lips pressed firm into a smile , entertaining the notions of her desire to discuss the impending weather . ceria had played her role since she first stepped foot in king's landing . . . playing the long game . . . living under guise of sweet , concerned stormlands lady for sake of ensnaring those innocent enough to bend her ear in her web of tales . perhaps she had just found her next victim . " soggy cakes . " ceria paused , amusement lingering atop her façade . " surely not something her grace should enjoy . perhaps we should make haste in returning to the red keep . . . prevent ourselves from getting caught in the rain . " she suggests , gaze returning to the northern lady .

          and perhaps weather was not the mistress of whisper's conversation intention, but it was such an easy topic to hold. at least prevented dwelling on the reason they were all wandering the streets of king's landing to begin with. besides, it wasn't like nisa to not find someone to chatter about anything and everything with, especially someone with such kind eyes and a warm smile. it felt kindred. a slight dusting of pink coated her cheeks as she let out a soft laugh. ❝ bit of a trivial thing to worry about, i suppose. all things considered. ❞ but smile doesn't falter, as nisa found herself nodding in agreement. ❝ no, her grace should enjoy as fresh a cake as possible. yes, of course, probably easier to hold conversation away from the bustle, too, ❞ she offered, inclining her head around them. ❝ and between you and i, i dread drenched skirts just as much. ❞

“that sounds terrifying,” he said with a gulp “definitely not blue wine, thank the gods.” alton chuckled but check on the contents of his goblet just to double check. one could not be too sure. “tastes sweet like pear almost with a hint of spice. i’ve never had anything like this before and i am not quite sure how i feel about it.” the young celtigar’s interest in wines have only come recently upon his last return to claw isle where he and his brother explored their family’s wine cellars and maybe have one too many bottles. “would you like a taste?”

          ❝ it is not terrible, ❞ she answered with a laugh at his response, ❝ but discomforting, if you're not prepared for it to turn your mouth blue. ❞ a lesson myrcella had learned the hard way, and one she'd not deigned to do again. lips of red were far more to her taste. ❝ sweet, but with spice ? how strange. the spice would hint to something dornish, don't you think ? i mean pears are quite a delight, surely it's not so bad. ❞ but she supposed such an opinion came from favoring the spiced honey wine of lannisport, sweet with a hint of something more. ❝ oh, please, ❞ myrcella answered, glad to assuage curiosity. though lifting the goblet to her lips, she gave a contemplative hum. ❝ i see what you mean. i'm not sure i like the pairing, myself. not bad, but not my favorite. ❞

        warmth  seeped  into  his  smiled  as  recognition washed over him, and lips tugged upwards slightly. the book in his hands even lowered so the lady received his full attention.        ❝  it isn't. there are far too many books in the red keep's library for me to reread something,  ❞        not to mention that since his father's death, the days were he had to walk on glass and assess the ruling lord's mood before asking if a letter could be sent to the citadel for a particular book ( and even then his requests were often met with his father sneering and scolding him for asking for another distraction when he still couldn't even shoot an arrow straight ) were gone, enabling the once neglected library to slowly grow. it still paled in comparison to the royal library. perhaps his one enjoyment, other than seeing his older sister again, he found at court.       ❝  i'm surprised you've wandered over here. i know i'm not the best company in the room. ❞

          myrcella's soft spot for the royces had always been unwavering, and seeing the warmth fill his expression only fueled that further. she remembered just how much she adored them, and missed them. ❝ good, i'd hate to hear you'd found yourself bored with a lack of materials. decent ones, i hope ? ❞ while reading wasn't her forte, she could understand the want to get lost in a book, and she knew many favored it to idle conversation. most nobles were far too engrossed in any half - descent gossip that they could find and, truthfully, that often included herself. still, though, she had no mind for it in this moment, and she gave a small shake of her head in answer as chin rested in her palm. ❝ surprised ? i'm always glad to spend time with you again, especially now that we have so much of it. well, you're the only company i want in the room, so what does that say ? ❞

she lightly closes the romance novel she’d been idly reading, setting it by the lantern on the table. she knows that now that myrcella was in her line of sight, she would be unable to focus on much else. her feelings for the lioness had been strong enough to still linger, seeping from her treacherous heart like a leak she hadn’t been able to repair. scarlet coats her cheeks as the blood rushes in, smiling at the words despite her self control. a moment later she’s reminded herself of the reason why she can’t smile like that at myrcella anymore and it’s enough to have her smile dropping. “yes, well, i was just reading, though it’s likely time to head back to my rooms. it’s getting late.”

