Hey everyone. This is a stand-alone fic set in the same universe as my other fic "The Last Will and Testament of Aerys Targaryen". You don't have to read the other fic to know much about this one but there are references to it.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. All things recognizable are property of G.R.R. Martin, David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, & company, & the Asoiaf wiki.
Secrets No Longer Kept
"See you next week?" Viserys says with a wink as he lets go of the strand of her loose hair that he'd wrapped his finger around.
Watching him rise and straighten out imaginary wrinkles from his dress shirt, she thinks to herself that this was becoming rather comfortable.
She'd been up earlier so she already showered before he woke. But, Rhaenys was going to be here shortly. They hadn't told her about this yet. Or, anyone for that matter. Neither one is ready for that just yet. It was hard enough keeping it from Tyene, who was practically a sister to her, and who she usually told everything.
At any rate, she arranged a brunch with the girls and Rhaenys was coming to pick her up. So, she and Viserys had already eaten and washed, dried, and put away the dishes. No point in leaving evidence.
She looks at him again, poised to answer the question, though they both knew it was going to be in the affirmative anyway. Before she could get the words out, however, there's a sharp knock on her door.
Her eyes go wide. She swings her attention to the clock and turns around to see Viserys' equally startled expression. It wasn't time yet!
She hisses, "Bedroom".
Thankfully, Viserys darts into the bedroom without another word.
It wasn't that she was ashamed, or thought he was, though each time they met up, she wondered if her father would question her judgement. That was always a question that always plagued her.
Then again, this would be worth a question or two.
Even if her aunt divorced years ago, and incidentally was seeing her uncle on the other side, Viserys was her aunt's former brother-in-law. The less said about what her father or her uncle really think about her aunt's former husband when her cousins can't hear, the better.
As far as she could tell her father likes Viserys and most of his family. But, while she grew up at his knee and works with him closely, but, she doesn't know how her father will react…about the important things.
Still, she and Viserys always had some sort of relationship. Her cousins were his niece and nephew, so when they were younger, they used to roll their eyes at one another while the kiddie parties raged around them. In their teens, they'd occasionally snuck off into alcoves to avail themselves to the contraband cigs and booze along with the rest of their equally bored friends. In adulthood, it turned into waving at a champagne toting waiter and the odd twirl around the dance floor at some formal gathering or another.
This stage of their relationship started a few weeks ago when Viserys sent her an innocuous text about wanting to get a drink. She thought nothing of accepting. It wasn't as though she was seeing someone. Her thing with Drey never went anywhere and Daemon never made a serious move. Arys had been a mistake, if a temporarily fun, one.
It had been a great evening though she choked on her pomegranate martini when Viserys mentioned that his mother started hooking up with her great uncle. Not her business really. She didn't have a vote in her parents' relationship, let alone this one. It sort of surprised her Viserys hadn't seemed put out by it either. Didn't people usually want their widowed parents to at least act like they were in mourning? Still, if she met Aerys, Viserys grew up with him.
She knew plenty from her own cousins. She remembers Grandpa Mors, but, Aerys was the only one Aunty Elia's kids remember.
The family dinner after the funeral had Rhaenys laughing as she recounted, "In life, he was a spiteful, crotchety, sexist bigot with a sick sense of humor."
Chuckling, Aegon finished, "Whatever he was, no one can claim he wasn't consistent."
Rhaenys nudges Aegon, "You made out better than I did."
Aegon shakes his head. "You made out better than our cousins and Dad."
Rhaenys sighs and says, "Consistently evil."
Uncle Oberyn snorts. "Is that why you both are trying to rehabilitate his reputation?"
Rhaenys and Aegon look at one another, confused as she feels.
Aunt Elia explains with a grin. "Your uncle means the donations."
Her cousins smile wanly. This time, Aegon answers first. "I donated to an after-school program for a local grade school in his name."
Rhaenys raises her hands slightly and adds, "Mine was a woman's shelter."
Aunty Elia snorts while Father smiles thinly. "I doubt he intended for you to do that."
Rhaenys and Aegon simultaneously chirp, "We know."
While she was biased in the matter, even the most objective of people knew that Uncle Lewyn's personality was steps up from Aerys'. Viserys' relationship with his father, by his own account, and the public record, was a relatively good one, but, Viserys didn't seem to have any illusions on what Aerys had been like. She could hardly complain given her own relationship with her father.
