𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑒𝑒 - 𝑆𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑓𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤

━━━━━━ ✧◦♚◦✧ ━━━━━━

━━━━━━ ✧◦♚◦✧ ━━━━━━

Alicent and Visenya were walking arm in arm through the gardens, enjoying the tranquillity of the place, when Rhaenyra appeared around a bend in the path. She was walking briskly, full of energy, her impatience betrayed by the glint in her eyes, but her grin made her almost amusing. "Ah, there you are at last ! I've been looking for you everywhere."

Alicent replied in a falsely serious tone, raising an eyebrow. "Then you must not have looked very hard."

Visenya couldn't help smiling at Alicent's remark, but added more pragmatically : "It took longer than usual. Small councils never last that long, do they ?"

Rhaenyra rolled her eyes, as if she found the question irrelevant. "Mind you, the court is preparing for the tournament... and a birth." She added her last words more bitterly.

Alicent nodded gently, aware that these two events were shaking the whole of the Red Keep.

Visenya, distracted, looked away slightly and her eyes fell on the necklace her sister was wearing. She paused for a moment, gazing curiously at the object, before approaching Rhaenyra. She held out her hand, her fingers brushing the jewel.

"What's that ? You didn't have it before." Her tone was astonished, almost incredulous. "This necklace... Is it valyrian steel !?" She looked up at her sister, searching her gaze for an answer. "Is it a gift from Father ?"

Rhaenyra took a step back, almost snatching the necklace from Visenya's light grip, her expression half angry, half protective. "Don't touch it !" she shouted, before stepping around her sister to join Alicent, who watched them in silence. Rhaenyra raised her head with undisguised pride and touched the jewel with a slow gesture. "No, Daemon gave it to me."

Visenya straightened, surprise painting her features. For a moment she seemed to hesitate, before a gleam of interest crossed her eyes. "Daemon ? Is he in the capital ?"

Rhaenyra raised an eyebrow, adopting the teasing air she so often reserved for her younger daughter. "You're perceptive today, little sis'."

The remark struck a chord. Visenya winced, not at all amused by Rhaenyra's tone. "I didn't know he was coming back," she replied curtly, crossing her arms over her chest.

Rhaenyra shrugged nonchalantly. "What do you want ? It's Daemon. He rarely announces his comings and goings." She paused, as if savouring the effect of her words, then added with a hint of amusement : "He arrived this morning."

Visenya frowned thoughtfully, but after a few seconds a mischievous smile appeared on her lips. "I hope he brought me something," she murmured, her tone halfway between annoyance and excitement.

Rhaenyra looked away, her smile widening in mockery. "Well, go and ask him yourself."

Alicent, who had been silently observing the exchange between the two sisters, noticed something in Rhaenyra's hands. Her eyes fell on the book she was holding and she frowned slightly, both curious and intrigued. She gently broke off the conversation in a tone that was meant to be light.

"Rhaenyra... Are you holding a book ? I'm surprised. Since when are you interested in reading ? I had given up hope that you would one day develop a taste for it." A hint of humour tinged her last remark, accompanied by a mocking smile.

Rhaenyra smiled mischievously, clutching the book closer as if it held some precious secret. "I thought we could read it together. What do you say ?" she offered with false innocence.

Alicent raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "Really ? Reading ? With you ?" She seemed hesitant, squinting slightly as if to detect a hidden joke. If she didn't doubt Rhaenyra's desire to spend time with her, the idea that she wanted to read remained... suspicious.

Rhaenyra burst out laughing, clearly amused by her friend's reaction. "Well, all right," she admitted. "I knew that if the Septa saw me leaving with this book, she'd think I was learning something serious. So I took it just to fool them."

Alicent shook her head slightly, an amused smile curling her lips in spite of herself. "Now that sounds more likely," she replied with a false sigh of resignation.

Visenya, who had been standing at the back, suddenly approached, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "Let's go then," she said cheerfully, ready to share in their moment.

