I await outside the council meeting for Daemon. He's being reprimanded for his acts as Head of City Watch last night. He killed rapists and vile men, what more is there is discuss?

"Lady Hightower." He bows his head to me as the doors close behind him, spotting me in the shadows immediately. "To what am I owed your gracious presence?" He smirks curiously.

I step out and fall into stride with his. "We were told our duties were not needed for this meeting and I wanted to know what they said to you, Your Grace." I answer politely. His chest seems to fill pride at the acknowledgement.

He chuckles lowly. "Your father did not approve of my ways. I was only doing my duty." He explains simply.

I fold my hands behind my back, mindlessly playing with the bracelet he had gifted me. "I don't see to it you did anything wrong, my Prince."

He pauses and turns to me. "And that is why you should lead around here, not these imps." He spits out.  He pauses before reaching for a strand of hair laying on my cheek, brushing it back softly. "You were born for royalty and ruling." His says softly, face written as serious as the crown.

My eyes flutter at his calloused, warm touch. "Thank you, Daemon." His fingers graze down my cheek, to my jaw. My breath hitches before I add. "You seem to be the only one that thinks so."

"Your mother agreed." He says. I tense slightly. It's been a while since anyone has uttered a word of her since her more recent passing and Daemon hasn't said a thing about it since he was there for me the night of her funeral. My mother always said I was destined for greatness, that I was a princess waiting to be made into a queen.

"Though my father does not." I object, knowing my father only see's Alicent in that light, not me. He's told me many times that I will never marry as high of an order as Alicent due to my 'immature, flocking ways' and that no man wants to marry a loud and argumentative woman, but rather a quiet, obedient lady. But I was not gifted those attributes as Alicent was. I am not her, nor I do not want to be, and my father cannot seem to stand it.

"Your father is an imbecile." Daemon's jaw tightens. "Any man would be lucky to have you." He sighs. "You shall see." And with that we part ways.

"Where have you been?" Alicent meets me in foyer. "We're supposed to be fitted for our dresses for the tournament!" She huffs, grabbing my wrist. I glance over my shoulder towards the window as I watch Daemon's figure descend towards the pleasure house.

♔♔♔

"Be welcome!" King Viserys greets the buzzing crowd of the tournament. "I know many of you have traveled long leagues to be at these games. But I promise you will not be disappointed."

I sigh boredly as my father nods along intently. Alicent elbows me to make sure I'm not falling asleep just as Rhaenyra walks out, finally, and takes her seat beside me.

"And this great day has been made more auspicious by the news that I am happy to share..." King Viserys continues. "Queen Aemma has begun her labors!" Everyone roars with cheers as Rhaenyra claps her hands vigorously. I glance at her nervously before joining in. "May the luck of the Seven shine upon all combatants!" The cheering continues as the first duel begins, ending just as quickly as it started. Rhaenyra turns to her father with a look of concern, but he only nods towards the tournament.

"A mystery knight?" Rhaenyra asks Alicent and I. I shrug, not have been paying enough attention to know.

"No, a Cole, of the Stormlands." Alicent answers.

"I've never heard of House Cole." Rhaenyra retorts, causing me to chuckle.

"Princess Rhaenys Targaryen!" Lord Boremund Baratheon announces, riding up on his horse. We turn to her as she stands. She looks stunning. It's such a shame she never got the chance to rule. "I would humbly ask for the favor of 'The Queen Who Never Was.'" My mouth parts at the Lord's audacity, as if her husband, Lord Corlys, isn't sitting right beside her.

She walks to the edge of the balcony and gifts him her flowers. "Good fortune to you, cousin." She offers him.

"I would gladly take it if I thought I needed it." Lord Baratheon replies. I curl my nose as Princess Rhaenys smiles politely, amused, before returning to her seat. I applaud her graciousness. I would not have had the same.

"You could have Baratheon's tongue for that." I hear my father say to the King.

"Tongues will not change the succession." King Viserys tells him. "Let them wag." I glance back to see Lord Corlys smile at his wife as she sits and she returns the gesture. Now their love is genuine. I've only ever seen the two look at each other with the utmost respect and admiration.

"Lord Stokeworth's daughter is promised that young Tarly squire." Rhaenyra's gossip turns my attention, and eyes, back to the tournament.

"Lord Massey's son?" My sisters gapes.

"Mmm-mm." Rhaenyra confirms.

"Wow." I mumble.

"They're to be married as soon as he wins his knighthood." She continues.

"Best get on with it." Alicent snides.

"What's the rush?" I ask and Alicent scoffs at me as if I asked the dumbest question. I sigh watching the ground workers change the flags.

"I heard that Lady Elinor is hiding a swollen belly beneath her dress." Alicent takes a turn at the gossip mill. This causes me to gasp.