          it was true that when myrcella had her sights set on something, or someone, so rarely did she let them escape her grasp. as was the case with flora, who despite pushing her away when she learned of just how keenly the lioness kept tabs on information for cassian, still found themselves drawn together over and over again. and her smugness only intensifies at the sight of the flush coating the young wolf's cheeks, even in the dim darkness of the library. fingers drop to trail along the cover of the novel the other had just sat down, lips quirked in an easy smirk. ❝ yes, quite a charming novel at that. always were a sucker for romance, weren't you ? ❞ myrcella lifted a hand to tap under her chin. ❝ or you could stay. i hear the real thing is better than anything you could read about. ❞

azriel grins wolfishly at myrcella's question, shooting her a knowing look, as if the woman even had to ask which piece of her he desired more. she remained a playful tease, part of why azriel sought her out as often as he did, myrcella was a bit of sunlight in the gloom of the keep. " you've forgotten my favorite thing about you, my lady. your smile entices me far more than any other piece," the man teases her back. the lord commander dared chaol or any of the other council members to even mention the visitors he kept at night, when he was unfortunately privy to many of the master of war's late night calls. in fact, azriel was considering repaying the favor this evening with his newfound company. " mm, you are brilliant as ever. and far more beautiful than any of the other nobles i've escorted back to their chambers, as of late. though, i'd care a bit more if you got hurt wandering here by yourself." he hums in thought. " if you wish to grab my attention you can simply call upon me, you don't have to thrust yourself into my patrols."

          meeting his gaze, she can't help but shoot him a wink in return, a playful question that held far too many possible answers. teasing and endearing was what she did best, a feat easier with him than she could have anticipated. ❝ i should've realized all it took was a sweet smile to sway you. though not to worry, i save all my best ones for you, ❞ and as if an answer, another settles easily on her lips, nose crinkling slightly. they both knew better, more often than not, and it was never a mere smile that landed them in one of their beds. not that myrcella was anything but shameless about that fact, both comfortable with and unbothered by how she spent her time, or who she spent it with. and she certainly enjoyed it with azriel, something light beneath that stern exterior of his. ❝ a lady does not thrust herself, lord commander, though you are a difficult man to call upon. i'd hate to pull a member of your queensguard away to send word for you. ❞ eyes twinkle mischievously, knowing the answer and yet far too amused by idea of the knights scurrying to aid both lady and lord commander. ❝ though, some of them are quite sweet on me. i'm sure they wouldn't mind. ❞

ADELAIDE KANE in REIGN (2013-2017)

an unreasonably warm day had both ladies seeking out the cover of the shade in the stands, sitting near enough so that their legs brushed against one another. eyes followed the knights that were training in the yard before them, smirk tugging at the corner of her lips as one of them nearly tripped, far too busy staring at her friend beside her. " the lord commander certainly has a . . . an interesting lot to train this year, does he not?" she teased, tilting her gaze towards towards myrcella. " perhaps one of them has caught your eye, my sweet lion? or someone else?"

          the sun is about as much of a constant as of late as the nobles they were forced to see day in and day out. there were none she enjoyed watching more than the knights, some fluid and nimble where others stumbled in the presence of beautiful ladies. myrcella's own quiet laughter filled the space between them as she leaned into melony's side, eyes alight with a familiar amusement. ❝ to the lord commander's credit, i do think training goes along much smoother when they are not so terribly distracted. ❞ but oh, how the lannister lady loved nothing more than being such a distraction. she couldn't help but meet melony's gaze, shooting her a wink. ❝ none of these knights here, i can assure you, though plenty catch my interest. and what of you, my dearest ? find your heart charmed by anyone ? ❞

