The dragon to be // House of dragons

6

She stood gazing at the books in the library, her fingers sliding upon the spines.

"Raina," she heard a whisper and froze in her tracks. They had never spoken to her in broad daylight like this; something was amiss.

"My dragon, Raina," her aunt's voice echoed. "...has a new rider." Raina's blood ran cold. It wasn't that she cared about someone claiming the dragon, but whoever it was had defied her deceased aunt's dying wish. Moreover, the beast hadn't been claimed until last night, so whoever did it must have acted under the cover of darkness.

"Your father had requested that you bear the name of House Velaryon," they whispered. Raina nodded, taking a deep breath as her seven-year-old mind processed the information. "Stay strong, little one. The plan has finally set its first wheels in motion."

"What should I do about this?" Raina asked.

"Show them the strength of your mind, reveal your fortitude, demonstrate that you are the key player," they whispered. "Show them that you are destined to be the dragon."

"The dragon to be," she uttered. "Tell me my titles."

"You know your titles, child. Strong mind, strong will. Show them," they whispered with a firm nod. She lifted the hem of her sea-green dress as she strode down the hall, allowing the shadows to guide her. Just as she entered, she saw everyone and the queen with a danger in hand

"I would advise against that if I were you." Everyone's heads turned towards her as she stepped further into the room. "Your Grace," she greeted.

"Rhaenyra, explain to me why this is happening," Raina demanded with a strong voice, refusing to avert her gaze from the queen. Rhaenyra was taken aback but proceeded to explain the situation to her daughter, while everyone else watched in silence.

"Well, you-" the queen began, but Raina cut her off.

"You!" Raina pointed her finger directly at her. "You will be quiet and listen," she commanded. The room fell into stunned silence as all eyes turned to Raina, then to the king, who remained passive.

"Your son's eye is the least of your concerns," Raina continued. "I don't know what you do when your family members have dying wishes, but we respect ours. And my aunt's dying wish was for me to be the first to attempt to bond with her dragon. If not me, then my cousins," she declared, staring directly at the queen.

"Now your son dares to go her, defying my house and me in the very night of her previous rider's funeral. He claims her as his own, disregarding the wishes of my beloved aunt and casting shadows of doubt upon the legitimacy of my brothers' births," Reina's voice thundered, her words laced with righteous anger. "Know this, such audacious acts amount to nothing short of treason, a grave offense that carries the punishment of death!"

Queen Alicent, taken aback by the forcefulness of Reina's words, could not help but challenge her. "How dare you?" she spat, her voice laced with contempt. "Who are you, a mere girl, to decide the fate of this noble union?"

"I am Raina Thunderborn of House Velaryon and Targaryen," Reina declared, her voice unwavering and resolute. "I am the true heir to House Velaryon, destined to rule over Driftmark and High Tide, the grandest island in all of Blackwater Bay. I bear the titles of the lady of the Tides and the Master of Driftmark, charged with the sacred duty to protect my people and my family. And above all, I am the rightful heir to the Iron Throne."