𝐇𝐄𝐈𝐑 𝐎𝐅 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐄 | 𝐑𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐧𝐚 𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐲𝐞𝐧

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟎𝟒. | ♛

[updated:14.07.2024]
TRIGGER WARNING; mentions of blood

FOUR | the light of the west

♕

RHAENA HAD FELT CURIOUSLY CALM while the whirlwind of ladies raged around her. She had scarcely listened while her handmaidens and Septa educated her on personal hygiene concerning her moon blood.

She was a woman now. The day she had longed for was finally upon her. She could not believe it.

Clever methods were shown to her how to conceal that the moon's blood was upon her. She had to wear an extra pair of small clothes made of thick woollen material beneath her shift and dress. It felt prickly on the skin and made her hips look wider than they were. Because of her thicker undergarments, they tightened her corset to return her natural figure through the dress. Rhaena had to hold her breath as her handmaidens laced her into it.

It was a good thing that she was so used to people touching and pulling at her otherwise she would have demanded a moment. She was ready for marriage. She was ready to bear children for the next king. Her children would be the next princes, lords and priests. Tall and handsome, valiant and robust.

I have to tell him tonight, she thought. O what happy news. Rhaena could not stop her grin.

"My lady," Ser Barristan called from behind the wooden wall of the courtyard stables and woke Rhaena from her thoughts. "You are expected."

She looked down at her new frock. The gown was the colour of ivory samite and lined with silver satin, ordained with pearls and Myrish lace around the neckline. The skirts were long and full, and when she spun, her skirts would twirl behind her. The points of the long-dagged sleeves almost touched the ground when she lowered her arms.

"A moment," Septa Arlis answered while she fixed the crown of the Princess. Her handmaidens immediately stopped. When her Septa had examined her from head to toe, and deemed her perfect, Rhaena was ready to go. The Septa was guiding, holding a hand on the small of her back to guide her quickly from the stables.

The boy who had assisted them bowed from behind a stable wall.

"Wait," Rhaena spoke and turned to her handmaidens. "Give the boy a silver, for his service."

No one moved for a second. Rhaena checked if her maidens had heard. They were all looking at Septa Arlis, waiting ... for her approval. Rhaena turned, pulling herself from their grasp. Gracia and Violet looked down.

"I said," Rhaena paused and Septa Arlis straightened. Rhaena could see in the eyes of the old woman that she would not back down. How dare she? The women looked at one another, and Rhaena opened her mouth once more. "You will obey-"

Then, Aregella stepped forward and gave the child his pay breaking the tension.

"Thank ye, me princess!"