CHAPTER TWELVE.

THE WEDDING

116 AC

VISENYA felt incredibly clustered as the maids flitted around her chambers. The incessant sound of their shuffling was beginning to drive her crazy, but she didn't want to snap. She was already overwhelmed and if she yelled at anyone that day, she'd burst with anger and fly off to Gods knows where and never come back. 

Visenya's shoulder blades met as she was tied into her gown. The disgusting white and gold dress was the bane of her existence and watching herself in the mirror caused a scowl to mar her Valyrian features. 

The wedding.

That's all anyone could talk about.

The crude and vulgar Visenya Targaryen was finally being forced into marriage. Visenya grunted as the seamstress once again pulled tightly at the strings of her corset. 

"Visenya!" The woman looked up venomously as Alicent breezed into her chambers, "Oh you look beautiful!" Of course, she thought that. Alicent was a child, she had no idea of the horrors of married life. Visenya herself had witnessed it plenty a time. 

Visenya groaned as the strings were tugged a final time and tied at the small of her back, "Just... be quiet."

"Leave us," Alicent ordered. Immediately the room cleared and Visenya sighed. Alicent walked toward her, gripping her hands tightly in her own. The Queen was once again with child and she stood away slightly to not hit the Targaryen with her swollen belly. "Listen Visenya. This is a good thing. You'll be wed, you'll have children and you and your husband will live a happy life."

Visenya snatched her hands out of the Queens, "Do you truly believe that?" She looked confused, "Seven hells you are more stupid than I thought. Do you think you are happy? Married to a man that is almost four times your elder? Popping out children left and right? Alicent that is not happy. That is slavery. At times I almost feel sorry for you." 

Visenya picked up the goblet of wine, the only thing keeping her sane, and downed it quickly. 

"I am happy," said the girl defensively, "Visenya, I love your father. He has given me children and happiness and a life some girls could only dream of."

"Then you and all those other girls have very small and pitiful dreams," the Targaryen woman muttered, "If you'll excuse me, I must finish getting ready for my death sentence."

Alicent sighed deeply. She swiftly exited and the maids returned. Cyrenna walked over and stood on a stool to do Visenya's hair, "Did your father arrange your marriage to Areo?"

Cyrenna smiled and a deep blush fluttered over her tanned skin, "No, Princess. We fell in love. He asked for my hand."

"Then you're one of the lucky ones aren't you," Visenya grumbled, "You love your husband and your children. I cannot say that I will when it inevitably comes." Cyrenna had birthed a beautiful daughter, Ellaria, only a month prior and Visenya felt sorry that she was already back to working. But the duties of a lady in waiting never ceased clearly. 

Cyrenna combed through her silver locks in a motherly nature, "You always love your children. Even if you don't always love your husband. You're right, I was lucky. But some women aren't and they learn to love their husband as if they did before they wed." They fell silent as Cyrenna pinned things in place. Finally, when she was finished, Cyrenna placed the final touch upon her shoulders. The cloak bearing the House Targaryen sigil, "Visenya, it will not be so bad."

"I'm sure it shall be."

Cyrenna sighed, giving her a pitiful smile through the mirror, "You're all done. You're ready."

"Physically."

"You're ready," she reaffirmed. 

Unlike Rhaenyra's wedding earlier that year, Visenya was to be married in the Sept of Baelor in front of all the Lords and Ladies of the Court. She despised it. She exited her chambers, a squadron of guards following. They escorted her all the way out to the yard, where another set of guards were waiting by the litter. 

The Princess unhappily got into the litter, sitting with an annoyed expression on her face. Viserys smiled at her jovially. He was clearly very excited for the wedding, "Visenya! My daughter, you look beautiful."

Alicent beside him agreed profusely.

"Not today, Father," Visenya muttered, shifting the annoying dress around as the litter took off toward the Sept. The ride was filled with silence, Visenya staring out at the city. People were flocking to the Sept to see her and thought usually would've made her happy, the circumstances were less than amazing. 

When they arrived, the people cried out in joy. They were excited to see the royal family even if it was to only get a glimpse as the guards descended upon them. 

Visenya was escorted into the Sept and grimaced. The Septon was delivering his prayers to the audience including readings from The Seven Pointed Star. 

She hid behind Ser Waltyr, peaking to take a glance. Rhaenyra stood at the front, along with Laenor Velaryon. The Targaryen girl was pregnant with her first child and though Visenya didn't know whom she'd laid with— because it certainly wasn't Laenor— she would defend her sister till her last breath. 

In addition, to them, the Septon and Alicent's young children. The Prince Aegon was now four and the Princesses Helaena and Rhaella were about to turn two. Aegon was pulling at Rhaenyra's gown and Helaena was wailing as usual. Only Rhaella seemed to be behaving, sitting on the steps of the altar in the middle, playing with a small toy. The youngest girl was Visenya's favourite of her father's new children.

And finally, the Starks. Addam stood in between the Targaryens and the Starks, fiddling with the sleeves of his attire. He looked handsome of course, but Visenya still scowled in distaste. His brother— she could not tell which— stood behind him, seemingly equally annoyed, but probably due to the noise and the fact that Visenya was not yet there. She wished that they could wait for a lifetime.

Visenya snapped from her state of mind as she and her father were announced. Ser Waltyr stepped aside and Visenya felt exposed as every head in the Sept turned toward her. She subconsciously stood straighter and began to descend the steps. 

Viserys patted her arm gently as they walked and if Visenya clenched her jaw any harder her teeth would've been ground to ashes. They stopped and she was silently presented to the septon. Viserys joined the rest of their family and Visenya was left on her own. 

