[ act i - lies kept ]

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐈𝐕𝐄

episode seven || driftmark

— DELIA SQUINTED HER EYES as she caught sight of a familiar figure lingering at the far end of the hall. The princess parted her lips before she made out who it was, it was Jacaerys.

"What are you doing out here at this hour?" The red head spoke up, gaining the young boys attention. Jace gazed intently at Delia, his distant exterior slowly falling before her, "I couldn't get any rest."

The young girl clasped her hands together before her, "I'm sorry about Ser Harwin. I know you two were close." Jace swallowed audibly before attempting to muster up a smile for her, but failed to do so.

Delia wished there was something— anything she could do to cheer the Velaryon boy up, but she knew there was not.

Jacaerys didn't show it, but his mood improved significantly upon the princess' arrival. Simply being companied by her was enough to bring him comfort he never knew he could feel.

The prince parted his lips, going to speak before footsteps rushing toward the two children cut their conversation short. Delia turned back to see Baela rushing towards the two with Rhaena and Luke by her side.

"Jace, princess, someone stole Vhagar." the Lady Baela was quick to sputter out as she breathed heavily. Delia's features flushed with surprise, "Stole?" The princess knew a dragon could not be stolen, for they were their own. Not even a rider could act as if they owned the creature.

Delia tilted her head in confusion before Jace took ahold of her hand, darting down the hall as they followed Lady Baela and Rhaena whilst Lucerys struggled to keep up with the older children.

Delia tightened her grip on Jace's hand as they ran into the underground tunnels, the flames from the torches crackling as the whole group came to a sudden stop.

"It's him." Rhaena's spiteful tone could be heard as Delia narrowed her eyes, realization flushing through her as her older brother stepped into view.

Aemond held an unbothered expression, "It's me." the Targaryen boy's gaze then went over to his sister, her presence catching him slightly off guard before noticing how her hand was in Jacaerys.

Baela grit her teeth before speaking up, "Vhagar is my mother's dragon." Aemond shrugged in response, not holding a single care in his words, "Your mother's dead. And Vhagar has a new rider now."

Anger filled Rhaena's gaze as she spit out, "She was mine to claim."

The Targaryen prince scoffed slightly, "Then you should've claimed her. Maybe your cousins can find you a pig to ride. It would suit you." Delia's gaze hardened at her sibling before she finally chimed in, "Aemond, that's enough."

The silver haired boy met his sisters expressive eyes, "What? Are you also upset? Perhaps jealous because you'll never be able to ride a dragon due to your delicate situation."

Delia's lips parted in shock as she allowed his words to sink in, did he know? No, no he couldn't know. No one did. No one was supposed to know but her and her own mother. The princess' breathing quickened as she thought, had her mother really told Aemond?

Rhaena was quick to stalk towards the prince before he harshly shoved her down to the ground. Baela reacted immediately throwing a hard punch to Aemond's face, causing a groan to slip past his lips before the boy quickly returned the gesture harder, sending young Baela tumbling to the ground.

"Come at me again and I'll feed you to my dragon."

Jace pushed Delia behind himself before rushing towards Aemond, jutting his fist into the boys jaw before the Targaryen prince kicked his leg out, tripping young Jacaerys back into the floor and that was when Lucerys jumped in with no hesitation.

Delia's eyes went wide upon the sight of the small boy, "Luke, no!"

The small Velaryon boy went to attack Aemond but instead got punched straight in the nose, a loud crack echoing from the impact as young Luke cried in pain.

Delia stood conflicted, her hands trembling as she struggled to comprehend the current scene unfolding before her. Aemond went to approach Jace and Delia instantly reacted, her hands pushing out to which she sent her brother staggering backwards.

Delia narrowed her eyes at the older boy, "I said enough, Aemond." The silver haired prince scoffed in disbelief, "Of course you would side with the bastards. One must stick with their own, don't you think, sister?"

The red head did not recognize the boy before her, Aemond had never spoken in such a cruel way towards her, much less holding such a spiteful look at her.

Aemond took another step toward the princess and wasn't able to take another before Jace stood from the ground, throwing himself before Delia as he shoved the blonde down to the ground.

Rhaena and Baela went to pounce on the prince but he reacted quicker, pushing Baela into Rhaena while sending the two Velaryon girls crashing into the wall.

