129 A.C

·:*¨༺ ♱✮♱ ༻¨*:·

DRAGONSTONE

"I hate Daemon, Lemoncake" Vellena spatted out of nowhere, but her lilac eyes never left the book page. The weather was very peaceful that day, warm sun and blue clear sky, so Aegon's Garden seemed the perfect place for Vellena's daily marathon on reading at least five books a day. She had already read most of the books from the Dragonstone library and concluded that she needed new ones, asking her mother if grandsire would send some with a ship seemed rather silly and surely the Maester from the Red Keep or Alicent could highly disagree on the matter.

"If we make the calculations correct then this is the sixth year since mother is married to that dragon-dung face AND she's pregnant the third time! Like what the actual fuck?!" Vellena scoffed turning the page of the book from her lap, she was wearing the light-pink flowery gown that Rhaenys gifted her on her 15th nameday, her hair was tied in a round messy bun that had a braid around it and two locks loosed on the sides of her face. The princess knew little of how children were created, she acknowledged the birthing process to be rather traumatizing but how the small thing appeared in the women's belly was one of the many mysteries she yearned to discern.

Two pairs of little paws touched her leg, slightly scratching her skin through the fabric of her gown, Vellena averted her lilac eyes from the captivating phrases of the story towards the cat cubs meowing and trying to jump on her thighs. Lemoncake got pregnant four moons ago for the first time because she managed to escape the castel corridors for a while and Vellena began to worry so much until one night when the yellow fluff sneaked back into the bed and the princess woke up with her friend next to her. She had not figured out, Lemoncake's state until the fifth week since her arrival back, a bit of round belly and so much appetite for fish, more than Vellena accustomed her kitten to. The ninth week, in the middle of one night, Lemoncake began to meow so loud that all the west wing of the Sea Dragon Tower. Lemoncake did not wish to give birth unless Vellena was the one to stay by her side, the animal hissed at the Maester and refused any other handmaid except for her princess's pressence. The royal cat birthed two little puffs, one female with orange amidst shades of black stripes that was named Mera and the other male with white as snow alongside a dark-yellow dot on top of its head was gifted the name Berion.

"Finished your meal already? Hm?" Vellena chuckled lifting them both in her lap, a soft smile on her lips as she brushed her finger through their fragile fluffy coat.
"Fatigued your mother enough, I believe" her gaze moved to her left where Lemoncake was laying serenely with her back leaning Vellena's knee. Berion took Vellena's finger between his small claws and tried to bit the skin with his growing teeth but the gesture only tickled the princess. Little Mera got distracted by the instinctive moves of her brother's tail so she tried with all her strength to catch it in her mouth.

Lemoncake finally had a moment to take a break while her princess's gentle fingertips stroked the spot under her left ear, one of her favourites that would lead her to a peaceful sleep in only few minutes. In Westeros was not so common for the lords to keep domastic animals in their homes, few were the little ladies who did so, and especially the royal Targaryen family. For Vellena what the smallfolk thought meant very less, she raised Lemoncake, fed her food, played with her and shared the bed with her, so everyone else's tongues could speak how much they desired, Lemoncake and her cubs belonged to Vellena, no soul could change that or the Princess would burn them alive.

"Seems like the cat family has grown while I was away" Vellena's breath stopped, it could not be true, he had not answered a raven in six moons and her mother had not informed her of any departure from The Stepstones. The Princess swallowed hard taking Mera and Berion from her lap and placing them near Lemoncake, both cubs stared at the girl weirdly feeling her mixed emotions fighting inside. Then she turned around and her lilac eyes welling up with tears, Vellena prayed it was not yet another dream and she would only wake up disappointed once again. Jacaerys was there, wearing a red tunic, his curly hair reaching the top of his shoulders and he chortled opening his arms for her. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she got up from the blanket and run straight into his arms, a soft laugh coming from Jace when he embraced his lovely sister trying to keep away his own tears that threatened to take over him.

