The night my father told me i would not be his new heir, i got on Cannibal and left. I rode all night trying to clear my head. And when i returned, i did not go to Rhaenyras coronation.

I haven't spoken to her or my father since that night. I was not angry with Rhaenyra but i knew if i saw her i might do something i regret.

It had been a week now since her coronation and all i've done is rode Cannibal and stay in my chambers. But i decided i was done with that.

I got myself ready and decided to finally leave my chambers. I said hi to the maids as i passed and made my way to the gardens. Years ago, i found a secret part of the gardens.

I haven't even told Rhaenyra about it. That place was mine. It was the only bit of peace and quiet i could get. I walked through the bushes and walked until i found the old oak tree.

There was birds, butterflies and mice running around the grass. The entire place was empty apart from them. I took a sigh of relief.

I sat down and leaned my head against the tree. Finally, i felt at ease with everything. I was finally alone. That was until i heard something, or should i say someone, rustling around behind the other side of the large tree.

I stood up quickly. "Who's there?" i called out in an annoyed tone. A man in a knights uniform came out with his head hung. "I'm so sorry, princess. I thought this spot was undiscovered" the man said still staring at the ground.

"It's fine... It was undiscovered from everyone apart from me... And now you i suppose" i said. I smiled slightly as the man did not dare lift up his head.

"You can look at me, you know" i said. He slowly lifted his head but still avoided my gaze. "What is your name, man who stole my spot?" i asked.

"Ser Criston, lady... Ser Criston Cole" he said. "Ser Criston... How have i never heard of you? You are a knight, no?" i questioned looking at his armour.

"Yes... I am a new member of the Kingsguard" he said. "Well, Ser Criston, i'm Rhaena. But i'm guessing you knew that" i said. "Yes, my lady. I mean princess... Sorry."

"No your fine. My lady is fine. I prefer that actually" i said. I tried to hide my smile but it did not work. He seemed unfamiliar with the kingdom. Like he wasn't from here. Maybe he did not know i was a bastard.

"I'll leave you to your book then" he said eyeing my hand. "Your welcome to stay if you'd like. I'm quite bored on my own. This book isn't very interesting" i said. He shuffled uncomfortably.

"No one knows these parts of the garden. I swear. If that's what you're worried about" i said. He sighed. I thought he would leave, not wanting to get in trouble for being alone with the kings daughter on his first day of the job.

"When did you find this place?" he asked. I smiled as i realised he decided to stay. "Many, many moons ago. My sister and i were playing a game and i hid here. She never found me. I hid year for two days in fact. My father sent out guards all over them realm thinking i had died. I won the game if that wasn't clear."

Ser Criston laughed. "And you never told them where you were?" he asked. "No. This is my land now... And it may be the only land i will rule" i mumbled. Coles smile faded as he understood what i meant.

"I learned about your sisters new claim as heir. First queen of the seven kingdoms i heard" he said. "Yes... Yes she is" i mumbled. Ser Criston saw me growing more uncomfortable so he tried to change the subject. "And i also heard about-"

"When we're you selected to be apart of the Kingsgaurd?" i asked cutting him off. "Well... Only a few hours ago. If you would like to know, your sister seemed to be upset. She looked as if she has been crying. Maybe you should-"

"And do you know why i was not asked to select you?" i questioned taking a step towards him. "No... I do not... Would you have chosen someone different?" he asked.

He smirked slightly. "I believe i wouldn't... But then again, i did not have a chance to see the other candidates. Maybe if some of them had even better hair than you... That is the man i would have picked" i said jokingly.

He let out a small laugh causing my to smile to grow. Then i realised i had been smiling this whole time. I put on a straight face quickly.

"I best be going back. I believe i need to speak with my sister" i said. He nodded and gave me a bow. "Of course, princess. I shall see you soon" he said.

"I'd like that, Ser Criston" i said. He smiled at me as i walked off. "Oh and Ser Criston" i called out right before i left. He turned around quickly. "Please do not tell anyone about this place... Even Rhaenyra. Even the king" i said.

"I wouldn't dream of it, my lady. You have my word."

I gave him a small nod as i pushed through the branches of the bushes. When i arrived back into the castle, i looked for Rhaenyra. I knocked on her chamber door and prayed that Alicent would not be the one to open the door.

Luckily for me, the gods had blessed me with some luck. It was just Rhaenyra... Finally. "Rhaena... Hello" she said with a hint of shock. "Rhaenyra... May i come in" i said.

