Of Gold and Glory

Chapter 1

Chapter 1 : "We are searchlight, we can see in the dark" What about us, P!nk.

16 years later

The castle of Dragonstone was cold and gloomy. Lyra and Feyon trailed behind king Allistéo to join the main hall. It was still early in the morning but maids and servants were already busy. Feyon Nightingale pressed the hand of her friend before giving her a worried look. The princess smiled at her and pressed back her hand. Lyra was also a bit worried but she tried to conceal it because her mother always said 'a princess or a queen should not show their fears'. So, she kept on walking behind her father. She was missing her mother so much. The small group soon arrived in the main hall of the castle. Feyon noticed that everything looked bigger than what she read in her books. As they walked through the heavy doors, they were greeted by the crown princess of Westeros and her husband.

"Princess Rhaenyra. Prince Daemon" greeted Lyra's father, lightly bowing his head.

"King Allisteo" greeted the woman in the same way. "Your letter was quite confusing, especially since you asked for a quick audience. And might I ask why is Serinna not with you ?"

A short silence followed her declaration. Lyra prayed to the High boa and the Seven that her father would be as diplomatic as he could with the matter.

"Serinna is dead" answered the king of the Golden Islands.

Rhaenyra's hand flew to her chest as her eyes widened. Lyra and Feyon exchanged a worried look. The younger princess, in spite of her age, knew that her father was not a subtle man, but she had dared to hope that he would not be too brutal in announcing her mother's passing. After all, Serinna Saerpentis and Rhaenyra Targaryen used to be great friends, family even.

"And you needed to come here to announce it ?" asked Daemon.

The Rogue prince had never hidden his disdain for Serinna's second husband and he certainly did not intend to do so. His former good-sister deserved someone else, someone better and more like herself. To this day, Daemon was still angry at his brother for what he did to her and what she was forced to do afterward.

"Well, yes. And I have a favour to ask of you" explained Allisteo.

Lyra noticed how quickly Rhaenyra composed her face again and concealed her inner turmoil. That was the reaction of a true queen !

"Tell us, what could you possibly expect from us ?"

"On her deathbed, my dear wife expressed her last wish. She said that our daughter and her lady-in-waiting Feyon Nightingale shall be placed under your care, princess Rhaenyra."

The young princess remembered all too well of her mother's deathbed. During the last weeks of Serinna's life, Lyra and Feyon had been the ones staying with her. The former could reminisce about the heat of her mother's hand, due to the fever.

"And why should we accept ?" asked Prince Daemon.

"Serinna told me that she only trusted two people in this world and you were one of them, princess. You see, I am perfectly capable of raising her heir and eldest son but I am unfit to prepare our daughter and, when the time comes, to find her a husband. This is the same for Feyon."

Lyra rolled her eyes. Before she got married, she still had a lot to do, like becoming the best swordsman or studying hard, as she was a princess. She knew that her duty, because she was not the heir, was to make a good marriage. However, she wished she could have a say in the choice of her future husband. Even with only twelve years of life, the princess knew what she wanted.

"I am sure you have septas who can take care of that" answered the Rogue prince.

"Well, we don't have them in the Golden Islands and this is not the point. My wife made it her last demand that princess Rhaenyra shall be the one taking care of our daughter and her lady-in-waiting. I know this is a lot to ask but..."