The Season has begun. And the dragons are wearing blue. 🐉✨
The shock was a physical blow. The unvarnished audacity of the insult hit her like a bucket of ice water. The rumors always whispered it, she knew that. She knew what people thought of her relationship with Maekar. But no one had ever dared to say it to her face.
The shock lasted only a second. Then, the Velvet Raven took over.
Viscountess Kat Thian has orchestrated the ultimate sartorial shock for the Opening Gala: dressing the fearsome Prince of Summerhall and his sons in midnight blue instead of Targaryen red.
But a simple ballroom waltz quickly turns into a battlefield when the Laughing Storm decides to poke the dragon. Between brutal insults, a very public display of royal possessiveness, and a surprisingly tender moment in the shadows, King's Landing will never be the same.
[Keep Reading Chapter 3 on AO3!]
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
She stood, wiping her hands on her gown, leaving faint smears of his blood on the silk. Her shoulders were square, her chin high, but her eyes—those eyes that had seen too much—were glassy with unshed tears. “I know,” she said, her voice soft but unyielding, “what it is to carry that weight. To hate yourself for not being enough. For not knowing how to stop it. For being too late. I know, Draco.”
She didn’t ask for his secrets. Didn’t demand his trust. Instead, she laid her own bare, a gift forged in pain, offered without expectation.
Draco—bleeding, broken, furious with the world and himself—stared at her. Her words cracked something in him, a fault line he’d buried beneath titles and brandy and rage. For the first time, he saw her not as the duchess he’d bound by duty, nor the meddlesome scholar who challenged his walls, but as someone who’d clawed through the same wreckage he had. Someone who’d loved, and lost, and carried the scars in silence.
They were not so different after all.
He wanted to hate her for showing him that truth. For seeing the rot beneath his armor and not flinching. For offering him a mirror not of Lucius, but of himself—a man who might still be worth saving.
Prompts: ⚘2: "If you value your life you will shut up." "Bold of you to assume I value anything." ⚘4: "I TOLD YOU SO!" "I SAID SHUT UP!" ⚘7: "I promise-" "Don't make promises you can't keep."
Content: Angst, fluff, twists and turns, technical forbidden love, cursing, violence and war
Love is a complicated word, not one many truly understand. Especially young love. It is a strange thing to the world. Most deem young love something silly and trifling that passed but it isn't that way for everyone. For some, young love, first loves are the only loves they have.
Sometimes a young love is so fierce it grows in you, with you, so it seems so natural and so real... so lasting. But that doesn't mean it is, love changes like the waves of a sea, shifting and softening at some points. And stiffening and crashing at others. Love could be a blessing and a gift, or it could be a curse and a pain.
You had the unfortunate of experience of feeling both sides of love in its entirety.
It was the third season, the warmest one, and your second one out in society when you realized how dangerous love truly could be.
You never really thought you would have mattered in the season, not when there were other girls who shined so much brighter. Diamonds and gems compared to a simple rock.
It didn't surprise you when suitors passed you over for your friends, enemies and girls you didn't even know. What did surprise you was when a childhood friend of yours, Tim Drake, began showing up more and more into your life.
He had, of course, been in society for much longer than you had. After all he was a man and men where always privileged to things that women never received or had to wait for. Regardless, Tim somehow saw you as something much more then you ever thought you were.
He made you feel that you were much better than all the other blatant gems and jewels, that you were a geode. Something so precious and beautiful hidden away behind a thick surface.
Being born the third child and second daughter, you were used to being overlooked, so when Tim made you feel like something precious and rare; like you should be looked at and were immensely important... well let's just say you suddenly began to understand why some of the girls fawned over certain suitors and bachelors.
Which of course was why instead of being at a tea party socializing you were hiding behind a bush against a fence with Tim. Holding back your laughter as the both of you watched his brothers race around trying to undo his pranks and figure out who pulled them.
A giggle escaped you and you crouched down pressing your hand to your face. Not even looking at you Tim remarked, his hands barely touching the fence,
“If you value your life you will shut up.”
“Bold of you to assume I value anything.” You replied, forcing back your giggles as you rejoined him at the edge of the fence.
He was ignoring you, or at least trying to. Right next to him you looked at his brothers scurrying about as two of them, the older ones, Richard and Jason got into what looked like a heated argument.
“You do know loitering here will get us caught right? Whether or not I’m loud, they will see us eventually.”
Tim looked at you with confusion ridden across his face and a bit of offense. He shook his head and sighed, “I’m better at hiding than that.”
