the sun and the moon

six

The two Targaryen sisters went their separate ways after breaking their fasts together. The eldest of the pair left in search of Rhaena Targaryen in hopes the girl would help to soften the heart of Princess Rhaenys so that she might agree to back Lucerys Velaryon's claim to the Driftmark throne. The younger of the two sisters similarly ventured off to find someone. As Daenys walked through the halls she kept her lip tucked under her teeth in hopes of hiding her current state of bliss from those of the court that passed by. The young princess in her flustered state had started in the direction of her sister Heleana's chambers but quickly decided she should not say anything of the matter yet. Instead, she turned her focus into fussing over her young nephew.

Daenys found Lucerys right where his mother said he would be. His sword clashed with his older brothers as they exchanged blows. The princess' heart fluttered at the sight of the older Velaryon boy. The girl sat herself down on the steps, content to just watch the two train for now. She took notice of how different their fight styles were. Luke tended to rely on his strong defense and quick maneuvers while Jace focused more on his attacks and taking away his opponents options. The match ended with the younger boy's sword in his opponent's hand, both of their chests heaving from the exertion. Daenys took the moment to announce herself by clapping her hands, successfully catching the pair's attention. Pushing herself up from the steps, the princess greeted them with a graceful smile.

"You are improving in big strides my little prince. Soon you will be the most accomplished swordsman in all of Westeros." Daenys' hand lifted to tousle Lucerys' curls.

Luke let out a huff in response. "I lost though."

"You are learning. If you won every match you fought, you would not get any better." She countered.

Jacaerys smiled as he watched the two before passing both their swords to his brother, telling him to put them away before giving Daenys his attention.

"Your words mean a lot to him. He listens to you well."

"Well I have been told I am a considerably bright girl. Perhaps you should listen to me more often then." The princess joked, the sarcasm dripping off her tongue.

"Perhaps I should." He chuckled in response.

Daenys looked into Jace's eyes as she often found herself doing. She thought of her conversation with Princess Rhaenyra that took place earlier that morning. She remembered her mother, and all her anxieties came rushing back to the surface. Her fingers unconsciously started pulling at the skin around her nails again. The boy took notice almost immediately, taking it upon himself to separate her hands, holding them in his own.

"What is wrong?" He asked, the concern clear in his tone. She shook her head in response.

"Nothing is wrong," She spoke softly. He looked at the girl, waiting for her to continue. "I am actually quite happy. I only worry that this happiness will be taken away."

"Whatever do you mean?" He questioned, eyebrows furrowed. His thumbs rubbed back and forth on her hands in a soothing way.

Daenys took in a breath, softly smiling at the prince in front of her. "I spoke with Princess Rhaenyra this morning. I suppose my curiosity got the better of me. I asked her why you are not to marry Baela." The girl paused, taking in Jacaerys' expression. The confusion was still present on his face but a hopeful gleam in his eyes now accompanied it. He nodded at her to continue. "The Princess said she plans to talk to The Queen about betrothing you and I. I worry my mother will refuse." Daenys spoke this slowly and once finished, she averted her eyes in fear that perhaps the boy would not be as happy as she was. The girl could hear the sharp intake of breath but she still refused to look.

"We are to be betrothed?" His voice cracked in disbelief. She felt the boy slip his hands out of hers and her heart fell. She considered taking it all back, claiming it to all be a silly joke. His hands shook her out of her thoughts as they gently held her face, giving her no choice but to look him in the eyes.

"We are to be betrothed." He repeated, only this time a large grin had been planted on his face. Daenys let the tension melt out of her body. She nodded at him. Jacaerys' body was practically vibrating from his clear excitement. The prince leaned his forehead against the princess' for a quick moment.

Once the two separated Daenys spoke, "We are to be betrothed if my mother accepts."

"She will accept. If she does not, you will still be my betrothed. I would never wed another." Jace spoke with such confidence that Daenys believed him. The boy's hands fell from her face, one slipped into her own hand's grasp as footsteps approached.

"You both should clean up before the upcoming petitions." Daenys stated, ripping her eyes away from Jace to look at the younger boy who had joined them. "You smell." She added. Jace gasped dramatically, his free hand flying to his heart like he had been struck there.

"You wound me deeply Princess." He cried out in jest. The young girl shook her head at his antics. She released Jacaerys' hand in favor of wrapping her arm around the younger prince's shoulders, pulling him into her side.

"Although I will not be standing beside you, I am always on your side, my little prince." Daenys softly spoke to the young boy. Feeling him nod, the girl pressed a kiss to the side of his head before ushering him inside to wash up. With the space beside the young princess now unoccupied, Jace took the opportunity to stand by her again.

"Where is my kiss?" The boy pouted.

Daenys jokingly scoffed at him. "You don't get one. Now go clean up. I shall see you in the Great Hall soon." She started back inside with a smile gracing her lips.

The girl made her way to Heleana's quarters in hopes of visiting not only her sister but her niece and nephew, Jaehaerys and Jaehaera. Her hand came up to knock just as the doors opened unexpectedly.
"Daenys, good. I was just about to come see you..." The queen trailed off upon noticing her youngest daughter's choice of dress. Her face crinkled at the thought of her daughter wearing such a thing in front of the court. This fact made the smile on Daenys' face grow ever so slightly larger.

"Good morning Mother. I was just about to visit Heleana and the children before the petitions are to be made. I shall see you then." Without giving the woman any room to argue, Daenys stepped inside the room and shut the door.

"Hello sister. Where ever are my little niece and nephew?" The young princess greeted, making her way to sit by Heleana.

"They've just gone down for a nap. What a pretty dress you have on." The older of the two responded.

Daenys thanked her sister graciously. The two sat in a companionable silence, Helena continuing her needlework and her younger sister content to just watch her work. This had continued on until a knock sounded and the door creaked open to reveal their brother Aemond. He stood stiff, one hand stayed firming on the handle while the other remained behind his back.

"It is time we made our entrance in the Great Hall.