Luke charged at Aemond, amounting to nothing as the prince was suddenly gripped by the throat. Delia's lips parted in fear as she watched her brother pick up a large rock, holding it up menacingly before spatting out, "You will die screaming in flames just as your father did." Aemond tossed Jacaerys a look, "Bastards."

Delia clenched her jaw tightly, "Put him down, Aemond."

"My father's still alive." Luke managed to choke out through his cries. Aemond chuckled dryly before speaking in a taunting tone, "He doesn't know, does he, Lord Strong?"

Delia now wished she had gone straight to bed.

The Targaryen boy only smirked as he raised the rock higher above young Luke. Jacaerys reached into his sleeve, pulling out a knife to which Delia gaped at the sight of, "Jacaerys no."

Aemond suddenly shoved Luke into his sister, sending the two tumbling backwards which made Jace react, slashing his arm around with the knife in hand as he attempted to gash the Targaryen Prince that dodged each swing before slamming the rock that was in his hand onto Jacaerys head.

The oldest Velaryon boy groaned in pain from the impact, the knife dropping to the ground as the prince cradled his head. Delia coughed out the dirt that had gotten into her mouth when she looked up to see Aemond raising the rock over Jace's figure.

Delia was ready to scramble onto her feet before Jacaerys threw dirt in the blondes face, catching him off guard while Luke took ahold of the dagger, clutching it tightly before he pounced, slicing his hand upwards.

Delia's breath caught in her throat as Aemond screamed, his hand going to his eyes that now pooled with blood, the sight of it letting the princess know it would be a permanent wound.

The Targaryen princess staggered backwards as the Kingsguard rushed in, "Cease this at once!" The knight rushed over to Aemond who was groaning in pain, "My Prince, my Prince. Let me see."

Princess Delia shivered slightly as a knight stood by her.

"Gods be good."

The entire group of children were escorted to the main hall, Aemond being rushed to a seat as the maester scattered over to the injured prince. Delia glanced back at Jace, her eyes lingering on his for a short moment before her mothers voice caught her attention.

The princess rushed over to the Queen who was quick to grab her by the arm. Alicent's gaze roamed over her daughters figure, searching for any injuries before turning towards the maester who was examining her son.

Delia looked over at her father, King Viserys, who seethed at his Kingsguard, "How could you allow such a thing to happen? I will have answers."

"The princes were supposed to be abed, My King." Harrold answered but King Viserys was not taking the situation lightly, "Who had the watch?"

Delia glanced to see Ser Criston chiming up, "Young prince was attacked by his own cousins, Your Grace." Viserys stood from his seat, his cane in hand before raising his voice, "You swore oaths to protect and defend my blood."

Westerling bowed his head, "I'm very sorry, Your Grace." Criston attempted to keep the bitterness from his tone as he spoke, "The Kings guard has never had to defend princes from princes, Your Grace."

The King took a step towards Ser Criston Cole, his response only serving to anger Viserys further, "That is no answer!"

Delia struggled to keep her nerves at bay whilst she listened to her mother stress over Aemonds condition, "It will heal, will it not, maester?"

Aegon cringed slightly at the sight of his brothers bloody eye, listening to the maester who responded, "The flesh will heal. But the eye is lost, Your Grace."

Queen Alicent audibly gasped before pulling herself to her feet, turning to face her eldest son, "Where were you?"

Aegon blinked in utter confusion, "Me?" Alicent struck her son across the face, earning herself a painful yelp from him, "What was that for?"

"That was nothing compared to the abuse your brother suffered while you were drowning in your cups, you fool."

Alicent looked past her eldest daughter, Helaena, and towards her youngest daughter, Delia, who was pulling at the loose strings of her dress. The girls mother took ahold of her arm roughly, "You were with Aemond, how could you have let this happen?"

Delia blinked quickly, her lips trembling slightly as she attempted to form a sentence, "I didn't—"

"You insolent child, did you just stand and watch?"

Delia shook her head, "Mother, I—" but the princess couldn't get her words out as the doors opened, Lord Corlys and his wife Lady Rhaenys appearing in the room.

"What is the meaning of this?" Corlys' loud voice boomed throughout the chambers while his wife rushed over to their granddaughters, "Baela, Rhaena! What happened?"

Alicent let go of her daughters arm and young Delia grit her teeth slightly, cradling her arm as it now pulsed in pain.

Rhaenyra was quick to rush into the room, an intrigued Daemon following behind the heir as she called out, "Jace?" The mothers eyes landed on her two sons who's faces were covered in blood, "Luke!"

