[ act i - lies kept ]

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐑

episode seven || driftmark

― DELIA STOOD WITH HER head high, the sounds of the waves crashing echoing in her ears as the casket holding the remains of what used to be Laena Velaryon, was placed on the ledge.

The young princess stood with her family, the atmosphere tense as Vaemond began to speak in the language of Old Valyria, "We join at the Seat of the Sea to commit the Lady Laena of House Velaryon,"

Delia shifted her eyes over to Laenor and Rhaenyra, the sullen expression embedded on the male's features. Her heart went out to him, she never knew Laena personally, only from the whispers she heard from the small council and what Laenor would speak of her. She knew how deeply the father cared for his only sister and couldn't imagine how he was handling the sudden loss.

"To the eternal waters, the dominion of the Merling King, where he will guard her for all the days to come. As she sets to sea for her final voyage, the Lady Laena leaves two true-born daughters on the shore."

Delia's lips parted as she noticed Vaemond's gaze glued to Rhaenyra and her two boys. The redhead pulled her brows together slightly before turning her head to glance at Laena's two daughters, Baela and Rhaena, who looked deeply distressed by the sight of their mothers casket.

Losing a mother, it was an ache many children eventually went through, everyone knew there was no escaping death.

"Though their mother will not return from her voyage, they will all remain bound together in blood. Salt courses through Velaryon blood. Ours run thick, ours run true, and ours will never thin."

Delia shuffled on her feet, noticing how all eyes went to Rhaenyra and her husband. The fact that Jacaerys and Lucerys did not resemble their father even the slightest did not help their cause. Daemon— deciding to do what he does best— began giggling as if it was the most humorous thing he'd ever heard.

Delia chewed on her lower lip as the rope was tightened, the casket holding Lady Laena's remains dropping into the sea. The sound of the crash syncing with the waves clashing against one another.

"My gentle niece. May the winds be as strong as your back, your seas as calm as your spirit,"

Aegon breathed rather heavily as he stood beside his youngest sister, earning himself a glare from her as Vaemond continued his speech, "And your nets be as full as your heart."

Delia wished death wasn't such normal occurrence, she never wanted to experience the grief it put those left behind through. A void left that would never be filled. But no ones life was ever bought.

"From the sea we came, to the sea we shall return."

―♔―

Delia hummed quietly under her breath as she stood between her two older brothers, who seemed to be watching Helaena while she caressed her insects, murmuring under her breath as she did so, "Hand turns loom; spool of green, spool of black; dragons of flesh weaving dragons of thread."

The red headed princess softly yawned before Aegon spoke up, "We have nothing in common."

Delia rolled her eyes at her brother, it was known Aegon wasn't very enthusiastic about having to wed Helaena, and neither was Delia. Her sister deserved better and someone who would truly cherish her, not someone that would rarely even look at her unless he was drunk out of his mind.

Aemond gave the eldest prince a look, "She's our sister." Aegon scrunched up his features, "You marry her then."

"I would perform my duty, if mother had only betrothed us." Aemond responded before sparing Delia a glance as she huffed out in annoyance. Aegon raised the golden goblet to his lips as he scoffed out, "If only."

The red headed girl shifted her attention over to her older sister, a frown pulling at her lips as she wished Helaena would be given the possibility of choosing her own lover, but that was a fools wish.

"It would strengthen the family. Keep our Valyrian blood pure." Aemond spoke to Aegon who gave the younger boy an incredulous look, "She's an idiot."

Delia narrowed her eyes at her brother as she gritted through her teeth, "She's your future wife. I know respect isn't a concept you're familiar with, but perhaps you should begin showing it to her. That is the very least you could do."

Aemond glanced at the ground as an amused smile tugged on his lips. Aegon smacked his lips in annoyance as Delia walked away from the two boys.

Aemond clasped his hands together, "She's right." The eldest prince glared at his younger brother, "Shut it." The Tagaryen boy glanced down at his goblet to see it was empty, his irritation only grew by the sight of it before he called over a server.