Rhaenyra, however, turned abruptly and raised a hand to stop her sister. "You don't," she decreed firmly.

Visenya blinked, taken aback. "Pardon ?"

Rhaenyra held her gaze without blinking. "The invitation didn't apply to you, Visenya," she said sharply.

Visenya frowned, offended. "Rhaenyra..." tried Alicent, trying to intervene before the tension mounted.

"What ?" replied Rhaenyra, turning briefly to Alicent before returning to her sister, "We flew together this morning, you don't need to stick me around all day. I can spend time with my friend without you too."

Visenya tried to contain her frustration, but her tone betrayed her annoyance. "Anyway, it's only reading, Rhaenyra..."

With her arms crossed, Rhaenyra did not move an inch. Her voice grew sharper. "No way, Visenya. Alicent and I have important matters to discuss."

"Important things ?" Visenya repeated, hurt, her eyes flashing. "Since when did reading made-up stories become so important ?"

Rhaenyra sighed, clearly annoyed by her sister's insistence. "Don't you have other people to spend your time with ? Go with your own ladies-in-waiting."

This reply stung Visenya. Her tone became sharper, betraying an anger she could barely contain. "Yes, you're right. I have my ladies-in-waiting. And mine are far better than yours !" There was a tense silence before she added, looking at Alicent : "No offence, Alicent."

Alicent remained diplomatically silent, but her small, sorry smile showed that she took no offence. She tried to remain neutral, but cleared her throat and gave Rhaenyra a reproachful look.

Rhaenyra, amused, let out a mocking chuckle, a sound eerily similar to the one her Uncle Daemon reserved for members of the Council. "Why don't you go back and see them if they're so great," she replied sarcastically.

Visenya clenched her fists, her cheeks flushed with anger and humiliation. Her jaw clenched and her voice quivering, she fought back the tears that threatened to spill over. "You are unbearable, Rhaenyra !" she finally said, her voice broken with emotion.

Rhaenyra remained impassive, shrugging her shoulders slightly. "Well, all the more reason for you not to stay. Alicent and I have things to do, so go," she concluded in a detached tone, without the slightest trace of remorse, mistaking the situation for another of her sister's whims that would soon pass.

Visenya gave her a hurt but proud look, "You'll see. One day I won't want to spend any more time with you. And you'll miss it !"

She turned on her heels and walked away. Despite the dignity she tried to project, her hunched shoulders betrayed her anger and sadness.

Alicent, who had watched the scene in silence, sighed and turned back to Rhaenyra, arms crossed and a look of indignation on her face. "You could have been nicer to her," she said firmly.

Rhaenyra shrugged and looked indifferent. "She'll get over it."

"Rhaenyra ! I'm not joking."

"Neither am I," she replied as she walked towards the Heart Tree. "We can't spend any more time together with her following me around."

"She is your little sister Rhaenyra, she just wants to be like you. And you know very well that's not true, we still spend a lot of time together. She's not with us that much."

"Maybe, but I wanted to spend some time with you now."

Without another look at Alicent, Rhaenyra continued on her way to the Heart Tree, apparently unaffected by the exchange. Alicent sighed and shook her head slightly, torn between weariness and concern for the future of the two sisters. After a moment's hesitation, she finally followed Rhaenyra, though her expression betrayed a certain disapproval.

Alicent sat down under the heart tree and patted the grass beside her, inviting Rhaenyra to sit down. "One day, Visenya will find someone else to follow. You'd better make sure she doesn't leave you forever."

Rhaenyra sat down reluctantly, opening the book to avoid Alicent's gaze. "She'll always come back. She's my little sister."

✸

Annalys Redwyne, Lenna Blackwood, Marleina Celtigar and Marybel Yronwood were comfortably seated four to a table in a bright and elegant antechamber that resembled a large drawing room adjacent to the princesses' private quarters.