Delia watched Rhaenyra kneel before Lucerys, her gentle hand going to his hand that was covering his very much broken nose, "Show me, show me." The princess glanced over at the greens, "Who did this?"

Aemond, despite the aching pain in his eyes, was quick to shout, "They attacked me." Jace narrowed his eyes at the prince, "He attacked Baela!"

Rhaena didn't bother staying quiet, "He broke Luke's nose."

Delia had her hands clenched to her sides as the group of children shouted at one another from across the room for a moment longer.

"He stole my mothers dragon."

"He was gonna kill Jace. I didn't even do anything."

"He even acted against his own sister!"

Alicent stared at Rhaenyra and her spewing sons in pure anger, "It should be my son telling the tale."

"He called us—"

"Silence!" King Viserys voice echoed through the walls, all the chatter quieting down from his shout. The King slowly walked over to his son, "Aemond, I will have the truth of what happened. Now."

Delia shifted her gaze to the ground as her mothers voice chimed up, "What else is there to hear? Your son has been maimed. Her son is responsible."

Rhaenyra stood tall as her two sons lingered behind her, "It was a regrettable accident."

Alicent gave the princess an incredulous look, looking as it was the most absurd sentence she'd ever heard, "Accident? The Prince Lucerys brought a blade to the ambush. He meant to kill my son."

"It was my sons who were attacked and forced to defend themselves. Vile insults were levied against them." Rhaenyra strongly spoke, doing whatever she had to defend her two children.

Viserys pulled his brows together, "What insults?"

The chamber went completely silent, the known truth plaguing the atmosphere that no one dared acknowledge.

Rhaenrya caressed Luke's hand before firmly stating, "The legitimacy of my sons' birth was put loudly to question."

"What?" Viserys loudly questioned as Delia swallowed a lump in her throat, her eyes meeting Jace's as he chimed up, "He called us bastards."

The princess Delia turned to look at her older brother who still sat in the chair, taking notice of the sly smirk etching his bloodied lips.

"My sons are in line to inherit the Iron Throne, Your Grace. This is the highest of treasons. Prince Aemond must be sharply questioned so we might learn where he heard such slanders."

Alicent's chest heaved, tears welling up in her eyes, "Over an insult? My son has lost an eye."

Viserys watched his son intently, "You tell me, boy. Where did you hear this lie?" Alicent clenched her jaw, chiming in for her son, "The insult was training yard bluster. The lot of boys. It was nothing."

"Aemond." The King's eyes carefully examined the boys cautious expression, "I asked you a question." The young prince slowly lifted his gaze to meet his fathers.

Delia took notice of her mother growing angsty, "Where is Ser Laenor, I wonder? The boys' father? Perhaps he might have something to say in the matter."

King Viserys nodded in agreement with his wife, "Yes. Where is Ser Laenor?" Rhaenyra kept her sons hand in hers, forming an excuse in her mind before voicing it, "I do not know, Your Grace. I... could not find sleep. I had gone out to walk."

Alicent was quick to snark out a quick response, "Entertaining his young squires, I would venture." Delia took notice of Ser Criston smiling in amusement to himself.

"Aemond, look at me." The young prince did so with the only eye he had left, swallowing audibly. "Your king demands an answer. Who spoke these lies to you?"

Delia watched her brother closely, taking notice of the way his eyes shifted over to their mother who stood completely still. Aemond quickly glanced back down, his lips parting to give his father an answer, "It was Aegon."

Aegon blinked at his younger brother in confusion, "Me?" Delia glanced between her two siblings before her mother and father approached the first born son, "And you, boy? Where did you hear such calumnies?"

Aegon stared ahead, remaining completely silent as he feared the consequences to what he would receive if he did. "Aegon! Tell me the truth of it!"

The first born prince exhaled sharply, "We know, Father. Everyone knows." Aegon spared a glance at Rhaenyra and her boys, "Just look at them."

Delia pursed her trembling lips, knowing now exactly how her siblings would react to her being the bastard of the family. The young princess lifted her blue eyes to meet Jaces', who's shined a little brighter.

Delia immediately flinched in her spot as her father suddenly shouted, "This interminable infighting must cease. All of you!" His gaze roamed over the crowded room, "We are family." No, they were far from it. "Now make your apologies and show good will to one another. Your father, your grand sire, your king demands it!"

