her lessons. Startled, Rhiannon turned towards her, dread etched on her face upon seeing the maid.
"Very well then," King Visery nodded in agreement, his voice filled with authority.
"But—" Rhiannon hesitated, gently closing the book.
"Now, Rhiannon, you must focus on your studies," King Visery stated firmly. Knowing better than to argue with the King, Rhiannon let out a sigh and placed a loving kiss on her grandsire's cheek before reluctantly making her way to her lessons.
Princess Rhaenyra appeared weary as she sat in her chair during the small council meeting, absently running her fingers over the dark orb before her. Her mind was troubled with numerous thoughts as she listened to the council members discuss the matter of the Blackwoods.
Queen Alicent leaned forward, placing her arms on the table, and remarked, "This is ultimately a Tully issue."
King Visery concurred, "Indeed, I agree."
"As we consider the next steps, my lords..." Tyland Lannister began.
Interrupting him, Rhyaenyra commanded attention with her words.
"The Brackens and the Blackwoods will seize any opportunity to shed each other's blood," she concluded, her gaze fixed on the orb before her. Only when she turned to face the Queens did she raise her eyes.
"Thus, it's imperative to investigate this dispute further," the princess added, her gaze returning to King Visery, her father, as she spoke.
"There will be countryfolk who know where the lines have been drawn for generations."
"That's simple enough," Lord Lyonel remarked. The Queen appeared displeased, a suggestive smile playing at the corners of her lips as she sipped her wine. She muttered a sarcastic "of course." Alicent's animosity towards the princess was well-known; the small council members observed the Queen, uncertain what to say next.
Breaking the stunned silence, Lord Lyonel turned to address Lord Tyland. Princess Rhyaenyra sat uneasily in her chair as the council discussed the stepstone situation. She looked around as each member took their turn proposing solutions. However, when her uncle Daemon's name was mentioned in the context of leaving the stepstones undefended, Rhyaenyra again spoke out against the Queen. She argued that it was their responsibility. Throughout her speech, Rhyaenyra never broke eye contact with Alicent, maintaining it until Alicent averted her gaze, declaring that she was finished with the discussion.
The King nodded in agreement as the Queen expressed her thoughts. With that, everyone in the room began to rise, but Rhyaenyra remained seated, her mind swirling with thoughts. She looked around urgently, calling out for a moment's pause.
"I would like the opportunity to speak," she declared, breaking the tense silence in the room. The King responded by instructing everyone to take their seats once more, and as Rhyaenyra rose to speak, everyone except the Queen obeyed and sat back down. Queen Alicent, on the other hand, stood firmly, her eyes fixed with disdain on Rhyaenyra.
"My queen, I have noticed the growing tension between our families," Rhyaenyra began, her voice filled with uncertainty as she addressed the delicate matter.
"I apologize for any offense I may have caused. But let us not forget that we are all part of the same house," Rhyaenyra asserted, fixing her gaze on the Queen.
"And before all else, we were once friends." Rhyaenyra's smile revealed a hint of nostalgia as she looked at her former friend, who responded with a noticeable hint of annoyance rather than returning the smile.
"My daughter Rhiannon will inherit the iron throne after me. I suggest that we arrange a betrothal between her and your son Aegon. This alliance will solidify our unity once and for all." King Visery beamed as he glanced back and forth between the two women.
"Such a brilliant suggestion," he said with a smile as he glanced at his wife, whose expression remained consistently discontent.
Rhyaenyra's muscles tightened as she caught sight of Alicent's intense stare. Rhyaenyra's gaze flickered downwards briefly before she remarked that if her dragon were to lay more eggs, the Queen's son, Aemond, would have the opportunity to select from them.
"A symbol of our goodwill," Rhyaenyra said, her voice trailing off as she looked up with a bright smile. However, her smile quickly faded when she noticed the Queen's expression. Alicent called out her name softly, her eyes flicking down to Rhyaenyra's chest, where a telltale wet spot began to form, the result of breastmilk leaking through her dress. Rhyaenyra felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment as she instinctively covered her chest, casting a quick, furtive glance around the room. A muttered curse slipped past her lips as she sank back into her chair.
"My dear, a dragon's egg is a handsome gift," the King said with a warm smile, his eyes gleaming with appreciation.
"We are grateful for your generous offer and will give it the careful consideration it deserves," Alicent responded.
"You should retire to your chambers and rest, my husband," she added as she moved closer to the King. As the King and Queen departed the chamber, Princess Rhyaenyra remained seated, her mind swirling with uncertainty as she pondered the consequences of her actions and the potential fallout that lay ahead.
As the King and Queen proceeded toward his chambers, a tense silence enveloped them, broken only by the weight of their unspoken disagreement about Rhyaenyra. Despite knowing that Rhyaenyra's eldest child was indeed legitimate, the Queen's mind was consumed by the desire to deny Rhyaenyra any sense of victory. This internal conflict manifested in their hushed argument, reaching a crescendo as they paused on the staircase. In a sudden burst of frustration, the King's cane struck the steps, the echoing sound cutting through the tension as he advanced toward Alicent.
"Aegon will wed Rhiannon, and that is final," he declared firmly before swiftly resuming his ascent, leaving a resentful Alicent in his wake. Despite her anger, Alicent understood that she needed to bide her time.