Knowing everything, to take things beyond that first drink had given her pause, but ultimately, when Viserys asked to see her again, she decided to go for it. They weren't related and she stopped waiting around for Daemon a long time ago.
That didn't mean she wasn't sure about when to tell anyone exactly or how. And that makes her immediate problem worse. She doubts Viserys wanted to let Rhaenys learn it this way either.
Viserys' family would probably be ok with it given that his own parents had been second cousins.
Rhaenys rolled her eyes. "Grandfather used to say that 'If it was good enough for Albert and Elsa Einstein it was good enough for him'."
Her mouth flew open when she heard that. Aerys compared himself to Albert Einstein?
Aegon chortled in return, shaking his head, "Not So Fun Fact: the Einsteins were second cousins on their dads' sides and first cousins on their moms'.
Obara snorts. "Makes your grandparent's situation easier to deal with, does it?"
Both siblings grin at her: "We'll take what we can get."
But, between them sharing relatives, Aunty Elia & Uncle Feyd starting to date, and now his mom and Uncle Lewyn, they both knew this was going to weird some people out.
Of all the bad luck.
She takes a breath. No not bad luck. The family saying that's been drummed into them since all of them were kids and Rhaenys was family. "If you're ten minutes early, you are on time; and, if you are on time, you are late."
And Rhaenys was early in picking her up. At least Sylva and Tyene were going to meet them at the restaurant. She doesn't even want to imagine their reaction.
Well, Sylva would probably not care, but, Tyene…
If she doesn't know what Father is going to say, who knows what Uncle Oby would? But, this brunch wasn't about telling the girls about this. And, at least, it was only the four of them this time.
Usually, Nym was up for brunch too, but, the Fowler twins already invited her to go camping so she declined. Obara rarely showed up. "Why would I want to drink mimosas when I can be at the shooting range?" Obara still did occasionally, but, her eldest cousin is definitely not a brunch person at all. Sarella was working on her PhD so she would probably not see her until her next break anyway...
Her brain stops at that…not exactly. Father wanted a family meeting this coming Saturday. Sarella may or may not be there, but, she'd been disconcerted enough to arrange a brunch.
Father was announcing his retirement. Not that he said so. She suspects it, anyway. His gout wasn't getting any better. Him meeting with his financial advisor was nothing by itself because Father always stressed the importance of being proactive rather than learning through monthly statements, but she'd seen Ricasso at the house more often lately. The clincher, however, was that her mother's flight back here was arriving in two days.
Though she spent years here, her mother's culture shock never subsided, and she left the country a long time ago even when Uncle Feyd started to travel here more. While her parents were still legally married, they long since had separate lives. Though they do speak to one another regularly and even she could see their love for one another hadn't quite died out, the debacle of Quentyn being sent to boarding school was the final death-knell in the gradual dissolution of the practical aspects of their marriage.
Over the years, it was easier for her and her brothers to visit her mother, not the other way around and no one was sick on either side of the family. If her mother was willingly coming back to this country, even temporarily, it meant things were not business as usual.
As happy as she was to see Mother again, it put her own edge. If Father was retiring, that means he was picking a successor. She knew she was the obvious choice. She'd been working for the firm for years, her win-loss record was sterling, she was a known commodity to their clients, maintained excellent billable hours, and had great relationships within the firm and out of it. She knew this; he knew this. She knew her father was proud of her and was happy with her work. She never gave him a reason to be anything else.
They also both knew that Quentyn said he was happy working with the Yronwoods. He was used to their way; he'd gone to school with Cletus, was still friendly with Ynys, and was even seeing Gwyn.
That didn't mean she forgot the time that she overheard her father lament that Quentyn elected to take up with Yronwood's firm rather than work for the family.
And well, as progressive as some things are, and Father himself chose Alyse Ladybright to be his CFO, law is an area that is very much an "old boys club". If anything can bring Quentyn to their firm, the top spot, the spot that should be hers at her father's retirement, would be an excellent draw.
So, yeah, she called Viserys to take some of the edge off. And it had worked right until the moment she heard her cousin's knock. Either way, Rhaenys, clearly took the lesson about being time to heart and she was now panicked for a different reason.
Checking again to see that Viserys was safely hidden away, she cracks open the door.
She says, "Hi."
Rhaenys steps through the door. "What took you so long?"
She takes a deep breath, hoping she doesn't stammer like an idiot. "What?"
Rhaenys chuckles. "You're lucky. I was about to pick the lock."
