VALAENA HUMMED ABSENTMINDEDLY as her fingers weaved her sister's white locks into braids. She almost felt like a child again, braiding Rhaena's hair while the rest of their family was out riding dragons.

The sun was beginning to set outside the window, casting shadows onto their faces as they prepared for dinner. She could feel Rhaena shifting restlessly in her seat as she scolded her to keep still, trying not to pull on her hair in fear of hurting her.

"How about this one?" Baela pulled a dress out of her wardrobe, holding it up for Valaena to see as she glanced over her shoulder.

"Blue isn't really my color," Valaena commented with a raised eyebrow, wondering when she had ever seen that dress. "I don't even know where that came from."

"Not for you, silly," Baela laughed as she walked up to the mirror, holding the dress up against her body to view. "I quite like it."

"You can take it if you'd like," Valaena told her with a shrug, accidentally pulling on the hair in her hands as Rhaena let out a yelp. Valaena winced as she turned back to her sister, muttering a quick, "sorry," with a sheepish look on her face.

Rhaena huffed but didn't say anything, knowing telling Valaena off would leave her to deal with her own braids.

"That's a pretty melody," Baela said as she walked over to where the pair sat, catching Valaena off guard. She hadn't even realized she was humming.

"It's my favorite," Rhaena smiled as she glanced at Baela through the reflection of the mirror. "She used to sing it all the time when we were in Pentos."

"I've never heard it before," Baela commented as Valaena quickly finished the braid, tying off the ends of her sister's hair.

"Well, we had to entertain ourselves somehow while you lot were out," Valaena tried to move on the conversation as she stood up from her seat.

"Does it have any lyrics though?" Baela questioned as Valaena froze momentarily, heart dropping as she quickly moved to cover up her thoughts.

"Baela," Rhaena scolded as she muttered under her breath, clearly sensing the tension more than her sister.

"What?" Baela asked in confusion as she glanced at Rhaena. "I'm just wondering."

"No," Valaena shook her head. "There's no lyrics."

None that she could remember anyway.

"Pity," Baela sighed as she sat down next to Rhaena, using the mirror to fix her hair.

The door pushed open, ending the conversation as they all looked over to find Jacaerys entering.

"Is it time for dinner already?" Rhaena asked as she turned around in her seat, surprised by how much time had passed.

"What if I just wanted to come have a lovely chat with you ladies?" Jacaerys questioned in mock offense, earning a laugh from the girls as Valaena shook her head.

"It'll take more than that to win me over, husband or not," Baela teased, causing his face to turn beat red.

"Oh, hush you," Valaena gave her sister a playful nudge. "You'll make him die of embarrassment before you've even married."

"I most certainly will not," Jacaerys defended, clearing his throat as he tried to regain his composure.

"I wouldn't tease him too much," Baela warned her. "You might be the one getting married next."

"As if," Valaena rolled her eyes. "I'd rather claim a dragon."

"Don't let Father hear that or he might take it seriously," Rhaena quipped up from her seat.

"Good point," Valaena nodded as she tucked the thought into her mind to make sure she didn't make such a comment in front of Daemon.

"Didn't you hear?" Jacaerys questioned. "Our dear sister refuses to ever get married."

"No," Baela gasped as she turned to Valaena dramatically. "Why not?"

"I don't know why you're so shocked," Rhaena responded before Valaena could speak. "She's not exactly quiet on the matter."

"But still," Baela replied as she stared at Valaena with wide eyes. "Never? I thought you just meant for now."

"I don't think you quite know what never means," Valaena huffed out, annoyed with how Baela looked at her. "I don't need a husband. Not now, and certainly not in the future."

"You can't tell me you wouldn't marry if the perfect man came along," Baela leaned forward expectantly as Valaena pushed her away playfully.

"There's no such thing as a perfect man," Valaena rolled her eyes with a laugh.

"I'm right here," Jacaerys interrupted with that annoying smirk of his.

"My answer is still the same," Valaena teased as Baela grabbed her hand to stop her from walking away.

"You have to tell me what your perfect man would be like," Baela begged, moving to defend herself from Valaena's incredulous face. "I'm just curious!"

"Curious to go out and find that man for you," Rhaena muttered as she stood up from her seat. "Careful, Valaena, or Baela might actually find you a husband."

"Please," Baela insisted, pulling Valaena down onto the seat. "I swear I won't do it."

"Baela-" Valaena sighed, only to be interrupted.

"Well, he'd obviously have to be able to best her in a fight," Jacaerys told her. "Which is already impossible on its own."

"Exactly, case closed," Valaena stated as she stood back up.

"Nonsense," Baela pulled her back down.

