Viserys was left pondering his daughter's words all throughout the evening. His Hand the ever so astute Otto Hightower noticed his pensieveness though he waved off any concern. He joined his wife and son for supper while Rhaenyra was noticeably absent once again. Something that had been recurring as of late.

When she requested an appearance with him, he had no idea what to expect.

But it was nothing he was prepared for.

His daughter's demand was humorous at most. There was no way he would allow his power-hungry, whore mongering brother near his daughter in such a capacity. But his daughter's words left him speechless and unable to refute them.

There was merit in her words he found he could not deny.

The fact that she did consider other suitors, her cousin Laenor who he had been favouriting, as well as lords from the North did show him that she did try to find a worthy match. But the fact that she landed on Daemon did not sit well with him.

He hid the letters well within his pockets, though he wasn't quite sure why he felt the need to hide them. He considered simply burning them. Fear of what words his brother had whispered in his daughter's ears inspired him to seek out his Hand. But something in the back of his mind prevented all actions.

Perhaps the secrecy and trust his daughter gave him was enough to raise his own nerves.

He found that sleep evaded him this evening and though he attempted to ease his mind with his model of Old Valyria, he found it was unsuccessful. The parchment weighed heavy on his person.

He contemplated them for a while before moving towards the fireplace. He moved a chair to be propped close by.

The fire was dying but the orange glow from the embers was enough to illuminate his hands. He knew he could call one of the maids to relight it but he thought against it. He did not want to disturb anyone, nor did he wish to be disturbed.

He examined the letters. There were 8 letters in total, and though there was no date indicated on them he believed the correspondence to be in order.

He couldn't deny that he was pleased that Rhaenyra wished to confide in him. It has been long since he shared such company with his daughter. Not since his beloved Aemma passed.

He noted that the first letter was written by her hand. Her delicate script reminded him of when she was a child. Her beaming smile as she came bouncing to him while he was in a council meeting proudly showing off how she wrote her first sentences. He couldn't deny his pride. And proudly showed it off to the men gathered around.

Instead of letting his mind drift to happier days, he turned his focus on the first letter.

Uncle,

Court has become more lonesome this past year without your presence. And even without it, I find myself more alone than I have ever been before.

I find myself able to forgive the words that you spoke of my brother that caused your banishment if only to ease my own solitude.

I am not sure if the news has spread to the stepstones but they have no doubt been making their way across the seven kingdoms. The queen consort has given birth to a boy, and father is greatly pleased.

I have found myself pleased for my father, the king. But I cannot bring myself to share his joy. I find myself thinking of my mother of late and the child she lost, my brother. I know it is wrong of me to feel such a way.

I implore your guidance uncle.

Your niece, Princess Rhaenyra

He suddenly found sadness overwhelming him. He knew she missed her mother, he did as well and not a day went by did he not think of her. The fact that she had to seek solace from his brother who had angered her and was off fighting in a war instead of him spoke loudly of the distance that has grown between them these past 2 years.

He now understood greater for as to why she would distance herself from Aegon, though it saddens him to see it. He knows why she has done so and does not blame her in the slightest.

He had hoped the two of them would be closer. And has even explained such grievances to his Hand. But he was assured that it was normal for siblings to not get along. And though he could relate to his brother. In their youth, they had been inseparable.

He hoped that his brother was at least able to give her the comfort she sought.

My dearest niece,

I have found your letter to be a much-needed release from the tirings of war.

I am saddened to hear about your solitude and implore you to find a way to ease your heart.

I have heard the news and drink to my new nephew`s health.

What happened to your mother was a tragedy. And you are well within your right to mourn the loss of your mother. Perhaps though you should rejoice at the gain of a sibling. Despite how much your father and I fight there is nothing quite like the comfort of family. I assure you. I know you were always so eager at the prospect of being a sister. Perhaps now may be the time.

Daemon

There was a maturity to Daemon's words that Viserys did not expect but then again he always did dote on his niece.

During one of the off times when he wasn't banished from court, it was him she had turned to when tears slipped from her eyes from a scraped knee.

