THE RED QUEEN - DAEMON TARGARYEN

1 chap

House of the Dragon - Katherine Blackhood, the Witch of Shadows

Night had fallen over Westeros when Katherine Blackhood arrived in King's Landing for the first time.

She was a mysterious woman, with piercing eyes and a past no one could ever have imagined.

Katherine was a witch of dark magic, sent into this world with one precise mission: to stop the reign of the dragons before it was too late.

But to get close to the royal family, she needed an identity.

A simple lie.

A mask.

And so, before the castle guards, she introduced herself as a dancer from distant lands, skilled in the ancient dances of the courts.

King Viserys I Targaryen was immediately intrigued by the newcomer.

- A dancer? - the king asked, looking at Katherine with interest.

Katherine gave an elegant bow.

- I have come to serve the royal family, Your Grace. If you will grant me the honor.

Beside him, the pregnant Queen Aemma Arryn smiled kindly.

- I believe she would be a pleasant addition to the court.

Viserys smiled.

- Then you are welcome in King's Landing.

Katherine lowered her gaze to hide a small smile.

The first step was complete.

Over the following days, Katherine began getting to know the royal family.

Rhaenyra was the first to approach her.

- You don't seem like an ordinary dancer - the young princess observed curiously.

Katherine smiled.

- Perhaps because I am not one.

Rhaenyra laughed, believing it was only a joke.

Alicent also showed an interest in the newcomer. Katherine slowly managed to earn her trust with her calm nature and refined way of speaking.

But not everyone was pleased by her presence.

Daemon Targaryen, in particular, did not trust her.

One evening, Katherine was walking through one of the castle corridors when she heard a voice behind her.

- I don't like you.

Katherine stopped.

She slowly turned around.

Daemon was leaning against a column, wearing his usual arrogant and provocative expression.

- I don't believe your affection was one of the reasons I came here, Prince Daemon.

He gave a faint smile.

- You know how to be insolent.

- And you know how to be unpleasant.

Daemon pushed himself away from the column and slowly approached her.

- No one knows where you come from. No one knows your family. And suddenly, my brother decides to welcome you into court.

Katherine held his gaze.

- Perhaps you should ask your brother why he accepted me.

- I did.

Daemon stopped in front of her.

- And that is precisely why I still don't trust you.

For a brief moment, Katherine's eyes glowed with a strange, dark light.

But it lasted only a second.

Daemon didn't seem to notice.

- Be careful, Prince - Katherine whispered. - Sometimes, the things we don't understand are precisely the things we should fear.

Daemon stared at her intensely.

- Is that a threat?

Katherine smiled faintly.

- A warning.

Then she walked past him, leaving him alone in the corridor.

Daemon remained still.

For the first time, the mysterious woman had completely captured his attention.

And Katherine already knew one thing.

Her mission was going to be far more difficult than she had imagined.