SEESAW ♱ hotd

i. dragon eyes

the two girls weaved in and out of the passageways of the red keep, laughing loudly as they ran.

zaephyr's dark hair was loose behind her, messy and unkempt. it had come out of its braids on account of their running, yet she did not mind at all.

"this way, come on!" she giggled, grabbing helaena's hand tightly as she ducked into a small corridor to their left, the two of them pressing themselves against the stone walls.

ser criston had his hand on the pommel of his sword, a stern expression upon his face. he glanced down at the two girls, letting out a sigh upon recognising them.

"princesses," he began, his deep voice ringing against the old stone walls. "what are you doing here?"

"ser criston." helaena smiled, her wide, violet eyes looking up to where the knight stood, towering over them.

helaena let go of zaephyr's hand to stand up straighter, a sheepish look on her face as she spoke again.

"we were simply... exploring." zaephyr answered, her voice firm and steady.

ser criston raised an eyebrow, eyeing the two girls up skeptically as he stood between them and the direction they had come from.

"all by yourselves?" he asked.

"yes," zaephyr replied again, pushing a loose strand of her dark hair behind her ear. "is that a problem to you?"

the two girls had decided it would be easiest to remain as vague as they could when talking to the knight, so as not to risk any potential trouble for themselves.

"the queen requires your presence, princess helaena." criston ignored the childen's tease, turning to princess helaena.

helaena's face fell at the words, her shoulders drooping at the reminder of her duties as princess. she always seemed to forget about them during these moments of freedom with zaephyr.

"oh... okay," she mumbled, taking a few steps forward and glancing at her little cousin. "i have to go."

"wait, i will make you accompany."

the journey to the queen's chambers passed quickly, with many servants and guards giving them odd looks as they passed, undoubtedly finding it odd to see two young girls walking along by themselves, with only ser criston as their escort.

they eventually reached their destination, and ser criston knocked on the heavy oak door, opening it when alicent called out a firm. "come in,"

zaephyr and helaena walked to the queen's chambers, while the girls' shoes echoed through the hallway with each step they took.

"thank you, ser criston." queen spoke with quiet grace as the girls entered her chambers. alicent rose to her feet, her eyes briefly flicked between zaephyr and helaena, a flicker of slight warmth within them.

"i did not wish to disturb your— play time, but it is time for our prayers, helaena."

helaena resisted the urge to let out a long sigh. "yes, mother." she said quietly, walking over to the queen.

"can zaephyr come with us?" helaena asked, suggesting for her little cousin to join them today.

alicent's hands paused mid-air as she was adjusting her veil, a frown crossing her face as she considered her daughter's request. her gaze lowered to zaephyr's messy hair and dirty clothing.

"i... suppose there's no harm in her coming along," she said after a few moments thought. "so long as she behaves herself, properly."

"i will behave, your grace." she replied, casting a smile at helaena's direction.