You shrugged and looked over at Duke who was looking at you slightly surprised. You froze as he walked over to Richard and Jason who were still arguing. They paused for just a moment. Before turning to where you and Tim were hiding.
“Timmy, are you over there?” Richard asked, slowly approaching the fence, though his tone was calm his face was the complete and total opposite.
Behind him Jason seethed with Duke by him, who appeared to be trying to calm him down. Whacking Tim’s arm the two of you began to back away from the fence as Richard got closer and Jason appeared to be getting angrier. Turning to Tim, you smiled mischievously and gestured towards the vast plain behind you.
“Shall we run?”
Before he could reply Richard got even closer and Jason began storming towards you. Grabbing onto your arm, Tim began dragging you with him as he began sprinting away.
Roaring with laughter as you hurried to follow him you shouted, "I TOLD YOU SO!”
“I SAID SHUT UP!” He replied, laughter tracing each of his words.
The two of you kept racing forwards, down a hill and across a river as your heart pounded in your chest. Digging your heels into the ground you tried to slow down only to have Tim pull on your arm.
"We can't stop now!"
You blinked in surprise shaking you head, "Why not-"
Before the words could finish leaving your mouth a flash of brown and black slammed into Tim. Nearly wrenching your hand from his grip as the two of you went tumbling towards the ground.
"That's why," Tim groaned as the flash appeared next to him, "Cass, was tackling me really necessary?"
You blinked a few times as Cassandra Cain-Wayne smiled at you. She waved and you let out a laugh as you lay back. Resting your head onto the grass, closing your eyes.
"Hello Cassandra. How are you?"
Cassandra did not reply at first and you peeked an eye open to see her giving Tim funny looks.
"Good."
She pointed to you, and you nodded. Your hand still linked with Tim's fingers still intertwined, you let out a sigh. Having him so close was... well it left you speechless.
For a moment you looked at your locked hand and sighed again smiling. He was here with you, and nothing could really be better.
"TIMOTHY!" A voice bellowed and Tim squeezed your hand harder.
Looks like Richard was getting closer. You sat up, taking a moment to admire Tim lying on the ground half smiling and breathless. It left you stunned for a moment. That someone as wonderful as him could ever like you.
"Miss Y/N!"
Turning at the sound of your name you saw Duke and Richard making their way towards you. You blinked a few times before Tim pulled on your hand. Looking to him you found his face twisted with what you could only assume was worry and confusion.
Pull on your hand more you tried to give him a squeeze of reassurance however that didn't work. Instead, he slid closer to you causing Richard's face to twist and Duke to wince.
"Miss Y/N a servant from your household is here. Your parents want you home as soon as possible. It appears to be an urgent situation." Duke remarked.
You nodded somewhat confused. Your parents never cared where you were before. They didn't even call you home when word that your brother had been injured came. So, what possibly could be going on?
"Oh alright... also you can call me Y/N. I don't mind."
Duke nodded and smiled. You smiled back and stood up. Tim not yet letting go of your hand. You looked to him and let out a sigh.
"I have to go."
He didn't meet your eyes as he replied softly, "I know... but I don't want you too."
Your heart skipped a beat and you swallowed. Bending down you looked him in the eyes and gave him a soft smile. He didn't want you to leave... did this mean he felt the same as you? Did this mean that he loved you?
"I'll be back tomorrow. I promise!"
Tim's hand tightened just for a moment more when Richard remarked, "Tim."
With that he let go of your hand and muttered a goodbye. You furrowed your brow as you rose. Why was he being like this? Did something bad happen? Or... were you correct and he felt the same as you?
Thoughts raced through your head as Richard escorted you to the carriage awaiting you. You waved a final goodbye to the Wayne siblings and your carriage took off.
If it was possible that he felt the same then-then could the two of you start courting? Could you get engaged and live the life you had always dreamed you'd live?
As your mind sung with the possibilities the carriage sped along the rocky trails, pulling up to your modest home. You had barely slid out when your father appeared in the doorway.
Saying your thanks to the driver you stepped onto the ground and left. Walking up to your father, you curtsied and gave your normal greeting.
"Lord Father, how are you?"
He did something he had never done before you. He smiled and laughed. Reaching out and latching onto your arm he began pulling you inside.
"Why my dear daughter I am simply splendid!"
Pulling you through your house you noticed the servants dusting off pieces of artwork that had been collecting dust for years, polishing the floors and bringing far to fashionable furniture for your family's wealth.
Pulling you into your mother's drawing room. She sat on a couch with your heavily pregnant sister chatting over a cup of tea.