(This room is said to have been known by various names over the centuries, The Silken Nest, The Rhaenys Room, The Haven, The Red Keep's Hearth or even The Bower - although this is the least common of them - in her time Visenya and her ladies-in-waiting referred to it as The Nest, The Haven or The Hearth).

Thick carpets cushioned their footsteps, embroidered cushions dotted the seats, and a low ebony table held a few open books, half-full glasses of wine, and a small board game that had obviously been abandoned in the middle of a game. On the walls were detailed tapestries depicting scenes from Aegon's conquests, most of them relating specifically to his sister-wife Rhaenys the Conqueror, whom Visenya was particularly fond of, while Rhaenyra preferred Aegon I's other sister-wife, Visenya.

It was a room that was both warm and functional, designed to give the princess and her ladies-in-waiting some privacy. Annalys, Lenna, Marleina and Marybel stopped what they were doing when they saw their princess, Visenya, enter hurriedly, her footsteps echoing through the room. She closed the door with a little more force than necessary.

Annalys, Visenya's most jovial and gracious lady-in-waiting, nearly jumped out of her chair. A huge smile lit up her face as she playfully exclaimed, "Ah, there you are at last ! We were beginning to think you'd forgotten us, Princess."

Lenna, the eldest of them all, though only a few years older than Visenya, was more composed. She watched Visenya with more measured attention, raising an eyebrow and crossing her arms. In a slightly teasing tone she added : "We've been waiting for you for a while. Have you..." She stopped suddenly, her gaze catching the princess's dubious mood.

She immediately changed her approach, her features softening slightly. "What's been going on ? With the king ? Or with your sister this time ?" Obviously, such events were not uncommon.

Visenya, visibly irritated, did not answer immediately. She dropped into the chair Annalys had occupied a moment earlier, her gesture betraying her annoyance. In a curt tone, she finally blurted out : "Rhaenyra."

There was a moment of silence. Visenya, crossing her arms over her chest, added with a hint of bitterness : "But it doesn't matter."

Lenna was unperturbed. With the frankness that made her the most direct of the group, she replied in a steady tone. "Doesn't matter ? Really ? I doubt it «doesn't matter» when you're so upset."

Annalys, always quick to lighten the mood, nodded enthusiastically. "Lenna is right, you can't get into such a state over «no matter», Princess."

Marleina, the noblest of them all, intervened in a measured voice, her tone tinged with gentleness. "Whatever she said or did this time, you shouldn't let it ruin your day, Princess."

Marybel, the calmer, softer one, spoke reassuringly, folding her hands in her lap. "Besides, you two always make up in the end. No ?"

Visenya turned her gaze to her. Her eyes, usually so expressive, were now veiled in a mixture of anger and wounded pride. Her tone, almost cutting, split the air. "Not this time. I don't want reconciliation."

The four young women exchanged discreet glances, but none replied. They all knew the scenario too well. Visenya often repeated these words in the heat of the moment, before time and circumstance restored a semblance of harmony between her and her sister.

In the silence that followed, the tension seemed to ease slightly, giving way to a more peaceful atmosphere. But everyone knew that a storm was still brewing in the young princess's heart.

Visenya leaned casually against the arm of her chair, her chin resting in the palm of her hand. Her other arm hung limply at her side, her fingertips playing absentmindedly with a crease in her dress. She let out a sigh, somewhere between boredom and fatigue, before her gaze settled on the table in front of her. A slight frown crossed her brow as she noticed the objects spread out on the polished surface.

"What is all this ?" she asked, curiosity shining through her languid tone.

Marleina, sitting upright beside her, followed Visenya's gaze. Her tone remained calm and collected, almost too serious for the subject. "We were just choosing the jewellery you will wear tomorrow."

Marybel, more playful, added with a mischievous smile. "We're just going over your attire."

Visenya lifted her head slightly, her expression puzzled. "I thought we'd already agreed on what to wear ?"

