chapter three
❪ sword fights ❫

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Daenyra and Aemond were practically dragged to the Queens chambers by the kingsguard that had caught them sneaking around the dragonpit.

Daeny was beyond annoyed, she was capable of walking on her own it wasn't like she was going to run and the grip he had on her arm was tighter than it needed to be. Aemond had gone back to his brooding self, the happiness he felt with Daenyra and her dragon earlier had vanished the minute they were caught.

The last thing either of them wanted was to be reprimanded by Alicent but they weren't given a choice in the matter.

"I told you it was a bad idea," Daenyra mumbled to the white haired boy in High Valyrian so the guard wouldn't understand them.

"Do not start," Aemond rolled his eyes, "you should have tried harder to stop me."

"Like that would have worked," she scoffed, receiving a glare in return.

"Quiet," the man ordered as he tightened his grip on the children's arms. Both the princess and prince were about to snap at him until they realised they had arrived at the queen's room.

The kingsguard pulled them inside to find Alicent sitting on the steps beside Helaena. "Your Grace," he announced his presence and gained the woman's attention.

The Queen turned around slightly confused to see both Aemond and Daenyra, "Aemond, Daenyra." She quickly stood to approach the two children. "What have you done?" She more so asked Aemond as she studied his dirty face and clothing which were covered in ash from when he had fallen to the ground in the dragonpit.

"He did it again," Helaena stated as she looked at them, "and he dragged Daeny into it this time."

Daenyra and Aemond narrowed their eyes at her to which she smiled in return, before turning to her centipede that crawled around in her hand.

"Why was Daenyra with you? You now have her roped into your schemes?" Alicent turned to Daeny with a look of disappointment, "and you, princess, you are usually the one to keep him out of trouble, not encourage it. You know better than that, Daenyra."

"I'm sorry, your grace. I —"

Aemond cut her off, "don't blame, daeny. She told me it was a bad idea but she knew I'd go down there with or without her. She accompanied me to make sure I was safe."

The Queen fell silent for a moment before asking the Velaryon, "Is this true?"

Daenyra glanced between Aemond and his mother before nodding slightly, "yes, it is."

"Very well, I do appreciate that, dear girl." She smiled slightly before looking back to her son with anger, "After how many times you've been warned, must I have you confined to your chambers?!"

"They made me do it!" Aemond tried to defend himself.

"As if you needed encouragement," Alicent retorted, "Your obsession with those beasts goes beyond understanding."

"They gave me a pig!" Aemond exclaimed. Daenyra was quick to grab his hand to which he squeezed tightly.

"A what?" Alicent frowned, confusion replacing the anger in her eyes. Her eyes also flickered down to their intertwined hands.

"They told him they found a dragon for him," Daenyra answered sadly, feeling terrible for the torment her own brothers and Aegon put Aemond through constantly.

"But it was a pig," Aemond added, hurt and frustration lacing his tone.

The older woman sighed, as she grabbed ahold of her son's shoulders, "You will have a dragon one day," she reassured.

"He'll have to close an eye," Helaena mumbled to herself, going unheard. Although Daenyra, who was paying attention, had just caught onto what she said. She raised her brows, the words leaving daeny scared for what was to come.

"I know it."

• • • •

Daenyra had left the queen's room as soon as she was allowed; feeling unnerved as she always did around Alicent. The woman's presence alone just frightened her. She was far too intimidating to the princess even when she was kind to her.

Although as much as she scared her, she also annoyed her. The way she treated not only daeny's brothers but her own children sometimes was disgusting. Daeny had Rhaenyra as a mother and her ways of parenting seemed very different to Alicent's. The princess took a kinder approach although could be stern if needed whereas Alicent went straight to anger every time.

It was mostly Aegon she snapped at which daenyra understood every so often considering the boy's alcoholism was horrible. Although sometimes he didn't deserve it and that was coming from daeny and she didn't even like him majority of the time.