Daemon was also able to give her good advice. Though from his memory it didn't seem as though it was attempted.

He moved on to the next ones. Placing the red ones onto the table beside him.

Daemon

I know you will be pleased that I headed your words. I built up the courage to see my brother Aegon when he was with one of his nursemaids. And I was indeed surprised by the love that had blossomed when I held him in my arms.

The feeling I felt was short-lived, I feared when the hand of the king gave in.

Perhaps it was simply the act of a concerned grandsire, but I fear that his words rang true. And my father did indeed give the order for me to keep a distance from my half-brother and any other children the queen consort bears.

Princess Rhaenyra

He couldn't believe the spark of fire that was lit in his heart after reading such words.

How dare his hand not only speak to his daughter in such a way. But speak in his name. He never gave Otto such authority. Nor would he ever dare to keep his children apart.

Why would Otto do such a thing? Was he merely acting paranoid in his role as grandsire? Or perhaps it was a more sidious nature.

He rebuffed at the mere thought. Daemon's words of how Otto has been poisoning for years lept into the forefront of his mind.

Otto must have had a good reason at the time. But continued isolation and distance?

It did not make sense.

He looked into the burning embers hoping for an answer to come to him. But one never came. Instead, he sought to seek one from the letters.

Listen to my words little dragon.

The king, your father would never believe that you would be a threat to any of his other children. He loves you deeply and knows you pose no threat. I encourage you to seek him out at once to clarify this.

Daemon

He didn't show it, not even in the solitude of his own chambers but he was surprised that Daemon did not attempt to undermine his rule. Instead supported him and even went so far as to defend him. He defended him to his own daughter who feared that he thought she was what? Violent, or even a threat to her sibling was preposterous.

Even when Rhaenyra feared his actions it was Daemon who dismissed her claims as being folly.

It should not have been the way. For the mere thought that his daughter mistrusted should not even exist.

Though he was pleased that his brother still cared for him even despite the many falling outs they have had.

Daemon

Though I wished your words were a reason to cause me ease. I fear they have spiked something more. I believe your words rang true of the hand. I have felt eyes on me wherever I turn over the past moons and have seen familiar faces trailing after my step. I have even spied these same faces whispering into the ear of the hand. Reporting my every step.

I fear stepping outside my own chambers most days. For every misstep and misdeed gives cause for the Hand to whisper in my fatherès ear. I fear it is only a matter of time before I shall be disinherited. Whispers circle of inevitability at court.

I wish if my father were to disinherit me, to quicken his pace. For then I will no longer dream of plans and actions I wish to take place once I am crowned.

Princess Rhaenyra

The roar of a dragon long since silenced was beginning to grow in Viserys. He tried to suppress it but it built up in his chest till all he wanted to do was roar.

How dare his hand.

Otto has overstepped.

He noticed the change in Rhaenyra but he had simply written it off as her coming to accept her new woman status. But this was not what he expected.

His own daughter to be spied upon. As if she could not only be trusted but also was a threat. She was his heir. And will one day be queen and should be treated as such. Whoever is spying on her will be given the King's justice immediately. He will not stand for such blatant disrespect.

For her to think he would disinherit her, means that he failed her as a father, and as a king. He thought that having all the lords of Westeros kneel and swear fealty was enough. But it is clear that it was not. If not to her but perhaps to the other lords as well.

His mind was set, Rhaenyra was his heir and should not doubt his word. His Hand's actions have inspired such a fear and that will not be tolerated but also sharply questioned.

How long has this been going on for? Years from the sounds of it. And only now does his daughter come forward with this information, though indirectly as a result of her marriage proposal. If he had never read these letters would he have ever discovered his daughter's plight?

His brother's reply he noticed was written in Valyrian.

Dragon,

I wish this war would quicken if only for me to seek a smile upon your face. Your letters give me hope for what I aspire to return home to.

Say the word princess and I will cut through every man and woman who dares to conspire for your throne. I shall see you on the iron throne as the first queen of the seven kingdoms until my dying breath.

