The Banished Blood

Chapter 11

When I awoke, I was confided to my room all morning, to the early afternoon. Eating breakfast, opting to skip lunch. Double checking my measurements. Reciting my replies and addresses of lords. Dinner formalities, simple things. When the time had came, Dyana dressed me, as did the tailor and seamstress. My corset was laced tighter, my neck draped in gold and diamonds. Putting me in high heels, layering my fingers in rings. I felt weighed down enough with nerves, but this? It was overwhelming. I was meant to dance and address others, in this? I took a deep breath in as they laced the back of my dress, this was ridiculous. I only wished to wear my riding clothes now, but I knew they were impractical. As they draped a cloak around my shoulders.

I was left alone now, looking at myself in the mirror. The way they did up my hair, it had gotten longer since I arrived. They curled it by my ears, placing tiny diamonds inside of them. The strands of hair were filled with miniscule gems. It was far too much. I felt overdressed for my own coronation. I held my hands together, fidgeting. Earrings dangling. The dress itself was red, as they put an underskirt on me too. I felt like a fool. I could barely dance as it is. I heard the door opening, and Arykks voice, but my mind brushed over it. I thought of Saera, my mother. Who was the one true heir after her father died. I was the one true heir; this was in my blood. To be crowned was my birth right. But I wasn't in the mood to be a royal today. Her vanity did not run through me, but her passion did. She never loved me, she never really cared. Even when she tried to, she didn't show it well. I wished she showed it better, I wished I listened to her before I crossed these waters to this foreign land.

A father I didn't know, another part of the family that wished to corrupt me, but were they really that bad? I was a bastard, born from a princess yes, but still; a bastard. Just like Rhaenyras boys. Just like them.

"Princess!" Arykks voice shouted. I snapped my head around. He bowed. "Apologies, but- they're ready for you." He gestured to the door, I walked out. I took a deep breath. I am the blood of the dragon, I am myself at heart, no one, will control me. I was at the entrance to the great hall. I took a deep breath. Someone stood before me with a scroll, reminding me what to say. But my mind was elsewhere.

So this is happening.

This, is real.

A bell rang in the distance, it rang five times, as the door swung open, I looked up. My insides froze. The hall was silent, I wasn't announced. Because I wasn't anything. Not for another... Minute at least. I looked around me, my steps echoed upon the stone. The doors creaked. I was met with faces I did not know. I felt like I was walking back in for the first time. Overwhelmed, and unaware of what was to come. I looked to the throne, to my shock, there the king sat. Clad in what I presumed what was his best, the Queen in green by his side, hand over his. The hand, Otto, standing by his other side. Along with various guard. Alicents children stood by her side too, in a line, oldest to youngest. Aegon was closest to the king. Dressed in red. He stood there, hands holding the other as he stood. He looked properly clean. Maybe he washed his hands today too.

Heleana stood by him, as the events of last night didn't cause me any discomfort, they didn't care for one another. But they liked it like that. What happened last night, was okay. Wasn't it? Heleana smiled with glee, almost jumping on the spot. Her eyes crinkling as she did. Her dress was gold, she seemed appropriately dressed, compared to my dressings. Eyes crinkling with her smile. Finally, my eyes fell to Aemond, dressed in black. Face blank, almost cold. He simply glared at me, which fuelled my nerves more.

I approached the king, in his same half golden mask from whence we met. As I approached, I noticed how his posture had slumped, how his lower jaw softly quaked and how thin his hair was. It's been almost a month since I came, how could he have deteriorated so much? Even still, he was the king. My cousin. My closest known blood.

I came to the end of the throne, looking up at how high he sat, swords layering up to the sky. Sticking out at points I could barely comprehend right now.

"Welcome all! To this, wonderful gathering!" The king addressed the room. "Some moons ago, The Lost Princess, Saera Targaryen was found. After her disappearance, she was presumed dead. She returned, with her daughter, to the claim of the iron throne. In which the crown cannot dismiss. Upon the passing of King Jaehaerys, none of his children came to heir. Aside from his son Daeron, whom was taken to being a maester. Had our beloved Princess Saera returned, she would be sitting this throne right now. However, upon her arrival, she passed on to the seven. Giving us her only daughter, in light to us. In which I will be forever grateful of my bloods return..."

Viserys drew a deep breath, spluttering for a moment, Alicent patted his hand gently, smiling, she whispered softly. Viserys nodded slowly and began to speak once more. "Y/N, I hereby name you a Princess of the realm, blood of my blood, and an adaptation to my lineage." He huffed a slight cough.

My heart jumped, I heard a small array of gasps behind me, my eyes darted to Alicent, her eyes widened in shock slightly, Otto lay a glance to her. Whilst the king gathered himself. I turned my eyes to look at Aegon. He gave a small smile to me, his chest heaved like he was laughing, amused. Heleana couldn't contain herself, her eyes boggled. Whilst a change occurred in Aemonds face. His eye widened slightly, he seemed rather amused too.

"On this day, in the year 152. I King Viserys, first of his name. King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the first men. Lord of the seven kingdoms, protector of the realm. Declare, Y/N. Princess Y/N, to hold titles, lands, and dragon. For within her, fire and blood shall endure."

"Fire and blood shall endure." Everyone repeated, as I knew that was my cue to bow. I knelt. The king rose, beckoning me to stand with him, as everyone bowed, even Alicent and her father. Viserys beckoned me to him, I walked forward. He put his arm weakly around me. I was in shock. The crowd applauded, I put my arms around him. I heard him say to me.

"I'm happy you are home dear cousin." He croaked. I pulled back, bowing to him.

"As am I, dear cousin." I smiled, gratefully. He stood by my side, as I turned to the crowed, the cheers going on and on for what felt like forever. My chest welled, with my eyes. They were cheering for me. For me. I couldn't believe he didn't speak of my being a bastard, did he not know? Or did he not care? Was this Alicents doing?

Something stirred in the air, if this was her doing. Why was she so shocked? I looked over my shoulder to her, she wasn't looking at me, she was looking to the people. Viserys smiled at me, my eyes fell to Otto. He stood, not looking at me either, as a man with a club foot spoke into his ear. When he realised my glance, he merely gave me a knowing look, and nodded. I tore my head back to the people, smiling and waving to the lords and ladies.

There was something more going on, there was someone playing in this game with me. A game in which I still didn't know the rules, or what exact game we were playing. Along with the feeling of not knowing who was really on my team.

If this was a game, I intended to be winning on the right side.