Helaena rarely saw her mother because alicent had a hard time comprehending her daughter's peculiar nature. She was probably kindest to her though, she knew her daughter was different so she knew her limits with her. Now Aemond seemed to be her favourite yet she could be harsh with him when he messed up, like earlier. Alicent hated the relationship the two seemed to have with Rhaenyra's oldest child, but tried her hardest to leave it alone considering how happy the girl made her two children.

Daeron however was never around for her to be upset with him. Daenyra hardly saw the boy, she had spent little time with him. The youngest Targaryen boy was in Oldtown with his mothers side of the family. Although for what she did know from the time she spent with him, he was kind. He once followed her around like a shadow.

Daenyra walked the halls of the Red Keep followed by a Kingsguard, Erryk Cargyll. He often accompanied the princess more than others because daenyra enjoyed the knight's company more than most. She was able to have a conversation with him instead of the awkward silence that would linger with other kingsguards.

"Ser Erryk, do you think my hair is strange?" She broke their comfortable silence, taking the knight by surprise.

Erryk looked down at her with a slight concerned gaze, "what do you mean by that princess?"

"I mean the white stripes," she specified with a deep frown as she took a strand of her white hair, that was amongst her hazel locks, between her thumb and pointer finger. She had been hearing whispers more often than usually about it. "My brothers have a full head of brown hair, while the rest of my family have the Valyrian white. Yet, I have both. Don't you find that odd?"

There weren't many strands of white but they few that she had were of course very noticeable. and it seemed more white came through the older she got. Some found it fascinating and beautiful while other saw it as disturbing and weird.

Erryk shook his head firmly, "no, princess, I do not think of it as strange or odd. I find it unique, in a good way. It makes you different, special even and it proves to those in the seven kingdoms that your Targaryen genes are incredibly powerful. Valyrian blood runs thick through your veins and no one can say other wise."

Daenyra knew there was a hidden meaning behind his words and she knew he wasn't using it against here, he was reassuring her. She couldn't stop an adorable grin from stretching out onto her face, beaming up at Erryk with so much happiness and light, it even warmed his heart. "Thank you, Ser Erryk."

"Princess, you know you can just call me Erryk. I have known you since you were a babe," he gave a small smile down to the rose of the realm.

The princess beamed with a nod, "then you must call me daenyra or daeny; whichever you want."

• • • •

Set Erryk chuckled with a head shake as he watched the young girl skip towards her chamber door, her mood much better since he had been walking with her. He opened the door for her as he reached it as well.

Daenyra's smile fell slightly when she entered the room and was met with the sight of her mother staring at her, with her arms crossed and a deep frown etched on her face.

"Mother," she giggled nervously. "what a lovely surprise."

Rhaenyra narrowed her eyes at her oldest child before looking at the kingsguard behind her, "thank you, for bringing my daughter here safely. You may leave us now, ser erryk."

"Princesses," he bowed his head before he exited, shutting the door behind him.

The silence was deafening as the mother and daughter stared at each other. Daenyra wasn't entirely sure what her mother was upset about. She didn't think Rhaenyra would care that much that she let Aemond tag along with her I to see the dragons but she may have been wrong.

"What's wrong, mother?" The young girl broke the silence causing the older woman to take her heated stare off of her daughter.

"I believe I told you to stop visiting the dragons. Especially without their claimers with you." She was using her motherly tone that made the younger princess uncomfortable.

Daenyra moved towards her bed to take a seat as she replied, "you did. But you've been telling me that since I first visited them and I've never listened."

Rhaenyra hummed, "That is true, but why are you taking Aemond along with you? Especially knowing how the Queen will react."

Daeny sighed deeply, irritated because she just had this conversation with the queen and now word had already travelled to her mother about them getting caught down there.

"To be fair, I didn't take Aemond with me. Aemond was going to go by himself whether or not I went along. The only reason I joined him was because he'd get himself hurt if he went alone."

Rhaenyra suddenly smiled, taking daeny by surprise, "I know. I just endured a ear full from the Queen about our children being irresponsible. She did say it was mostly aemond though."

