"I do not understand the obsession men have with these games," A 15-year-old Leyla Florent sits at the front of the Royal Box in a large arena-like area. The Queen was expecting, and Viserys, ever so sure it was a boy, had held a week-long celebration for the birth of his heir.

This meant that Leyla had to sit through several hours of men trying to prove their 'horse' was bigger than everyone else's. She found it all rather dull really, preferring to sit in the library with a cross stitch. Speaking of, she was nearly done with a blanket for Queen Aemma and her new babe - she'd bought a deep red fabric at the market, and had begun to trace out the Targaryan crest with gold thread.

"Men have their hobbies, we have ours," Alicent reasoned to her left, although Leyla knew she also was not a fan of the violence that often occurred at these events. Alicent, as the hand's daughter, was expected to attend such things, but Leyla had more freedom, her loyalties lay with her cousin however, and she supported her through the events of the court.

"Men," Leyla emphasises "Are depraved," Alicent laughs and looks around the box

"Rhaenyra is late,"

"Are you shocked?" Alicent does not answer, instead looking forward when the drums sound to signal the events begin.

The King stands "Be welcome! I know many of you have travelled long leagues for these games, but I promise that you will not be disappointed. When I look out at the fine knights in these lists, I see a group without equal in our histories. The day of the Heir's Tournament has come. And this great day is made even more auspicious by the news that I'm happy to share: Queen Aemma has begun her labours!" the crowd erupts in cheers, just as Rhaenyra suddenly appears, falling into her seat to the left of Alicent, she claps loudly, out of breath, but smiling.

"May the luck of the Seven shine upon all combatants!"

The tournament begins, and within minutes, a Tarly knight is unhorsed and Leyla winces, hopefully, it wasn't one of her relatives, and just a squire - a harsh thought, she knew. She hears Alicent and Rhaenyra discuss the winning Knight, but her attention is drawn to the Sea Snake's son sitting to her right.

"Bored yet?" he asks her and she smirks

"Am I so easy to read?"

"Yes," his sister chimes in. Both Laenor and Laena were rather polite, beautiful children, who usually stuck with their family at court. Leyla had learnt how to coax out their mother's fire at her thirteenth name day, involving them in a scheme to let her sneak out unnoticed. Ever since then, they had become close friends, seeking each other out at events like these.

"Lord Stokeworth's daughter is promised to that young Tarly squire," Rhaenyra speaks up, and Leyla tunes back in, shifting in her seat to hear better

"Lord Massey's son?"

"They're to be married as soon as he wins his knighthood,"

"He'd best get on with it. I heard that Lady Elinor is hiding a swollen belly beneath her dress," Alicent reveals slyly, both girls beside her giggle, they all love a scandal.

Lord Boremund Baratheon slowly makes his way to the royal box, his armour shining in the sun - a black and gold stag staring at Leyla on his shield.

"Princess Rhaenys Targaryen!" Rhaenys rises from her seat "I would humbly ask for the favour of 'The Queen Who Never Was.'" Leyla could never tell if people used the title as a compliment or an insult. On one hand, it was acknowledging her stronger claim of succession, on the other, years later, it must sting to hear. Nevertheless, Rhaenys stands and places her favour on the end of Lord Boremund's lance.

"Good fortune to you, cousin,"

"I would gladly take it -- if I thought I needed it," he rides off and Rhaenys returns to her seat.

As the day continues, Lord Baratheon is struck down by the unknown Knight, along with many others. A few others ask for favours, but the trio sat at the front of the box are left alone.

Leyla assumed that her favour would go to a family member, Lord Tarly perhaps, her maternal uncle did enjoy jousting events, although, after his Squire's failure, not many archers had been seen on shields.

Instead, a young knight approaches, the House Tyrell crest on his shield. He raises his visor and Alerie catches sight of a handsome man with bright blonde hair and skies in his eyes.

"Lord Leopold Tyrell!" He is announced and Leyla sits up in her seat eagerly, he had been named Lord at only one and six after his father's sudden passing. He was an older lord with a younger wife, as most things went in Westeros, it seemed his son took his new responsibilities all in his stride.

"Lady Leyla of House Florent!" Leopold booms loudly "I humbly request your favour," Leyla finds herself grinning, and stands with her friends, walking towards the front of the box

"And are you confident that this shall aid you in the tournament?" she smirks, catching Alicent looking at her scandalously.

"Very much so," he nods "Knowing a lady as beautiful as yourself is in my corner, is what many a knight dreams of," he was charming, she would give him that

"Perhaps," she nods, turning back to her seat and picking up her wreath, orange ribbon twirling around the twigs and securing blue flowers around it. Leyla thought it matched Leopold's eyes.

