𝓑𝓸𝓾𝓷𝓭 𝓘𝓷 𝓕𝓲𝓻𝓮 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓑𝓵𝓸𝓸𝓭 || 𝓐𝓮𝓶𝓸𝓷𝓭 𝓣𝓪𝓻𝓰𝓪𝓻𝔂𝓮𝓷
Series masterlist || Other HOTD stories || Fanfiction masterlist
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𝓢𝓾𝓶𝓶𝓪𝓻𝔂: Adryana Targaryen was the youngest daughter of King Viserys I and Queen Alicent. If one is to believe the tales, she was crueler than her older twin brother and husband, Aemond. Some even mentioned that the princess had bewitched Aemond with the way he lusted over her and worshipped the ground she walked on. Believe what you will, but this story contains the true telling of Aemond Targaryen's wife, Adryana the Blood Queen.
Dedicated to @mrsdaemontargaryen Thank you for being the Madelyne to my Adryana 🩷
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Adryana had a glare settled on her features as she stared at her reflection. It has been two years since the Driftmark incident and two years since she told her eldest sister that she hated her. Now, she was coming back home for Aegon and Helaena’s wedding. She couldn’t understand why her mother had invited Madelyne when she had chosen Rhaenyra over her, when she chose those bastards over her own siblings.
“I don’t understand why Maddy is welcome with open arms after leaving us for the bastard breeder,” Ana grumbled and whined at the tug of her hair.
“Watch your mouth, sweet one,” Alicent scolded before she let go of her hair, sighing. “Madelyne is still your sister. Of course she’s going to come for the wedding.”
She watched her mother braid two sections of her hair, her lips forming into a pout. “She’s still not going to love you as much as she loves Rhaenyra, no matter how many gifts you shower her with.”
Adryana winced at how tightly her mother tied the tie, knowing she had struck a chord. “How about you come with me to greet her?” Alicent asked softly while she stroked her daughter’s silver curls after tying in the dark blue ribbon that matched her dress. “I’m sure she’s missed you dearly.”
Ana admired herself for a moment before she shook her head. “No, thank you,” and stood up when her mother stepped back.
“I’ll arrange a tea for you and your sisters then,” Alicent told her, but it fell on deaf ears as Ana nearly tripped over her dress to leave her chambers.
The Keep was bustling with servants running around trying to make sure every inch of the castle was perfect for the royals that would be occupying it for the week of festivities. That didn’t stop Adryana while she weaved her way through the bodies and practically leaped towards the training yard. A wide smile spread on her lips when she heard steel against steel, the closer she got when she ran down the steps right as her twin brother landed in the dirt.
“And I win again, Targaryen.” The curly-haired boy had a triumphant smirk while he helped Aemond up. “You should learn to block on your left side.”
Evin Strong. He was the only living grandson of the late Ser Lyonel Strong. Because his father had passed away before he was born, his mother, Evelyne Strong, gave him her House name. He was the heir apparent to Harrenhal since his grandsire didn’t believe Larys was capable enough to rule. He was a year older than the twins, and he had a home in King’s Landing until he became of age to take his House seat.
“I’m trying,” Aemond grumbled, wiping the dirt off his tunic. “You try having the disadvantage of having one eye.”
“Thankfully, I don’t have that disadvantage,” Evin teased, twirling his sword.
“What’s the score?” Ana asked, lifting her skirts as she walked closer to the pair.
She didn’t take notice of Evin’s features lighting up, or that Aemond was giving his friend a slight glare.
“For today?” Evin asked, blowing out a breath. “That was my third win. Aemond did win the first round, but I was only warming up, Princess.”
Adryana felt the heat rise to her cheeks and looked down, fiddling with the fabric of her gown. “You shouldn’t underestimate Aemond. He will get better with time,” she said confidently, walking over to her brother.
Aemond met his sister’s lilac eyes and scoffed. “I’m not a babe. I don’t need to be coddled,” he snapped, glaring down at his sword. It was made of steel, but the blade was dulled down so the boys wouldn’t hurt each other. “Besides, aren’t you supposed to be with mother to greet our guests?”