"Are we seriously doing this?" Valaena asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I'm actually quite curious too," Jacaerys said with a shrug, ignoring the glare Valaena sent him to shut up.

"Ugh, fine," Valaena huffed, hoping that telling them would get them off her back. "You two are so annoying."

"I don't know much Valyrian but I know that wasn't very nice," Baela told her. "Now, tell us. Does he have to be tall, muscular, devilishly handsome?"

"Well, he'd have to be witty," Baela seemed taken aback by her answer.

"That's it?" she questioned.

"Of course not," Valaena huffed out.

"He'd have to be good with a sword but love to read," Valaena listed off. "And he'd let me do whatever I want, whenever I want. And he'd have to be near home, just so I can stay near you guys."

"Oh, and..." Valaena trailed off as she glanced over at Jacaerys before leaning forward, cupping her hand to whisper into Baela's ear.

"Valaena!" Baela squealed as she covered her ears, pulling away before she could hear anything else.

Valaena released a laugh at her uncomfortableness as Jacaerys glanced between them in confusion.

"You wanted to know," Valaena shrugged innocently, watching her sister's face turn red.

"Not that much," Baela protested, still covering her ears but the corner of her mouth twitched upward despite her best efforts.

"I'm confused," Jacaerys interrupted as he glanced between the two.

Valaena and Baela shared a look before they couldn't hold it in any longer, bursting into laughter as they leaned against each for support.

⁂     ⁂     ⁂

There was an awkward silence that even made Valaena uncomfortable as the rest of their family arrived. She shifted in her seat, reaching forward and grabbing the wine to pour into her cup. Valaena lifted it to her lips, quickly downing it as they sat down on the other side of the table.

There was a clear divide by the way they sat at the table, greens on one side and blacks on the other. Valaena had the misfortune of sitting in the middle, scooting her chair closer to Jacaerys as Aegon sat beside her.

"Switch with me," Valaena pleaded as she leaned over to whisper to her brother.

"No way," Jacaerys shook his head immediately.

"Ugh," Valeana groaned, reaching for another glass of wine to get her through the dinner.

No one spoke as they all avoided looking at each other, and Valaena decided it was not a night to be sober. By the time the doors swung open to reveal Viserys as he entered, Valaena was already on her fourth drink. She placed the drink down quickly as she stood on her feet with everyone else, a dizzy spell taking over for only a brief moment as the alcohol began taking its affect. When Viserys reached his spot at the table, she allowed herself to fall less than gracefully back into her seat.

"How good it is... to see you all tonight," Viserys croaked out as he glanced around the table at his family. "Together."

As much as she loved her uncle, it almost pained her to see him that way. He looked like he was decaying and it was a wonder he was still alive. She grabbed her cup, draining the rest of the wine as Viserys stood up to speak to them.

"Are you trying to get drunk?" Jacaerys leaned over to ask her as Viserys spoke.

"If it'll get me through this night quicker," Valaena muttered back, watching as he followed her gaze to the other side of the table where the greens sat.

"Good point, pass me the wine," Jacaerys asked her, earning an eye roll from Valaena as she complied.

She turned her attention back to Viserys as he spoke about the love and unity between the two families, making Valaena mentally scoff to herself. When he was finished, he fell back into his chair with the help of Alicent. There was another moment of silence before Rhaenrya stood tall, holding her cup up for a toast.

"I wish to raise a toast to her grace, my Queen," Rhaenyra's words came as a shock to Valaena, and it didn't seem she was the only one as Alicent stared at her stepmother with surprised eyes. "I love my father, but I must admit no one has stood more loyally by his side than his good wife."

"How long must this go on?" Valeana whispered to her brother, earning a smack on the arm from him as she opened her mouth to yell at him, stopping only when she remembered where they were.

"You're going to get us in trouble," Jacaerys responded back under his breath.

"Better than whatever this is," Valeana replied, watching as Jacaerys could only shrug in agreement as Rhaenrya and Alicent finished their toasts to each other.

The tension seemed to break in the room as the women seated themselves, chatter breaking out as the food was served. Valaena stared at the food on her plate disinteresting, pushing the potatoes around with her fork.

"Not hungry?" Jacaerys questioned in a knowing tone. "That wouldn't happen to be from all the lemon tarts you ate earlier?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Valaena denied as she dropped the fork onto her plate, leaning back into her chair.

"Oh, please," Jacaerys rolled his eyes, offended that she would act dumb. "Luke couldn't stop complaining about a stomachache all afternoon. He only gets those when he sneaks around in the kitchen with you."

"They were just so good," Valaena defended as Jacaerys gave her a shake of his head. "We couldn't stop."

"I wouldn't know, I wasn't invited," he pouted, although the smile that threatened the corner of his lips gave him away.