She throws it over his lance and he grins

"I give thanks to you my lady," Leyla sits back down, and looks to her left, seeing Rhaenyra pretend to fan herself mockingly

"Oh be quiet," she murmurs

"Is that not the Lord your father is pushing a marriage arrangement on?" Alicent asks innocently

"Maybe," Leyla blushes "He is supposed to discuss it with me when he visits,"

"Lord Tyrell holds power in the reach, it is a good match," Rhaenyra nods "Also he's rather easy on the eyes, is he not?"

"Rhaenyra!" both brunettes exclaim, the dragon merely shrugs.

"Someone as beautiful as our dear friend here deserves a man to match," she winks at Leyla who turns away, bashful under the princess's gaze, both she and Alicent miss the small pout Rhaenyra pulls, and the small glare she sends the young lords way.

Leopold knocks his opponent down, and Leyla claps politely, sending him a smile before he leaves the arena, and the Master of Revels announces the next participant.

"Ser Daemon of House Targaryen, the Prince of the City, will now choose his first opponent," Cheers rise from the smallfolk as he appears, circling the grounds in black-scaled armour, his helmet shaped like a dragon's head. Slowly, he rides next to his possible opponents, eventually lowering his lance to point at the Hightower Knight. Leyla recognises his form and frowns.

"For his first challenge, Prince Daemon Targaryen chooses Ser Gwayne Hightower of Oldtown, the eldest son of the Hand of the King!" Alicent furrows her brows and starts to bite her nails, Rhaenyra reaches over to grab one hand, Leyla the other, and they try and smile reassuringly. Leyla looks behind her and catches the king smirk at Otto as he shakes his head.

Daemon takes his position in the lane and lowers his lance. Ser Gwayne rides into his lane, regal in his silver armour. Daemon begins his charge and Gwayne manages to get one hit in, knocking Daemon back, but he remains on his horse. The second charge does not go as well for the Hightower, Daemon driving his lance into the ground, tripping Gwayne's horse, and causing him to tumble to the ground. The crowd gasps, then cheers. Alicent's hand slaps to her mouth, and Leyla rubs her leg, watching intently to see if Gwayne was okay, he is picked up, his helmet off and face bloody, but he was breathing.

The prince approaches the Royal box and removes his helmet, Rhaenyra stands, and Leyla watches Alicent hang back a bit before eventually standing as well. Leyla stays seated.

"Nicely done, uncle,"

"Thank you, princess," he then lowers his lance toward Alicent "I'm fairly certain I can win these games, Lady Alicent. Having your favour would all but assure it," Leyla's eyes widen and she can't help but look back at Otto, raising an eyebrow at the audacity of the man. She's even more shocked when Alicent actually grants him her favour.

"Good luck. My prince,"

That was Leyla's cue to retire to her chambers for the afternoon, her patience having worn thin. Whilst her friends are distracted by the prince, she sneaks out the side, giving one polite courtesy to Rhaenys as she passes.

The palace staff were in a flurry of panic, either running towards The Queen's chambers or the tournament. Leyla hoped Aemma's labours were going well, she was always kind to her daughter's companions, ensuring they were comfortable and well looked after. Leyla thought that she could perhaps be her lady-in-waiting one day should Rhaenyra choose another over her. Leyla's gift for The Queen was still not completed, and so she headed to her chambers, perhaps she could use the chaos to find a quiet place in the gardens to continue it.

Her distracted mind leads her to walk straight into a set of armour, she steps back and blinks up at the man.

"Lady Leyla, my apologies, I should be more conscious of where I walk,"

"Ser Harwin!" Leyla exclaims, Lord Lyonal's oldest son was tall and well-built, brown hair curling at his shoulders. Leyla had seen him around The Red Keep before, he was a handsome man, and often at public occasions, her eyes followed him.

It was a girlish crush, something for her to obsess over during the boring days at court.

"Please, it was my fault," she smiles kindly "I was lost in my own mind,"

"Is something bothering you?" he was far too kind for his own good, Leyla thought, although it was not one that lasted long as she noticed his face was slightly dirty, sweat dripping down his brow. It all just made all the more attractive "My lady?"

"Oh!" she's brought back to reality "I am just anxious for the Queen and her new babe," she admits "Should you not be out in the fields?"

