Chapter 57

Chapter 57

ALICENT HIGHTOWER

The whole castle was gleaming as the day of the marriage of the realm's only and most beloved Princess was in full swing, the capital of the continent bustling with activity as lords, small and large, gathered from all parts of the continent to celebrate the union of two great Houses.

And most of it was because of her. She had toiled for weeks to make it all happen, and all the usual responsibilities of a Queen had fallen on her as the Princess couldn't be burdened with making arrangements for her own wedding.

It was tiresome and back-breaking work, though she would do it all over again for the sight in front of her as Rhaenyra sat in front of a massive Myrish mirror clad in her wedding dress.

Made out of the finest red silk, embroidered with rubies and gold thread, the three-headed dragon adorned the front, made with small delicate blood-red rubies that glittered in the light.

Her hair was braided elaborately in a small bun, and she wore a crown rather than a traditional tiara. The dress had a cut in the middle, showing her glistening skin, as her eyes looked at her reflection somewhat nervously.

"The rumors don't do your beauty justice, Princess," a very familiar voice that she hadn't heard in a long time cut in from the side as the wife of the Sea lord gushed over Rhaenyra, making the Princess smile.

Blair had arrived a few days ago, along with an entourage from Braavos, to attend the wedding, something which had been a surprise to her.

She was dressed in the traditional Braavosi color of purple, which, for some reason, matched Rhaenyra's eyes quite aesthetically.

"This isn't the first time you have seen her, Blair," she added as she stepped forward.

"I know, but I have never seen her dressed for marriage. This is something else," she gasped out as Alicent smiled, it was just like her to integrate herself into a social setting so quickly. Outside, the woman was a symbol of regality and nobility, yet here, with her acquaintances, she was a breath of fresh air.

"You do look lovely, Rhaenyra," she said as well, who smiled at her words.

"Thank you, though you look rather lovely as well," she remarked, complimenting her dress which had been designed by Antonie, who had arrived a week ago on Aenys's orders. Her designer from Braavos had come all the way just for her at Aenys's command, and so Alicent found herself dressed in a green gown with a slit in the middle, made of green and red silk, embroidered with emeralds and silvery thread.

The gown seemed heavy at the initial look but was made to be quite comfortable at Aenys's command to ease her, though there was always a small sense of discomfort with such elaborate clothes.

A small knock on the door interrupted their talk as she asked.

"Who is it?" and the answer came quickly.

"It is me, Aenys," she said, and she saw Rhaenyra smile as she was quick to answer.

"Come in," and the door swung open delicately as her husband entered the room, clad in a red and black gown, much similar to the one he had worn on her own wedding day. He entered the room, a smile on his face as he gave Blair a small bow.

"It is good to see you feeling at home, my lady. I hope everything has been fine," said the woman, smiling.

"Ohh, it has been perfect. I was missing your lady wife quite a bit," Blair replied, bubbling with excitement, as Aenys stepped forward. She didn't miss how his hands were tied back, concealing something from them.

His eyes then moved towards her, the spark in them igniting as their eyes met, as he took her hand and kissed it gently.

"You look lovely, as always," he complimented her, and she blushed at the note. Even years after their marriage, he still had the ability to make her feel special.

"You seem to be forgetting whose wedding it is," Rhaenyra cut in from the side, making him turn towards her with a smile.

"I can assure you I am not," he said as he dropped down and gave Rhaenyra a small kiss on her forehead.

"How could anyone forget you, Princess," he said, and Rhaenyra smiled. And she saw that he was holding a lean rectangular box behind him, and she had an inkling just what it might carry.

"Regretting marrying so early now, are we?" she continued, gasping out as Aenys looked at her and shook his head.

"As beautiful as you are, you still didn't see our wife on her wedding day," he replied, rekindling an old memory inside her as she recalled that fateful day.

The day may have ended in a tragedy, yet until then, it had been perfect. Much as her life had been since she had put her trust in the man in front of her on Dragonstone all those years ago.

"Ohh, so you are saying she looked prettier than me," Rhaenyra challenged jollily, and before he could answer, she decided to cut in.

"No, he is lying," she began as she pinched Aenys's arm and gave him a quick glare.

"In comparison to you, it was nothing," she replied.

"Now she is lying. She did look pretty good. But this debate can happen another time, I need to talk to you," Aenys began as he kneeled down and turned the chair towards himself, making Rhaenyra look at him.

"You will receive many gifts today from the various lords, but before them all, I wished to give you a gift of my own," he began.

"There is no need for that, Aenys," Rhaenyra said softly as she held his hand.

"You have done enough for me," she said, and she could tell that she meant it, but Aenys just shook his head.

"Nah, this is necessary," he began as Blair joined her by the side, intrigue visible on her face as well as Aenys put down the box and opened it.

"For years now, every Targaryen King has carried with him a Valyrian Steel sword, and they train themselves with it, some more than others, but ever King since Aegon has wielded Blackfyre, a Valyrian steel blade to highlight their status," he began as Blair gasped from the side as he removed a small object from the box, it was thin, very thin, and the way he held it told her that it was light as well, made out in style similar to the blade he carried himself, crafted similar to a blade wielded by water dancers of Braavos.

"Though I don't believe a long sword such as Blackfyre would suit a Queen much, so I present to you a Valyrian steel sword of your own," he said, and she saw Rhaenyra's eyes widen as he presented the blade to her.

