𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐝...

Chapter Fifty Two

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It has been a little less than a month, and tomorrow is my coronation and my ascension officially to the Iron Throne. There has been a lot going on, high lords and ladies from the Riverlands, the Crownlands and Stormlands have already arrived and are at present staying in the Red Keep castle, me running around on a daily basis since the announcement to oversee any detail concerning the coronation or the ascend, the Small Council members are always keeping me on the loop and telling me everything they've talked about even when I asked them it is not necessary, and the last thing was is that I, after counciling both Cregan Stark and Benjen Mormont, wanted my sword guards to go on a specific mission.

The mission that I tasked Alexander, Matthew, and James with is that they should travel to the other world, find our people, and bring whoever wants to come here after explaining everything. The thing is that I sent the men two days after the coronation announcement to the Realm and they haven't returned already.... It was killing me, not knowing.

"Princess?" a maid asked behind the doors of the royal apartment. "I'm awake, come in" I stated as I got out of bed, I've been awake for several hours since the sunrise. The maids came in and started cleaning the room as I went and bathed myself. After the warm bath, I wore a simple black brushed wool dress with red and gold embroideries along the square neckline and shoulders, with a simple collar necklace made of multiple ruby stones all around.

As I walked out of my chambers, I saw the Lord Commander heading toward me. "Good morrow, Your Highness" Benjen bowed as he approached me and I greeted him. "Good morrow, Lord Commander. Is everything set for the big day tomorrow?" I questioned with a smile. "The High Septon arrived late last night. All of the high, great, and noble houses are here. The small folk and common folk are all staying outside the castle and some outside of Kings Landing. We've taken your dragons inside the lower caverns for the morrow. Everything is ready for tomorrow" Benjen spoke as I nodded. "No word from the boys?" I turned to him and he sighed, shaking his head. "It was a fucking mistake" I hissed as I sighed and continued walking alongside him. "It was not. They can handle themselves and I am sure they'll appear even before the coronation. I have a good feeling" Benjen stated as I glanced at him and he gave me a reassuring nod. "Before you go to supervise anything... The Small Council are asking for you" Lord Commander told and I nodded, heading with him to the Small Council chambers.

When Benjen opened the door for us, they all stood and bowed their heads. "My lords?" I spoke as I saw Alyn Velaryon, the younger brother of Addam Velaryon. He held in his hands a closed box. "Your Highness, we all know the coronation and your ascend is on the morrow. You'll be wearing the Conqueror's crown, are you not?" Addam stood up again and started, I nodded confused. "It is what fits you for this occasion my future Queen. But Lord Stark here have told us that it would be more fitting and more meaningful if you wore the crown your brother's and niece's wore" Lord Manderly added. "But I've been told that Queen Rhaenyra has sold the crown after she fled Kings Landing to buy passage for her and her son, Aegon, on a Braavosi merchant ship. It's forever lost" I retold as I looked at each of their faces, they were smiling and especially Cregan. "What? Tell me?" I was confused of their reaction as Cregan stood up and went to Alyn Velaryon, I was watching his every step but Lord Arryn spoke. "Lord Cregan Stark has taken it upon himself to find the crown since day one here. Just less than a fortnight ago, he had heard of its location. Since Lord Alyn Velaryon is coming from Driftmark, he tasked him to trade with the keepers of the crown to get it... no matter the cost" Lord Isembard stated as I turned to Cregan with shock.

He had approached me with the box he took from Alyn. My jaw dropped slightly as I stared into his eyes with widened eyes of mine. With a small smile, he nodded at me as he opened the box, but I didn't look immediately. His actions made me want to hug and kiss him and squeal but we couldn't. "Take it, come on" he whispered and my gaze went to the opened box in his hands. I froze, muscles locked in a momentary paralysis, my eyes wide with astonishment, surprise momentarily rendering me immobile. My eyes darted around the room searching for confirmation, seeking reassurance that what I had just witnessed was not a figment of my imagination. "It's real, princess" Alyn Velaryon reassured with a smile. I took and stared blankly at the geometric, and two-tone yellow gold and silver band crown that features the Targaryen sigil in the front and centre, and other, smaller symbols around its sides and back that show the Great Seven Houses sigils.