The Princess and the Queen 14: We Light the Way
Otto Hightower sat at the Small Council table for the first time in a long time.
It was sooner than he expected. Upon arriving in King's Landing, Otto had received a summons from the King to gather in the Small Council chambers to discuss an "urgent matter". The matter was not truly urgent, but still extremely important. Corlys Velaryon, the Sea Snake, had used that pretext for the King to gather all the council members immediately, save for the Princess Rhaenyra, who was away hawking. Otto understood the implicit meaning of why Lord Corlys wished to convene urgently after learning of the Princess' absence.
I would rather at least wait for some hours at least.
Lord Corlys and the Queen, of course, wanted to convene with Otto and discuss further steps as soon as possible, and the sooner they did, the better it would be for the Blue faction, something Otto was very much a part of now. The Princess would still be away for some days, however, and Otto could have visited his daughter and grandchildren first.
Duty calls.
Otto was no stranger to duty and thus made his way to the Small Council chamber, still in his riding attire and likely stinking of mud and sweat. When he arrived, the King greeted him with an embrace and placed the golden brooch back on his leather doublet that he ripped off all those years ago. Viserys looked noticeably older than before; his rotting hand was now gone, and the affliction had crawled up his arm, and he now relied on a cane to walk. His face and legs had become bonier too, yet his stomach was bloated as if he had drunk tankards of beer earlier.
The other members of the council were already present, too, when Otto arrived. It was so familiar yet so different at the same time. Otto's seat was at the right of the King, as it always was. On his right would have been the Princess if she were not away. The other faces were familiar, too; Corlys Velaryon took his seat directly across from the King, as Otto remembered, and the old Lyman Beesbury was at the table but at a different seat. Four of the members were not faces Otto was accustomed to seeing at a Small Council meeting, yet he recognised each and every one. To the left of the King was Queen Laena Velaryon, looking like a proper woman compared to the fiery and youthful girl Otto saw at his daughter's wedding in the Stepstones. Jasper Wylde was next to her, and then the new Grand Maester was next to him. At the end was Larys Strong, whose father was Otto's predecessor.
Lord Lyonel was my successor too.
"I do not see it as such an emergency," the King sighed.
"I do, Your Grace," the Queen replied. "If this follows through, then this could change the hierarchy of power across both continents,"
"It takes time for such a thing to be built and equipped," he responded. "It will still be some months... or years, even... it needn't be such an urgent gathering of the council."
"Now that we are here, can we not discuss it?" Lord Corlys asked, irritated.
The King is not wrong, but Lord Corlys is not either.
"Dorne have utilised scorpions and the such for hundreds of years, and they were still no match for dragons," Grand Maester Orwyle said.
"Yet they still brought down Meraxes," bluntly said the Queen.
"A once-in-a-million chance... a freak accident..." the King said, waving his hand away.
"It may have been unlikely then," Lord Corlys replied. "But with a Braavosi fleet hundred strong containing scorpions even more powerful than that sailing up the Gullet would significantly raise the likelihood of such a thing."
"If we were to not face the wrath of such a fleet, we just need to ensure that the Braavosi are not on the opposing side of a conflict from us," the King said.
"It's easier said than done," whispered Jasper Wylde.
"Braavos are already on somewhat decent terms with us following Lord Beesbury and Lord Jason Lannister's visit less than a year ago... I doubt they would be incentivised to take up arms against the Iron Throne, barring some unlikely circumstances..."
"A lot can happen in ten or twenty years, Your Grace," warned Lord Corlys.
"With Prince Daemon making an enemy of Braavos, it is no surprise that they have taken up the initiative to develop anti-dragon weaponry," Otto said coolly, interjecting into the conversation for the first time. "If Prince Daemon-"
"Please, Otto..." the King interrupted. "If you mean to suggest what I think you are... I did not bring you back to the Small Council for such reason."
Otto bowed his head calmly.
"Maintaining an alliance with Braavos does seem not too difficult, I would say..." Lyman Beesbury said.
"It is not the Braavosi we have to fear," Lord Corlys said curtly. "It is the other Free Cities that are the worry. I already have reports from Braavos that two Myrish magisters were in Braavos... and likely to purchase said weaponry if I had to presume."
"My sources across the Narrow Sea do corroborate that," Larys Strong said softly.
"Then what do you propose, Lord Corlys?" asked Jasper Wylde.
"That we negotiate with the Sealord once again in order to prevent Myr and other Free Cities from purchasing these scorpions. We use gifts and gold, and the Braavosi would rather have that steady stream of coin rather as well as a monopoly on the scorpion."
