To Be Betrothed

Chapter Two

~7 years~

Daemon walked sadly to the nursery finding his princess in tears. "What ales you, darling?"

"Daemon, mother said grand sire had passed. I worry for you. I cry because I know you hurt. Father hurts too." The girl says and Daemon breaks. He drops his bag to the ground and falls to his knees letting tears fall from his eyes.

Rhaenyra gets up from her bed running to the man and holding him tight. "I should not have left. I should have been here." Daemon cry's knowing the girl to be his only hope of being soothed.

"You are here now." Rhaenyra whispers in valerian holding her betrothed tight. "Would you feel less sad if I sing you a song?"

Daemon nods as he holds the young girl. Their closeness would be seen inappropriate but Daemon did not care. He needed to be close to the girl. She was his favorite person and in that moment he needed her.

Rhaenyra sang a hymn to the man stroking his hair like her mother does when she is sad. Her father comes in the room and sees the two and lets his own tears fall. He moves to his brother dropping to the ground as he pulls the younger man into a hug. Rhaenyra keeps singing and stroking the hair of both the men as she does.

"I am so sorry, Viserys." Daemon whispers resting against his brother as his niece soothes him with her song.

~8 Years~

"Daemon! You came back!" Rhaenyra says running up to the man as he dismounts his dragon. She doesn't get far before the dragon keepers stop her from approaching the great red beast.

"Let the girl pass." Daemon commands as he moves to the snout of his dragon. "Would you like to meet Caraxis, princess?" He asks smiling at the girl.

Rhaenyra smiles nodding excitedly as she comes closer to her Uncle.

"Place your hand out and let him come to you." Daemon instructs still in their native tongue.

Rhaenyra listens earning a happy chirp from the beast as he knocks her hand with his nose.

"You can come closer, Rhaenyra." Daemon says and the girl takes a few steps closer. The dragon instantly nuzzles the girl making chirping noises as he does. "He likes you."

"Syrax is still too young for me to touch." Rhaenyra says as she traces the dragons head leading her into daemons ready arms.

"Soon enough she will be as big as Caraxis." Daemon smiles picking the girl up.

"Would you take me flying?" She asks making the man smile wider.

"I would love to, princess. Though, I fear your mother would have my head." Daemon says walking back toward the carriage.

"Your suspicions are correct, cousin. I would have your head." Aemma says smiling at the two.

~9 Years~

"Daemon?" Rhaenyra asks sitting with her uncle in the field near the tournament grounds.

"Yes?" Daemon says looking up at her from where he lays.

"What is a brothel?" She ask making the man's eyes open wide.

"Now, princess, wherever did you hear of that?" Daemon asks moving to rest on his arms.

Rhaenyra sighs looking down at the man. "There were men talking in the halls. They say you take to the brothels more than father takes to his chair. One of the men said if you were ever lost just follow the smell of ale through the streets of silk. Another said that kings landing would run out of silver haired maidens by the time I come of age. None of it made since to me but I want it to." She says genuine concern on her face.