All hope seems lost for Rhaenyra Targaryen, with Meleys dead and the greens stronger as ever she seems to have lost. Until one day a young girl and her sister change their fates forever when they come to fight with them, because with them come 2 ful...
The morning mist still veiled the cliffs as Lyraella stood by the window of her new quarters in the Old Hall, watching the sea's relentless rhythm against the shore. The sharp, salt-scented air of Dragonstone filled the room, but her thoughts were far away, caught between the unfamiliar walls of the castle and the knowledge of what her future held. Though the Selaerions had been granted fine rooms, the transition to this new life felt strange, almost dreamlike. Vaelora, as expected, had refused to stay in the castle, preferring the solace of the Dragonmount, where their dragons resided. That was where Vaelora found her peace, away from the eyes of men, away from the weight of expectation.
There was a soft knock on the door. Lyraella turned, her heartbeat quickening slightly. Since the betrothal, every encounter with Jacaerys had been tinged with a mixture of curiosity and uncertainty. But as the door creaked open, revealing Jace standing there, his posture hesitant but not unkind, Lyraella found herself smiling softly.
"Lady Lyraella," he greeted her, his voice low, the edges of a smile tugging at his lips. "I hope I'm not intruding."
Lyraella studied him for a moment, taking in the way he stood just inside the door, as though unsure of how to proceed. "Not at all," she replied warmly. "Come in, Jace."
His eyes lingered on hers, and for a brief moment, their gazes locked—an unspoken exchange passing between them, one that made her feel more seen than in any formal conversation they'd shared so far. He took a breath, as if gathering courage, before speaking again. "I was wondering if you'd care to join me for a walk. I thought... perhaps we might talk, get to know each other a bit better."
There was a hint of nerves in his voice, a slight shift in his stance as he waited for her response. Lyraella felt a warmth spread through her, not just from the request but from the vulnerability he showed, even in something as simple as this. She nodded. "I'd like that."
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They walked side by side through the streets of Dragonstone, the castle's looming presence always in the background, though the sea's voice filled the silence between them. Jace kept his hands behind his back, glancing sideways at her every so often, as if trying to figure out what to say. Lyraella noticed the way his eyes lingered a second too long on her face before he looked away. It made her smile softly to herself, finding the quiet awkwardness almost endearing.
Jace finally broke the silence, his tone carrying a weight of regret. "I wanted to say... I'm sorry about the circumstances of our betrothal. I know this wasn't something either of us chose."
Lyraella turned her head to meet his gaze, her smile softening. "You don't need to apologize, Jace." Her tone was gentle, almost playful. "I knew this was coming."