Lenna, always quick to point out the Princess's contradictions, leaned forward with a mocking smile. "Yes, like last week... and the week before that. And, if I'm not mistaken, the one before that." She pretended to count on her fingers, exaggerating each movement with teasing theatricality.

Visenya rolled her eyes, but let out an involuntary laugh. "So what ?"

Lenna didn't miss an opportunity to sting further. "Every time you prepare something too far in advance, you end up not liking it. Like Annalys, you're convinced there's always something better somewhere. At least this time we'll have a backup solution for tomorrow, in case you decide that what we've chosen the other day doesn't suit you anymore."

Annalys, who had been silent until then, shrugged with a contrite smile. "That's true... We never know."

Visenya squinted at Annalys, falsely indignant. "Traitor."

Annalys didn't back down and replied with a burst of laughter. "Oh, you know I'm right."

Visenya shook her head, amused despite herself. "And while you were plotting without my knowledge, what else were you doing ?"

Annalys and Lenna exchanged a knowing look before Annalys replied in a tone that was meant to be innocent but betrayed a certain malice. "Oh, nothing too bad..." she began, her tone too innocent to be sincere. "Lenna and I went to speak with Rhaenyra's ladies-in-waiting."

Visenya sat up a little straighter in her chair, intrigued. "What for ?"

Lenna, clearly enjoying the princess's attention, stretched nonchalantly before answering. "Let's just say that we can assure you that your attire will in all likelihood be far more impressive than Rhaenyra"s tomorrow."

Visenya raised an eyebrow, a glint of suspicion mixed with amusement in her eyes. "You went to spy."

Lenna shrugged, her smile undeniably satisfied. "Obviously. We know how much it would have bothered you if her dress had been better than yours." Oh yes, and that was an understatement. The day could have gone perfectly and all Visenya would remember was that her sister was better dressed than her.

"That's true," Annalys added with a light laugh. "Imagine the disaster."

Visenya crossed her arms, feigning a stern expression, but the corner of her lips betrayed a smile. "You two are terrible." Terrible indeed, but they hit the nail on the head. They always did. That was why Visenya liked having them around.

Lenna replied with a wink. "That's why you keep us close."

Visenya shook her head before she looked at Annalys and Marleina. Her tone changed slightly, becoming more serious. "Tell me, have you finished what I asked you to do ?"

Marleina nodded with a satisfied smile. "Yes, everything is ready."

Annalys got up and went to get a carefully folded cloth from a shelf. She returned to Visenya with a small embroidered blanket in her arms. She unfolded it slowly, revealing the delicate patterns that adorned the fabric : soft shades of white and blue, interwoven with motifs of birds and clouds, more reminiscent of House Arryn than the Targaryens.

"Do you like it ?" Annalys asked, a little nervously. "We wanted it to be perfect, like you said. It's for the baby, after all."

Visenya reached out to touch the fabric. Her fingers brushed the embroidery and her expression softened. She nodded slowly, visibly moved.

"It's beautiful. You've both done an excellent work." She stood and took the cover in her hands. The material was soft and warm, almost comforting. She studied every detail carefully before declaring, "We'll take it to my mother right away."

Marleina and Annalys nodded and got up in turn. As they headed for the door, Lenna called Visenya. "What about the gallery ?"

Visenya turned her head slightly, an enigmatic smile on her lips. "We'll see about that when I get back." The three girls left the room, leaving Lenna and Marybel behind.

Marybel, intrigued, frowned slightly. "The gallery ?"

Marybel had been the last to join the group. She had come a year ago. Marleina had been at Visenya's side since childhood, Annalys had also been at court since childhood, though she had joined the princess's side after Visenya and Lenna had arrived a few years ago.

Lenna raised an eyebrow in amusement. "You'll see when she decides to tell you about it."

Marybel seemed to hesitate for a moment before asking, "Shall we reconsider the choice of jewellery then ?"