"Next time, then," Valaena replied. "I hear they're getting a crate of peaches tomorrow. We could force them to make peach cobbler for us."

"Only you would know when the kitchen is getting peaches when they're not in season," Jacaerys laughed, knowing his sister's obsession with peaches was anything but casual.

Valaena pursed her lips, electing not to respond. As much as she loved her brother, he couldn't understand. Peaches were a luxury she could never afford when living in Flea Bottom. It was the first thing she remembered eating when she came to the Red Keep and one of the first kind gestures she remembered.

At the thought, her eyes trailed to the end of the table where Aemond sat. She wasn't sure why, but she was far from surprised when she found him already looking at her. His sharp gaze seemed to stare right through her, sending shivers down her back. Like earlier, he didn't seem ashamed of being caught staring.

Aegon stood up from his seat, pulling Valaena's attention away from Aemond as he walked around to grab the wine sitting between Jacaerys and Baela. He paused as he grabbed the wind, leaning forward and whispering something that Valaena couldn't quite catch.

Her eyes furrowed together in confusion as Jacaerys clenched his fists, clearly angry at whatever Aegon said. She reached out to grab his clenched hand as he glanced over at her concerned gaze.

"You're welcome to join as well," Aegon stopped beside her chair, leaning down so only she and Jacaerys could hear him. "I don't mind a bastard warming my bed."

Jacaerys ripped his hand from Valaena as he slammed his fists down on the table, standing up as Aegon sat down in his seat. She was so taken aback that she didn't even have time to react while everyone's eyes landed on her brother, confused by his sudden burst of movement. Aemond stood up, staring down Jacaerys as if daring him to try anything.

"Jace," Valaena warned as she reached up to grab his arm, warning him not to ruin the dinner.

She could feel the gazes of everyone on them as Jacaerys glanced down at her, like he was asking if she was sure. Valaena shook her head, watching as Jacaerys took a deep breath before glancing around the table to realize everyone was staring at his sudden outburst. His eyes landed on Aemond, anger bubbling up again as he found him staring at sorely at Valaena.

"A toast," Jacaerys lifted his cup to clear the tense silence of the room, his eyes never leaving his uncle. "To Prince Aegon and Prince Aemond."

Aemond seemed to finally tear his gaze away as he turned his head to Jace. He made no indication of being ashamed of being caught by Jacaerys, simply staring at him with a blank expression.

"Though we have not seen each other in a long time, I have many fond memories of our shared youth," Jacaerys stated as he refused to look away from Aemond's unwavering gaze. "And as men, I hope we may yet be friends and allies. To you and your family's good health, dear uncle."

Jacaerys turned his gaze to Aegon as he raised his cup to a toast.

"To you as well," Aegon forced out just as awkwardly from his seat.

Valaena didn't need to be told again as she raised her own cup to the toast before taking a sip. Jacaerys sat down in his seat as she gave him a subtle nod, receiving a half smile from him before it dropped from his face.

"Well done, my boy," Viserys praised his speech, but Valaena could tell another awkward tension had fallen over the room. She glanced from her brother to Aemond, who still stood at the end of the table. It was almost as if he was itching for a fight before he forced himself to sit back down.

"I would like to toast to Baela and Rhaena," Helaena spoke up as she stood from her seat. "They'll be married soon. It isn't so bad. Mostly he just ignores you... except sometimes when he's drunk."

Valeana couldn't help but feel pity for her cousin as she sat back down and everyone toasted to her words. It was simply another reminder as to why she would never marry.

"Let us have some music," Viserys declared.

Right on cue, the musicians in the corner of the rooms began playing lively music to fill the air. Valaena reached for another cup of wine as her brother stood up, grabbing Helaena and brining her to the dance floor.

They were cute, Valaena thought to herself as she watched them dance and she wondered what would have happened if Alicent had accepted their betrothal all those years ago. More food was brought out as she picked at her food, watching the animosity between the group dissipate for the time being. Perhaps there was a chance they could truly get along.

Viserys began groaning in his seat, a bout of pain taking over as everyone paused to stare at him. Alicent called for the guards, who carried Viserys out in his chair for the evening. Valaena watched her parents stand up worriedly, concerned for the King as they watched him disappear behind the doors.

The music continued as everyone eventually fell back into rhythm. Valaena was even surprised when she heard a laugh come from her stepmother's mouth. Lucerys released a laugh from the end of the table as Valaena looked at what he was laughing at. Her eyes landed on the pig set before Aemond. Valaena wasn't stupid and clearly nearly was Aemond as he stared angrily at Lucerys.

"Luke," Valaena hissed in warning, but it was too late as Aemond slammed his fist on the table. The room fell silent as Valaena waited for his reaction, surprised after a few moments when he reached for his cup and lifted it high.