"Really?" Rhaenyra's eyes widen.

Our attention then snaps to Lord Baratheon as he wails in pain. I sneak a glance to Princess Rhaenys smirking into her wine, causing my lips to curl up as Ser Harrold comes over to us.

Rhaenyra turns to him so he takes a knee. "What do you know about this Ser Criston Cole, Ser Harrold?" I look at her puzzled at her sudden interest. Mystery is the largest burning desire I guess.

"I'm told Ser Criston is common-born son of Lord Dondarrion's steward. But other than that, and the fact that he's just unhorsed both Baratheon lads, I really couldn't say." Ser Harrold tells her, then returns to his original quest. Ah, so that's the Criston Cole in question. I never thought Rhaenyra was swayed like that, but I supposed he was fairly impressive.

The drums start up again as the House Targaryen flag is hung. I perk up, scooting to the edge of my seat. Finally something good worth watching. The cheering rises several octaves.

"Prince Daemon of House Targaryen. Prince of the City will now choose his first opponent!" Master of Revels announces. Daemon rides by as he looks upon the line of men to choose from. Rhaenyra chuckles and even King Viserys looks quite amused with his brother. Maybe today is not so bad.

Daemon finally stops in front of one of them, pointing his lance at the knight in emerald green, or better know as my brother. Oh, this should be good. King Viserys turns to my father with a grin. Rhaenyra looks at me with shining eyes.

"For his first challenge, Prince Daemon Targaryen chooses Ser Gwanye Highttower of Oldtown, eldest son of the Hand of the King." My father shakes his head and Lord Corlys looks to him with a look of shock and wide eyes before smirking at the scene that's about to unfold. I lean forward with anticipation. Alicent chews on her thumbnail nervously as Rhaenyra gives her other hand a squeeze.

"Five dragons on Daemon." King Viserys quickly tells one of the servants, handing him coins. He smiles with pride. This may be the proudest I've ever seen him of his brother. I'm sure he's wanting more than anything to have the one up on my father. My father looks towards Daemon with narrowed eyes as Daemon soaks up the crowd for a moment before signaling his horse.

He rides, both him and my brother going for the chest. My brother gets the upper hand hitting Daemon's chest hard sending him backwards- but not off his horse. I can see my father cheer quietly. I sigh. Come on Daemon, come on.

Daemon quickly raises back up and they both turn around to go again. I cross my fingers, squeezing them tightly, trying hard not to squeeze my eyes shut as well.

Daemon tips his lance down, slicing Gwayne's horses legs. The horse shrieks and bucks its legs causing Gwayne to slide down the neck, crashing down neck first into the wooden chips as his helmet flies off.

Alicent covers her mouth gasping as Rhaenyra and I's jaws drop. King Viserys turns distasteful and some of the crowd starts to boo with a mix of some cheers here and there. Men rush to help Gwayne up and I cringe as I see his bloody face. They help the horse to its feet as well. Alicent looks as though she could burst into tears at any moment, turning to our father. It's not like we're close to Gwayne or anything, he's quite the pompous ass. Then again Alicent is nice to him while I'm only neutral, but we hardly ever see him. It does seem rather sad I almost feel bad more so for the horse than him.

Daemon rides over to us causing Rhaenyra to jump up, breaking me from my thoughts. Alicent and I follow her up the railing.

"Nicely done, Uncle." Rhaenyra congratulates him.

"Thank you, Princess." He says before turning to me. "Would you do me the honor of giving me your favor, Lady Henley? I am certain I will win, but having your favor will make the victory all the much sweeter." He speaks slow and smoothly, his eyes soften but still shine with excitement.

Rhaenyra glances at me curiously as Alicent's mouth parts in shock.

"Of course, my Prince." I dip my head down and turn to grab my wreath. My father looks at me with a stoic expression of disappointment but I only stare in return as I grab my dark colored wreath and turn back to Daemon. "Best of luck Prince Daemon." I smile as I slide it down his lance.

I see a Maester approach my father and whisper something to him as King Viserys smiles at our interaction and then cheers. I blow a kiss to Daemon causing him to smirk and the cheers grow louder as we turn back to our seats.

I see Alicent glaring at me out of the corner of my eye, wishing she would've been fancied and called upon by the Prince, but I don't let it ruin my floaty feeling good mood. Our father leans over to whisper something to the King.

Rhaenyra smiles at to us and Alicent turns her sour face into a fake smile as she claps over to Rhaenyra mocking the crowd. My brows knit together as I ignore my sister and watch King Viserys rush out of his chair. Somethings not right...

♔♔♔

Author's Note: Alicent can suck it bc Daemon chose Henley and not her😘 And we love Henley for relishing it, as she should!!

Hope y'all enjoyed <3

Shit's about to hit the fan!!