"What is stopping the Braavosi from keeping good on such a deal?" Otto retorted. "They could just accept our gifts but also sell on the weaponry to Lys and Volantis and Myr."
"Then we rain fire on the Braavos if they fail to uphold their part of the agreement," suggested the Queen.
"Considering that they would also have anti-dragon equipment in such a scenario... it is hardly a foolproof suggestion..." mused Otto.
"What other solution would there be?" Lord Corlys scoffed.
"Assuming that such an agreement were to be upheld..." added Lyman Beesbury. "It would deal a heavy toll upon the treasury... and put us under the thumb of the Braavosi's thumb..."
"It would be symbiotic... we have the threat of dragons, and they have the threat of selling and using the weaponry," Lord Corlys said. "It could lead to closer ties with Braavos, with us both having vested interests in upholding the deal."
"Why would they even wish to enter such an agreement? The Iron Throne are the only entity that have dragons; they would rather join with Pentos or Volantis or even the Triarchy," said Otto.
"Because of the implicit threat upon their people," replied Queen Laena.
"Do Braavos even have such weaponry at this point?" the King finally said after observing the council for so long.
"As far as the talk from sailors go, the weaponry is still in early stages... but come a few years, the shipyards of Braavos shall no doubt be mounting the scorpions onto their galleys," Lord Corlys replied.
"Then it is not an urgent matter, as I had said," the King calmly said.
"Yet the Myrish are also interested in the scorpions. If an agreement happens now-" pleaded the Queen.
"The weaponry still does not exist. When the threat is real, we may convene, with a full council, to discuss this," sighed the King. "I understand your concerns are legitimate, but I do not see any harm in continuing with the discussion when the issue escalates."
"As we all are here, might we discuss what we would have discussed in the following Small Council?" asked Lord Corlys, glancing at Otto just after he did.
"I second this motion," Otto replied.
"As do I," the Queen eagerly said.
The King rolled his eyes and took a drink of his wine. "Very well."
All of the council members sunk back down in their seats and sighed since they would need to be there for another hour or two.
As do I.
Otto knew these matters were essential to consolidate power in the city, but he also dearly wanted to see Alicent again, as well as Jocelyn and Vaegon and Valaena.
It shall only be some hours... my duty is the most paramount.
"The first concern I would like to raise is the matter of the Gold Cloaks," Lord Corlys said. "Following Ser Harwin Strong's dismissal, we are yet to choose his replacement."
"The obvious choice would be to name one of the seven captains of the city gates..." Grand Maester Orwyle gently suggested.
"Of those seven captains, Ser Luthor Largent has the most experience," said Jasper Wylde.
"And is probably the best fighter in the watch," agreed the King.
"Yet he is known to be quick to anger and slow of wit..." quickly said Otto.
"What of the other captains? Ser Balon Byrch and Ser Osmund Brune are just as capable..." Jasper Wylde suggested.
Both are known to have close connections to Prince Daemon.
"Ser Balon is much too new in his position, and Ser Osmund should not even be the captain," Otto replied.
"Then who you suggest as the Lord Commander?" questioned the King.
"We could look outside of the watch. Many talented knights reside in the Red Keep or around the Crownlands," Otto said.
"I would suggest my brother, Ser Vaemond," Lord Corlys quickly announced. "He is a veteran of the Stepstones War, and he led the final charge against the Crabfeeder all those years ago."
Along with Gwayne.
"I agree with my father's notion. Ser Vaemond has experience commanding men as well as fighting. The Gold Cloaks would certainly respect him as their Lord Commander," the Queen responded.
Otto would have instead suggested his son, Thoren, but the aim was to place members of the Blue faction in positions of power. Ser Vaemond was firmly within the Princess' Party and would sway a lot of undecided Gold Cloaks to his side. The ones that were old friends of the Rogue Prince or those whose houses were supporters of Princess Rhaenyra could be replaced at a later date.
"Ser Vaemond is a strong choice, Your Grace," Otto said to the King. "I would certainly agree that he is more qualified than any of the captains."
"I do not see a problem with appointing Ser Vaemond," the King said dismissively, likely wanting the council to end. "Lord Jasper, as Master of Laws, what is your opinion on Ser Vaemond."
"I think he would prove an able choice," plainly stated Jasper Wylde.
"Then he shall be appointed," sighed the King. "Are those all of the matters?"
"If you please, I would also like to address the vacant position of Master-at-arms in the Red Keep as well," Otto said.
