Prince Aemond's eyes didn't leave Elaena once while she guided his family and their handmaidens to their rooms.

She didn't know what to make of his staring, seeing as his expression had dulled again after he'd smiled at her. She felt her fingers fiddle with one another. His attention spoke louder than the King's.

She raked her mind for something to say, something to ask, but all of the social points made by Morgrym and Hyacinth were thrown out of the window.

She prayed she did not look as foolish as she believed. Perhaps she was walking strangely, or her netting looked out of place?

Elaena immediately pulled the back of it up further, feeling that it had in fact not slipped down since she'd pulled it up the last time. She sighed through her nose, straightening her shoulders.

It was troubling how the princes and princess did not interact with one another or with the Queen. The handmaidens were silent as well. It made Elaena feel overpowered, as she was the only one who knew where they were going and no one questioned her. She could've very easily led them out of the castle and into the ocean if she wanted to. The thought made her stifle a chuckle.

But finally, they arrived to the King's guest house. It sat behind the main hall, perpendicular to her wing of the castle. Only Corlys and Rhaenys's chambers could rival it in luxury, and unlike the chambers of Rhaenyra's sons, it was richly themed with reds and blacks. There were five bedchambers, three bath chambers, and a large sitting room inside, all fully furnished and decorated.

"Here we are, your Grace," Elaena announced, turning and locking eyes with Aemond before she directed her attention to the Queen. She quickly turned back to conceal her blush and invite them inside.

Alicent looked about with a soft gaze, and for a moment Elaena worried the Queen would be dissatisfied with their living quarters. But she turned back to Elaena with a tender smile.

"When will the service begin, do you know?" She asked gently as Aegon made his way to a table displaying a wine decanter. Aemond rolled his eyes at his older brother, and Helaena merely watched him in boredom.

"Just a few hours, my Queen," Elaena breathed, "We are still expecting Houses Celtigar and Baratheon."

"Excellent." The Queen said, and Elaena smiled.

"Should you need anything before we meet again," The girl informed, "There is a posted guard who will surely assist you." She folded her shaking hands in front of her, and Helaena eyed them before their gazes met. Elaena smiled kindly at the princess and Helaena's expression brightened before she looked to the floor.

"Very well," Alicent said, nodding to Elaena appreciatively, "We thank you, Lady Elaena."

"Thank you." Helaena's voice was so low Elaena almost did not hear it.

"Yes!" Aegon chirped, a small chalice dangling in his grasp. Alicent shut her eyes, "Thank you so much." His eyes wandered Elaena's shrinking form beyond the rim of his goblet.

"Thank you." Aemond's small voice stole Elaena's attention away from his boisterous brother. Her eyes flitted away from his steady gaze.

"My pleasure," She smiled sheepishly, "I hope you enjoy your time with us."

And with that, she turned on her heel and hurried out of their apartments. Once in the corridor, she let out hurried breaths and her heart all but ran from her chest. She shut her eyes to calm her flushed cheeks and marveled at how she'd managed to successfully welcome the Queen and her children...

And then she facepalmed at the fact she forgot to curtsy before leaving. Ugh! She prayed her father would not hear of it. She'd barely focused on anything but escaping... especially with the younger prince watching her as he had.

The posted guard stood solidly against the wall opposite to their door, and Elaena met his gaze to see a humored expression. She cleared her throat.

"Good day." She said quickly, not waiting for a response before making her way back to the main hall.

• • •

Elaena found her remaining welcomes to be much easier than the royal family's. Her words became routine, and she melted into the acts of social graces faster than she'd anticipated.

Welcome. We are pleased to have you. Follow me. Is there anything you need? Please enjoy your stay.

On the rare occasion someone made a request, Elaena made a point to calmly fulfill their desires and continue on with her tasks.

For instance, Lord Tyland Lannister, who'd traveled from King's Landing with the royal family, was in need of heavier furs for his bed. His nieces, Cerelle and Tyshara, had been staying with him in King's Landing to enter court and had accompanied him for Laena's funeral. They too were in need of better furs.

"Where in the Seven Hells are we?" Cerelle whined, her blonde hair whipping around, "Winterfell? Who could ever sleep in such conditions?"

Elaena could feel herself shrinking from the turned up noses of the Lannister girls, but she clenched her jaw.

Lead with love. Some people were not used to Driftmark's cool air. It was as simple as that.

"I apologize," She breathed softly, "I shall gather you all more furs immediately."

