(Authors note: This chpt will be switching between Alys pov and third point of view. I'm sorry if it is confusing but when it is not Alysannes pov, this will be the font. Hope this makes sense!)

"Still smells like shit and whores" lord Stark exclaimed stepping out of the carriage. Cregan began to stretch after the long journey to Kingslanding. He always hated the city, just like his father.

Rhaenyra looked around at her home, a smile growing on her face as she saw Harwin making his way towards her.

"I have good news" they both said simultaneously.

"You go first" Harwin said. "I have brought the Stark family to meet with my father. I thought it was best that we rekindle the friendship between our houses as soon as possible" she said. "What's your good news?"

"Well, the queen asked me to return your cousin back to the castle today... And i did. She's readying herself for the ball as we speak" Harwin said proudly. Rhaenyras smile faded. "My cousin?... Alysanne you mean?" she asked.

"Who else?" Harwin questioned with a smirk. Rhaenyra took a step back putting her head in her hands. "Oh gods be good" she mumbled. Harwins smile faded seeing Nyras reaction.

"I thought... I thought this would be good news" Harwin mumbled. "Good news?... Good news!" she exclaimed. "Do you not remember what happened the last time Alysanne and the Starks were in the same room?"

Harwin stood there, without a notion to what she was talking about. "The king banished them from Kingslanding! All of them!... Alysanne can not know that the Starks are here. And the Stark boy can not know Alysanne is here. The whole thing... Everything would be fucked."

Harwin nodded in agreement. Rhaenyra looked around to see if anyone was watching before she grabbed Harwins hand. "You have always been loyal to me Ser Harwin... I need your help with this" she whispered. "Of course, your grace. Anything" he said.

"I need you to keep Alysanne occupied whilst i bring the Starks to the king" she said. "Okay... And what about the ball?" he asked. Rhaenyra sighed. "We'll just have to keep them separated... We have to make sure they do not see each other."

Rhaenyras face lit up with an idea. "A masquerade ball. It's perfect! Then they won't see each other and i can get the Starks out by tomorrow morning without Alysanne knowing" she said.

Harwin nodded. "Okay. Go distract her until the ball. Bring her to the library or something. But do not let her leave!" she said sternly. "I'll try my hardest, your grace. You have my word" Harwin said with a smirk tugging on his lips. He ran back to the castle as if his life depended on it.

"He seems to be in a hurry" Cregan said creeping up behind Rhaenyra. "Yes well... He's a very busy man. Lots to do... Come, i'm sure the king would like to see you" Rhaenyra said ushering the Starks into the castle.

I decided to finally venture around my old familiar home after hours of doing nothing. But as i opened my chamber door, i jumped at the sight of Harwin "guarding" my door.

"Ser Harwin?" i questioned. Harwin turned around with a look of shock. "Princess... Hello" he said with an uncomfortable smile. "What are you doing?" i asked.

"I... Um... Would you like to go to the library? I heard there are many new books that you may like" he said. I was beyond confused, but i decided to just go along with it.

"Sure" i said with an awkward smile. I walked passed him as he followed. I stopped in my path, giving him a look of confusion. "Are you following me or guarding me?" i questioned.

"Neither!... Simply... Keeping you company, princess. I have locked your Septa in her chambers to pray. I thought you would be lonely without her delightful presence" he said. I laughed softly. He was a terrible liar but, i guess some company would not be the worst thing. "Alright then."

"Father!" Rhaenyra exclaimed as they all entered the throne room. The weak king slowly turned around, his smile fading once he saw the Starks. "Rhaenyra.... Lord Stark... Cregan and..." Viserys stuttered trying to remember Sarahs name.

"Sarah... Your grace" Sarah called out with a hint of coldness. "Right... Of course" he mumbled. "What is going on?" Alicent asked. Nyra flashed her step mother a cold look before facing back to the king.

"I have brought the Starks here because i have felt the strife between our houses since the... Incident... And i believe it is time we fix it. So, i have thought of an agreement which benefits both sides" Rhaenyra began. Both the Starks and the king and queen kept quiet, so she continued.