JORDAN BAKER 4x17 ⋆ “Hate Me Now”

boisterous laugh bursts from azriel's chest at her words, finding delight once more in the fiery strange girl that seemingly appeared whenever he was most in need of a smile. myrcella is a candle, slowly melting away the stony exterior azriel wears as often as his guard cloak. " are you a fox brought to life by a jealous witch," he teased, grinning at her, turning head slightly to press a swift kiss to the crown of her head. " frightening clever for such a sweet and innocent lady." the lord turns them in what he knows to be the opposite direction of any of the noble chambers, instead towards where him and other small council members resided. " we have a bit of a walk to go, feel free to enlighten me to what may be more fulfilling and enjoyable than my work, my lady."

his laughter brought an easy smile to myrcella's lips, a side to the lord commander that she wondered if many ever saw. the man beneath the white cloak. delight crinkled the corners of her eyes at the tease, as much a compliment to her ears as any. ❝ a jealous witch ? i should think one would wish me to be a fox instead, if only to eliminate my charm and good looks. ❞ leaning into the contact, there was a faux contemplative hum before myrcella gave his arm a gentle squeeze. ❝ and which is it that entices you more ? my cleverness, or my sweet innocence ? ❞ the latter is accompanied with a raise of her brow, considering they both knew far better than to believe such a thing, and she doesn't bat an eyelash at the shift in direction. almost as if she could have anticipated it herself. far less traffic around his chambers than her own, anyway, especially amongst the nosiest of nobles. ❝ seems a purposeful choice on your part, ser. i dare say i am both of those things, you know. fulfilling, enjoyable. i've heard easy on the eyes, too, which isn't a stretch considering some of the nobles i've seen you doing your due diligence with. ❞

Nodding his head in agreement it was a small enough gesture to breath many words into the space between them without a single utterance. The subtlety of such a nod spoke to a lord’s understanding of the elusive theory of time, of how no matter what one did it was lost all the same. The lift of a brow, as small and minuscule an addition to the nod that spoke volumes saw surprise, intrigue at her retort- she was unexpected no matter what personal thoughts may be. When finally he himself did speak Uthor smiled against softly with a soft sigh proceeding the words that next broke through the silence between comments. “What I know of king’s landing I know well”  Uthor stated admitting no lies to Nisa. Extending his hand now, daring to hold it out bracing himself for the softness of those fingers that would surely see him fall to her charm. “Take my hand, Nisa. Walk with me and discover the landing, my lady. If I may be so bold it is hardly the city that I wish to discover anyways but the woman before me I wish to know, to see the world through those eyes that are vastly more captivating than old architecture and crumbling walls ”

sometimes nisa wondered if the words she spoke fell on deaf ears, attuned enough to acknowledge but not processing a word she said. uthor seemed attentive though, even with just the simple inclinations of his head. certainly the last thing he had expected in his time spent along the wall was to meet someone so willing to lament on the passage of time. fingers has seemingly paused whatever idle tracing had occupied their presence on the wall, allowing her gaze to focus more readily at the handsome features in front of her. and his answer is enough to earn an easy smile from the northern lady. ❝ you know what you must and the rest is part of the mystery. i'm sure what you do know is still plenty more than me. ❞ nisa didn't think uthor needed to know of her favored baker or fabric stall in the markets, the only places she could get to with any certainty. with an easy smile and gentle touch, hand slipped easily into his own, face lighting up further as she inclined her head behind them. ❝ you may find that your knowledge of me and the discovery of the city go hand in hand. this wall, for example, now acts as the place we first met, and you indulged me. ❞ she finds her smile impossible to keep away, so surely a compliment she would never stop thinking about. ❝ if not my opinions on old architecture and crumbling walls, uthor, what do you hope you may discover from me ? ❞

