𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 | 𝐚. 𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐲𝐞𝐧

when it was calmer.

"My princess," Lady Adelaide gently called out to Helaena, "Please, let us go enjoy the gardens. They are far more enjoyable than watching your brothers and cousins quarrel."

As soon as she noticed the competitive glances between Sir Criston and her eldest brother, Ser Harwin, her instincts told her it would be best to escort the princess back into the comfort of the Red Keep. Having served as Helaena's lady in waiting for the past year and a half had taught Adelaide a great many things about her companion and about the house of the dragon. Though the house was the epitome of royalty, they fought as any other family would - no matter how small the issue.

"My lady, don't you wish to sit and watch-"

"Would you not rather enjoy time in the library or alchemy labs examining the creatures our grand maester has placed in jars for your viewing pleasure?" Adelaide quickly interrupted, with a warm grin.

With a laugh, the princess took her lady's hand as the two descended the stairs from the overlook of the training yard. The pair of you giggled between girlish thoughts and small jokes, distracting then from the jabs and punches all the princes and their trainers threw at dummies.

"My sister and her sweet lady!" Prince Aegon called from across the yard. What a dread and the ladies had nearly escaped indoors.

Helaena spoke not, only looking at her brother with blank eyes. Knowing how the prince enjoyed making spectacles out of his behavior, and it becoming tenfold worse if not rewarded with proper attention, Adelaide bade herself to answer Aegon, "What pleases you, my prince?"

Aegon, all but gracefully, strode toward the pair of ladies with his brother and cousins quickly trailing behind, "Where are you off to?"

"The princess and I were heading into the halls to seek our own enjoyment outside of the training grounds," The lady explained in her kindest tone as Aegon's eyes unpleasantly scanned her adolescent frame. He always pulled such stunts when Queen Alicent or the elder Strong brothers were not around to correct his behavior. Yet Adelaide took notice, her tone quickly began souring, "We wish to be off to the library and indulge ourselves with knowledge."

"Knowledge?" Aegon laughs, "You are ladies of the court. What use do you have of knowledge when you are just to produce pleasure or heirs?"

The thought of striking the prince for such disgraceful words crossed her mind, yet Adelaide knew such actions would come with great consequences. Biting her tongue, Adelaide gazed at her friend. Helaena was his betrothed – but the way he spoke of her... she greatly pitied the princess.

"Our sister and her friend can enjoy the library all they choose - you hardly ever touch a book," the voice came from behind Aegon, belonging to the second son, Aemond.

Aemond's jest caused a giggle not only from his nephews but from Helaena and Adelaide as well. Aegon was clearly unamused by his brother's antics, "And what use do I have for books when I have a dragon?"

Aegon's comment was clearly targeted and even caused a few snickers from Rhaenyra's sons. Adelaide frowned at such words, seeing young Aemond scowl at his brother. The younger brother clearly wanted to say something, but refrained, knowing that if he pushed too hard, Aegon's fit would become worse.

"And what is my youngest sister doing down on the training fields with the princess?" Harwin's voice broke the tension between the group of adolescents.

"We've been watching them train," Helaena interjected before the youngest Strong could speak a word, "Watching dragons dance with each other."

Adelaide scanned the scene, eye looking from Helaena to Aegon to Harwin, "True, as the princess says. But we were planning to seek entertainment inside the Keep."

Before any another could speak, Ser Criston approached, standing across from Ser Harwin. Though none of the young ones had any understanding of it, the two men had never been fond of each other, despite both being loyal to the crown. WhenAdelaide did sense tension once, she asked both father and Harwin, but neither would answer her properly, only dismissing her curiosity. However, her second brother Larys would chuckle when she inquired about the subject with him, but his responses came in riddles. Riddles she could not comprehend, and were vastly different than those of Princess Helaena.

Ser Criston's glare turned from Harwin to his youngest sister. There was a malicious intention behind his eyes, though the reason for it was unknown to the yard, "Little Lady Strong, why don't you wish to continue watching the future protectors of the realm train into fine men?"

"Do such things bore you?" The white knight's eyes flickered back to Harwin, "Or do you simply not enjoy watching strong boys?"

Lady Adelaide saw the change in stature from her brother, yet she still remained plenty confused. Any sort of answer had evaded her as the tension began to drown the training yard. Her eyes cut to the youngest boys, who also looked greatly confused, before looking to Aegon who had an awful smirk plastered to his face. There was something amiss.

"I have no opinion here. I am simply to be with the princess and join her in whatever entertainment she seeks," Adelaide looked to Helaena with a great look of hope in her eyes.

Helaena looked at the ground, but her soft violet eyes flickered up to Adelaide's for just a moment at the mention of her title. It was quick – the noble lady had barely recognized her glance before it fixated elsewhere, "There is more for me to see today. Lady Adelaide shall continue to join me."

Whether the princess truly knew it or not, Helaena had spared her lady-in-waiting from the continued tension as she wrapped her arms with her own. The pair of fine ladies began to return indoors, not sparing a look to the men behind them.

Before the young women could enter, a butterfly with wings of orange and brown scorched with red landed on the princess' hand. Both of the, paused, observing the insect together. Adelaide admired its natural beauty as Helaena narrowed her eyes in contemplation.

Once it flew off, Helaena spoke again while leading their return into the Red Keep...

"Walls of flames... and here you stay."