Fated Hearts

Chapter 5

"Aelyx," Adelia jumped back in surprise, "You should be lining up for the tourney." 

Aelyx gave her a look that took her by suprise. His eyes were so deep with an emotion she could not place, but as the chills ran up her arms, she thought that maybe her plan to convince him to court her wouldn't be so difficult. 

"I had to see you," Aelyx breathed out, "I couldn't compete with my head so foggy, and the only way to clear it was to gaze upon you, little fox."

Adelia went to respond but was silenced as he grasped her by her arms. 

"Tell me I have your favor today, please. I will surely perish if I see another knight display any semblance of you."

Adelia rasied a tenative hand to cup Aelyx's cheek, and she felt him lean into her touch. 

"My dear, sweet prince, how I wish I could forever soothe your troubles. Of course you have my favor, for there is no other man I would wish to bestow it upon. After all, I chose its colors for you and your mighty house my prince," she said tenderly. 

Aelyx cast his glance down to see that her wreath was indeed a stark black, which was made to look even more regal as it was pressed against the red of her gown. 

"Have I ever told you that I love you in red," Aelyx questioned, a boyish grin now present on his once distraught face. 

Adelia chuckled, "no, but if my prince loves the color, then I must burn my gowns made of anything but." 

"There is no need for that little fox," Aelyx said before leaning his head to her ear. "However, there will come a day where you will only wear red and black, as House Targaryen will be as much yours as it is mine," he whispered. 

Adelia's breath hitched and she froze in her place. 

"Now, I will see you at the tourney, love. I will look for your flaming hair in the stands," and with that, Aelyx left her room as quick as he came. 

Adelia took a deep breath and steeled herself. With one last fleeting glance in the mirror, she exited her chambers and made her way to the stands. 

As she arrived, she noticed the eyes of the members of the royal box turn toward her. She was later than some, but noticed that the Princess Rhaenyra and her sister were not among those yet present. 

She made her way to the king who seemed to gaze upon her with a small smile. In truth, Viserys had always thought the kind girl his son seemed so fond of would make a good queen, but something about seeing her dressed in such a Targaryen manner only solidified that thought. 

Adelia dropped into a low curtsy. 

"Your Grace, my congratulations to you on the impending birth of the newest royal babe. Though we are here to enjoy this tourney, know that my prayers remain with you and Queen Aemma."

"Rise child," said Viserys, "you are much to kind to an old man such as myself, but you have my sincerest gratitude. Might I say, I am often fond of your green frocks, but you look marvelous in red my dear."

Adelia smiled bashfully, curtsied once more, and made her way to her seat. Thankfully her father had not yet arrived, most likely handling courtly affairs, for her would no doubt send her running back to her chambers with orders to change her gown. She waved lightly at the young Laenor and Laena Velaryon and smoothed out her dress on the seat she chose. After her conversation with Aelyx, she was more excited for the Tourney than she had been before. 

However, all good things must end. 

"Sister, whatever do you think you are doing in a gown like that. Certainly even someone as dimwitted as you would know it is distasteful to wear the colors of the royal house, especially when the princess herself is dressed in them."

Adelia looked up slowly, only to be met with the simmering glare of her sister, Alicent, and the Princess Rheanyra. 

"My apologies dear sister, Princess, it was never my intention to offend. In fact, the king seemed most pleased with my choice, as I chose the gown in celebration of the coming babe," Adelia repsonded kindly, she knew mentioning the King's approval would be the only thing to ease their torment. 

Both older girls huffed and took their seats. However, Adelia felt daggers pierce the back of her head. She turned around only to see the furious face of her father, but before he could reprimand her, the King had already began welcoming the crowd to the tourney and announcing the start of Queen Aemma's labors. 

Adelia clapped with joy and prepared herself to watch knight after knight fight for the chance to crown their lady the Queen of Love and Beauty. Soon, she heard the frier call out Aelyx's name and she stood up straight. He rode toward the stands and both Alicent and Rheanyra stood for him, readying their favors. 

"My king, I hope to impress you with my skills today," he spoke with a bow of his head, "However, my skills will not be at their best without the favor of the sweet, Lady Adelia Hightower. I would be most honored if she would bestow her luck upon me."

Adelia walked over to the edge of the box and placed her wreath on Aelyx's lance. 

"I hope my favor gives you luck, my Prince. Though I am certain you will not need it."

With that the girl made her way to her seat, all eyes on her. She did not care however, as her focus was on Aelyx and how he was unseating every challenger he came across. 

Soon there began to be hustle and bustle within the box. Her father was escorting the king inside the palace and members of the small council left as well. Her stomach dropped, as she knew this urgency could only be for one thing. The queen was soon to perish. She felt tears hit her cheeks that she didn't know she was weeping, when something pulled her out of her sadness. 

"As winner of this tourney, I hearby name Lady Adelia Hightower the Queen of Love and Beauty"

She whipped around, as did the remaining members in the box, and made eye contact with Aelyx. She watched as his beaming smile began to fall as he noticed her tears, and as he looked into the box and noticed his father's abscence, and that of the hands, he knew only one thing could be true. Only one thing would plague his Adelia's face with tears of sorrow. 

His mother was dead. 

Queen Aemma was dead.