Word spread fast that Rhaenyra's sole daughter, the Crown Princess, had flown in from a political meeting. Ulf just scoffed when he heard the other dragonseeds whispering. They claimed she was the 'People's Princess', she was a real Princess of Bastards.

But that's what they'd said about Queen Rhaenyra. And look how that was turning out for them.

Ulf propped his feet up on the war table, swirling a goblet of half-drank arbor red. "I don't care what her Royal Highness is like. 'S long as she can look at us without rolling her eyes like her brother I'm happy."

Hugh leaned over as if to scold him but froze when the doors opened. The princess herself marched in, still wearing her riding gear. She had the same stern look as her younger brother, Prince Jacaerys.

"So," she said, nodding at them in greeting, "these are the new riders I must train?"

"Train, Your Grace?" Addam spoke up quietly.

The Velaryon princess lifted her chin. "Aye. You can not expect to serve my family if you can not even fly properly."

Serve. There was that word again. Ulf had heard about a million times since he'd joined the dragonseeds. Rhaenyra said his purpose after claiming Silverwing was to serve her. Daemon reminded them that their job was to serve his wife. Jacaerys spat at them to serve when they asked too many questions for his liking.

He was growing rather tired of the word.

Ulf could tell she was eyeing him in particular. His feet on the table, his lack of the manners she'd grown up learning. But there was no disdain in her eyes, least not yet.