·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.

━━━━━━━━━━━

[ act i - lies kept ]

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍

after episode eight || the lord of the tides

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— DELIA FINISHED UP FIXING her auburn hair into a loose braid before roaming her eyes over her black leather gear she wore for when she would train. The princess always went to spar when she needed to let out pent up anger— or frustration, it was the cause for the few victories she had against Ser Criston Cole.

The satisfaction she felt upon slashing her deadly sword as hard and swift as she could was like none other. The red head turned away from her full sized mirror to open the door to her chambers, stepping out the room to begin walking down the silent halls.

Delia's mind was set on the thought that Rhaenyra and her family would soon be leaving for Dragonstone, and she still did not know if when the time came she would have to leave with them due to her betrothal with Luke.

A part of her didn't dread the thought but instead welcomed it. She'd have a break from the insufferable walls of the Red Keep and she wouldn't have to deal with her grandfather breathing down her neck with every move she made. Yet the other was terrified. She'd then have to see Jace every turn of the hall, always near, always sensing his presence.

It would bring her a hurt like none other, but what choice did she have?

Delia hurried down the vast stairs when a sudden call of her name had her faltering. The princess spun on her heel to see her grandsire making his was towards her. Delia used all her will power to not roll her eyes in annoyance but instead stood taller.

Otto's eyes never left his granddaughters, "You'd do well to stay away from Rhaenyra and her family." Delia narrowed her eyes ever so slightly, making it quite difficult to catch if one were not paying close attention, "And why shall I do that?"

"When side's come to be, you are Alicent's daughter, you'll need to be where you belong."

Delia's feature's morphed into that of irritation— knowing precisely what the man meant by "sides", and she despised he even dared to bring it up. "I do not see why side's will need to be made. My mother specifically said my marriage to Lucerys was to bring good peace between our families."

Otto's hostile gaze made it's return, one that once made younger Delia shrink under the pressure of it, but now she merely sized him up, "Your betrothal to the princess Rhaenyra's son should have come to be and even then, you are still a green. If Rhaenyra ascends the Iron Throne all of your lives will be forfeit."

Delia didn't bother holding in the incredulous scoff his words created, "Why is it that you're so sure of that? Besides, who's better to rule than her? Aegon? The drunk cunt who can barely dress himself and go without a glass of wine? If Aegon being kept from that crown means I have to forfeit my life than I would very gladly pay that price."

"You will do well to watch yourself, Delia. Aegon will be your king and he is your brother." Otto sharply told the princess who merely humorlessly chuckled in his face, "No, he will never be my king. And he hasn't been my brother for years, you made sure of that, remember?" Delia's eyes flashed for a second as Otto tipped his chin up slightly.

"I'll admit, it took me quite sometime to uncover your true intentions with what you used to make me do." Delia took a small step forward, "You can play everyone else in this castle to be your little fucking puppet, but I will not be so anymore."

The red head turned away from the male, clenching her hands at her sides as she continued her way to the front of the Red Keep before harshly swinging the doors to the court open. A muscle in her jaw tensed while taking notice of Criston who was twirling his sword.

Delia inched closer towards him, taking her blade in hand when the knights eyes fell upon her, immediately sensing the anger radiating from her, "Everything all right, princess?"

Delia grit her teeth before spinning her sword in front of her, "Never better." She quickly got into her stance and Ser Criston got the message quickly. The princess pounced first, slicing her weapon upwards to clash with the mans, a clattering sound echoing around them from the collision.

Delia moved quickly to swiftly moved towards his back, a move the other anticipated as he was already turning on his heel to catch the other strike of her sword. Ser Criston had to admit, Delia's strength grew the angrier she got, as if she was not tethering her force but instead giving into it with the heat of the moment. Criston could only imagine when she finally got angry enough.

The princess pushed his sword down with her own before jabbing her elbow up harshly to slam into his face, weakening him for the slightest moment as she went to hit again but Criston would not go down so easily of course. Metal clanging against metal was the only thing ringing in Delia's ears, the adrenaline rushing through her as she would not stop until the knight hit the ground.

The teenage girl used all the strength she could in her arms while pushing against Criston's blade that was nearing her neck, meaning the fight would soon be over. But the princess would not be satisfied until she'd won.

A sense of need filled her, giving her the push she needed to shoved her arm forcefully, sending the handle of the knights own blade right into his nose. She took the moment to hook her foot around the calf of his leg before tripping him backwards. Delia twirled her sword before holding it directly at Ser Criston's neck, the deadly sharp point rasping his skin almost threateningly.