"If this is yet another dream, please don't wake me" the princess mumbled straining her arms around his neck that she didn't even care if it strangled him. Jacaerys held her waist tightly afraid to not lose again, afraid that another war would come and strip him away from her, those three years without his clever sister were pure torture.
"You're not dreaming. Trust me" he whispered into her shoulder, her scent of lavender and honey gave him a new sense of comfort: he was home. Vellena gulped nuzzling her nose in his curls, they smelled of salt and sea, fire and ash. Jacaerys picked her up and twirled around earning a choked laugh from Vellena, she could feel that his grip became more strong but remained as delicate as before.
It has been three years of torture for each of them, Vellena falling asleep in tears with the silent plead for the safety of her brother, Jacaerys waking with the thought to stay alive so he could go back to his family, his sister.

Jace finally put her back down but kept his hands on the sides of her thin waist, Vellena pulled back to take a better look at him.
"Why did you cut them?" she asked stroking the now short curls of his dark-brown hair, Jace's perms were longer when he left Dragonstone and much more soft, now they were desiccated at the touch.
"Stained with blood and ashes" Vellena's lilac eyes widened in fear, cursing Daemon in her mind because Jacaerys had to join the war and suffer from it. The prince killed many pirates not only with dragonfire but with the sword too and he had to admit that the spearing lessons with Daemon turned out to be very useful.

"Another reason for me to hate on that dragon-dung face. I thank you, brother" Jacaerys blinked taken aback by her phrase, not only the very mean but admirable nickname was impressive, the confidence and proudness with which she spoke it. Vellena loathed Daemon, Jace knew that since they were little, since they both watched their mother speak her vows and marry once again. Vellena felt hatred towards her mother for a time after Laenor's death, it was absurd and manky to remarry not moments after your former husband had died, surely Vellena did not know the real reason of her mother's unanticipated decision, Rhaenyra needed protection from her uncle against the Greens and because of course she loved him.

"Dragon-dung?" Jace laughed, his sister's ideas always amazed him, they were perfectly fitted for the situation in question. Vellena's lips formed into a sly smile, yet her innocence lingered above. She kneaded one side of his face twirling one lock of curly hair between her forefinger and middle finger. The princess wished her hair genes to be typical with her brothers, curly and luscious, unfortunately she gained straight locks now so long that it reached her butt. Jacaerys closed his eyes and leaned into her palm, how he had missed her gentle touch, her small thin fingers brushing through his hair.

When they were little of around five, six and eight namedays, Jace, Luke and Vellena slept together in one bed due to the prince Lucerys being too scared to be alone in his quarters of The Red Keep. Vellena usually laid between her two brothers, cradling Luke's head to her chest and brushing her fingertips on his nape while massaging Jace's hair as he leaned on her shoulder. Both Jacaerys and Lucerys would fall asleep in an instant while hugging their sister in-between them, Jace would hold her middle while Luke kept his arm around her stomach. When Vellena reached her eight nameday because of Alicent's insistence: 'she's growing up and it's outrageous for a young lady to share her bed', Rhaenyra had to separate her daughter from Jace and Luke, forcing Vellena to sleep alone and cry in the pillow by her own.

"Avy āruddan, hāedar" (I've missed you, sister) Jacaerys mumbled opening his brown eyes to meet Vellena's soothing gaze, he had grown even taller, one head to be precise.
"Avy āruddan tolī, lēkia" (I've missed you too, brother) Vellena could not look more adorable than now, pouring her deep feelings of longing to see her brother again, to be sure that her silent prayers for him turned out to be true, that the Gods showed mercy on her and brought him back home. The Prince hardly cognized how much his little sister had grown over these three years, how her skin was more soft, her lilac eyes changing into a darker shade of violet, her exceptionally ravishing locks tied in a messy bun, her waist more thin than at three and ten, her beauty now truly heavenly, how Vellena was becoming a young woman.

