FIVE YEARS HAD PASSED since the discovery that the princess bled black, however all information about the matter was concealed from the Smallfolk or to whomever it may concern. it was a palace secret that only a selective few knew, Visenya had been coddled, as if she was a sick bedridden child when in truth—she had never felt her bone's stronger.

Alicent continuously brought her daughter to the Sept, asking the gods why they had forsaken her and for a cure. medicine was all Visenya had known for the past years, and it always left her groggy and tired.
but she found a way around it, once the maesters left she'd quickly spit out the contents and resume her days.

Because of her "disease" Alicent had postponed her engagement with Aegon, who found himself frequenting more and more brothels and sinking into his cups more by the day. it left a bitter taste in the family's eyes as they found it harder to like the older boy.

Viserys had only fallen more ill to his leprosy, and Visenya would continually read him stories of Aegon's Conquest because it was what brought the King comfort, even when he called his youngest by the name of his oldest Visenya would bow her head and play into the role of Rhaenyra.

Otto Hightower had began setting his plans for his future Queen consort, to him the coloration of her blood was no matter. as long as she could fulfill her duties and carry her betrothed's heirs and enchant the realm with her beauty and charm. Visenya was entrusted with a multitude of books and learning on how to be a good ruler and each day Otto whispered how she should heed the words of the hand and those who came before her.
And because Visenya was a child, she obeyed and allowed herself to become her grandfather's puppet.

The people surrounding Visenya and her siblings continuously whispered to them Rhaenyra's conspiracies—killing them so she could ascend the throne, and it was scary to live life awaiting for the moment of death, waiting for the moment you'd meet a blade because you were someone's sister or brother.

Visenya was still the dragonless Targaryen, though she dreamt of riding a fire-breathing beast she was afraid to go to Dragonstone and that they'd kill her just as her mother whispered. However, being a dragonless Targaryen did have positive points in itself—The Smallfolk were ever sympathetic of the sick princess without a dragon, because it meant she was not a threat and much more like them than any Targaryen.
But that's where they got it wrong, Visenya was nothing like the Smallfolk. She cared for them, but she did not know them, as they did not know her and her perverse thoughts.

Aemond had married his older sister, Helaena a few weeks after the events of Driftmark. The two sired a pair of twins, Jaeherys and Jaehaera whom Visenya constantly spoiled and showered with love the best way she knew how—gifts.

During the slow passing years, Visenya grew more and more interested with the prospect of wielding a sword and getting her revenge on the bastard and Baela Targaryen. Visenya was an angry girl with a disturbing calmness about her, though it felt like she'd unleash it at any given moment. Aemond and Visenya grew close with their ambition of revenge (though it was unfair on Aemond's part, as him himself had appointed that the debt was paid with the claiming of Vhagar) and their thirst for knowledge.
Visenya begged for Aemond to train her, and for weeks he had said no and that it was not her place as a princess—but Visenya was restless, and so he trained his sister Cole's teachings.

the clash of swords were music to Visenya's ears as she and Aemond dueled in her room, the air was crisp as the sun lit the room. Visenya's old sword, Silversong (gifted by Aemond after he was gifted with a Valyrian steel one) was swift as she took control of the duel, constantly meeting Aemond as she backed him into a corner, she was angry and determined and if it didn't fuel his sister's ego Aemond could even call her a great swordswoman. The older boy was much faster and stronger as he blocked his sister's blow, a sly smile in his face. It is hard for a student to beat its master.

A cocky smile appeared on Visenya's face as she successfully drove her brother against the wall, Silversong reflected in the sunlight causing a blinding light on Aemond's neck, "I win." she smirked proudly, for the first time in five years, she had beat the mighty Aemond Targaryen.

Aemond did not smile, did not frown. He remained silent as his eyes lowered to Visenya's stomach and there it was, the slight tremble of a side smile.
Visenya frowned as she followed his gaze, she was so blind in her senses that she had not felt the slight grazing of a dagger. "you only pay attention to the hand holding the sword, sister." Aemond said as he pushed himself out of Visenya's grasp.

"you fight unfairly." the girl protested with a pout, sheathing her sword to the sheath in her emerald dress. the Valyrian words falling gracefully from her lips.

"there's nothing fair about a true fight, Visenya. You are either slain or victorious." Aemond said after drinking the warm wine from his goblet. The ancient language was the most used between the pair.

"and what of honor?" she raised a brow, sitting on her chair.

"victors write the story." Aemond refuted with a smirk, putting on his eyepatch which conceiled the gleaming blue sapphire that substituted his left eyeball before confidently leaving.

