No one wants to believe they’re jealous. Especially when the world thinks they have it the best. But more often than not, people still envy what they do not have when they’re at the top.
King Viserys chooses you as his heir instead of Rhaenyra. The realm calls it a mistake. Your sister calls it a betrayal. Your betrothal to Laenor Velaryon is meant to secure the throne—but somewhere between duty, dragons, and the politics of King's Landing, pretending becomes impossible. Perhaps history was never set in stone. Perhaps all it ever needed was someone willing to love their family before fighting them.
Taerys Targaryen never expected to become Daemon’s wife, but their arranged marriage proves far more genuine than either anticipated. As affection quietly grows between them, the people closest to Taerys begin confronting uncomfortable feelings of their own. Rhaenyra sees the marriage she never thought she could have. Alicent sees the tenderness she was never taught to expect. Neither wants to resent Taerys for being happy. But happiness has a way of making old wounds ache. And Daemon? He has never been particularly good at pretending Taerys doesn’t matter to him.
In a world without the Dance of the Dragons, Viserys names Daemon his heir and allows him to marry Rhaenyra. Taerys, Rhaenyra’s younger sister, has always been loved by her uncle—but everyone knows Rhaenyra is his favorite. Until Taerys is hurt. When Daemon hears her scream, he drops Rhaenyra’s hand and runs without hesitation. His reaction is immediate, visceral, and frighteningly intense. It is only after he sees the blood and realizes everyone is watching that he forces himself to step back. For Rhaenyra, that moment leaves behind an uncomfortable question: Has Daemon’s love for Taerys always been deeper than she realized?
Y/N finds her best friend in a class she almost didn’t take. Her partners aren’t to fond after meeting him. He’s exactly the person she would fall in love with.
Taerys had always known how life would turn out. Rhaenyra would become queen. Daemon would ask for her sister’s hand, or they would marry in the tradition of old Valyria. And Taerys would be there supporting her sister. Fighting away the vipers of court as she always has. Until she is suddenly betrothed to Daemon herself.