Lenna's eyes widened in dramatic exaggeration. "Make the choice without Annalys ? You fool, you're trying to get us into trouble !"

Marybel burst out laughing and Lenna nodded towards the board game set up on a small table. "Come on, let's finish the game while we wait for them to come back."

And on that lighthearted note, the two young women plunged back into their game, the atmosphere in the room returning to relative calm.

✸✸

"My sweet girl, you're back already." Aemma lifted her chin slightly and placed a protective hand on her round belly. Her voice was full of tenderness and wonder. "I didn't expect to see you so soon, but it's a lovely surprise. I'm glad you come so often to keep your mother company."

Visenya entered confidently, carrying a carefully folded object in her arms. She was closely followed by Annalys and Marleina, who were more discreet, bowing slightly as they entered the royal apartments. "Mother... You asked me to come back, so here I am. And... we have something for you."

Aemma's curious gaze lingered on the two young ladies for a moment before returning to her daughter. "Marleina, Annalys," she greeted them warmly.

"Your Majesty," they replied in unison, accompanying their words with a slight nod of respect.

Aemma turned back to Visenya, a confused smile on her lips. Her eyes slid quickly to the object her daughter was holding so carefully. "What is it ?"

Without waiting, Visenya approached her mother with a beaming expression. She held out the cloth, almost solemnly, as if offering a treasure. "For the baby. I made it for him."

Aemma gently took the blanket in her hands, her fingers caressing the soft fabric. As she unfolded it, she discovered meticulously crafted embroidery : immaculate clouds and graceful birds dancing against a light blue background, reminiscent of the mountain skies of House Arryn.

The queen's eyes flashed with wonder. She lifted her gaze gently to Visenya, her voice full of tenderness. "Did you do this ?"

Visenya straightened slightly, pride lighting her face. "Yes."

Aemma raised an eyebrow, smiling discreetly as if sensing something. Visenya, feeling the persistence of her mother's gaze, finally cleared her throat and quickly added, "Well.... Annalys and Marleina helped me with some details in the end. But it was my idea !"

The Queen's gaze lingered for a moment on Marleina and Annalys, who shared a knowing smile. Aemma was well aware that her contribution had been more important than «a few details», but she chose to say nothing. Visenya seemed so proud of herself that it would have been unnecessarily cruel to break that illusion.

As for Annalays and Marleina, like the rest of Visenya's ladies-in-waiting, they were used to the princess taking more credit than she actually deserved, but they took no offence. It was just the way she was. And she didn't do it to be mean, but to feed her constant need for recognition.

Usually Visenya gave herself all the credit, the queen didn't really believe it, she made big eyes and Visenya finally admitted the help she had received. This time, at least, she had acknowledged the help she had received, even if she had reduced it. But Visenya was so pleased with herself that no one had the heart to make her admit the truth.

Aemma smiled tenderly. "It's beautiful, Visenya. Soft and elegant... Perfect for the little prince or princess."

Visenya turned briefly to her ladies, her face beaming with joy. The satisfaction in her eyes was obvious, and Aemma took the opportunity to say a discreet «thank you» to Annalys and Marleina. The latter bowed their heads slightly in response, a discreet smile on their lips.

Annalys, always mischievous, ventured a comment : "We just made sure that everything was flawless, Your Grace. No question of doing things by halves."

Aemma's easy laugh filled the room. "I would expect nothing less. With you two by her side, Visenya could only be well looked after."

Visenya crossed her arms, a mischievous smile flitting across her face. She seemed to enjoy her mother's praise. "I knew you'd like it."

Aemma laid the blanket on her lap, her fingers continuing to caress the fabric. A soothing silence fell over the room, broken only by the Queen's soft voice. "Annalys, my dear, would you do me the honour of sharing your sweet voice with me ?"

Annalys' cheeks blushed slightly, but she did not hesitate. "It would be my pleasure, Your Grace."

