The castle was dark and damp; the only sound was the faint hooting of an owl in the distance as a young maid, no older than two and twelve, scurred down the empty corridors, her face pale, hands clutching at her skirts as she raced to her destination.
She stopped only to nod at the guards, who frowned but recognized her as one of their lady's maids and allowed her to enter. With her heart in her throat, she approached the bed, gazing upon the couple that lay within it satin sheets, bodies naked and curled around each other, even in sleep.
"Your Highnesses," she called, jumping back when Prince Daemon sat up at her words, eyes narrowed and hand outstretched, holding a dagger he'd taken from underneath his pillow. "It is I, Marie!"
Her lady was slower to stir, dark curls a mess around her head as she sighed and slowly came to sit up, blanket held to her chest as she whispered, "Marie? What time is it?"
Marie darted a nervous gaze to the dagger still held in the prince's hand, although he'd stopped pointing at her. Instead, he relaxed into the pillows, her brow furrowed in irritation at his disrupted sleep.
"Apologies princess, it is just…" the words caught in her throat, unable to come out for fear of the consequences, but Marie swallowed hard and continued, "King Viserys has passed in his sleep. Just now, his page alerted me and the Dowager Queen's ladies' maid, Talya."
At her words, Princess Diana's face dropped, eyes filling with tears while Prince Daemon came to stand in a fury, indigo eyes blazing as he howled, throwing his dagger across the room. Marie fought the urge to flee, eyes dropping as to save the royal couple their decency as the pair were still as naked as the day they'd been born.
"Hush, my love," Diana murmured, her voice soothing as she came to kneel behind her husband on the bed, hand coming to clasp his silently heaving shoulders. "We must be strong for what is to come."
The prince was silent, head still dropped in grief before he seemed to wrangle his composure back, head lifting and shoulders straightening as he silently crossed the room to where his wardrobe was. At the same time, the princess came to stand as well, her gaze following her husband as he silently dressed before ringing the bell to call forth his valet.
Pulling her gaze from Prince Daemon, Princess Diana murmured, "Marie, help me dress. You said the queen's maid Talya was told as well?"
Hurrying to obey, Marie answered, "Yes, Your Highness. She went to tell the Dowager Queen."
Princess Diana only nodded as she pulled out a beautiful black gown with faint red and gold accents, perfect for mourning. Marie diligently helped her lace the dress up before starting on the brunette's hair, pulling it into a fashionable yet modest twist.
The prince's valet arrived quickly as they prepared, helping his liege into his black and gold City Watch armour. Without a word, the prince dismissed the young boy with a wave of his hand and stormed out without another word.
Marie worried what the prince might be doing, but the princess looked unsurprised by her husband's brisk actions, brown eyes dark with thought as she quickly came to stand, hands clasped in front of her. It had not taken them long to finish getting her ready, only about ten minutes.
"Send word to my daughter and Princess Rhaenys, and then begin waking the servants. Queen Rhaenyra ascends her throne today. Have Ser Tyland call a meeting of the Small Council." Princess Diana ordered, voice firm as she began to march towards the chamber door, hands clasped in front of her, "And ensure the silent sisters were called to attend to King Viserys; a funeral will need to be planned for tomorrow."
"Yes, Your Highness, but what about you?" Marie called, hurrying to follow, cheeks flushed with the turbulent emotions wreaking havoc on her senses.
For the first time since hearing the news of her good brother's death, the princess looked apprehensive, grief lining her face as she murmured, "I must tell Rhaenyra."
* Line Break *
Diana felt like she was marching to her own execution as she made the relatively short trek to Rhaenyra and Aelyx's shared chambers. At her back marched not one but four household guards, vetted and chosen by Daemon. Ser Alaric and Devin had arrived just as she was leaving her rooms, saying Daemon had sent for them before departing into the city to gather the City Watch to their cause.
As she turned the corner, the door to the heir's chamber came into view, the ever-loyal Ser Laenor standing at attention, Ser Steffon Darklyn at his side, their white armour gleaming in the candlelight as they watched her approach with apprehension on their face's.
