[PREVIEW] Nihilus Filius Et Sacerdos Ch 12

Breaking the morning fast was always a pleasant tradition for Laena. Her parents insisted that every morning they and her brother would sit in the great hall, her father’s solar, or a reserved spot whenever they traveled and eat while discussing their affairs for the day. Whilst her father always brought up matters of import to their house, asked how she and Laenor were progressing with their lessons, and relayed his expectations, most of the meal was filled with idle conversation. In her youth, Laena would speak of dragons and exotic wares from Spicetown, even flowers and butterflies that caught her eye. Her lord father took it all in stride and feigned interest, even as her twin tried to interject while nibbling on his sweetcakes. Even her lady mother, stern as she could be at times, always relaxed during those meals. After Laena had married Daemon, she was determined to ensure that little ritual lived on. Her new husband hadn’t minded, though more often than not their morning bonding consisted of them riding their respective dragons in the skies of Driftmark or Pentos. When Baela and Rhaena were born, she’d rekindled the tradition as best she could.

One important lesson she took from their morning rituals was observing the mood of her family. While Daemon was rather obvious with his feelings and felt little reason to hide his frustrations and desires from her, her mother and father always remained composed during their meals, no matter how tumultuous whatever circumstance their House was embroiled in. Grave matters were given their most serious of considerations of course, but even in troubled times, her lord father donned the mask of control perfectly, with the same surety as he steered one of his ships. It was a fun little game, trying to figure out what minor, or even major, business troubled or pleased him, and Laenor’s slight wonderment whenever she told him of her little divinations never ceased to draw a giggle from her.

With her father’s current mood, however, even a blind man could spot the Sea Snake’s giddiness.

“I confess I haven’t seen you this happy in many a moon, Father,” Laena said as she sipped from her goblet. The table in the Velaryon’s dining hall was stacked with their usual comforts of fruit, nuts, and pastries. Laena, her parents, and her daughters were all present - even Laenor, sitting by her side.

“I have little reason not to be!” replied Corlys as he beamed. “Our House has won perhaps the greatest victory since Laenor’s marriage to the princess! We have secured not gold or lands, but friendship! A friendship of those who could hold the key to our House’s ascension!”

Rhaenys rolled her eyes at her husband’s dramatic proclamation but nodded and smiled at Laena. Her gown was dark-blue and her neckline was embroidered with foam-white fabric, accompanying the elaborate bun that held her silver and black hair. “You lord-father is correct, my daughter. Through your efforts, we have gained a foothold in the court unlike never before.”

“Mother, I know the opportunity and fortune our guests can bring, but I fear you and Father are presuming too early,” Laena pointed out, playing with her fork. “The king has accepted their terms, but we do not know how far he will extend this courtesy.”

Corlys chuckled at her words. “Then you did not pay enough attention to his demeanor, my dear. Had the language barrier not existed, His Grace would have barraged our guests with enough questions to fill our library. I have seen this mood whenever he requested me to regale him with tales of my voyages, or when he was gifted a Valyrian relic from one of the free cities. No, His Grace is reeled in, and will accommodate them to satisfy his fascination, unless they or the Queen’s ilk should act outrageously.” He then looked her in the eye and leaned forward. “Which is why the responsibility of preventing either of those outcomes falls to you, my daughter. We have allies in court which we can rely upon, and use them to steer around the Hightowers’ influence while ensuring our dear guests do not fall into whatever webs Alicent and Ser Otto deem to spin. They are too valuable to lose to anyone.”