She moved away from the door as i walked passed her. "What do you need?" she asked. "I've come to check in with you... I fear we have not spoken in some time."

She nodded as there was a long pause of silence. "Rhaena. Please do not be angry with me. I did not... I did not ask for this to happen. I did not even think father would name me as... As... As his heir" she said as she grabbed my hands.

I shook my head and put on a weak smile. "I'm not angry with you, Rhaenyra. That's why i've come here... To tell you i am happy for you" i said through gritted teeth. I was afraid Rhaenyra would see right through my my facade.

But she did not. She smiled as she embraced me tightly. "Thank you, sister" she mumbled into my shoulder. I did not like to be embraced. My whole body froze up. But in this moment, i squeezed her tightly.

She needed comfort... And i believe i did too. "You won't guess what's happened" she said sitting me down on her bed. "What?" i questioned.

"Father is going to Driftmark tomorrow to 'visit' Laena Velaryon" she said. "What!? Isn't the girl all but what... Twelve!" i exclaimed. "Exactly! But i have a plan."

I raised my eyebrows. "Go on" i said. "We should go too. To 'oversea' their courtship" she said. "I believe we should too. I mean, Aemma has only passed less than a month ago. Father isn't ready to have a new wife. Let alone a little girl" i said.

"Exactly my thoughts... It's the council i bet. They all want to replace me as heir. It's not hard to see" she said. I stood up and grabbed her hands. "I won't let that happen. I swear this to you."

She nodded as she gave me a small smile. "To Driftmark we go then" she said. "Yes... To Driftmark we go."

The following day, the three of us took a ship to Driftmark. I somehow managed to avoid my father during the whole trip. I was still not ready to speak with him.

When we arrived, Rhaenyra and i made our way to the balcony overlooking all of Driftmark. We both watched as my father walked along side the gardens with the small girl.

I rolled my eyes at his forced jollity. I could tell he did not want to wed her but he had to at least pretend he did. "It bothers you does it not" i heard a voice say from behind me.

We both turned around to see the proud looking Rhaenys Velaryon, Laenas mother, sitting on a bench. "My father is a king... It is his duty to take a new wife to strengthen his line" Rhaenyra said as she tried to pull me away.

"I did not ask for a lesson in politics, i asked whether this bothers you" she said. "Laena is your daughter, princess. Your twelve year old daughter, does it bother you?" i questioned.

She gave me a stern look. "Of course it does. But i understand the order of things... I'm not sure you do, princess Rhaena" she spat. I gave her a small smirk.

"If you mean to elicit some anger from me, you should know you will fail, princess" i said matching her cockiness.

"Quite the opposite. Wether it's to my daughter or not, your father will remarry... Sooner rather than later. His wife will produce new heirs and chances are better than not, one of those will be male. And when that boy comes of age and your father has passed, the men of the realm will expect him to be king. Not you, princess. Because that is the order of things" she said looking at Rhaenyra.

"When i am queen i will create a new order" Rhaenyra said. Rhaenys chuckled. "How i wish that could be, Rhaenyra. But the men of the realm already had their chance to appoint a new queen. One who did not have a bastard. One who already had a son as her future heir and they denied it."

I stood in front of Rhaenyra trying to protect her from Rhaenyses words. "They denied you, Rhaenys. The queen who never was. That is your title, is it not?" i asked cockily. Rhaenyses face turned to anger.

"And what do you think they'll call you?" she asked me.

I sighed angrily. "When my father's day comes where he joins the gods, the men who have a problem with my sisters claim to the throne can come to me. They can come to me and my dragon. Well see who comes out alive" i said.

Rhaenys laughed as she stood up. "Here is the hard truth which no one seems to have the balls or the heart to tell you both. Men would rather put the realm to the torch than see a woman sit the iron throne. And your father is no fool."

"That may be true, princess" i said taking a step towards her. "But i would sooner burn the realm to ash than see my fathers second wife's son take the iron throne from my family. And the rest of the kingdom shall soon find that out" i said through gritted teeth.

Rhaenyses face twitched as i spoke. "Come on, Rhaenyra. We're going back to the ship" i said dragging her away. Rhaenys stared us both down as we left.

As my sister and i walked arm in arm through Driftmarks halls, i heard someone cough loudly. I turned around to see Corlys Velaryon standing behind us. "Princess may i speak with you" he said. I looked at Rhaenyra as i let her arm go. "Of course Lord Corlys, may we-"

"Not you, princess. I meant your sister... Rhaena could i speak with you please?" he asked. I was surprised that he wanted to speak with me but i nodded. "I won't be long. Wait for me on the ship" i said as Rhaenyra nodded.