"Uhm... erm... I've brought you something..." he cleared his throat pulling slightly away to search into his pocket, Vellena's arm fell to her side as she watched Jacaerys with curiosity while her mind was praying his gift shall be more books. Jacaerys grinned peeking down at her, Vellena smiled sheepishly slowly realizing that books weren't so small to fit in his pocket.
"Close your eyes and turn around" the princess scoffed and rolled her eyes, she usually hated when people held back just to prolong the feeling more, infuriating truly. Jace's grin widened taking out the blue necklace with the red rub hanging down in the middle, he stepped closer, his chest inches away from her back. The Prince's gaze lingered on her exposed neck for a second where little messy locks were waving down from her bun, Jacaerys pulled his arms over her head, the metal necklace touched her skin making Vellena shiver from the cold sensation.

The princess's breath hitched as she opened her lilac eyes and stared down at the rubin hanging above her small cleavage, Jace's hand stayed on her shoulder for a moment caressing her skin with his thumb.
"Hāedar..." his soft voice brushing against her ear, Vellena had grown since he last saw her, Jace knew she was changing, maturing and flourishing into such a beautiful woman who will leave speechless every person in her way.
"Thank you. It's beautiful" Vellena whispered turning back to face him, holding back the tears welling in corner of her eyes as she played with the red rubin.

"Sepār hae ao" (Just like you) Jace brushed a strand of hair behind her ear before pressing a gentle kiss on her forehead. Vellena's cheeks went pink as she stared up into his soft gaze, they could have stayed much more like that just looking at each but Lemoncake decided to greet Jacaerys aswell. The cat purred and rubbed around his feet, the prince chuckled and lifted her up, Lemoncake meowed leaning her head on his chest while Jacaerys stroked the spot under her ear.
"I believe she missed you more than anyone" Vellena joked scratching Lemoncake's back, her fingers accidentally making contact with his, Vellena bit her lip nervously at Jace's smirk. Lemoncake puffed disappointedly while eyeing her princess, knowing those two for such a long time and being a very devoted cat, she could sense something was different.

·:*¨༺ ♱✮♱ ༻¨*:·

Evening came quick and now Jacaerys was back home, the most joyous of news for Rhaenyra that she required everyone must join the dinner in The Great Hall, they would dine as a family even if Vellena wished nothing more than to not see the dragon-dung face to ruin her evening. She had tried to avoid Daemon at all costs, while Jacaerys was away it was rather hard because she hadn't found entertainment only with Lemoncake or Rhaena. She adored her grandmother every time a raven arrived from Driftmark that both Vellena and Rhaena could go there for yet another long week. Rhaenys usually stayed with her granddaughters telling stories from her youth until the sleep would come to them.

"My dear dear boy. I'm so pleased you are home. I swear to all the Gods, Jacaerys, I'm never granting you permission to leave my side again" Rhaenyra kissed all over his face, cheeks, forehead, top of head before cradling him to her shoulder. Her kids had no idea how much she loved them, how she would do anything anything for each one, the affair and was her mistake but they were the blessing.
"He won't be able to breath, mother" Lucerys chuckled looking up at them from his seat, Vellena elbowed her little brother as Rhaenyra gave him a glance before releasing Jace from the hug who looked red as a tomato. The Princess of Dragonstone blinked back her tears, the proudness of a mother was a new thing for Rhaenyra, seeing her first baby boy become a man made her heart jump of joy but fear aswell.

"Please don't do that, mother" Jace smiled as Rhaenyra's thumbs traced along his cheekbones, surely she won't cage her own son but will not allow him to join any sort of wars ever again.
"She would not" Daemon said winking at his stepson, Rhaenyra rolled her eyes after finally letting go of Jacaerys and sitting back down at her head seat at the table. The table was long, Jace, Luke, Vellena and Joffrey on one side and Rhaena with her father  stood at the other side. Vellena wished Baela could be here to join them at dinner but serving as the ward for their grandmother meant responsibilities and duties she had to attend to.

"So, how were the Stepstones? You've been to Tyrosh, haven't you?" Daemon asked taking the peace of meat from his fork in his mouth, he had been to the Stepstones, fought in a war aswell years ago. Jacaerys gulped putting his cup of wine down next to his plate, he bit his inside cheek and forced a smile.
"They were... something" that day in Tyrosh at the brothel must be forgotten for good, he swore to not speak of it to anyone, to keep it as his only secret. Jacaerys paid the owner to set Mya free and give her the necessary money to live her life and raise her brother, but he knew they would never met each other again.

