Dragon's flame

[115 AC]

Dragonstone

Rhyun hurried into the chambers of Aelyx and Daenerys, his face illuminated with a mixture of joy and relief.

Aelyx was seated on his bed with Daenerys by his side. He glanced up at Rhyun, a look of curiosity in his eyes.

"What happened?" he asked.

"Your Grace, the King has decided to grant Dragonstone to your and princess's line," Rhyun replied, his voice brimming with excitement.

A wide smile spread across Aelyx's face, and Daenerys's eyes sparkled with genuine delight.

"This changes everything," Daenerys remarked, her voice filled with optimism.

[118 AC]

A striking young man with violet irises and white hair was locked in a sparring match with an equally stunning young woman, her silver hair flowing as she moved with agility. The two fought with a practiced grace, the man slowly overpowering the woman with his superior swordsmanship, yet it was clear their movements complemented each other in perfect harmony.

A man with sharp Valyrian features approached the couple.

"Your Grace, you are summoned to King's Landing... for your wedding," Rhyun announced, his tone brimming with excitement.

Aelyx and Daenerys paused, their sparring coming to an abrupt halt.

[Aelyx's POV]

I had been sparring with Danny, as was our custom, but my focus faltered when Rhyun delivered such unexpected news.

"Is it already time?" Danny asked, her voice filled with disbelief.

I locked eyes with her. Over the past three years, we had forged a bond, spending countless hours together—planning our next moves, rebuilding Dragonstone, and bolstering our coffers with the help of Seara. We had quietly woven an extensive spy network, and the construction of Dragonstone had continued in secret.

We reinforced the fortress, adding towering walls and sturdy watchtowers, though the majority of our coin had been devoted to constructing massive dragon caves—spaces vast enough to house dragons far larger than Vhagar. We also created hidden passages leading from the heart of Dragonstone to these secret caverns.

"Hello? Danny to Aelyx," Danny interjected, shaking me from my thoughts. "We need to get ready to leave, or Father will have our heads."

[King's Landing]

Vhagar and Vaxylis soared high above the city, their powerful wings beating against the wind as they glided toward the Dragonpit, ready to land.

King's Landing was alive with activity, a vibrant sea of lords and ladies who had gathered to witness the union of Aelyx and Daenerys.

Viserys stood with a broad grin on his face, for today he fulfilled the promise he had made to Aemma, a promise that had been close to his heart.

His moment of reflection was interrupted by the thunderous roar of Vhagar and Vaxylis, signaling their descent. Viserys's thoughts momentarily wandered as he took in the bustling scene, before he was roused by a summons.

"Ser Harhold, go fetch Aelyx and Daenerys," he commanded, his voice steady.

Viserys wandered the halls of the Red Keep, inspecting the preparations for the grand wedding, his eyes catching a glimpse of Alicent cradling their newborn daughter, Helaena, while Aera stood solemnly by her side. His gaze wandered to the training grounds where the sounds of swords clashing filled the air.

[Viserys's POV]

I watched Aegon and Aemond practice, under the watchful eye of Ser Criston Cole. Aemond, barely eight name-days old, was being taught with gentleness, the sparring a delicate affair. Aegon, on the other hand, was far more unruly, ignoring Ser Criston's instructions and swinging his sword recklessly.

I recalled a time when Aegon, at the age of nine, had challenged Aelyx to a duel—and, to his credit, Aelyx had bested him thoroughly. That day seemed to have sparked some change in Aegon, though not as much as I had hoped. These days, Aegon spent his time either with Sunfyre or lost in wine.

As for Rhaenyra, the Dragonhold was under construction, but she had not once come to supervise the work herself. Lord Corlys,had taken it upon himself to oversee the project in her stead.

The ongoing tension between Rhaenyra and Alicent was palpable. The rift between them only seemed to grow with time, especially after Alicent had refused Rhaenyra's offer to marry Aera to Jacaerys. I could not force Alicent to agree to such a union, and when I had tried with Rhaenyra, it had only made matters worse.

My thoughts were interrupted by Ser Arryk's arrival.

"Your Grace, Prince Aelyx and Princess Daenerys are here," he reported.

[Two Days Later]

The candles flickered softly in the grand hall, and the air was thick with anticipation. Viserys sat at the head of the table, flanked by Rhaenyra's family on the right and Alicent's family on the left. Rhaenyra wore a black dress, her expression as cold as the fabric, while Alicent was dressed in green, a glaring symbol of the ever-deepening divide within House Targaryen.

"THE BRIDE AND THE GROOM ENTER!" Harhold called out, his voice booming across the hall.

The room erupted in cheers, and a smile spread across Viserys's face.

But in the corner of the room, Otto Hightower's gaze locked on Rhaenyra, his eyes dark with a dangerous glint, a silent promise of the rivalry that still simmered beneath the surface.

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