Ruin Me

Chapter Four

As if the feeling in her chest couldn't get more hollow.

No words had been spoken in the moments when Daenyra's wails had subsided, and Daemon had pressed a kiss to her temple. Her voice didn't work as Daemon saw her onto the saddle of Myrrax and watched as the gargantuan creature ascended towards the clouds, heading back for King's Landing.

And when she arrived, her heart had been crushed even more not just for herself but for her uncle too. The first words her father spoke to her was that on the morrow, her sister would be crowned as the King's new heir. Even Daenyra would be receiving a new title. Nothing was spoken of their mother or even of Daenyra's well-being after she had fled. It was straight to business. 

She did not understand why they all saw the worst in him that his own brother would seek to disinherit him. But she did understand why he wasn't present in the Throne Room the next day when she knelt before the king.

She knelt before the king in a dress of pure silver, pieces of metal shaped on it like dragon scales. Her hair was braided beneath a small crown of intertwined silver that looked like fire and was speckled with rubies.

"Daenyra," her mother called as Rhaenyra left the room. "You must promise me. Promise me that you will be there for your father, for your sister. Whatever they ask of you, you must do it. You are a binding that keeps our family together."

"Why do you ask this of me, Mother?" Daenyra wondered. It was an overly odd request that sounded strangely like one would make on the tail end of one's life.

"Because I know you, my daughter. You are the embodiment of what it means to be a Targaryen. I know that this family will endure many trials, and I know that they will survive it if they have you by their side. Promise me."

"Mother, I –"

"Promise me, Daenyra!" Queen Aemma stressed as she was reclined in her chair with her bloated belly.

"I-I promise you, Mother."

And here Daenyra was, fulfilling that promise after her father had presented her with her crown and her new title. Here she was, honouring her mother's wishes as she was the first of a long line of men to kneel before her sister who was ornately dressed in gold.

"I, Princess Daenyra Targaryen, Princess of Dragonstone, pledge my undying fealty to King Viserys, first of his name, and his chosen heir, Princess of the Red Keep and of King's Landing, Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen."

"Rise, my sister," Rhaenyra said as Daenyra rose to her feet and Ser Harrold assisted her in moving to stand at Rhaenyra's side as the Lords of the Seven Kingdoms bent the knee to her.

"Ser Harrold," Daenyra whispered.

"Yes, Princess?"

"Where is my uncle?"

"Your father ordered his return to the Vale, Princess," the knight answered dutifully.

"Why?"

"I have heard whispers. In the hours of last night, he was said to have called your brother... 'The Heir For A Day.'"

"Thank you, Ser Harrold," she replied.

"Princess," he said as he returned to his position and Daenyra held her chin a little higher.

She would show them no weakness. She would hold her head high and fulfil her mother's wishes. She would maintain her mask as her insides grew cold. Regardless of her traitor uncle who betrayed her trust, she would dutifully take on the role of Princess of Dragonstone and all it encompassed.