"Our families have been allies for generations and generations. One petty fight should not ruin that. So i suggest we go back to the way things were before. The Starks send men, food and metal for weapons... But instead of us sending just ale and food, we will send wine. The finest wine in Westeros along with men to secure your borders. And... If needs be, we can send some weapons we make out of your metal. We have some of the best blacksmiths in the world. I believe this could be of use to you."

Everyone stayed quiet. Viserys gave her daughter an annoyed glare due to her making these big decisions without his knowledge. "I don't know if that is very fair" Alicent said. Lord Stark scoffed. "What do you think about this offer, lord?" Viserys asked.

Everyone waiting with their breaths held. "I don't know, your grace. As far as i know, you are still the king... And i also believe you sent men to beat my son. Why should i swear allegiance for a second time to people who treat my family like shit on their shoe?" he questioned.

Viserys held his tongue so he would not say something he would regret. "I believe i owe you and your son an apology. I never told the men to hurt anyone. I assure you they were all sharply disciplined" Viserys said. "Did you have them beat?" Cregan asked.

"I'm sorry?" the king questioned. "I said, your grace, did you have the men beaten? Did you have your men struck as they did to the princess? Your blood?" he questioned, his blood boiling more and more remembering that day.

Viserys sighed. "No... But they were severely disciplined. Now, do you accept our offer of peace?" he questioned. "It seems like you all missed our food very much, your grace. And our ale... Is that why you are so eager to have us swear allegiance to you again? Are your warriors not as strong as our Northmen?" lord Stark teased.

"Enough with the childish games. Do you wish to swear allegiance to us again or not?" Alicent snapped as her patience wore thin. "I will sit on it. I heard there is to be a ball tonight. I will decide after i have eaten" lord Stark said.

Cregan and Sarah hung their heads, trying desperately to suppress their laughter. "Yes, lord Stark... A masquerade ball in fact" Rhaenyra said trying to break the tension. "A masquerade ball? Is that right?" Viserys asked through gritted teeth.

"Yes, father... I have informed the lords and ladies through ravens that it will be a masquerade ball. It's more fun that way, no?" she said nervously. Alicent gave Viserys an annoyed side along glance. "Yes... Fun" he said. Rhaenyra gave her father an awkward smile.

"Come, lords, lady, i'll show you to your chambers" Rhaenyra said. Lord Stark gave the king and queen one last taunting glance before following Nyra out of the throne room.

Harwin escorted me through the castle halls as he told me what i have missed in my absence. Helaena punched her brother in the great hall during a feast. Her mother blamed me.

Jacaerys has been working on his fighting every minute of everyday. Aemond has still not claimed a dragon. And the king is well... The king. "And what about you, ser Harwin? Have you been well?" i asked.

"I am well, princess. I have good friends, good food and good coin. What else can i ask for?" he said. "And what about... I don't know... A girl?... Or boy for that matter. There will be no judgment from me" i said. Harwin laughed. "I am the commander of the city watch, princess. I swore a vow" he said.

"A vow never stopped anyone" i said. He smiled to himself snuggly, as if he knew something i did not. "Fine. I'll move on" i said, a small smile tugging at my lips. "How is Rhaenyra? I have not seen her since i have arrived" i said.

Harwin opened up his mouth to speak until he saw Rhaenyra and the Starks coming from the other side of the hallway. Rhaenyras face dropped once she saw Aly and Hariwn. Without second thought, Harwin shoved her into a room and locked the door quickly.

"Hey! What are you doing?! Let me out!" Aly shouted as she heard the door lock. Rhaenyra tried to think of something quickly to keep the Starks distracted. So she decided to do something stupid. She let out a fake gasp before she put her hand to her head and collapsed.

"Your grace!" Cregan shouted as they all knelt beside her. "Are you alright?" Sarah exclaimed. Nyra slowly sat up and she fanned herself. "I... I believe i feel quite dizzy. May you escort me to my chambers so i can rest?" she asked. 

"Of course, your grace" lord Stark said helping her up. She took lord Starks arm as she pretend to have her knees go weak. Her eyes slowly drifted to Harwin who could not hold in his laughter. She gave him an annoyed glare as he mocked her fainting.

