Tanda Sunglass, devoted to the Faith, is chosen by Queen Alicent to marry her drunken son, Aegon II Targaryen-binding her fate to a dangerous legacy.
Will her soul stay true to the Seven or will it darken with war?
Waking up in my new chamber feels awful. Back at home, I'd always woken slowly, with the morning sun filtering in through the wide window, bathing my face in soft warmth and guiding me into gentle prayer. Here, though, I wake later, wrapped in the dim, lifeless chill of my darkened room.
My body is reluctant to leave the bed, my limbs heavy and my thoughts restless, never truly silenced since the day I arrived. Meeting the prince hadn't helped. If anything, it had left a deeper sense of unease.
Aegon's intentions were still unclear to me. Perhaps, in his way, he had been trying to show me kindness when he led me to Sunfyre. The dragon truly was magnificent, more beautiful than I'd dared imagine - a creature of legend with shimmering golden scales and piercing eyes that seemed to hold all the power and wisdom of the ages. I had dreamed of this moment my entire life, of standing close to a dragon, and Sunfyre had been so much more vivid, so much grander than any tapestry or text could describe. But every time I thought of that moment, my thoughts trailed back to Aegon, and to... the kiss.
My cheeks warm with shame, the memory sharp and confusing. A kiss that I was meant to save for my wedding day, a kiss that would mark the start of my life as a Targaryen wife, as his wife.
"I'll pray," I murmur aloud, as though it's an answer.
I don't wait for my handmaidens to come. I need this time alone, a moment to gather myself. I choose a shimmering purple dress, one that feels as heavy as the weight of my thoughts, and throw a simple white shawl over my shoulders in case the Sept is cold.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
As I make my way past my mother and father's chambers, a wave of guilt washes over me, heavy and relentless. They've done so much, placed so much hope in me, in this match. "I can't ruin this marriage," I remind myself. "I can't disappoint the Seven... or them. My family needs this." I clutch the shawl tighter as I press on.
(At the Sept)
The Sept's beauty amazes me once again, the vast space bathed in the warm glow of countless candles, each flame flickering as if breathing. Towering statues of the Seven stand watch, their eyes hollow but somehow penetrating. For a moment, the stillness seeps into me, as though the Seven themselves are observing, waiting for me to unburden my heart.
I kneel slowly, picking up a match to light a candle, my hands trembling as the small flame catches. The scent of burning wax and incense fills the air, a familiar comfort that brings me back to simpler days. I close my eyes and lower my head, speaking quietly, almost in a whisper.
"I have come to apologize. I have allowed foolishness and selfish desire to cloud my judgment, to lead me from the path you set before me. I let my own weakness defy your teachings... please, I beg of you, forgive me." My voice breaks slightly, and I clasp my hands tighter, seeking any strength the Seven might offer me.
Silence surrounds me, pressing in close, yet somehow, it feels like a presence, like they're here with me. The weight on my heart lightens just a little, though the confusion still lingers.
I linger in prayer, letting the soft light of the candles envelop me, hoping for the forgiveness and clarity I so desperately need.