"Yes... that is one I have wanted to address for some time..." laughed the King.
There usually was a Master-at-arms, but ever since Ser Harrold Westerling, who served as Lord Commander of the Kingsguard along with Master-at-arms, passed, the role had been vacant. Otto knew that Ser Criston Cole was the one who had taken up training the young princelings in the yard, but as for everyone else, there was no specific person.
"Rhaenyra has asked me to name one a while ago..." the King mused. "What suggestions would you put forth upon me?"
"I think that Ser Criston can serve as Master-at-arms, just as Ser Harrold did before him," the Queen replied.
The King winced at that suggestion. It was also common knowledge that Ser Criston was especially harsh on Prince Baelon, and the King would certainly not want that to continue.
"Are there not any other suggestions?" the King asked again as the Queen and Lord Corlys shared a look of annoyance with each other.
"My son would be an apt choice," Otto said. "He's also experienced in combat, and well respected amongst his peers. If Her Grace still wishes for her children to train under Ser Criston, it would be her choice, but Ser Thoren would take over the other roles."
Suggest one option he would hate so much that the second would no doubt get accepted.
"I think that is a fine choice, Otto," smiled the King.
After that, they also adjusted different positions around King's Landing and the Red Keep. Septon Eustace, who travelled with Otto from Oldtown, would be named as the lead septon in the castle sept, and a Massey cousin was named as chief undergaoler in place of the ageing Desmond Heddle. The King accepted most of the proposed changes following the arguments presented by Otto, Lord Corlys, the Queen, and Jasper Wylde. He did not, however, agree to remove those captains of the City Watch that Otto deemed loyal to Prince Daemon (though Otto did not word it as such).
It was an optimistic suggestion.
Lord Corlys also tried to bring up the rejected betrothal request between Prince Daeron and Jocelyn, which fell on deaf ears. The King reiterated that he still would not agree to it and dismissed the council promptly. After everyone had left, Otto walked with Lord Corlys and the Queen.
"His Grace still refuses to betroth Daeron and Jocelyn," said the Queen as they walked across the yard.
"It is something that needs be done soon," Lord Corlys responded.
"How else? I keep harrying him about it, and he does not heed my words. Just like I harried him for years about making Daeron his heir," she scoffed.
"In time, his opinion can shift," Otto calmly replied, touching the golden Hand brooch on his doublet. "Though it is necessary for this to happen."
Otto had promised his brother Hobert that Jocelyn would become the Queen Consort one day, and her eldest son would eventually become the King. Hobert's final words were to ensure that Otto's future great-grandson would sit the Iron Throne one day. Otto earnestly said that it shall certainly happen.
I did not tell him of the raven from Lord Corlys, stating that His Grace refuses the betrothal.
Following Hobert's passing some moons ago, it was not just about furthering Otto's own bloodline and ensuring the success of his house anymore. He had also made a promise to his older brother that he would need to make good on.
"I have not forgotten that, Ser Otto," the Queen curtly said.
"What of the other positions around the Red Keep that may have loyalties to Rhaenyra?" Lord Corlys asked. "The lord treasurer, master of horse, kennel master, among others, need be placed with those loyal to our factions."
"That can also come, in time," Otto sighed. "However, the highest priority is ensuring Jocelyn is betrothed to Prince Daeron."
"Soon enough, the Princess shall return to the Small Council, and then it would be significantly harder for us to implement these changes," the Sea Snake responded impatiently.
"We have years, mayhaps even decades, to implement these. Move around too many positions, and His Grace shall grow suspicious. You needn't worry, Lord Corlys," replied Otto.
"Yet it would be optimal for us for this to happen as soon as possible," the Queen urged.
"I understand that, Your Grace," Otto replied gently. "But changes can happen when the incumbent holder of the position passes. Replacing a person outright can breed anger amongst those under those replaced. We should rush headfirst into such a thing. Mayhaps, in time, His Grace may even name Daeron his heir in some years if we wait."
"Not bloody likely," she laughed.
"Regardless, ensuring Jocelyn and Prince Daeron are betrothed should be the highest priority," Otto said before walking to his new quarters in the Tower of the Hand.
It was Otto's residence for almost twenty years, and it felt good to be back there. Alicent's quarters were also supposedly moved there, along with her children, Jocelyn and Ser Laenor, no matter how little he visited his wife's bedchambers. Posted outside the tower were two Targaryen guards, neither of whom nodded to Otto as he entered. Otto's quarters were at the very top of the building, but he instead went to the floor two below it, where Alicent was. Outside of her chambers, there was a seven-pointed star as well as two banners, one flying the tower of Hightower and the other the seahorse of Velaryon. Otto knocked on the door, and his daughter shouted for him to enter.
