Omake: A day for maidens.
Before Lucien engagement and Marriage in the Timeskip.
Maiden 's Day.
Rhyelle Coldwater carefully watched as the last of the noble maidens of Kings Landing lit the candles at the Maiden's feet and put the garlands of flowers on her neck, and when everyone had their turn she helped the Princess lead the choir as the septas played the instruments in the background.
When she first received the letter of the Queen inviting her to be one of Rhaenyra Lady in Waiting she was worried because of the religious tension in Kings Landing and the rest of the realm. Yet to her surprise when she arrived the tension had been snuffed out mostly solved by Prince Lucien, then the High Septon died being replaced by another more gentle in his approach to different faiths in rather good timing one might say.
Perhaps it was simply the Seven taking one who acted without their Virtues from his time on earth, while Rhyelle wouldn't say out loud that the High Septon wasn't whole wrong on thinking of the new faith spreading over Westeros would mean for the Faith of the Seven in the future, the way he acted was unbecoming of his station.
Threatening to act as if he was the wrathful sword of Warrior, putting so many innocent lives in danger while not even putting his own life at risk was pure hypocrisy, and that while he forgot all of the Maiden innocence, the Mother mercy, the Crone patience and the Father justice.
Even worse his actions threatened to split the Faith, dividing it due his northern brethren concerns of violence, especially when they were peacefully coexisting with the Old Gods before for hundreds of years.
But enough of her concerns over the matter, perhaps if she wasn't her father's only daughter she could have joined the Faith like Princess Magelle and rise to become one of the Most Devout and influence the issue directly but this wasn't her fate.
For now she would address the simple issues at hand, like helping lady Vanessa with singing lessons later.
Or talk with Lady Caliadne, by what she heard the Reyne was becoming a skilled healer, recently the Queen was trying to help the motherouses who were taking care of the sick, the girl could be of help with the charity project.
Lady Myranda and Galena also asked her help with memorizing the prayers to perform in the Princess future wedding, even if the girls were not of the Faith of the Seven as Rhaenyra Ladies in Wanting they were still required to help with the Marriage Ceremony.
And Lady Rhae mentioned having difficulties trying to find a septa capable of handling her daughter's education, she had a few recommendations to make… Also talk to the new septon in charge about putting Lady Royce's name in the evening prayers.
So many people to help and so little time, may the Crone guide her…
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Vanessa tried to not sing too much out of tune but judging how Lady Rhyelle was raising her voice ever so subtle and skillfully everytime she made a mistake Vanessa was certain the girl was covering for her.
May the Maiden bless her.
Ever since Lady Rhyelle arrived the girl was ever dutiful and considerate of everyone, especially helping the ones who were struggling with their duties like her…
While Vanessa was certainly useful for the Princess when she needed to be reminded of who the noble in her front was, where they come from and if they had any historical grudges against other Houses, however when it came to more womanly arts she fell short, thus she was grateful for the Vale women's help.
Speaking of women matters, Vanessa tried to not cringe as she once again remembered her cousin's marriage and what one day might be hers. She was sure her father wouldn't make her marry someone horrible but in the potential list of suitors there was a person who worried her.
Please Maiden, not House Strong! Lord Harwin was a fine person but his brother Larys sent her shivers every time she saw him besides it was Harrenhal, the accursed castle. How could she live peacefully being the Lady of such ill keep, knowing soon enough her line will fail into ruin?
No, she couldn't. She would soon marry a Blackwood and suffer her father ire rather than be the Lady of Harrenhal, seven hells even Myranda's brothers weren't out of question…
Oh Maiden, grant this one mercy as you have graced Princess Rhaenyra with a good marriage.
The Princess was sure lucky she managed to secure her marriage with the one she wanted, sure it wasn't announced yet but with the way she smiled those days something was definitely in the air.
Thankfully Vanessa stirred her brother away from courting the Princess before a disaster could be made. A royal marriage wont grace House Bracken but perhaps helping her brother some allies in court won't be an impossible task compared to the first.
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Minisa Crane couldn't help but stare at the Princess and Lady Alicent who were in the front.
This last year had gone overwhelmingly well, she had made lots of friends, attended many feats, tourneys and balls and brought honor to her House by being chosen as a Lady in Waiting.
