Their marriage was never meant to be a love story. Bound together by duty and the will of the Iron Throne, they entered a union neither of them chose. While he remained devoted to the memory of his wife he had lost, she found herself wandering the halls of Summerhall as little more than a stranger, quietly learning the hearts of a family that was never truly hers.

*COMPLETE* Not every betrothal is a love match, in fact, it's rare that there is ever love between a husband and wife who are promised to one another. But when Alana Velaryon, daughter of Rhaenyra Targaryen, is betrothed to Gwayne Hightower, brother to Queen Alicent and heir to Oldtown, it certainly is a match made by the Gods. The two court for three years after meeting for the first time falling truly head over heels for one another. That is until Jacerys, Alana's brother, plans a trip up north to see a friend. Having never seen the north, Alana attends with him. Falling in love instantly with Cregan Stark. A feeling she'd never had with Gwayne which sends her into a state of confusion. Guilt eats her alive when she realizes she may be in deeper than she should be with Cregan Stark. 18+ MATURE CONTENT!!! **CHARACTERS AGES AND STORYLINES HAVE BEEN CHANGED TO BE SUITED FOR THIS STORY. THIS IS A FANFIC SO YES; BEHAVIORS AND TENDENCIES HAVE BEEN ALTERED. THERE WILL ALSO BE TRIGGER WARNINGS FOR SENSITIVE CONTENT AND SEXUAL CONTENT! IF ANY OF THIS BOTHERS YOU, THEN THIS STORY IS NOT FOR YOU**

In a realm torn by duty and honor, Gwayne Hightower and Maelena Targaryen find themselves unwillingly united. Bound by obligations and the weight of responsibility, they have no room for desire or personal longing. And yet, as time passes and their hearts begin to understand one another, they yearn not for good grace or power, but only for each other. ──── ✥ ✥ ✥ ──── ( OC x Gwayne Hightower )

AEGON II TARGARYEN. First born son and heir to the Iron Throne. Whereas other first-borns were thrilled to take on their duty as future rulers as soon as possible, Aegon had always despised his fate. He often neglected his responsibilities and preferred to spend his time drowning in his cups. From a young age, he made a habit of wandering off the street of silk, burying his face in the cleavage of a woman rather than a book. VISENYA II TARGARYEN. First born daughter, just a year younger than her oldest brother Aegon. She had always been quite a rebellious child. Instead of attending her lessons with the septa, she was often found practicing the skill of sword-fighting with her uncle. He being the person she got her sharp wits from. Her mother practically had to force her into wearing dresses rather than handed down tunics and pants of guards for formal events. HELAENA TARGARYEN. Second born daughter and future Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. Known for her gentle and dreamy nature. She, like Aegon, did not find much interest in the duties of a ruler. Her fascination lied with the insects that crawled around the Red Keep. But mainly, she stood out for often speaking in riddles. Most thought she was just a mentally impaired young girl. Yet, her riddles were more like prophecies, becoming true not long after she uttered them aloud. AEMOND TARGARYEN. Second born son and the youngest of the four. He had always been short-tempered. Easily guided by his rage rather than his mind. Still haunted from the misery he suffered while being dragonless and constantly teased by his brother and his nephews. To the outside, he remained ice cold and menacing, threatening everyone with just a glance of his eye. On the inside however, there was a turmoil not even he could tame. In other words, typical Targaryens.