laenys shan’t squander a moment spent with her beloved husband . in the smile he provided , she found a semblance of comfort amidst the terrors that befell them just hours before . she had always favored herself a dutiful wife , willing to do just about anything and everything to ensure rowan’s health , happiness , and peace of mind . thus , if it meant a similar smile would be shared with her , she would beg his company on her venture to the westerling chambers come morning . “ i believe i may need you to bare witness to my scolding . my sisters are quite feisty , your presence may keep me safe . ” melodic giggles followed her suggestion , too eager to follow her husband into their soon - to - come moments of relaxation . silver hair was tossed behind , cheek resting atop his shoulder as violet eyes lifted to appreciate the sight above her . laenys relished in the silence for mere moments , suppressing the rising thoughts regarding the days to come while they inhabit the red keep . how long could she sway him to stay in this very spot before the two were required to tend to their duties ? “ might i lend an ear ? ease your troubled mind beyond worries for our family ? ”

these were his moments of peace, of that rowan couldn't doubt, even if the comfortable stillness of their chambers lacked eliar's laughter or garyce's babbles of contentment. laenys was his peace, and without her, he certainly would know none otherwise. his love for his wife was as boundless as the sunset sea, and to have such warmth and light in his life — it would be enough to bring any man to his knees. ❝ a need, you say ? well, i can't leave you when you need me most, now can i ? hm, yes, i can't begin to imagine where they learned such feistiness from, my love, ❞ smile widened as nose brushed along her jaw, lips pressed against her neck as familiar laugh filled him with warmth. it was a sound he could never dream of tiring of, nor did he want to. habitually, instinctively, fingers trail along her spine, brushing through the end of silver locks as brown hues shifted to meet violet and exhaustion tugged at his very being. he wanted nothing more to alleviate her worries, to answer the questions he found there, but with so few answers of his own, it felt impossible. with a small sigh, rowan tugged her closer still, willing the jumbled mess of thoughts to string together. ❝ those are always my most pressing worries, you know that. though i worry for vaelyx, too, and what such an attack might mean for his safety, considering i do not think the princess to be the target of choice. ❞ young, and sweet, seemingly removed from the politics of it all. ❝ i am grateful we're not further from home, though it seems unlikely we'll return any time soon. ❞

these were his moments of peace, of that rowan couldn't doubt, even if the comfortable stillness of their chambers lacked eliar's laughter or garyce's babbles of contentment. laenys was his peace, and without her, he certainly would know none otherwise. his love for his wife was as boundless as the sunset sea, and to have such warmth and light in his life — it would be enough to bring any man to his knees. ❝ a need, you say ? well, i can't leave you when you need me most, now can i ? hm, yes, i can't begin to imagine where they learned such feistiness from, my love, ❞ smile widened as nose brushed along her jaw, lips pressed against her neck as familiar laugh filled him with warmth. it was a sound he could never dream of tiring of, nor did he want to. habitually, instinctively, fingers trail along her spine, brushing through the end of silver locks as brown hues shifted to meet violet and exhaustion tugged at his very being. he wanted nothing more to alleviate her worries, to answer the questions he found there, but with so few answers of his own, it felt impossible. with a small sigh, rowan tugged her closer still, willing the jumbled mess of thoughts to string together. ❝ those are always my most pressing worries, you know that. though i worry for vaelyx, too, and what such an attack might mean for his safety, considering i do not think the princess to be the target of choice. ❞ young, and sweet, seemingly removed from the politics of it all. ❝ i am grateful we're not further from home, though it seems unlikely we'll return any time soon. ❞

what an odd sensation in her heart that stirred at the sound of rowan calling her lony once more, it stirred up memories that she had long set aside in order to keep herself carrying onward. a heartbreak caused by her own hand was not something she wished to dwell on, hardly beneficial. melony let out a laugh at the question in his tone, it was a bit foolish to hold such formalities when they had never expressed them before which each other. even if years had passed, the longer she looked at him, the more certain melony was that rowan's eyes had not changed. they may posses a few more crinkles at the corners, but they remained as warm as she recalled before. " does it not feel foolish to address me as such?" the woman teases, a rare smile gracing her face. heart may no longer yearn for the lord massey as it once had previously but it remained fond of him all the same. " i believe we should share the same concerns, rowan. i always imagined that i would greeted in my daydreams by someone far more handsome, darker eyes and the sort," she teased, tone full of jest as the smile shifts into a grin.