"Your Highness," Ser Laenor called frowning, "The hour is late."
Diana only smiled slightly apologetically, "I must speak with Princess Rhaenyra. It is urgent."
Laenor looked concerned but nodded once before stepping aside to hold the door open for her.
It seemed the maids were already fast at work. When Diana entered, Rhaenyra stood at the ready, face pale, hair in a messy plait, a robe draped around her shoulders, Aelyx at her side. At her entrance, Rhaenyra stepped forward, tears already welling in her eyes as she took in Diana's mourning attire.
"Aunt, please, do not tell me…" She trailed off, breaths coming out in small gasps as emotion took over.
Diana felt her own emotions fighting to break loose, but she held her composure; this was no time for emotional displays. Alicent would have been notified by now; they needed to move quickly.
"King Viserys has passed, and your uncle Prince Daemon has rallied the Gold Cloaks in your name. We must assemble to Small Council and ensure your ascension." Her tone was cold and firm, stating the facts even though her heart broke a little as she watched Rhaenyra try and fail to stop the tears from silently tracking down her cheeks.
"How? When?" Aelyx demanded, holding Rhaenyra close as she sobbed into his chest.
"Sometime in the night. His page rang the alarm only half an hour ago. I came as quickly as I could. I have sent word to Alycia and Rhaenys that the children are to be barred in the nursery, heavily guarded at all times." Diana said before squaring her shoulders and snapping, "We must pull ourselves together, be a united front. Just because Viserys supported you in life does not mean the Greens will not try and take advantage after his death."
Aelyx's eyes narrowed as Diana's words caused Rhaenyra to gasp, her form shaking as sobs wracked her body. Purple eyes flashing, he snarled, "Have you no pity? Can you not see what this is doing to your own niece?"
"We are talking matters of succession. We have no time for mollycoddling. We must act fast if we are to stop the Greens from usurping the throne. You must be dressed and ready to face the court in less than an hour. Now go!" Diana snarled, her temper flaring as she warred against the grief that fought to swallow her whole.
Thankfully, despite the disapproving glares Aelyx sent her, he shuffled Rhaenyra into their rooms, a maid on their heels, shutting the door behind them and leaving Diana alone with her thoughts.
Diana let out a shaky sigh and wiped her eyes as she tried to focus her thoughts. The Greens knew of King Viserys's death, but with Rhaenyra in the capital, only the Gods knew what they would attempt to ensure Aegon's succession.
Gasping in realization, Diana hurried to the door and creaked it open to where a concerned Laenor stood to attention; at the sound of the door creaking open, he turned and asked, "Princess?"
"Send a trusted servant to find Prince Aegon. I want to know where he is. When he is found, have him brought to mine and Daemon's chambers," Diana said, tone firm as she watched the Kingsgaurd nod once in recognition before closing the door again.
Twiddling her fingers, Diana waited impatiently until a red face, but no longer crying Rhaenyra and stonefaced Aelyx reemerged from the bedchamber, both dressed in black mourning clothes.
"Come, we must hurry to the Small Council Chamber; they will be waiting. I had Tyland summon them before I came to fetch you." Diana said before pausing in front of the doorway, an expectant look on her face as she stared meaningfully at a confused Rhaenyra.
"What is it?" Aelyx asked impatiently.
Diana fought the urge to roll her eyes as she replied, "The Crown takes precedence; Rhaenyra goes first, then you as her consort, then me."
Rhaenyra blinked a few times in shock before straightening her shoulder and nodding, "I am ready."
The trek to the Small Council Chamber, aside from the sound of armour clunking as Rhaenyra's Queenguard and household guard flanked the royals as they made their way through the slowly awakening halls. Sunrise was still a ways off, but the sound of birds and servants beginning their daily chores hinted at its near arrival.
When they arrived at the chambers, Diana frowned as she heard the sound of raised voices. Nodding once at the pair of Kingsguard standing watch, Diana waited as Rhaenyra and Aelyx went first to the sound of Lord Westerling announcing them.
