The Sound of Storms ▻ House of the Dragon

CHAPTER SIX

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The embers had gone cold. Her bedroom was still as Calyx's words registered in her mind. The lethargy quickly drained from her, and the princess ran a hand through her hair.

"Gods.." She whispered, "But he was at dinner last night, he was alive and-and breathing hours ago. What happened? When did this happen?"

"Father told me just before I came to tell you. I wasn't told how, but I believe succumbed to his ailments."

Isidore paused, "Who will be the next ruler?"

"Aegon," Calyx replied, "I was told it would be Aegon,"

"Are Rhaenyra and her family still here? Do they know?"

The prince shook his head, "They left last night after dinner, I don't know if they've been informed yet."

The princess sucked in a deep breath and leaned forward onto her elbow. Her black and white hair fell into her face as she stared at her hands where red scabs had formed around her nails. Old habits were hard to break.

"Were you told of my engagement?" Isidore's voice was hushed and she couldn't will herself to look at her brother

Calyx nodded, "I was,"

A silence settled over the siblings and the prince reached out and took his sister's hand in his.

"You did the right thing. Hopefully, with this union, it will help our people."

Isidore looked up to her brother. "We cannot hope, it has to work. I will make it work. I owe our family that much,"

There was no wavering in Isidore's voice. No hesitation.

Calyx chose his next words with careful consideration. "Did mother...reprimand you after dinner?"

"She only means well," Isidore offered an unconvincing smile and could feel her brother's hand tighten on hers.

"I hate that she has forced this onto you,"

"She hasn't," Isidore shook her head. "This is my duty as heir. This is what I must do to ensure the survival and continued success of our people. Is this the most ideal way it would have gone? No. But it is what is being done. What must be done."

Isidore pushed the blankets off her body and stood from the bed. Her nightgown swayed as she moved to her wardrobe. Her hair out of the normal plaits she wore cascaded down her back, blowing lightly from the early morning breeze.

"Come, I wish to get ready for the day so we may give our condolences to the family."

Isidore was thankful that her handmaidens back at the peaks had packed a black dress into her belongings. She would have to likely borrow another black dress for the remainder of the mourning period though. It was a plain dress with latter sleeves and a square cut neckline, though Isidore chose to wear a high neck meshed black blouse underneath for modesty. Small silver embroidered detailing was woven into the bodice and sleeves. Silver buttons closed the sleeve cuffs on her wrists and Isidore pinned her family's emblem at her throat. A simple belt was added at her waist. Her hair was delicately combed through by her handmaiden and styled into a half up half down style, the top half braided and brought together at the back of her head.

Calyx had returned when he too had dressed for the day and escorted his sister out of her bed chambers and down the hall. The early hours of the morning saw the corridors baren except for the occasional guard who was on patrol. Their footsteps echoed and Isidore had the creeping feeling that they were being watched. Another pair of footsteps joined theirs, quicker in step than the Dalgares siblings. Isidore wished she had grabbed her dagger before stepping out of her room.