She rolls her eyes. "You wouldn't."
Her baby cousin looks at the floor before stepping more firmly into the living room before and raises her chin, smirking slightly. "You think I can't?"
She swallows her next retort. It's not the ability she doubts. They both have the same stubbornness and the same uncle.
She tries not to wince. She hopes her face isn't red. Given the person in her living room and the one in her bedroom, that was a highly inconvenient thought.
At least, it's only one uncle they have in common though if Auntie and Uncle Feyd end up married… Still, Rhaenys was close to Viserys. He was closer to Rhaenys and Aegon in age to his own siblings. It was Aerys and Auntie's divorce from Rhaegar that prevented them from being more like it.
She takes a breath and forces herself to push aside ruminating about the Targaryen family dynamics. There will probably be time enough for that later. No doubt, Father and Uncle Oby were going to have more than a few thoughts on the subject when she eventually gets around to telling them.
She takes a breath and reminds her baby cousin, "Breaking and entering is a crime."
As a law student, Rhaenys would know that and as a lawyer herself, she is not above using that fact to curb nosy cousins. Gods knew little Elia thinks she is more grown than she actually is.
Rhaenys grins, "Fine. But, I was this close to having building management let me in."
Somehow, she thinks darkly, that doesn't help. Admittedly, Rhaenys was a known commodity to the people in the building, even the security guards, but, she will most definitely be having a talk with her landlord about not letting her relatives into her place.
Rhaenys looks at her and squints. Despite herself, she tenses. Rhaenys frowns. "Are you ok?"
She doesn't lie to her family, but, she can't exactly say, "I slept later than usual because your uncle and I had been going at it last night and he's in my bedroom" to Rhaenys, now can she? "Sorry, I overslept."
She swallows down that jolt of emotion she does not want to explore right now about becoming very familiar with Viserys to allow for that.
Now, Rhaenys smirks. "Right, because you had some company. Or it's because you still do?"
She fights a frown. How did she know? Then again, they both grown. That wasn't the issue. The issue was the 'who'.
She forces herself not to look at her bedroom door. But, maybe Rhaenys figured something out because she was acting suspicious, or at least it felt that way because her mind felt like it was bouncing around 1,000 thoughts at once.
Rhaenys fixes her with a look but it's her bedroom door to which she directs her words. "You can come out now, Uncle."
What? How did she know that? They couldn't have been that obvious. Between her work at the firm and him at his company, they weren't joined at the hip.
Clearly admitting the jig was up, Viserys shuffles out of her bedroom, looking bemused and…defiant? He asks, "How long have you known?"
"I just found out," Rhaenys huffs.
She asks Rhaenys, "How?"
Rhaenys shoots back, "How long has this been going on?"
She says, "Not long."
Viserys adds, "Few weeks." Then, he turns sort of stern, "Dear Niece, I believe you left a question unanswered."
Rolling her eyes in a gesture she's certain she's seen Elia use more often now that she's hit the teen years. Rhaenys gestures towards the door and addresses them both: "I thought I saw a car that looked like yours in parking. Honestly, though, it was the shoes."
Her own eyes flick towards the door where, yes, those were definitely his custom-made shoes that Rhaenys had talked about giving him for Christmas. When see looks up, there's a blush on Viserys' face.
Despite her nerves, and she is definitely going to need that mimosa, hopefully with something extra, she gestures Rhaenys towards a chair.
It takes her longer than it should have to realize that both she and Viserys elected to sit side by side on the love seat. She's painfully aware that Rhaenys noticed that. It doesn't help that she remembers what they got up to on this very same piece of furniture last night.
To distract herself from that admittedly happy memory, she prompts, "Well?"
Rhaenys snorts. "Well, what? You are adults."
Part of her is relieved. But, most of her isn't. "You-"
Rhaenys shrugs. "I'm not saying this isn't a surprise-" Rhaenys blinks and frowns a bit, "Well, maybe not much of a surprise, now that I am thinking about it." Rhaenys shakes her head, "If you both are happy, so am I."
Was she happy? Was he? They were happy enough, she supposed. She looked and Viserys and she feels calmer seeing his mild expression.
She warns, "We haven't told anyone yet. I haven't told Tyene."
Thinking about the other announcement she dreads, she says, "For now can you keep this between us? I don't want to dog pile just yet. I want to wait a bit before I tell our parents. I mean, I don't want you to keep a secret from your parents or Aegon or anything-"
A noncommittal sound pulls from Rhaenys' throat. Then, she says, "My lips are sealed. No announcements from me."
