Long Live / HOTD

11 // Hesitation and Loyalty

3 years later

Valyria had dressed in her newest gown with the help of her handmaidens. It's been a few years since her eldest sister and her family left to dragonstone and the unfortunate incident on Driftmark. The Hightower side of the family had not yet forgiven Luke for his actions, especially Aemond, for he had lost his eye. But now he rides the largest dragon in the world, Vhagar.

The Velaryons on the other hand wished to prove that they were unaffected by the Queen's actions. The boys growing had now been doing nothing but training trying to prove themselves to others. Rhaenyra had married her uncle Daemon and already they had welcomed a son.

Valyria hardly spoke to her mother in the days following Driftmark but realized it was futile. She loved her mother and missed her presence and touch so much. Valyria apologized for alienating herself from her mother but Alicent understood. She agreed her actions were unforgivable but she didnt regret them. Though she would never admit that to her daughter.

If anyone was excited for Helaena's Wedding it was Valyria. Though Valyria knew that Helaena would rather marry Aemond instead. Helaena knew how Aegon could treat women and even though Helaena was seen as unusual, she would much rather be alone than with someone else.

Alicent had entered Valyria's chambers and gave a small smile as she saw her daughter in her dress. It was a deep green color, the color of the hightowers. With a sweetheart neckline that showed how much Valyria had grown as a woman. There were golden accents on the torso with small golden flowers at her waist to match the shimmers of gold in the girl's hair. The sleeves themselves were thin and long and had a slit in them, you could see Valyria's arms through them but she looked all the more elegant.

Alicent had planned out the design of the dress and would've made it herself had she not been busy being queen. Valyria had a bright smile on her face as she saw her mother admiring her from a distance.

"Mother! Look at how beautiful this gown is." Valyria did a twirl to show her mother proudly.

"It is lovely my dear. I'm glad you love it." Alicent wiped away the tear that had slipped from her eye. Viserys kept his word about Valyria and Aegon being married but Alicent had yet to tell the young girl. Valyria believed it was Helaena's wedding day but in truth it was her own. She just didn't know it yet.

"I'm just concerned that it be too much. I do not wish to look better than Helaena. It is her day after all." Valyria smoothed her hands down the skirt of her dress. She really did love how it looked on her. Since she was now older, the womanly parts of her body had now sprouted and she did look like a woman. She had just flowered the past year, late for a woman yes but Alicent tried to hide it from The King as long as possible to prolong the wedding but he had found out.

"I do have to speak to you about that my precious." Alicent waved the handmaidens out of the room and sat down on the bench in Valyria's chambers that was facing the open window. Valyria had requested a bench be placed in her room in this exact spot so that when she decided to read she could do so in the safety of her chambers instead of her falling asleep in the library and having to be carried back to her room.

"What is it mother?" Valyria stepped over to her mother's side and sat next to her. Valyria looked up at her mother with concern. It was obvious the queen was upset about something and Valyria hated when her mother wasn't happy.

Alicent wanted to say that she didn't want this, for her baby to be married to Aegon but she knew the words would hurt Valyria. Alicent wanted to say Valyria deserved so much more than being stuck with Aegon but since Valyria could walk and talk her days were filled with Aegon.