"This is not funny, ser Harwin! Let me out!" Alysanne shouted. Harwins smile faded immediately once he remembered Aly was still locked in the room. Once the Starks were out of sight, he slowly unlocked the door.

"What the fuck was that?" i spat through gritted teeth, shoving Harwin back once he unlocked the door. "It... It was... It was a game! A new game i just created!" he said with a fake smile.

I stared at him dumbfounded. "A game?" i questioned. "Yes... Was it not fun?" he asked. "No. It was not" i said storming passed him. I heard Harwins footsteps follow close behind as i shoved him once again.

"Do not follow me or i swear to the gods i will take your balls and feed them to my dragon" i spat. I knew my Septa would beat the words out of me if she heard what i said, but i could not hide my anger. Harwin paused before taking a step back. I decided i do not want to go to the library anymore. So i returned to my chambers, to prepare for the ball.

A few handmaidens helped me ready myself, but none of them were as good to me as Lillie was. I missed her more than i thought i would. I wondered if she missed me too. I then began thinking about Winterfell.

I wonder how she was getting on there. I wonder if... If she saw Cregan often. I wondered if he found another woman to wed. Most likely. He wouldn't wait for me. No man would. Especially a lord who could get any woman he wanted.

"There, princess. You look beautiful" one of the handmaidens said. I looked in the mirror with a weak smile. My dress was emerald green with small golden details. "Thank you... But i don't believe green is my colour" i joked. "Every colour is your colour, your grace... And, all the dresses in your closet are green."

I sighed. This was true. Alicent has only given me green dresses whist i was in the Sept. But, i could not complain. "Are you ready, your grace?" she asked. "I believe i am... But please, call me Alysanne. I haven't felt very much like a princess of late."

Her smile slightly faltered at my words. "Okay then... Alysanne... Here is your mask" she said. I gave her a confused look. "What?" i questioned. "It a masquerade ball. The princess Rhaenyra spread the news this morning. It will be fun" she said.

The mask the handmaiden had given me was also emerald green with golden embroidery. "Very well then... A masquerade ball it is" i mumbled. The castle halls were filled with lords and ladies from every part of the world.

I even spotted a man with the Dornish sigil which i thought was astonishing. I never met a person from Dorne. I made my way into the throne room as i saw people dancing, eating, mingling and so forth. Though i could not recognise.

Well, i couldn't recognise anyone apart from my family. You couldn't miss a Targaryen even if you tried. I saw Rhaenyras white, silky hair all the way across from the hall. I began making my way towards her as i felt someone tug on my arm.

They dragged me into the swarm of people dancing. "Hello" i heard an unfamiliar voice say. "Hi?" i mumbled. "You are the princess Alysanne, no?" the voice questioned. "Who's asking?"

"My name is Jason Lannister. Have you heard of me?" he asked. I paused. "Would it be improper of me if i said no?" i questioned. "Yes... But it would also be a lie. I can read you eyes, princess. You have heard of me."

I don't know what this man was thinking because i was telling the truth. Obviously i have heard of the Lannisters, but not Jason Lannister. I knew my father hated them, and one of them was a pervert to Rhaenyra in her youth. Maybe it was this man.

"Ah yes... You caught me. Of course i've heard of you" i said lying through my teeth. As we danced, he grabbed a chalice of wine and handed it to me. "Taste this. It's the finest honey wine you'll ever taste. Made in Lannisport, of course" he said.

I reluctantly took a sip, trying my hardest not squint at the taste. "Wow. Very good" i said. It was much to sweet for my liking. I felt his hands gripped onto my waist as they slowly made there way downward. "Ser Lannister" i corrected placing his hands back on my waist.

He laughed cockily. "I have been told you were not in the castle for a time, princess. Is that true?" he asked. "Yes... It is true" i said. "You know, i remember the last time i saw you. But then, you certainly did not fill out your dress as you do now."

