Familiarity ||| Jacaerys Velaryon

twenty-one

Despite being traumatized, Rhaenyra and her family had secured Luke's place as heir to Driftmark. And both Jace and Luke had been betrothed.

As well as Daemon's daughters.

"He was who you'd planned the whole time, wasn't he?"

Daemon very much enjoyed the secret he'd held over her head. "You were right. I will be able to call my daughter a Queen and it won't be incorrect." Only, she'd be more than the Queen of Love and Beauty.

Rhaena, Alyssa, and Baela did what sisters did best. Teased one another and gossiped to one another about it all. That Alyssa was going to be a Queen, and Rhaena would be the Lady of Driftmark.

"I think Jace almost passed away. You should have seen his face when she said it."

Alyssa playfully slapped Baela's arm and shook her head. It was sweet. And it felt good to be desired. At least he hadn't let out a scream and denied the betrothal.

The mood of the day was slightly soured when they were told that the King requested to host a dinner. With all of his family. Not just his children, but his grandchildren as well.

"I would rather feed myself to my dragon," said Alyssa. That was the last thing she wanted. To be forced around a table with Aemond and Aegon.

"Your uncle isn't doing well. This may be one of the last times we gather around him. Tis only one night."

Rhaenyra was right. It was just one night, one meal.

What could go wrong?

Arriving at their meal was awfully awkward. Their seats had already been picked for them and the Greens were already inside.

Alyssa kept close to her sisters and cousins. Aegon and Aemond were speaking lowly, Helaena was sitting and playing with her cup of wine.

Of course, as was customary, Jace and Luke would sit next to their betrothed, Alyssa and Rhaena. Baela would sit beside Alyssa at the end of one side of the table, Luke and Rhaena together at one head of the table, mirroring Aemond and Helaena's seats.

Alyssa leaned against the table as she chatted with Baela and Rhaena. She ignored any sideways glances from Aegon.

When the door opened, though, and the King was carried into the room on his chair by his knights, everyone returned to their places and stood, out of respect for him.

Carefully and quickly, Alyssa walked around the table and stepped in front of her chair. Jace stepped in front of his chair beside her and Aegon did the same next to Jace.

Hah. He had to sit next to the man who'd actually been granted to opportunity to feel Alyssa's love.

Everyone only took their seats when the King was placed in his, as was customary. Alyssa sat and before she could move herself closer, Jace did it for her. Trying very hard to impress her, to be a gentleman.

Jace didn't want to start anything off incorrectly. To be enough for the firecracker that was supposed to be his wife.

"Thank you," Alyssa said, smiling at Jace as he took his seat next to her. It was nice to see him trying so hard for her.