"This is..." Rhaenyra was at a loss for words, and now his recent week-long trip to Braavos made sense, as she realized just what he was doing there.

"I hope you never have to use it, but in case you do, this shall serve you well," he said as Rhaenyra picked up the blade with a single hand.

"It's very light," she gasped.

"Yes, it is, but it will cut through steel armor nonetheless," Aenys replied, and she noticed the elaborate circular hilt and the rubies hammered into it. The blade was a thing of art.

"Does it have a name?" Rhaenyra asked.

"Queenmaker!"

0000

LADY JEYNE ARRYN

The Lady of the Vale strode through the great Sept as the lords gathered for the exchange of vows, the wedding arrangements had been impeccable until then with the whole city decorated for this festive occasion with celebrations set to continue for a week.

Her journey to the capital had been somewhat hurried, for after the Iron Throne's support for their campaign against piracy, Vale had to show subservience and support to the throne, especially in such a political climate.

And she quite enjoyed the shift. She hadn't been to court in years now, though, from the people that were present, the atmosphere had shifted rather greatly in the weeks leading up to the wedding, especially after the return of Prince Aenys and Princess Rhaenyra from her kingdom.

The change in atmosphere was palpable, and there was a hint of tension and aggression in the air as the lords mingled with lords and discussed the word of Prince Aenys, lending the Princess his full support so she may ascend the throne.

They were surprised and perplexed, for with the declaration had come a subtle threat as well, to all the Lords to get in line. Some had taken it for what it was, while others more prouder and sterner men called it an insult and had shifted their sides, with retinues leaving for Stepstones from the Riverlands and some ports of the Reach as well, hence insulting Prince Aenys and Princess Rhaenyra openly.

Fools! She would call them all of them. But they would answer for their crimes on their own.

Right now, the mood was festive, and she had finally found the person she had been looking for.

Dressed in a green gown of silk embroidered with emeralds and silver thread, a matching tiara adorned her fiery red hair, which was braided to perfection. It was the only person she envied amongst those present in the Halls, the Lady Alicent Hightower, the Lady wife of Prince Aenys.

"Greetings, my lady," she began as she greeted the red head who seemed to be somewhat nervous as she continuously glanced at the sept's gates and the stage while looking around the Hall nervously as well.

Her head snapped towards her at her calling, and the Hightower woman gave her a small bow as she smiled.

"Lady Jeyne, it is good to see you," she replied in a small voice that seemed pretty genuine and loving.

The years had transformed the Hightower lady from a beautiful child to a magnificent woman. She had grown taller still and seemed much more sure and content with herself as they both stood at the head of the throng of lords and ladies waiting for the bride.

"Everything has been rather magnificent, and I am told that you are the person to thank for managing this all," she began; it was also the reason they hadn't been able to meet earlier, for the red-haired woman had been too busy making arrangements for the wedding and receiving guests.

"Thank you for the compliments, my lady. I hope it has been all to your satisfaction," continued Lady Alicent as Jeyne found herself mesmerized by her more and more.

"Prince Aenys is quite a lucky man," she blurted out and saw the reddish brown-haired woman blink owlishly at her words as she questioned.

"What do you mean, my lady?" she asked, a bit of heat leaking into her tone as she quickly made to clarify.

"I meant that Prince Aenys is quite lucky to have a wife as beautiful as you," she complimented her, and she blushed as she continued.

"I had rumors, of course, but they don't do you justice, my lady," and the redhead woman was quick to praise.

"You exaggerate, my lady. I am nothing in comparison to the fabled Blue Jeyne of the Vale, she said. Jeyne smiled, and before she could reply, they were interrupted by a very familiar voice.

"It seems you have finally found yourself a new prey, my lady," Prince Aenys's voice cut in as the man appeared from behind his lady wife and raised a brow at her.

"Aenys," the woman turned and called out, her tone much softer like a nightingale, and she didn't miss how the woman's eyes literally lit up as Aenys appeared.

"Ohh, I have, and had you given me more time, I might even have succeeded," she challenged as she gave the Prince a small bow.

"Where is Rhaenyra? She was set to come out by now," Alicent asked as the Prince replied.

"She will be here. Viserys wished to walk with her himself; I was just seeing to that and all," he replied smoothly as Lady Alicent nodded, and then the herald blew a horn, and the Hall quieted down.

The Septas on the stage began to play their harps as the massive sept doors were swung open to reveal the lady of the Hour.

Princess and heir apparent to the throne, Rhaenyra Targaryen.

Her cousin looked absolutely magnificent; her red gown gleamed in the Sunlight, her skin shining, her head held high, the crown atop her head, and her eyes widened as they landed on her belt tied to her waist with an elaborate red belt was a blade.

An ornate sheathed blade.

The King beside her seemed happy as well, a smile on his face even though she could see his illness had weakened him as he walked by his daughter with a stick, one of the arms of his doublet folded for the arm he had lost to the illness.

The sound of their steps the only sound was the only sound that reverberated across the Sept as they walked to the platform slowly. The wedding proceedings began under nearly a thousand banners, and if one were to look closely, one would find many missing from them, yet the most prominent one was the one of a Sea Horse on a green field.

The banner of House Velaryon.

0000

Battle lines are drawn!

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