WINDS OF CHANGE ~ JACAERYS VELARYON

lanta ampā

The walk to the feasting hall was rather silent, much to Selaena's appreciation. She was not ecstatic to see what this dinner would bring, there was a strong feeling she could not shake.

Aemond had not spoke since she had exited her chambers in a gown that used to belong to her mother. A blood red gown, with accents of black including the Targaryen house sigil boldly across her chest.

Selaena could feel, however, that the man slightly her elder still wanted to accost her with questions. He was smart to not do so at this moment in time, both were wary as to what this dinner would bring. For that, she was greatful. Maybe this one son of Alicent would not be quite as Rhaenyra and her family described.

Luther and Alistar opened a set of doors to the left, and announced the presence of the two. "Queen Selaena Maeralys of Mantarys, Sovereign of Valyria and Prince Aemond Targaryen."

Selaena was quick to notice the two open seats at the table laid beside either Alicent and Otto, or Helaena and the elder Targaryen son of Alicent, Aegon. She opted for the latter, rather not including a scene much too early into her visit.

"Good evening your graces." She spoke as she took her seat beside Aegon, who jumped slightly at the sound of her voice suddenly appearing beside him. "I do hope everyone has had a fair day."

Viserys smiled and greeted her and Aemond, Alicent forced a smile while Otto remained impassive. To the surprise of the table, excluding Selaena, Helaena spoke up after her father, looking at her across the table. "Has your visit been to your liking?"

Sel managed to catch a look of shock from Alicent after her usually meek daughter spoke clearly to the stranger at their table before responding. "It has been thus far, although I have not yet explored the city or castle, my given chambers have granted me a warm welcome."

Otto spoke up, "I do believe you have explored the city."

Selaena turned her gaze sharply to him. To address her in such a manner as their first greeting? She at least expected some fake kindness from the man, but no, her arrival had really gotten under the man's skin from what she could tell.

Daemon was right, the wildcard being herself has thrown a wrench into the wheel Otto has created.

She smiled kindly at Otto, "I do not agree, Otto, the city was under the cover of nightfall upon my last visit. I was not able to properly get a good view."

If he was not going to respect her earned titles, then neither will she. The second son of the Lord of Oldtown had needed to learn his place in her eyes, and she hoped it was rather quick, but she didn't not think it would be.

He awkwardly looked away, and was about to retort when Alicent cleared her throat. "Dinner then? Shall we pray?"

Everyone turned toward her and nodded, clasping their hands together, except Selaena.

She did not believe in the Seven, it was a religion created by the Andals to control the population of Westeros. The grips it had on this continent would not easily be wiped away, even by the Targaryen dynasty, for now.

After the rest had concluded, they all began to eat. It was mostly silent apart from a few comments made by Aegon about the lack of wine being served. Which was responded with "During dessert" by Alicent.

Viserys was much quieter and less spry than he was earlier while speaking with Selaena. To her, the King looked a bit delirious at the moment, and was whispering things to himself.

While observing the family seated before her individually, she felt two sets of eyes on her. Those of Aemond, as expected since she first arrived, and those of Aegon, who she did not expect.

She turned her head slightly to meet Aegon's gaze, which caused his eyes to widen by a fraction but he did not avert his gaze.

"So your mother was the whore Princess Saera Targaryen?"

There was a gasp from Alicent, from his vulgar language at the dinner table, as well as not wanting to set the unpredictable Queen off.

Selaena chuckled, not even a bit offended by those words. "If you would call her as such, sure, I am the daughter of Saera Targaryen."

He nodded, as if something clicked in his head and he turned away to continue picking at his plate.

The sound of a throat being cleared made Selaena look towards the direction of Otto.

"How did a girl of your age become a Queen of this so called Kingdom of Valyria?" He asked, his tone ever condescending, seeming to hope to catch her in a lie.

Selaena took a bite of her chicken, and chewed it slowly before responding. "I am sure you have done some research, my Lord. I had won it back from a group of Ghiscari slavers in honour of my father three years ago now. I was crowned by my three elder siblings as was willed by my father, and unanimously agreed upon by his remaining council."

"What would even warrant such a thing? It sounds like blatant falsehood." He responded, garnering the attention of everyone at the table, minus Viserys, who was slipping further into his delirium.

"If I am to be wrong, you will have nothing to fear." She responded. "A woman is as capable to rule as a man is, maybe even more so."

He scoffed. "There has never been a ruling Queen of Westeros, or any of the Free Cities."

"I wouldn't be so sure, my many contacts in the Free Cities would disagree strongly. Also, is the Princess Rhaenyra not the heir to the throne? It would seem there is soon to be a ruling Queen in Westeros." She finished, going for another bite of her food.

Otto blinked at her, his mouth slightly ajar as to rebutt quickly, but nothing came out. He sat back in his chair and averted his gaze, then asked a different question "What brings you to alert Westeros of your existence? Some may seem this as a distant threat."

"I am simply here to establish diplomatic relations, the blood of the dragon in Westeros has been split for too long from its true roots. I am here to aid in restoring that."

Her words, could very well be deciphered in the way she knew Otto would. Your "reign" will
crumble, Otto.

The one-eyed Prince who had been dead silent the entirety of this dinner, spoke up, as he knew his grandfather was about to start something he felt would not end well for any seated among them. He spoke up before Otto could, "It would seem we are done with these plates, yes? Perhaps some dessert to finish off our night?"

Successfully capping off what could have occurred, Alicent replied to her son quickly "Yes, my son."

After her words, Viserys started coughing violently, causing him to nearly fall out of his chair.

"Ser Criston! Please take the King to his chambers, and fetch the Maester!" Alicent exclaimed, reaching for her husband who swatted her hand away in his fit.

After Viserys was moved from the room, it was silent apart from the sounds of forks scraping against the plates containing their dessert.

A servant girl appearing beside Selaena, held onto a singular goblet of wine. The girl had light beads of sweat at the crown of her head, and was shaking ever so slightly. "Would the Queen Selaena like some wine?"

Selaena looked into the cup, and noticed the usual deep red of this Dornish wine was less vibrant. Tears of Lys. To try on my first night? They work quicker than I truly anticipated.

She grabbed the goblet from the girls hands, and poured it onto the floor next to her, tossing the cup away. Turning to a dumbfounded Alicent and Otto, she spoke "You will have to try harder than that, i'm afraid. The alchemists of Lys and I are old friends."

She arose from the table, making the two Hightowers flinch back slightly.

Selaena smiled sweetly, "Thank you for the lovely meal, and the very warm welcome into your home. I do hope our planned diplomatic relations continue to progress into prosperity."

With that, Selaena took her leave, with her two newly sworn guards following closely behind.

Once they were out of the room, she asked them "Would you two like to meet Lyrax?"