"Final tribute," his voice rang across the room as Valaena shifted in her seat, knowing there was more to come. "To the health of my nephews: Jace... Luke... and Joffrey."

Valaena already knew where it was heading as she stood from her seat, chair scraping across the floor as Aemond's eye snapped over to hers. Mischief and anger danced behind his violet eye as Valaena clenched her fists at her side.

"Each of them handsome, wise..." Aemond paused as he nodded, his gaze never wavering from Valaena as if challenging her to stop him. "Strong."

"Aemond," Alicent warned, but it was too late as the mood shifted in the room, no longer light and happy.

"Come, let us drain our cups to these three Strong boys," Aemond raised his cup higher, Aegon following suit as Valaena scowled at his words.

"I dare you to say that again," Jacaerys challenged from the middle of the room, no longer dancing with Helaena.

"Why?" Aemond finally tore his gaze away from Valaena, turning his head towards him. "It was only a compliment. Do you not think yourself strong?"

Everything happened to fast to comprehend as Jacaerys threw the first punch, although it hardly seemed to affect Aemond who smirked at the attempt. Valaena snapped when he shoved Jacaerys to the ground, pushing herself from the table in a fit of anger as she stormed over to Aemond.

"Don't you dare touch him," Valaena shoved him back, making him stumble before catching his footing. She may have been tipsy, but she was still strong. Her anger only increased as the smirk never left his lips.

Without hesitation, she shoved him again but harder this time. He was ready for it as he grabbed her arms, his grip unwavering as she fought against him. With a twist of her body, she used his grip against him as she threw himself onto his back.

His smirk faltered for a moment, replaced by a flicker of genuine surprise. Valaena hardly cared as she yanked herself out of his grip, preparing to walk back to her family when his hand shot out and grabbed her ankle. The unexpected force yanked her off balance as she landed beside him on the ground.

He went to stand back up, but Valaena refused to let him win. She grabbed him before he could get up, using her leverage to roll them both over. Valaena was on top of him for only a moment before he overpowered her again, sending her crashing to the ground again as he straddled her waist.

"You're persistent, I'll give you that," he mocked as she fought against the weight pressing down on her. Her frustration flared as twisted her hips enough to slightly unbalance him, giving her an opportunity to overpower him.

They rolled around the ground like misbehaved children until she caught the right moment, pinning his shoulders to the ground as she grabbed his collar and swung her fist at him. Before her swing could land, a pair of strong arms wrapped around her, pulling her off Aemond with surprising force. Valaena thrashed in their grip, her anger fueling her as she kicked and struggled to break free.

"Enough," Daemon's voice was low, his tone firm as he held her tightly to stop her from rushing forward again.

Valaena stopped fighting against him, her gaze shifting away from Aemond as it locked with her father's. His eyes burned with fury, and he released his grip on her when he saw that she had regained some control. Her eyes, however, quickly found Aemond's once more. She scowled at the insufferable smirk he always seemed to wear, knowing that he had noticed her glare. It was the same look he wore every time he found her gaze, that smug arrogance that only made her blood boil more.

"Go to your quarters," Rhaenrya ordered as Daemon turned to face Aemond, who seemed just as ready to fight as Valaena was.

"Are you alright?" Jacaerys pulled her attention away as she broke eye contact with Aemond.

"I'm fine," Valaena shrugged him off, irritation filling her voice at the ruined night. Her scowl turned into concern as her eyes found Lucerys and the red bruise forming on his head.

"Who did this to you?" Valaena questioned as she rushed forward, forgetting the entire fight as she cupped his face in her hands to check over him.

"It's nothing," Lucerys tried to shrug her off to no avail.

"No, it's not," Valaena insisted, her voice softening as she leaned in closer. "Who did this?"

"Enough," Rhaenrya's sharp voice cut through the tension as she spoke to her children. "All of you go, now."

Valaena nodded, no longer interested in fighting as Lucerys went to protest. She grabbed her brothers' arms as she began dragging them toward the doorway despite their protests.

Behind them, Daemon stood silently with his arms crossed against his body as he stared down Aemond. There was a brief silence before Aemond's gaze flickered behind him for only a moment before moving back to Daemon.

Knowing the fight was finished, Aemond hummed under his breath before pulling away from Alicent's grip on his arm and walking towards the other door. Daemon didn't allow himself to relax as he watched the young boy storm off before turning to follow where he glanced. A frown made its way onto his face as his eyes landed on the children being herded out the door by his daughter, as protective of her siblings as ever.

There were many reasons Aemond could have been looking over there, most of them raising great concern to him. He too had been young once, similar to Aemond in many ways.

Daemon prayed to the gods he would not become a problem later on.