King's Landing, The Red Keep – 119 AC
"Your Majesty, Your Grace, Princess Rhaenys is here to see you," Ser Steffon Darklyn announced with a rap on the door of my cousin's chambers, where the King and Queen were enjoying their morning meal.
"Rhaenys? Let her in!" Viserys's voice called out eagerly from inside. With a respectful nod to me, Ser Steffon swung open the door, granting me entry.
As I stepped into the room, I noticed a slight furrow in my cousin's Andal Queen's brow as she rose to her feet to greet me. It was an unspoken rule of court decorum that if the King remained standing, so did everyone else, including the Queen. However, it also states that the King does not stand up or wait for anyone. I shook my head, my cousin never truly learned etiquette as he should, or how to behave as a strong king, which lead us to this meddlesome situation.
"Greetings, your Majesty, your Grace," I acknowledged them with a nod, maintaining the requisite level of respect without stooping to bow before an Andal. As a princess of old Valyria, I will bow to no Andal.
Viserys greeted me with a beaming smile, as he stood up to wrap his arms around me. "Rhaenys! It's wonderful to see you back in King's Landing, we've missed you."
It was true that I've been away from King's Landing for a while. But with Crolys having to remain in the Red Keep to help strengthen our son and his wife's position in court and continue fulfilling his duties as the Master of Ships. Someone had to go back to Driftmark, to keep things under control. Gods know that even with Vaemond away in the Stepstones, there were enough Velaryons coveting the Driftmark Throne as it is. Maybe after seeing me rule the isle with no issue on my own, the whispers about Lucerys' capacity to be the Lady of the Tides will be silenced.
It's been five hard moons, but Crolys and I have been doing excellent work. The Velaryon court they'd brought from Driftmark had settled into the Red Keep quite smoothly, helping keep the Greens' minions and spies at beck. With the bastardy rumors being silenced, and Rhaenyra and Leanor following Crolys advice, the Blacks influence at court has increased, while the Queen's had decreased. It has levelled the playing field and influenced both factions.
All in front of Viserys, who seems completely blind to the political battle between his wife and heir. It left me speechless and wondering if my cousin learned anything in his decades as King of Westeros.
I settled into my seat as Viserys relaxed back into his own, joining the King and Queen at their meal. "What brings you to court?" Queen Alicent inquired, her expression as unreadable as ever.
"My uncle Boremund is aging, and as one of the few remaining lords who remembers my mother, I've been visiting him more frequently," I explained, a touch of sadness coloring my tone. "I hope to learn more about her, as I never had the chance to know her."
Viserys's expression brightened at my words. "Family is indeed important," he chimed in, nodding in agreement. "I'm glad to hear you're reaching out to your mother's house like that."
I fought the urge to roll my eyes at Viserys's sentimentality. Family important? This coming from a man who turned exiling his own brother into a pastime and neglects all but one of his children. He knows nothing of true familial bonds. Glancing discreetly at Queen Alicent, I could sense her discomfort.
If it weren't for her schemes to usurp my grandson's inheritance, I might have felt pity for her. If it weren't for the fact, she wanted to steal the inheritance from my grandson, I might have felt sorry for her. Trapped in a marriage to a man who could very well be her father, used by House Hightower as a breeding mule to put their blood on the throne, her children overlooked in favor of their half-sister—Queen Alicent's life was a tragic tale indeed.
"Right," I sighed softly, the weight of the conversation settling heavily upon me. "And so, after forging a close bond with House Baratheon, my uncle made a request of me. He asked for the honor of hosting my granddaughter and arranging a feast in celebration of her fourth nameday." Keeping my expression gentle and composed, I continued, "You see, my uncle held a deep affection for his sister, and seeing as Lucerys bears such a striking resemblance to my mother, he yearns to spend more time with her."
A profound silence followed my words, but to my surprise, it was not my cousin who broke it, but his wife. "You intend to take Princess Lucerys with you?" Her voice carried a note of concern, catching me off guard.
As I processed her unexpected reaction, realization dawned upon me. Despite Queen Alicent's disdain for Jacaerys and Joffrey, she held only admiration for Lucerys. My granddaughter had formed close friendships with the Queen's children, with Aemond imparting lessons on history, particularly about Old Valyria, and Helaena teaching her High Valyrian. It was not uncommon to find the two princesses sharing giggles and secrets in High Valyrian throughout the halls of the Red Keep.