"Nicely done, princess." Cole heavily breathed, bringing a slight grin onto the girls tainted red lips, "Why thank you."

Delia pulled her weapon back, sheathing it back at the side of her waist before extending out a hand to help the male that was sprawled on the dirt. Ser Criston took her hand, hauling himself up before giving her a slight bow of the head.

"You never cease to amaze me."

Delia eyes lit up the slightest upon the sound of the voice coming from behind. She turned almost immediately to see Jacaerys leaning on the steps with his gaze fixed solely on her, his brown eyes glimmering.

Delia hated the reactions the prince could so easily pull from her, there she was, heart thumping loudly in her chest with an involuntary smile creeping its way to her lips, and she had no control over it.

The princess glanced back at the knight who was watching her, "That will be all, Ser Criston, thank you." The man only bowed slightly, reluctantly stepping away as Delia began to walk towards the Velaryon boy awaiting.

"A gift you have indeed." Jace smiled softly at her, taking in her expression as she shook her head, "I'd just say its practice."

"And yet, I could never wield a sword as you do." The prince crossed his arms over his chest. Jace knew he would stop being endlessly amazed with Delia, the second his eyes fell upon her as she held a sword he was entranced, unable to pull his eyes away— though it was not as if he wanted to either.

Delia rolled her eyes, "Oh I bet you could." Jace shook his head, disagreeing with her on that matter, "No, you'd very much wipe the floor with me."

The red head couldn't help the gentle chuckle that slipped from her lips, making a soft smile rest on Jace's face as he intently watched her. Delia was quick to notice the look the prince was giving her and straightened up slightly, licking her lips before parting them to speaking, "Did you need something?"

Jacaerys' gaze fell slightly, feeling uneasy with the sudden change in how Delia held herself around him and he now wondered if he'd ever be able to see her carefree side again. He could see it in her eyes that every moment she'd give herself a mental reminder and her entire aura would shift entirely.

Jace feared it, he didn't want the exterior Delia held for herself when she was with those she could not let her guard down. Jacaerys had never experienced the girl tensing up in front of him, until that moment. He'd be lying if he said it hadn't sent an aching feeling coursing through his heart, because it did.

"No, I just wanted to come see you. We'd hadn't been able to talk after the dinner last night." The Velaryon prince answered the red head who furrowed her brows slightly, "And what would we have to talk about?"

Jace hated to admit it, but he'd grown slightly sour with his mother who'd arranged a marriage with Delia to Luke claiming they were fit for one another. The boy thought he'd made it perfectly clear of his true feelings for the princess, in hopes to have his mother send an offer for her hand on his behalf— not his younger brothers.

Luke had rushed after Jacaerys after the meal, apologizing endlessly for something that was not his fault. Of course Jace held no ill will towards him, seeing as thought it was completely out of his hands. It simply hurt knowing he'd have to see Luke stand by Delia's side when that had always been his one desire.

"I'm hating every minute of this, Delia." The boy truthfully spoke to the princess who tilted her head at him, "What is it you're referring to?"

Jace pursed his lips, "Everything that has occurred since I came back, every minute I feel you drifting further and further from me. I hate it, Lia. I absolutely despise it. I want to go back to that day I took you to see Vermax, we weren't betrothed— no one to stand between us then."

Delia's eyes softened almost unnoticeably, "I know, believe me— I know. But this is how it must be from now one." Jacaerys shook his head, "My mind is beginning to eat away at me and its only been a few days, Del. It pains me knowing I have to see you with him instead."

"And you think I am enjoying this? That this is easy for me? I did not choose this path for myself, Jacaerys, but now I have a part to play and I must play it well for my own sake. What I feel will always remain in my heart— in that you can trust. But I now owe my loyalty to Luke."

She was right, they had a part to play and in their world how one was seen meant everything. Jace swallowed thickly, shoving down the overload of emotion building up as he curtly nodded, "You're right, princess." Jace forced out his dry tone, hoping that in distancing himself from her— it'd make the pain bearable for Delia. He did not want her to suffer how he knew he would, "Enjoy the rest of your evening."

Delia mentally flinched at his words, not for a second recognizing his distant tone that he'd never used on her. Her pursed lips trembled slightly at his drastic change, her eyes watching the prince walk away from her, and with him— her heart.

AUTHORS NOTE,
next few chapters will be interesting