"Princess Rhaenyra of House Targaryen, Heir to the Iron Throne, her Royal Consort Prince Aelyx Targaryen and Princess Diana Royce." The older man called, following them in as Rhaenyra came to stand in front of the small council table, the members staring at her in shock.
"Rhaenyra!" Alicent gasped, her words full of emotion as she stared in horror at her former companion.
Was that fear glinting in some of their eyes? Diana's eyes narrowed as she took in Alicent's pale, tear-streaked face from where she sat in the King's chair, Otto on her right, Lord Jasper Wylde on her left. I didn't escape her notice that only Ser Tyland and Lord Beesbury stood to attention quickly, the others seeming to hesitate, looking to Otto before coming to stand themselves.
"Princess Rhaenyra, we did not wish to disturb you. Perhaps you should go and rest during these turbulent times?" Otto impaired, voice falsely gentle as he took in the evidence of Rhaenyra's grief.
At his words, Rhaenyra stepped forward, eyes narrowing into slits as she said, "I assume you are hinting at my Father's death, Ser Otto? Queen Alicent, I apologize, but you are sitting in my seat."
Alicent's eyes widened in shock before she nodded and came to stand, hands clasped. Quickly, the table shuffled to accommodate the new members, a chair being brought for the now Dowager Queen. Diana silently took Daemon's vacant seat while Aelyx stood just behind his wife's right shoulder, hand on his sword hilt as he glared down at Otto.
An awkward silence filled the room as Rhaenyra took the time to stare down every member of her father's council before finally speaking, "As I'm sure Ser Otto has told you, my father, King Viserys, has died. As his named heir of over twenty years, I will take his place on the Iron Throne."
Lord Beesbury smiled mournfully as he rapped his knuckles on the desk approvingly, "Here, here!"
"My Aunt Diana assures me the Silent Sisters have already been assembled; a funeral will take place in two days time as to allow the servants time to prepare for a royal funeral befitting my Father's long and prosperous reign. In a week's time, we will hold a coronation in the Dragonpit for the smallfolk and in six moons, one for all of the Lords and Ladies of the Realm." Rhaenyra continued, turning her head, and asked Diana, "I want ravens sent to all the houses as quickly as possible. We must plan to accommodate all of the Lord Paramounts and their families at least. Have manses and villas within the cities readied as well for the more minor houses."
Clearing his throat, Otto interjected before Rhaenyra could continue laying out her plans, "If I may, Your Highness, the Dowager Queen was recounting King Viserys' final words to her."
All eyes turned to a tearful Alicent who appeared to shrivel under the attention, eyes refusing to meet Rhaenyra's as she said, "He named Prince Aegon his heir before he died. He called Aegon the 'One That Was Promised'; His Grace made me promise to help him ascend as King."
Rhaenyra's face fell at her words, gaze darting around the room as she took in the lord's responses, "He named my brother the 'Prince That Is Promised?'"
"I'm sure this is difficult for you to hear, Princess, but we must follow King Viserys' wishes. Prince Aegon must be king." Otto simpered, his voice low in false sympathy as Rhaenyra gawked at him in silent horror.
After a moment, Rhaenyra laughed, the sound sharp and caustic as she said, "He named Aegon, whoremongering, philandering Aegon the 'Prince Who Was Promised?' No, I refuse to believe that. I will refuse to believe it, and neither will the court. My father named me heir and defended my claim until his final breath."
"Rhaenyra, please," Alicent whispered, only to be cut off by a furious Lord Beesebury, his face flushed red with rage.
"This is a scandal! An outrage! I refuse to believe that the King changed his mind after twenty years of naming his daughter heir to the throne. Especially when the boy's mother was the only witness to his supposed change of heart! I am six and seventy years old; I have known Viserys Targaryen longer than anyone sitting at this table. No, I and my house stand behind Queen Rhaenyra, First of Her Name."