Of course, she's not worried about Rhaenys. They're both lawyers, or will be soon in Rhaenys' case. They know the value of discretion.
Rhaenys smiles knowingly, "I get it, given how enmeshed our families are. For what it's worth, I think Mom and Aegon will be fine with it whenever you want to make this 'official'."
Then, Rhaenys' expression turns sly, "And well, Grandmother can hardly complain now that she's got her own Martell." She turns to Viserys, "Dany will probably be thrilled you're human."
Both she and Viserys laugh. When they settle, Viserys muses, "Rhaegar might have something to say."
She and Quentyn don't have the best relationship, but they know they love each other even if they don't communicate as well as they should. Rhaegar's and Viserys' is something else entirely. Viserys would be the first person to admit it.
Rhaenys shrugs. "So long as Aegon and I don't get an SOS text in the Christmas/Birthday group chat from Jon warning us about Dad muttering about ziggurats being used for ritual sacrifice, I think it'll be fine."
She can't make heads or tails of that, but, she sees Viserys nod sagely with a faint smile on his face.
Her brows furrow. "You understood that?"
Viserys chuckles, "Rhaegar has always been unique." He said the word in a way they all knew was a substitute for something less complementary. Then, Viserys turns towards Rhaenys, his face grows bright in realization. "I never told you about the trip to Warwick Castle, did I?"
Rhaenys' face scrunches in confusion. She is curious about what that has to do with anything when Rhaenys asks, "You went as a kid, right? Before Dany was born?"
Viserys smiles. "Yes, your grandparents, your dad, and I. Now, Mother, like most people who visit, was interested in the history and architecture." Viserys looks fond before his expression turns into amusement. "Father was really into the dungeons."
They laugh because, of course. That does seem like something the not-so-dearly departed would be into. Then, Viserys shakes his head. "Your father, though, kept pestering the tour-guide about wanting to commune with Aleister Crawley's ghost."
She tries not to, but, when Rhaenys starts howling in laughter she joins in. What else does anyone do with that? But, she tries to control it because Viserys is right there and they have a good thing going when Rhaenys doesn't seem to be put out.
She tries to herself under control quickly. But, still, this particular revelation has her recalling the family dinner where Rhaenys and Aegon recounted their grandfather's will reading. Rhaenys called this Targaryen family reunion, "A clown car and a half" only for Aegon to counter with "a whole circus". Some would say it may be disturbing that they weren't disturbed by all this but then Uncle Lewyn wasn't either, as it turned out. And, well, Viserys was in her living room.
She asks Viserys, "And what did you want to see?"
Viserys chuckles, "Me? I just wanted to slide down a grand staircase."
She laughs. She wasn't expecting that. The part of her still hesitant about continuing to take up with a Targaryen relaxes. If Viserys can joke around like this, then, wasn't this just a normal conversation? "Are you serious?"
Viserys gives both her and Rhaenys an alarmingly charming smile. "In my defense, I was six and there were some amazing staircases worth sliding down."
She can't argue with that. She's slid down her own share of bannisters and well, doing that in a medieval castle sounded fun. Then again, she's had her own fun with sliding around with Viserys so she really can't complain, not that she could mention that to Rhaenys, of all people.
Viserys starts to rise. "Anyway, I will leave you to it. You have a brunch thing, right?"
She checks the wall clock again, eyes growing wide. "Yes. We should go." Before even Sylva and Tyene notice something is amiss.
Because Rhaenys turns to Viserys and asks all-too-sweetly, "Uncle mine, what are your plans for the rest of the day?"
And despite herself, she was curious too.
Viserys smirks. "Nothing much besides some paperwork. Although, I have to arrange Renly's birthday gift."
Despite Robert and Rhaegar's drama, Renly was still on talking terms with his grandmother's kin. "What are you getting him?"
Viserys grins. "It's more of an experience. You know the Chataya's Theatre?"
They both nod at him. He adds, "They're marathoning some older movies. There is a triple feature I want him to see".
Rhaenys groans. "Not the Mummy".
As Viserys throws his head back and laughs, his hands clapped together in glee. "All three in that series. I have to, Little Niece."
She doesn't quite know what that's about, but, Rhaenys is shaking her head at Viserys fondly. And well, if Rhaenys didn't so much as blink when Viserys gave her a peck on the cheek on his way out, that was a good sign, right?
