Work Text:
215 AC
Daeron and Kiera stood in their wedding chamber, staring at each other awkwardly. They just got married. “This is so uncomfortable,” Kiera said. Daeron couldn’t help to chuckled. They’ve been friends long since Kiera is betrothed to Valarr. Now Valarr’s passed away, the Targaryen and Tyrosh royal family still wanted to preserve their alliance, so Kiera and Daeron were set up to be married. They don’t find it repulsive, since if not Daeron, Kiera's other option was probably Aerion, and Daeron might have to marry one of his little sisters. Their match is convenient, but it is still awkward for them because they were friends and nothing more before.
“You know, father has very low expectations of me, and I have 3 brothers. We got the heir things figured out. We don’t have to do anything if you don’t want to.” Daeron said. He remembered the children she lost when she was with Valarr, and Daeron won’t put her through all of that again. He is content enough to be entertained by wine and whores, and Kiera, being his lifetime companion. He didn’t expect much from Kiera; he was just happy she was by his side. She is what was left of Valarr after all.
Kiera and Valarr were among the very few who never judged his drinking. They tried to distract him from his drinking, but they knew if the dreams were too heavy, there was nothing they could do. They were just there, comforting him by existing. Kiera also knew about him and Valarr, but never despised him. They shared Valarr’s affection without hatred and ended up as friends.
“But I have to,” Kiera said in a small voice. Daeron fell silent for a moment, he move closer to her and put his hands on her shoulders and said, “Fuck their expectations. You really don’t have to. I will never let you go through that grief again.” Kiera shook her head slowly. “No, I want to. I want to leave a part of me in this world.” She said more confidently. Daeron observed her face, “Are you sure?”
“Yes, and I am lucky enough to have a chance to share a child with a kind man like you,” Kiera said, now smiling. Daeron blushed and smiled a little. “As my lady wishes, then.” He gently brushed back a stray lock of pink hair from her forehead and kissed her softly.
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217 AC
Daeron had a dream that a beautiful female silver dragon hatched from a pink egg. He is so sure the babe Kiera is carrying in her womb will be a girl. He is secretly excited to meet the little girl, but he didn’t say anything to Kiera. He is afraid of her expectations for their future child. They sat in her chamber, having afternoon tea. Daeron tried to be subtle and ask Kiera, “So, what do you think our child looks like?” Kiera shot him a look. “Oh gods, you already see it in your dreams.”
“What? I didn’t see anything!” Daeron said, trying to cover.
“Do not lie to me, dreamer. What do you see? Oh gods, is the babe healthy? Is it a boy or a girl?” Daeron wants to slap himself. Kiera usually only calls him a dreamer when she is jesting, but her tone is serious now. He shouldn’t have said anything. Kiera had enough to worry about her pregnancy. “Well? Don’t be quiet now, tell me!”
Daeron sighs, “Alright then. I just saw a beautiful silver dragon hatched from a pink egg.” Daeron didn’t mention the gender of the dragon because from their earlier conversations, Daeron assumes Kiera wants a little boy, their own little Valarr. He saw Kiera's curious face waiting eagerly for him to continue. “And that’s it. You know my dream is always vague. If the egg hatched, I’m sure the babe is healthy.” Kiera gave him an annoyed look. “That’s it? Well, I can’t wait to meet her.” Daeron looked at her, confused, “I never said the dragon is female.” Kiera smiled smugly. “Aha! It is a girl.” Daeron almost threw himself from the tower for his foolishness.
“I meant to say I don’t know if it’s a girl or a boy, and how do I even differentiate a dragon’s gender from a dream?” Daeron said defensively, but Kiera just smiled happily. “I’m so glad it’s a healthy babe. I don’t care if it’s a girl or a boy.” Then her expression changed, “You’re fine with a girl, right? You-you said you don’t care about heir...” her voice weakens. Daeron hates to see her sad. He took her hand. “You know me well enough to know that’s the least of my concerns. I just want you and the babe healthy.” Kiera smiled softly. She is glad she married him.
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220 AC
Daeron held Vaella in his arms. She looked around at Egg and Betha’s wedding banquet excitedly. There are so many colors, flowers, and people. Her development is a bit late compared to other children. She is 3 years of age, but she has only managed to say a few words, not a full sentence yet. Kiera had worried about her, so she spent so much time talking to her in the hope she would copy her speech, but Daeron couldn’t care less. He loved it when Vaella expressed herself with her whole body. If she’s sad, she cries loudly. If she’s happy, she will jump up and down. His favorite is when she hugs. She hugs him like a little bear, and she will give him this look of pure love that no one but his mother ever gave him. He didn’t know he was capable of this fierce love. He loves his siblings and Kiera, but his love for Vaella is different. Whenever dark dreams almost took him, her smile could light up his entire world to the point he drank less lately.
“Do you want to dance, my little lady?” He said to Vaella. She laughed and nodded. Daeron twirled her around, and she spun again and again. She was dizzy from spinning and almost fell, but Daeron caught her and carried her again. She laughs happily and says, “Kirimvose, kepa.” Daeron was so startled he almost dropped her. “Oh gods, Bi arves, ñuha riñami.” His voice was filled with pride and tenderness. He rushed to Kiera’s side and asked Vaella to repeat what she said to him. Nothing. She is smiling shyly and buried her face in her father’s chest. Kiera raised an eyebrow, and Daeron groaned. “I swear to the old gods and new, she spoke to me in High Valyrian.”
