Chapter Text
132 a.c
King Viserys health was not something people liked talking about, but they did whisper. The king rarely left his chambers, a walking corpse, they said. Perhaps he was scared of frightening the little children that lived in the Red Keep.
- Who goes there? - the voice called.
- Father. It 's me, my King. Rhaenyra.
- Oh!
- I’m here with Aegon.
- Aegon? Aegon. Let me look at you boy! I feel like I haven't seen you in ages, you visit your mother, but never make time for your old grandsire!
- It hasn’t been that long. - Aegon said, his voice weak, noticing the King’s state. - Only four years for us two. Dragonstone and Sunspear are already too time consuming, I didn't want to bore you with any of that.
- Father. - Rhaenyra said. - There is a petition to decide upon the succession of Driftmark and the heir to the Driftwood throne.
- Petition?
- You are to affirm your position for Baela to be Corlys’ successor.
Someone had opened the door now, and Viserys could hear children.
- Grandfather… There's someone I wish to introduce you to. - Aegon spoke with relief. The princess had a smile on her face when heading to the nursemaid.
- Father, you remember Daeron, the younger! - Rhaenyra stepped out of the way so her father could take a look at the child in Aegon’s arms, a little boy of four name day, all Targaryen.
- Daeron. I remember how smug my grandson looked when you announced his name. - The King laughed.
- And this… is Aemma Nymeros. - The baby girl in Rhaenyra’s arm turned to face the King in his bed. She was a carbon copy of her mother, for that Aegon was grateful, but he took pride every time he looked at her and saw his own eyes, his mother’s eyes, his grandmother’s eyes.
- Ah! Aemma! Now that is a name fit for a Queen.
He sure was right, but Aegon was certain he saw his mother’s eyes darken a bit when looking at the King. When he and the children left, his mother stayed behind with the King already asleep. And for the first time since Driftmark, Rhaenyra gave her father one last chance of standing by her, of being her family again, and the King complied.
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As for today, Vaemond Velaryon had called a meeting with the king to address the succession of Driftmark. Lord Corlys health was deteriorating, and long ago had named his oldest granddaughter, Baela, his heir. His brother thought it unfair, he had a male successor, he just simply ignored it.
The audience was a suggestion of the Queen.
Prince Aemond had called upon his brothers, in order to support their step-sister. Prince Aegon and his wife and children had returned from their home in Dragonstone. Princess Helaena had made the trip by dragonback, bringing her twins, Rickon and Sarra Stark, with her, beautiful children of almost two years old. The woman refused to ever be separated from them. Daeron, their daring prince, would arrive too late with his betrothed, the girl’s father worried about them traveling all alone.
The throne room’s light seemed to have been separated, shining in two sections. On one side, Crown Princess Rhaenyra stood with her husband, their oldest children, princess Aliandra and princess Rhaenys, all holding their heads high. The other side was occupied by Queen consort Alicent, with her three boys and her own father, Larys Strong was with them, and Vaemond Velaryon to no one’s surprise.
It would be a quick affair, had the King showed up that was. And in his absence, Otto Hightower would direct the meeting. It did not matter how much his daughter showed her worries, it was all useless, Viserys was weak, a weak man, and a weak king. Daemon understood his wife’s disappointment, but unlike her, he had learned to deal with Viserys’ incompetence long ago.
As Vaemond made his statement, Daemon looked to his eldest daughter, head high, no fear.
- So the girl will marry Lord of Casterly Rock, and then? The Velaryons will be erased by the prince’s Lannister blood and name!
It was when it was heard. .
- King Viserys of house Targaryen, the first of his name, King of the Andals, and the Rhoynar, and the first men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm.
- I will sit the throne today! - Princess Helaena helped her grandsire on his way to the throne.
-The only one present who might offer keener insight into Lord Corlys’s wishes is the princess Rhaenys
.
- Indeed, your grace.
- It was my husband’s will that Driftmark pass through Laena’s first child… Baela Targaryen. His mind never changed. Nor did my support of him. As a matter of fact, my granddaughter and Prince Aemond have informed me of their desire to break their betrothal. Prince Aemond instead wishes to marry for love, he wishes to marry my granddaughter, Rhaena. - The Lady in question stood with a smile on her face while looking at her prince. - Prince Daemon grants his daughters the choice. And Baela will carry the legacy of our name with her, it does not matter who she choses to take as husband.
The talk around the room erupted, Alicent Hightower looked disgusted.
- Well, the matter is settled. I hereby reaffirm Lady Baela of house Targaryen and Velaryon as heir to Driftmark, the Driftwood throne, and the next Lady of the Tides.
- You break law… and centuries of tradition to install your daughter as heir. Yet you dare to tell me who deserves to inherit the name Velaryon. No! I will not allow it.
- Allow it? Do not forget yourself, Vaemond.
- Her children would be no true Velaryon. You may run your house as you see fit, but you will not decide the future of mine. I will not see it end on account of this.
- Say it.
- This is breaking years of tradition in order to accommodate that whore!
- I will have your tongue for this. - The King responded.
Everyone present gasped when Vaemond’s head detached from his body, Aemond Targaryen stood proudly while looking at the corpse.
- He can keep his tongue.
No one dared to question anything afterwards.