Ana opened her mouth to respond, but a call for Evin rang out in the training yard. She stood by Aemond, her gaze turning to Larys leaning on his cane. The smug smirk that became a permanent feature of his always ran chills down the princess’s spine. “Evin, you’re running late for our lessons.”
Evin’s shoulders tensed, his wide smile turning into a frown. “Uncle–”
“Now, Evin.” Larys never raised his voice, but there was always a sick and sinister undertone.
Adryana pouted, watching her friend reluctantly walk towards his uncle, before her attention turned to her brother. “Would you like to take a walk through the gardens?”
Aemond only scoffed in response, causing Ana to frown, watching him throw his sword on the ground before stomping back to the Keep, leaving his sister there, alone.
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“Mother has been wondering where you’ve been.”
Adryana couldn’t help but roll her eyes at Helaena’s scolding tone while they walked arm-in-arm towards the feasting hall. “Mother would have been fine without me since her favorite is back home,” she grumbled and narrowed her eyes when she pinched her arm.
“Maddy was upset that you didn’t come and greet her. She was excited to see all of us again,” Helaena pointed out.
“Ah, yes. She was excited to see us, but she hadn’t bothered to write to us in the last two years.”
Helaena sighed at the comment, but stayed silent. None of the siblings got a letter from their eldest sister, and Aegon didn’t make the situation better by constantly telling Ana that Madelyne left them for the bastards. Hel never cared for that word since she saw their nephews as their full-blooded relatives; they were family.
“Perhaps we can have a fresh start,” Helaena whispered in her ear while they neared the feasting hall.
Adryana sighed, but straightened her back when she saw the look their mother was giving her. “I was about to send Ser Criston to search for you. It was already enough, I had to send the twins after Aegon…again.” Alicent said the last part more to herself.
“I told you I didn’t want to see Maddy,” she hissed, not backing down at the harsh stare her mother gave her.
Her voice was like a sweet song, that’s what Adryana used to think, anyway. She was her little shadow growing up; whatever Madelyne did, Adryana wanted to do it as well. She turned to face her, but she didn’t return her smile.
Two years could change a person.
Madelyne, now sixteen years grown, had a glow about her. Her eyes, which used to be sunken from the excessive time with their mother, are now bright and shiny. She was a small child, small in the sense that the maesters were worried about her health, but now she had filled out and looked healthy. She looked happy.
“Oh, look at you,” Maddy gushed, reaching up to cup her cheeks, but frowned when she pulled away, as though her touch would burn her. “Ana,” she whispered.
Adryana frowned and looked down before she made her way into the feasting hall without another word.
The lively music filled the room with lords and ladies mingling and dancing; Adryana would be among them with her twin or her best friend, but neither was present. Aemond was unable to attend the first feast because of his behavior. Ana pouted down at her cake, picking at it with her fork.
“She’s upset because Evin isn’t here,” Helaena told her betrothed quietly as the pair watched their baby sister.
Aegon took a deep breath. “It appears his…lessons with the cripple are running late again.”
Helaena nodded. “I hope she doesn’t get upset at him for his Uncle’s cruelty. I always see her at her happiest when they’re together.”
Aegon hummed in response, squeezing Hel’s hand before he stood up, making his way over to Adryana. “Come, Ana. Why don’t we dance?” He whispered to her, offering her his hand.
Ana sniffled, her eyes glistened with tears, but she took her brother’s hand and stood up with him. She placed her free hand on his shoulder, looking up at Aegon with big doe eyes. “Do you believe Evin hates me, Eggy?” She whispered.
Aegon shook his head, offering Adryana a soft smile. “It’s quite the opposite, sweetling. You’re too young to understand it, though.”
The Gods loved to play games with those born with the blood of the dragon. Some may live peaceful lives; others are led down a path of madness and eventually to their doom. Adryana may have been young, but the Gods already knew the path she was going to go down, and they sat there laughing as they waited.
