CHAPTER SIXTEEN
❛her biggest betrayal.❜

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EARLY 130 AC ⸻ Kings Landing ⸻

NO one had any inkling as to what time it was. The four walls that they had come all too familiar with as of late seemed to drown them.

The stone room had a maximalist feel to it as it was lined wall to wall with various riches. Each item seemed to grow larger as time passed— each person feeling slightly smaller as well.

Jahaena and Rhaenys were in an ongoing battle to get the doors open, while Basalia hadn't stopped pacing the room. Lyria sat silently on the bench— caught up
in some sort of inner battle within herself.

"I can't believe this. Usurping the throne." Basalia scoffed, "Cowards." Each step held an enormous amount of rage. Whether it was pregnancy hormones or her passion for Rhaenyra, it didn't matter.

"Them," Jahaena added, "And everyone who follows them." She continued to bang on the door, shaking the knob here and there, as if it would magically open.

Rhaenys agreed while Lyria remained eerrily silent.

Basalia's pacing halted as she looked over to her friend, who sat on the bench. Lyria's face matched that of stormy gray skies. As her face fell soft, Basalia began to walk to Lyria. "Lyria . . . " But an uproar of shouting caught her attention instead. The door swung open to reveal Ser Leon and Ser Erryk, in all of their heroic glory.

What a sight for sore eyes they were.

"Come, my Ladies," Ser Erryk began, "I cannot let this treachery stand." He ushered for the Princess first, then the rest of them.

The women followed after Ser Erryk while Basalia ran straight into the arms of Ser Leon. Embraced with passion, Leon planted a kiss on her lips, not caring if anyone saw.

"I must tell you something, now." Basalia spoke, tugging his arm back as he had tried to rush out.

"Can't it wait, my Lady?" Leon began, placing his calloused hands in her frail ones, "I must lead you to safety."

Basalia paused for just a moment as she searched her eyes. Her shoulders relaxed as her eyes glossed over. "No," She spoke softly, placing her hand against his cheek, "I'm afraid it can't."

Leon turned towards her, pulling her gently to him. He sensed a sadness in her that he hadn't felt before.

"I'm with child— your child." Basalia spoke softly.

Leon smiled widely, taking her by the waist and spinning her around, kissing her once more.

"What great news!" Leon beamed, placing his hand over her stomach. "Once we escape," He began, his words breaking her, "I will build us a proper home. We will be a family."

A lone, knowing tear streamed down Basalia's face. She nodded, fighting back tears, "I would love nothing more."

They embraced each other once more, before hurriedly catching up with Ser Erryk.

Jahaena looked over to the pair, noticing their hands were interlocked. With a smile, she powered on.

The halls were empty, but still, they moved with uncertainty. These next moments were crucial, and the group new it.

Ser Erryk and Ser Leon lead them safely to the Pits. Once they arrived, each person relaxed— but only a little. No one could ever truly let their guard down in uncertain times as these.

Lyria hadn't spoken a word the entire journey to the pit. Perhaps it was nerves, or perhaps it was because she was leaving something — rather someone, behind. Her heart ached as it yearned for Aemond, knowing that each step she took was a step farther from him.

A shorter woman stood in the Pit, whispering to the dragons. Perhaps it was words to calm them, no one but Rhaenys could be sure.

"Aurelia!" Basalia shrieked, running towards her friend.

A frightened Aurelia turned around, accepting her embrace as she looked towards Rhaenys. "Meleys is ready for you, Princess."

Rhaenys and Aurelia got along well— they always had. Aurelia preferred her out of all of the Targaryens. Rhaenys was an enigma to her, and she adored her.

"Us." Rhaenys replied, "I won't leave anyone behind."

"I can make my own way to Dragonstone," Aurelia argued, "I don't want to burden you."

Rhaenys shook her head, "Nonsense."

Aurelia smiled as Basalia held her tighter, leaning her head against Aurelia's.

Meleys' rumbles echoed through the pits as she made her way towards Rhaenys. "My girl." Rhaenys began, placing her head against her scales, "We have guests today." Rhaenys stretched her arm out to show her companions to Meleys.

"How are we all fitting on one dragon?" Jahaena joked, yet no one laughed. How would they all fit?

"Tough crowd." Jahaena rolled her eyes with a smile, looking up at the beast that had seeped out of the shadows. Jahaena always admired dragons— and their riders. Perhaps in another life she was a dragon rider. That's what she liked to think, at least

They simply stared up at Meleys as Rhaenys chuckled, giving her a nice pat. "No worries, she's a gentle giant."

"Be cautious as you climb, let her see you first. She listens to me, but you don't want to frighten her." Standing off to the side, Rhaenys assisted each person with mounting Meleys. It would be a tight fit, but it would do. Dragonstone wasn't a far ride, regardless.

Basalia smiled, grabbing Ser Leon's hand. Maybe she was wrong. They were escaping. One by one, they climbed on the dragon.

They would make it out.

⸻

Screams of terror filled Lyria's ear drums as Meleys broke through the floor, interrupting the usurping. The group ducked, avoiding the shrapnel from the broken floor.

Meleys stood her ground, stomping on people as she roared with great anger for her house.

Rhaenys sat at the front, commanding Meleys and demanding great respect.

Rhaenys on dragonback was a beauty, one that Basalia found herself wrapped up in.

Fighting off the guards, Meleys was sure to be gentle as well, to ensure no rider fell off. Meleys was a beautiful giant, that was sure, but she moved with elegance.

As gentle as she could be, that is.

Suddenly, Lyria slipped off the dragon's back on accident, landing straight onto the hard floor and in front of none other than Aemond.

Lyria looked up at him knowingly, as Basalia screamed for her friend.

Lifting her hand down, Basalia screamed for Lyria to get back up. Aemond gently threw Lyria behind him and took his sword out, aiming it for Basalia.

"I'll get her, my love." Leon spoke to Basalia, who screamed, tears streaming down her cheeks. She tried to reach out to hold him back, not wanting him to go. But she missed as he dropped down, nodding towards Lyria, "Go to Basalia!"

Aemond clocked him as they began an intense sword fight.

"Let's go!" Rhaenys ordered, looking back at the battle that had broken out over Lyria.

As their swords crashed, Aemond smirked, "You're defending the whore a little too much than I ordered you to."

"Mind your tongue." Leon spat, getting the upper hand for just a moment.

Then, Basalia's ears rang.

Silence overcame her as the world kept turning.

Aemond's sword had gone through Leon's chest.

Basalia let out a blood curdling screech, clutching her stomach.

Leon turned back to face a stunned Basalia.

Through a puddle of tears, she reached out to the love of her life. "I love you." Her voice was broken, as she was.

Leon gave her a knowing look, as if he was saying he loved her too, before his eyes shut for good. As his body collapsed to the ground, Jahaena reached her arm down towards Lyria, "Lyria, come now!"

Lyria looked at Ser Leon with wide eyes before looking up at her family. In one step, she had stepped back, into Aemond's side as he wrapped his arm around her with a smirk.

Basalia's eyes flickered between Leon and Lyria.

"How could you!" Basalia screamed, trying to lunge at Lyria before Jahaena grabbed onto her, just as Meleys took flight.

"No, I can't leave him!" She repeated, crying, trying to jump out. Perhaps she wanted her life to end with Ser Leon's. . . to be together forever.

Jahaena only held her tighter, failing to hold her tears back.

Through tears, Basalia looked back at the scene.

Her greatest love .. . and her greatest betrayal.

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