ᵈʳᵃᵍᵒⁿ ʰᵉᵃʳᵗ

˖⁺‧₊˚🪽.° ༘

[ the supper ]

𝐉𝐚𝐜𝐚𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐬 𝐤𝐞𝐩𝐭 𝐚 𝐬𝐨𝐟𝐭 𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐩 𝐨𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐬 𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬. You were still in shock at the sight of the beheading of Ser Vaemond, and was still relatively shaken.

Of course, from your home in the east, where your house originated in Essos, you had obviously seen the terrors of war and brutality. You had seen your father fight, and you knew of the calculated and vile means a man could extend to, but you could still never really prepare yourself for actually seeing it. 

"We're almost there," your betrothed whispered, making you nod in response. You both walked down the corridors, before Jace slowed down in front of a large pair of doors. He pushed them open, and you barely took the time to glance around his room. It was dark and filled with velvet sheets and chairs, whilst most of the furniture was made of dark wood and fine fabrics of Qarth. "Sit, my love."

You followed his instruction, taking a seat on the plush covers of his bed, shutting your eyes as you took a deep breath to quell your racing heart. Jace leaned down in front of you on his knee, staring up at you as his thumbs brushed across your knuckles. 

"I didn't expect it, that's all," you mumbled.

"Of course, you didn't," Jace softly uttered, causing you to open your eyes, finding him with a gentle smile. "You are too pure for this world."

You couldn't help but chuckle, shaking your head as you moved your hands from his, stroking your fingers across his cheeks as you leaned down. "I love you, Jace."

"I love you, Y/N."

You pressed your lips to his, feeling his hands move up your arms to keep you stable as your head tilted forward to incline the kiss. You and Jacaerys had shared many sweet kisses in the passing month, but you had yet to give him your purity. Your betrothed was a gentleman, after all.

A few hours later, you found yourself leaning forward as you listened to the chatter of Jace and Luke, you, Baela and Rhaena often putting input into the conversation. You had known the younger sister for a while now, and had only met Baela about three days ago, but you had learned of her stern yet sweet nature, and she had already grown fond of you.

The doors opened, and you and the rest of the royal family stood up in greeting of the king. Viserys was carried into the dining hall on a chair and was soon placed in the center of the table, in between his wife and daughter, who had yet to speak to each other.

You all sat down when he did, glancing at Jace who nodded from beside you. You ignored the right side of the table, where you had made the mistake of before, locking gazes with Aemond, who sat at the end. 

"How good it is... to see you all tonight... together." Viserys rasped, glancing over at Rhaenyra who looked down at her plate. 

"Prayer before we begin?" the Queen asked.

"Yes," he agreed.

"May the Mother smile down on this gathering with love," Alicent started. "May the Smith mend the bonds that have been broken for far too long. And to Vaemond Velaryon, mat the Gods give him rest." Daemon grinned to himself, glancing away to hide his amusement when she finished.

After a moment of silence, she leaned back in her chair, looking over to her side where Viserys nodded in conclusion of the prayer. "This is an occasion for celebration, it seems. My grandson, Jace, will marry the Lady Y/N of House Vanya. A fine match." You shared a smile with Jace, not missing the tilt of the king's lip from the side of his mask as he watched you both for a moment. "And Luke, who will marry his cousin, Rhaena, further strengthening the bond of our houses. A toast to the young princes... and their betrothed."

"Hear, hear!" the group cheered softly as they raised their glasses.

"Well done, Jace. You'll finally get to lie with a woman," Aegon muttered to his nephew, throwing a glance to you over his shoulder. "And a pretty one at that."

Jace forcefully placed his chalice back onto the table as you looked over with a slight glare, letting out a short sigh as you too lowered your glass.

"Let us toast as well to Prince Lucerys," the king continued. "The future Lord of the Tides."

"Hear, hear." Rhaenyra smiled at her son as the cups were once again raised in celebration, the boy glancing down as he bit lip in embarrassment.

"You'll be great," Rhaena complimented to her betrothed, the pair sharing a gentle smile. 

Jace grinned at you as he whispered another chattering comment before Aegon leaned over to him. "You do know how the act is done, I assume?" he questioned in a whisper. "At least in principle? Where to put your cock and all that."

"Let it be, my love," you soothed, but Jace felt his ears burning as his uncle continued his vile talk.

"You can play the jester if you wish, but hold your tongue before my betrothed," he warned.

"Mm-hm," Aegon nodded before adjusting himself in his seat whilst his father patted his staff on the stone. 

