THE MORNING IN of their departure for Driftmark had made the stone walls of the Red Keep bustling with running servants. The Targaryen family that resided in King's Landing had been amiss in their quarters for the entire day as they were getting ready for Laena Velaryon's funeral which would take place in the low island of Driftmark.
"this is a beautiful dress, princess." A maid suggested, as she held up the beautiful dark purple gown with expensive pearls brought over from the Summer Isles.
"truthfully so, and it would be perfect for a joyful event not a funeral." Visenya remarked as another maid braided her silver curls and another added blush to her full cheeks.
Visenya clutched her seven-pointed star necklace the Queen gifted to her and suggested she'd wear at the event which of course, being her mother and Queen, Visenya obliged. playing into the role of a sweet, obedient daughter.
In those same hours, Otto Hightower paid a visit to the Queen. he had been quite pleased with his meeting with the youngest princess and had began setting his plans to motion. "what is it, father?" Queen Alicent questioned as she was finishing writing in parchment paper.
Otto cleared his throat, "my daughter, I have come to discuss with you the plans of betrothal for the princess." Alicent freezed, her neck turning to him so fast it could've gave her a whiplash.
"whatever could you mean? Helaena will marry Aegon and Visenya and Aemond will marry for alliances."
"a foolish plan, Your Grace." Otto belittled his daughter, had been doing so since she was a lady. he'd control her, manipulate her until she did not see truth. his manipulation is what got her to be the Queen, and even then she'd listen to him. He was all she had when she was a child, when Rhaenyra was off rebelling against her father and The Seven as she attended brothels and even made Ser Cole dishonor himself.
Alicent frowned as she stared at him, waiting for The Hand to continue. "Helaena is a sweet girl...but Visenya has gained the support of the Smallfolk from the minute she was born. As they say, she is the Realm's Emerald, a force to be reckoned with." Otto smiled proudly, "she spends hours learning about our history, dedicating herself to the gods. she worships the same gods as the smallfolk, Helaena has not shown the same interest as Princess Visenya." Otto bowed respectfully after speaking.
The idea had certainly come to mind to Alicent before, but now with her father's support and his wisdom she could see it more clearly. Queen Visenya Targaryen and King Aegon Targaryen, they carried the name of the Conquerors, of the bravest Targaryens.
"I shall think it over, father." Alicent bowed her head, her nails scratching her fingers like every interaction the Queen has had with her father since she was a maiden.
"the carriage is ready, Princess." Elise alerted the Princess who wore a green dress with her hair braided.
this was only for the carriage trip, as she planned to change when she arrived on the ship.
Visenya smiled gratefully at her maid who'd be accompanying her throughout the voyage.
"let us make haste then."
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Three carriages left the Red Keep that morning,
the first carriage held inside King Viserys and Queen Alicent. the second carriage was host to the princes Aegon and Aemond, the latter always rolling his eyes at his brothers barely coherent and mostly rude words.
"Princess Visenya!" they'd shout and try to approximate of the carriage, but were barreled by soldiers with large swords. those who did get close oftentimes had the wheels of the carriage or the hooves of the horses wound their feet.
"The Realm's Emerald!" the mob would clatter delighted by the princess for gracing them with her presence.
"they seem to take a liking to you." Helaena said as she held one of her strange insects. Visenya closed her book and sighed, it was distressing to her. she had not even reached her eleventh nameday and already had people falling for her.
"I suppose so." the younger princess said as she stole a glance to the window.
"shall you wave, princess? show your gratitude to your subjects?" Elise advised the young princess.
Visenya pushed out a smile and waved to her subjects, she didn't want this. she never wished for the attention of the Seven Kingdoms on her. she'd much rather get her information quietly, to move and be unnoticed. but whatever Septon had declared her to be the oh, so perfect, Emerald of the Realm had truly made her wish she could rip out his tongue for ruining her plans.
the commotion of the third carriage did not go unnoticed by the other two carriages that rode in front no. "they do like our sweet girl." Viserys chuckled heartily as he clutched his heart in pain.
"rest now, my husband." Alicent silenced as she patted the king's arm, beckoning him to be quiet so she could work the gears in her mind. Otto Hightower once more proved himself correct, the Smallfolk truly loved princess Visenya and if it stayed that way...they'd support Aegon's uprising to the throne with her by his side. Rhaenyra would not be able to harm them.
"they support our sister..." Aemond Targaryen noted loudly to his own as his face was glued to the window.
Aegon, being the drunkard boy who was quick to ruin everyone's moods spoke up in a slur, "they should be praising me." he scowled, "I'm the first son!" he scoffed and Aemond rolled his eyes.
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Once they reached Driftmark, the King and his family were greeted respectfully as they always wereโlest the subjects wished to lose a limb.
Aegon smirked proudly at the show of cleavage shown when the ladies curtised and Visenya rolled her eyes as she noticed. Was Aegon truly going to be a headache in a funeral? of course he was.
from her peripheral, Visenya could see the likes of Jacaerys Velaryon. it had not been long since the two had seen one another, but it was long enough to cause her to frown. he was staring at her too intently for her liking. In truth, Jacaerys felt a slight remorse for the way he treated the princess when she was simply wondering why he'd be leaving but he was too prideful to apologize.
once the King's family (apart from Rhaenyra and her own children) had arrived the funeral had began.
it was not much of a large ceremony, but perhaps Visenya could misjudge what was muchband what was not when she'd become so used to the grandness of the lavish life she lived. Vaemond Velaryon would be the one to lead the service, he cleared his throat sadly as he began his speech in High Velaryon.
"we join today at the seat of the sea to commit the Lady Laena of House Velaryon to the eternal waters, the dominion of the Merling King where he will guard her for all the days to come. as she sets ses for her final voyage, the Lady Laena leaves two true-born daughters on the shore." Visenya could not help but hide a soft chuckle as her eyes glanced at Jacaerys and Lucerys, the Targaryen-Velaryon boys with brown hair and strong arguments.
Alicent grabbed her youngest's hand and gave it a light squeeze as she noticed the arrogance in Visenya's smile.
"Though their mother will not return from her voyage, they will all remain bound together in blood. salt courses through Velaryon blood. ours runs thick. ours run true. and ours must never thin." The audience who spoke High Valyrian was not stupid to the jab at Rhaenyra's kids. Visenya's half-sister scowled slightly at Vaemond and though she hated Jacaerys, and was supposed to hate Rhaenyra...she simply couldn't help but take admiration in her sister, she was the first female named heir of the Targaryen line of course.
Daemon Targaryen giggled as he too looked at the brown haired Velaryons. Visenya, Aegon and Aemond looked at each other humorously as they pressed the back of their hands to their lips.
Jacaerys noticed this, though his High Valyrian was not good enough as Visenya's by her cruel laughter and the look on his mother's face he could tell Vaemond's words was directed at him. and Visenya laughed cruelly as he saw her for.
"my gentle niece." Vaemond continued after being interrupted by Daemon's chuckle, "may the winds be as strong as your back, your seas as calm as your spirit, and your nets be as full as your heart." Visenya looked touched at the end of Vaemond's speech, but Aegon's bored huff was enough for her to step harshly in his foot. he winced and looked at her with anger, but she shot him back a look that commanded him to be the slightest bit respectful.
"from the sea we came. to the sea we shall return." And so, Laena's coffin fell into the blue waters of the Island of Driftmark. the atmosphere was peaceful as they all looked at the water below them. there were stifling cries and soft prayers for Laena to have a safe passage through her voyage.
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