The King's Feast 16: Otto II

There was a knock on Otto Hightower's door in the early hours of the morning.

Otto was already awake by then, since he was penning a message to his elder brother in Oldtown. He was writing to inform him about the progress being made about trying to secure a marriage between his son Thoren and the Princess Rhaenyra. Lord Hobert had given him this task some years ago now, but it was still not done. Though Thoren had grown acquainted to the Princess, she herself had made the task difficult, refusing all of her marriage proposals and had anding the tour early before she could even receive a formal proposal from him.

My brother is likely not happy that I did complete the task years ago.

In some ways, however, the Princess ending the tour early could have been seen as a positive. It would mean that she would also not receive proposals from other rival suitors such as Jason Lannister, and if forced by the King into making a choice, she could possibly pick Thoren due to their current acquaintance.

Let us hope that when the time comes, the Gods are good, and she chooses my son.

"Come." Otto said, and in came one of his household guards.

"M-My Lord. There seems to an... urgent matter that has arisen."

The guard told him of what he'd heard, and Otto could scarcely believe it.

"Are you certain that this happened… and is the truth?" Otto asked him.

"Yes, Ser. I asked the street urchin that reported it myself, and he said that he saw it true. Another spy confirmed the story too."

Otto sighed heavily. "Thank you for this... information. You may go."

The guard nodded and took his leave.

After he had left, Otto leaned back in his chair and put his head in his hands.

This… is discomforting… I have to tell His Grace… No… the King cannot know... No… the King must know... I have a duty to tell... but how would His Grace take it... how would I take it if someone told me this about mine own daughter… I must do my duty… no matter how difficult it is.

Otto took a swig of his heated hippocras and stood up.

No matter how horrible the news is, I am the Hand of the King, and I should act as such.

The thought of the Princess and her uncle going out to a brothel in the middle of the night and partaking in unholy acts left Otto feeling disgusted.

The Targaryens always did have queer customs, but a brothel?

If the Princess was truly sullied, what would that mean for her marriage prospects? What man would take her in this condition?

Truly this cannot have been the Rogue Prince's plan to take her for himself.

Otto knew that Daemon Targaryen was not above acting with dishonour, but doing such a thing to his own niece, his own blood, was low even for him. The whole realm was well aware that Rhaenyra was at the age of marriage, but even if she was still a princess, a sullied princess would not be desirable for some of the proudest lords.

Some may use this as pretext for placing Prince Daeron as heir instead.

If the rumour were to spread around the Red Keep and beyond, Corlys Velaryon would no doubt try and use this to try and position his blood as heir, as he had been asking the King to do ever since his grandson was born. Otto had been a staunch defender of keeping the Princess as heir over her half-brother, much because of Alicent's endorsement of her.

My daughter has constantly protected the Princess' name, but could she still defend keeping Rhaenyra as heir over Daeron after this?

If the Princess were to be passed over for Laena Velaryon's son, a between Rhaenyra and Thoren would no longer mean Otto's future grandchild would eventually sit the throne.

I must tell the King at once, to ensure that the rumour does not spread. If I tell him now, mayhaps a quick marriage can be betrothed between the King's blood and mine could be arranged. Then mayhaps, I have fulfilled my brother's task.

Otto stood outside the chambers of the King for what seemed to be an eternity, hesitating to knock on the door, which was guarded by two Kingsguard members, and be the bearer of such terrible news.

No, I cannot tell the King. It would be self-serving, and I could kill the rumour by myself without tarnishing the Princess' image to her father.

Otto began to turn around and head back to his quarters.

No, I must tell the King. It would not be self-serving, since I have a duty to the realm to do so.

Otto knocked on the door.

He waited a while for an answer, and then knocked again.

"Who comes?" shouted the King from inside the chambers.

"The Lord Hand." Ser Rickard Thorne of the Kingsguard declared, who was standing on the left of the great wooden door.

"You may enter."

Ser Rickard opened the door to allow Otto in and closed the door after him.

The King had just awoken, and was in his bedclothes, a loose cream shirt, and thin grey breeches.

"What... brings you... to my room... this early, Otto?" The King asked, groggily, rubbing his eyes.

"Forgive me for this, Your Grace, but I must ask... is the Queen present here? The news I bring... is unpleasant."

The King's demeanour shifted. He got up from his bed and walked towards Otto. "No, no, Otto. Laena sleeps in her own quarters. What... what news do you bring?" he asked, concerned.

Good. The Velaryons may use this as an excuse to place their own blood as heir.

"Your Grace… I have only just… received word from the city of... an incident that took place last night. It concerns the... Princess and... Prince Daemon."

"Continue."

Otto took a deep breath.

"They were spotted... together... in a... pleasure house."

"That is all?"

"No... Your Grace... information tells me... that they were..."

"They were what?" the King demanded.

"They were..." Otto did not want to say the rest, but still did, nonetheless. "Engaged in... behaviours... unworthy of... a woman of her station"

"And what behaviours are that, Otto?"

Must I spell it out for you, Your Grace?

Otto breathed in again. "They were seen... coupling, with each other."

The King burst out into laughter. "This is not true. I must not be."

He chooses not to believe it, as he chooses not to believe many a thing.

"I wish it were not, Your Grace, but my sources would not lie to me… especially about such… sensitive information."

"Your sources? You had my daughter followed?"

"No... Your Grace. One of my spies... spotted... the Princess… and relayed the information back to me. It was not... my intention to have the Princess… followed."

The King scoffed and walked right up to Otto's face.

"And what do advise I do about this, now that you tell me this?" he asked, with a hint of fury in his voice.

"Her marriage... Your Grace... you must arrange for one soon... now that the Princess has already refused numerous offers... and if... this... were to spread... her position as heir... may become... unstable."

"I see your little game now. You would have my daughter stalked, so you can leverage this to further your own ambitions. Do not think me a fool, Otto, I see the friendship between Ser Thoren and my daughter. Such a rumour would lower her standing so much that she would need to be rushed into a marriage, and your son happens to already be in the capital. A marriage to the second son of a second son would usually be unfeasible, yet you hold information that would ruin her reputation, and force such an insult." He said, saliva spitting out onto Otto's jerkin.

"I had no such intent, Your Grace. I only brought this information to you in order to do my duty to you."

"Your intentions are obvious. Do you desire for a royal marriage so badly, you would destroy my own family for it?"

"Your Grace..."

"I have heard enough. You can do your duty now by leaving this room before I cut your tongue out! Go! Now!" the King roared.

Otto had not seen him so angry in his entire life.

"Yes, Your Grace." Otto said, hastily scurrying out of the room.

Otto quickly made his way back to his chambers, and when he reached there, he collapsed back onto his chair.

Fuck.