I held my tongue at his words. "Remind me, when was the last time you saw me?" i asked. "When you were brought to court, of course" he said. "When i was all but... Eleven?" i asked with uncomfortable laughter.

"Yes... I mean, you were beautiful then of course, but that was just your face... But now" he said looking me up and down. "Every part of you is beautiful."

I shuffled uncomfortably at his words. "Thank you, Ser Jason" i said trying to avoid his eye. I could not see the man's face, but if his face matched his personality, i could tell i would not be liking this man.

Rhaenyra took a sip of wine as she watched everyone closely. The Starks were mingling amongst themselves as Aly was dancing with someone.

"Do you have eyes on the target?" a voice said sarcastically. She looked beside her to see Ser Harwin. "I believe we are safe... For now" she said. "Good. Then princess, would you do me the honour of having this dance?" he asked putting his hand out.

Rhaenyra laughed. "My husband is here, ser Harwin. I believe that would be improper of me" she said sarcastically trying to cover up the truth. "Your husband is dancing with another lord. Is that not improper?" he teased.

Rhaenyra shook her head, biting her tongue knowing full well Harwin wound not give up. As she was about to take his hand, her eyes drifted back to the room. It was then she realised Cregan had left his family. She looked around desperately but could not spot him.

"Shit" she mumbled under her breath. "What?" Harwin asked. "The Stark boy is gone. Where is Aly?" she asked frantically. "She's right over-" Harwin was about to speak until he realised Alysanne was now lost in the crowd. "Shit" he mumbled under his breath.

The Lannister man had already bored me to death. I tried to escape his grasp multiple times, but each time he thought of a new topic of conversation. "And you know Casterly Rock, my home, is so large that it makes this castle look puny" he said. I nodded flashing him a fake smile.

"Wow... My apologies but if you don't mind, ser Jason, i am quite hungry. I'm going to get some food" i said trying to walk away. The eager man refused to let me go as he spun me back towards him.

"But why? We're having so much fun" he said. I let out fake laughter. "Yes but if i only dance with you all night, then my grand sire will be sure to scold me" i said. "Why would he do that when he asked me to come dance with you?" he said.

I paused, finding it hard to believe him. "Excuse me" i said pulling away from him. He tried to follow as i pushed passed the people dancing. I found myself feeling out of breath whilst being squished by the lord and ladies.

Suddenly, i felt my body collide with someone else's. "Excuse me" the oddly familiar voice spat. I looked around to see Ser Jason meeting my eye as he made his way towards me.

I grabbed the figure who i had crashed into, forcing them to dance with me. "If you wanted to dance with me so badly you could have just asked" the man said. I rolled my eyes at his cockiness, my eyes still on the Lannister.

Ser Jason saw that i was dancing with someone else as he walked in the opposite direction. I let out a sigh of relief as i faced back to the man i was dancing with. "Now look, even though i usually never turn down a good dance from a lady.... I'm afraid i'm already spoken for" he said. "Enough with the cockiness, alright? I'm only dancing with you because-"

It was then i looked up at the tall figure. All though he was wearing a mask, i recognised his eyes. Those eyes. I couldn't forget them. How could i? One deep, chestnut brown, and the other, blue as the sea. And his voice. How did i not realise it was him from the moment he spoke?

It was Cregan... Cregan fucking Stark.

Cregans pov:

I walked away from my gossiping father and sister to get a drink. I needed one. I sighed realising i had to push passed all the cunts who were dancing. I huffed and puffed pushing through the crowds.

As i was walking, i felt someone crash into me. "Excuse me" the familiar voice said. Though i knew it couldn't be who i thought it was. I was just imagining it. She really was driving me crazy.

"It's fine" i mumbled trying to get around her. Suddenly, the woman grabbed me, forcing me to dance. I rolled my eyes at her boldness. Who does this woman think she is?

"If you wanted to dance with me so badly, you could have just asked" i teased though she was not listening. She was grasping onto my arm as if her life depended on it. But... But i could not dance with her. She's not... She's not who i want.