She exchanged a knowing look with Visenya, who nodded gently in encouragement. Assuming an upright, graceful posture, Annalys took a deep breath before letting her clear, melodious voice fill the room. The melody, soft and soothing, seemed to hang in the air, enveloping each of the women present in a comforting warmth.

Aemma closed her eyes, a peaceful smile forming on her lips as she allowed herself to be lulled by the music. Even the usually reserved Marleina seemed captivated, her hands folded in front of her in a respectful position.

When the song ended, Aemma opened her eyes again, visibly moved. "Thank you, Annalys. Your voice is a gift. It was... perfect."

Annalys bowed her head humbly. "The pleasure was all mine, Your Grace."

With infinite tenderness, Aemma reached out to stroke Visenya's cheek. "Thank you, my girls. These moments... they mean so much to me."

Visenya smiled contentedly. Then, noticing the weariness on her mother's face, she straightened slightly. "We should let you rest, Mother."

Aemma nodded gently. "Thank you, my gentle one. Your gift and your presence have brightened my day."

Visenya took one last look at her mother before turning to Annalys and Marleina. "We are leaving," she murmured, addressing herself rather than her companions.

The three girls bowed respectfully before leaving the room. The door closed quietly behind them, leaving Aemma in a state of peaceful calm, her fingers absentmindedly caressing the blanket in her lap and a loving smile still lighting her features.

✸✸✸

Lenna looked up as Visenya, Annalys and Marleina returned. "So, Visenya, have you given any thought to the gallery for the tournament ? Who will have the honour of accompanying you this time ?" she asked curiously as she settled more comfortably on her cushion.

Marybel raised an eyebrow, clearly confused. Lenna took it upon herself to clarify the situation. "During the tournaments, the royal family, members of the royal family and their wives attend the event in a special grandstand. The princesses can each have a lady-in-waiting at their side."

"And to choose we draw !" exclaimed Annalys, too excited to wait for the rest of the explanation. "We collect four pieces of wood, one of which is the shortest, and whoever draws the shortest wins her place in the gallery with Visenya !"

Visenya shrugged, a mischievous smile on her lips. "Not this time. I already know who it'll be. No need to draw."

There was an incredulous silence. Marleina looked up from her book in surprise, while Annalys let out an indignant hiccup. Lenna raised an eyebrow, as surprised as the others. "No drawing ?" Annalys snapped. "But it's tradition ! We always pick a name, even if I never win."

Lenna crossed her arms in amusement. "And I win almost every time. Everyone knows I love jousting. The clash of spears, the roar of the crowd... It's so exciting !"

Annalys sighed dramatically. "As for me, it's not the fighting that interests me, but... the romance. The knights in their shining armour, begging my favour before fighting for me... One day, I'm sure, one of them will fall madly in love, and that will be the beginning of a great story."

Visenya teased, rolling her eyes. "And all because you gave him a ribbon or a wreath of flowers ? Annalys, you're incorrigible."

Annalys laughed quietly. "Maybe, but at least I have an imagination," she replied with a dreamy smile.

Lenna laughed quietly. "And you like to believe it at every tournament, even though no one has ever asked you for anything."

"It's because of you !" Annalys protested, falsely offended. "Especially you, Lenna ! Your presence intimidates them and you make me nervous when you discreetly make fun of them and I lose my composure. That's why. Not because they don't want to."

"Of course," Lenna scoffed. "They just know they're not good enough for you. After all, you're the princess's lady-in-waiting," she continued.

Laughter erupted, but Visenya stifled it with a raised hand. "That's enough, both of you. As I said, there will be no drawing this time."

Marleina sighed, "But why not ? I don't really like jousting, but it's always fun to see who draws the short straw."

Lenna's eyebrows furrowed. "So who have you chosen, Princess ?"

Visenya gestured to the dornish girl. "Marybel."

