BY YOUR SIDE || HOUSE OF THE DRAGON

4.

"THE VELARYON'S WITH BROWN HAIR..."

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Holding onto her Mother's hand, she tugs her along, smiling brightly as she approaches the grand hall. She was starving. Giggling as her Father struggles to keep up, although she was still upset about her Father's fight with Laenor. She was still excited to see her older brother. She saw Laena and the girls way more than she saw Laenor. The last time she had seen of him for more than a glance, was the day she was born. From then on, it was only a few fleeting moments when she was too young to fully understand what was happening at the time.

Tugging her mother closer to the hall, she could already hear the loud buzz coming from the inside of the room, children giggling and adults chatting loudly. Seeing quite a few kings guards standing at the entrance, she doesn't really give it a second thought. What mattered was that she was going to see her brother! Looking over at her father, he's struggling slightly, clutching his knee for a moment. Motioning for her to keep on going, her Mother nods her head, singly for her to keep on going. Entering the hall, followed closely by her Mother, she scans the room carefully, hoping to find her older brother.

"Do you think that Laenor will be there?" She questions, standing on her tippy toes.

"He should be."

"Really? You think so?" She rambles, "Him and father didn't seem happy with each other. I did not think that he would want to be in the same room as him.."

"What happened with your brother and father?" Her mother questions, raising a brow.

"Father and him talked in private. I do not know what was said exactly. But, when Father left, he seemed rather upset." She explains, "He told me that there was something Laenor needed to fix."

Spotting her brother across the room, she lets go of her mother's hand, sprinting towards her brother. Calling his name, he perks up, standing up from his seat in confusion. Making eye contact with her, he starts to walk towards her, a big smile on his face. Gods, she had missed him! Jumping into his arms, she clings onto him tightly, not wanting to let him go. She didn't know the next time she would be able to see him again. Giggling as he rocks her back and forth, her feet dangle freely, a rather funny sight to onlookers. Pressing a kiss to her temple, she smiles brightly.

"Ah, my little Jocelyn." He smiles, "How is my sweet little sister?"

"I...Can't..Breathe.." She croaks out dramatically, wiggling around in his arms.

"You're fine! No need to be all dramatic, little one." He teases, shaking her back and forth.

"It's hard to be dramatic when you're squeezing the life out of me." She argues, shooting a small glare at him. "Please, let me go."

Looking up at him with a big pout, he smiles softly at her, wiggling her back and forth one last time. Gently placing her down on the floor, he presses a gentle kiss on her forehead, giving her one last hug. Burying her head into his chest, she takes a deep breath, the smell of sea salt and sandalwood fills her nose. A comforting smell that she wished she could bottle up. His chambers smelt just like this. Though they were starting to slowly smell of dust. Pulling away from the hug, he gently grasped her hand, tugging her towards his wife and kids.

"Rhaenyra, boys, I have someone I want you to meet. This is my younger sister Jocelyn." He explains, pointing to everyone. "Jocelyn, these are my sons, Jacaerys and Lucerys. And this is Rhaenyra, my wife."

"It's lovely to meet you, Lady Jocelyn." Rhaenyra smiles, nodding her head.

"It's lovely to meet you too, your highness." She bows her head, "Same to you, Jacaerys and Lucerys. Laenor's letter talks all about you."

Lifting her eyes from the ground, her eyes turn to her nephews, her jaw instantly clenching at the sight of them. Staring at the locks of curly brown hair that sprouted from Jacaerys and Lucerys heads, she turns to Laenor. Rhaenyra had white hair. Laenor had white hair. All of House Targaryen had white hair. Why did they have brown hair? Sure, Mother was a Baratheon, but even then she had white hair. It didn't make sense. Why did they have curly brown hair?

Turning his head to her, he smiles softly making the small frown on her face deepen. Tilting her head to the side, she watched as Rhaenyra and Laenor both tense up. Why were they acting like this? If they had nothing to hide, they shouldn't care about her stares. Unless the boys were bastards? It didn't make sense. Looking between the boys and Laenor, she doesn't dare to say what she truly thinks. It'd cost her tongue if she did so. So, she sticks with a safer choice of words.

"Why do they have brown hair, Laenor?" She whispers, "I thought all Targaryen's had white hair."

"Jocelyn.." He whispers, nudging her side.

"Why?" She whispers, "All of us have white hair. Why do they have brown hair?"

"It⎯uh, Mother's family all have brown hair. They just happened to interhit it. It is not that different from you inheriting Grandmother Jocelyn's eyes." He lies, making her frown deepen even more.

Okay, well, that was technically true. But, then why did they have white hair? By his logic, both of them should've had white hair. Or at least, more Baratheon features. Staring him down, he shifts uncomfortably in place, actively avoiding eye contact with her. Coward. Crossing her arms over her chest, she looks over her shoulder, seeing Mother watching them closely. A stern warning look on her face. One that silently says, 'Do not say anything that will upset people'.

"Your nose turns red when you lie." She points out, "Learn how to lie better."

"It⎯You little troublemaker." He scolds, placing his hands on his hips.

"For a man in politics, you lack the ability to keep a calm and composed face. Work on that, brother." She scolds back, "You'll give away your true feelings."

Hearing Rhaenyra giggle, the tiniest of smiles tugs at her lips at the sound. But, the anger at Laenor's blatant lie was still festering inside. Why would he lie? Were those children not his? Or was it something else? Calmly walking away from the tense pair, her Uncle Vaemond approaches her, his eyes glaring daggers at Rhaenyra. Placing a gentle hand on her back, he slowly ushers her to the far end of the room, close to the last table of the hall. Raising a brow, she doesn't say anything about it. Who was she to question her Uncle?

"You saw those boys, Jacaerys and Lucerys. " Vaemond whispers, "With their brown hair."

"I did." She nods, keeping her voice low.

"No true Velaryon has brown hair. You and your siblings have white hair. Why is that, darling niece?" He questions, "Can you tell me?"

"Because..? I⎯um, We are a true Velaryon?" She questions, unsure if that was the correct answer.

"You are." He nods, "Correct answer."

Furrowing her brows at the confusing questions, it slowly dawns on her what he was trying to insinuate. Jacaerys and Lucerys, they weren't Laenor's. So they were bastards. Or was he just saying that because he did not like their Mother? Sharply turning to her Uncle, a plethora of questions were on the tip of her tongue, ready to pour out in a moment's notice. But, she forces them back. She should not ask them here. Perhaps, another time.

"Are you saying..?" She questions, the words dying as they pass a group of Lords.

"That this food is fresh from the kitchens? Yes, so be careful to not burn your tongue." He lies, giving her a quick wink. "Be very careful, dear niece."

"I will Uncle." She nods, a heavy weight on her chest at his subtle confession. 

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And I am done with the chapter! Stay safe out there guys!

I hope you all are doing okay emotionally and physically! I love you all!

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