"Do hurry." Tyshara sneered, plopping down in the sitting room. Elaena gritted her teeth before curtsying and fleeing the room.

She grabbed their posted guard, and together they brought back six sheep pelts. Elaena kindly asked if the blonde snobs needed anything else, and Tyland sent her away with a roaming eye. She grimaced only when she was out of their apartments. Were all men so unabashed?

House Celtigar was another story. Where the Lannisters made her go outside of her physical routine, the Celtigars made her stray from her verbal one.

"I didn't know Ser Vaemond had a daughter," Lady Celtigar said, following behind Elaena with her silver-gold son and daughter, "Your mother must have been that Dornish girl he wedded, yes?"

Elaena felt a chill go down her spine. She was in disbelief that anyone would have spoken so forwardly to her—Rhaenys had convinced her such questions would have been directed at Vaemond. But she did not want to be rude, that would cause her more trouble than answering the aloof woman would.

"Yes, my lady." She said, her voice solid but strained.

"Ah, what a pity." Lady Celtigar replied, her feathery voice clawing at Elaena's back. So vexed, she nearly passed by the door to their assigned quarters. She stopped abruptly, and Lady Celtigar looked at her in startled surprise.

"Here we are, my lady." Elaena said, her expression blank as she opened the door and stepped aside for them to enter. Lady Celtigar proceeded along with her son, but her daughter lingered to trail her gaze along Elaena's form.

Like the Lannister girls, she looked close to Elaena's age, perhaps a year older. Elaena looked at her in confusion as the girl smiled sweetly under sharp eyes.

"Your mother is Dornish?" She asked, her voice feather light like her mother's. Elaena breathed through her nose and dropped her gaze.

"She was, my lady."

"Is that why your hair is so dark?" The girl asked right after, her smile remaining as she tilted her head. Elaena bit into the inside of her cheek. Worrying for my hair when your house is going extinct? She thought. An interesting set of priorities to be sure.

"Cristine. Come along, darling." Lady Celtigar called. Cristine shifted her attention to her mother, her silver-gold curls swaying as she turned to enter their room.

Elaena began to sink into self doubt. The curious gazes around her were seen as judgmental glares. The whispers amongst her guests were thought of as snide remarks of her.

She noticed the cutting eyes of Cassandra and Ellyn Baratheon, as well as that of the Lannister girls' when they arrived to the main hall. She could feel herself sinking away from the compassion Rhaenys instructed her to uphold.

Fortunately, Cassandra and Ellyn's little sister, Floris, lifted her spirits.

"It's so refreshing being on an island without a storm." The plump Baratheon girl gushed. She walked beside Elaena, keeping pace with her while her sisters, brother, and parents followed after them. Elaena looked at her with curious eyes.

"You do not like the rain, my lady?" She asked, puzzled how anyone could find their calming nature distasteful. Floris sighed.

"Tis all that I know," She exasperated, "It must be nice to have some sun here and there, Lady Elaena."

Elaena unintentionally smiled at the friendly girl, "You have me there."

Worry not what the people will think... Your worrying will not keep them from thinking it.

Easier said than done, but she decided to uphold a calm disposition. It was exhausting to play the bright, cheerful little lady when she felt anything but. She had run around High Tide that afternoon more than she had done her entire life, and as the service started up, the tone of the castle finally simmered down in grief.

She saw no need to overwhelm everyone or herself in her desire to be perfect. The occasion was anything but perfect.

"We will be speaking in High Valyrian, tala." Vaemond said, walking beside Elaena through the crowded main hall.
(daughter)

She had never seen so many descendants of Old Valyria. Silver and silver-gold overpowered all of the dark tufts present, and for the first time, she wanted to thank her father. If he hadn't made her grow up with High Valyrian, her claim to the blood would have been laughable.

"I will begin the eulogy, you will finish it." He said, and she nodded up to him.

In addition to her practicing social graces and welcoming the noble houses, she'd had to memorize the eulogy written by Vaemond. Wherever he stopped, she would start.

Her heart skipped as they made it outside to an edge of the island. The particular spot had always been illuminated by the sun, and at its edge sat a stone coffin.

Elaena's eyes widened, and her body froze. Vaemond stopped to look back at her, and his gaze actually softened as he looked to the coffin. Elaena's heart beat against her chest at the sight of the wooden sculpture situated on top of the stone. Laena's face had been carved into it.

Elaena didn't understand why, but her mother's hazel eyes flashed across her mind.