Marybel's eyes widened in surprise. "Me ? Oh... No, really, I can give my place to someone else if you prefer. Since you seem to really want it. I don't mind."

Annalys shook her head sharply with a smile. "Absolutely not ! It doesn't work like that."

Lenna sighed, falsely annoyed. "Honestly, you should have understood by now... When the Princess asks for something..."

"You accept," Annalys finished.

"Even if you don't want to, because if you don't want to..." Lenna continued.

"You have to want it anyway," Marleina finished this time with a mocking tone.

"Questions aren't really questions. They don't necessarily expect an answer," Annalys added.

Lenna leaned forward slightly as if to whisper a secret. "If the princess decides, we don't really have a choice. We accept. We always do. And in this case, I don't think it was a proposal."

Visenya watched them discussing her as if she weren't there, half outraged, half amused. She crossed her arms and shook her head, annoyed but smiling. "Exactly. Marybel has never been in the gallery for a tournament, because there hasn't been one since she arrived. So she's coming with me this time."

Marybel finally smiled. In that case, "I'll take advantage of the privilege. I wouldn't want to disappoint the princess," she joked.

Visenya gave her a knowing look. "You won't disappoint me. You'll see, it's always impressive the first time. But get ready, Lenna will be explaining every detail of the jousts to you over the next few days, if you don't already know them."

Lenna laughed slightly. "You're right, I'll make sure she enjoys the show. We have to make up for the lack of a draw.'

"If a knight asks for your favour, remember : I taught you all about romance," Annalys added dramatically, but with a wink.

Lenna rolled her eyes. "She doesn't need it. Concentrate instead on your own imaginary knight."

The girls burst out laughing. Annalys pouted, but eventually joined in, and the mood in the room lightened even more. The teasing continued as they chatted.

✸✸✸✸

The corridor leading to the prince's apartments was bathed in an eerie darkness, broken only by the flickering light of the torches hanging from the stone walls. Visenya walked confidently to the door, opened it without hesitation and entered Daemon's room without waiting for an invitation.

"Greetings, Uncle."

Daemon, sitting nonchalantly in an armchair by the fireplace with a cup of wine in his hand, didn't even bother to look up. "Didn't anyone ever teach you to knock ?" He took a sip of wine before adding lazily. "I could have taken a bath."

Visenya arched an eyebrow mockingly. "You take baths, you ?" she replied ironically. A smile grazed Daemon's lips, but he didn't budge. "Half of King's Landing has seen you naked. I think you'd get over it."

She knew full well that he was the Prince of Flea Bottom, known for his escapades in brothels. His reputation was no secret. A laugh escaped his throat, low and hoarse. I wasn't talking about me. He leaned forward slightly, watching her with that defiant air so characteristic of him. "You could see me naked and I wouldn't care, but I wouldn't want to shock your poor innocent eyes."

Visenya frowned. He had this annoying way of still treating her like a child. "I'm not a child anymore. Stop talking to me like one. I'm not that innocent." She glared at him, waiting for him to contradict her.

Daemon tilted his head slightly, a mocking gleam in his eyes. "Oh, yeah ?" He slowly rose to his feet and approached her, a smirk on the corner of his lips. "So you've seen a naked man before ?"

He was testing her. He was trying to make her uncomfortable. And she knew it. Because it was working.

"And also... have you ever kissed a man ?"

"No, of course not." She almost whispered her words.

Daemon shook his head, falsely sorry, which braced Visenya, who tried to defend herself when she didn't have to. "Why should it be any different ? I'm not married and I'm only fourteen. It would be unseemly of me."

"But you're a princess. You can do what others can't."

"Yes... But I am a princess, not a prince." Even as a princess, regardless of rank, a woman would never be in the same boat as a man.

Daemon smiled, amused. He wasn't done with her yet.

"The experience doesn't tempt you at all."