Kiera looks at him worriedly. “No one speaks to her in High Valyrian yet. Are you sure you’re not drunk? Because if you do, you shouldn’t carry her, you know.” Kiera reached out to hold Vaella, but Daeron shook his head. He sighed dramatically. He hasn’t had a drop of wine today. “Never mind then. It will be our little secret, okay? ñuha riñami?” He patted her back softly. Daeron could swear she nodded to that.
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221 AC
Daeron and Aemon sit in his study. After being appointed as Prince of Dragonstone by his father, he and Aemon, his brother and the new Maester of Dragonstone, had moved to Dragonstone. They arrived yesterday, and Maester Aemon is already reporting to him about his lordship duties. Daeron was only half listening when suddenly Kiera burst in. Aemon and Daeron were startled. “Aemon, I need a private word with my husband.” Aemon nodded and immediately left the room, closing the door softly behind him.
Kiera sits in front of him, “Coming here, it is hard for me too.” She started. Daeron just stared at her. “I know this place reminds you of him. Can you imagine how it feels for me? Seeing the pyre we used to cremate him, our bed chamber, his books-“
“Stop,” Daeron cut her off. “I understand how hard it is for you to come back here, but for me, this place not only reminds me of him. This place seems to be a constant reminder for me of the burden as the firstborn son, the fate I will never escape. I will never be as good as him, and my father will always secretly compare me to him. I am no good lord, and those damned dreams will never let me rest. So, help me, Kiera, what are you trying to say?” Daeron snapped. He never snapped at her, but with the wine he had at breakfast and the stress he was under was taking over his senses.
Kiera did not flinch. She knew he was scared and full of sorrows. “You can scream and push me away all you want, but don’t do that to Vaella. She cried all day because her father hadn’t smiled or spoken to her all the way from King’s Landing to here.”
Daeron felt like he had just been punched. He had been an asshole to his wife, the only friend he had in this life, and his daughter, the love of his life. He stood up slowly and pulled Kiera into a hug. He can feel his throat closing up. “Forgive me.” A tear rolled down his face. Kiera hugged him tighter, and Daeron could feel her shivering. “I’m here,” she whispered, “We’re together. Vaella has no one else but us. We have to be strong for her.” Daeron nodded, while the tears unstoppably streamed down his face.
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Daeron and Kiera get into Vaella’s chamber. Septa Cordelia was reading a book to her, and a maid was cleaning the room. “I will read to her tonight, Septa. You may rest, and you too, maid. Come back in the morrow.” Daeron said to them. They quietly excused themselves. Vaella is not meeting their eyes when they get closer. She turned her body and buried herself under the sheets and closed her eyes. She had cried since their arrival at Dragonstone because her father had ignored her in their long journey, and her mother seemed angry at her and left her alone with Septa Cordelia since the afternoon. She felt scared and alone.
“My sweet, please forgive me for leaving you alone.” Her mother sits on the side she faced. She turned angrily, but her father already lay on her side. “Ñuho syt rāelagon, ñuha riñami,” Daeron said softly, pulling her into a hug. Vaella burst into tears in her father’s arms. Her mother hugged her from behind. They stay there until her cries die down. She sat down, took the book Septa Cordelia left, and gave it to her mother, quietly asking her to read it to her. Kiera read the story about the children of the forest while Vaella quietly fell asleep in her father’s arms.
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228 AC
She felt numb. She touched the locket her father gave her for her last name day. Inside, there is a portrait of her and her parents, carefully painted by her father. Her mother had cried silently next to her. Her grandfather was standing still, quietly. He hasn’t uttered a word since he arrived. Her uncles' and aunts' faces are wet with tears and sorrow, except one uncle. Uncle Aerion offered comforting words to her mother, which her mother replied politely, asking Aerion to assign Vaella to her study as a septa. He agreed to help while ignoring Vaella completely. She looked down and back to her father’s pyre. Her father is turning into ashes, and her mother is talking about her education like all of this is nothing. She reached for her mother’s hand. Father is the only one who truly loves me.
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235 AC
18-year-old Septa Vaella stands in front of her father’s crypt in the Sept of Baelor. She had come to visit King’s Landing after she finished her training as a Septa as per the King’s request. The King had specifically requested her to be the princesses’ Septa. The first thing she does when she arrives is to visit his father’s crypt. She prayed silently to The Seven for her father. She heard steps behind her. “Vaella,” she turned around and smiled. “Unc- ah, your grace,” she almost bowed down, but Aegon caught her. “Don’t. We’re not at court. I am your uncle. You shouldn’t bow down to me.”
“Sorry, uncle.” She said timidly. “Did you pray for him?” He asked softly. Vaella nodded. Aegon steps closer and hugs her, “I’m sorry you lost him so soon, my dear. He’d been such a good brother to me, and I know how much he loved you.”
Vaella can feel tears pricking her eyes. King Aegon V Targaryen is tall, as tall as her father, she remembered. His hug is warm and comforting, and his voice is soft. He even smells like her father when he wasn’t drunk. He reminded her so much of her father. She wondered if he could sing like her father. “Thank you, uncle.”
He let her go and look at her closely, “You look thin. Are you not eating well? Come, eat with Betha and me. The cook made some apple pie, and your mother sent some bonbons from Tyrosh. You still like sweets, right?” She hesitated, “I don’t think a septa is allowed to eat at the same table as the king and queen, uncle.”
Egg can feel his heart break a little. No way he will let his brother’s little girl feel like an outsider around her own family. “Nonsense. We will feast in Betha’s chamber. I’m king, I made the rules.” Vaella smiled. She knew she was finally home.