Your blood went cold at the sight of your mother and sister chatting happily. They hadn't been happy since your brother-in-law died and brother went missing on the battlefield.
"Mother, sister," You remarked with a quick curtsy hearing your father close the door behind you.
Windows lined the room allowing you to look outside instead of at their faces. A door to the outdoor garden creaked as dark clouds filled the skies overhead. How long had they been there? Was a storm about to strike?
Your mother smiled deeply, and your sister gave you a soft sad look. One that had your gut churning. Your father walked towards your mother and sank into the couch next to her.
On the table where the teapot and set sat a letter of thick parchment lay. Black ink in swirling letters staining its front. Looking away from it you waited for your family to say something.
Instead, they just looked at each other.
"Where are the others?" You asked with a smile.
Your mother sighed and waved a hand, "Out, they are at your brothers playing with their nieces and nephews."
You nodded and fidgeted for a moment before your father clapped his hands together.
"I'm sure you're wondering why we called you here today Y/N."
You nodded.
Your father smiled before gesturing to the letter on the table. You bent down and found your name scrawled across it. Your heart leapt in your chest as you turned it to find the seal already broken. Giving your parents a hesitant look, you pulled the paper from the envelope and opened it.
You read the first line, an address to you from... from Count Buren. Heart slamming into your throat you quickly skimmed the letter. a sentence sticking out.
I'm grateful you've accepted my marriage proposal
You froze as your heart skipped a beat and air refused to move in your lungs. Your parents laughed thinking you were happy as they both stood up.
"Count Buren sent a letter asking for your hand and I just had to accept. Do you know how much he was willing to pay? My dear, this will rid us of all of our debts!"
You blinked, looking at your father and seeing his broad grin. Broad grin at selling you to an old man who didn't care about you.
And debts, debts. Debts your mother and father had accumulated from the tables to the tabs at stores the prices just got higher and higher. You swallowed as something in you cleaved. A rumble of thunder sounded overhead as you crumpled the letter in your hands.
Your mother let out a squawk of outrage and you felt your breathing beginning again at a rapid pace. Married, you were going to be married... and not to Tim. To-to an old man who-who- Oh god no.
"No," You whisper as your eyes began to sting, "no I can't."
Your father's eyes darkened as he stepped forwards and your sister's teacup clattered onto the table.
"You must! We've already accepted his offer. We have accepted his money, you ungrateful child. We cannot turn back now."
You let out a shaky breath and overhead the skies broke as rain slipped down from the heavy grey clouds.
This... this couldn't be happening; this could not be happening no no no! You can't not when... not when you and he-no!
Your body began to scream and thrum with the urge-no, the need to get out of there. Your eyes landed on the door which creaked once again. Your parents were chatting, and you looked to find your sister's eyes on you. She tilted her head and you let out a breath.
'I'm sorry' You mouthed before turning and dashing for the door.
Your parents shrieked in terror as you pushed the door open running out into the brewing storm. Rain poured down, covering your face as thunder roared overhead.
You ran, mud clinging to your feet and skirts as you tramped across the field and straight into the forest. Heart racing as the rain pounded down filling your ears with a sound other than the unsteady beat of your heart.
Leaves caught in your hair and branches scraped your faces as you pushed yourself through the familiar path. Somewhat overgrown since you last passed through it, rocks and roots dug into the sole of your shoes stabbing at your feet.
Tripping you scrambled out of the edge of the woods and towards the road. After walking for what felt like hours, your body was freezing, and your dress soaked. Stumbling onto the Wayne property you felt your body trembling. Legs aching and hot tears streaming down your face you made it to the door and knocked.
In a matter of minutes Alfred answered looking surprised.
"Miss Y/N. I didn't know we were expecting you."
"Alfred," Marquess Wayne remarked, footsteps approaching, "who is it."
Alfred turned to answer, and you felt your face trembling as more tears began spilling down your cheeks. Your throat burned and your chest ached.
"It's Master Timonthy's friend, Miss Y/N. I was just about to invite her in"
Suddenly Marquess Wayne was in the doorway, and you took in a breath. Shaking you opened your mouth to tell him why you were here, but a strangled noise came out.
Sniffing you tried to push back the sobs, but they fought to get out. Marquess Wayne automatically reached out and placed a hand on your shoulder. Pulling you into the house, Marquess Wayne hissed something you couldn't hear at Alfred who was already moving away from you.
Your body trembled as Marquess Wayne guided you into a room with a roaring fire crackling in the fireplace, books lining the walls and plush seats in the center. The smell of smoke, ink and parchment hits your nose and the dam breaks.