"Mind your tongue!" Ser Criston snarled from his place standing behind the queen, his face contorting into a sneer, "You will not sully the Good Queen's name -"
"Enough!" Rhaenyra yelled, her voice cutting through the hair and silencing everyone in the room, "Ser Criston, if you cannot remain civil, you will leave. Ser Westerling, escort him out."
"Yes, Your Grace." The older man bowed low, his words making it clear who he saw as the rightful monarch. Then, standing tall, he motioned to the other Kingsguards in the room, and they flanked a snarling Ser Criston, who was practically foaming at the mouth as he ripped his sword from its scabbard, holding it high in defiance.
Only the Dowager Queen's interference seemed to cut through the knight's rage, "Enough Ser Criston. I will not have any more bloodshed tonight. Go and see to Helaena and the children."
Looking betrayed by his Queen's disapproval, Ser Criston nonetheless sheathed his sword and allowed the Kingsguard to escort him out. The door closed behind him and his escorts with a dull thud.
"Does anyone else have a problem with my Father naming me heir to the throne?" Rhaenyra asked, voice hard and holding the hint of a threat as Aelyx's hand tightened on his sword hilt as he stepped forward.
Ser Tyland huffed out a stressed breath before coming to stand, "House Lannister and its bannermen stand with Queen Rhaenyra, First of Her Name, Queen of the Andals and the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lady of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm."
"All hail Queen Rhaenyra," Diana declared, staring down Ser Otto as he silently steamed, smoke practically coming from his ears. Silently, he stood, his chair rocking back with the force of his movements.
"The Lords will never accept a female heir over a male relative. You court war if you continue down this path. I will not allow the realm to descend into chaos because of your greed!" He hissed, leaning down to glare at the still-sitting Rhaenyra.
Instead of cowering, Rhaenyra also came to stand, "Ser Westerling, please escort Ser Otto and the Dowager Queen to their chambers. If they do not accept my new order, they will have no place in my council chamber. Bar the doors; no one is to go in or out, but allow them their comforts."
With quick fingers, she ripped the Hand of the King pin from Otto's chest and silently held it out for Diana to take, "I thank you for your many years of service, Ser Otto. My Aunt will take it from here."
Slowly, Diana took the pin and clipped it to her chest as if in a dream, her heart in her throat.
Alicent began to sob as guards filed into the room to take her and her father away; as she was gently pulled from her chair, she blubbered, "Rhaenyra, please! Do not do this, my children! They are your father's children!"
Rhaenyra looked confused as she called, "My siblings will be given their chance to bend the knee and then will be free to go about their lives as they please."
Alicent looked unconvinced as she sobbed, her wails heard well after she was escorted from the chamber.
Only after the sound was gone did Rhaenyra seem to curl into herself, her face twisting in pain as she began to pull up her skirts in panic. Aelyx was quickly at her side, his face falling in concern as he cried, "My love?"
Rhaenyra's finger emerged from her skirts, covered in blood; in a hushed tone, she whimpered, "The baby's coming."
Line Break *
Screams of anguish filled the air as Rhaenyra struggled to give birth. Tears of grief and agony twisted her features as she fought to bring forth a babe everyone knew was too early to survive. For several long hours, she had mainly laboured alone, refusing the aid of her midwives as she paced the room, dripping blood and other fluids on the floor as she pushed in vain.
Maester Orwyle had been seized by the guards and locked in his room as soon as the man had even attempted to breach the doorway to the now Queen's chambers. Diana had ordered him restrained to his tiny Maester's Quarters, under watch, without access to the rookery.
Thankfully, Daemon and his Gold Claoks had arrived within an hour of Rhaenyra's labours beginning, quickly, with the help of the trust castle guards to secure the castle. The Greens had all been confined to their chambers except for Helaena and her children, who were under guard but allowed visitors like Dahlia, who refused to leave her closest childhood friend alone in such dark times.
The city watchmen had met minimal resistance except for Otto's household guards, who'd been dispatched quickly, their bodies disposed quietly to not cause a panic.
