Alicent Hightower raised a bastard - The Stranger's Child.
Except she didn't.
Naenyra looked nothing like the Targaryen beauty that her father expected. She was, as her mother always wished, a Hightower at heart, and how she looked only proved it...
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Breaking fast had never been such a disaster in the days that followed. Nyra knew she wouldn't expect the news to go down well but she never anticipated it nearly causing a civil war amongst siblings.
Her fingers tapped against the curve of mahogany wood, feeling the grooves of the arm rest as she waited. Her chest was tight, her jaw clenched, and body restless. Alicent was beaming, she could almost hear the waves of happiness roll from her - it was sickening. Nyra could only wish it was infectious, that the rest of the family might be joined in Alicent's joy but she knew that was asking too much.
Aegon was the first to slip in, a small nod to Nyra as he came round to her side, taking the chair beside her. "Joyous morning, isn't it?" Alicent started, leaning forward as her eyes darted from one of her children to the other.
"Is it?" Aegon asked, reaching for the jug closest to him before filling his cup.
Alicent scoffed but it wasn't enough to dull her mood. "Don't be so cynical, Aegon; I thought this is what you always wanted?"
He gave a small nod. "If only the circumstances were different." Nyra turned to look at Aegon. He was quiet, subdued - not like himself. Hesitantly, Nyra reached out, laying her hand over the top of his. Violet eyes turned, meeting hers for the briefest moment. He didn't want to be here and he didn't want to do this.
Nyra squeezed his hand gently. "Either way. Your betrothal should be celebrated, it'll be nice to have a wedding." The room fell silent. A wedding in a moon's time, a marriage for a lifetime. She stiffened, glancing at her empty plate. She didn't feel like eating, the nerves tight within her. The rest would be here soon, and Nyra could only imagine what their reactions would be. Aemond would be hurt, she knew that, but she also knew that nothing would ease the way he felt.
"We should begin planning as soon as possible, we'll have so much to think about." Alicent said. "The dress, the flowers, the venue, the guests." She rattled off, her mind racing with everything that would need to be thought about. Aegon reached out to grasp Nyra's hand, an uncomfortable look passing his face as he stiffened. "I've already spoken to the tailor about getting you fitted in something that suits your station and he apparently has this Myrrish lace that is-"
The door opened, Daeron slinking in before stopping. Bright eyes went from his seat at Nyra's side - occupied by Aegon - to the hands that were clasped, and then to their grinning mother. His eyes shifted back to Aegon. "Why are you in my chair?" He asked, irritation filling his tone.
