Regardless of the oddity that Rhaenyra couldn't exactly put into words... it would seem that for the others, and most especially for her very celebratory father, there were many things that were a cause for celebrations.
The return of Daemon seemed to be one.
But the return of her and Ronan seems to be what took much of the attention.
Which was exactly the case here... in this party that her father set up quite quickly. Wherein court can mingle about in the Godswood.
Yet they mostly lingered around her. Asking all sorts of questions... pertaining to Ronan, the lot of them.
Questions like... "What happened to the slain dragon of frost?"
"Just how many evils of the Triarchy did the Brutal Bronze slay exactly?"
"Does the Bold Bronze actually transform into a being that's one with the Deep?"
"What has been found beneath the Narrow Sea?"
"Is he planning to part with any of his found blades? We're willing to pay with what we have?"
"Is Ser Royce the Drowned God that the Ironborn worship?"
"Did he actually command a tentacled beast to do his bidding?"
"What does he plan to do next?"
However, the inquiry that she had to respond to the most was... "Where mayhaps might Ser Ronan be?"
And it didn't help that he's toiling about in the city. Out and about doing whatever he wants to do... avoiding all these sorts of attention and the politicking that it entails.
Busying himself with something else entirely.
Fortunately for her Keep-distasting lover, Rhaenyra was quite versed in living in such an environment. Given that she grew up in it... and was actually quite welcoming of the crowd.
It is the most that has gathered around her... despite the fact that she'd been Heir for all these years.
Many of these faces preferred to judge and observe her from afar... whilst their aversion had gotten more apparent when Aegon was born.
And as two-faced as it was for them to ingratiate themselves to her now... it at least told Rhaenyra that they've changed their tune in favor of her.
Or most obviously in the favor of her husband-to-be...
Either way, she can work with that. As it is time to strengthen her base. Building her foundation as the future Queen of the Seven Kingdoms through these kinds of connections.
To create the new order of things she had ambitiously claimed to do.
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Accordingly, Rhaenyra had to interact with her very royal family as well... and it would seem whilst she's busied herself, they've huddled amongst themselves.
With the Queen silently watching as the King and his Prince brother reminisced between themselves.
"Daemon, he would venture off, abroad, winning tournaments." Her father loudly said... to then vehemently add. "No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. I will not revisit this debate. You were always mother's favorite."
"No, it's no great mystery. You were." He ensued. "Our mother, she had no regard for custom or tradition, rules. And I, sadly, was no great warrior."
Which were uttered with such melancholy, while a silent smile was what her uncle reciprocated.
However, at the noticing of her, the quiet Prince Daemon suddenly said. "Congratulations on your upcoming marriage, Princess."
"Thank you... uncle." Was what Rhaenyra replied. Rather awkwardly to the man who should be considered her good-father as well.
Which made her father visibly sigh... and then ask. "Speaking of, where is your husband-to-be, daughter? I've not seen him at the Great Hall when you've written that both of you were coming back together. Much of this party is partly for him as well, after all."
"You're the twentieth or so to ask that." Rhaenyra could only shake her head. "But I'm afraid Ronan's interest was drawn to the Alchemist's Guild as soon as we ported. And he's mentioned wanting to rent a smithy... to make changes to his armor."
"The Alchemist Guild?" The King honingly wondered and then japed. "Does he mayhaps plan to tame the fabled wildfire whilst there? Haha."
However, Rhaenyra did not laugh. For she felt that her father's insinuation may have some truth to it.
Which ultimately just muted everyone else... as the Bold Bronze could very well tame such fire if he sets his mind to it.
There's just so much precedent of him doing the improbable.
Of course, the Queen Alicent, seemingly not wanting to be left out and not wanting to lull the conversation, oddly proposed that. "Perhaps Prince Daemon would care for a tour of the gallery? He hasn't yet seen the new tapestries gifted to you by Norvos and Qohor."
"Oh, oh." The King japingly mused as he smirkingly turned to Daemon, sarcastically asking. "Would you like to see the tapestries?"
Which sent his own self into a chortle of whimsy as he reasoned. "Daemon has no interest in such things, dear Queen."
Which clearly made the great Queen looking rather uncomfortable... while Rhaenyra had not much to say...
"More wine." The almost drunk King suddenly interjected... and then blabbered on to say. "As I said, you were the favorite, Daemon..."
And Daemon, renewedly humble as he is, shook his head.
Only for the King to insist. "No, you were. You were. I insist."
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And at that back and forth, Rhaenyra found it cumbersome already... so, at the sight of a seat, she headed then and there to rest herself.
Being a Princess with so many to prove was not easy. It was tiring even.
Alas, just as she thought she could rest easy... her former friend Alicent actually followed her.
Saying something along the lines of. "I surmise your own tour went well."
And Rhaenyra could only say. "I enjoyed it for as long as I could. Shame it had to end."
"To have the greatest knight and lord-to-be of the Seven Kingdoms fawning over you. Lavishing you with gifts from the sea." Alicent listed with a tone. "What a life to live."
"It is rare for girls in this realm to get to choose someone like Ser Royce, Rhaenyra." She queen-ly added. "I hope you cherish it."
Which irked Rhaenyra, however. Especially that look that the Hightower was giving... with this accompanying lecture a bit too much.
Fortunately, she held herself back from saying something mean or acting improperly, given that this was a rather public setting.
So, the Princess just ignored the Queen after that...
Though secretly, she relished at a certain realization. After remembering the Hightower's gazes when Ronan first came to the Keep.
From that, Rhaenyra realized that she actually got the love that Alicent must have secretly longed for.
And it pleased her quite unreasonably and unexpectedly so. It just pleased her so, so much.