- ꜱʜᴇ ꜱʜᴏᴜʟᴅ ɴᴏᴛ ʙᴇʟᴏɴɢ ʜᴇʀᴇ, ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ꜰᴏʀᴇɪɢɴ ʟᴀɴᴅꜱ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ꜰᴏʀᴇɪɢɴ ᴄᴜꜱᴛᴏᴍꜱ. ꜱʜᴇ ᴡᴀꜱ ɴᴏᴛ ʙᴏʀɴ ᴛᴏ ꜱʜᴀʀᴇ ʜᴇʀ ʙᴇᴅ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴡɪʟᴅʟɪɴɢꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ʜᴇᴀᴛʜᴇɴꜱ. ꜱʜᴇ ɪꜱ ᴘʀᴏᴜᴅ ᴀɴᴅ ɴᴏʙʟᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ʙᴇᴀᴜᴛɪꜰᴜʟ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴀ ᴛᴀʀɢᴀʀʏᴇɴ ᴀʟʟ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴀᴍᴇ. ᴏʀ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ɪꜰ ᴀ ᴅᴀᴜɢʜᴛᴇʀ ꜰʟᴇᴡ ɴᴏʀᴛʜ ᴛᴏ ᴛʀᴇᴀᴛ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʟᴏʀᴅ ꜱᴛᴀʀᴋ, ʀᴀᴛʜᴇʀ ᴛʜᴀɴ ᴀ ꜱᴏɴ? [Cregan Stark x oc] - House of the Dragon season two ~>

Born into House Targaryen, Alyssa Targaryen, named after her grandmother, is the second daughter of King Viserys I and his first wife, Aemma Arryn, born only three years after her older sister, Rhaenyra Targaryen. Once known as the "Realm's Heart" in her childhood, Alyssa was beloved by all. But tragedy struck with the death of her mother, followed by the exile of her dear uncle. What began as grief and confusion soon gave way to a smoldering rage, especially towards her father, and the innocence of the little girl was forever lost. After the birth of Aegon Targaryen, her half-brother through King Viserys I's marriage to Alicent Hightower, Alyssa quickly grasps the true reason behind her father's old desired son-the reason behind her mother's death-and soon sees the growing threat Aegon poses to Rhaenyra's claim to the throne. As Alyssa matures, so too does her cunning. She begins to see the political game for what it is-a game of power, and one she must learn to master if she hopes to navigate court, and control her own fate. The Targaryen blood runs hot in her veins, and she will stop at nothing to protect her family, her legacy, and her dragon. .❜䨻 ㅡ xxbiihxx, 2024. start: 19.12.24 end: xx.xx.xx

Amyra is a witch living between Flea Bottom and the Street of Silk. She is, among other things, a healer, a soldier, an excellent dancer, an even better lover, and, through an unlikely turn of events, a recent employee of one Queen Alicent Hightower. Many might call Amyra "impulsive," but those who know her know she always has a plan, and she always exploits an opportunity. Prince Aemond Targaryen is no different. OR The Dance of Dragons if Aemond loved something other than revenge.

He is fire; she fears the flames. Naerys Velaryon, firstborn of Rhaenyra Targaryen, bears the blood of the dragon yet carries a curse that sets her apart: a terror of fire. When her mother's claim hung by a thread, she was bound in childhood to her uncle, Aemond Targaryen-a union forged not out of love, but as the price exacted for the loss of his eye. Ten years later, Naerys returns to King's Landing to fulfill her duty. But her betrothed is no longer the boy she once knew. Aemond is vengeance made flesh, as sharp and unforgiving as the blades he wields. In a court ruled by treachery, where oaths shatter as swiftly as they are sworn, they must set aside their grievances... if only to seize what they both covet. The Iron Throne. And in the game they are forced to play, hatred may prove the only thing more perilous than desire. All rights belong to George RR Martin and HBO House of The Dragon, except any original characters and canon divergence on this story.

Valaena Velaryon the eldest child and true born daughter of Rhaenyra and Laenor. Her and her mother could never connect, for Valaena was not as chaotic as her mother. And when her mother tells her her right to the throne and gives it to her brother instead their bond is particularly broken. She has only one person to truly lean on, her uncle Aemond, and he knows just as her that they were made by the gods for each other, and that they were made to rule. special thanks to my bestie @sugotoad for making the cover for this fic! I swear I'd be lost without you girly!

"I will take a crowbar and pry out the broken pieces of god in me." HOTD Aemond Targaryen x OC 18+