Even the Queen herself had extended invitations to Lucerys, hosting tea parties in the garden and imparting lessons in embroidery. The bond between the young princess and the Queen's children had evidently touched a chord within Queen Alicent, softening her stance in a way I had not anticipated.
You'd think my granddaughter was another one of the Queen's brood, the way she dotes on her. It's one more reason why I can't bring myself to despise Queen Alicent entirely. After all, someone who loved and took care of my granddaughter like that, could not be all bad. Queen Alicent was but a child, playing an adult's cruel game and being tugged in a different direction. At the end of the day, she did not think of it as a Hightower, or a Green. No, Queen Alicent thought of as a mother, putting her children's safety first and furthermore. And for some reason, the Queen believes her children would be endangered if Rhaenyra were to ascend the throne. It's a concern that weighs heavily on her mind, pushing her to act in ways she might not otherwise consider.
But her worry now isn't solely about Lucerys' well-being. It's about the possibility of my taking her away from the Queen's influence. Everyone knows the Queen has been aiming to match her eldest son with her only daughter, and she's likely hoping for a similar match between Aemond and Lucerys. The thought of me whisking Lucerys off to Storm's End for a few moons doesn't sit well with her—it could disrupt their bond and put a spanner in her carefully laid plans.
Luckily, for her, she had nothing to worry about. As Crolys and I were also hoping for a match between her son and our granddaughter. But I'll keep that tidbit to myself for now. Let her stew in uncertainty for a while longer.
"Yes, and I was thinking of bringing Prince Aemond along," I added, catching them both off guard.
"My son?" Viserys asked, his surprise evident.
It took him a moment to realize who I was referring to, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of frustration. How could he forget his own son's name? I shot a glance at the Queen, who seemed to be restraining herself from giving Viserys a good smack. It was almost amusing to see her display a hint of fire beneath her typically demure exterior.
"Yes, your son," I replied, mustering a polite smile, though I couldn't muster much enthusiasm for Aemond. "I'd hate for Lucerys to be separated from her family completely. I might accompany her, but I won't always be able to be at her side. Besides, House Baratheon has extended an invitation for us to tour the Stormlands with them. It could be a valuable experience for them both."
Viserys nodded in agreement. "Yes, indeed."
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. It shouldn't be this effortless to sway a king. My cousin's gullibility was becoming increasingly exasperating.
"But why Aemond?" The Queen's tone was sharp, tinged with a hint of frustration. I could sense her conflicting emotions—glad that Aemond would be there to keep Lucerys company, yet unhappy about her son being taken away for an extended period.
"Well, Prince Aemond is the closest in age among her uncles here in King's Landing, so Lucerys won't feel lonely," I explained, trying to ease the Queen's concerns. "Joff is still a babe, and Jace is busy with his lessons as Rhaenyra's heir."
"Exactly," Viserys chimed in, nodding in agreement. "Jace has his responsibilities, and Lucerys isn't particularly close to Aegon, while Helaena..." He trailed off, a hint of discomfort flickering across his features.
I noticed the Queen shooting a pointed glare at the King, who remained oblivious to her silent reproach. I couldn't blame her—no father should casually refer to his daughter as "sensitive." Helaena already struggled to find her place in the world, and such remarks from her own father only added to her challenges.
"Aemond is the logical choice, especially considering how close he and Lucerys have become since Arrax hatched and Lucerys claimed Ghost," Viserys continued, a fond smile playing on his lips. "If Lucerys were any older, I'm sure she'd be taking Aemond on flights every day on Ghost!"
I could sense the Queen's internal struggle, caught between her desire to provide opportunities for her son Aemond and the reluctance to let him go. It was evident that she wanted to protest, yet she hesitated, unwilling to deprive Aemond of such a rare chance. After all, my cousin Viserys was hardly one to arrange such adventures for his own sons, and the Queen's influence only stretched so far within the confines of the Red Keep.
The prospect of traveling beyond the familiar walls of King's Landing would undoubtedly be a dream come true for Aemond, offering him the chance to forge a deeper bond with Lucerys. It was a win-win situation for her son, a chance for growth and adventure that couldn't be overlooked.