Viserys raised from the seat with a stifled groan, the party watching on in concern. He stabled himself against the wood, causing the cutlery to clatter as Rhaenyra placed her hand on his arm. He took deep breaths before speaking, "It both gladdens my heart and fills me with sorrow to see these faces around the table. The faces most dear to me in all the world... yet grown so distant from each other... in the years past." The king sighed, before lifting his hand and smacking it against his golden mask, hooking his decaying fingers in the coverup as he pulled it off of his face. It revealed his withered face, your eyes widening slightly at the sight. The mask fell to the table with a thud as he slowly faced his daughter and brother. "My own face... is no longer a handsome one... if indeed it ever was. But tonight... I wish you to see me... as I am. Not just a king... but your father. Your brother. Your husband... and your grandsire. Who may not, it seems... walk for much longer among you. Let us no longer hold ill feelings in our hearts. The crown cannot stand strong if the House of the Dragon remains divided. But set aside your grievances, if not for the sake of the crown... then for the sake of this old man who loves you all so dearly."

It was silent as his speech ended with his labored breathing, falling back into his seat. Suddenly, Rhaenyra's was pushed back, the legs scraping against the stone floor as she stood, holding the chalice up.

"I wish to raise my cup to Her Grace, the Queen," the princess said. She looked over to the woman, who raised her gaze to her, eyebrows furrowed slightly. "I love my father. But I must admit that no one has stood more loyally by his side then his good wife. She has tended to him with... unfailing devotion, love and honor. And for that, she has my gratitude... and my apology." 

Rhaenyra sat down, chin lowered as she sighed. Alicent shuffled in her seat, looking away from the woman before returning her stare to her. "Your graciousness moves me deeply, Princess," the Queen uttered, causing Rhaenyra to look at her. "We are both mothers... and we love our children. We have more in common then we sometimes allow." Alicent stood from the chair as she stated, "I raise my cup to you... and to your house. You will make a fine queen."

The princess smiled softly as she sat back down, eyes remaining on her food as she pondered her once best friend's words. The rest of the party drank from their cups in confirmation of their toasts, Daemon raising his chalice to Jace, who grinned back at him as he reciprocated the action. 

Aegon gulped down the wine, ignoring the glare of his grandfather, Otto. Tapping his fingers against the glass, the prince decided to stand up and make his way over to you, passing his nephew who stared dead ahead, blinking rapidly as his uncle cleared his throat. Aemond too followed the boy's path, finding you at the end of it, taking a small sip from your cup. 

You could smell the wine oozing from the boy as he leaned down near you, reaching over and grabbing ahold of the pitcher. His breath nothing but rancid as he murmured to you, "I, um... I regret the disappointment you are soon to suffer." You glanced up at him as he poured the drink into his cup, filling it to the brim. "But if you wish to know what it is to be well satisfied, all you have to is ask."

Jacaerys slammed his hands against the table as he shot up from his chair as Aegon traipsed back to his seat, eyes widening in amusement. 

"Jace," you whispered, reaching over to place your hand on top of his; white-knuckled and tightened into a fist. The brunette cleared his throat, and you followed his gaze, surprised to find Aemond standing as well. The nephew-uncle pair stared at one another as the others glanced between the two.

Jace broke away from the white-haired prince's gaze, taking ahold of his chalice and lightly punching Aegon's shoulder in an attempt of boyish playfulness. "To Prince Aegon and... Prince Aemond. We have not seen each other in years, but I have fond memories of our shared youth. And as men, I hope we may yet to be friends and allies. To you and your family's good health, dear uncles."

He sipped from his glass as Aemond glared at the boy. Alicent glanced between the two, before her gaze rested on you. She had yet to see the burning eyes of her son trained on a woman before, much less his nephew's fiancé. 

Jace squeezed Aegon's shoulder, the prince wincing slightly at the tightness of the boy's grip before muttering, "To you as well."

Aemond glanced to the side as others looked at him, wondering why he was still standing, sitting down as he stared at his food.

"Beware the beast beneath the boards," you heard Halaena mumble to herself. 

"Well done, my boy," Viserys praised Jace, tapping his staff against the ground in compensation of a clap. 

"I would like to toast to Y/N and Rhaena," Halaena stated, standing as he looked between you and the youngest sister. You watched as her eyes lit up at the sight of the warmth in your smile. "They'll be married soon. It isn't so bad. Mostly he just ignores you... except sometimes when he's drunk."

