KING'S LANDING 

"Have you chosen a name yet?"

The Lengii Princess sighed, plucking a grape from the bowl. "No, I can't seem to find the right one."

The two cousins sat in the gardens of the Red Keep, a large picnic spread gathered around them.

Hira gazed up at the sky, heart swelling with fulfilment as the Cannibal flew high and glided through the clouds. His tail left trails of lines that painted a pretty picture. Her wild dragon casted shadows over King's Landing. 

More often than not Hira couldn't believe he had chosen her as his rider, even when his domineering presence was right in front of her, proving her wrong. It was because of that, that she hadn't chosen a suitable name for him yet. She wanted it to be accurate, one that he could wear with pride, the same emotion she felt every time she caught a glimpse of him.

"What of a Valyrian name?" Helaena suggested, amusing herself with a green butterfly cradled in her hand.

Such an interesting quirk of hers, Hira mused.

She scrunched her nose, instantly disagreeing. "He's not a Targaryen dragon, that much I know. I don't think he would appreciate such a name. Perhaps a Lengii one to honour my ancestors?"

Helaena hummed in agreement, "Has Leng had dragons before?"

She shook her head. "The closest we have to dragons are basilisks but they're hidden in the forests and difficult to tame. Pilak's egg hatched when I was born, so training him from birth was easy. He stays only because I spoil him. Don't I, you little menace?"

The reptile in question yipped, his head squished between Hira's warm hands. She kissed his nose and barked a laugh when he licked her.

He leaped from her lap, chasing the butterfly that flew out of Helaena's palm. The girl clapped in delight, laughing as Pilak chased it.

Her cousin had changed over the years, from full cheeks to a slender face, growing in height too. She was quickly taken by Hira and her ladies, quite close in age and similar upbringings. Alicent was rather happy that Helaena found new friends to share her time with, given that others found her to be strange or aloof. No matter, Hira was prone to taking in unconventional folk under her protection.

The princess only arrived in King's Landing a mere week ago, but so far she was welcomed by her paternal side, so much so the king held a week-long celebration in her name.

When she landed the Cannibal in the Dragonpit, she recalled the look of fear and shock that crossed those present in the pit. 

The king was delighted when she arrived. Her uncle congratulated her, hugging her in a way that was far too familiar for family who have only met once. He was so different from her father in every way. Though the rumours spoke true, his health was declining. His full silvery hair had started to recede and his face was more sunken in appearance. She sought to remedy his ailing pains but the book of Lengii healing was rejected by the Grand Maester, unimpressed by foreign education from across the narrow sea. An idiot really, so closed minded. One of the little things that irked Hira about the capital and the people who dwelled in it.

"Pools of blue turn to red. Look before you leap." Helaena mumbled darkly.

"What was that Helaena?"

Another oddity of her cousin, speaking of peculiar things with a far away look on her face. Hira tried to understand her riddles but it was no use. Helaena was a book written in a language unknown to Hira. 

Realising she was being ignored, Hira gently scooped a caterpillar off the ground and placed it on Helaena's hand, knowing the girl was adverse to touch. Her cousin drifted off, aimlessly staring at nothing, mumbling the same words under her breath.

"All is well. We can sit here and enjoy the fresh air." Hira assured her, "Mayhap if the weather permits, we can go flying before the sun sets."

"A lovely idea."

From behind the pillars, Queen Alicent made her presence known. She sat on the bench beside the blanket and attempted to stroke her daughter's hair but Helaena swatted her away.

Hira watched on with a keen eye as Alicent frowned, before addressing her. "How are you fairing, princess?"

"Wonderfully, Your Grace." She answered, "The capital's as lovely as the king described in his letter."

The poverty outside its walls and the stink that lingered did little to hide how lacking the capital was in Hira's eyes. How could the royal family allow their people to live in such a state? 

At the very least in Leng the governors who ruled over the provinces kept a strict sewage system in place and made sure each establishment was well stocked, for what was a kingdom without its people? What good was an empire when its nation was dissatisfied with its rulers? The streets would riot. Hira understood why her father hated living here. That and the snakes who waited in the grass.

"The gardens and Dragonpit are the most favourable of places to visit. Especially with Helaena keeping me company."

Her cousin smiled, finally out of the strange bubble she was trapped in. "It's fortunate you're here, cousin. Who knows what life would be like without your shining presence."

"I'm glad you two are getting along." Alicent admitted, a slight sadness appearing the more she gazed at the two.

"Should we take to the skies, dear Helaena?"

At her nod Hira stood up, dusting imaginary dirt off her garments.

"Such a beautiful dress." The queen commented, eyeing the two-piece that revealed more than it should.

The capital was stuck in a blaring hot summer season, so Hira decided it best to wear her thin garbs. A Yi Ti inspired two-piece silk laced in shades of teal, styled with a thin blue scarf that wrapped around her neck and draped down to her waist. Her favourite outfit yet, paired with gemstones of sapphires that rested on her forehead and a variety of bangles that covered both her wrists.

Hira assumed it was the revealing midriff and shoulders that caused the distasteful sneer on the pious queen's face. 

