[ act i - lies kept ]

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍

episode eight || the lord of the tides

— DELIA FUMBLED WITH HER hands as she'd begun to make her way through the Red Keep, her lips tightly pursed as the sound of her shoes clicking against the concrete ground echoed loudly in her ears. A dinner with both families— her own and Rhaenyra's— was more of a battle laid out, nerves peaked whilst awaiting one to strike first.

The princess tipped her head upwards slightly to catch sight of long blonde hair suddenly appearing before her, and she immediately knew who it was.

Aemond grinned at his younger half sister, "You look troubled, jorrāelagon mandia." (dear sister) his words implied concern, making it seem as though the male was merely caring for his sibling, but his tone was far from such. A smug glint shimmered in his single eye with his tainted lips tipped upwards in a grin.

Delia picked up her pace as her brother walked alongside her, his taunting smirk only working to rile her up.

A muscle clenched in Lia's jaw, suddenly missing the peaceful silence she'd endured only moments before, "Iksis konīr mirros aōha isse jorrāelagon hen, Aemond?" (Is there something you're in need of)

Aemond's brow twitched slightly, the corners of his thin lips tipping upwards, "Kostagon nyke daor sepār geron lēda ñuha mandia?" (Can I not just walk with my sister) Delia narrowed her eyes slightly, "Considering you'd like nothing more than to slash your sword at me, lēkia?" (brother)

The Targaryen prince's eye glimmered with amusement, "Perhaps I'll join your training tomorrow after all."

"You should. I'd love to sweep you off your feet again." Delia smiled sweetly, relishing in the way her brother's expression morphed into that of annoyance before the two stepped into the dining hall. The lighting dim due to the few lit torches adorning each corner of the room.

Delia took note of Rhaenyra's family on one side of the table whilst her own were stationed at the other end. Aegon yawned before downing a goblet of wine, his expression giving away that it was not his first nor would it be his last.

Helaena fumbled with her hands in her seat, keeping to herself as she usually did. Jacaerys and Lucerys stood with Baela and Rhaena on their end of the dining table, soft chatter coming from the group.

Jacaerys turned upon feeling the two presences that had entered and allowed his eyes to take in Delia's appearance, his gaze softening almost on instinct.

His features faltered slightly upon seeing the red head stride over to her seat that was between her grandsire, Otto, and her mother, the Queen Alicent. The Velaryon prince pressed his lips firmly together, noticing how she was avoiding his eyes.

Luke pulled away from the conversation as he noticed his older brothers full attention elsewhere. Rhaenyra's second born turned to see Delia shuffling in her seat beside her mother and realization settled into his expression, immediately he thought of Jace's betrothal to Baela and knew it must've caused a drift between the two.

Lucery's watched as Delia met his own eyes and the young prince gave her a smile, surprise flushing through him upon seeing the princess return the gesture before turning towards the main doors that opened, revealing the King Viserys' being carried in on his chair by two knights.

Everyone stood from their seats, watching the decaying King be placed between his wife and eldest daughter. Delia cleared her throat quietly before settling back down onto her chair just as the rest were quick to follow.

The red headed girl clasped her hands together tightly before resting them upon her lap, feeling Jace's gaze burn into her. She tipped her head up slightly, taking notice from the corner of her eyes how he was sat between Baela and Aegon while Luke was next to Rhaena.

Visery's ragged breath grew louder as the room's chatter subdued, his soft pained groans noticeable to everyone in the room, "How good it is to see you all tonight... together."

Alicent gazed at her husband intently before speaking up, "Prayer before we begin?" Viserys nodded in agreement just as Delia rolled her eyes in annoyance.

She leaned back in her chair, watching her mother fold her hands together, "May the Mother smile down on this gathering with love. May the Smith mend the bonds that have been broken for far too long. And to Vaemond Velaryon, may the gods give him rest."

Delia fought an amused smile from the look on her grandsire's face from her mothers last words. The red head twirled the cuffs of her gown while her father panted out, "This is an occasion for celebration, it seems. My grandsons, Jace and Luke, will be marrying to further strengthen bonds between our houses. A toast to the young princes and their betrothed."

Alicent spared Rhaenyra a look before letting out a heavy breath as she realized the announcement was going to have to be made sooner than planned.

Delia pulled her brows together in utter confusion, the news of Lucerys' being betrothed the first she'd heard of it. The princess glanced over at the Velaryon boy to see him mirroring her own shocked expression, watching him give his mother a questioning look.

Jace knitted his brow together as Baela leaned in to whisper to him, "Luke is betrothed?" The brunette shook his head before softly replying, "I don't know, I wasn't aware of this."

Delia looked to her side, her mothers eyes peering into her own with an unreadable expression as everyone raised their goblets as Daemon called out in a rather cheery tone, "Here, here."

Delia raised her cup to her tainted lips, taking a large sip of her wine before setting it down as she heard Aegon usher quietly to Jacaerys, "Well done, Jace. You'll finally get to lie with a woman."