There was scattered laughter, mostly from Daemon as the girl smiled at everyone, holding her arms out slightly as she sat down. Her grandfather nodded with a smile as he whispered in approval, "Good."

"Let us have some music," Viserys ordered, and just as quickly, a lively melody soon rang out in the room. 

There was chatter in the room, and you giggled at another one of Rhaena's jokes when you felt hands rest atop your shoulders. Glancing up, you found Jace who smiled at you, pressing a kiss to the crown of your head before he walked over to his aunt. Wordlessly, he held out his hand, the girl looked up in wonder as her husband watched from next to her. 

She took Jace's hand, him leading her to the floor as Aegon turned in his seat as he observed the pair. Halaena shook her head as Jace soothed her with a grin and a joking comment, the girl relaxing before her laughter soon echoed in the room as she jumped around in excitement, Jace following her movements. 

You grinned, letting out a slight chuckle at the display before facing back in your chair. You ignored the raised eyebrows of Aegon, shaking your head, "No."

"I didn't even get to ask you, woman," he muttered, rolling his eyes as he drank from his cup. 

Viserys glanced around at his family, finding his wife chuckling with her father who clapped for his granddaughter, whilst Rhaenyra emersed with Daemon, the pair chuckling. 

The king felt his heart burst in his chest. This was all he ever wanted. His family being... a family. 

Alicent smiled at him, before moving her eyes to Rhaenyra, who was watching the exchange. Halaena and Jace linked arms as they circled one another in time with the music, whilst Luke and Rhaena playfully sent small flecks of bread at you and Baela, who would send clicks of your tongues and glares before continuing your conversation once again.

Daemon looked over his wife's shoulders to his brother, who was leaning forward as pained breaths escaped his chapped lips. 

"Guards," Alicent called as she too noticed her husband deteriorating from beside her. He groaned as his seat was pulled away, the chatter coming to a halt as everyone stood up. "Please, sit down."

Jace and Halaena stopped their dancing as Viserys was carried by, before continuing as he was taken into his room. Rhaenyra stated something across from you, causing laughter to spill from your lips, and Aemond felt his ears prick at the sound. Glancing up, he watched you for a moment, before hushed chuckling was heard. He moved his gaze from you, over to Luke, who watched him with a smirk as a sizzling dish of pig was placed in front of him, the boy's shoulders shaking as he looked down at his food.

Aemond felt his anger surge through his body as he banged his fist against the table, standing up and gathering everyone's attention as he did so. "Final tribute," the prince said as he held his glass up. "To the health of my nephews; Jace... Luke, and Joffrey. Each of them handsome, wise-." Aemond paused as a tiny smirk pulled at his lips, both the brothers tilting their chins as they glared at him when he finished, "... Strong."

"Aemond-."

"Come," he interrupted his mother. "Let us drain our cups to these three..." Aegon complied with his brother's request, raising his glass high in the air. "Strong boys."

"I dare you to say that again," Jace chanced with a flare of his nostrils.

"Why? 'Twas only a compliment. Do you not think yourself Strong?" he questioned as the brunette strode towards him.

Suddenly, Jace swung his fist, punching his uncle in the face. Luke shot from his seat, rushing over to his brother when Aegon stood, stopping the boy and slamming his head down on the table.

"Jace!" Rhaenyra called.

"Enough!" you exclaimed, shoving Aegon away from Luke, the prince stumbling back from your surprising strength.

Aemond smirked, merely pushing Jace back, the younger boy falling to the ground, before groaning as he stood, a scowl playing at his mouth. The white-haired prince chuckled as Jace was pulled back by the guards, as well as Luke, the brothers straining in the soldier's holds.

Alicent raced forward, taking her son by the arm and pulling him close as she whispered, "Why would you say such a thing before these people?"

"I was merely expressing how proud I am of my family, mother," he shrugged, before facing the siblings. "Mm, though it seems my nephews aren't quite proud of theirs."

Jace growled as he surged forward, but Daemon shouted, "Wait, wait!" He held his hand up at the boy, Jacaerys stepping backwards as his stepfather stood in front of him, forcing him back.

"Go to your quarters. All of you go, now," Rhaenyra ordered. You nodded, holding your hands out to Rhaena and Baela, the girls quickly taking hold of them, squeezing in close beside you as you walked out of the hall. 

You could feel the burning in your back to the gaze of a certain prince watching your retreating figure. Aemond moved his gaze away from you as Daemon stared at him with a squint of his eyes, before huffing as he too left the dining hall.