She held back a little smirk, a slight part of her thrilled to get under the queen's skin, reminding herself a little of Daemon who made his distaste for the Hightowers known at any given moment. She didn't share her father's disdain, she was more irritated that the queen had an obvious problem with accepting basic cultural differences. Hira wouldn't hide away her heritage like a dirty secret and certainly not to those who found it difficult to accept her.

Viserys may turn a blind eye to her revealing clothing and unusual habits of training with steel, for all the love he bore for Daemon but the queen was another story.

During the week she had asked if Hira would spend a morning in the Sept to pray with the rest of the family. She declined, for it was blasphemous to worship any religion outside of the one she was born to. The Elders back home would skin her alive and feed her to the Old Ones at the thought of it.

Before leaving Dragonstone, Rhaenyra pulled her aside to wish her goodbye. She said she was saddened at her leaving, how she wished she tried harder with her and prayed for the best of journeys. She told her of the Keep's homage to the ancient Targaryen house through its décor, of dragon tapestries and statues littered around the castle. The princess thought she would find interest in it, yet Hira only found the Seven Pointed Star everywhere she looked.

Such a devout woman. Hira thought, I wonder what sins she attones for? Women such as the queen are often burdened with religious guilt.

"Thank you. I can have a dress commissioned for yourself, Your Grace. My ladies and I hand tailor our clothing ourselves. If it pleases you, of course."

Alicent hid her grimace well, but the queen was an open book to Hira, "Thank you sweetling, but I have plenty of dresses."

"All in a beautiful shade of green. A Hightower statement piece, no? Not favourable to your husband's Targaryen red or black?"

"I could say the same for you."

Hira hummed, enjoying the snark. "I am a Han, ever loyal to the blues and teals. Red is too intense, quite puissant."

"Green would look lovely on you."

Helaena linked her arms around Hira's, to which she gave a softer, more private smile to her cousin, less teeth than what she was giving her mother. "I believe I have all the green I need, Your Grace."

"Enjoy your day, mother." The girl waved, dragging Hira out the gardens. "See you at the feast."

Pilak trailed behind his mistress, his long tongue hanging out to the side as his giddy nature.

Hira focused on Helaena as she rattled facts about butterflies, not noticing how the queen was picking at her nails, a nervous but curious look on her face.

Before they made their trek to the Dragonpit, Helaena urged them to stop by the training yard, wanting to witness her younger brother train with Ser Criston.

"So this is where your mother's shadow frequents when not a foot away from her." Hira commented.

Hearing Pilak whine, she gently stroked his head to calm his nerves. He was wary of crowds.

Those spectating hollered at the prince, showing a clear sign of favouritism. It couldn't be helped, even those back home favoured Atarah when she was in the training yard, or at council meetings and public events. She was gifted with the sword and diplomacy, the perfect heir to compliment her mother's throne.

"Aemond has changed." Hira mumbled, noticing all the differences from the last time she saw him.

The little boy who walked with uncertainty, who yearned for a dragon of his own, so much so he risked his life, was no more. In his place was almost a man, with confident strides, a broad sword with a long frame and a missing eye paired with a harsh scar and leather eyepatch.

Hira supposed they've all changed. Even Daemon's daughters and Rhaenyra's sons. No longer children, but not yet grown. Still green to the world, despite knowing its cruel touch.

"Nasty scar."

"Make sure not to say that to his face." Helaena warned, "He's insecure about it."

Hira shrugged, thinking nothing of it, "Back at home women swoon at men who look like your brother. Little highborn girls giggle when soldiers pass by the palace. Scars are attractive to us."

"You find Aemond attractive then?" Helaena teased.

Hira raised a brow, amused by Helaena's antics. "Scars are attractive. I didn't say anything about Aemond."

He was nice to look at, Hira supposed, the same way women found Targaryen men nice to look at. They all had an ethereal look to them, with their silver hair and bewitching purple eyes, making them godly to anyone.

The fight was evenly matched, both mentor and mentee were skilled. Aemond pivoted and blocked Ser Criston's direct attack. His footwork was precise and his grip firm. The match drew to a close when Ser Criston countered the Prince, swinging his sword into Aemond's stomach.

"You're getting better." Ser Criston said, "In no time you'll have me disarmed."

Helaena clapped, nudging Hira until she replicated the movement.

Aemond's gaze found Hira's, causing her to freeze in motion.

The eyepatch was a trademark statement to all those who knew how much he had lost to acquire his dragon. The black leather piece added to his allure and maturity, despite the boyish face he bore. He was a walking contradiction, with a piercing eye too, so full of the same determination when he sought to claim Vhagar those years ago. It was hard to get that image of young Aemond out of her mind, especially when it the last time they properly spoke.

The reason why the twins hated her even to this day.

Upon seeing her, Aemond's one eye widened, before offering a nod. Hira nodded back, unwillingly to break his stare.

Even with only one eye Aemond looked at her with such an intensity she wondered if she was going to burst into flames.

Perhaps a few things are still the same.

"Shall we go to the Dragonpit now, cousin?" Helaena questioned.

"Yes." Hira answered instantly, moving fast lest Helaena changed her mind.