✶|𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘌𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘋𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘺|✶ 𝘈𝘦𝘨𝘰𝘯 𝘐𝘐𝘐 𝘛𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘺𝘦𝘯

✶𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 35✶

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Preparations

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✯Serena's Pov ✯

Year 133 A.C

Westeros

Red Keep, King's Landing

The rhythmic creaking of the carriage wheels and the faint clatter of horseshoes against cobblestone filled the tense silence. 

Serena sat opposite her father, hands folded neatly in her lap, her gaze fixed on the blurred landscape outside the window. 

The air inside the carriage was heavy, awkward, not with anger, but with all the words that neither of them seemed quite willing to say.

She hadn't spent this much time alone with him since their last argument. Even now, the memory of his cold dismissal and the veiled truth in his words stirred bitterly in her chest. 

She knew she might've taken things too personally, but the damage had been done, and her heart hadn't let it go.

Her father cleared his throat softly, breaking the silence. 

"You've read your mother's letter, I assume."

"Yes. I read it yesterday morning..." Serena nodded, not looking at him.

A brief pause. Then his voice again, a bit more careful this time. 

"Then you know they've arrived. Cassian sent word an hour ago. The ship's docking now."

 "I know..." She shifted slightly in her seat.

She hadn't expected the letter to hold so many surprises. Her mother's elegant handwriting had delivered news like a wave crashing over her. 

First, that the Blackmount betrothal had finally been settled, despite some reluctance from the other side. Her mother had managed to not murder Elyas, barely, and that her older sister had taken the... More physical route to deal with him.

Then came the real shock, her siblings, Elyas and Sylara, were already on their way to King's Landing.

They were coming... for the royal ball. Which would happen the following week. Sylara was old enough to get engaged so she was invited. But Serena didn't really like to imagine the almost impossible situation happening...

And her siblings weren't coming alone.

According to the letter, the ship carried not only Sylara and Elyas, but a few other noble guests from Dorne as well. Her mother hadn't listed names, a deliberate choice, Serena suspected, and now she was left wondering who exactly would be stepping off that boat.

Most of all, she knew her mother missed her. That had been the softest knife in the letter.

Her father studied her in silence, as if unsure whether to continue the conversation or let it die quietly. Serena took a breath and forced herself to speak.

"So... the ball..." She kept her voice even, neutral.

"Yes." He nodded. "The Small Council decided it was time. The king will have to choose a bride eventually. Better they take control of the situation before rumors and foreign offers make it more complicated."