[ act i - lies kept ]

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄

episode six || the princess and the queen

― DELIA RUSHED DOWN THE CORRIDORS, continuing down the flight of stairs as panic flushed through the young girl. She rushed out of her mothers chambers the second the news had been told to her. The princess was barely aware of her surroundings as she bumped into another figure as she hit the final step.

Rhaenyra blinked from the impact before looking down to see Delia rubbing her forehead. The red head gazed up to meet Rhaenyra's eyes, "Is it true?"

The silver haired Targaryen tilted her head slightly at the child, "What is it you speak of, Lia?"

Rhaenyra was quite fond of the princess, knowing she was kind to her two sons and constantly stood up for them. Delia had often sat in on their joint suppers, the young girl had a sweet heart yet stood her ground when needed. Out of all of Alicent's children, Delia was the one she spoke and bonded most with.

Jacaerys often spoke fondly of the young princess, Rhaenyra always noticed the way her sons eyes shone whilst mentioning the girls name. Luke adored Delia, she had been the one teaching him how to read and she couldn't be more grateful. Her two sons enjoyed the princess' company, making the mother glad her children had someone in the castle to bond with.

Delia anxiously licked her lips, "Are you all leaving?"

Rhaenyra's lips parted as she realized what the girl was referring to, "I'm afraid so, it was about time we returned to Dragonstone." Delia swallowed a lump in her throat, she was lying if she said their departure wouldn't leave a void.

Delia had grown up with Jace and Luke, sharing moments that were so very dear to the young girls heart with them. Jace had always been there to cheer her up when she was upset, he always knew just what to do to crack a smile out of her.

The castle would feel empty without them, as well as Rhaenyra. Delia admired her dearly, always listening to how she would lecture her boys and opinions on matters. It was true that she had learnt a great deal from her.

Delia knew her mother did not approve of the sort of bond she had created with Rhaenyra but the girl didn't care, in her eyes her mother wasn't being very fair by criticizing the heir for something she herself had done.

Yet Delia always stayed quiet, she never spoke against her mother on that matter since she knew how sensitive the topic was. Delia was grateful she looked like her mother, it much easier to simply state she had gotten her mothers genetics rather than her fathers, that was why no one ever questioned her legitimacy.

Rhaenyra gave the young girl a warm smile, "Best say your goodbyes to the boys, we'll be leaving shortly."

Delia couldn't help the slight desolate expression that caressed her features, "Of course."

―♔―

The princess Delia stood before Jacaerys room, hesitant to knock on the door but mentally slapped herself for being idiotic. She raised her clenched hand before knocking, once, then twice.

The girl looked down at her clasped hands as she quietly waited when the door suddenly clicked open, a young Lucery's peeking his head out to see who had knocked.

Delia smiled at the small boy who immediately returned the gesture before opening the door more. The princess smoothed out the front of her dress, "Is Jacaerys here? I wanted to bid my goodbyes to you both."

Luke smiled at the red head as he nodded before making way to allow her room to step inside. Delia glanced around, taking notice of the trunks being packed before her eyes landed on her friend, who looked distant.

Delia pursed her lips, "Don't you look joyful." Jacaerys turned upon the girls voice, his expression lightening up slightly upon the sight of his dearest friend.

"Lia, I'm assuming my mother told you."

The princess hummed softly in agreement, "She did." Luke joined the red heads side before speaking, "He's been in a foul mood."

Jace rolled his eyes at his little brother, "My apologies for not being fond of having to leave." Delia tilted her head slightly, "I thought you hated it here."

Jacaerys blinked at the princess, she was right. The boy had never been overly fond of the castle considering his family always seemed to be the topic of conversations but at least he had Delia. At least she was always near, now they'd be miles apart and the boy didn't want that.

He was afraid they'd grow apart, afraid they wouldn't be as close as they were. Delia folded her hands together, gazing intently at the boy, "What's wrong?"

Jace shook his head, "Nothing, you've come to say goodbye?" Delia half smiled at him, "I wasn't going to let you leave without one."

Luke frowned before gazing up at the older girl, "Who will read to me now?" The young girl glanced down at Lucerys, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder, "I'm sure many others will, Luke."

The small boy huffed, "But I like it when you read to me."

Delia pursed her lips, "If you ever come to visit, I'll be more than delighted to read to you again." Luke's features visibly brightened up before wrapping his arms around the red head, hugging her tightly, "Thank you."

Delia returned the gesture with a smile caressing her lips, "Take care of your brother."

Luke pulled away, "Of course, if I don't then who will?" The princess laughed softly before shifting her attention over to Jace, "I'm sure we'll see each other soon."

The prince weakly nodded, "I hope so."

Delia turned, going to leave the room before Jacaerys called out for her, making the girl halt in her steps. The princess glanced back at him, meeting his eyes whilst he spoke, "Thank you for being kind to my brother and I."

The girl sighed softly, "Thank you for being my friend."

―♔―

Delia watched her sister Helaena gaze intently at the insect in her hand, inspecting the creature with admiration. Helaena could sense her sisters fallen mood since she wasn't as talkative as she was usually known for, "Did their leave upset you, sister?"

Delia had her chin in her palm as she sat on the step near her older sibling. The red head muffled a hum as she kept her eyes trained on the animal Helaena was holding.

Before the older girl could speak up, Aemond entered the room, glancing between his two sisters. The boy noticed Delia's blank expression and turned his attention over to Helaena, "What's with her?"

Delia rolled her eyes in annoyance, "I'm right here?"

Helaena hummed in amusement as Aemond slowly approached them, a bored expression resting on his features, "Tell me it's not because of your friends leaving."

"Yes, Aemond, it is. Thank you so much for showing such concern and sympathy towards your younger sister who is clearly upset." Delia spoke with pure sarcasm laced in her tone.

A small smile creeped onto Helaena's lips as Aemond blinked at the red head, "I just don't understand why you care that they left, dear sister."

Delia let out a dramatic sigh before standing back up onto her feet, "I'll be leaving."

Aemond furrowed his brows a bit as his younger sibling escorted herself out the room, "Was it something I said?"

Helaena continued looking at her insect as she shook her head amusingly.