In the room was Alicent sitting on the bed with Jocelyn, reading her a book. In the side of the room, two babies were crawling around and playing with toy dragons. Alicent was in a modest dark blue dress with long flowy sleeves and loose skirts. She had a steel seven-pointed star necklace, and her loose brown hair fell down her hair like waves. She looked so much like her mother, especially in the manner she read the book to Jocelyn. The six-year-old also looked like a younger Alicent, her hair and eyes a similar brown, whilst she wore a pale blue dress. Vaegon and Valaena, meanwhile, looked nothing like Alicent. They both had curly silver hair lined with streaks of black. One wore blue whilst the other was in aquamarine, but Otto couldn't discern who was who.
"Grandfather!" Jocelyn shouted, leaping from the bed and into Otto's arms.
She hugged him tightly, and Otto put his arms around her little head, stroking her hair.
"How are you, my little girl?" Otto asked, giving Jocelyn a kiss on the forehead.
"Very well..." she smiled. "I've missed you very much!"
"Me too, Jocelyn, me too," he replied warmly before turning to Alicent.
"Daughter," Otto said, grinning.
"Father," she replied, equally as jovial. "Welcome back to King's Landing. It has been too long."
"It has indeed," agreed Otto. "You seem to have flourished and thrived during your time at Driftmark. I pray that Ser Laenor has been good to you."
"I thank the Seven... following the birth of the two, he ignores my bedchambers, yet he remains courteous and friendly... I could ask for anything else."
Otto nodded. "The children are well, too, I pray?"
"Yes, both are..." Alicent said, walking over to the two children. "Vaegon is the louder of the two, whilst Valaena does not speak as much. But they both have been strong of health, and the maids say they shall grow to be strong."
The two children laughed and smiled at the sight of their mother. The one in blue crawled towards Otto whilst the one in aquamarine remained observing him, shyly remaining some distance away. Alicent then scooped up the baby in blue and gave him to Otto before picking up the one in aquamarine.
"I assume this one is Vaegon," Otto said, smiling at the young lad, who giggled loudly in response.
Named after my dear friend, the Archmaester.
"He likes you already," laughed Alicent as Vaegon pulled at Otto's brown and grey beard. "Come, Valaena... come to greet your grandfather!"
Valaena was less enthusiastic but still smiled and waved at Otto before turning her attention to her toy dragon. It was painted a pale pink with black stripes, and Valaena stroked its stony scales.
"They both have eggs, too," said Alicent. "Neither are close to hatching, but the dragonkeepers say that they are healthy eggs."
"Valaena's egg is the same colouration as her dragon, I would presume?" Otto asked.
"Yes, and Vaegon's is a lush green. The egg and toy dragon are some of the only things that interest Valaena these days," sighed Alicent. "Whilst Vaegon is curious and active, she prefers staring at the pink egg, or sometimes at bugs scuttling through the Red Keep."
"She shall grow out of these things," Otto reassured as Alicent smiled softly.
After playing with Vaegon and Valaena for a while, the milk nurses took the two for a feed, so Otto went and talked to Jocelyn about how she fared.
"I prefer it here to Driftmark..." Jocelyn said. "There are too much ships and water and salt there, but neither are as good as Oldtown."
"You take after the both of us, then, it seems," chuckled Otto. "What have you been doing in the past years to keep yourself busy?"
"I play with the Princes and the Princess most days... they are nice... and sometimes the other children," the six-year-old replied.
"The other children?" Otto asked, an eyebrow raised.
"Some serving men's children that reside in the Red Keep..." interrupted Alicent. "What were their names again, Jocelyn?"
"Pate is the cook's son, whilst Bella is the washerwoman's daughter, and Marq is the younger brother of a stableboy," Jocelyn eagerly replied.
"That's nice, Jocelyn," Otto smiled.
"Bella said her father and mother were from Fleabottom, but then we went there, and the people have so less food and clothes..." she sadly said.
"You went to Fleabottom?" gasped Otto, concerned.
"After a visit to Maegelle's Sept, Jocelyn begged us to pass through there, since Bella and all of the other children hail from there. Upon seeing it, Jocelyn bawled and bawled and bawled."
"It was not nice seeing all the poor peasants... but then we went and gave them food after," Jocelyn added.
