Once the council meeting was dismissed I left swiftly to contemplate on the matters of the kingdom. Prince daemon and his gold cloaks, the upcoming tournament and finally the prince admiral of the triarchy amassing strength on bloodstone is very much concerning. As for the gold cloaks I am pleased with daemon's reforms. Alot of crime goes unnoticed and unpunished along with alot of depravity in fleabottom. If him and his newborn gold cloaks can reign in the underseriables of fleabottom I would very much consider the gold well spent.
" lady vhaehra, a word please. " the sound of soft boots clamoring on the floor was behind me. I stop and turn to see lord corlys now standing behind me.
" lord corlys, what is it you wish to speak? " I ask politely.
" first I would like to offer my gratitude for your help in the council meeting i was fearing his grace would dismiss it once again. " lord corlys speaks his voice carrying a tone of appreciation.
I wave him off and smile pleased that their are some that are appreciative of my voice and thoughts. " think nothing of it corlys the stepstones should be in the best interest of driftmark and the iron throne at the moment. Especially now with prince craghas Drahar amassing men and building fortifications on bloodstone. "
He nods along with rapt attention. " yes it is quite obvious the prince admiral of the triarchy intends to do more then just deal with pirates but alas the actions we can take at the moment are very limited without the support of the crown. We will have to wait till we get a reply from the free cities before we can seek any more alternatives." he speaks with some lingering frustration but most has dissipated.
" yes you are right corlys but for now it would be wise for you to make preparations incase our fears of the triarchy proves correct. " my pale blue eyes staring at his valyrian eyes unnerving the sea snake. he would never admit it but those blue eyes always seemed to send a shiver down his spine reminding him of the old stories of white walkers beyond the wall in the north. They were cold and calculating as if beyond her years in age.
He quickly drops that train of thought, while vhaehra was strange compared to other girls her age he was very fond of her and her keen mind he could never think ill of a child as gifted as her.
" remind me again corlys but dosent the islands in the step stones have extensive cave systems. " I ask failing to quite remember the geography and layouts of the islands.
" hmm well yes they do actually. "
Worry crosses my face as i look down as i hold my hand to my chin and think. If They managed to dig into those cave systems it well be hard to dig them out of their and dragons will not be much help as they will just be able to retreat back into the caves and avoid the dragon fire.
" that is... concerning corlys. " I sigh as I look back up at him. " we can not attack the triarchy as of this moment without the support of the crown. My suggestion would be to protect the most important sea routes and have some of your warships escorting your merchant ships, that is all the advice I could give you as of this moment corlys now if you would excuse me I plan to vist mother before the days end. " I curtsy to him and turn on my heel and walk away.
" of course princess, I will take your words into consideration and give my regards to queen aemma. " lord corlys turns and leaves from back where he came from.
I look and smile one last time before I ascend up the stairs taking me to mother's chambers. Lord corlys to me has always been a good man, astute and stern on what he does. He knows what needs to be prioritized and he is one of the few that take and heed my advice and for that I've always had a soft spot for him so if im able to help him I will.
I approach mothers chambers, the kingsguard standing watch over my mother steps aside and opens the door for me. Inside is aemma sitting on a velvet chair rubbing her hand over her belly with a anxious and nervous look on her face.
I smile and approch her. " mother, how have you been are you well? " I ask with a cheerful voice. Aemma has always been kind, patient and loving towards me. She is the epitome of what a mother should be.
She shifts in her chair taken by suprise from my entrance and her earlier look is quickly replaced with a happy look as she stretches her arms wide open and hugs me which i happily embrace her loving hug as a warmth sweeps over me getting rid of my previous frustrations and anger.
She parts the hug and looks at me with a proud look. " oh im doing wonderful even better now that you are here vhaehra take a seat and tell me how has your day been. "
I nod and pull up a chair and sit infront of her. " its been good went for a ride on bahamut to dragonstone and back. "
" you really do love bahamut but remember that you do not forget your studies young lady. " She said sternly but held not a once of hostility just a mother's love and worry for her daughter
" hehehe dont worry mom your little girl is the brightest mind in all of Westeros. " I say puffing out my chest in pride.
She mearly chuckles at my words. " yes you are dear but dont let that arrogance get to you understand. " she says gently as she traces her fingers.
I just stare into her eyes and lower my head and nod as I speak in a quieter voice. " I... i understand mother. "
She smiled pleased with my reply as she leans back in her chair. " now tell me about the rest of your day. "
Me and mother spoke comfortably with each other alone in her chambers for a hour. We spoke on many topics from from the upcoming tourney too my studies now focusing on herbs and alchemy to the small council meeting.
I expressed my thoughts and frustrations about the situation in the Stepstones and father's lack of action concerning them.
Mother did her best to soothe my thoughts and take my mind off the situation she told me streess isn't good for the body especially at my age and heeded her words with care.
I departed from mother's chambers and made my way to my personal solar. It is my small keep of knowledge that I take immense pride in containing all my knowledge and drafts for inventions.
I turn down down the hall and bump into someone causing me to stumble backwards. I look up at the person and it was someone I was not expecting to see today. It was daemon my uncle.
He looks at me with a smirk that just screams trouble.
" uncle i was not expecting to see you
today. " I say with caution.
Daemon is one of the few that I dont know how to interact with much less want too. A person in my position has more to lose then to gain When interacting with him so i usually do my best to avoid him.
" I dont think anyone expects me here little vhaehra. " he says with a usual chirp in his voice.
" yes that would be true last we heard you were busy forming the gold cloaks which might I remind you took a good chunk out of the crowns funds daemon so I hope it was worth the money. "
" oh i promise any money spent on me is gold well placed and worry not i shall prove their worth to you and that worthless small council. "
he says confidently having full trust in his abilities. I nod at the very least it is good to hear his confidence concerning the gold cloaks assuring me that the money wasn't a waste.
" uncle just try not to do anything extreme mother and father dont need to worry more then nesscarry with the birth of my sibling and the tournament coming up. "
At the mention of my potential sibling he seems to pause before chuckling and shaking his head.
" that fool never learns does he i dont see why he wont just accept me as the heir. "
Daemon says with smugness as he pats my shoulders and walks past me.
I stare at his back as his words keep ruminating in my head. I hope for a brother but even i have my doubts seven hells the entire kingdom has its doubts. Out of seven pregnancies only two lived me and rhaenyra the rest of my siblings died in the womb or stillborn. It makes me think im alive cause of pure luck or by the grace of the gods.
" this will definitely be a headache later on. "