PENTOS
124 AC
Life in Pentos wasn't without its challenges.
Hira took a long swallow of Prince Reggio's famed wine, the sweet nectar leaving a sour aftertaste.
It had been a little over a year since she left Leng for Pentos and was taken under her father's care.
Her relationship with Daemon developed slowly. There was still a slight distaste for the man who neglected her, but he treated her kindly enough, mayhap even lovingly in his own twisted way.
There were moments where he simply stared at her with a faraway look on his face. When she trained with her Sapphire Guards in the yard, he would be there by the side-lines keeping watch and critiquing her footwork. When she read a book of High Valyrian to the twins, he would sit nearby and offer the correct way to pronounce a word or two.
Every time she caught his gaze, Hira stared pointedly back. Oftentimes it was Laena who would cut off their staring match, like two wild dogs asserting dominance.
Her kinship with Laena and the twins was far better compared to the one with Daemon. After the first awkward luncheons they warmed up to her. Nowadays she found herself playing a game of chase in the gardens, or encouraging Baela with her dragon Moondancer, or comforting Rhaena with her lack of mount.
Lady Laena would braid her hair and listen to her stories of Leng, whilst she in turn spoke of her homeland Driftmark, of the rough tides and salty waters. Her stepmother became her confidant when it came to matters regarding Daemon. There were many nights spent complaining about the man and Hira would smirk over her cup of wine when Laena mockingly imitated her father. She was only allowed one glass a day, Laena deeming her still young, despite her moonblood.
The girls made it easier to adjust to the change of land but the ache that bellowed in her heart grew larger with each passing day as she mourned her homeland.
The sands of Pentos were not the rich fertile forest of Leng. The air was drier, the people nosy and loud, often flocking when Daemon and Laena performed a show with their dragons.
Hira missed home desperately.
"The lamb hearts are excellent," Prince Reggio praised.
Hira had her suspicions regarding the man. No ruler in power would let them live in his home without wanting something in return. He was courteous enough, but Hira was taught to be cautious with men like the prince, men with power.
"We are fortunate in our cook, Your Excellence," Laena replied. "There's a plum-cake yet to be served, which will have us fighting over the crumbs."
The table was spread with a variety of delicious Pentoshi cuisine as well as a Lengii delicacy of steamed buns filled with saucy, savoury meat.
"Then before we come to blows," Prince Reggio continued, tapping his spoon on the table, "a toast to Aegon the Conqueror, your exalted forebear, who joined our cause against Volantis in the Century of Blood. On the great dragon Balerion, he flew to our aid in Lys and burned a fleet of enemy ships, thus turning the tide."
Daemon stood with his cup raised. "Aegon the Conqueror."
Hira lifted her cup of amber wine. Even after a year, she still hadn't gotten used to Pentoshi wine.
"This brings me to some business. A proposal I wish to make in the spirit of honouring our storied alliance."
And there it was.
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The Passion of a Thousand Suns | Aemond Targaryen
Fanfiction❛❛ Aemond yearned for her, that much she knew. It was a pity duty held a crown over her head, for Hira would have gladly fallen into his desire. ❜❜ - Hira, known to the Seven Kingdoms as Daemon's bastard daughter. In Leng, a Princess, a daughter of...