Tears begin spilling down your face as you sink into one of the seats. Covering your mouth so that no one heard the hideous noises that were going to escape you, you shook.
Sobs exploded from you as tears came down in a never-ending trail. You raised your other hand to try and push the sobs back when something crunched against your skin. Pulling back your hands you watched as the letter fell into your lap.
A horrified noise escaped you and your hands moved to snatch the crumpled ball. It was fairly dry, and you could still read the words.
"Y/N... is that-" Marquess Wayne began, "is that why you're here?"
You nodded, hands shaking as he took the letter from you. You watched as your breathing got shaky as he read the letter. His brows raising, he looked at you. You whimpered as more sobs escaped you.
Marquess Wayne was quiet for a moment before he cleared his throat and folded the letter in half.
"What do you-is there anything I can do to help?"
You shook your head covering your face as your body trembled wanting to get all of the tears and sobs out.
"You can't do anything! My father- he-he took money. It's too late I'm- I'm doomed."
Right, weren't you? Unless... unless you and-no. No that wouldn't happen. That couldn't happen. That would ruin him, and it would ruin your family.
Pulling your hands from your face you forced a breath into your lungs, and you closed your eyes.
"Get rid of the letter, destroy it I don't care. I will not marry him. I-i. I d-don't ca-are what w-wil-l happen to my f-family... yes i do."
Curling in on yourself you shook as more sobs escaped you. You couldn't abandon your family, but you couldn't betray your heart... what were you going to do.
You heard the door creak open and raised your head to see Tim panting in the doorway. He looked around and met Marquess Wayne's eyes for a moment before he noticed you.
"Y/n!"
He leapt over the couch and pulled you into a hug as more tears escaped you. His warmth escaped onto you as you pressed yourself into his embrace feeling more tears leave you.
"It's alright... it's alright. Tell me what happened."
"I-i-" Your voice cracked but you forced yourself to continue, "my parents have sold me as a bride."
The room went silent and trembled more as tears began building up once again.
"What?"
You pulled away from him and look at Marquess Wayne. He pressed the paper against his chest and shook his head. Swallowing the sobs, you met Tim's gaze.
"I-. My parents have offered my hand to Count Buren. They have accepted the money he gave them for me and... and they apparently can't back down now."
Tim blinked, shaking his head in confusion, "The new count? But he hasn't even been introduced into society."
You hesitated for just a moment. New count... it didn't matter. You didn't love him, and you couldn't love him like you loved Tim... Loved Tim. You loved him. Yes, yes you did. Madly, truly, and deeply loved him.
"I don't know." You replied, "All I know is I am to be a stranger's bride and I... I can't."
Letting out a breath you shook your head. How could you let yourself do this? How could you bring such a matter to him? Taking Tim's hands, you bit your lip. And it was then you noticed his strained jaw and furrowed brow.
"What is it?"
Tim swallowed before looking you in the eyes. He let go of your hands.
"I-. I've been called to fight."
You froze your eyes widening as the air stopped in your lungs. Your body went still, and Tim tried to explain.
"I promise-"
"Don't make promises you can't keep." You whispered as you let out a sigh.
Looking him in the eye you smiled and gripped his hands as an idea popped into your mind.
"I'll wait for you. I promise."
Tim nodded slowly and he smiled weakly.
"We'll both get this fixed and everything will be alright."
You nodded letting out a breath knowing... knowing for sure that it wasn't true.
You gave Tim a sad smile as he waved goodbye from the deck of the boat. You sniffed feeling more tears build up in your throat. Waving to him as the boat began to take off, the glove hot and heavy on your hand.
You turned just as the boat got out of view. Standing on the street was your father, glaring at you. Letting out a sigh you walked towards him and the carriage. He raised an eyebrow at you before remarking,
"I did my end of the bargain. Now will you fulfill yours?"
For a moment you looked out at the water and thought of how Tim was going to be safe. Safe in an area the battle will not reach. All because of the deal you made with your father.
Swallowing you tugged your glove off to reveal a diamond studded ring on your finger. Closing your eyes, you replied with a whisper.
Author’s note: Just finished watching Bridgerton and Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent so my brain naturally made up a blurb. Enjoy :)
Word count: 1K
The warm summer night hung with the smell of sea salt and rose. The party inside was as lively as ever. You dragged your sister to this ball in the hope she’d find a suitor. You watched her laugh and smile so gently at every man she danced with, discussing ranges of conversations with the grace your mother had. But, on the other hand, you were a wallflower, drinking your lemonade and breathing in the sea breeze from the window. You spy out to see the lighthouse in the distance, lit up, guiding passage for the ships.