The septon glanced at Addam, "You may now cloak the bride and bring her under your protection."

The cloak that was around Visenya's shoulders was removed by Addam and a new one was put in its place, one bearing the House Stark sigil. 

"My lords, my ladies, we stand here in the sight of gods and men to witness the union of man and wife. One flesh, one heart, one soul, now and forever."

Visenya's hand slipped into Addam's and the Septon began to tie a ribbon in a knot around their joined hands to symbolise their union, "Let it be known that Visenya of House Targaryen and Addam of House Stark, are one heart, one flesh and one soul. Versed be he who would seek to tear them asunder. In the sight of the Seven, I hereby seal these two souls, binding them as one for eternity."

Visenya tuned the man out. Her eyes wandered past Addam and to the seats behind his head. Her eyes ran over the people but stopped as it caught a familiar face. Her breath hitched as her eyes met Daemon's. He was there in secret, of course, he was still banished by Viserys. But his inconspicuous attire made him almost invisible amongst the crowd. He stood at the very back, hood up to cover his silver hair. 

Visenya's jaw clenched as she looked away. She'd waited for him in her chambers that night for hours, but he'd never come. She was sure that there was a reasonable explanation but deep in her heart she knew it was because he was mad. He was mad she was marrying someone else. She looked away.

"Look upon each other and say the words..." 

"Father, Smith, Warrior, Mother, Maiden, Crone, Stranger," they began in unison, "I am his and he is mine. From this day until the end of my days."

"I am hers and she is mine. From this day until the end of my days. With this kiss I pledge my love."

Addam tentatively leaned forward, pressing a chaste kiss upon Visenya's lips. She turned away, her stomach coiling in disgust. The Lords and Ladies clapped, cheers ringing out. 

As Visenya glanced up, Daemon was gone. 

Later that night, the after-ceremony celebrations were conducted in the great hall. Visenya sat wedged between her father and husband watching as the Court danced happily. The hall was arranged similarly to the welcome feast, with tables on either side of the hall and space to dance in the middle. 

Visenya swirled the wine in her chalice, her features devoid of any joy. A nice haze was settling over her mind and she was becoming quite mellow. Daemon sat at the end of the table to her right and she'd avoided making eye contact with him. The Lords were coming up to give presents and they had begun to pile up behind the table. The Targaryen woman almost groaned at the sight of Lord Jason approaching. 

She plastered on a smile, though more of a grimace, as he stopped, "Princess! What a wonderful celebration on this joyous day."

"Thank you, Lord Jason, what a joyous day indeed," Visenya said sarcastically, looking into her chalice. The table frowned at her tone, "Do you need something?"

"Oh yes, just to present you with this," he leaned forward and placed a box on the table. Visenya's brow lifted at the small thing. She picked it up, pulling off the top. She was pleasantly surprised. Inside lay a beautiful dagger, a Dothraki one at that. The grip was made of a silver metal with an intricately carved design and the blade was long and sharp. 

She picked it up, turning it in her hand, "It's wonderful Lord Jason thank you." 

The blond man frowned, causing her to look at him with slight confusion. Viserys leaned into her side, "It's customary for you to give it to your husband."

The woman stiffened as her jaw clenched. She glanced down at the mahogany table and plunged the tip of the dagger into it. It cut through the wood nicely and it stood up on its own, "I shall use it very often." She already had one dagger, now she had another. 

Lord Jason swallowed thickly as he gave an awkward smile before walking away. Visenya rolled her eyes as she removed the dagger from the table, setting it down in front of her. 

Addam suddenly stood, "My wife. I too, have brought you a gift."

He presented her with a box and Visenya looked up at him suspiciously. She opened it and her wariness dissipated. Inside was a beautiful necklace with leaves from the weirwood tree created from steel. At the centre of each leave sat a beautiful white opal, one of Visenya's favourite jewels aside from rubies. And even those were included, creating the red sheen on the leaves. 

"It's beautiful," she muttered. 

"May I?" Addam questioned. Visenya nodded and he swiftly lifted the necklace from its casing. He stood behind her lifting it over her head. Visenya shifted her braid away as he lowered the necklace. The cool metal touched her skin causing her to shiver, it contrasted Addam's warm hands that brushed across the nape of her neck. 

As he clasped it, his fingers shifted to move the necklace already around her neck, "No. Leave it." 

She lifted the little dragon curled around the sword and frowned deeply. Her eyes flicked to Daemon, meeting his for the first time that evening. A soft sigh escaped her parted lips as she tucked the dragon into her clothing before turning to her husband with a forced smile, "Thank you."

"Thank me by joining me for a dance?" He questioned, holding out a hand. 

Visenya nodded, taking it and he led her off to the floor. He swept her into the slow dance, Visenya resting her hand on his broad shoulder and the other staying conjoined with his own. They swayed gently to the music. It was calm and almost domestic. 

Daemon watched from his seat in barely concealed jealousy. His jaw ticked as he clenched it, watching the Stark's hand at the waist of the woman he was, dare he say, in love with. He so desperately wished it was him, cursing his brother for saying no to his adamant proposal for Visenya's hand.

Addam had a soft hold on her waist as he led her in the dance and for a moment, Visenya forgot that she hadn't actually chosen him to marry. He spoke lowly into her ear, smooth like silk, "I know you don't exactly want this. But I promise you Visenya, I shall be the best husband you could ask for. I give you my word."

Visenya's lips curled in a small smile. There were a lot worse men she could have married.