A/N I'm blaming at least part of my absence on the absolute dumpster fire that was season 2 of HOTD. I didn't even finish the season, just gave up. Where was the righteous rage? The grief? The darkness that haunted Rhaenyra? Needless to say, this will not be s2 complaint lmao.
A slightly shorter chapter as we set up all that's to come next, and how Ceryse's character is slowly changing... :)
THE DAY AFTER QUEEN CERYSE'S 'RECOVERY' from her week-long 'illness', Crown Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen departed from the Red Keep for her Marriage Tour.
Ceryse Hightower could not help the tears that traced their way down her cheeks as she watched Rhaenyra bid her farewell to King Viserys and Prince Vaegon, her countenance optimistic despite the unwanted marriage being thrust upon her.
She reached Ceryse last, and grinned at the Queen's sorrows. Encasing the younger girl in a hug, the Princess lent into her ear, smiling against it, "do not weep for me, Ceryse. You will not be without me for long. I will wed a pretty fool as you bid, and then the games will truly begin."
They pulled away from one another, squeezing hands.
Indeed, Rhaenyra's resolve had been fully built just two nights previously, when rumours came from Driftmark of Lady Alicent's pregnancy.
They may very well be false, it had not yet been two moons after all, but the threat to Rhaenyra was clear, and the Princess was a dragon who refused to go down without a fight.
"Be well," Ceryse said, lowly, "come back in one piece."
Rhaenyra hummed her agreement, before leaning in with a whisper once again. "I will, but tell Prince Vaegon that when I do, his time left admiring you is limited."
Shock must have shown across the Queen's face, but Princess Rhaenyra merely laughed and pressed a finger to her lips as a show that she would be silent about the matter.
Ceryse's cheeks reddened in mortification.
She did not think the Princess knew that Prince Vaegon was sharing her bed, for surely she would be more upset about the slight against her father then. Still, it was dangerous that anyone would take note of any feelings between the two, especially when Ceryse would not exactly call the Princess the most observant of the people in the Red Keep. Even if she was the prettiest.
With a swirl of silver-gold locks, the Crown Princess turned to get into her carriage, assisted by Ser Erryk Cargyll who - together with Ser Criston Cole - would be accompanying the Princess on her tour.
The carriage had not even departed before the Princess, rather undignifiedly, stuck her head out the window.
"Tell my little sisters I love them!" She called out, the King fondly shaking his head at her antics.
The Queen simply laughed, and promised she would.
~•~•~•~•~•~•~
Two days later saw the arrival of Lady Laena Velaryon back to court, the Princess Rhaenys barely wanting to release the girl with her son and husband's impending departure back to the Stepstones.
All day, Queen Ceryse had been subjected to Lady Elys Farman's lectures. There had been no hiding her and Vaegon's relationship from her closest and most trusted attendant, and Elys was adamant it remain only she that knows.
"Lady Laena has split loyalties now," Elys warned, blue eyes narrowed on the younger woman. "She must not know. It would put both of your lives in danger and, with how often you and Prince Vaegon have been fucking, the life of the child you have likely already made."
YOU ARE READING
green queen, black ace | daemon, rhaenyra and vaegon
FanfictionWhen Alicent Hightower refuses to betray her friend by taking to King Viserys' bed, her younger sister is sent in her stead. Though a different hand may have been played, a dance remains inevitable - even if the performers may be cast in very diffe...