"It turned out to be quite a good move," Alicent smiled. "The smallfolk now adore her and me, her more, and sometimes they even cheer her name whenever we take a carriage up to the sept."
"I am proud of you, Jocelyn. The Mother encourages us to give alms to the poor," Otto smiled, stroking her hair.
If the smallfolk love her, maybe that shall convince His Grace to accept the betrothal.
"I know! I memorised that chapter!" Jocelyn exclaimed.
"That is very impressive," Otto said.
"Jocelyn has no doubt been quick to learn the Seven-Pointed Star," said Alicent. "She has nearly memorised the Mother's Book."
"And after that, I shall do the Crone's, then the Maiden's, then the Father's and the Smith's... then I shall be older, and I can do the Warrior's and finally the Stranger's!"
They spent the next few hours talking about the past few years in the Red Keep, and Jocelyn proudly recited entire chapters from the Mother's Book from her memory. Alicent also told Otto of the various foods she had tried at Driftmark. The sounds of the jellied dog's brains almost made him puke. After that, they had supper of a hearty vegetable soup, and cuts of meat and cheese served with hot bread. The food was finished by Otto and Alicent, whilst Jocelyn did not touch the cheese nor meats, proclaiming that meat tasted too bloody for her liking.
Following supper, Otto went to his own chambers to deal with all the letters and documents that he had to manage as part of being Hand of the King. He poured himself a hot cup of hippocras and sighed, for it would be a long night of work. Less than an hour into it, however, a serving boy burst into his room.
"Lord Hand!" the boy shouted, panic plastered across his face. "I was told to inform you at once... a red dragon was seen heading up the Blackwater..."
On my first day returning as Hand...
"Seven hells..." grumbled Otto before putting his head in his hands. "Bring this news to all of the other Small Council members, as well as His Grace. Inform them all I am calling an emergency meeting."
The boy rushed out of the room just as quickly as he had entered, and Otto pondered over what to do next.
It is good that we discussed the Braavosi weaponry earlier...
Otto knew that the Braavosi had strong opinions about Prince Daemon (as did most), and the issue of angering the Braavosi may serve as an excuse to banish the Rogue Prince back across the Narrow Sea. All he had to do now was convince the King of the danger of allowing him back to court and pray that he would listen.
The last time Daemon returned from exile, he attempted to despoil the Princess, which began the chain of events leading to my dismissal... I have little hope that he has changed his ways.
Otto made his way down the Tower of the Hand and towards the Small Council chambers. The night was clear, and just a few clouds dotted the sky. The wind, however, was harsh and struck at Otto's face and neck. On his walk to the chambers, he thought of ways of encouraging the King to re-exile Prince Daemon. Doing that, all his past fears and dislikes of Daemon came back to him at once.
At first, during Daemon's terms as Master of Coin and later Master of Laws, he was disruptive, lazy, and only really cared about his role due to the prestige rather than the actual responsibilities. This did not bother Otto that much, since he had occasionally worked with people of similar nature previously. It was only after Otto voiced his concerns to the King, did the dislike begin to fester. During a Small Council meeting, His Grace accidentally mentioned that Otto lobbied for Daemon's removal, and the Rogue Prince, as sensitive as ever, took the request personally.
He still was not removed as Master of Laws, and eventually, for the next few moons, he dedicated the most of his time in Small Council meetings to disagreeing with whatever notion Otto suggested and purposely attending late and disrupting important conversations. What was the breaking point, however, was at the very end of Daemon's term as Master of Laws, and what likely got him finally removed.
The King was still encouraging his younger brother to make amends with Lady Rhea Royce, his bride, following years of being estranged from each other. Daemon would still not have it and gave excuse after excuse as to why he should have been above his duties.
"Lady Rhea is a maiden, is that not what you are known to lust after?" Otto angrily asked, tired of Daemon's incredulity and finally deciding to stoop to the Rogue Prince's level.
"If I wanted a maiden, I would marry your daughter," Daemon scoffed.
Alicent was only seven at the time, barely older than what Jocelyn is now.
It may have been a jape, but Otto did not think so.
Even still, was it truly a jape?
What happened after that was just as clear in Otto's memory. From what the late Grand Maester Runciter told him afterwards, Otto rose to his feet and rounded the table to attack Daemon. Luckily, before he could disgrace himself, the King, as well as Ser Ryam Redwyne of the Kingsgaurd, quickly pulled Otto away from the Rogue Prince. Only then did the King agree to remove Daemon as Master of Laws and appoint Lyonel Strong instead. Otto still would not be free of Daemon's presence, however, since as Lord Commander of the City Watch, he was present in court and even attended Small Council meetings whenever he felt like it.
