𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐇 𝐎𝐅 𝐒𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐒, the house of the dragon.

chapter seventeen, have mercy on me.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐇 𝐎𝐅 𝐒𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐒
- HAVE MERCY ON ME -

The faint laughter during the feast had unsurprisingly yet quietly boomed, and pushed over the room with a swift and smooth blow. Candles were lit, food was cooked and prepared, wine was served, and many different conversations were made in every sharp corner of the warm hall.

Stood in one of those corners - was Visenya.

With a goblet of wine held in her hand, the Princess remained where she was, and observed every single Lord and Lady stood in attendance with quite the collected and calm composure. As if her body didn't ache or burn with bruises.

She watched her husband who spoke to his older brother, Hobert, in a rather hushed manner.

She couldn't quite make out what they were saying, but she did know that their conversation must've included something suspiciously important. Something they may wish to keep among the pair of them, and share with nobody else.

Visenya was clothed in a dress Rhaenyra had picked out for her a few moments earlier - a simple and soft peach dress. The fabric of it covered most of her cleverage. It generously sat and clung to her skin and curves.

It fit her well, and she liked that. It seemed as if her dress was made just for her and her alone.

The Princess would occasionally take a small sip from her goblet, and watch both Otto and Hobert whisper to one another. Her fingers would briefly tighten around her cup.

"He has your hair, Your Grace."

A long breath fell from the lips of the woman as she reluctantly pulled her lingering gaze away from the two men, and towards the small crowd of people who surrounded her father and Alicent. Once she saw everyone gathered around young Aegon, her lips would curl into a small frown.

"He does have my hair."

While Visenya grew ever so much closer with Rhaenyra, just as each day slowly passed above the Princesses heads, her relationship with both her father and step-daughter had dwindled and thinned itself. But it was still, somewhat.. existent.

Despite feeling torn and heartbroken when Viserys first declared he was and had the intention of taking her step-daughter to wed, there was still a small bit of love for Alicent in Visenya's heart. She could and had never denied it.

But that didn't make anything better.

Alicent was married to her father, and had long ago taken Aemma's place as Queen Consort - she had already bore Viserys a true born son, a fact that pained Visenya in every way. Another child, the first son of the King, who will be given more love and attention than herself, she could only imagine.

As time passed, her relationship with Alicent became less and less intimate - the two of them having been once very close with one another. It was because of Alicent, that Visenya was able to cope and endure her marriage with the girl's father.

But every relationship eventually takes their own toll, and theirs was a strong example.

Alicent was now a new person, with a new role attached to her hip.

The Queen Consort and the Princess barely knew each other anymore.

The love that filled Visenya's heart when she thought of Alicent, would sometimes be replaced with pain and grief. But she still loved and cared for her, with the love of close kin.

In her eyes, Alicent was far from a stranger - and to treat her like one, would break Visenya's heart in more ways than one.

Though at certain times - that was what they were.