However, the realization that two of her children would be absent from her side seemed to weigh heavily on the Queen's mind. With Aemond and Lucerys off on their journey, she would be left with just one son and daughter by her side—a thought that undoubtedly stirred up a mix of emotions within her.
"Though I can empathize with the Queen's concerns," I remarked, with fake sympathy. "Having two of her sons gone from home when they are still so young, I cannot start to imagine what she is going through."
Viserys's sudden attention to his wife's plight suggested that perhaps he hadn't fully grasped the extent of her worry. It was as if he'd momentarily forgotten about Daeron, their youngest son, who had been sent away from King's Landing at a mere three name days old. A sad state of affairs for the forgotten prince.
"Perhaps it's time to bring Prince Daeron back to King's Landing," I suggested, breaking the surprised silence that followed. The King and Queen turned to me, their expressions a mix of astonishment and curiosity.
"It wouldn't do well for the Queen to have both her sons absent for too long," I continued, noting the subtle shift in the Queen's demeanor. "And keeping a prince fostering in one place for an extended period might raise eyebrows and invite accusations of favoritism from other noble houses."
As I spoke, I could sense Queen Alicent's suspicion growing, tempered only slightly by a hint of gratitude. She seemed torn, caught between appreciation for my apparent concern and a lingering uncertainty about my motives.
"In addition," I pressed on, "Prince Daeron needs to begin bonding with his dragon, Tessarion, and delve into his House's Valyrian heritage. It wouldn't be prudent for him to continue his education in Old Town, away from the resources and guidance available here."
Viserys's decisive proclamation broke the tension that hung in the air. "Then it's settled," he declared firmly. "Daeron will return to King's Landing, and Aemond will accompany Rhaenys and Lucerys on their journey to Storm's End."
"An excellent decision, Your Majesty," I remarked, offering a deferential bow while concealing a smug satisfaction behind my cup.
Queen Alicent's conflicted expression spoke volumes—gratitude mingled with perplexity, as she struggled to grasp my motivations. It was a delicate balance, one that left her uncertain about where my loyalties truly lay. Just as I had planned.
As I made my way down the hallway outside the King's chambers, lost in my own thoughts, I felt a sudden presence behind me. Turning around, I found myself face to face with Queen Alicent, her expression guarded and probing.
"What was all that about?" she asked, her tone laced with suspicion. I could tell she was trying to unravel the mystery of my conversation with the King and Rhaenys.
Taking a moment to compose myself, I met her gaze with a calm demeanor. "Just ensuring that everyone gets what they want," I replied, keeping my tone neutral.
I leaned against the ornate marble wall, my gaze meeting Alicent's with a steady confidence that belied the uncertainty swirling within. The dimly lit corridor cast shadows across our faces, adding a layer of solemnity to our conversation.
"Your Grace, I understand you have some questions about my recent decisions," I continued, my voice soft but resolute.
Alicent's expression was a mix of curiosity and suspicion as she regarded me. "Yes, I must admit, I'm curious about your sudden interest in fostering a bond between Aemond and Lucerys."
"It's quite simple, really. I believe it's important for our family to come together, especially in times of uncertainty." I told her half-truths, I might plan to turn her to the Black's side but trusting her too much from the start will do me no good.
Alicent's brow furrowed in contemplation. "But why now? What prompted this sudden change of heart?"
I took a moment to gather my thoughts before responding. "Well, for one, I've arranged for Prince Daeron to return home. And as for Aemond accompanying Lucerys to Storm's End, it presents a unique opportunity for them to grow closer."
The flickering torchlight danced across our faces, casting fleeting shadows that mirrored the uncertainty of our conversation. Alicent's eyes narrowed slightly as she considered my words. "I see... It's an interesting proposition."
I sensed a shift in Alicent's demeanor, a subtle thawing of the skepticism that had clouded our interaction. "Indeed," I replied, my tone measured yet hopeful. "I believe it could benefit us all in the long run."
Alicent nodded thoughtfully, her expression thoughtful. "I suppose it's worth considering. Thank you for explaining, Princess Rhaenys."
With a gentle smile, I inclined my head in acknowledgment. "Of course, Your Grace. Family is important to me, and I only want what's best for all of us."
As we parted ways, I couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment, knowing that my actions had set the stage for a brighter future for my family.
