Humble Beginnings & Stern Meetings
It was another day in the Red Keep and as always, a sunny yet slightly cloud filled sky was on full display, the Keep quiet as all who inhabited it went about their day. Such was usual and standard procedure in the Keep, wandering the halls, tending to important duties and matters…. the same paced days that occurred.
The royal family that ruled the Seven Kingdoms was House Targaryen: King Viserys I, Queen Alicent Hightower, Prince Aegon II, Prince Regent Aemond, Princess Helaena and…. a rather unusual and peculiar guest, Princess of Storm’s End Brinaera Baratheon. Highly unorthodox befell the poor bastard girl that led her to live with the royal family since the mere age of three, yet she was treated as if she were of Targaryen blood. As the years would go on, Brinaera never once wavered on her loyalty, as she owed the entirety of the royal family her life, she loved them as if they were her blood. They were her home, her family.
Brinaera, the young Baratheon was no longer a mere girl but now rather a young woman, the ripe age of nineteen years old. She was like the most exquisite and fully bloomed rose covered in droplets of rainwater on a spring’s day…. simply breathtaking and beautiful. She was such a thing of elegance and refinement. But with such a precocious reputation and personality often came expectations of all sorts, towering higher than a dragon’s flight.
The young Baratheon girl resided in her private bedchambers, sat in front of the vanity she had and stared into the mirror, admiring the reflection staring back at her as she brushed the luscious locks of long, thick flowing dark brunette hair, humming a song to herself. She had on a rather stunning sanguine red dress, adorned by gold and garnet jewelry, as it complimented her features well, the curves of her short yet thick body filling the fabric out well. As she continued her regime, a soft knock could be heard on the door of her bedchambers, causing the young woman to snap out of her little self-induced trance.
“Come in.” Her voice was soft and sweet yet just demanding enough. As the door opened up, one of Brinaera’s own handmaidens stuck her head in, speaking in a quite timid tone of voice. “Lady Brinaera, you are wanted in the throne room at the request of the King himself.” The Princess of Storm’s End turned to look up and face the servant and smiled a small yet sweet smile, nodding her head as she stood up, smoothing out the fabric of her dress. “Thank you, darling, I appreciate you letting me know. Would you care to lead me?” The mousy little maiden couldn’t help but stare at Brinaera a little surprised and wide eyed, confused but didn’t dare question her. Instead, she shyly nodded her head, leading the young princess to the throne room.
Brinaera’s POV
I had my dear handmaiden lead me into the throne room, only to see it completely filled. Every important Lord and Lady possible was there, the septa and maester, servants and maidens, kingsguard, the small council and of course the royal family themself. I smile small and walk towards my usual spot next to King Viserys and Queen Alicent’s children, standing beside them. I smile at all three of them and get a different response from all of them. Aegon eyes me up and down as usual, Helaena offering me a sweet smile and Aemond giving me a small ghost of a grin. I look up at Aemond and return his little subtle grin, raising a brow slightly, letting out a hum reminiscent of his own little hums, muttering under my breath, my tone teasing and full of humor.
“It isn’t polite to stare, sapphire, didn’t anyone ever teach you that?” Aemond just let out a small hum and leaned down slightly, muttering under his breath, the gaze of his single bluish violet eye fixated on me as he spoke. “Any living creature with eyesight would stare, little fawn.” I let out a silent chuckle at Aemond’s amusing little statement, covering my mouth with my hand. “Such titillating conversation already, dear Prince Regent and it is not even half the day yet. As always, Aemond.” Aemond lets out another hum and has his hands behind his back as he stands close beside me. “No one else can hold a conversation the way you do, dear opal.”
I couldn’t help but to roll my eyes in a playful and teasing manner at Aemond’s words, as he always knew just what to say. In most instances, he was a man of few words, but it seemed that I was able to bring out a side of him most would be unaware of. Our small little conversation died off as soon as King Viserys spoke, his voice not quite so loud but spoke with purpose. “It has come to my attention that some rather…. unsavory rumors have come about our dear Brinaera. She has been in our care since she was the mere age of three. None of you even care enough to get to know the poor girl yet you judge her and spread such vile and baseless rumors? By the Seven, you all disgrace me.”
Every single person in the throne room had gone silent, the tension so thick and palpable, it could be cut with the greatest sword in all the Seven Kingdoms. After a moment, King Viserys spoke up once more, the frustration at a front. “Have none of you a thing to say? That she is nothing more than a mere bastard child, that she is a witch, that this– this darling girl is no better than the mere whores that roam the streets of Flea Bottom. I do not wish to hear any more of these forsaken rumors and anyone who dares to so much as entertain them will lose their tongues along with their lives.”
I go slightly wide eyed and as my gaze meets the ones of Aegon, Aemond and Helaena, I can’t help but cover my mouth with my hand to hide the grin forming across my lips. I then feel eyes on me and see that it was King Viserys, as well as Queen Alicent staring at me, their brows raised at me in a curious manner. The first to speak was the Queen “Darling, is there something you wish to say in front of all these people?”
I shift my gaze to stare at all who gathered in the throne, my hazel eyes scanning across them all one by one as if analyzing who believed such words and who didn’t. I smile a small yet charming smile and let out a hum before speaking, my voice flowing out smoothly like the finest wine in Westeros. “In all honesty, I am not all that surprised that such…. frivolous rumors are spreading across the Keep like a plague. However, I am surprised at how quickly they are to be believed. Because words are exactly that: a plague. You are freethinking citizens and are free to choose whatever it is you wish to believe. But heed my word when I say you may not like where your beliefs will lead you to. I may be a mere ward, but I am here in the care of House Targaryen for a reason. Make no mistake.”
All of those standing in the room had each wore a different expression, but one thing was for certain: Just who was this girl? What was she capable of?