King's Landing, The Red Keep – 123 AC
This year has been nothing short of a nightmare for me. First off, Rhaenyra and Laenor's Royal Progress seemed to be going off without a hitch. Everywhere they went, they managed to charm the lords and ladies, winning them over to their cause. It was like a slap in the face to see so many rallying to their banner, while we struggled to maintain our own support.
The Riverlands, once a stronghold of neutrality, now seemed firmly in the Blacks' grasp. I couldn't believe it when my father told me the news. It was like a punch to the gut, knowing that so many Houses had pledged their allegiance to Rhaenyra and Laenor. How they managed to sway House Tully, of all houses, to their side was beyond me, and it gnawed at me like a festering wound.
I couldn't shake the feeling of frustration and helplessness that consumed me. It seemed like no matter what we did, the Blacks always managed to come out on top. Their success only served to highlight our own failures, and it felt like we were fighting a losing battle. As I stewed in my thoughts, I couldn't help but feel a sense of desperation creeping in. We needed to turn the tide, to regain the upper hand before it was too late. But with each passing day, it seemed like our chances slipped further and further away.
I knew that we couldn't afford to let our emotions get the best of us, but it was hard not to feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of the situation. On top of everything else, the pressure from my family in Old Town was starting to weigh on me like a lead weight. At first, they had been nothing but proud of me, boasting about my accomplishments in King's Landing. After all, I had given birth to four healthy, pure Targaryen-looking children for the king, three of them sons! It was a feat that few could match, and it had brought honor and prestige to our family name.
Not only that, but I had also used my influence to spread our family's wealth and power throughout King's Landing. By donating generously to the Faith for their charitable work, I had ingratiated myself with the influential figures of the city, further solidifying our position at court.
But perhaps my most significant achievement had been in spreading the truth about Rhaenyra. For too long, she had hidden behind a facade of innocence, while her true nature remained hidden from the court. But I was determined to expose her for the wanton whore that she truly was, to reveal her sons as nothing more than bastards born of lust and deceit.
Yet despite my best efforts, control of the Red Keep had slipped through my fingers and fallen into the hands of the Blacks. It was a bitter pill to swallow, knowing that our enemies now held sway over the very heart of our power. I couldn't help but feel a sense of frustration and resentment building within me. I had done everything in my power to secure my family's position, to ensure our legacy endured for generations to come. And yet, it seemed like all my efforts had been for naught, as our enemies continued to gain ground at every turn.
With each passing day, it felt like the world was crumbling around me, and I was powerless to stop it. Larys's death had brought a sense of relief, but it had also robbed me of my most valuable source of information. Without him, I felt adrift, like a ship without a compass, lost in a sea of uncertainty. Even my influence in King's Landing as a whole was diminishing, as Rhaenyra's charities were more popular than mines. Then again that whore didn't do a single thing other than throw coin towards the charities that her mother had painstakingly worked hard on.
And then there was Daemon, that vile beast, who had murdered Mellos in cold blood and replaced him with a maester loyal only to him. The Small Council, once a bastion of loyalty to the Greens' cause, was now a shadow of its former self, with only Lord Jasper Wylde remaining steadfast in his support.
To make matters worse, news of my brother's death in Flea Bottom had reached my ears, a cruel blow that left me reeling with grief. And then, just as I was struggling to come to terms with his loss, my father was once again sent away from court, leaving me feeling more alone than ever before. I only had my sword shield by my side, as my loyal companion and confidant.
In the midst of it all, I couldn't help but feel a sense of despair creeping in. It was as if the very foundations of my world were crumbling beneath me, leaving me with nothing but uncertainty and fear. I had never felt more alone in the Red Keep, not even during the early days of my marriage when I still harbored feelings of friendship towards Rhaenyra.
As if everything else wasn't hard enough, dealing with my own children had become a daily struggle. Aegon, my firstborn, had turned into nothing but trouble. He was skipping his training and lessons, spending his days drunk and carousing on the Street of Silk or recklessly flying around on that beast of his, Sunfyre. It was enough to make my blood boil with frustration.
And then there was Helaena, my sweet daughter. She was so fragile, so easily swayed by her emotions, and it left me at my wit's end trying to keep her steady. Her hysterics were becoming more frequent, more intense, and I felt like I was walking on eggshells around her, never knowing what might set her off.
But perhaps the most worrying of all was Aemond, my loyal son, my rock. The year without Lucerys had left him destabilized, his once calm and dutiful demeanor giving way to violence and ferocity. It was like watching a shadow of Daemon emerge in him, and it terrified me to my core. The thought that my own son could become like that monster sent shivers down my spine.