"We will be facing away to look at the guests," Vaemond assured, and Elaena looked at him while fiddling with her hands, "Stay focused and listen to me. Come along."

He continued forward and Elaena swallowed before nodding to herself. They moved to stand next to the coffin, turning to face the building crowd. Elaena watched a banner-men raise the Velaryon sigil, and the open space before them filled with bodies.

The breeze blew through Elaena's bound hair and turquoise skirts, and she shut her eyes to listen to the active waters behind her. When she opened her eyes, she saw all of their guests facing Laena's coffin. Everyone looked on gravely, but none as grave as her darkly dressed immediate family.

Laenor, Rhaenyra, and their boys moved to the front of the crowd, and Elaena swore her older cousin had seen a ghost from his expression. Perhaps he had.

Rhaenys and Corlys walked out with Baela and Rhaena at their sides. Elaena's heart stuttered as she could tell the girls struggled to stifle their emotions. She looked away uneasily and saw the royal family situate themselves at the other side of the front.

She struggled to avoid Prince Aemond's clear gaze. Surely there must have been something wrong with her, why was he so... She couldn't allow herself to squirm about it, so she looked over the rest of the crowd.

Velaryons were speckled about the island's edge. The Lannisters stood behind the royal family, while the Celtigars and Baratheons stood behind Rhaenys and Corlys.

And then Daemon walked out, cold and alone. Elaena's eyes widened as he came to stand directly beside her and Vaemond. Her father's eyes tightened at the prince, but he said nothing.

When she heard shuffling, Elaena turned to see dock men wrapping Laena's coffin in thick rope. Vaemond gently pulled at Elaena's arm, and she met his stern gaze before turning back to face the crowd. He folded his hands in front of him and began the eulogy.

"We join today at the Seat of the Sea," His High Valyrian was sharp and commanding, "To commit the Lady Laena of House Velaryon to the eternal waters, the dominion of the Merling King, where He will guard her..."

Elaena looked to Rhaenys, seeing her distant expression through her black veil. She watched as her godmother pulled Baela tightly into her side, while Rhaena shook with tears beside them.

Elaena gritted her teeth as Baela's words lost their fire. She lost her mother and was now surrounded by strangers. Elaena would forgive her, because she was the same. Lead with love.

She let out a shuttered breath, pacing herself through Vaemond's speech. Her focus was broken when she heard his tone shift into the venomous one she knew all too well.

"Salt courses through Velaryon blood... Our blood runs thick," Vaemond almost snarled as he gazed at Princess Rhaenyra and her sons. Elaena's eyebrows furrowed, and then her eyes widened and she followed his gaze. The princess met Vaemond's sharp eyes and pulled Jace into her side, "Ours runs true. And ours must never thin."

Elaena heard a bubbly giggle next to her, and she looked up to see Daemon laughing at her father. His beady gaze flickered to the dark-haired boys, and then he looked at Elaena.

He laughed more, looking down at his shoes and shaking his head. She flushed, looking to Rhaenys for reassurance and seeing the woman glare at Daemon.

Was he drunk? Was he laughing at Elaena or Vaemond? It mattered all the same to her father as he gritted his teeth.

"Tala." Vaemond addressed Elaena under his breath, though his gaze was locked on Daemon in disgust. Elaena breathed in, looking to the guests in front of her.

"... My gentle cousin," She began, watching as people's attention shifted from the hysterical prince beside her. Their eyes widened in surprise of her flawless High Valyrian... particularly Prince Aemond.

She found herself focusing on him, his soft eyes steadying her racing heart.

"May the winds be as strong as your back, your seas as calm as your spirit, and your nets be as full as your heart. From the sea we came..."

She heard stone drag against the island rocks, and she turned to watch Laena's coffin be pulled to the water.

"To the sea... we shall return."

• • •

Elaena's eyes scoured the crowd, nodding to those who met her eyes as she searched for the missing wine decanter. She had walked the perimeter of High Tide's swarming patio, and she sighed in relief as she finally caught a glimmer of the glass case.

Her relief wavered when she saw it sat on the wall of the patio next to a leaning Prince Daemon. He looked out to vast ocean around them, his expression almost serene.

She approached him, "Nyke jorrāelagon bona arlī, ñuha dārilaros."
(I need that back, my prince)

Daemon's attention snapped to her, and his eyes softened as a small smile etched on to his face. He grabbed the decanter, added to his goblet, and then handed it to her.

"Apologies, child." He said brightly, "And apologies for my behavior before. I hope I did not offend you."

