the sun and the moon

seven

Daenys hated the Great Hall. The large room seemed to amplify every noise, the sound bouncing off every wall before finally dying out. She always left the room with a headache. Standing by her brothers, sister and mother, the young princess did nothing to hide the disdain on her face. She was quite annoyed to start. Asking herself why the petitions were being heard when the succession of the Driftmark throne had been settled on for years now. Her grandfather's booming voice did not help either.

"Though it is the great hope of this court that Lord Corlys Velaryon survive his wounds, we gather here with the grim task of dealing with the succession of Driftmark."

Daenys' eyes found Jacaerys' and she subtly rolled them. The boy smirked at her actions before the both settled back in to listen.

"As Hand, I speak with the King's voice on this and all other matters. The crown will now hear the petitions." Otto Hightower continued.

Daenys could tell her siblings were equally disinterested. Aegon was faced opposite of where the throne sat, his eyes looking from the members of the court to the ground to the ceiling, and he shifted his weight from foot to foot. Heleana had taken to playing with the rings around her fingers, her focus seemingly far away. Though Aemond stood with his back straight, facing forward, the young princess could hear his sighs every so often, as if he had better things he could be doing.

Daenys watched as Ser Vaemond Velaryon was called upon. She saw the pointed glare he gave to her little nephew before he stood to address the Queen and the Hand. As the man spoke, the girl was quick to tune him out, uninterested in the history lesson he was giving. Instead, the princess watched her little Lucerys, wishing more than anything that she could be by his side.

"I am Lord Corlys' closest kin, his own blood. The true unimpeachable blood of House Velaryon runs through my veins." Ser Vaemond announced. At his words, Daenys' head snapped to look at him.

Princess Rhaenyra's response was almost instant. "As it does in my son's, the offspring of Laenor Velaryon." The older princess stressed the name of her deceased husband as though the court had forgotten the fact that he was her son's father. "If you care so much about your house's blood, Ser Vaemond, you would not be so bold as to supplant its rightful heir. No, you only speak for yourself and for your own ambition." She continued.

"You will have chance to make your own petition, Princess Rhaenyra. Do Ser Vaemond the courtesy of allowing him to be heard." The Queen firmly announced. Daenys could not help but to compare her mother's tone to that of a parent scolding their child. The young princess watched the sly grin that appeared on Ser Vaemond's face before he turned to look at Princess Rhaenyra who in turn averted her eyes, her face becoming guarded and cold. As the Velaryon man spoke to the older princess directly, everyone of the court knew his words were now teetering on the edge of being treasonous. Daenys glanced at her mother, attempting to assess what she was thinking. She watched her eyes flitting back and forth between Ser Vaemond and Princess Rhaenyra but did nothing to stop the blasphemy.

Daenys hated feeling powerless in moments like these. She hated that she could only watch as the older man gave her nephew a look filled with hostility. She hated that this man made Lucerys feel less than his worth. The princess watched as her nephew turned to look at her, anxiety swimming in his eyes. She sent him a firm nod, a reminder to stay calm. A reminder that she was on his side. Her eyes slid over to Jacaerys who was glaring furiously at Ser Vaemond.

Once the man finally finished his speech, Daenys let out a small breath she had been holding, hoping the worst was over. The young princess watched as Aegon awkwardly scratched at his neck. She turned her head to look at Aemond behind her, whose eye was not wavering from its target who just so happened to be Luke. Daenys took notice of the smirk he held that quickly fell once she discreetly elbowed his chest. Giving Aemond a pointed look before turning around, the girl gave her full attention to Princess Rhaenyra who had been called to make her petition on Lucerys' behalf.