Whilst their visit to all the dragons came to an end, Rhaenyra led Lyanna to the Throne Room in the palace, where Viserys I sat in contemplation with his brother, Prince Daemon, by his side. Lyanna tilted her head curiously, having heard much about this certain prince, and considering the possibility of marrying him in the future, she wished to get to know him better. With a slight sigh, Rhaenyra reassured her by squeezing her hand, "Don't worry, he's not that bad, really," she said.

The king raised his gaze, his leering eyes fixed on the serving dishes as he addressed Rhaenyra, "Ah, Rhaenyra, you've brought your little friend with you. Nice to see you again, Lyanna. This is my brother, Daemon Targaryen. Go on, greet him, he won't bite," he said with a sly smile. Lyanna curtsied before the two, "Nice to meet you both," she said, a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes lingering on her lips. Daemon turned his gaze towards her, his eyes appraising, "So, you're the dragon tamer girl, I see," he remarked.

Lyanna's lips twitched as she shared a look with Rhaenyra, who simply huffed and nudged her. "I am, Your Highness. It's nice to meet you. The king has told us a lot about you," she said politely. Daemon snorted, "I'm sure he's painted quite the picture," he said with a smirk. Viserys shot his brother a disapproving look, but nodded, prompting Rhaenyra's jaw to tense momentarily. She released her hold on Lyanna, and Daemon stood before the young 16-year-old girl, gently taking her shoulder before leading her out of the room.

"Now, I wonder why you're here, Lyanna. Your father and brother aren't really fond of our house, you know," Daemon remarked as they stepped outside, the ornate doors closing behind them. "I'm here because Rhaenyra wanted me to meet you. I've met the dragons; your dragon, especially, is a nice sight," she said, smiling. Daemon narrowed his eyes at her, "Quite the act already, Princess. You won't fool me," he said sharply.

Lyanna chuckles. "I'm not trying to fool you, my prince. I wouldn't dare, but truly, your dragons are beautiful."

Daemon leans into her space, his intense blue eyes scanning her face, then drifting down to her lips. He quirks his own in a mischievous smile. "And what of me?" he asks, voice low and tantalizing. "Am I beautiful enough?"

Lyanna chuckles again, stepping back with a playful glint in her eye. "Oh no, you don't. You're quite handsome, I'll grant you that. But I'd rather wed your dragon than you."

She dips her head in a brief, respectful nod. "I must go now. I have flight lessons with Rhaenyra later."

With that, she turns and leaves, leaving Daemon to stare after her, a mix of intrigue and amusement in his gaze.

Rhaenyra met the young girl halfway across the dragonflight field. Hours had passed since Lyanna had left her to attend to Daemon.

"My apologies," Lyanna said, inclining her head.

Rhaenyra waved it off with a graceful hand. "Think nothing of it. Though, it seems my uncle is quite taken with you," she remarked, a sly smile curling her lips.

Lyanna giggled softly. "Perhaps, my princess. Perhaps not."

The two girls giggle as they make their way back to Syrax, who waits patiently, the golden she-dragon curling her tongue and smiling. Lyanna tilts her head back, eyes sparkling with delight.

It is then they notice Lady Alicent, a girl of fourteen, standing in the doorway of the wheelhouse. She watches them with a serene smile, her presence both graceful and composed.

"Greetings, Lyanna, my lady," Alicent says, her voice warm and polite.

Lyanna dips her head in a respectful nod. "Lady Alicent, it is a pleasure. You look as radiant as ever."

She then looks at Syrax. "Syrax is growing quickly. She'll soon be as large as Caraxes."

Rhaenyra chuckles. "That's large enough to saddle two," she remarks, grinning at Alicent. "So you can fly with me."

Alicent chuckles, shaking her head and leaning against the doorway. "I believe I am quite content as a spectator, thank you."

The three girls laugh, their voices echoing in the crisp air. Lyanna and Rhaenyra climb up into the wheelhouse, with Alicent following them inside.

◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥

Lyanna and Rhaenyra exchange knowing glances, their laughter tinged with a hint of courtly disdain at Alicent's confession. "Trust in our words, sweet Alicent," Rhaenyra says, her voice low and laden with unspoken implications. "You would do well to set your sights elsewhere than Aegon."

Alicent sighs, her green eyes clouded with confusion. "Can he truly be so objectionable? Surely your lord father sees worth in him as his heir?" she probes, seeking reassurance for her budding affections.

Lyanna shakes her head, silver-gold hair catching the light. "I've heard no such whispers, and my lord father stands close to that... less than admirable king," she says, a shudder running through her lithe frame at some unspoken memory. "Nay, I'd wager my dragon that 'tis Rhaenyra who stands to inherit the Iron Throne."

The three girls stand in the shadowed alcove, the weight of succession and courtly intrigue hanging heavy in the air between them. Alicent's gaze flits between her two companions, suddenly aware of the dangerous currents that run beneath the surface of their seemingly innocent gossip.

Alicent exhales deeply, her shoulders sagging with the weight of dashed hopes. "Very well, I shall heed your counsel and set aside any notions of Aegon," she concedes, her voice tinged with resignation. "But pray tell, do you know of any other young lords more suited to the role of a devoted husband?"

Lyanna's violet eyes flash with a mixture of worldly wisdom and barely concealed disdain. She shakes her head, silver-white tresses catching the flickering torchlight. "This cesspit we call a city," she says, her voice low and bitter, "is naught but a den of debauchery, teeming with men who'd sooner warm a different bed each night than honor their vows."

Rhaenyra nods in solemn agreement, her young face already showing signs of the cynicism that often comes with life at court. The three girls stand in silent contemplation, the innocence of their youth at odds with the harsh realities of the world they inhabit.

After a moment, Lyanna's expression softens slightly. "Take care, Alicent," she advises, her tone gentler now. "In this game of thrones, a woman's heart can be a dangerous thing to wager."

The air around them seems to thicken with unspoken truths and looming destinies. Though they stand as girls on the cusp of womanhood, the weight of the realm's future already presses upon their shoulders.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​