Elaena sighed, nibbling on her bottom lip, "Skoros mazverdagon ao sōpagon?"
(What made you laugh?)

He smirked and eyed her carefully, "You don't look a thing like your father."

Her heart stuttered, and her cheeks flushed as she looked to the decanter in her hands in embarrassment. Daemon leaned towards her, gaining her attention again.

"Bona sagon iā sȳz run." He whispered, and her eyes widened. His smirk turned into a sweet smile, dimples popping out of his cheeks. Elaena looked back at the decanter, struggling to contain a smile.
(That is a good thing)

He leaned back, "Run along. I'm sure there are others in need of wine."

She nodded to him before walking away with a playful gleam. She'd never been told that before. Rhaenys spotted her beaming figure and moved to catch her.

"You've done amazing, my darling," Rhaenys whispered down to Elaena, and the girl beamed even more. Rhaenys walked beside her towards the refreshment table, "I cannot thank you enough."

Elaena watched as their guests walked about the patio. Whenever they passed someone, they would nod to the princess and smile at the girl. Her delivery of the eulogy truly afforded her respect. But there were few people she truly wanted to mingle with, and two of them sat solemnly against a patio wall.

"How are they?" Elaena asked softly, nodding to Baela and Rhaena. Rhaenys followed her gaze and stiffened.

She swallowed before looking back at Elaena, "They'll be fine. They have us, yes?"

"Yes." Elaena nodded, smiling hopefully at her godmother before sitting the decanter down. Rhaenys patted her shoulder tenderly before getting pulled into conversation with a noble lady. Elaena sighed before stepping back into the crowd.

She could see Queen Alicent looking off with a scowl, so she followed her line of sight to see Rhaenyra walking towards Jace. The princess began speaking quickly to her son, who stubbornly held his pout. Elaena's eyebrows furrowed, and she walked mindlessly forward until she collided with hard metal.

She stepped back, perplexed as the gold plates turned to reveal Ser Criston. Her eyes widened as his brown eyes met hers, and she bowed her head.

"Forgive me, ser." She said quickly, and he turned his body to her.

"Not at all, Lady Elaena," He said, his voice valiant. She looked up at him sheepishly, minding the Queen just a few steps away. Elaena fiddled with her hands as the knight held her gaze, "I'm very sorry for your loss."

She sighed, having heard the same line more times than she could count during the service. In truth, it was barely a loss for her, but she would've been daft to admit that.

"I thank you, Ser..." She trailed off, pretending not to know his name.

"Criston Cole," He answered, gesturing for her hand. She gave it to him, and he kissed her tiny knuckle, "Sworn Protector to the Queen."

Cole... Elaena thought. Not Martell...

She was confused, though she knew not all Dornish people were Martells. His features were indicative of Dornish blood, and she could not stop herself from stating the obvious.

"You are Dornish."

He did not stiffen, "Yes, my lady."

Elaena felt her lips curl unintentionally. She looked around, and when she was sure her father was not in the vicinity, she continued.

"As am I." She whispered hesitantly. Queen Alicent refrained from turning to the girl, but tilted her head slightly to listen to her sweet voice. Cole clenched his jaw to contain a smirk.

"Indeed, my lady," He said, "Just as your mother."

Elaena's eyes widened. Everyone knew her father took a Dornish woman as a second wife, but Cole was the first Dornish person Elaena had ever met. It meant something special to her that he acknowledged her mother. He seemed to notice that.

"I remember her." He nodded, his tone lowering as he leaned down to her. They were moving past public pleasantries, "Though I only saw her once across a ballroom."

"You did?" Elaena perked up, and he nodded.

"I did, my lady, she and your father had just been married." He explained, and her heart stammered, "She was escorted by him to Princess Rhaenyra and Ser Laenor's wedding."

Elaena had never been told this, "Did you speak with her?"

"No, my lady." He replied apologetically, and her lilac eyes dulled. He felt a pang of sympathy, "... If my memory serves correctly, she did not speak with anyone. She only sat and watched the event."

Elaena's eyebrows furrowed as she let his words sink in.

"I recall her as well." She shifted her gaze to see Alicent now turned to her and Ser Criston, her auburn curls blowing in the breeze. Elaena did not know whether to bow or listen closely to the Queen. Her shoulders straightened as her hands clasped tightly together.

"How did she look?" Her small voice was almost desperate towards the woman and the knight. Alicent looked at Cole apprehensively, and he straightened his stature, allowing her to proceed. Alicent blinked to the ground, a sad glaze covering her eyes.

