To Take What Is Rightfully Ours

Chapter 26. Ensuring The Justice

Trigger Warnings: non-explicit rape (not a main character), a rather graphic description of violence.

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Rhaenyra felt giddy, walking back to her chambers with Diane. She couldn't wait to tell Daemon that she had gotten properly initiated into the Valyrian Faith and that Arrax was the one to grant her protection. She knew he would be just as excited for her as she was.

After a few staircases and turns, they suddenly ran into Joanna. 'What are you doing here so late?' Rhaenyra asked before she could take in the state of the girl before her. She was disheveled, her clothes looked dirty and it was obvious she was crying.

'I- I-' Joanna muttered, her gaze jumping from one place to another in an obvious state of panic. Her hands were shaking.

'What happened?' Diane asked, her voice commanding yet gentle. She always knew how to handle a crisis, and the situation was starting to look like a crisis by the second. 'Joanna, dear?' she reached out, and the girl immediately flinched from the touch, her hands wrapping around her abdomen in a defensive gesture.

The longer Rhaenyra looked at the girl before her, the worse she seemed. There was blood on the tips of her fingers and it was hard to tell whether or not it was hers. Bruises were starting to bloom on her arms, and then the princess noticed that the top of her dress was torn as if someone forcefully yanked it down.

Diane glanced at Rhaenyra, and the princess caught her gaze. She wasn't sure what precisely happened but was starting to get the idea.

'Joanna, dear,' Diane called again, trying to catch the girl's attention. 'Did someone hurt you? It's alright, you can tell us.'

Joanna looked at her, then tears swelled in her eyes and she broke into violent sobs. 'They- they-'

Diane reached out again and this time Joanna didn't flinch away so she pulled her into a hug. The girl clung to her and sobbed. Diane wrapped her hands around her and then looked at Rhaenyra, 'I need you to go to my rooms, find Athelstan, and ask him to fetch Haisa...'

Before the princess was able to nod in confirmation, Joanna pulled away in panic. 'No, no! Don't tell anyone! I will be ruined!' she begged between sobs, obviously terrified.

'Shh, dear, it's alright. Haisa was my mother's friend and Athelstan is sworn to me. They will take this secret to their graves,' Diane assured the poor girl, then looked back at Rhaenyra. 'Tell Athelstan to ask Haisa to bring moon tea to my rooms. And then order him to arrange for a bath.'

Rhaenyra nodded and rushed away, leaving Diane and Joanna alone. Diane looked around, making sure she couldn't see or hear anyone. 'Can you walk? My rooms are not far from here but a few staircases are still on the way.'

'I- I think so- I-' Joanna sobbed, wiping her tears away. 'I- it's all my fault- I'm so stupid-'

'No. No, dear. It's not your fault-'

'You don't know what happened!' she exclaimed.

'I don't have to. It is not your fault, no matter what happened.'

'You- you- you don't understand! I never should have come! I- I knew I shouldn't be out so late but he- he was so nice-' Joanna sobbed.

'Who was?'

'R-rick...'

'Wait, as in- Rickard? Rickard Thorne? The member of Kingsguard?!' Diane exclaimed. She was not the one to jump to conclusions but it was the only man that came to her mind who could be called Rick and be in the Red Keep at night.