003.
𝗄𝗂𝗇𝗀'𝗌 𝗅𝖺𝗇𝖽𝗂𝗇𝗀

Six years had passed since Lady Laena's funeral. She had not been present when Prince Aemond had lost his eye by Princess Rhaenyra's son, but she had heard that the young boy had claimed Vhaegar. The dragon of the late Queen Visenya.

The thought of owning a dragon never came to her mind until she heard of her cousin claiming the largest dragon. She had never received a dragon egg by her father, thus a dragon never hatched for her. She was not particularly sad, but she wondered what it would feel like to be in the air— free from duties and calls of men.

She did not think on the matter for long.

Vaemond Velaryon is to lay his claim before the Iron Throne. From what Daenys had gathered, he will petition himself as the next Lord of Driftmark as Lord Corlys had been lost at sea for some years now.

Daenys knew exactly what Vaemond Velaryon was going to say. He was going to claim Prince Lucerys as a bastard and his claim illegitimate and not born from the Velaryon seed of his supposed late lord father, Ser Laenor Velaryon.

Daenys could not care less about the success if of Driftmark. But something told her that Vaemond Velaryon might win his claim.

The years that has passed has not been kind to King Viserys. He was near death and everyone knew it. It was a matter of time. The Greens ruled King's Landing. Princess Rhaenyra was a fool for leaving King's Landing and letting the Hightowers rule in her stead.

After Lady Laena's funeral it did not go a long time before Princess Rhaenyra's husband Ser Laenor died. A suspicious death people would whisper. For it was suspicious. Rhaenyra and her father married not long after.

The people would whisper about how Prince Daemon had wanted to marry her years prior, and now he had gotten the two sons he always wanted from her.

Aegon and Viserys. Daenys at least hoped they got the love she never got from her father.

"A letter, my lady,"

Daenys smiled at the servant and grabbed the letter. Her eyes furrowed as she raked her eyes over the paper.

Lady Daenys,

I must give my apologies of not writing to you sooner. As it is my duty as Queen and as a representative of our family, to formally greet you. I do hope you forgive me for not doing it the last time we met and hope that you will not judge me for my act there either. I write to you not as a Queen, but as a woman. A woman to a woman who would do anything to protect those we love.

My family is in danger and I need someone loyal to me whom I can trust. I pray we may find common ground.

The King wishes you to join the royal family on a evening, and as a part of our family the King was overjoyed at the opportunity to meet you once again.

I pray you make the right choice,

Your Queen,
Alicent Hightower.

"Why can't these people just leave me alone?" She muttered angrily.

━━━━━━━━
 

Daenys had not been to king's landing before. The Red Keep was a sight to behold. Fit for the Targaryens. It was magnificent, big yet somehow reminded Daenys of a Keep loyal to the High Septon. The seven pointed star and more markings of the Faith were all around the Keep. Daenys could squint her eyes and she swore she could've seen another marking. She did not think the Red Keep was like this before the Hightower got the power.

She could've cared less for the Faith. She spit on them to be clear. The Seven had never done her any good. Daenys only believed in her own faith and ability to get things done. She would not put her trust in Gods that did not even answered her prayers.

"Lady Daenys,"

Daenys turned around to find a man standing tall and proud wearing the Hand's badge. Otto Hightower.

Daenys walked closer, her smile tight. "My Lord Hand, I thank the King for his invitation. It was most kind,"

Lord Otto grinned slyly at her. "The King had long expressed his desires to meet you properly. He feared his impression on Driftmark all those years ago did not give you the best of judgment,"

Daenys smiled dryly. "Hmm yes. I suppose it did not. It does not matter however. I respect his Grace and the royal family all the same,"

"And you do not call yourself a part of it?"

The question threw her off guard and she raised a brow on the remark.

Daenys sighed. "No. I suppose I don't,"

Her tone made it sure that she did not wish to speak on the matter any longer. Lord Otto sensed that as well and greeted her welcome once again. He called over a maid to send her to her chambers. Daenys merely thanked him and moved on.

Gods, that man unnerved her.

After she had settled in her chambers she had bid the maid to ready a bath to her.

Daenys simply raised a brow on the two gowns that had been laid out for her. The first dress was a deep green with long sleeves, gold on the sides and with a slight train on the end. Queen Alicent's colors. The other however, was a gown of red and black. Princess Rhaenyra's colors.The dress had a lighter material then the other yet both looked extravagant.

It seemed that The Greens wanted her to pick a side. A thought crossed her mind. She smirked at the thought of her father dead before her, slain by his own sword. Yes, Daenys would be sure she picked the right side.

━━━━━━━━

The boards had began to sing their songs. Daenys had to pick her side carefully, and she would be sure to make a show of it. She walked in front of the door and the guards beside them bowed their heads respectfully. With a breath, she strode inside with a confidence she did not have when she arrived at the Red Keep.

The Blacks and the Greens were already seated, as was the King. She felt their eyes turn to look at her on her entrence. There was a slight silence as the people took sight in her choice of gown. A deep green gown. The queens colors. She could've sworn she saw a slight smirk on Otto Hightower's lips. She would've snarled at him to shut up. She was in no way doing it for the Greens. She would do it to revenge her mother. And it so happened that her father was a black. Thus, she would join the Greens. In whatever help she would give them.

"Cousin," a voice broke out. A tall man with a dark patch over his left eye was the one who spoke. He was handsome, no blind creature could deny it.

"Prince Aemond," she greeted back.

She kept her gaze on him as she did not want to catch the gazes of her father nor his family. A seat was empty beside him and she walked over to him. Being the gentleman he was, he stood and grabbed the chair out of the way for her she she could sit down. She jumped as she felt the slight touch of his fingertips on her back.

It was the King who broke the silence. "My niece Daenys. How lovely it is to see you again,"

Daenys smiled with a wince. The King looked like a corpse ready to fall at any moments time. "It is a pleasure to be here with you your Grace and your family. I do hope you forgive me for my abrupt interruption,"

The King laughed breathlessly. "No need my dear girl. You are family Daenys! You are my niece and my brothers daughter. You will always be welcome,"

Daenys nodded and after a while chatter was up again. She took a side glance at her father who sat beside Princess Rhaenyra only to be stared at back. Her father had an almost snarl on his lips. He did understand her message then. Good. He will get what is coming for him.

"Lady Daenys," Aemond said, grabbing her attention. He sat on his chair comfortably, almost like he sat on the Iron Throne himself.

"My prince," Daenys smiled. "It has been too long. I remember you at Driftmark and you have grown to be a much handsome man,"

Aemond had a small grin on his lips. It seemed like that was all he did. "Hmm... yes. I could say the same for you my lady," he noted and looked at her up and down. "It seems you have made your alliance clear. The right choice my lady,"

Daenys kept rolling her eyes. "Yes. Let us hope I have not chosen wrong,"

She felt a hand flutter up on her thigh and she let out a squeal. She grabbed his hand and glared at Aemond, warning him to stop. He did not however and continued keeping his hand there. She felt an oozing warmth flood to her face.

Gods. Daenys Royce flushing like a maiden. She cursed Aemond Targaryens name.

writer's note: she has picked a side. Did she choose right or wrong ? Y'all update coming soon (10.11)