The princes jaw clenched tightly as he placed his goblet back onto the table, his eyes going to meet Delia's as they locked for a mere second before the princess looked away.

"Let us toast as well Prince Lucerys... the future Lord of the Tides."

Delia smiled kindly at the boy upon seeing his uneased expression, "You'll be great." Lucerys' gave the girl a grateful nod before taking notice of Viserys' grunting as he weakly rose to his feet with the help of his cane, heavy ragged breaths leaving his mouth, "It both gladdens my heart and fills me with sorrow to see these faces around the table. The faces most dear to me in all the world... yet grown so distant from each other... in the years past."

Delia shifted her gaze to rest upon her lap, chewing the inside of her cheek as her father took the gold shield hiding the rotten part of his face off, allowing it to clatter onto the table, "My own face... is no longer a handsome one." A soft chuckle slipped out of the dying King, "If indeed it ever was. But tonight... I wish you to see me as I am. Not just a king... but your father. Your brother. Your husband and your grandsire. Who may not, it seems, walk for much longer among you."

His pants grew louder, "Let us no longer hold ill feelings in our hearts. The Crown cannot stand strong if the House of the Dragon remains divided. But set aside your grievances. If not for the sake of the Crown... then for the sake of this old man who loves you all so dearly."

Viserys coughed violently, slouching back into his chair as Alicent caressed his arm before Rhaenyra rose to her feet with her goblet of wine in hand, "I wish to raise my cup to Her Grace, the Queen. I love my father. But I must admit that no one has stood more loyally by his side than his good wife. She has tended to him with unfailing devotion, love, and honor. And for that, she has my gratitude... and my apology."

The eldest princess took her seat once more as Alicent allowed her old friends words to sink in, her eyes glossing over with raw emotion, "Your graciousness moves me deeply, Princess. We are both mothers and we love our children. We have more in common than we sometimes allow." The Queen pushed her chair back before standing tall with her glass cup in her grasp, sparing her youngest daughter that sat beside her a glance.

"I raise my cup to you and to your house." Alicent gazed over the table before tipping her chin upwards, "A congratulations are in order for my daughter, Delia and your son, Lucerys."

Delia's breath caught in her throat— her body stilling as if she'd been stunned when she realized exactly where the toast was going. "To mend our broken bond by wedding them, uniting us once and for all."

Jacaerys' lips parted involuntarily in utter shock as he gazed across the table at Delia who was frozen in her place. The prince swallowed thickly before peering over at his younger brother who looked severely taken back with the situation at hand.

Delia felt like shrinking in her seat, not bothering to disguise her aghast expression caressing her features. Alicent gazed intently at her old childhood friend, "You will make a fine queen."

Delia grit her teeth harshly, taking notice of Otto's hostile and angered expression also caused by the sudden engagement. Lucerys' and the princess locked eyes, both completely unsure how to take— or react— to their planned union.

Aegon huffed lightly in amusement, "Look at that sister, perhaps you will feel pleasure after all." Delia clenched her trembling hands in her laps, fighting the urge to make her brother bleed out in the midst of a family dinner, though the thought was almost too tempting.

Jacaerys abruptly stood from his seat while slamming his fist onto the table, a thud echoing from the action as all eyes went to the eldest Velaryon prince. Aegon looked up at Jace with intrigued eyes whilst Delia silently pleaded he wouldn't cause a commotion.

Jace cleared his throat, attempting to contain his anger that sparked upon Aegon's words towards Lia. Aemond rose to his feet, gazing at the prince intensely almost daring him to do something. Delia shifted in her chair as the atmosphere grew thick with tension before Jacaerys raised his goblet while hitting Aegon on the arm softly— to a strangers eye it would seem like a mere friendly gesture between uncle and nephew.

"To Prince Aegon and Prince Aemond. We have not seen each other in years, but I have fond memories of our shared youth. And as men, I hope we may yet be friends and allies. To you and your family's good health, dear uncles." Jace raised his cup before sitting back down, his eyes falling onto Delia who didn't dare look up.

Aegon pressed his lips firmly together, "To you as well."

"Beware the beast beneath the boards."

Delia's head perked up at her older sisters words, curiosity filling her gaze as Helaena toyed with a wooden carving. The princess thought of the sentence when Helaena suddenly stood from her seat, goblet in hand as she darted her attention between the two wives-to-be.

"I would like to toast to Baela and my sweet sister Delia. They'll be married soon. It isn't so bad. Mostly he just ignores you... except sometimes when he's drunk."

Delia's hard eyes tendered for her sister, she knew how Aegon was towards Helaena. Even if it was a marriage he did not wish for he still had no right to treat her as he did. Baela turned her attention over to the youngest princess, catching her gaze as she kindly smiled to which Delia shyly returned.

"Let us have some music." King Viserys commanded and not a moment passed before soft tender melodies filled the dining hall.

Delia let out a heavy breath, picking up her goblet to take a rather large sip of wine as dread surged through her. She wished for nothing more than to blend with the shadows and scurry away to her chambers.