"Now look, even though i usually never turn down a good dance from a lady.... I'm afraid i'm already spoken for" i said. "Enough with the cockiness, alright?" the woman spat which caught me off guard. "I'm only dancing with you because-"

And then suddenly, the woman turned to me. I looked down at her as her eyes met mine. All though she was wearing a mask, i recognised her eyes. Those eyes. I could never forget them. How could i? Her eyes were light brown, like acorns. And her voice. How did i not realise it was her from the moment she spoke?

Alysannes pov:!

He slowly removed his mask to reveal his face as my mouth fell open. "Alysanne?" he muttered. I tried to speak but not words came out. "What are you... How are you..." he stuttered also unable to speak.

I removed my hands from his arm, pulling them behind my back. I felt my breathing hitch. Without saying a word, i ran away, not caring who i shoved this time. "Aly!" Cregan called out as he hurried after me. Even him saying my name made me want to burst into tears.

I ran through the large doors of the throne room, as i stopped to catch my breath. I gasped for air but i felt like nothing was working. The footsteps that had followed me out had now stopped. "Aly... I only wish to speak" Cregan said softly.

"We don't need to speak, Cregan! Why are you even here?!" i exclaimed. "The princess Rhaenyra invited me... But she did not tell me you were here" he said. I rolled my eyes and shook my head. "You must leave" i said avoiding his gaze.

"But i've only just arrived" he mumbled. He tried to take a step towards me but i put my hands out in protest. "Don't!" i spat. He knew full well what i was thinking. What happened the last time he got to close to me.

"Alysanne... I... I don't want to leave" he said. I tried to keep up my harsh persona although it was hard. "And why would you want to stay?! If i remember correctly, you hate Kingslanding!" i exclaimed.

"I do... It stinks of piss" he said trying to make me laugh. It did not work. He cleared his throat feeling the tension. "I won't do anything to you. I won't even come near you if you wish it... I just... I just missed you. I wanted to tell you that i missed you" he said.

I let out a small whimper at his words. "Cregan please" i croaked, begging him to speak no more. He saw the pain i had held in. He knew he could not take another step towards me or i would snap... But he also wished to comfort me.

As he opened his mouth to speak, he was cut off by Rhaenyra and Harwin bursting through the doors, with a look of guilt on their faces. "Hello cousin" Rhaenyra said with an uncomfortable smile.

Silence washed over us all. "Look, we did not wish for this to happen. We were trying to avoid this mess" she said trying to defend her actions. Once again, silence washed over us.

"I'm sorry for locking you in that room, princess... It wasn't actually a game" Harwin said. "Yeah i got that, thank you, ser Harwin" i said angrily with my hands on my hips.

He stayed quiet as Cregan gave him a confused look. "I believe we all should take a breather... Harwin, will you escort Alysanne to her chambers whilst i escort Cregan to his?" she asked. "Of course, your grace" he said making his way over to me.

"Good... And then we'll leave at first light" Nyra said looking to Cregan. "What? Wait!" Cregan protested. I closed my eyes and sighed fearing what he had to say. "Is that it? We can not avoid each other forever, Aly. You know this. Whether you like it or not, the gods won't let you escape me that easily."

I bit my lip knowing he was correct... Though i did not want him to be. "Goodbye, lord" i said ignoring his words and walking away. Cregans mouth fell open at my harshness.

Harwin and i walked in silence to my chambers. Once i reached the door, i felt like i could not go inside. "Are you alright, princess?" Harwin asked. I stayed quiet. Unable to hold back the tears that begged to escape me.

Seeing Cregan brought back everything i had tried so desperately to push down. "I'm sorry, ser Harwin" i said brushing the tears from my cheek. "No, no... Don't be sorry, princess. Don't be sorry" he said wrapping his arms around me.

I did know the man well. But he was kind and gentle. I let out a small croak as i began to sob into the man's chest. He stayed quiet not knowing how to comfort me. He simply patted me on the back.

"You heard the princess, the Starks will return at first light. Then you'll never have to see them again" he said. I gently nodded my head, refusing to let go of the man. But he understood that i did not wish to be alone. But the words Harwin spoke were not true. As Cregan said,

"Whether you like it or not, the gods won't let you escape me that easily."