It would be better for every single person in the realm if Daemon was banished permanently, or worse.
Otto arrived at the Small Council chambers not long after. Nobody was there yet, so Otto waited as patiently as he could. Lyman Beesbury was surprisingly the first to arrive, doddering in and sitting at his seat. Jasper Wylde came next, along with Grand Maester Orwyle. The Queen and Lord Corlys arrived about ten minutes later, and Larys Strong moments after that. The King was the last to arrive, and the second he walked in, Otto stood and commenced with the council.
"What is the bloody meaning of this?" the King moaned. "We had an emergency council meeting earlier; what is the need for another one?"
"My apologies, Your Grace, but the matter was of utmost urgency," Otto said, standing up and exerting his influence as Hand of the King. "As you all are aware, Prince Daemon has returned to King's Landing."
They all looked blankly at him, some due to lack of sleep and others due to apathy.
"Yes... and?" the King replied.
"My King, you exiled Prince Daemon so many years ago, did you not? He should not be allowed to saunter his way back into the city," Otto stated firmly.
"I agree with Ser Otto. The banishment should be upheld," agreed Jasper Wylde.
"Has the Prince not come to the Red Keep's gates yet?" asked Grand Maester Orwyle.
"No, he has not. From what I am aware of, he dismounted from his dragon at the Pit and decided to spend the night in the city, likely in the company of scoundrels and whores and gutter rats," Otto replied. "This proves to our advantage. The moment he tries to enter the castle, we make it clear that he is not welcome."
"Otto..." the King said, confused. "What gave you the impression that I am going to banish my brother?"
"Your Grace, he was exiled, and you have not offered him a pardon. Thus, he is breaking the exile and should be commanded to return east," Otto said, almost too bluntly.
"I did not give you leave to make decisions on my behalf," the King responded, standing up. "Time heals wounds, and I feel that enough time has passed. Upon hearing news of my brother's return, I intend to welcome him back to court."
"I do not think this is a wise decision, Your Grace," said Grand Maester Orwyle softly.
"Neither do I," added Jasper Wylde.
"I am the King; might I remind all of you?" commanded the King, his voice croaking and his arms shaking. "Give me a good reason as to why Prince Daemon should not return, aside from petty dislike?"
"The situation we discussed just earlier this day," responded the Queen.
"It would certainly anger the Braavosi if Daemon is to return to court, and would almost crush the chances of Braavos not taking up arms against us," warned Otto.
"The diplomatic visit that Lord Jason and Lord Beesbury made under a year ago would be for nought," Lord Corlys said. "I do respect Prince Daemon, but his return would certainly complicate matters."
"The solution that was proposed of bribing the Sealord was already set to be an uphill battle... Might I suggest a course of action?"
The King nodded, a scowl upon his face already.
"The Braavosi issue is a valid concern, but I hope your... advice... shall be sound," the King warned.
Otto took a deep breath and looked at the King. "It may not be a savoury suggestion, but in order for our proposed solution to have any hopes of succeeding... I would suggest removing Prince Daemon from the line of succ-"
"No," the King blankly said.
"Your Grace, it would-" Otto pleaded.
"I do not want to hear any more of it," he replied.
"He was already implicitly disinherited all those years ago when you named Rhaenyra your heir," Lord Corlys said.
"The only reason he was not disinherited was because he was your only heir at the time... now, Your Grace, you have four children and even grandchildren," Otto said.
"I said enough!" the King roared. "Daemon is not being disinherited! That is final! I see no reason for this council to continue!"
"What of the Braavosi situation?" demanded the Queen.
"What of it, Laena?" scoffed the King. "You say that the bribes offered shall not be enough... then offer more coin and ships and casks of wine! I will not have my council try and turn me against mine own brother years after I have not seen him!"
"Your Grace, if you are to not banish him, then make his official seat Dragonstone, or somewhere away from King's Landing. His presence here shall offend the Braavosi even more than it already will," Otto suggested.
"Would it?" Jasper Wylde asked. "It's either Daemon is made to return to Essos or not at all. I doubt that half measures shall appease the Sealord."
"Then he is to stay in King's Landing," announced the King. "And all of you, leave before I do something I regret. My brother is home, and though I shall not remain blind to his doings, I still intend to welcome him back to the realm."
When Otto finally returned to his chambers, he sunk back into his seat, head in hands and wine in cup.
His Grace has just made a grave mistake.