THE COMMOTION WAS STILL at an all time high, but Visenya remained uncaring that her mother had been committing treason to her half-sister, the heir, right behind her.
Viserys had others to spare— was the girl's train of thought as her eyes were dead set on Baela Targaryen, her teeth bared and she suppressed a snarl.

Jacaerys was the first to notice, staring her cautiously as if waiting for her to attack just as her mother attacked his.
"you've gone too far!" Rhaenyra exclaimed in the background.

Rhaena was the second to notice, taking her twin's arm and nodding to Visenya, warning her of the danger that loomed by.

"I?" questioned Alicent as her grip tightened in the dagger, tears filling her eyes as anger and guilt alike consumed her.

the twin pair of Daemon spawn held eachother closer, and Visenya could smell their fear. She did not act hastily as her mother, however, no. She reveled in the sight of their fear, there'd be no repercussions to her staring, to inflicting fear and doubts on Baela and Jacaerys mind like a restless nightmare. would she pounce on them? would she run and grab a dagger as her mother? would she claw and bite?

no, the princess was in a precarious position with her public image. She could not be unpolite, hostile, and unladylike—especially now with the cut that ran through her right temple to her cheekbone.

"what have I done except what was expected of me?Forever upholding the kingdom, the family, the law. While you flout all to do as you please!" Alicent fought back causing the distracted teens to return their attention to the external conflict at hand.

"Alicent let her go!" commanded The King, but The Queen was deaf to all but Rhaenyra.

"Where is duty?! Where is sacrifice?! It's trampled under your pretty foot again!"
"release the blade, Alicent." The King's Hand and Queen's father ordered, though he did not do much to control her. Not even Alicent's biggest unknown manipulative parasite would have her listen as she spiraled out of control.

"and now you take my son's eye...and to even that you fill entitled to." Alicent's voice was frail, as she memorized Rhaenyra's face.

"Exhausting, wasn't it? hiding beneath the cloak of your own righteousness. but now they see you as you are." Rhaenyra scrunatized, feeding the fire.

Alicent screamed, losing control as the dagger came in contact with the heir's wrist. blood spilled down the floor as the former friends were separated. a gasp was let out, the clang of the dagger brought eyes as The Queen allowed it to fall in the moment of surprise.

Aemond stepped forward, after letting the drama finish. "Do not mourn me, Mother. It was a fair exchange. I may have lost an eye, but I gained a dragon." the second born said. Visenya's blood ran cold, she had not gained anything but a permanent injury. and a dragon was a Targaryen's birthright—Aemond did not need to lose an eye, and she deserved one.

"it is in our birthright, brother. You did not have to lose something to gain something that is a Targaryen's birthright. " Visenya's voice caused the room to go silent as they looked at the princess who had finally pronounced herself.

Rhaenyra looked at her, not recognizing the girl that visited her the day Joffrey was born—asking if she was okay just as her mother made her walk across the entire castle. Not recognizing the sweet girl she'd have biweekly tea with before Alicent found out. Not recognizing the sweet girl that would spread kindness and be respectful to the Smallfolk and the servants even when she wasn't expected to. the girl that Harwin would speak kindly about as he talked of her desires to be a good swordsman— yes, the princess argued with her heir, but she believed that to be merely child's play.

but now, as she looked at her ten year old sister, she saw that Alicent had soon plagued her mind. Visenya looked frigid, hatred too obvious in her glare as her determination was set in stone. how hard it was to dislike her small sister, however could Alicent do it? disliking Jacaerys and Lucerys?

Rhaenyra would not let her feelings deter for Visenya, she was still innocent. she was taught her mother's ways but there was still time. and when the youngest princess would come to her doorstep, Rhaenyra would offer her embrace and hospitality like an older sister should do.

"this preeceding is at an end." Viserys roared.

the tension was heavy in the room, blood had already spilled that night, ran first in the ashy sand of Driftmark and now at the tiles of its castle, soiling its way in as the mighty House of the Dragons had finally set in stone their separation.

they had chosen to seed their hatred as they separated themselves, and it'd be years until they reaped what they sowed...but it would be there.

𓆰𓆪

"how are you, my good daughter?" Alicent questioned as she kissed her daughter's forehead, the open flesh of the self-inflicting wounds of her own finger soothing Visenya's throbbing head.

"they say you've gone mad," Visenya swallowed the lump in her throat as the covers provided her warmth.
Alicent retrieved her hand, setting it upon her dress as she sighed.
"I do not believe it. you were angry, yes, but it is justified." the princess touched her mother's elbow, missing her hands, her warmth.

"I should not have assaulted the princess. nor said the circumstances of the birth of those boys in front of your brothers. your father is mad at me."

"I know." Visenya nodded, bringing the Queen's hand to her cheeks, running it against her mouth as she delivered a gentle kiss.

"I cannot remember much..." Visenya said after some time, "my head hurts and I..." the youngest looked away. "I am afraid of my own mind, mother." she confessed.

"have you been praying?" Visenya nodded at the question, praying the names of Baela Targaryen and Jacaerys Velaryon—their names close to her mind lest she forget.

"I shall allow you to sleep, perhaps then it can soothe your pains." Alicent kissed her daughter's forehead, careful to not brush her wounded nose.
"may The Mother take care of you."

"I love you, mom!" Visenya whispered, but Alicent was already halfway with closing the door.

𓆰𓆪

The next morning was just as the day The Keep was getting for its departure, it was messy and loud. majority of the guests had already departed from wherever they came. But House Targaryen and House Velaryon were still reunited, the maids ran around the halls gathering what they could muster quickly.

Visenya was in the hallways when Rhaenyra called out to her sister, "Visenya!" the girl turned with raised eyebrows.

"how is your head?" the question came out of nowhere and Visenya furrowed slightly, sensing how Rhaenyea was searching for something inside her.

"it no longer hurts as it did." Visenya cleared her throat awkwardly, "how is your wrist?"

"it was not too deep." Rhaenyra smiled softly.
Visenya smiled coyly, nodding her head as a curtsy and she began turning away—afraid her mother or one of her most esteemed spies would see the interaction between the separated sisters.

"Vis!" called Rhaenyra as she sucked in a breath, her hand grabbing the young princess' arm.
"I have thought about what you said last night. And you are right, a dragon is in your birthright. I've decided that you can come claim one in Dragonstone whenever you wish, whatever dragon that accepts you as its rider." Visenya frowned as she looked at her sister, asserting if she was serious or not about the matter.

"thank you, Rhaenyra. Good day." Visenya muttered as she recognized the familiar clang of Larys Strong's cane and she hurried away.