✶|𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘌𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘋𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘺|✶ 𝘈𝘦𝘨𝘰𝘯 𝘐𝘐𝘐 𝘛𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘺𝘦𝘯

✶𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 9✶

――✴✯✴――

The Targaryens

――✴✯✴――

Year 128

Westeros

Sunspear , Dorne

The next morning, Serena stood in her chambers as Elyara fastened the violet gown around her waist, adjusting it to fall perfectly over her frame. The fabric shimmered subtly in the morning light, matching the unique shade of her eyes. 

Beside her, Sylara was getting ready as well, helped by Sullen, who was carefully placing silver pins into Sylara's hair, giving it an elegant twist.

Serena watched her reflection, her fingers grazing the intricate braid Elyara had woven. 

"Do you think they'll seem as... intimidating as people say?"

Sylara raised an eyebrow, a smirk forming on her lips as she glanced at her sister. 

"They're arriving by carriage, not on dragonback, Serena. They're not about to breathe fire through the gates of Sunspear."

Sullen, standing behind Sylara, chuckled as she secured the last silver pin in her hair. 

"True, but everyone says their presence alone feels... otherworldly. They carry the legacy of Old Valyria in their very look."

Serena rolled her eyes, hiding a small smile as she looked away from Sullen's reflection in the mirror. Her handmaidens might not know, but the Dayne's also shared "that powerful legacy". Still, she said nothing, only tightening her grip on the fabric of her violet dress, which matched her striking eyes.

Sylara noticed and nudged her with a grin. 

"What's that look for, my lady?"

"Just thinking," Serena replied with a faint smirk, "that no matter how grand people's legacies are, they're still just people, aren't they?"

Her handmaiden gave a soft, approving laugh, adjusting the braid that draped over Serena's shoulder.

"Wise words, my lady."

"Perhaps, but I'd still like to see how grand they look," Sylara replied, teasing. She tilted her head toward the door. "Shall we? Father and Mother will be waiting, and knowing Elyas, he's probably checking himself in the mirror one last time too."

They shared a laugh, and together, the sisters and their handmaidens left the room. 

Serena could hear the distant murmur of gathered nobles as they neared the grand hall. The corridors felt more alive than usual, filled with anticipation as the Dayne family and other noble houses prepared to greet their guests from Dragon Stone.

The moment they entered the hall, Serena spotted her father, mother, and Elyas standing near the front of the crowd, the adults deep in conversation with other lords. 

Lord Aerion's posture was dignified and composed, though she sensed an edge of expectation in his gaze as he turned toward the grand entrance.

Serena took her place beside Sylara, adjusting the folds of her dress as she inhaled deeply, trying to calm the flutter of excitement mingled with nerves. She straightened her shoulders, casting a quick glance at Elyas, who nodded with a reassuring smile.