The brunch had gone for the most part. She also learned why Rhaenys had taken her being with Viserys so well. Apparently, her cousin was dating Willas Tyrell. It was comforting to know that she wasn't the only one making questionable dating choices.
She liked the Willas well enough, but, he was a bit too serious for her taste. She'd also known his brother, Garlan, who she had gone to law school with. His father was a bit of a jerk, and the grandmother was a crotchety old lady who talked to much. His mom was nice though.
But, she couldn't crow about it too much. Rhaenys could blab. Then again, if Viserys had a different surname, he would have ticked off quite a few "acceptable" boxes, but she knew Uncle Oberyn wasn't particularly forgiving even if Auntie Elia treated it like old water under a very rickety bridge. Father never disapproved of Viserys though and Auntie maintained good relationships with Rhaella and the rest, so she wasn't too worried.
And well, if Rhaenys can have her (slightly older) man with a slightly inappropriate family, at least Viserys is a known quantity and closer to her own age. Hurrah for that, at least.
For herself, she kept quiet during that part of lunch, but she knew she couldn't keep much from Tyene for very long. Of course, Viserys came up in conversation. Or at least, the thing with the Mummy did. It was funny, but, what made it hilarious is that Sylva had been under the same impression Renly had been.
But, then, Tyene mentioned the impending family meeting and she was forced to mention her mother was coming.
Rhaenys added softly, "Feyd did say that". Right, Uncle Feyd would've told Auntie.
They'd ordered another round of drinks after that. And if Tyene had whispered something to the waiter and her drink turned out a bit stronger than one from the first other round, she was grateful.
She kept telling herself not to worry, but, she couldn't help it much.
This was especially true when Tyene cornered her into the restaurant's restroom.
These girls and Nym and Obara knew her best and they all knew her parent's history. And Tyene knew better than most because Father never kept anything from Uncle Oberyn. This was particularly important because while Tyene's specialty involved the use of venom in practical application of medicine, her cousin knew how to treat Father's ailments best.
Tyene asks, "You're really worried about this aren't you? Is it your mom coming?"
Like her, Tyene's mother was not a constant fixture in her life. Then again, that is something that all four of Uncle Oberyn's eldest children had in common with her, too. Only Sarella's showed up somewhat regularly. Tyene's mother was a cloistered nun. At least, she gets to talk to her mother. But, no, that's not what's bugging her most.
While they're washing their hands, Tyene asks, "Did your father tell you about this grand announcement on Saturday?"
She admits, "He didn't say, but, I think he's retiring."
Tyene guesses, "That worries you?"
Because this is Tyene, she has no problem admitting: "Who will succeed him does."
Tyene sighs knowingly. "You think he will not pick you."
Because Tyene was the sister she never had, she voices her fear as she looks at the mirror. "I think he will pick Quentyn."
Tyene was silent for a while. Ultimately, she replies, "It'll be alright, you'll see. You're probably overthinking. We all know how hard you worked for this eventuality."
She didn't quite believe her cousin. She was grateful for the effort though.
She picked Mother up from the airport. Uncle Feyd talked about sending a car, but, she wanted to do it. And besides, Mother was staying with her uncle anyway. And a greedy part of her wanted to see her mother before everyone else did.
Of course, one of the first thing her mother does is thoroughly examine her place. She says, "I don't like you living alone."
She hangs her head, "Mother-"
Her mother shakes out her out of her scarf. "Do not 'Mother' me Ari. I know you are an adult, but, I do worry."
If she was still young and bitter about it, this would have been the part where she demanded to know why her mother left if that was the case. She had once. That had ended with tears on both sides and with her feeling guilty.
Now she knows the whys and made her peace with it long ago. Gods knew she had her own issues with her father's unilateral decision making.
She offers up, "It's a secure building."
Her mother gives her a "Mom" look that she hadn't seen in years or that often and she can't decide if that was a good thing. "I know. I know."
Then, Mother relents, "Anything new?"
It's on the tip of her tongue to mention her dating life, which was a much more pleasant distraction than her concerns about her father's plans, but, the latter dominated her thoughts.
When she asked about what the family meeting was about, the most she could get out of Father was that searching look and admission that he was planning to retire because the gout was starting to affect his work.
The first thing she asked was, "Have you notified the board?"
That wasn't what she wanted to ask. It was a safe question. It wasn't the question she was afraid to ask.
