Familiarity ||| Jacaerys Velaryon

thirty-eight

It wasn't necessarily that the Tourneys and feasts were boring. Far from it. Alyssa had a grand time watching boys swing swords around and try to knock each other from horses.

She simply did not want to wait. And Jace had been right; that week would feel the longest out of the almost two years they'd waited.

Sitting at feast tables and accepting well-wishes, scolding knights who asked for Alyssa's favour. Technically she wasn't married, no. But they were at a Tourney celebrating her marriage.

Jace wasn't bothered. Perhaps a little perturbed by the first man who'd tried. But Alyssa quickly and firmly denied it, pressing herself closer to Jace's side.

He wasn't sure he liked being the centre of attention at those functions. But he mused he needed to get used to it if he was to be King someday.

Alyssa was much better at dealing with it, however. Taking everything in stride, staying by Jace's side, and keeping them moving through the week. Through all the festivities.

Until finally, the day came for Alyssa and Jace to marry. At the end of a long week of festivities, Alyssa could hardly sleep. She had waited for that day since Rhaenys announced it in the Throne Hall.

She'd imagined it in her head, how it would feel, when it would happen. And perhaps none of it had been what she thought. But maybe it was sweeter. Alyssa's head was spinning when she tried to rest, her stomach flipping as she thought.

The next night, she wouldn't be alone in her bed. The next night, he would bed her and she would be his. Everyone would know it and they could freely express affection without fear.

In the morning, Alyssa was happy to be awake. Her maids were just as excited as she was, chittering happily as they helped Alyssa into a robe and drew a bath for her.

She made sure to use the soap Alyssa knew Jace liked. That lavender goat's milk one. Alyssa washed her entire body in it, her hair the same. Oils and other fragrances in her hair too. But lavender was the most fragrant.

The first thing that day was the Old Valyrian wedding ceremony in the Throne Hall. Alyssa wouldn't put on her wedding dress yet; that would be reserved for after. And her sisters would be helping with that.

Her hair was lightly twisted back for that ceremony. No tight braids, simple clean twists that they tied together at the back. Half up and half down.

It was surreal. When the maids helped Alyssa dress in the traditional robe. The white that turned to red on the ends. She'd seen her own father in that robe all those years ago when he married Rhaenyra. When he seemed so happy.

That was part of the reason she'd been insistent on it. As a sign of good luck. For the Valyrian gods to bless Alyssa and Jace.

When she was dressed in the robe, the maids put the headpiece on Alyssa. Dragon scales, a sharp point to the top. A strange weight on her head. But it made Alyssa's stomach flutter as she looked at herself in the mirror.

"Perfect, princess. You look beautiful."

Alyssa thanked them and performed a few finishing touches before she left for the Throne Hall. Nervous. Excited.