𝐈𝐍 𝐖𝐇𝐈𝐂𝐇... it was said that she was the destroyer of kingdoms, beloved by all.
𝐄𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐘 by two princes, both head over heels for her. Though it seemed she had her eyes set firmly on the younger one. The vengeful woman would stop...
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- ͙۪۪̥˚┊❝ what is the matter with you ? ❞┊˚͙۪۪̥◌
━━━━━━━━━━━DAENA SNORTED INTO HER CUP OF WINE as Aegon finished his third story of the night, this one being about the time he woke up in the middle of a herd of sheep after a night out at a pub. He grinned, looking her way with his violet eyes gleaming. He was glad someone finally appreciated his amusing tales.
She had felt Aemond's stare boring into her the entire night, but had successfully ignored him, not even sparing him a glance. On occasion she'd noticed his hands clenching and fingers fidgeting as his mother mentioned the possibility of marriage to him, or complain how he didn't use enough time on things that matter, like politics, and instead used most of his time fighting with Ser Criston in the training yard.
Daena was in the middle of an interesting converstation with Heleana about different kinds of butterflies when Alicent leaned over the table towards her.
"Viserys has informed me of your misfortunes with finding a husband." Alicent's brows were furrowed in mock kindness.
Daena stared at the woman in silence, puzzled at the odd statement, before clearing her throat. "Uhm, yes. I do not possess the same interest in marriage as my mother does."
Alicent hummed, "And why is that, do you think?"
Daena opened her mouth a couple of times, bewildered. She did not know what to think of the Queen's question, or where it was coming from. "I, uh, do not know, your Grace. I suppose I just haven't found the right person to marry yet. I have quite high standards." She cleared her throat and laughed, hoping to ease the tension.
Alicent hummed thoughtfully and looked away. She then took a sip of her tea and handed Daena a letter, which had already been opened. She took the letter from the Queen's hand, and opened it slowly. Immediately she recognized her mother's handwriting, and was already dreading reading the piece of paper in her hands. With a shaky breath she began reading.
Dear father.
Each day I worry more and more about Daena. I fear she will never marry willingly, and in the end has to bear an unhappy future. For that sole reason, I propose a betrothal.
An union between my daughter and your second son, Aemond. I know the two used to be very close when they were young, and I think they both would eventually find happiness in this marriage. My daughter is a proud woman and will not be accepting this immediately, which is why I wish for you to bring this up with her in a delicate matter, since I cannot at the moment.
My beloved father, I am sincere about this matter, and I deeply wish this for Daena. Her future would be secured, and our families would be tied together, ending this pointless feud between us.
Please, father, I beg of you to consider this.
Sincerely, Rhaenyra
Daena took a deep breath, trying to organize her thoughts, but the only thing in her mind was her mother. She had yet again gone behind her back and rearranged her future without asking her first. Daena felt tears brimming her eyes at the betrayal. She looked over to Aemond, only to see him looking down at the ground with a scowl on his face, not even daring to look up at her. Daena scoffed at him, disgusted at his cowardness, and stood up from the table. She bowed her head at the Queen.
"If you'll excuse me, your Grace," she said, then hastily left the large room, nearly in tears. She walked the hallways with her chest heaving and tears in her eyes. In her haste she couldn't hear the footsteps following her, before she was held against the wall with Aemond holding her by her throat.
"What is the matter with you? Let me go!" Daena hissed at him, disgusted at his behavior towards her.
Aemond didn't let go, and only inched closer to her, leaning his head down. "That was humiliating. Do think of your actions better through next time before you storm out of a room full of witnesses as you learn that we are to be married."
Daena scowled. "We are not to be married, you cunt. The letter only told Viserys to think about it, I am going to see him on the morrow and talk about this with him reasonably."
Aemond's cold smile turned into a wicked grin. "Didn't you hear? Mother already did, and Viserys was more than delighted to accept the betrothal."
Daena's breath got caught in her throat, and she felt the burning sensation of anger boiling inside of her. "No," she whispered.
"No?" Aemond tilted his head, still smiling. "If my memory serves me right, eleven years ago you promised to wed me one day. Now you are simply just fulfilling that promise, sweet niece."
"I was nine, you twat! You cannot expect me to hold on to that."
Aemond seemed to deflate a little, and Daena could see some unknown emotion in his eye, but it was gone before she could try and recognize it.
"Very well. You still aren't getting rid of me just yet." He loosened his grip on her, and as he did so, Daena got the leverage and switched their positions, with her holding him by the neck.
Aemond grinned as he looked down on her, not bothered by her hand gripping his neck tightly. "What do you plan to do, lady Strong?"
Daena scowled and tightened her grip, but to her dismay Aemond's smile didn't falter, nor did the look in his eye. "You are insufferable," she whispered, nothing but hatred in her voice.
"And you are a misbehaved brat," Aemond said back, just as coldly.
Daena let go and walked to her chambers, her chest heaving. She went to her desk and quickly wrote an angry letter to her mother, telling her to stop this before it could even begin. She practically begged her, and Daena never begged. She then took off her dress and buried herself in her bed.
She was out like a light in seconds, her dreams only consisting of flights with Diaval at Dragonstone with Luke by her side, laughing like the carefree children they should be.
