✶|𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘌𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘋𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘺|✶ 𝘈𝘦𝘨𝘰𝘯 𝘐𝘐𝘐 𝘛𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘺𝘦𝘯

✶𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 17✶

――✴✯✴――

Failure

――✴✯✴――

Year 129

Westeros

Dragon Stone

Serena's breath hitched as she took another step closer to the council table, her ears tuned sharply to the queen's words. Rhaenyra's voice carried authority, but the underlying tension was palpable. Each phrase was carefully measured, every glance laden with the weight of what was at stake.

"Prince Jacaerys will fly north." She began. "First, to the Eyrie, to meet my mother's cousin, Lady Jeyne Arryn. Then, to Winterfell, where he will seek Lord Cregan Stark's pledge of support from the North."

She paused briefly, her gaze sweeping across the council, ensuring that every word landed with purpose.

"Prince Lucerys." She continued, her tone unwavering. "Will fly south to Storm's End. There, he will speak with Lord Borros Baratheon. We must remind these lords of the oaths they swore,and of the price of breaking them."

Her eyes swept the room one more time before settling on Lord Corlys Velaryon. His silver hair and deep, weathered features bore the strength of a man who had weathered countless storms. Meeting her gaze, he gave a firm nod, silently affirming her plan.

The meeting concludes with a subtle shift in the atmosphere. The lords around the table begin to relax slightly, their formal postures easing as conversations break out in smaller groups. Rhaenyra signals silently to her sons, Lucerys and Jacaerys, beckoning them to approach. 

At the same time, Daemon strides purposefully toward Baela and Rhaena, his expression calm but intense.

Serena, standing unnoticed and unsure of her role in this strange vision, watches Rhaenyra from behind. Torn between confusion and curiosity, she takes a hesitant step closer. Summoning her courage, she whispers softly. 

"Your Grace..." Her voice trembling slightly.

But Rhaenyra doesn't flinch, doesn't glance over her shoulder. Her gaze remains locked on her two sons, who have moved to her side, awaiting her guidance. 

Serena's heart sinks. They hadn't heard her. They couldn't hear her. It was like she wasn't there at all, not as a person, not even as a voice in the room.

It dawned on her with a pang of realization, this was like watching the events play out in a vivid, immersive dream... She could see and hear everything, but she was merely an observer, powerless to interfere.

Rhaenyra fixes her gaze on her sons, her expression calm but commanding. A faint, almost maternal smile tugs at her lips, yet her posture radiates authority. She straightens her shoulders, her voice steady and deliberate as she speaks.

"Come with me" She says, her tone leaving no room for hesitation. "I need to speak with you two."

Without a word, Jacaerys and Lucerys exchange a quick glance and fall in step behind their mother, their youthful faces serious as they follow her out of the room.

Anxiety swirled in Serena's chest like a storm, tightening its grip with every passing second. She tried to take a deep breath, to calm herself, but her mind refused to cooperate.