Visenya sighed and crossed her arms to show that she wasn't going to be thrown off balance. "You really are a rude character, but your game doesn't work. I know it would make you laugh to see me react like a shy virgin."

"I'm joking, Visenya, come on."

"Hilarious."

Daemon chuckled before returning to his seat. "Then why are you here ?"

Visenya held her hands out in front of her. Daemon raised an eyebrow, looked at her palms and then at her face.

"I saw Rhaenyra's new necklace," she announced.

He didn't react immediately. "And ?"

"I want mine."

"Yours ?" He burst out laughing. "A present ?"

"You brought something for Rhaenyra, why didn't you bring something for me ?"

Daemon raised an eyebrow in amusement, already knowing what a low blow he was about to pull. "Well... you know that Rhaenyra is everyone's favourite."

Visenya clenched her jaw at the words, but pretended not to be touched. Daemon, for his part, turned away to a table, ostentatiously turning his back on her. Then, without warning, he turned and threw an object at her.

The light from the torches reflected off it, but Visenya couldn't make out what it was. Out of sheer reflex, she reached out and barely caught it.

"Be careful, it's fragile !" she cried, even though she had no idea what it was. "It is fragile, isn't it ?" She hoped so, because anything that sounded fragile sounded precious to her.

Daemon shrugged nonchalantly, though he knew the answer very well.

Visenya opened her palms and discovered what he had thrown at her : a hair ornament made of white gems.

Visenya's face lit up with a satisfied smile. "I knew it !" She ran her fingers over the stones, fascinated.

"What exactly is this ?"

Daemon rolled his eyes. "You're a girl, you should know."

Visenya looked at the object more closely. "A hair net ?" She couldn't hide a hint of disappointment. Rhaenyra had a Valyrian steel necklace... and her, a simple hair net snood ? What any lady of the court could afford.

Daemon, sensing her thoughts, leaned back against the table. "The stones are from Essos. They're rare and expensive, far more precious than any jewellery a lady of the court could own."

He went on, but Visenya stopped listening. The information was enough for her. She smiled slightly. "Thank you."

She was about to turn on her heels when Daemon called to her. "Any news at court ?"

Visenya stopped and looked over her shoulder at him. "Still the same people who hate you. Besides that..."

Daemon chuckled. "Then everything's in order."

She rolled her eyes and prepared to leave. Daemon watched her for a moment, as if trying to guess what she wasn't saying. Then, with a sly smile, he asked, "And your father, he's not too worried about his precious daughter hanging around his unworthy brother's quarters ?"

Visenya crossed her arms and lifted her chin slightly. "He doesn't know. And why would he need to know ? It's no big deal."

Daemon chuckled. "A true Targaryen. You do what you want."

She shrugged, looking falsely casual. "I learn from the best."

He smiled, amused. "Flatterer."

She turned on her heels, ready to leave, but he stopped her one last time. "Guard it well. There's no other like it." He pointed to the hair net with his chin.

Visenya lowered her eyes to the jewel in her hands, the raised them to him. "I hope so." She smirked before leaving the room, closing the door behind her, leaving Daemon alone in the darkness.

«A true Targaryen.» The words still rang in her ears as she walked away. As if she could be something else.

━━━━━━ ✧◦♚◦✧ ━━━━━━

Hello, this chapter has taken longer to come out than expected because the next one is very long and took me a long time to write.

Here's a bit more information about the ladies in waiting for those of you who don't follow me on TikTok.
- Annalys is portrayed by Sai Bennett, she was born in 96 AC and is 16 years old in 112 AC.
- Lenna is portrayed by Katie Mcgrath, she was born in 94 AC and is 18 years old in 112 AC.
- Marleina is portrayed by Elle Fanning, she was born in 99 AC and is 13 years old in 112 AC.
- And Marybel is portrayed by Jessica Brown Findlay, she was born in 95 AC and is 17 years old.

I hope you enjoyed the chapter ! Have a good night/day <3