"I love the new chessboard, Jace" Luke said waking his brother from his daydreaming. He had brought each of them gifts and attentions, except for Daemon, Rhaenyra received a golden bracelet and new gowns, Vellena a necklace and more books she could bathe into, Luke a chessboard and new sword, Joffrey was gifted a dragon toy made of silver, Baela and Rhaena two identical crossbows. Jacaerys smiled at his brother returning to his meal and praying no more questions would be asked of me, he wished to let it all be gone in history.

"Vellena, me and—" Daemon began again to change the subject, he was well aware of how the princess, his stepdaughter, felt and thought of him, he did not think of himself as a monster and never wanted to ruin her life even if indirectly he did.
"When it starts with you, I don't want to hear it" Vellena mumbled playing with her salad and not looking up from her plate, she hated that man more than everything she could imagine would be awful, he shall never be her father nor part of her family because her real father was gone because of this monstrous human.

"Vellena" Rhaenyra scolded her daughter, she had notice the silent conflict between the man she married and her own daughter, her boys did not seem to have much of a problem, Luke was too young and caught up in his own world to understand while Jacaerys's main desire was too become the perfect heir for his mother.
"As I meant to say, me and your mother received a high amount of marriage proposals from over The Realm. We believe you should read and consider some" the Rogue Prince stated, Vellena shook her head as the white of her eyes slowly turned red, she felt her cheeks go warm and mind screaming to throw the knife on her left in Daemon's head. Jace swallowed hard glancing at his little sister, he was feeling oddly affected and uncomfortable hearing this sudden conversation.

"Sweetling, you'll be six and ten and of age in two days. We are not saying you must take a husband right now, only to search and think" Rhaenyra spoke calmly to soothe her daughter knowing the feeling of being overwhelmed with the pressure of marriage, once when the mere youth only began knocking on her door Rhaenyra did not wish to wed aswell believing that becoming a knight to ride in battle and glory was more useful.
"No! I will not be forced to wed a man third my age who would only want me to squeeze out heirs or Gods' know what else!" Vellena snapped raising her head from the plate to gaze directly at her mother, her only wish was too read every damn book existing in this world, fly on Silverwing and take care of Lemoncake and the cat cubs.

"Vellena, that isn't—" Rhaenyra sighed putting her fork down, her daughter was turning out to be a truly complicated person when it came to the matter of wedding.
"HOW ARE YOU SO BLIND?! CAN YOU NOT SEE THAT YOUR HUSBAND IS TRYING TO SEND US AWAY?! EACH OF US?!" Vellena sat up punching her fists in the wooden table, an sudden action which hurt her a bit and shocked the rest of the family.
"HE WANTS TO KILL US LIKE HE KILLED FATHER! WHEN HE WILL KILL ME ASWELL YOU WILL MAKE A NEW DAUGHTER, WONT YOU?!" the princess was so furious that the tears was involuntarily flowing down her cheeks without her realization.
"I didn't kill your father, Vellena" Daemon hissed gazing up at her from over his seat, every conversation they had or every time they were trying to have a good time would always end up bad, that is why both Daemon and Vellena ignored each other as much as possible.

Rhaenyra sighed, putting her face in her palms, why was Vellena so tiresome every time Daemon was around? The question which Rhaenyra tried so hard to find the answer.
Vellena pulled her chair backwards and left the dinner saying nothing more. Rhaena rose from her seat and followed after her stepsister, she was always the one to comfort her after these types of outbursts.

"We have to leave to King's Landing... on the morrow..." Daemon added earning the three boys' attention.
"Why?" Jace asked, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion even though he had a slight feeling it would not be something good.
"For Lucerys" Rhaenyra said raising her face from her palms, surely it will not be a good nameday for Vellena nor a beautiful journey.

FINALLY I UPDATED!😭🫶🏻
Love y'all for the support and comments<333
DONT BE SILENT READERS!!!🫵🏻🫵🏻🫵🏻