[ act i - lies kept ]

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐄𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓

episode eight || the lord of the tides

— DELIA SMOOTHED THE FRONT of her gown as she intently watched herself in the mirror before her, taking in her loose curls with two braids in the midst of them. The red head much hated having to wear green, thinking the color didn't suit her very well.

Her gown was mostly black, green and gold accents decorated throughout the dress, her shoulders holding gold cords. Threaded green touches could be seen towards the end of the dress, it was beautiful and it was the only way Delia enjoyed the color green.

The princess chewed the inside of her cheek, nerves racking through her at the mere thought of the trial. Lucerys' legitimacy was being put to question and her heart did ache for him, being put on the spotlight in such a way never ended well.

Delia had always been grateful she herself had never rose suspicion. No one ever doubted she was Alicent and Viserys' daughter, the Queen having had a hand in it as she stated time after time that young Delia had been born with her features, finally giving her a child that resembled herself.

Viserys— of course— bought the lie, never once doubting his wife's fidelity. Delia didn't know if she held any resemblance to her father, most due to the fact that she had no clue who he was and if she was being honest with herself— she didn't even want to bother finding out his true identity.

She had her mother and Viserys', despite him not being a very present and involved father.

Alicent always stated how she'd forever resent herself for committing the one thing she criticized most, but she never regretted having Delia. The Queen loved the girl in her own way despite not being the best at showcasing it. Always having had to pay more attention to her siblings for a multitude of reasons.

Delia always understood, knowing how her mother had to raise five children on her own. Yet, it would forever annoy her to no end how Alicent would always cover for Aegon's barbaric actions. Forever attempting to keep his reputation clean, that was something Delia would never agree with her mother on.

The princess' lower lip began to tremble as memories flooded her mind, none being rather pleasant. Delia clenched her shaking hands, pushing down her emotions before sharply inhaling.

A knock on the girls room broke her trance.

Delia glanced back, "Come." The girl straightened up, raising her brows slightly while setting her lips into a calm smile— her hands folding together before her.

Helaena stepped into her younger sisters chambers, her eyes falling on the red head who had turned towards her. Delia raised a brow in surprise, not accustomed to having her sister visit her, "Laena, is something wrong?"

The silver haired girl shook her head, "I only wanted to see if you were okay." Delia tilted her head slightly, confusion washing over her features as she did so, "Why wouldn't I be?"

Helaena thought for a moment, "You've been distressed lately." The younger girl parted her lips, taking in her sisters words before tightening her grip on her clasped hands, "Thank you, Laena, for checking on me. But I'm alright."

Helaena watched Delia for another moment, before turning to reach for the door.

Delia watched her sibling turn the handle to which she turned back towards her mirror when she heard Helaena softly hum under her breath, "Arrows will fly and hearts will cry."

The princess' movements faltered, her head perking up slightly as the sentence continued to chant in her mind. Delia turned back to question her sister on what she'd meant, but the girl was long gone.

A heavy breath escaped her tainted lips, her head shaking as she decided to rid herself of the thought. Delia shuffled on her feet, reaching her hand out to open the door to her chambers before stepping out. The princess knew her grandsire would stop at nothing to get house Velaryon on his side, to which he would back up the Lord in court to do so.

The red head only hoped all went well for young Lucerys.

Delia had begun to descend down the stairs when a fluffed hair caught her attention. The princess slowed a bit, tilting her head to see Luke perched upon the steps with his chin in his palm— looking deep in thought.

The girl stepped beside him, crouching down to take a seat next to the young boy who jolted slightly at her sudden presence.

"Del, you frightened me." Prince Lucerys spoke softly as he met her bright blue eyes. Delia tilted her head at him, quirking up a brow, "What are you doing here?"

Luke lowered his head slightly, his expression faltering as he allowed his worry to show, "I don't want to go into that throne room."

Delia held an understanding glint in her eyes, "I can't imagine how this feels on you, Luke." The Velaryon prince shook his head ever so slightly, "I don't think I was made for this."

The princess placed a comforting hand upon the young boys forearm, her expression certain as she spoke, "You were, Luke. The throne to Driftmark is yours and I know you'll do great things with it. You underestimate yourself entirely too much."

"Do I?" Luke softly spoke, "I don't know how to lead." The corners of Delia's lips tugged upwards in a warm smile, "That is why you'll have you mother and brother with you every step of the way. People do not become good leader overnight, you slowly learn over time. Making mistakes is apart of the journey as well, you're not expected to be perfect."

Lucerys' knitted his brows together slightly, "Don't I?" The princess hummed in amusement, "No, Luke. Everyone at some point will make a wrong choice, we're all human. It's in our nature and anyone who attempts to tell you otherwise is simply wrong and full of shit."

At that the prince let out a quiet laugh, amusement spreading across his features whilst his tense figure relaxed a bit. Delia smiled, relieved she was able to ease his worries even the slightest bit.

Luke raised his eyes to meet the princess' piercing blue ones, "Thank you, Del. You've always had a way with words."

The red head shook her head before removing her hand from his arm to fold her own together, "I'm not sure about that."

"Well, I am."

A genuine smile caressed the girls lips, the young Velaryon prince had always been a dear friend to princess. Nothing, not time nor their families feud had changed that, "I'd missed your company, Luke."

"And I yours."

Footsteps could be heard nearing the two royals and the duo turned their heads to see Jacaerys looking up at them from the bottom step. Jace glanced between his brother and Lia, "Are you two alright?"

Delia smiled at the prince, "Yes, Jace." Luke noticed how the red heads eyes glimmered slightly, hiding a knowing grin before standing back up to his full height. Delia was quick to follow after him before smoothing the front of her gown out.

Jacaerys blinked, taking in the princess' beauty and how the dress she wore suited her perfectly. Her loose curls framing her face as her hands folded together before her.

The eldest prince blinked a few times, placing his attention on his younger sibling, "We're needed in the throne room, the trial is to begin shortly."

Luke nodded just as Delia gave him a reassuring look in hopes to ease him for what was to come.

"Princess."

The girl looked back down to see Ser Criston looking up at her with his eyes narrowed ever so slightly at Luke who still stood by her side.

Delia straightened up completely whilst raising her head, "Ser Criston."

"Your mother has been searching for you."

Delia suppressed the urge to sigh heavily before beginning to step down the stairs, "She didn't search very well then." The princess looked to her side to see Jace intently watching her as if entrance and she smiled at him before beginning to walk away with the knight by her side.

Delia noticed the disgusted expression on Ser Criston's expression and was quick to point it out, "I suggest you fix the attitude you currently hold for our guests ser, unless you wish for me to force you to fix it."

Ser Criston swallowed thickly, "My apologies, princess."

"Good, I don't like having to repeat myself."

—