there is something comforting about them being in this moment together again, even if time has dulled the familiarity they had so many moons ago. but rowan's only ever held warmth for the woman in front of him now, fondness even when they were both not quite sure of themselves. it's why he matched her own joy with such ease, wide smile spread across his lips at the sound of his laugh. he remembered when he once longed to hear it, if only to stave away the dark cloud her father wrought. melony carried herself in a way he hadn't quite seen before, and her eyes still held secrets he wasn't sure he'd ever get to the bottom off, but she was still melony. rowan couldn't help the way his nose crinkled in answer. ❝ it has always felt foolish, but one can never be so certain. we aren't in runestone or massey's hook, after all. ❞ and there's only warm mirth to his words, an easiness that was never quite lost. ❝ oh, how you wound me. perhaps it's me with the concussion, to suffer such a blow to my ego. unless your new tactic is bumping into handsome lords with dark eyes and hoping to charm your way into their hearts. ❞ a pause, and a playful wink. ❝ i dare say you'd be successful. ❞

the crownlands were painfully boring to look upon in comparison to their home in riverrun, not even holding a candle to the flame that was the riverlands within edmyn's heart. they scrunched up their nose in distaste as they stared out the window of the keep, eyes following a few who moved through the courtyard below. the sound of approaching footsteps makes edmyn let out a soft sigh, waiting till the other has stood there for a few uncomfortable beats. " pardon, am i blocking your view? hardly seems worth it." edmyn took a minuscule step to the left, hardly removing themselves from the way.

rowan was certain that there was no inch of the crownlands that he hadn't seen, between calling it home and the trade he so often conducted. he supposed it helped that he had such a good friend in the prince that often made trips to the capital all the more bearable. so rarely did he get the chance to truly admire the city and all it had to offer, but with everyone remaining in king's landing for the foreseeable future, it seemed inevitable. his approach had been absentminded at best, though the words of the other gave him pause. ❝ not at all, my liege, you needn't trouble yourself. while i don't think it is the best view that the crownlands has to offer, ❞ he hummed quietly, letting his gaze sweep from the courtyard to the city beyond. ❝ i have certainly seen far worse views from windows such as these. ❞

it is still a shock at times to set her sights on myrcella. it doesn’t matter that they’ve spent two years at the same keep when what transpired between them had changed so much. her feelings for the other woman had been true and bright, her smiles always coming easy around the lionheart. now though, the treachery she engages in is enough to turn her stomach sour, causes fear to grow within her at the thought of being complicity to it. it was why she had cut ties with her, or at least had tried to. when she catches sight of myrcella in the library, her smile blooms for a moment before she can reign it in. “good evening, lady lannister.”

her relationship with flora had been a most unfortunate casualty of what she did. myrcella dealt well in secrets and lies, one might argue better now that she knew how easily that knowledge might betray her. she had adored the warmth of winterfell, the lioness's own ray of sunshine, and still did no matter how at odds the pair of them was now. and though myrcella could not blame the woman that held her feelings so dear, she'd be lying to say she wasn't smug over the fact that they so rarely kept away from one another. as she maneuvered about the library, shifting among the shafts of moonlight, her answering smile is almost feline. ❝ lady stark. it is a much finer evening now that you have graced me with your company. ❞

        he'd  found  a  place  for  himself  in the corner of the room, content, as he was without fail, to remain amongst the shadows, unseen by and not a burden to those also occupying the space. he missed runestone already. it's quiet. it's familiarity. if he could lock himself away in the chambers given to him then he would, but oddly enough, he worried his absence from court would only draw attention to him, prompting further whispers about his failings, too timid to even represent his family. so he swallowed his nerves and sat quietly, observing as he leafed through a book. the sight of another wandering around, seemingly out of place, drew his eye.        ❝  you can sit here, if you'd like,  ❞ he offered with a shy smile.