Aemond leaned a little over the table, his eyes set on his sister whilst completely ignoring Otto who sat between them as he lowly spoke, "Rijes aōt, mandia. Aōha naejot sagon iā ābrazȳrys." (Congratulations, sister. You're to be a wife.)

Delia exhaled heavily, her patience beginning to run thin and Aemond deciding to taunt her was only going to drive her over the edge— but perhaps that was what the prince was aiming for.

The princess didn't bother replying to his comment while Aemond noticed Jace's eyes glued to the red head. An amused grin spread across his lips before he leaned back in his seat.

Alicent placed an affectionate hand on Delia's forearm, the act making the princess flinch slightly as it caught her off guard entirely.

Jacaerys shifted his attention over to his brother who held his hands up defensively, "I swear I've only just found out about this."

Rhaenyra shook her head at her two sons before chiming up, "The arrangement was made shortly after we arrived here yesterday. The Queen and I decided Lucerys and Delia would make a fine match and it would also mend our families together."

Jacaerys clenched his jaw, how in one day all could go so sideways was astonishing to him. A thought lingered in his mind to beg his mother to change Lucerys for himself, an intrusive thought he craved to give into.

Lucerys pursed his lips, growing incredibly uncomfortable since he knew the strong feelings his eldest brother harbored for young Delia. How his mother came up with the idea that he'd make a good pair with the red head was beyond his understanding apparently.

Rhaenyra watched her second sons expression, "I thought you'd be gladdened to be with Lia." Lucerys blinked at his mother, darting his eyes to Jace for a split moment before sputtering out, "I am— thank you, mother."

Jace slouched back slightly, turning his gaze over to Lia who was rolling her eyes at whatever Aemond was spewing at her.

Viserys began to groan in pain, his hand reaching up to hold his head as Alicent's concern shone in her eyes, "Guards."

All chatter in the hall subdued as the King was carried out of the room, the music leaving with him as silence purged the heavy air.

Delia's eyes grew heavy as she began to give into her exhaustion, completely annoyed with the dinner at play.

A roasted pig was suddenly placed before Aemond and Lucerys was quick to let out a soft snicker to himself, but it did not escape the princes' notice.

Aemond abruptly stood with his fisting hitting the wooden table, gaining the lingering eyes of those who surrounded him whilst he raised his cup, "Final tribute."

Delia mentally groaned as she pinched the bridge of her nose, the dread filling in her chest as she sensed where this could lead.

"To the health of my nephews, Jace... Luke... and Joffrey." A sly grin embedded itself onto the Targaryen's lips, "Each of them handsome, wise..."

Delia tipped her head upwards to look at her brother, her eyes wide with a warning hidden in them.

"Strong."

Alicent swallowed thickly as she wished to calm her son, "Aemond."

But the prince had his mind set as his enthusiasm for his own toast only grew, "Come, let us drain our cups to these three... Strong boys."

Jace pushed his chair back as he stood tall, anger visible in his defined features, "I dare you to day that again."

Aemond quirked up a brow, feigning confusion as he gained satisfaction from their reactions, "Why? 'Twas only a compliment. Do you not think yourself Strong?"

Jace was quick to move from his place, swinging his arm out to punch his uncle square in his face only for the blonde to barely flinch.

Lucerys had not wasted a single moment in standing up to back his brother before in a mere blink of an eye, Aegon was on him, slamming his head onto the table violently.

Delia sprung up instinctively, going round the table quickly with her grip strong and hostile as she ripped Aegon away from her betrothed, her older brother tumbling backwards slightly as Delia sent her fist colliding into his jaw.

The princess grinned seeing blood begin to seep from the corner of Aegon's lip before she was pulled back roughly by Otto who'd grabbed her arm.

Delia shoved the males hand off of her before she looked back ahead to see Jace and Lucerys being pulled away by two knights with Rhaenyra facing them.

Alicent was quick to approach Aemond, "Why would you say such a thing before these people?" The prince huffed lightly before taking a step towards the struggling brothers, "I was merely expressing how proud I am of my family, Mother. Mmm. Though it seems my nephews aren't quite as proud of theirs."

Delia reached out quickly, gripping her brothers arm tightly to which he glanced down at her daring eyes. The princess spoke softly yet something about her tone could send chills up one's spine, "Sylugon ziry." (Try it)

Aemond looked back ahead to see Daemon standing before his wife's children, hands clasped as a tired sigh escaped his lips with his eyes carefully watching the boys moves.

"Go to your quarters. All of you go, now."

The Targaryen prince clenched his jaw, ripping his arm out of his younger sisters grip before exiting the hall.

Delia licked her tainted lips, sparing Aegon a look before walking shortly out after Aemond.

The princess inhaled sharply as her shoes clacking against the ground bounced off the walls, some bonds were beyond hope of being fixed.

That night had proven it.

AUTHORS NOTE,
i'm so excited for the up coming chapters