Father answers in his usual brevity. "I have. I will let the staff know in due time once everything is finalized."
Finalized? Like whom will replace him? It was on the tip of her tongue, but she lost her nerve. What if she gets the answer she was dreading? What if she doesn't? So she asked the next best question. "Who else knows?"
Does Quentyn already know? Was Quentyn already preparing to take her spot? They'd spoken only two days ago. His voice was breezy, or at least as breezy as Quentyn could manage. But, he'd had been going on about some mini cruise thing he was going on with Gwen. But, what did she really know?
He nods. "Your Uncle and Aunt. Now you. I will let your brothers know when we are done here."
She lets out a shaky breath. So even he doesn't know yet. No discussions…yet. Or were there already?
At that moment she came very close. But, she just couldn't. What if her father gave her the answer she was dreading? If it was as she feared, she could hardly quit and prove once and for all that her father had been right. If she went along with it, she would have to hold her tongue forever.
Father was still looking at her. She wondered if he could read her mind; that he knew what doubts plagued her. But, then, she wouldn't be like this if he could.
Then, he started to frown. He finally asked a question of his own. "Is everything alright? You look tense."
She musters up a smile and pushes a few words out about it having been a long day. Then she scurries out of his office feeling like she was seven years old again and he'd gotten a call that she knew was 'private'.
She answers her mother: "Father's retiring."
Her mother smiles a bit, though it's got a bit of sadness in it. That her father put too much of himself into his work, had been one issue between them. "Yes, that is so."
She mentions. "So, he hasn't said who he's recommending to the board to replace him?"
Oh, she knew the board could go a different way than Father's recommendation, but, of all the things she doubts, that her father would be able to sway the board wasn't among them.
Mother says, "He has not told me that."
She wonders, "What did he tell you?"
Did Mother know of his plans? Would Mother have objected if Father chose Quentyn over her?
Mother shook her head, frowning at the not-quite accusation. "Your father and I stopped discussing his business a long time ago. This is no different. We will find out soon enough, I suppose."
Mother's frown deepens. Mother guesses, "He did not tell you?"
No, he didn't. That's the frustrating part. She hedges. "Not yet."
Her mother's hands rest on either side of her face. "Ari?"
She puts a voice to her fear. "Do you think he's being quiet about it with me because he's choosing Quentyn?"
She is so shocked at herself that it takes her a moment to register the same expression on Mother's face.
And her mother stretches out her hands. As if pulled by a string, she damn near launches herself at her mother like she used to do as a child. "Oh Mama, I didn't mean to-"
Her mother brushes the top of her head, "Oh, Darling."
She takes a shaky breath, "I don't mean that Quentyn couldn't, it's just-"
She was there. She put the work in. But, what does it mean if Father can just give what should be hers to Quentyn?
Her mother smiles at her, her eyes slightly wet, "Your Father and I made a mess of things, but, that was our mess, not yours. We both did and said things we regret. But, we both thought that keeping you children away from our issues would help. Somehow we made it worse if you think this."
She says, "That's not what I meant."
Mother shakes her head. Her voice is mournful when she says, "Your father is one thing, his future was always secure. I should have known better, I was the eldest, that was true, but, Feyd is the one who was always destined to make the major decisions of our family's company. If I was more present-"
But, she wasn't and going over that was not going to be helpful anyway. "It does not matter now. Besides, Father probably made his decision."
Her Mother offers, "It will all work out, you'll see."
But, what if working it out meant that her future was handed to her baby brother and she just had to take it? "Just, if…can you not tell Father about this or Quentyn."
Her mother looks at her. "Ari-…"
She knows her mother would disapprove, but, she just cannot-
She bites her lips. "Please, don't. I know it's not fair to ask, but, I don't want-"
What would she look like? Blubbering because what "life wasn't fair?"
She should be better than this. No one can fault her for feelings but if she voices it…She'd only be proving that she wasn't deserving of being her father's successor because she let her feelings get hurt.
This is the first time she is seeing her mother in years and this is how it goes…
She asks, "Please Mother?"
Her mother slumps into her couch. "Alright, I won't."
And her mother understands. Even if she does deserve to be appointed her father's successor, because she earned it through her own hard work, she does not want it only because her father felt guilty enough to change his mind.
"Thank you," she says.
Then, her mother turns stern. "You really should speak to your father."
Her mother's arms tighten around her, and she answers, "I know, Mama."