There was just one thing that put her in a sore spot.
Love didn't come to her as she imagined it.
No, while almost everyone was caught in a love intrigue of their own, she was left standing in the dust.
Even the Princess was spellbound by none other than Lucien the Silent together with Alicent! She had no idea how that would affect their friendship but she prayed for the Maiden for their happiness.
And the story didn't end there for Aegor was in love with Rhaenyra! Sure it was a subtle thing with the warm way he treated everyone but Minisa as sure as the sun always rises in the east.
The poor boy didn't stand a chance. Maybe she could console him? She heard that one of the nobles with a manse in the city hired one of those chefs capable of cooking Yi-Ti dishes he was so fond of, working her way for a dinner invitation and bringing him along was the least she could do to alleviate the pain of the future heartbreak.
Not that she was doing much better than Aegor anyway as one of many daughters her father had it sure it would be way more difficult for her to secure a marriage if she wasn't chosen as Rhaenyra Lady in Wanting, heavens if she succeeded in marrying well enough she could even help her remaining unwed sisters.
Oh Maiden if love isn't an option at least grant me a good marriage to help my House…
Maybe she could ask Little Jeyne to introduce some Vale lords to her, and invite Aegor along to see some ladies too.
Well better to leave it to some sort of last resort, the Queen is planning to hold some sort of Ball and asked for help with hiring artists praising her with a good eye for art, perhaps she could take a sneak peak at the guests list and see who among the ladies would be a good match for Aegor broken heart and her own too.
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Caliadne Reyne was in Heaven.
For the first time she could learn everything in her reach and there was nobody to stop her, she even had the Queen seal of approval.
It was just a dream, learning under the experienced hands of Lady Visanya to the disapproval of the Grand Maester.
Not that she wasn't aware there's a price for it, the Queen expected her to put her skills into practice by being the Princess personal healer accompanying her even when a Maester couldn't.
It was a small price, she couldn't enter the Citadel, this was the closest Caliadne could ever reach and be free to pursue her studies besides Princess Rhaenyra and her Ladies wasn't bad company.
Lady Vanessa was particularly bright in the regards of history of Houses, Lady Rhyelle knew much about the Faith and it's history compared to Lady Lorena in regards to Sea trade matters.
Both Lady Jocelyn and Myranda were quick on the horse and good hunters, meanwhile Ladies Galena, Minisa and Emma were gracious hosts.
Oh Maiden let this dream never end.
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Jocelyn was at first overwhelmed.
While as a member of House Selmy, she learned how to protect herself and the Keep in case of a Dornish Raid Jocelyn never expected to lean fully on her skills no matter how much she struggled with courtesies and more womanly arts.
Yet it was for that reason she was chosen by the Queen, above all other noble daughters to be the one of Princess Lady in
Wanting, to guard her like Jonquil did for Queen Alysanne.
And it was a Duty she gladly accepted, for Queen Aemma personally asked her when she arrived at King's Landing.
Jocelyn couldn't be the graceful noble Lady of the stories but perhaps she could be finally the Knight if not in name then in spirit.
She also wouldn't lie and say that the Princess own disposition did not weight in her decision, many other laughed at her clumsy ways of the court but Rhaenyra was ever gracious quickly offering her a smile and eager to know the stories of when she joined
Lady Rhae in her husband rescue.
The other Ladies in Wanting were also accepting of her more martial purses, Lady Myranda quickly took to challenging her to a horse race in the Kingswood while she found a friend in her learning struggles with Lady Vanessa.
She could only ask for the Maiden when the time comes she would have the strength to honor her oath.
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Notes: This is the omake! You guys might have noticed Galena, Lorena and Myranda arent here but it was getting too long and I didnt finish everyone sheets so I will end up here, plus it was Maidens' day so since they dont follow the Seven the Trio didnt attend. However if some of you want I could do a quick summary of what the Trio was doing for Nyra.
Probably one last time we will hear of them for now, it was fun creating them! However Jocelyn probably will follow Rhaenyra to the Stepstones, same for Caliadne due to their promisses to the now late Queen Aemma if Magoose allows it of course. We see some hints of how the girls were helping Nyra and Aemma in court, some personal issues and stuff. Hope you guys enjoyed it.
