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IT WAS FRUITLESS TO RUN FROM THE inexorable duty of marriage. Whichever direction Daenys turned, obligation reared its ugly head. Princess Rhaenyra's side of the family had come to King's Landing to bear witness to the wedding of her first born son. Prince Jacaerys smiled until his face hurt, whilst Daenys spent her last days as a maiden dissociating and spiraling into madness.
She couldn't banish the dreadful sensation of impeding doom. With each day that passed, her freedom seemed to slip further away from her, so within her reach but impossible to attain. Lady Clara and Lady Katlyn tried their best to raise her spirits, but Daenys hardly listened to their advice.
She was supposed to marry Aemond, not the Velaryon boy. Even the street witch had said it.
The one-eyed boy will ruin your life, but you will have five children with him.
Daenys thought her life was ruined already. Could it be that marriage was out of the question for them? Would she not give birth to his children? Even if she did, would they not be perpetuating all the erroneous behaviors that Aemond professed to loathe about their older half-sister? It was as if history insisted on repeating itself. Daenys found herself in Rhaenyra's position, whereas Aemond was in Daemon's spot, but instead of King Viserys forbidding them from being married, it was the Queen Alicent who made such decision.
"That wedding dress is truly a work of art," Queen Alicent remarked with a surprisingly kind smile.
"I actually hate it," Daenys retorted, grimacing at her own reflection in the mirror. "It is tasteless."
"How can you say that?" the Queen demanded, rising to her feet and marching towards her daughter. "The fabric is rich and smooth."
"Plain and dull, you mean," Daenys grumbled under her breath. "I do not want to wear this."
"Well, I think it is beautiful," Alicent stated, sounding mildly hurt and offended.
Daenys sighed heavily. "Then you should wear it."
"That is a wedding gown, and I chose it for you!"
"You decide who I have to marry, you decide what I have to wear to the wedding... is there anything I get to decide, or is it all up to you?" Daenys snapped, finally losing control of her temper.
Her mother raised an eyebrow, taken aback by her sudden outburst. "Where is this coming from?"
Daenys saw a flicker of guilt in her eyes. "Why do you want all of your children to be miserable? Is that what you think duty and honor entail?"
"What? Daenys, no. I—"
A light knock on the door interrupted Alicent's speech, followed by the muffled laughter of children. Helaena opened the door and let them pass in front of her. Their excitement at seeing their aunt warmed her heart, not even the Queen could help but smile at the innocence and joy of her grandchildren. Jaehaerys, Jaehaera and Maelor rushed towards Daenys and threw their little arms around her legs, calling out her name repeatedly. She knelt down in front of them and enveloped them in a tight hug, cherishing their presence.