She will. She must. She knows that. For now, she just lets herself enjoy her mother's closeness.
That Saturday night, Father said, "You looked surprised. It was not that I sprung my retirement on you."
Seated alone with him in his home office, she was about to deny everything. Instead, she slumps in her chair. "I, ah-No. It was not that."
He was frowning at her. "Then, what? You've been acting different of late. What is the matter? You can tell me. Are you sick or is it something else?"
She can't bring herself to answer. For so long she'd feared he'd pick Quentyn over her for so long that she didn't know what to say or do when that had not actually happened.
Father had chosen her.
Before Father made the announcement, she could barely look at her brother at dinner or her mother for that matter. On his way out, presumably to see Gwyn, Quentyn congratulated her with a smile. He didn't sound disappointed or anything. How was she going to talk to Quentyn after this?
All this time she thought her brother would benefit from the rug being swept out from under her, that her father would be the one to do it. Now, only she was the one surprised when that didn't happen. The closest that Quentyn made to a demand was to request that Mother sit next to him at dinner.
And now she was embarrassed. How could she admit that she was fearful that he'd pick her brother over her? How was she going to say that she didn't trust her father to do right by her? Especially since he had.
So, now she's sitting in her father's office thinking that if she admits all of this, she'd look like as big a fool as she feels like.
Wordlessly, Father pushes a crystal decanter and a matching glass at her.
To give herself something to do, she pours out a measure and takes a sip and once again she is surprised. Even the liquor surprises her. The medication Father takes recommends no regularly drinking, not that Father was a big drinker before the gout. But, he's always kept some alcohol in his office for some of his guests who prefer things a bit more "private" than the business office or regular business hours.
She wants her chair to swallow her whole. Her father gave her favorite brand of pear brandy.
He stares. "Who else is there?" He shrugs slightly, "Gods knows your uncle would be good at it, but he doesn't want that sort of responsibility, especially now that's got the little one and if I did not think you worthy of it-"
Then, her father stops and the look on his face has her cringing. He looks crushed. "You thought I would pass you over?"
She almost blurts out her surprise that Mother did not mention anything, but, that would have made things worse. Her voice shook when she admits, "Not just that."
Her father looks at her curiously. "What?"
She swallows heavily and decides enough is enough. "I thought you would pick Quentyn."
She lets out the breath. At least the Band-Aid has been ripped off.
He blinks. Then, he starts to frown. "Why? He's happy where he is."
The part she always wondered was this, "If he wasn't?"
Father looks startled. It was as though he never considered it. "Then, we would have thought of something, but, that doesn't really matter. He likes working with the Yronwoods."
"If he didn't?"
Father shakes his head. "I would welcome him, but, not like that. It would not have been fair to everyone else who works for us."
Then, she says it, the thing that's been haunting her. "I heard you once. That you wanted him to join the firm."
Her father tilts his head. "Yes, I did want him to work with us."
Part of her heart freezes. At least he doesn't try to lie to her. She doesn't know what she would do about the admission.
Then, she registers the rest of his words, "That doesn't mean that I do not appreciate or recognize how hard you do work."
That felt good, great even. Still, she cannot deny there was a difference between recognition and giving her what she's earned.
Then, her father slumps into his chair, looking exhausted. "I am not the most demonstrative of men. I know this. Still, surely you know that I have always been proud of you and that I do love you?"
She's near tears now. "I know that."
For the first time in a long time, she sees his face shatter. "But, you didn't trust it. You did not trust me."
She tries to voice a protest and can't. It was true. Her eyes burn.
He gives her a pained smile, "Perhaps I earned that, but, know this, Arianne, I always trusted you."
All at once it makes her feel better and worse.
Shaking in her chair, she says, "Thank you." Because what else could she say? She whispers, "Can you trust me after this?"
With an extended hand and tremulous voice and, Father tells her: "Of course. You are my daughter. If you need to hear it again, I will say it: I always trusted you."
She takes his hand. She does not know how long they stayed like that, but, when she finally gets up to go, he calls her name just once. Her father tells her, "It was always going to be you. I just am sorry that I allowed you to think that for even one second that I would not want you to succeed me."
She forces a smile. "I'm sorry I didn't trust you."
She meant it. It was her own fears that got them to this point, but, she wasn't a little girl anymore. She could have, she should have, said something long before now.