"She looked..." She trailed off, trying to think of what to say to the curious girl without hurting her feelings. Alicent swallowed and blinked away the glaze, "She was beautiful."

Elaena heard a strain in the Queen's voice. Her expression fell. She knew that already.

"And if memory serves me, you are the very image of her." Alicent smiled softly, and Elaena instinctively smiled back, but there was a melancholic edge to her expression. She knew that already too.

"Thank you, y-your Grace." She said in acceptance, bowing her head before moving along the gathering. Cole looked after her softly.

Elaena wandered aimlessly, keeping close to the overhang where Rhaenys still stood. Her mind was restless with the new information she'd been given. She was desperate to know anything about her mother's temperament. Was she happy? Was she sad? Did she look at Vaemond in love or contempt?

Did she want Elaena? A shadow floated above the gathering, and she looked up to see Meleys flying beside the silver Seasmoke.

"Hand turns loom... Spool of green, spool of black..." A low voice said, and Elaena's eyebrows furrowed as her gaze dropped from the sky. Her feet followed the gentle, enchanting voice, "Dragons of flesh... weaving dragons of thread."

She searched behind a pillar to the overhang to see long silver waves pooling down a curved back. She froze.

Princess Helaena sat on her knees by the refreshment table, her attention focused on something in front of her. Elaena could not help her curious urge to approach the girl, peeking stealthily past her shoulder to see what demanded her attention. Her eyes widened at the little brown creature crawling toward Helaena.

"Lady Spin." She gasped, gaining the princess's attention as she stared widely at her long lost friend. And then she met the violet doe-eyes of Helaena, and her brazenness melted in abashment, "Forgive, princess, I-I..."

"... Is she your pet?" Helaena breathed, much lower than her previous enchanting words had been. Elaena's eyes widened at the girl.

"No." She said simply, but Helaena held her gaze. Elaena swallowed and shook her head, "No, she-she lives in a high corner of our sept."

"Oh."

"She's been missing from her web for days, I was worried she'd fallen or been stepped on or... I don't know." Elaena rambled, clasping her fiddling hands together. Helaena looked down to the arachnid, tilting her head.

Elaena gasped as the princess leant a hand to Lady Spin. The spider hesitantly crawled on to her fingers, and Elaena sank down next to Helaena in wonder.

"What if she's poisonous?" She mumbled to Helaena. The princess hummed.

"That would only matter if she bit me." She said, wrinkling her nose at Elaena, and the little lady nodded.

"Do you know much about insects?" Elaena asked curiously after a moment of silence, "I would love to know what kind of spider she is, I couldn't figure it out for the life of me from our atheneum scrolls."

Helaena pursed her lips, gazing at the spider dully, "I couldn't say... I've never seen this breed in King's Landing. Most of our spiders are small and black. She's quite large and scrawny."

"And are we even sure she is a she, your Grace?" Elaena asked, entranced with how calm Lady Spin was in Helaena's hand. The princess hummed again, her eyes brightening curiously.

"We would have to find the indicators for this particular type." She nodded decisively and Elaena sighed. Lord Spin didn't have the same ring to it. Helaena turned to Elaena, "Do you wish to hold her?"

Elaena stiffened, "I'm... I'm afraid."

Helaena shook her head softly, "Don't be." She moved her hand gently towards Elaena, and the girl shut her eyes before shakily raising a hand. She felt Helaena's fingers brush her own... And then tiny pricks were tapped into her skin. She opened her eyes to see Lady Spin crawling along the back of her hand.

She shuttered at the long fangs at the spider's head, but swallowed and simply watched the creature explore her golden skin. When Lady Spin reached the end of her hand, she instinctively rose her other one, and the spider transferred over easily.

Elaena's eyes caught Helaena's, and the princess smiled softly at her. Elaena giggled as she looked back to the creature in her hands.

"It's good to finally meet you, gevie." She whispered to the mindless spider. She smiled, her fears all but forgotten.

"Alas, another weirdo." Elaena heard from behind them. She froze, not turning around to the obnoxious tone she immediately recognized. Prince Aegon. "Still... You know what they say of Dornish girls."

"Shut up," A smaller voice replied, and Elaena blushed as she recognized it as well. Prince Aemond. "Mother, told us not to bring it up."

"It's nothing for her to be ashamed about," Aegon snorted lowly, "She will undoubtedly make one of these lords a very happy man one day. What I wouldn't give..."

