✶|𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘌𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘋𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘺|✶ 𝘈𝘦𝘨𝘰𝘯 𝘐𝘐𝘐 𝘛𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘺𝘦𝘯

✶Chapter 3✶

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Unknown world

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Year 126

Westeros

Starfall , Dorne

A few years had gone by, and Serena had grown older, with her hair now nearly reaching the small of her back. She had just finished another tedious etiquette lesson, two long hours spent learning the proper use of three different types of forks.

Despite being only five name days old, she was already being taught the basics of dancing, how to carry herself gracefully, and a bit of her family's history, things expected of young noble ladies from an early age.

She understood that, as the daughter of a noble house, it was her responsibility to learn, but that didn't make it any less tedious. 

Her mother had insisted that she begin studying new languages, so Serena had started with High Valyrian, a language spoken in parts of Essos and well-known from the TV series. She also decided to learn Ghiscari, a key language in the world of trade and commerce.

At least she could be thankful that her religious lessons with Septa Margaret were limited to just an hour a week.

Unlike Westeros, Dorne didn't place as much emphasis on religion, setting it apart from the customs Marie often talked about from the TV show. 

The Dornish had a more liberal approach to inheritance, marriage, and women's roles in society. Ideas like female purity and chastity weren't as highly valued, and divorce was a regular and accepted part of their culture.

Servants bustled through the palace corridors, hurrying to prepare for the upcoming harvest festival banquet that Lord Dayne was hosting. 

This event was held in years when the grape yield for the renowned Dornish wine, produced within the lands of House Dayne, exceeded expectations. It was a time when lords from neighboring houses gathered to celebrate the abundance together.

This year, the banquet would bring Lady Kyria's family to Starfall, which meant Serena would soon see her grandfather, uncle, and cousins.

 Her mother hailed from House Fowler and had been wed to Lord Aerion Dayne in an arranged marriage, but over time, they had grown to truly love one another.

Serena's father wasn't a big fan of spending money on trivial things like banquets but as was tradition he had to do it. Serena gently taps on the door to her father's office.

"Enter," comes her father's voice from within.

Pushing the door open, she steps inside and finds him seated at his desk, focused on signing papers, with Cassian standing beside him.

"Hello, father. Am I interrupting?" she asked, her wide violet eyes scanning the room as she stood by the door, curiosity flickering across her face.

Aerion looked up from his papers, his sharp features softening as he caught sight of her. "Never little Star, are you in need of something?"

"Not really... I just wanted to see you."  Serena shook her head slightly.

A gentle smile spread across Aerion's face as he leaned back in his chair. "Always welcome to see me, little one." His gaze briefly flicked to Cassian, who watched the exchange with quiet amusement but said nothing.