While Alycia and Aelyx looked after Rhaenyra, Dahlia and Daemon worked to quell any rumours of weakness among the court, calling them into session. Diana had not taken the Iron Throne; instead, she stood before it as she announced King Viserys' death and Rhaenyra Targaryen's ascension to Queendom. Most of the court had quickly bent the knee; those who hesitated were clocked by Daemon and Dahlia, who memorized their names and faces to deal with later.
Unlike other monarchs, Diana refused to allow Rhaenyra's ascension to be muddied by bloodshed. No, the disloyal lord would keep their heads for now. Later, if they suffered quiet accidents, who could blame Rhaenyra for their loss?
Aegon had been found earlier that morning, hiding in a brothel, drunk on wine and high on unknown substances. He'd been locked in his chambers to sleep off the worst of his afflictions. When he'd been told of his father's death, he'd apparently tried to flee the city, proclaiming Rhaenyra the rightful heir.
Diana was walking back to Rhaenyra's chambers when a commotion up ahead had her pausing, the distant sound of swords clashing filling the air. The four city watchmen sent to guard her and Daemon quickly stood to attention, swords in their hands as they waited for an enemy to approach with watchful eyes.
The sound of running footsteps had Daemon stepping forward, blocking Diana from view. Sword held high as a page came running around the corner, his doublet stained with crimson blood, his eyes crazed.
"Speak, boy!" Daemon roared, stopping the page in his tracks and making the boy practically piss himself with fear.
"M-men from the black cells! In the keep! They attacked the castle guard! Set fire to the kitchens!" He whimpered, clutching a wound on his side, his frame weak with pain and blood loss.
"Quickly, to the maesters," Daemon snarled at the page, "And sound the alarm. Diana, with me, we must get you to Maegar's Holdfast."
Diana didn't argue; she just picked up her skirts and yanked out the dagger she kept strapped to her lower leg at all times. Then, she followed her escort swiftly, covered on all sides by her loyal guards, her husband in the lead, his face dark with the promise of retribution.
Diana gasped at the carnage as they made their way into the holdfast. Men in dirty, threadbare clothing lay slain in the hallways, in their hands shiny new daggers and shortswords. Their cheeks were hollow with malnutrition; they were not the typical types of mercenaries one would expect to find, especially with how ill-equipped they were to take on an entire castle with hundreds of guards and thousands of city watchmen at the ready.
"What the hells were they playing at?" One of the guards muttered, a young man with a smattering of freckles on his still-rounded cheeks.
"Fucking suicidal." Another muttered.
"Focus!" Daemon barked, "We make haste for the Queen's chambers, and then we burn them out, root to stem."
Diana's mind raced with all of the new information she'd learned, only to gasp when the pieces began to fall together. Desperate men, obviously from the black cells with shiny new weapons, attacked the holdfast where the royal family lived while simultaneously lighting fires in the castle kitchens.
"They wanted to split us up…" She whispered, "So we wouldn't know their goal… Dahlia!"
Gasping, Diana broke formation, lifting her skirts to sprint towards Helaena's chambers. Ignoring Daemon's roars for her to return, she ran hard and fast, her slippered feet aching from hitting the stone floors as she ran upstairs and down hallways, jumping over bodies along the way.
When she reached Helaena's chambers, the doors were wide open, the rooms deathly still as she stopped, ignoring her husband's calls as she silently crept into the rooms, a feeling of foreboding making her fight the urge to vomit.
At the entrance, two castle guards lay dead, their throats cut with precision, unlike the other bodies she'd seen throughout the keep. Maids and servants butchers with sloppy slashes and stabs all over their bodies.
With a shaky hand, she used the archway to steady herself as she looked into the room, her eyes searching until she found it, no, not it, her.
The wail that erupted from deep within her didn't even sound human.
Yet, it came as Diana fell to her knees and crawled across the room, uncaring of the multiple people running into the room behind her, stopping in their tracks to watch as the usually composed princess fell utterly apart in the face of her butchered daughter.