Elaena grimaced, and she looked at Helaena in her peripheral. The princess watched Lady Spin, her eyes dulling again at the sound of her brothers.

How dare he speak that way with his betrothed in earshot. Elaena thought.

"You are betrothed, Aegon." Aemond said lowly, echoing Elaena's thought. His tone was annoyed, as though he was reminding his older brother. But Aegon sucked his teeth.

"Hand turns loom..." Elaena heard Helaena begin her whispers again. It was almost like the princess wasn't looking at Lady Spin at all... She was looking deeper, to some place Elaena could not see. "Spool of green, spool of black..."

"And we have nothing in common." Aegon said, his low voice raising a bit.

"She's our sister." Aemond said, his annoyed tone remaining.

"You marry her then."

"I would perform my duty," Aemond replied immediately, "If Mother had only betrothed us." Aegon scoffed.

"If only."

Aemond continued, though it sounded to Elaena as though he was speaking to himself more than his brother, "It would strengthen the family... Keep our Valyrian blood pure."

Her heart stuttered as she looked at Helaena's muttering form. Her silver hair blew softly behind her, and Elaena sighed. She couldn't explain it, but the young prince's words made her feel dejected. She could never uphold a Valyrian line.

"She's an idiot." Aegon exasperated about Helaena. Elaena gritted her teeth, squinting her eyes.

He is more a pest than the spider on my hand. She feared what would happen if anyone knew she thought of the prince that way, but she couldn't help it. Helaena didn't seem to mind his words as she grabbed a clam shell next to her.

"She's your future Queen." Aemond said in a deadpanned way, and Elaena felt her lips curl at how dutiful he seemed to be. So serious.

Helaena reached toward Lady Spin, and Elaena handed the spider off, "Dragons of flesh... weaving dragons of thread..." The princess mumbled, bringing Lady Spin to the open shell.

Elaena watched as the spider crawled into hollow clam before Helaena shut it closed. Elaena flinched, her eyes widening as the princess handed her the shell, smiling genuinely smiled to her.

"Now you can bring her back to her home." Helaena said softly, meekness pouring from her eyes. Elaena cheesed.

"Thank you, princess." Elaena said, and Helaena nodded before getting up and walking away. Elaena turned to see Aemond looking after his brother, who had gone to get wine from a Driftmark maid.

He looked utterly disgusted with Aegon, and he turned back to meet Elaena's gaze. Her heart skipped as his eyes widened and flitted to his shoes. He turned away, walking back into the gathering and approaching Prince Jacaerys. The dark-haired boy now lingered by Rhaenys as she held a weeping Baela and Rhaena.

Elaena stood in concern, but did not approach them. She didn't want to make the girls uncomfortable, so she clenched her teeth and watched Rhaenys wipe away their tears.

In due time, she would be there for them. They would be family, and soon perhaps friends.

Her attention returned to Jace and Aemond, both looking at one another in hesitation. She watched as the silver boy smiled awkwardly at Jace, as though testing the waters before fully engaging. But Jace's face remained blank and pouty, so Aemond's smile dwindled and he marched away.

Elaena's feet moved on their own. She didn't know why, but the look on Aemond's face had seemed so defeated. She could not bear it, not when she had felt so accepted in one day.

She brushed past the crowd, following his straight silver hair. When she finally caught up to him, he was standing against the patio wall, looking out at the sea.

Her heart stuttered, and she made a choice that shifted her fate.

"Prince Aemond."

———

Honestly, Idk how to feel about this chapter, and I decided to split it cuz I'd be damned if I have another 7k word count in one update 😩

Elaena is honestly so much better than me, because I would have punched somebody in the throat by now. Lannisters are such bitches but idk if Cristine will be worse than Cerelle tbh. She something fr, I can't wait.

Daemon real asf. Everytime I watched the Driftmark episode and saw him laugh, I thought of how he would be looking at Vaemond like "you comin at Rhaenyra's boys for not looking like Velaryons but your child literally—LMAO"

Bruh Crispy Crème reallyyy vibes with Elaena, I wonder how that will go. It was so cute and wholesome to write. It hurt talking about Ophelia though 😭

Also I was so excited to write Elaena's first interaction with Helaena. Helaena doesn't have enough people where she can just chill (and same for Elaena.) They can be dorks together. And then Aegon just had to be himself 😒

What do we think Elaena will say to Aemond 😗 Strap in, shit is finally about to start 😘