Alicent looked at her husband in complete disbelief, her eyes on him as he walked by her, "That is insufficient. Aemond has been damaged, permanently, My King. 'Good will' cannot make him whole."

Viserys sighed heavily, "I know, Alicent, but I cannot restore his eye."

"No, because it's been taken."

Delia licked her tainted lips, she did not like the sudden tension rising, feeling as if something was about to occur.

The King tilted his head at the Queen, "What would you have me do?" Viserys, of course, had not imagined the response his wife had given him, "There is a debt to be paid."

Delia carefully eyed her distressed mother who turned towards Rhaenyra, "I shall have one of her son's eyes in return." Murmurs immediately rippled through the room as all stares when to the Velaryon boys who staggered behind their mother.

Viserys gave Alicent a look, "My dear wife." but the Queen was not having it, "He is your son, Viserys. Your blood." The King slowly hobbled over to the mother, his expression stern, "Do not... allow your temper to guide your judgment."

Delia shuffled a bit closer to Helaena's side, watching her mother begin to lose her temper, "If the King will not seek justice, the Queen will. Ser Criston..." The knight turned slightly to gaze at Alicent who's eyes did not waver from his, "Bring me the eye of Lucerys Velaryon."

Delia immediately looked over at the knight who stilled in his place, his expression giving away his reluctance to do the Queen's wish.

"Mother." Young Luke panickily spoke as he clutched Rhaenyra's arm tightly.

"Alicent."

The Queen did not falter with her statement, "He can choose which eye to keep, a privilege he did not grant my son." Rhaenyra glanced between her father and his wife, her eyes shining as she stood tall before her children, "You will do no such thing."

"Stay your hand." Viserys spoke to Ser Criston who did not budge from his place. "No, you are sworn to me." Alicent's voice boomed, the chamber going entirely quiet from her outburst.

Delia gazed intently at the male she did not know was her true father. Criston bowed his head slightly, "As your protector, my Queen." The red headed princess attempted to refrain from showing her relief before sparing young Jace and Luke a glance.

"Alicent, this matter is finished." Viserys' tone held a slight edge as he locked eyes with his wife, "Do you understand?"

Delia folded her hands before her, intently watching her father who peered over the room, "And let it be known, anyone whose tongue dares to question the birth of Princess Rhaenyra's sons should have it removed."

The youngest princess watched her mother's eyes grow hateful, malicious intentions hidden behind them upon hearing Rhaenyra's voice, "Thank you, father."

Within the next moment Delia blinked, Alicent moved quickly, taking ahold of the King's blade from his side before going at Rhaenyra who was crouched before her sons.

"Your Grace. Stay with the King!"

"Alicent!"

"Hold your approach."

Delia gaped at the absolute chaos unfolding before her, watching as Rhaenyra had turned just in time to clutch Alicent's arm that held the dagger whilst pushing against her. Delia looked over to see Daemon intervening, stopping Ser Criston from taking another step.

Rhaenyra grit her teeth, pushing against the woman that once was her dearest friend, "You've gone too far." Alicent's chest heaved as heavy breath escaped her, "I? What have I done but what was expected of me? Forever upholding the kingdom, the family, the law. While you flout all to do as you please."

Viserys took a step towards the two, his complete concern going to his eldest daughter, "Alicent, let her go."

Delia watched Aemond stand from his seat, also watching their mother completely break down.

"Where is duty? Where is sacrifice? It's trampled under your pretty foot again." Alicent seethed as her eyes brimmed with tears, her strength pulling against Rhaenyra's.

"Release the blade, Alicent."

The Queen made no move to back down, "And now you take my son's eye, and to even that, you feel entitled." Rhaenyra held a mocking glint in her gaze, "Exhausting, wasn't it? Hiding beneath the cloak of your own righteousness." Her voice dropped to a soft whisper, "But now they see you as you are."

Alicent grunted, pushing away the princess Rhaenyra but in turn, slicing into her forearm. Blood trickled to the floor beneath them as the silence spoke for itself. Delia blinked at the heavy wound the heir to the Iron Throne had sustained by her mothers hand.

The dagger clattering to the ground echoed throughout the walls.

All watchful eyes went to Queen, where she herself looked startled with what she had done. Aemond took a step forward, sparing princess Rhaenyra a look before settling his eyes on his mother, "Do not mourn me, mother. It was a fair exchange." the young prince swallowed thickly, "I may have lost an eye, but I gained a dragon."

May it have been worth it, brother.