“Y/NNNNNN, you’re supposed to be dancing,” Mariana, your younger sister, groans. She looks lovely in her lavender-colored dress, and her hair is pinned up in small flowers. You chose a darker plum-colored velvet dress with your hair pinned halfway up with tendrils falling around your face.
“I needed fresh air annnnddd,” you scoop up a glass of lemonade, “some refreshments,” you say with as much vigor as you can. “I see Sir John Applesbee has taken a liking to you; he danced with you twice.”
“Yeah, and he has stepped on my toes three times now. II swear I won't have a big toe by tomorrow”, she scoffs.
You try to keep yourself from laughing, brushing down the front of your dress, and standing straight.
“Ok, what about Sir Miles? He seems lovely, quite handsome that one.”
“Sister, you are only two years my elder and, might I add, still on the market.” she gives you a stern look.
“Alright, alright. If you promise me, you’ll at least try with Sir Miles. I will stray away from the walls and mingle.”
“Deal.”
You finish off the little bit of lemonade you had left. “Let’s go get you a suitor” you grab her hand and lead her out.
You spend the next hour conversing and delighting three suitors. Two have taken a liking to Mariana. You can feel someone’s eyes on the back of your neck. It must’ve been the wind. You laugh it off and return to what the gentleman in front of you was saying.
“I've recently found myself bound to reading. I feel as if I could do it all day.” Sir Miles starts the second part of your conversation.
“Mariana loves to read. You should talk to her about her recent interest in Asian literature”, you interject. Again, you feel a presence behind you.
“Miss Y/L/N,” you turn around to see a man with a gentle smile and beautiful tan skin. It takes a small breath away from you. You haven't seen him before.
“Hello. I don't think we got a chance to meet. My name is Javier Gutierrez.”
“A pleasure.” you hold out your hand. He brings it up to his mouth. His lips brush against your glove for just a moment. Those warm brown eyes don't leave yours the entire time. Your brain is reeling. You could faint right then and there.
“May I have this dance” he puts his arm out for you to grasp
“You may,” you nod with a smile, taking his arm and letting yourself be led to the dance floor.
It's almost as if the party's electricity was dancing between you. As if there was no one in the room but the two of you.
“I haven't seen you at any other balls this social season. Where have you been?” your eyes search his face for an answer.
“I came late. I had business in Italy. So I guess tonight is an introduction into society.” His fingertips are barely far enough from yours.
“You have an interesting accent.”, you observe.
“You have astute observation skills. I was born and raised in Spain. My father passed when I was fourteen. I live with my uncle in the ton.” He paused.
“I was never a party person, and my uncle has never pushed. This is the first year I have accepted his advice. It wouldn't kill me to find a wife, right?”
Your bodies move in different directions, shoulders touching, faces turning to each other. Eyes unable to stray from the others. You felt a warmth brush up in your cheeks.
“There are tens of girls who’d jump at you given a chance. Why pick me?”
“You looked bored by that window. And lovely. Your laugh is intoxicating, and your smile could bring me back from death.” Your mouth gapes open, and you realize it isn't very ladylike. You close it, not having the words.
“That's all very sweet.”, you blush, looking down.
He raises his hand to hold your chin with his pointer finger and thumb.
“No need to be shy.”
“You’re being very forward”, you turn away from him. “What’ll everyone think?”
“You’re right. I am being too forward”, he clears his throat and brushes down his jacket. “Another dance?”
“Yes, I would love that”
“Might I ask about you?”, the next dance starts, a waltz. Your chest is to his and you can feel his warm.
“What would you like to know?”
“Easy one. What do you do in your free time?”
“I do enjoy spending time with my sister.”
“The woman that was with you and Sir Miles?”
You nod.
“Mother insisted I look after her tonight. Mother was feeling unwell and I agreed. Though I feel like ten minutes away will take a turn. He’s a gentleman. I love my sister so much and I want her with a man who’ll take care of her” you start to ramble, “I’m talking too much arent I?”
“You have alot of passion for your younger sister, I understand. What do you like to do, just you?”
“Oh, I do enjoy tending to my garden”
“If your flowers are anywhere near how beautiful you are, everyone should give up”
“You’re just flattering me”
“I wish I was”
The moment grows quiet, the music slows to a stop and he begins to lead you back to your sister.
May I walk with you on Monday? You call on a maid, and we may get to know each other?” he smiles.