one of the sitting rooms sat teeming with life, nobles shuffling to and fro if only to grab another's attention. myrcella had forgotten how social the capital so often was, but then again, so rarely was all of the seven kingdoms filling its streets. she thrived on it of course, the lioness eager to bend an ear to anyone with someone to say, and oh did so many of the nobles have something to say. hovering on the edge of a group of ladies, as she so often did, she couldn't help the way her gaze shifted over a familiar face and she found herself wandering closer. there's a small smile that tugged at the corners of her lips as she settled beside him, inclining her head towards the book in hand. ❝ i hope that's not the same book you were reading when i last saw you, nikolai, ❞ myrcella hummed with familiar mirth, despite how long it'd been since she'd seen much of the royces. ❝ or i may question the state of runestone's library. ❞

a warmth creeps into his chest, as if he is slowly being lit ablaze from deep within, flames licking dangerously. jacaerys’ words sooth a piece of him but do not entirely quell the storm that has been steadily growing inside his mind since ellie had fallen during the feast. “ jacaerys,” vaelyx began, shifting to look into his cousin’s eyes, the heavy emotion evident within his own. “ am i a good choice to you? if… if i asked you to support me, to ride into battle besides me, would you follow?” the words are soft, as if the prince is fearful they may be overhead despite that they remain entirely alone. “ i do not wish to ever ask that of you, cousin.” there is a beat of silence that hangs heavy between the two men, vaelyx visibly swallowing. despite what he is asking of jacaerys, there is no anxiety within the way he helds himself before the other. “ but if i believe it is what lies best for the people, for the realm, i desire to have you beside me.”

there is something to be said for the man that jacaerys finds when looking into his cousin's eyes — the strength and fire of a dragon. and though he knows vaelyx has a brother of his own, and jace had naeyla, too often had he seen the other as the brother he never had. someone admirable, to be proud of. head tilts, chest tightening at the emotion he found in vaelyx's gaze, and hand grips his cousin's shoulder in reassurance. ❝ you are a choice that i think vaella was right in making. because you want to be the good choice, you want to be a good king, and that is just as important as anything else. you have my support, within the city or on the front lines of battle. should you ask, i shall follow, ❞ and though his own words are quiet in answer, they don't lack any sincerity. as if it's just as important to him that vaelyx knows he has jace's support. ❝ i know you do not, cousin, which is why i'm all the more willing to do it. ❞ it is a heavy conversation, but one he'd rather have now than when they were on the brink of whatever war might arise. given the kingdom's turmoil, it didn't seem so unlikely as one might hope. and before him, though prince he still was, jacaerys could see the makings of a king playing along his edges. ❝ i will have no greater honor than being at your side if that day comes. i can assure you of that. ❞

there is something to be said for the man that jacaerys finds when looking into his cousin's eyes — the strength and fire of a dragon. and though he knows vaelyx has a brother of his own, and jace had naeyla, too often had he seen the other as the brother he never had. someone admirable, to be proud of. head tilts, chest tightening at the emotion he found in vaelyx's gaze, and hand grips his cousin's shoulder in reassurance. ❝ you are a choice that i think vaella was right in making. because you want to be the good choice, you want to be a good king, and that is just as important as anything else. you have my support, within the city or on the front lines of battle. should you ask, i shall follow, ❞ and though his own words are quiet in answer, they don't lack any sincerity. as if it's just as important to him that vaelyx knows he has jace's support. ❝ i know you do not, cousin, which is why i'm all the more willing to do it. ❞ it is a heavy conversation, but one he'd rather have now than when they were on the brink of whatever war might arise. given the kingdom's turmoil, it didn't seem so unlikely as one might hope. and before him, though prince he still was, jacaerys could see the makings of a king playing along his edges. ❝ i will have no greater honor than being at your side if that day comes. i can assure you of that. ❞