GoT : (modern) : Butterfly

GoT : (modern) : Butterfly

A/N: Bäahal was able to digest what happened with her ex-fiancé. In this piece, we see her struggle between the anger and pain it still provokes to this day and yet the changes she's going through. Sometimes, when someone hurts you, you can't just move forward and bury what they did. She's better today, but this wound is still not closed. 

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She misread the names on the guest list. Elias was never going to attend the charity ball. Why would he when it was notorious that the silver heiress was the one running the show? How could he properly present himself to such a public event with all the press that would be in both of their faces? He left Westeros like a coward all those years ago abandoning the heiress and breaking her heart altogether because her sister bought him. He did promise to never return, but that was years ago and she seemed to have moved on. He managed to let her know that he didn't care for her when she found him on social media, so Elias thought it was good enough for him to make a comeback.

With Daenerys' money, he managed to become his own person, a Dornish heir who still managed to build his own business without the interference of his father. This earned him the respect of his peers and his own father and of course allowed for him to have a successful life as a businessman. He met a Westerosi woman during one of his trips and the two became a couple but he made sure that she would be shielded from the press like Bäahal had never been. Elias never stopped looking for her, he devoured any piece of the press he could find about her. He watched from afar as she suffered from their separation and despite his guilt, he made a deal and couldn't fix the mess he was responsible for. Bäahal was so beautiful, even when she was sad and walking alone in the streets of the Red Keep, she was looking beautiful.

He followed her charity work, and had surprised himself with wanting to reach out to her, see how she was doing, apologize for the way he treated her before, but could he really do this? Could he walk back and pretend that they were ready to move forward? Could he be honest? He knew he was a shit person, he was an asshole and the last she would want to see so of course, he refused to attend this party. He couldn't humiliate her more than she would eventually be once the bad press would be aware of his presence in the country. He knew there would be pictures, probably interviews he would give and his name would be plastered all over social media. Their past relationship would be mentioned times and times again since she was hosting a charity ball at the same time he would be in the country. Elias knew she wouldn't have it easy and would have to put on a brave face in front of the media like she'd always done. After all, she was a lonely soul wasn't she?

But Elias knew nothing of the Dragon Daughter. He knew nothing of her resilience and strength and knew nothing about her pride. Bäahal when she was wounded, would always find a moment to lick her wounds but would attack sharply. One of the few things she held dear were her honor and that had her slap Jaime after Highgarden when his words went out of line. That would make her bite at the paps, and she would be even harsher if they were to actually meet again. Elias knew she would destroy him, and she would throw her pain at his face but what he failed to understand was that beyond the pain, there was anger. Upon hearing he was back in Westeros, the silver heiress needed a moment to collect herself. It did shock her, and seeing his face again brought back so many memories that almost choked her to near tears. Elias broke her trust and broke her self-esteem. His betrayal made her reconsider her ability to love and be loved but most of it, made her think that she didn't deserve to be. Because of him, she shielded herself once more, and still had trouble thinking that Jaime could actually care. Because of him, it took her some time before she stopped second-guessing his intentions. He cared for her, wanted her to be near otherwise he wouldn't go to such trouble. Elias made it harder for her, but he didn't prevent her from loving again.

In the end, love prevailed and she survived. She was better today, more beautiful than ever, and even more powerful and settled than she used to be. Yes, the family issues were public and she still was ostracized by most of Daenerys sycophants, but she was starting to build herself a life of her own, something she could cultivate on her own. The underground dance scene was challenging but rewarding and she made actual friends along the way. Her charity work was more and more visible and she became an expert, so to speak. She was a raw diamond that finally was being shaped and polished and no one, not even her sister could stop her from shining. On top of it, her heart was floored and filled with love, and discovering her own emotions, the silly butterflies, the hot cheeks and coy smiles made the woman look even more fulfilled and satisfied. This was intriguing -Daenerys was suspecting she was seeing someone, but still kept her distance from her since Highgarden- even the press and pictures of her on the press highlighted a shift in the woman's way of carrying herself. Still.... despite the anger that was boiling within her veins, Bâahal was still hurt to see that this person was in town. His presence was making her nervous and when she was nervous the only thing Bäahal could do was dance, so she went to train harder this time, pushing herself to her limits while the Charity Ball was still being prepared.

-TBC-