"Of course you did," the brunette rolled her eyes, "you know I did save aemond from dreamfyre turning him into ash."

"I don't doubt it," Rhaenyra chuckled softly.

"The Queen just hates that I'm friends with her son," daeny huffed.

Rhaenyra bit her lip, seeming hesitant to say what she was about to, "she also thought it would be best if I keep you from the dragonpit for a while."

"What?!" Daenyra stood abruptly, "mother, please, you can't do that. I didn't —"

"I refused," Rhaenyra cut her off, "you didn't do anything terribly wrong, daenyra. I know that. I have no reason to punish you, especially that harshly."

The younger girl sighed in relief, "thank you, mama." She sat back down, Rhaenyra joining her as she played with her brown and white hair.

"There's no need to thank me, sweet girl."

Annoyance still coursing through daeny as she leaned into her mothers touch, "why does she do that?"

"Do what?"

"Feel the need to be such a —"

"Daenyra," Rhaenyra reprimanded, before she could finish the sentence.

Daeny fell back onto her bed, "I'm sorry, mother. Although it's not like it isn't true."

"I know," Rhaenyra couldn't help but smirk.

Daeny laughed, "see."

"Does not mean we say it out loud, daeny," Rhaenyra retorted, trying to hide her smile.

The girl shrugged, "fine. It can just be a silent agreement between us."

"Yes, alright, silent agreement." Rhaenyra gave in. She secretly loved her daughter's sassy and impudent side albeit she'd never admit to that.

Daenyra sat up, wrapping her arms around her mother. Rhaenyra reciprocated the action, pulling her daughter close to her.

"I love you," daenyra whispered.

The older princess smiled into the girl's hair, "I love you too, my precious rose."

A knock at the door interrupted the loving moment between the princess. "Come in," daenyra called out not moving from her mother's arms.

"Sorry to interrupt," Erryk apologised as he came in taking in the position of the two, "your brothers are here, princess."

Daeny groaned, remembering the stunt the two boys had pulled on Aemond with Aegon earlier, "let them in."

"Are you upset with your brothers?" Rhaenyra asked as she noted the girl's exasperation.

Before she could reply, two brown haired boys ran in.

"Daeny!" They exclaimed with anxious smiles, "oh, mother, hello."

"Boys," Rhaenyra smiled kindly to them as she felt tension rise in the room as her daughter stared at them blankly. "Do I want to know what is going on here?"

"Probably not," all three children spoke in unison.

Rhaenyra raised brow, wondering whether or not she should push them to tell her. She looked down at the girl beside her who had now stood and crossed her arms. She thought that maybe this was something Daenyra needed to deal with on her own. They'd come to her if they had to, at least the boys would.

"Okay. I'll leave you three to it. I don't want any fighting," she sighed as she stood to leave, "and listen to your sister. She's —"

"In charge," Jace finished, "we know."

Rhaenyra gave them each one last smile and kiss on the head before she left the room. As soon as she was out the door the boys were apologising profusely to their older sister.

Daeny's blank expression turned into an amused one as they both rambled their excuses; speaking over the top of each other as they did.

"Alright, alright!" She shouted over them to get them to stop, "I get it, you feel bad."

"We do," Jace nodded, "we never should have gone along with Aegon. We just want him to like us. We didn't want to be the ones he teased."

Daeny raised a brow, "I understand that, but it's not right to do something to someone that you don't want to be done to you."

Luke pouted, "you're right. It was silly, we won't do it again."

"And what are you going to do when Aegon comes to you with another prank?" She asked.

"Come to you first?" Jace suggested in an unsure tone.

Daenyra thought about it for a moment before nodding with a proud look, "that's exactly what you're going to do."

"So, you're not angry at us anymore?" Luke asked in a hopefully yet quiet voice.

She smiled as she held her arms open, "come here." They didn't need to be told twice as they ran into their big sisters arms, squeezing her tightly.