Corlys led me into his miniature throne room and pulled out a seat for me. "May i ask what this is about, Lord Corlys?" i questioned. The man paused before he spoke. "House Velaryons origins reach all the way to old Valyria" he said pouring out some wine.

I was not of age to drink yet but i took a sip anyway. It's not as if i haven't had any before. "Our house is even more ancient than house Targaryen... According to some texts" he said. I smirked slightly as i raised my eyebrows at his boldness.

"But unlike the Targaryens, we were not dragon lords. For centuries, my house had to scratch out an existence from the sea with grit and luck. When i ascended the Driftmark throne, i knew what i wanted. So i went out an ceased it. Unlike past lords of the tides, i can say i built my house seat with the strength of my own back."

I put my wine down as i was worried about what he was going to say. The man looked away from the burning fire and towards me. "I've always thought of you and i as having been made from same cloth" he said.

"I wasn't aware you were the kings bastard" i said sarcastically. "We're both people who have had to cut our own way through the world. Both people who have been overlooked more than once. We've been passed over too often."

I was not stupid. Corlys wanted something. He craved something and he needed my help to get it. But i did not know what yet.

"Did you bring me in here to remind me of my low standing or is there some other reason?" i asked. He paused. "You've heard of the trouble in the Step Stones" he said.

I smirked. That's what he was after. "I've heard some mediocre prince is killing our men with crabs... Or something like that" i said. "I've been petitioning the king to send my navy into the territory. But he has denied me."

"War was never my fathers strongest trait" i said. "But i believe it is yours" he said. I stood up as i sighed. I walked towards the fire and took another sip of my wine.

"I see it burning inside of you, trying it's best to escape. You want war. You crave war... The Crabfeeder is backed by powerful entities. All these entities wish to see Westeros weakened. And the kings failures have allowed him to build strength. If the Crabfeeder wins this war, my house will be crippled. I will not have Driftmark beggared whilst the king idles himself with feasts and balls and tourneys" Corlys spoke through gritted teeth.

"Hey!" i shouted causing Corlys to snap out of his angry daze. "Remember Corlys, this is my father you are speaking about. I will speak of my father as i wish... You will not" i said.

The man sighed. "Fighting in the Step Stones is a chance for you to prove your worth to anyone who might yet doubt it... To prove to your father he made a mistake whilst naming his heir."

I turned to the man with an angry look. "Are you doubting my sisters claim?" i asked. "Not at all, princess... But i believe you should have been named heir. If Rhaenys was not to become queen, the title should have gone to you" he said standing up.

I rolled my shoulders back as he spoke. "You are the kings first born child. Yes, you may have been born a bastard, but that is his fault, not yours. You are smart and you are not weak unlike... Some."

I bit my tongue as he spoke. I knew he was speaking of my father... And maybe even Rhaenyra. "You and i share the same wounds. Our worth is not given to us like others... We have to take it... You need to take it" he said.

Suddenly, the door to the room flew open as my father walked inside. He had a confused but angry look on his face. "Come on, Rhaena. It's time for us to take our leave" Viserys said.

My eyes drifted from my father and back to Corlys. "I will see you soon, Lord Corlys" i said putting down the cup of wine. "I'm hoping you will, princess... And think about it. Please" he whispered.

I looked the man up and down before i walked past my father. Viserys gave Corlys and angry glare. "Thank you for allowing us to visit, Lord Corlys... I will see you at the next council meeting" my father said.

"Where you will tell us who you are to marry, i hope" Corlys said. Viserys nodded. "Yes... Yes i am" he said staring at the ground as he left for the ship.

When i walked back to the ship and we began heading home, i sat beside Rhaenyra. "So what did he want?" Rhaenyra asked.

I opened my mouth to speak but i paused. "Nothing... He was just telling me how happy he is that you are named heir" i said with a fake smile.

"Really? Why didn't he just tell me himself?" she questioned. "I haven't a clue... But that's all he said."

Rhaenyra nodded as she held my hand. I looked at my weak father who sat at the other end of the ship. He was being fanned by maids because he gets very bad sea sickness.

I thought about what Corlys had said. About my father being weak, about Rhaenyras claim to the throne and how he thinks i deserve it.

He was right. I was my fathers first born child. I had the head to rule the kingdom. I could do it. I looked at Rhaenyra and gave her a smile.

And i would.