Though I may not be there to ease your mind, know that when I return to Kingslanding, I return to you.

He could see why such words would inspire Rhaenyra to seek a betrothal. Though that does not mean he will agree to it. He is pleased that his brother would readily bear arms for her.

He couldn't deny that Daemon has always cared for Rhaenyra. Always the doting uncle. Spoiling her with gifts and treasure from his travels. But mostly his stories inspired her. The two of them would spend hours of the day talking about the land of Pentos and the sights he had seen from the back of Caraxes.

He could still remember the day Rhaenyra was born and when he handed her off to daemon to hold for the first time. He was starstruck if there was ever a word to describe his brother's face. He was memorized by his niece and murmured in Valyrian her beauty.

And Rhaenyra loved her uncle. There was never any doubt in his mind about it.

He was the one she chased after on the back of Syrax at the age of 7 name days. She flew to him when she had learned he was to be banished once again. Becoming the youngest dragon rider ever. For him. The red and gold necklace she often adorned on her neck was given by his brother no doubt. And she had never taken it off since it had been gifted to her. He was the one who taught her to speak Valyrian. The language of their ancestors that the two often engage in when together. As if it was their own secret language.

The two of them were bonded by blood and the love of family. However, he was unsure if that love could blossom into that one shared between a man and his wife.

Daemon,

I am pleased to know that I have your sword and shield at the ready uncle, though I hope to never have to use it.

I am content to further live a life of solitude until I am shipped away from King's landing to marry some undeserving lord who shall attempt to rule through me when I am forced to push out heirs.

I hope the war will swiften its haste. I long to see you again after many years. I know Syraxes misses Caraxes and longs to fly by his side once again.

Rhaenyra

He knew that she was not enthusiastic when it came to talks of her future and ultimately marriage. But he had no idea how deep her fear was rooted. He thought wrongly it seemed that she was merely rebelling. Throwing a child's tantrum. But this was something much else. She feared what marriage and being a mother would do to her rule. She thought motherhood was a hindrance.

He wondered what her septa have been telling her if this is what she believes.

Viserys sighed wearily as he rubbed the space in between his brows.

He has been blinded when it comes to his daughter.

He has failed her. When did he stop being her father and just her king.

He pushed through his own misgivings and read on.

Princess Rhaynyra

You may be surprised by my niece, some find joy in marriage, and some go as far as to gain pleasure when coupling. And motherhood would not deter your rule I assure you. For it did not go to Visenya. And many other Targaryen queens before you.

With your rule, you will no doubt be the Good Queen rebirthed. But greater.

I myself have wished for the blessing of a child. However, with my current wife, who revolts against me at every turn and slanders my family name, I fear I will never be given the chance. I was not as fortunate as your parents and my grandparents to be offered a love match.

I pray you will not suffer my same fate.

I fear the war may take even longer than expected.

The men grow tired and weak. Without any aid, I fear how many of the men will be able to return home.

I hope to return to you as swiftly as possible princess and give you the stepstones.

Daemon

Though he wasn`t thrilled over the idea of his brother mentioning anything to do with coupling to his daughter. He was still pleased with his attempt to calm her.

The way he spoke to her was surprising as well. Never once did he mention the idea of the two of them being betrothed. He figured that it had been his idea and his influence that brought his daughter to seek his blessing. But no instead Daemon praised her future reign. Never once mentioning his own loss in station.

He knew that the war at the Stepstones grew long. But he hadn`t investigated why with much effort. If the war is as severe as Daemon writes then why wasn`t he informed? No one on his council has mentioned the strain of the war. Nor the need for the king`s backing.

Fear crippeled Viserys at this moment. The thought of his brother failing and being lost to the Crabfeeders sword struck a chord within him.

He wondered if this was how his daughter felt each time she sent him a letter. Wondering if he would be alive to reply.

Viserys found himself leaning in his chair. He wondered if the chair would hold up underneath his own weight.

Wearing the crown of the seven kingdoms was a heavy burden. But no more perilous than realizing his daughter's plight.

The sleep he hoped these letters would provide him. Only gave him more to ponder.