"We're really sorry, daeny."

"I appreciate that, but I'm not the one you need to apologise to," she mumbled into Jace's hair.

"We'll talk to aemond at training," Jace assured.

Luke looked up at her with hopeful eyes, "do you want to come to the garden with us before training?" He wondered.

Daenyra laughed at his cute pleading face, "sure, why not."

With that the two boys dragged their sister out of her room and outside towards the garden with Ser Erryk following behind them.

• • • •

"Daenyra, this is a dumb idea," Luke warned as he watched his sister remove her shoes.

Said girl rolled her eyes, "do not worry, Luke. This is not my first time climbing a tree."

"Shouldn't you stop her?" Jace asked as he turned to look at Erryk who was keeping a watchful eye on them all.

"I've tried many times before, my prince. Your sister is far too stubborn to listen," the knight replied.

"Mother won't be happy that you're dirtying your dress," Luke said.

Daenyra had chosen to ignore her brother's concerns and started to climb up the large tree. She concentrated as she reached out and grabbed onto a branch to pull herself higher, she hooked her leg over the branch to haul herself up in a sitting position. Once she was stable upon the branch she twisted herself around to be able to face her brothers. She looked down at them with a grin as she swung her legs back and forth.

The boys and kingsguard shook their heads as they stared up at her.

"You're an idiot!" Jace shouted.

Daeny glared down at him, "don't make me climb down and slap you."

Jace smirked as he crossed his arms, "then you'd have to climb back up, you're too lazy to do all that again.

The girl returned his smirk as she called out, "Luke!" The boy understood what she wanted and stood on his tippy toes to slap his brother on the side of his head.

"Hey!" Jace protested and hit him back.

"Don't hit your little brother," Daenyra scolded from above.

"You can't scold me when you're up in a tree and you hit both of us all the time," Jace retorted.

She scoffed, "I can scold you whenever I want. You know what mother always says, I'm in charge. And I don't hit you all the time, only when you say or do something idiotic which seems to happen often with you."

"Daenyra!" Jace gasped in offence while Luke laughed.

Erryk stood to the side watching the children in amusement. There was never a dull moment with the Velaryon kids.

"What has she done now?" A voice suddenly appeared causing the boys to turn to see Sabina with Helaena.

"Sabina, tell Daenyra to stop being mean to me," Jace huffed as he pouted.

Sabina laughed, "none of us can tell Daenyra to do anything."

"She is too stubborn," Helaena added softly.

"I am not!" The Velaryon girl protested.

Sabina looked up with furrowed brows, "what in the seven hells are you doing in a tree?"

Daenyra shrugged, "I had to get away from Jace."

"Please shut up," Jace groaned.

Helaena looked up with a hopeful glint in her eye, "Daeny, are there any insects up there I can add to my collection?"

"Helaena, as much as I love you; you know I refuse to touch any insect unless it's a butterfly," replied the girl in the tree.

"Well, are there any butterflies?"

She looked around, failing to find any in sight, "I'm afraid not."

Helaena deflated, frowning at the ground.

"Don't worry, Hel, we'll find you something later," Daenyra promised, causing a small smile to return to the white haired girl's face.

"Can you come down now?" Luke requested.

"One moment," she replied as she stood and began to climb higher, squinting as the sun shined down on her.

"She's going to fall," Jace said worriedly.

Helaena shook her head, "she's done it a thousand times. I'd be surprised if she fell."

"You never know," Sabina mumbled. "And you're letting this happen because?" She stared at Ser Erryk.

"He knows she's too stubborn to listen to him," Luke answered before the man could.

Daenyra looked down once again, "I'm not stubborn."

"Yes you are!"

Daenyra smiled, ignoring the chatter that continued on the ground, she spotted a caterpillar perched on a higher branch. She shuddered to herself before slowly holding her fingers out towards it. She grabbed gently to not squash it, praying her scream doesn't come out as it squirmed in her hand.