𓆰𓆪

Visenya had always felt stranged out by her family, almost as if they held no love for eachother. Bonded by the duty of the crown, there was moments, of course in which they'd dine together and spend few minutes of their time. But The Keep oftentimes lacked laughter and the easiness that came in the air of a real family—at least its what she'd read in romance novels Otto thought to too silly.

And when she'd catch a moment in the Godswood of the castle, laid atop of the weirwood tree and wonder if the situation was alike in Dragonstone—did Jace oftentimes feel like this stranger whom his family kept pining up on for his beauty—no, scratch that. Jacaerys was a bastard with common hair, he was not beautiful at all. But did Rhaenyra oftentimes prayed that the hair of her bastard's would drastically change so that this rumor would cease?
Did they often have this, awkwardness inside their own home as they played pretend?

"Princess, the Queen requests your presence at the dining table." a knight informed her, and Visenya nodded as she scrambled off the dirt that had been stuck to her dress.

Visenya's nameday was coming up, and all the princess ever knew was the walls of the castle. She'd only ever visit Driftmark, but that had been years ago. Visenya longed for freedom, longed for a change of scenery and time away from the court of webs that she belonged in as they carefully spinned their silk around everyone. Sometimes it truly felt like a room with no windows.
However, today was Otto's Hightower nameday and Visenya wondered this was the reason for her mother's request. Undoubtedly so, she was right.

Visenya had changed into a long sleeved blue dress with her golden jewelry. Her hair was braided into a crown and her makeup was at an all time light.
She had grown beautifully, though she'd never come to believe so when the scar she bore at the side of her face had ruined her appearance.

"Princess Visenya Targaryen." the announcer said as Visenya was the last to join the Hightower/Targaryen table. There was nothing too extravagant for the hand of the king, no large feasts or tourneys or even noblemen. It was a simple dinner with the royals who resided within King's Landing. Visenya bowed to her king and queen.

"You've grown so much, my daughter!" Viserys mused, a golden mask covering half his face as his leprosy had worsened over the years.
It was not only illness but also poison; though most did not know of this information such as Visenya.
But no matter how much Milk of the Poppy the peaceful king took, or the many treatments he went through before even marrying her mother, nothing ever worked. It left Viserys incapacitated and so in his stead, Alicent and Otto ruled the Seven Kingdoms wisely.

"thank you, My king." Visenya faked a smile, it was deplorable, seeing one's father in that situation. Visenya sat beside her betrothed, who looked all the way disinterested to be there. They all (but the king) knew where he'd rather be, with his cock buried in moaning whores.

The evening progressed rather slowly, the bard had been on his seventh song and Visenya's foot tapped against the chiseled floors in anticipation as to where she could bring up her wish.
"now for the presents!" Alicent smiled, a cheery air about her that Visenya rarely saw.

Viserys had gifted his (un)loyal hand another acre of land, Alicent gifted her father a larger necklace of the Faith, Helaena gifted her grandsire a knowledgeable book about the most poisonous, long legged creatures she had such an obsession for. Aemond gifted Otto a ring.
Aegon had forgotten about the present and maybe even the date; Alicent rolled her eyes in annoyance and Visenya sighed beside her betrothed.

Finally, it came to the last granddaughter. Visenya gifted her grandfather a book of the history of the Faith, her mother's influence brushing on her as it was the majority of her gifts from Alicent.

A new set of minutes passed before Visenya spoke out, "I'd like to make a ...wish, for my fifteenth nameday." the youngest brought the attention of the table, making her feel slightly awkward.

"I wish to go on a tour." Visenya smiled as she looked at the King and Queen.

"A tour?" Alicent scrunched up her face, "you're sick, Visenya." the silver haired daughter wished to roll her eyes at her mother/queen, but because it lacked respect she refused to do so.

"I have never felt better." Visenya retorted with a sly smirk, "Father...All I've ever known was this. Rhaenyra had a tour when she was younger! Why must I not be allowed to meet the continent Aegon, Visenya and Rhaenys fought so hard to conquer?" Visenya pouted, she knew how to play her father like no one else.

Viserys sighed, looking down his plate. He'd receive an earful of Alicent after this but whenever he saw the girl, she seemed healthy as a horse. "I'll allow it for political purposes as your king, a princess must know her people. and I'll allow it as your father because what kind of man would not like to see his princess happy?" Viserys smiled wholeheartedly as Alicent shook her head in worry. The Queen glanced at her father and his eyes showed he had a plan.