#volume one

“bloomfield wasn’t always a hall and banners,” viserys said. “it started with a stable boy. alistar flowers. no name, no land. one day he saved lord tyrell’s son in battle. almost died doing it. aegon the conqueror called it loyalty and gave him these lands. flowers became flores. bloomfield began.”

aemond’s mouth drew tight. “so the son of a no one?” he muttered as he diverted his eyes to the window.

viserys smiled like he had heard that argument too many times. “a no one whom was still raised. names matter, but so does loyalty.”

aegon shifted in his seat. “so we stop because some stable boy was brave a century ago?” he murmured, bored rather than mocking.

“we stop,” viserys said, “because we are bound for highgarden in a few days time, and i would see an old friend while i still may.” he pauses “lord alester squired for me in my youth. he was kind, fiercely loyal, just like his ancestor. i intend to repay that in presence, not letters.”

the carriage slowed. hooves shuffled. voices murmured outside. aegon leaned to the window and saw the small hall ahead, stone pale under the sun, a banner of yellow and green hung from the gate. the guards stepped down from the wheelhouse first.

beyond the wheelhouse stood lord alester flores, blonde sun softened with age, and beside him stood his sister ada flores, and late wifes nephew uther redwyne, young, bright red hair reflecting the sun. they had clearly been waiting a while.

lord alester flores looked around “where in the seven is calla…”

uther lifted both hands. “uncle i swear she was beside me moments ago. i think she heard hooves and bolted. she has not the grace of timing.”

alester huffed but there was affection in it. "any day but this one” uther grinned a little. “aunt corenne would be laughing herself sick.” 

“aye,” alester breathed, voice low and warm with old pain.

the carriage door opened. viserys stepped down first with the slow care of a man whose bones had grown tired too soon. aegon followed, young and handsome but half uninterested, while aemond moved like he belonged wherever his feet landed, chin tilted just enough to show he measured everything.

alester bowed deep. “your grace. welcome to bloomfield.” uther followed in greeting.

“it is good to see you again,” viserys said, breaking formality as he clasped alesters hand. “It has been far too long.”

alester was taken aback, but his jaw eased. “it has, your grace. bloomfield is honoured.”

viserys looked to uther. “your son?”

alester’s smile faltered slightly. “my nephew, your grace. my daughter is… delayed.”

a moment of silence, then the great doors behind them opened and she ran out into the light.

calla flores, fourteen and flushed, like she'd only just remembered royalty was arriving. her golden hair was tangled,and her gown slightly askew like she had dressed in a hurry. she hesitated when she saw the royal party, then gathered herself and descended the short steps, trying to appear graceful though her hands trembled.

she moved next to her father and cousin, then curtseyed low, too quickly, almost losing her balance. her fathers eyes flickered with disappointment, though he tried to hide it. uther, on the other hand, couldnt help but smile.

“welcome, your graces,” she said, voice soft but steady enough. “my apolagies.. i seemed to have lost track of time" she quickly said, making up an excuse.

her eyes jumped to prince aegons by accident rather than intention.

just for a moment.

he blinked, surprised, and looked away. but something flickered between them, and he wondered why he felt so drawn to her.

to hide her burning cheeks, calla stepped forward and took king viserys’ hand, bowing her head to it. she kissed his knuckles with a trembling grace she hoped looked natural, though her heart felt like it might fall out of her chest.

viserys smiled down at her, almost grandfatherly.

aemond watched her with cautious eyes. aaegon looked away as if the horses were suddenly fascinating.

calla stepped back into place between her kin. aegon let out a slow breath he didn’t mean to make. she tried not to look at him again.