How Helaena adored the creepy little things, Daenyra would never understand.

She held it in a loose closed fist as she began to climb back down the tree. She used the branches to keep herself stable, luckily she wasn't too high up. Getting to the last branch she listened to her brother sigh.

"Thank god, I really thought you were going to fall," Luke grinned at her.

She gave him her own grin in return as she stepped onto the ground, using her free hand to dust off her now dirty baby blue dress.

Jace tilted his head in thought, "I was kind of hoping she would." He smirked playfully.

Sabina squinted her eyes at him, "do you want her to kill you."

"She loves me too much for that."

Daeny pursed her lips, "you're pushing it though."

She moved towards Helaena, who stood back watching her as she held her closed fist towards her. The brunette nodded towards her aunt's hand causing her to raise her open hands. Daenyra opened her fist letting the caterpillar fall into the older girl's hands.

Helaena gasped in delight, "daeny, you found a caterpillar."

"Will turn into a butterfly?"

"Yes," Helaena nodded as she admired the insect. "You didn't have to do that, daenyra. I know how much you hate bugs."

Daenyra shrugged, "only for you, Helaena."

The Targaryen girl smiled as tears pricked her eyes, she stepped forward and wrapped her arm around the younger girls shoulder.

Sabina, Jace and Luke stood back smiling at the two girls. Daenyra was always the most understanding with Helaena even when she didn't completely understand her.

"When the eye is taken, the hearts of the dragons are left breaking," Helaena whispered into Daeny's ear.

Daenyra pulled back with furrowed brows. She wanted to ask what that meant but Helaena just went back to staring at her new insect as if she didn't say a confusing thing.

"Princess, Princes, it's time to go," Erryk spoke loudly to the siblings. "The princes have training."

The Velaryon siblings bid the two girls goodbye before they walked off.

"You know you're crazy right," Luke said.

Daenyra nodded indifferently, "crazy and the best big sister."

"I wouldn't say the best," Jace retorted playfully, receiving a shove.

Luke shrugged, "I'd say she's close to it."

Daenyra grinned at him as she wrapped an arm around his shoulder, "that's why you are my favourite, Lukey."

Jace rolled his eyes, "suck up."

• • • •

Daenyra believed she was being punished. The King had requested that she join him to watch her brothers and uncles train. Those closest to her knew she hated watching the boys train.

Not because she didn't like swords or anything but because it just uninterested her to watch them. They were all terrible. She used to be envious because she never used to even be allowed close to a sword. She was to be the future queen and they wouldn't let her to learn to fight, Alicent of course refused when it was suggested by Rhaenyra.

Luckily the king stepped in and allowed her but not with her brothers. He had declared that she could be taught by Ser Harwin. Daenyra loved her grandsire even more for it because she knew she'd hate being taught by Criston. Corlys also loved to teach his granddaughter whenever she visited Driftmark.

So, now Daeny sat beside Viserys looking down at Criston teaching the boys; more specifically Aemond and Aegon whilst ignoring Jace and Luke. Lyonel Strong, Harwins father and Hand of the King, stood beside them.

Both her brothers looked up and grinned at her to which she returned with her own and a wave.

"This is the stuff, Lyonel," Viserys spoke, "Lads that learn together, train together...knock each other down, pick each other up. They will certainly form a lifelong bond, wouldn't you agree?"

Daenyra struggled to keep in her scoff, as long as those boy's mothers hated each other they'd never be anything more or less than enemies. It was a miracle Aemond and Daeny were friends. The only reason her brothers ever got along with Aegon was because they did everything he told them to.

"That is the hope, Your Grace," Lyonel replied as he shared a glance with Daeny while they both watched Aemond knock the fake sword out of Jace's hand.

The princess loved her grandfather dearly but she would never get over how oblivious and naive he was. Or maybe he just liked to live in a fantasy world where his family was a loving and united family. Although they were all far from it.

"What do you think, Daenyra?" He looked at her with a smile; happiness shining in his eyes.