Father admits, "I should have been a bit more transparent, particularly with you. That was my mistake." He smiles ruefully, "Somehow, I kept making it. Now, I do not have any excuse. I will promise to do better."
She promises: "We both will. I will hold you to it."
Her father smiles. "That's my girl."
She'd only gotten off the phone with Tyene letting her know about what transpired with her and her father when her phone rings. She sees the caller ID flash: "Quentyn".
Damn it! She rubs a hand across her face.
Unsteadily, she picks up the phone. Quentyn never calls her this late.
After stilted greetings, Quentyn's voice stern voice sounds too much like their father's. "You really thought Father was going to let me waltz in there, no questions asked, no objections raised?"
Who told? Father? Mother? No, they wouldn't try to stir up-
She realizes there's only one option. "Trys heard me and Father, didn't he?"
Quentyn admonishes, "Don't let on, will you? He's a good kid. I think it was his way of helping." She can practically see Quentyn shake his head.
She isn't going to do anything about it. She does not need to land in more trouble because she picks a stupid fight with yet another younger brother. Still, her own eavesdropping fed into her own insecurities that landed her in this predicament. But, at least now she doesn't have to explain herself. It had been mortifying enough when she did it in front of Mother and Father.
She isn't really posing a question when she does ask, "We've been awful about secrets, haven't we?"
Quentyn's slow laugh fills the phone. "I think the problem is that we've gotten too good at keeping them. But, seriously Ari, if I wanted to work for the family firm, I already would have been."
She swallows down the words threatening to bubble up. She knows that. Quentyn could have worked for the firm. The problem was she always thought he would take her spot.
She sighs. "That wasn't my problem, But, I was being stupid. Is that what you want to hear?"
Quentyn sighs over the line. "No, I did not want to hear it, but, you definitely were. Come on, Ari! When we were little kids, you were always happy on "Take Your Children to Work Day". Dad had put in a kiddie chair for you. You didn't try to work anywhere else. It was always more your place than mine. Besides, why would I subject myself to that nepotism talk when you already were withstanding it?"
Even if her fears are dispelled, she is really not liking her brother or his chuckling right now. "Try not to be funny. You're the boss' son's friend and now you're dating your boss' daughter."
Quentyn argues, "I might not be as charismatic as you, but, I earned my corner office, thank you very much."
That had been the problem. Quentyn was more than capable of doing the job, the one that should have been hers. The one that now she knows is hers.
She asks, "So you wouldn't have taken him on the offer?"
Archly, Quentyn replies, "He didn't offer it to me."
She says, "Not the point."
Another sigh, then Quentyn admits, "I'd be lying if I didn't say it wouldn't be tempting, but, it wouldn't have felt right. I didn't put the time into the firm."
She groans internally. They really are brother and sister.
But, she forces herself to listen as Quentyn continues, "Of course, I like where I am and what I do. I will not pretend I like knowing that Father thinks well of me. And while this was the most convoluted vouching of my competency from you, I like knowing that you think I could be good at running things. The thing is, Ari, I don't need to be working at the family firm to have that."
She breaths out. "Now, you're making me feel like crap."
There's a long silence before Quentyn answers softly. "That's not what I meant to do." She knows. It's not her brother's fault she was insecure about her own place.
She exhales. "I know. You're being too nice about this."
He huffs. "Yeah, well, we are brother and sister."
She proposes, "I still want to make it up to you though."
He asks, "Any stipulations on that offer?"
She rolls her eyes. Lawyers.
She declares, "No." She owes Quentyn that much.
Quentyn makes a noncommittal sound, then, he says, "Good, because there is one thing you can do."
Leave it to her brother to have something in mind already. "What?"
She can practically hear the smug grin in his voice, "Let me be there when you finally get the courage to tell Mom and Dad who you're seeing. Knowing how much you squirm about the simple stuff is too fun."
What?! Surely Rhaenys hadn't told-
She demands to know, "How do you know?"
Quentyn huffs. "Since we're being honest and all that, one of my associates saw you two."
She counters, "It could have been Aegon they saw."
Quentyn chuckles. "While your little boyfriend might be used to that sort of thing, the associate in question knows that though we're close to our cousins, we're not that close!"
She almost lets out a string of curses. But, she calms herself to ask, "It was that twerp, Gerris, wasn't it?"
Quentyn chirps, "Remember, no taking your promises back. Let me know when. Goodnight, Ari!".
With that Quentyn hung up.
Gods, how much she hates her little brother!