Dahlia lay splayed across the floors, her limbs strewn about like a marionette with its strings cut, her gorgeous face pale, purple eyes staring unseeing up. At a glance, she looked unharmed, if not for the massive pool of blood soaking into her bountiful brown curls, seeping across the stone floor.
The blood felt warm and stuck to Diana's skin as she reached out and pulled your youngest baby into her arms, her face covered with tears and snot as she wailed in agonizing grief. Holding her daughter's limp body close and draping her across her lap, Diana peered at the back of her beautiful head, sobbing at the massive wound she found there.
Someone had bashed her daughter's skull open.
With shaking fingers, Diana felt the wound, trying to recognize it for what it was but unable to. Was she dreaming? Had this day just been a nightmare conjured up by her overworked mind?
Let it be so; let this be a nightmare she could wake up from.
It wasn't until she felt a warm hand on her shoulder that Diana was pulled from her musings, her hand jerking away from the bloody wound. Looking up, she searched around desperately for her dagger, only to remember she'd dropped it in the doorway earlier.
Daemon stared down at her, his eyes red with unshed tears as he took in her and their daughter. Gently, he grasped her shoulder and murmured, "You have to let her go. The traitors haven't been found; it is not safe here."
Diana nodded slowly, her mind foggy as she whispered, "She is so beautiful, my perfect little girl. She looks so much like me, not like the others. But they are beautiful, too."
"Yes, she is, my darling. Please, let her rest a while." Daemon murmured softly, his other hand coming out to cup Dahlia's too-pale cheek, a tear escaping as he gazed down at them.
"The Greens, they have escaped," Diana murmured. It wasn't a question; she had known it for a fact before she even entered the room.
"Yes," Daemon murmured, "There was an attempt on Rhaenyra's life, but the Queensguard fought them off. But… we lost Ser Laenor in the assassination attempt."
Diana felt frozen as she gazed off into the distance, unseeing; her body felt numb as she muttered, "All of this death… has Rhaenys been notified?
"Yes, she has been moved to Rhaenyra's chambers for now; everyone has." Daemon replied, gently lifting Dahlia from her mother's arms, ignoring Diana's keening cry at the loss, "We must go. I will have the Silent Sisters come when it is safe."
"No!" Diana whispered, "Please, we cannot leave her Daemon. Take her with us. She should be with us."
"Diana…"
The unmistakable sound of a child's cry cut through the air, muffled, but there, stopping Daemon from finishing his sentence and making the pair dart their gaze to a nearby wardrobe.
Without thinking, Diana jumped up, crossed the room and threw the door open to gape at what she'd found.
Little Jaehaera Targaryen sat, wrapped in a bundle of clothes, her little fist thumping the cabinet walls as she cried. Her blonde curls were so pale they looked white instead of silver, her beautiful features a devilish red as she wailed in fury.
Not caring that she was still covered in blood, Diana scooped the child up, cradling her close and closing her eyes when the babe's sobs ceased as soon as her head nestled into her great aunt's breast.
"They must have left it behind. Perhaps someone hid it when they heard fighting." Daemon said, his voice harsh and disgusted as he glared over her shoulder at the sleeping babe.
"Dahlia," Diana whispered, "it was Dahlia, I know it. She would have done anything to protect Helaena and her children."
"I'll summon a nursemaid and have it locked away." Daemon snapped, tugging at her arm, "We must go."
Diana allowed him to pull her along but did not relinquish her hold on the babe, "Our daughter died protecting this child. I will not dishonour her memory by abandoning the babe now. No, she comes with us; she is our blood."
Daemon looked enraged as he hissed, "She is a Hightower half-breed, and if she was the male, perhaps she would be a valuable political hostage. As it is, she is useless to us. Let her go, Diana."
"It you want her, husband," Diana snarled, "You can pull her from my cold dead hands."
With that final declaration, Diana turned on her heel and stormed away, despite leaving a part of her heart lying on the floor behind her, aching with every step she walked away