"I think I could use a sword better then all four of them," she giggled as her grandsire laughed wholeheartedly.

"I don't doubt that for a second, my dear."

Her smile turned into a frown as she watched Aegon smile flirtatiously at some maids who rushed away under his stare. She shuddered in disgust.

"Aegon," Criston called out, snapping the boy from his weird trance.

The boy turned to the knight startled before he smirked, "I've won my first bout, Ser Criston. My opponent sues for mercy."

"You'll have a new opponent then, my Lord of the Straw," Criston decided, "Let's see if you can touch me. You and your brother."

The Targaryen brothers stepped up confidently while Daenyra shook her head, fascinated to see them being kicked down.

As Criston prepared himself he looked up at the King and Princess. Viserys took no notice of this but Daenyra did. She purposely made eye contact with him, holding it confidently. She smirked slightly when he backed down first.

The princes tried and utterly failed to land a strike on the knight; losing the duel to ser Criston who was barely trying himself.

"You're gonna have to do better than that," Criston said.

They fought once more, the kingsguard once again blocked every attempt and landed a strike on each of them.

Daenyra laughed louder than she hoped she would, causing both Targaryen boys to look up at her with glares.

"Well done, uncle," she smirked mockingly at Aemond.

He narrowed his eyes, "thank you, princess," sarcasm laced his tone. Aegon shook his head at her in defeat.

"Ah! Weapons up, boys. Give your enemies no quarter," Harwin spoke to the Velaryon boys who stood to the side watching the duel take place.

Criston stared at the Lord Commander who returned the stare.

"It seems the younger boys could do better with a bit of your attention, Ser Criston," Harwin suggested.

"You question my method of instruction, ser?" Asked Criston.

"I do," Daeny spoke rather loudly, considering all eyes turned to her. Her brother and uncle chuckled while Criston squinted. Harwin tried and failed to not smile.

"Daenyra," Viserys scolded but he too had a small smile upon his face.

She pursed her lips, saying, "sorry," although her tone implied that she wasn't.

"Oh, I merely suggest that method be applied to all your pupils," Harwin said, taking the attention from his biological daughter.

"Very well," he nodded as he faced the four princes. "Jacaerys, come here," he harshly grabbed the boy's collar, dragging him. "You spar with Aegon."

Aegon and Aemond laughed humorously, both knowing Jace didn't have a chance in winning.
Viserys watched curiously while Daeny frowned, not liking where this was going.

"Eldest son against eldest son."

Aegon clapped Jace on the back as he passed him, an excited smile on his face.

Jace was clearly panicked as he looked up at his sister. The girl very much wanted to help him but what could she do? Anything she said would be ignored and Criston now seemed determined for this duel to take place.

"It's hardly a fair match," Harwin pointed out.

"I know you've never seen true battle, ser, but when steel is drawn, a fair match isn't something anyone should expect," Criston smartly replied.

Aegon shrugged with a nod, "he has a point. Daenyra could put up more of a fight then him."

Their eyes once again turned to the princess who had been listening to her grandsire as he spoke. She looked down at them; confused.

"Yes?"

"The princess will not be fighting today," Criston decided. "Blades up," both boys raised their fake swords, "Engage."

Aegon ran towards Jace, screaming as he began attacking him. Jace quickly retreated and tried hard to avoid his attacks. Aegon quickly brought an end to the fight by pushing Jace and the boy fell to the ground. Aegon chuckled to himself as he walked away.

Daenyra was beyond tense as she watched her little brother grunt in pain on the ground. It felt like someone had come at her with a real sword to the stomach.

With a sort of war cry, Jace stood up abruptly and rushed at Aegon, taking the boy by slight surprise. Aegon did his best to dodge Jace's attempts. Harwin and Daeny watched with smirks as Jace's charges made Aegon hide behind a training dummy, which he shoved at Jace to get the boy to stop.

"Foul play," Harwin pointed as he went and spoke quietly to Jacaerys, instructing him on what to do. Criston Cole doing the same with Aegon.

