Accordingly, this sudden welcome party eventually did find its end.
With Rhaenyra setting off as well to settle herself in her quarters.
But it would seem that it was not just the crowd of the court and not just her old friend that wanted an audience with her.
For it would seem that Daemon Targaryen also had that intent.
"Ēza issare iā wail, dārilaros." He greetingly said. Catching her off guard from the corner he waited from.
And Rhaenyra, despite the surprise, responded that. "It has indeed been a while, uncle. Almost 4 years, I believe."
Of course, taking this chance, she stated. "I even wagered that after your time in the Stepstones, you'd go back to wrongfully occupying Dragonstone once again. Making yourself content over there."
"Sīr, skoro syt gōntan ao māzigon arlī?" She wondered. "There is surely more to your return than subjecting yourself to all the taunts."
However, he did not answer, only gazing towards her neck to then ask. "Where is the necklace I got for you? The one made from the steel of Old Valyria."
"It is someplace else, uncle." She simply answered. "It's not like it is the only one I wear."
"Ah, yes." He seemingly understood. "My son must have found you something much better then. He sure has that knack to always improve upon me, doesn't he?"
Prompting her to mild confusion and even let out a frown. As Daemon calling Ronan son truly was "cringe". And now she sort of knew what that word meant.
Then again, she wondered. "So... aside from the whereabouts of your trinket, what exactly is it that you want? To actually let go of your pride and bow in defeat before a rather judging bunch of onlookers."
"I never imagined the great Daemon Targaryen to do such a thing..." Rhaenyra hummed. "Unless there's something else in play. Which leads me to ask again, uncle... what do you want?"
"Only the comforts of home." He finally answered.
"I had not thought you particularly comfortable in this home." She noted. "Though I do suppose you seem changed by your adventures. With less hair and that made you more mature, perhaps."
"You've matured yourself these last four years, Princess. Being more comely and all that." He muttered. "But I'm sure you'll get used to the attention. As I've seen you do today already."
"Such attentions I can endure." Rhaenyra answered. "For I do what I must."
"Then I suppose that this coming marriage must be quite the duty for you." He suddenly said. "A marriage that is quite the political arrangement, as I see it to be. Bringing in the greatest warrior and the richest House into the fold."
"And while you imagine me to be someone great... I never imagined you to be quite accepting of this." Daemon added. "Especially after what happened to your mother."
"Be it as it may, it is the choice I've made for myself. One that I am quite happy with." She defended. "And with regards to what happened to my mother... it is not your place to say anything about it, uncle. Given that rather callous statement you've proclaimed."
She may be her father's daughter... but she wasn't ready to forget what Daemon had said. Or everything else that Daemon had done.
The "Heir for a Day" wasn't just about Baelon... but could very well be about her mother as well.
And with that thought, Rhaenyra cut this meeting short. Unwilling to entertain Daemon any further. For his charm had long been lost on her.
Nonetheless, perhaps she can finally settle in her quarters, as she'd originally set out to do.
-------------
Alas, she still had her other duties... and to her surprise, it was actually at the Small Council.
However, she was no longer just some cupbearer pouring wine into the cup of the Masters.
Her status had long risen. The Heir to the throne that she should have been.
Just as she now had a marble of her own. And a corresponding marble holder to mark her own presence. For whenever she was in her seat by this table.
And as dull as the discussed concerns were... Rhaenyra was more than satisfied.
Granted, she also noted of what was being talked about during this one.
Which mostly revolved around the unapologetic Sea Snake, who didn't bend his knee as the Rogue Prince had just done.
A stark contrast that had quite the implications.
And as much as Lord Velaryon did not dare to claim tollhold of the Stepstones due to Ronan's fearsome existence... the plan to apparently marry Laena off to some son of the Sealord might prove worrying.
A move that warranted evaluations. Made by a man who was clearly still wroth with the Crown. Sacrificing his own daughter's prospects for whatever he might possibly want from Braavos.
Though Rhaenyra just worried for her dear cousin... as this match might not be that welcomed.
A political arrangement that most marriages truly are.
-------------
Of course, just as the Princess thought her day was over. More so when it was already dark outside and she'd actually entered her room...
Something just had to whisk her away.
Just as she had her earrings removed, a peculiar sack stood out to her. Hanging from one of the chairs.
But she remembered leaving nothing like it. Nor would Ronan.
Meaning that it might be something that the helpers left behind without knowing.
Either way, she was curious about what it might be.
But when she checked the contents and just dropped it all out... it was only a pile of rather unseemly clothes.
With quite the stench.
Unfortunately, she checked.
But such ruffling eventually did make her find a rolled sheet of paper...
A paper that held instructions... and drawn images of her wall... towards a specific part of it that she was already quite familiar with.
And to no surprise, when she pushed the carved indentation, it opened...
With Ronan awaiting from the other side... smiling and greeting. "Yo... want to go on a date?"
Which inadvertently led the Princess to let out a sigh...
More so when she inclined herself to just agree... changing herself into the prepped clothes... and followed Ronan out for a view of the capital's nightlife.
Granted, she sighed even more when she found that by the entrance of these secret tunnels... a familiar figure was knocked out cold.
Face flat on the ground and butt awkwardly raised high. Unconscious as can be.
Apparently, it was Daemon... the man who had this late-hour getaway idea in the first place.
Alas, Ronan realized some kind of underlying scheme... found where the schemer waited... and just outright "boinked" his own father in the head.
Stealing the unconscious man's plan for his own and shamelessly refitting it into one of their date nights...
While the Princess Rhaenyra could only shake her own head at the very blatant honesty... and the opportunistic resourcefulness that her Bold Bronze has.