𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 • Jacaerys Velaryon

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟓: 𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥

Making her way through the castle, Renva twirled a small chunk of her hair between her fingers. A habit she and her older brother shared. Much like Renva, Cregan had one curl where his widow's peak was, that if it was long enough would twirl when he was anxious. Thinking about their similarities Renva realized how much she missed her older brother. While he was strict they still loved each other deeply and cared if the other was hurting. Oh how Renva wished life could go back to how it was before receiving the letter from the king and queen.

It was nearing lunch time, so Renva made her way to the dining area where there was always some food laid out. When walking into the room she spotted the Velaryon boys along with her brother huddled together.

"Hello Lady Stark!" Joffery yelled as he spotted Renva approaching. The young boy ran up to Renva and gave her a hug, almost knocking her to the floor.

"Joffrey, be careful with our guests. It is impolite to hug without asking for permission." Jacaerys spoke as he approached the two.

"Oh it is certainly okay. I love hugs, just ask my brother." Renva responded nodding to her brother, while bending down a little to hug Joffrey properly.

"I wouldn't call what you do hugging. You ambush us and tackle us." Ranvir chuckled as he reminisced about his sister's actions. "Well father begs to differ. He loves my hugs." Renva said as she let go of Joffrey. "Where have you been sister? Training ended a while ago?" Ranvir said concerned for his sisters' whereabouts. After spending much time with her two suitors he rather liked Jacaerys over Aemond. Aemond was too cold for Renva, whereas Jace was much kinder and lighthearted. The two got along quite well, he hoped for him to be a match with his sister.

"I was in the library reading about wisps." Renva spoke, "But you are quite the fast reader sister, how big was the book?" Ranvir joked with his sister wrapping an arm around her shoulder. "Actually as I was finishing the book Princess Rhaenyra came in and we talked for a little while. That's when I lost track of time." At Revas words Jace perked up, his mother speaking to someone he might marry was nerve wracking. He wanted to know exactly what they had talked about.

Turning to Jace, "You have a wonderful mother. You were surely blessed." Renva spoke with a warm smile on her face. It made Jace's heart flutter, a feeling he hadn't felt before. "Thank you Lady Stark, my mother is truly a godsend." Jace agreed, taking a few steps closer to Renva. "Would you care for a walk?" Jace asked, stretching out his arm gesturing to the door. "It would be my pleasure, My Prince. Let me just grab a quick muffin before then." Renva agreed while quickly grabbing one of the muffins that sat on the table. Ranvir knew it was his duty to follow them as a chaperone, so he followed a few steps behind the pair.

"So Lady Stark-" Jace started before Renva interrupted, "Please your grace, call me Renva. Lady makes me feel old." He gave her a small smile, "As long as you call me Jace instead of 'your grace'." Jace said. "I think that can be Gillianenged." Renva said, giving a slight smile.

"I know it hasn't been long, but how are you enjoying the Red Keep?" Jace started to spark conversation. "It is lovely, I love the feeling of the warm sun but the cool breeze." Jace nodded for her to continue talking. "In the North the only real warmth is if you are standing in direct sunlight. Otherwise it is dreadfully cold, you can easily get hypothermia in the winter months if you aren't constantly dressed properly." Renva spoke, occasionally glancing towards Jace only to find that he was already looking at her.

"I never really experienced much cold. Ever since Joffrey was born we stayed at Dragonstone. I have memories of it here but they aren't all fond." Jace responded remembering the day Ser Harwin left due to him not being strong enough to go against Aegon and win.

"All memories can't be fond, Jace. If they were we wouldn't be able to tell what the really good ones are. We need bad days to make the nice ones feel amazing. We wouldn't learn much otherwise." Renva spoke, placing a hand upon Jaces shoulder. The small gesture made Jace feel whole. A feeling that hasn't been a constant one for him lately.

"I guess you are right, or else how would I be able to remember how amazing this one is right now." Jace gave a warm smile to Renva. "You are too kind Jace. I do have a serious question for you however." Renva started changing the conversation. "Ask away." Jace grew nervous, he had no clue what her talk was with his mother and could only hope it wasn't related to that.

"Do you know if your mother was offering your hand to spite the queen, or was it genuine." Renva was nervous asking Jace this question. If Jace perceived it as rude it could cause trouble between not only them but the Starks and Rhaenyra's family. "I think she offered because of your ancestors' pledge to ward the crown. I'm sure you are well aware of the conflict between my mother and my uncle. If my grandfather were to pass, Queen Alicent is sure to try to put Aegon on the throne." Jace glanced at Renva to see her reaction, all she was doing was furrowing her brows which is something he noticed the night prior when she was heavy in thought. "She has wanted me to marry for some time. We had made a deal that I wouldn't have to be betrothed until next year. However I am not upset that she has offered my betrothal early. I am very lucky to be an option for you." Renva turned to look at Jace as he said this.

When he smiled the outer corners of his eyes did a little scrunch that she found charming. Renva glanced back at the sound of thundering paws. Spotting Signe running towards her, she smirked. She decided this was a good opportunity to see if Jace was a good match. Signe did not like people outside of the Stark Family, so if she was able to tolerate Jace, it was a sign that she felt Jace was a good person.

"Signe my beautiful girl, how are you?" Signe rubbed her snout on Renva's hands at her words. "This is your Direwolf?" Jace said remaining where he stood, he learned about direwolves from the maesters. He was not going to spook the she-wolf and cause his own demise. "It is, would you like to greet her?" Renva said, stretching a hand out to Jace. Jace saw the wolf at the training grounds earlier that day and she looked much bigger in person. He wasn't scared per say considering he rode a dragon, however dragons and direwolves are alike in the sense that they care for their companion. "I would be glad to." Jace accepted her hand. Stepping forward slowly Signe let out a light growl, Jace took a deep breath as did Renva. Signe sniffed the air around Jaces' hand before stepping past Renva towards Jace. Jace felt the wolf's cold snout press against his hand, the hot air coming from the creature's nose reminded him of his dragon Vermax.

Jace looked towards Renva with a light smile. Turning back to the wolf Renva saw a sight she never thought to see. Signe sat down in front of Jace and nudged his palm signaling for him to pet her. It was what she did to those who she thought had good intentions. Renva only saw this once before, right after she bonded with Revna did Signe go up to her family members and give them all a small nudge with her head. Since that day she has never done that again. "Does that mean she likes me?" Jace said petting the wolfs' neck which she only allowed Renva to do before. "I believe that is her saying that you passed." Renva said, smiling back at Jace.