Aemond, who walked around aimlessly, waiting for something to happen next, suddenly set his gaze up on Daenyra with a smile. The girl felt his eyes on her so she tore her sight away from her brother to her uncle. He gave a small wave when they made eye contact which she returned.

"You!" Aegon's shout took their attention from each other. The older boy stormed towards the younger.

"Close with him," Cole instructed.

Aegon did as he was told, and Jace struggled to keep up with him. Aegon tried to attack him at close range, which made it incredibly hard for Jace to dodge or attack back at him.

"Press him backward!"

Aegon manages to get to Jace, who's back suddenly met the wall behind him. Aegon twirled his sword in his hand and prepared to strike at his head.

"Close with him!"

Aegon continued listening to Cole's demands, Jace never being able to get a strike in.

"Stay on the attack!"

"Use your feet!"

The Targaryen kicked the Velaryon to the ground, both Harwin and Daeny looked at Criston incredulously.

"Don't let him get up."

Aegon started to attack Jace while he was in the ground defenceless, barely being able to keep his sword in his hold.

"Stay on the attack!"

Jace had dropped his sword but that didn't stop his uncle who went to strike him once more.

Daenyra stood suddenly, anxiety taking over as she needed someone to stop this.

"Enough!" Harwin stepped in, pulling Aegon back and shoving him on the ground.

"You dare put hands on me?!" The older prince screamed.

"Aegon!" Viserys called out with a frown causing the boy to stop. "It's okay, Daeny. You don't need to worry," he spoke kindly to his granddaughter who was yet to sit down.

Daenyra furrowed her brows, "that's my baby brother. Of course I'm going to worry."

Did he not see what just took place? That was not training, it was personal. At least from Criston's part in the whole thing.

"You forget yourself, Strong. That is the Prince," Criston reminded.

Daenyra scoffed, and what was Jace, she wondered to herself.

"This is what you teach, Cole?" Harwin questioned as he picked up the fake swords, "Cruelty...to the weaker opponent?"

"Your interest in the princeling's training is quite unusual, Commander," Criston stated nonchalantly, "Most men would only have that kind of devotion toward a cousin, or a brother..."

Daenyra knew what was coming, it was beyond obvious where Cole was taking it.

"or a son."

Harwin clenched his jaw, spun around to face Criston and punched him. Daenyra ran out of the balcony, ignoring Lyonel and Viserys calls. It took her a while but she was quite a fast runner, so she made it down in the training pit in record time.

As she arrived where the fight was taking place, guards were lifting Harwin off of a bloodied Cole. Daeny cared little for the whole show only looking at her brother who she rushed over to.

She wrapped an arm around each of their shoulders while all three of them watched Harwin being held back by four guards.

"Say it again! Say it again!" He screamed furiously.

Daenyra pulled her brother into her tightly as she began to lead them away in the opposite direction their birth father was being dragged off to. She pushed her brother behind her as she stood above Criston Cole, staring as he spat out blood with a chuckle not noticing her.

"Thought as much," he murmured to himself.

She sucked in a harsh breath gaining his attention, "that was clever, I'll admit your taunts were quite smart. Best thing about it was that you came out with what I hope is a broken nose."

His eyes widened slightly, not expecting that from the princess a lot of people said was kinder than anyone in the red keep. Maybe that wasn't completely true.

She looked at her uncles who watched her with raised brows and then her grandfather who was in deep conversation with Lyonel about what just happened.

Noticing they weren't watching her, she lifted her dress slightly to let her feet show and kicked some of the dirt in Cole's face. The man flinched at the action.

"Touch my brother again and it will be the last thing you ever do," she warned, "good day, ser Crispin."

She grabbed her brother's arms, both boys staring at her in surprise as she pulled them out of the training pit. Leaving those who witnessed her small action and heard what she had said in disbelief.

Except for Aemond Targaryen who stared after her with a proud smirk and a familiar glint shining in his eyes.

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