"I prefer to leave before the contestants get too...sour," he smiles "just as I expect you have,"

"Grown sour? Or left?" she teases and she can see him struggle to correct himself

"I mean - That you have left to avoid their attitudes,"

"Yes, I was just heading to my chambers before retreating to the gardens,"

"Let me escort you then," he offers "The festivities have limited the number of guards stationed,"

"I'd appreciate it, thank you," she walks beside him, hiding a giddy grin.

She never made it to the Gardens, instead, one of Rhaenyra's servants came running to her, informing her of The Queen's passing, and that Rhaenyra had called upon her.

How cruel the gods were.

——————————

The crowd was loud, their cheers splitting through Alerie's eardrums, the sheer amount of people on the summer day led to her face becoming flushed as she adjusted her skirts. It was Prince Aegon's fourteenth name day, and The King had called for a jousting event. The Queen did not look overly thrilled at the idea, but followed her husband's wishes nonetheless, sitting next to him in a forest green gown, her hair pulled up into an intricate bun.

The prince himself was set a few seats along from Alerie, between his brother and sister. Helaenna had expressed her distaste for the event the day before, but her mother had promised to let her quietly leave once the celebrations had grown tiresome. Alerie herself would have joined her, however, the other children seemed excited that she was joining them at the front of the stand, even Aegon himself had asked if she was joining in on the festivities.

"Oh! Ser Harwin is next!" Jacaerys, Jace, as he'd urged she called him, exclaims to her right. The Knight was well-loved among the princess and the family, Alerie had met him a few days after her arrival at The Red Keep and many times after that, he was always polite, even expressing interest in her flower pressing. Often he would accompany her to the gardens and help her pick the flowers. Ser Criston did the same but was far less enthusiastic, only doing so when instructed by The Queen.

Alerie watches as the Captain of the City Watch easily beats his opponent, then retreats to his tent. Ser Gwayne Hightower is announced next. And he first makes his way to the royal box, perhaps to ask for Helaena's favour, Alicent having given hers to Crtiston earlier in the event, elegantly floating down the steps to place a green wreath over his lance.

The box applauds Gwayne as he appears, and he raises his visor to speak.

"I have come to ask for Lady Alerie's favour,"

Alerie stops mid-clap, looking around as if they could possibly be another lady with her name in the King's box. Excitedly, she jumps up and picks up her wreath, yellow roses decorating it -the thornes of course removed.

"It would be an honour Ser Gwayne," She throws the wreath over the lance and the crowd erupts in cheers. As she goes back to sit between Jace and Aemond, she catches the Queen's bright smile, a genuine one which Alerie rarely saw. Ser Gwayne and his sister appeared to be close, it was something Alerie envied, she had no siblings, but on the fifth night of each spring, she sat with her mother as she grieved a son Alerie had never been able to meet.

There were a few more opponents, but Alerie truly did not have an interest in it, all the boys around her did however, Aegon even stood from his chair and cheered at one point, at least he was enjoying his name day. Helaenna ended up shyly giving her favour to a Tyrell knight, he was on the younger side, and Alerie vaguely remembered him helping Maris with her luggage before they left for King's Landing.

The Princess' Lord husband was also competing, and of course, he asked for his wife's favour - she indulged him, presenting him with her wreath as her sons circled her at the front of the stand, excitedly wishing their father luck.

As the evening fell, the tournament ended with Ser Criston winning, and Aegon sneaking away to drink in the city taverns. Alerie ended up dining with Jace and Luke that evening, their mother having retired to bed early due to her developing pregnancy.

"Did you enjoy the day's events Alerie?" Jace asks and the girl shrugs

"It was certainly...Entertaining," Truthfully, she did not care much for the events, she felt rather nervous at the front of the royal box, dressed in a golden gown. She did like sitting next to Jace though, he whispered knights' names to her, and explained the roles they played and if he knew them. Luke had even snuck her some bread when she complained of her growing hunger.

Aemond and Aegon were...nice, but Aegon preferred ignoring her, and Aemond spoke of things she knew nothing about such as his training and tutoring. At least she had Heleanna who although shy at first, had gained a sudden confidence when she realised that Alerie genuinely cared to hear her talk. They often walked the gardens together, examining the flora and discussing their adaptations.

"Tomorrow we shall do whatever you like!" Jace declares and Alerie looks up from her meal at the sudden announcement, she laughs

"You and Luke have training,"

"So?" he seems genuinely confused as to how this would affect the day's plans "We can skip it,"

"I wouldn't want you to get in trouble -"

"We won't," he assures "You didn't enjoy today, so you'll enjoy tomorrow,"

Alerie pauses, biting her lip before smirking "You'll even help me press my flowers?"

"If I have to," he teases.