Delia pursed her lips tightly as she began to approach Baela and Rhaena, who were sat upon a bench with Jacaerys standing behind them, utterly silent.

The princess attempted to form a way to pay her respects, the young girl wasn't very accustomed to comforting others, but she always tried her best.

Baela sniffled quietly before speaking, "Princess Delia." The red head bowed her head slightly, "Lady Baela." she turned towards her sister sat beside her, "Lady Rhaena, my deepest condolences for your loss. I never knew Lady Laena personally but from what I've heard she was an extraordinary person."

Baela hummed softly, "Thank you, princess."

Delia offered the two sisters a soft smile before shifting her attention towards Jace. The red head frowned slightly after noticing the expression embedded onto the prince's features. Delia had heard about the tragic death of Lord Lynol and his son, Ser Harwin Strong.

The princess had been devastated upon hearing about the accident, the commander had always been kind to her. She now understood why Jace looked so distant, hurt, and lonely.

The boy was incredibly close with the commander, Delia knew this very well. It seemed Jacaerys was not handling his death quite easily.

From the corner of the princess' eye she could see Lady Rhaenys approaching the group of kids, her gaze set on her two granddaughters. Delia moved over to join Jace's side as Rhaenys knelt before the sisters.

Jacaerys was quick to turn away from them, facing the fire crackling in front of him. Delia turned to gaze at him, "It'll get better."

Jace swallowed thickly, the expression set on his face never faltering, "Will it?" The princess' features softened slightly, "It's going to be okay."

The young prince simply stayed silent, not trusting himself to speak at the moment just as Aemond walked up to the two, his gaze darting between them, looking as if he was going to speak.

Delia tilted her head slightly at her brother, a curious glint shining in her blue eyes. Aemond licked his chapped lips before stepping back slightly, an unsure expression settling onto his face before he spared his younger sister a long look.

Delia pulled her brows together as she watched Aemond walk away from them. The princess frowned slightly before turning to face the Velaryon prince, "Jace—"

The young boy spun abruptly, cutting Delia's sentence short as he rushed off. The princess followed his fading figure, clasping her hands together as sadness became evident in her eyes.

Delia smoothed the front of her dress before straightening up slightly, turning to see a large figure standing before her.

The princess gazed up to see her grandfather, Otto Hightower, looking down at her.

"Delia."

The young girl shuffled uncomfortably before nodding slightly, staying completely silent.

Otta intently watched his granddaughter, "Go find your brother Aegon, he's most likely lying wasted somewhere."

Delia pulled her brows together in confusion while fumbling anxiously with her hands, "Me? Why can't Aemond do it?"

The hand of the King glanced over to where the steps were, "I believe he's over there."

Before Delia could retort with Otto's order, the male was already walking away from her. The red headed princess frowned, her grandfather had been making Delia deal with Aegon more than usual lately.

The young girl wasn't entire comfortable with it, since Aegon was known to get a bit odd while drunk. Delia chewed on her lower lip before heading off to the concrete steps and surely enough, there her older brother was sprawled out on the ground with a goblet in hand— looking as if he was in a completely different world.

Delia huffed in irritation before treading over to him, plucking the goblet out from his grasp to place on the steps.

Aegon let out a grumbled whine as he shut his eyes, "Leave me, dear sister."

Delia pursed her lips, "Believe me— I am not here by choice." The girl crouched, slinging her brothers arm around her shoulders as she slowly pulled him off the floor.

Aegon's breath smelled of pure wine as he grunted slightly, clearly heavily intoxicated. Delia clenched her jaw slightly, she was sick of Otto making her take Aegon to his chambers when he got wasted.

She didn't understand why it had to be her, surely Aemond could do it.

Though the young princess— despite her reluctance— always did as told, the last thing she needed was to give her mother trouble, especially with how delicate her situation was.

So there Delia was, dragging her eldest sibling up the stair cases as he put almost his entire weight on her.

The red head heavily breathed out, her nose scrunching up in disgust from her brothers horrid breath.

May the gods grant her patience before she sent the boy tumbling down the steps.

―♔―

AUTHORS NOTE,
thank you loves for 3k reads!