For now, only Daeron seemed to be behaving himself, but even he seemed subdued, his usual bright demeanor dimmed by the absence of Rhaenyra's children. It was clear that he missed his cousins, missed the camaraderie they shared, and it pained me to see him so downcast- even if it was because of the absence of bastards.
As I watched my children struggle with their own demons, I couldn't help but feel a sense of helplessness wash over me. I had always prided myself on being a strong and capable mother, but now I felt like I was failing them, unable to protect them from the dangers that lurked in the world around us. But despite the challenges we faced, I knew that I couldn't give up hope. My children were my greatest treasures, my reason for living, and I would do whatever it took to ensure their safety and happiness. Even if it meant facing my own fears and confronting the demons that haunted us all.
The turmoil within my own family was enough to drive me to the brink of despair. I had tried to discuss the possibility of a betrothal between Aegon and Helaena, despite my reservations about an incestuous marriage that went against my religious beliefs. But I knew that it was necessary for securing Aegon's position as the future King of Westeros. However, Viserys had outright refused, insisting instead on betrothing Helaena to Jacaerys. The very thought of my precious daughter marrying a bastard like Jacaerys made my blood boil with rage.
And as if that wasn't enough, rumors began circulating about a potential betrothal between Oscar Tully and Lucerys Velaryon. The mere thought of Lucerys, my beloved future good-daughter, being betrothed to another filled me with dread, and Aemond's mood only worsened as the whispers grew louder. It was clear that he was deeply troubled by the prospect, and it broke my heart to see him in such pain.
Desperate to find a solution, I visited my husband that night, determined to put an end to the rumor mill. I suggested the idea of a betrothal between Aemond and Lucerys, And much to my relief, Viserys agreed. In that moment, a weight lifted off my shoulders, and I felt a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos.
Despite the chaos and uncertainty swirling around me, my small victory filled me with a sense of relief and even brought a genuine smile to my face. As I found myself amidst yet another lavish banquet in honor of Rhaenyra Targaryen's return to the Red Keep, I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction at the knowledge that my family was one step closer to finding peace.
Viserys, ever the gracious host, had spared no expense in celebrating Rhaenyra's homecoming. The banquet hall was adorned with opulent decorations, the air filled with the sound of laughter and music, as guests from far and wide gathered to pay homage to the crown princess. Lord Lyman Beesbury, in particular, seemed to be moved to tears at the sight of such extravagance, his lamentations over the state of the crown's coffers echoing through the hall. But for Viserys, no expense was too great when it came to celebrating his precious daughter's return.
As I mingled with the other guests, exchanging pleasantries and indulging in the sumptuous feast laid out before us, I couldn't help but feel a sense of irony at the situation. My small victory may have been just that – small – but it was a glimmer of hope in an otherwise uncertain world.
For this grand occasion, I decided to indulge Aemond by allowing him to wear something other than his usual green attire. And I must admit, he looked quite striking in his silver and purple garment, a departure from his usual somber demeanor. It brought a small sense of pride to see him standing tall and confident, a rare smile gracing his lips.
As the evening reached its zenith, King Viserys himself rose from his seat, commanding the attention of all present. With a voice that resonated throughout the hall, he made the long-awaited announcement.
"My lords and ladies, esteemed guests," he began, his voice ringing clear and authoritative. "It is with great pleasure that I announce the betrothal of my second son, Prince Aemond Targaryen, to my granddaughter, Princess Lucerys Velaryon."
The room erupted into applause, the sound echoing off the walls as the assembled guests cheered their approval. But for me, the true victory came in the form of the look of pure hatred and fury that flashed across Rhaenyra's face as she turned towards me. It was a moment of sweet vindication, a silent acknowledgment of the power shift that had taken place.
And as I raised my glass in a cheeky salute towards her, I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction wash over me. This was my moment, my triumph in the face of adversity. And with Aemond's future secured, I knew that there was nothing that could stand in our way.
In that moment, surrounded by the warmth and laughter of the banquet hall, I allowed myself to revel in the feeling of victory. It may have been a small triumph in the grand scheme of things, but it felt like a monumental achievement. For too long, Rhaenyra had held sway over the court, her influence casting a shadow over our family's ambitions. But now, it was my turn to have the upper hand, to assert my family's dominance and secure our place in the realm.
I glanced over at Aemond, the beaming smile on his face filled me with pride. He had faced so much hardship as a second son, and yet here he stood, a symbol of strength and resilience. Yes, I had done good, I had secured a bright future for my son, one filled with love and happiness.
