The (y/n) That Would Change the Realm

Chapter II

I climbed the stairs with the tea tray in my hands as I listened to the men in the dining hall discuss politics. A soldier of the castle opened the door for me, allowing me in. Quietly as I could, I walked to where I could see Princess Rhaenyra sitting. She sat in between King Viserys at the head of the table and her Uncle Daemon, whom I met this morning with her on her left side. I set the empty tea cup down first by her plate. 

I had brought a second tea cup for the Queen. My mother had mentioned as I was preparing the tea for Rhaenyra that the tea also helped with tough pregnancies. "A second cup?" Rhaenyra questions and I smile and lower my head a little. "Yes, My Princess. My mother suggested that Her Grace should have some, as it helps with pregnancy as well." I informed her as I poured Rhaenyra a cup of tea, before glancing at Queen Aemma.

"If it would please you, Your Grace." I say, quickly standing up straight and avoiding all eye contact. "It would. Please." The Queen says softly. She was nearly three months into her pregnancy and soon Rhaenyra would be celebrating her 16th name day when the Queen reached her seventh month of pregnancy. I moved around to the Queen, who was sitting at the right hand of King Viserys. 

I place down the other empty tea cup and fill it before I place the teapot on the table. I had selected a pretty one that I had to scrub my hands clean to touch. It was decorated with delicate blue flowers. I stood to the side with the other serving girls, head bowed, waiting for orders. I could feel someone's gaze burning into me and another joined it soon after. I glance up, raising my head only a little to see both Princess Rhaenyra and Prince Daemon staring at me.

I lowered my head again, my cheeks burning with a blush. I was saved as my father entered the hall. "Prince Daemon. Your Dragon is ready. And I will need my Eldest daughter, your Grace." My father informs Prince Daemon who stands and King Viserys who nods. I curtsy for the King before I follow my father out of the hall. As Prince Daemon disappeared from sight, my father turned towards me. 

"Go to your mother and fetch the bag of food that the servants put together for Prince Daemon." He orders me and I nod before I rush off. Running all the way to the Dragon's Keep would take forever. So I rushed round to the horse's stable. There was a stable boy named Henry who fancied me and I charmed him into letting me borrow a horse. Strapping the bag firmly to my body, I take off, riding the horse in the direction of the Dragons Keep.

The minute I get out of the city, I pick up speed. Laughing and shouting as I rode the horse, feeling pure freedom. It made me wonder what it would be like to ride a dragon. Would I have as much freedom as I do right now? As I got closer to the Dragons Keep, I slowed so that I didn't look like a mad woman. I slide off the horse and rush over to my father. "Go give the bag to the Prince. He's inside." My father orders me and I nod.

I walk inside carefully, noticing that all the men kept clear of the Prince and his gorgeous dragon. "He is beautiful, My Prince." I say to Prince Daemon, pulling his gaze off his Dragon and onto me. He smiles and nods a thank you as he accepts the bag that I pass him. "For the journey to wherever you desire, My Prince." I say to him and he nods. "Please, call me Daemon when we are alone. You will be the only servant calling me that." He whispers to me.

High Valyrian was an old language, only really spoken by Targaryen Royalty and the people in the Dragons Keep. I curtsied and watched as he took off. I waved goodbye to my father before I returned to the Castle in King's Landing. It wasn't until Rhaenyra's 16th name day that I saw Daemon again. However, I would see Rhaenyra often. We would talk together at night when everyone was in bed. 

Preparing the Feast for any Royal name day was all hands on deck. And it continued until my little sister rushed in. "Mama, (y/n). A man came with something for (y/n). A gift with ribbon." She says causing the whole kitchen to stop and stare at me. For most servants, a gift with ribbon was a gift of luxury that we would never see in any lifetime. I washed my hands and rushed upstairs, my sister and mother following in my wake. 

It was on the table where my father was staring at it with a stiff drink. And it was open. I couldn't help but stare at the beautiful blue dress that was created to fit a body perfectly. "Are you a whore, (y/n)?" My father demands as he stares at the dress, tossing a card at me. I picked up the card as it landed at my feet. It was written in beautiful cursive with Prince Daemon's name signed at the bottom. 

"I am pure father. You can still sell me off." I promised him as I picked up the dress. I held it to my body and smiled before I folded it up and put it in my room so I could continue preparing for the feast. We continued as normal, no one mentioned the dress I received and the feast went smoothly. But when I got home, mother looked as though she had been crying and father looked smug. He turned towards me and tossed a bag at me with my things in it.

"You are going to a whore house since you love being a whore so much." He hisses at me and I glare at him. Tears prick at my eyes and I rushed out of our rooms. I was grateful to find the kitchen dead so I could cry in peace. "Girls as pretty as you shouldn't cry." Rhaenyra's voice filled the empty space and I looked up at her. I sniff and brush away the tears that continue to fall around my cheeks. 

"My father is sending me to a brothel he frequents because your Uncle sent me a gift." I told Rhaenrya whose face fell. I was her best friend and then her face hardened. "I need a new handmaiden. It comes with private quarters and protection." She says, taking my hand softly into hers. I smile softly at her and shake my head. I would love to accept, but I couldn't. My father would see reason...hopefully.

And it seemed that he did because the next morning, he told me that there was no need. That he came to see reason. I don't really believe he did because he saw reason, I believe he was paid off. Mostly because he started drinking more than we could afford on our combined salary of 10 gold dragons. That day, I was hanging clean laundry and Daemon came and found me. "My niece told me you were to be sent to a house. I fixed it." Daemon says to me and I scoff.

"No offense, Daemon. But my father now drinks like a fiend. You haven't helped me." I hiss at him as I hang the wet sheets out. Daemon remained quiet until I finished my job. I stormed away from Daemon and stopped for a second. "Stay away from me, Prince Daemon." I say to him before I leave, tears threatening to bubble over. Daemon was going to break my heart if I wasn't careful and I felt as though Rhaenrya would do the same.