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Chapter Text

She bid her maids leave after Marya had put her waist-length hair in a single thick loose braid over her shoulders. She cocked her head on the side watching her reflection on the golden ornate mirrors. She adjusted the loose neckline of her airy nightgown admiring the details of the lace on her collar. She stood up and the flowy peach material cascade gently downwards. She took the heavy velvet robe of the same color on her padded chaise and put it on. She closed the three buttons on her chest for her modesty then exited her bedchamber and passed her sitting room. She opened one of the double paneled doors and saw Ser Cole looked back at her, startled.

“Princess, is there something you need? Should I call the maids?” he asked as his eyes roamed from her face to her covered chest and down her satin slippers.
She suppressed the feeling of revulsion as his unwanted eyes freely wandered on her body. “I do not want to be disturbed, Ser Cole. Turn anyone who might want to seek me except the King.” She said and closed the door without even hearing the Knights affirmation. She heaved the heavy bolt and secured it in place. She does not care if the dornish can hear her bolt her doors. Then she went back to her bedchamber and felt the cold stone walls of the western wall. She finally felt the uneven panel behind the tapestry that depicts the wedding of King Jaehaerys and Queen Alyssane in Dragonstone. She pushed the one brick that was slightly elevated compared to the others besides it and she felt the lever on the other side give. The hidden wall fell away to reveal Maegor’s secret passageways. She took a torch with her and traversed the hidden passage that only her uncle and, now, her knows about.

It took her almost thirty minutes to find where the King’s rooms are and only because she can hear her father moaning and panting in pleasure. Bile came up her throat and she forced it back down as she looks through the hidden slot. She can see her sweet friend Alicent lying on her back like a log, her legs spread wide to accommodate her father who was pumping at her.
It took only a few minutes for the King to spill his seed and the maids to collect Alicent who stood up with her head bowed in shame but still smiled and kissed her father on the lips. She noted how Ser Lorent Marbrand and the Lord Commander, Ser Ryam Redwyne, did not even flinched as they opened the door and let Alicent out.
The grooms dressed her father in a white sleep wear and put a heavy velvet robe on his shoulders. There were some murmurings, probably the King making sure that all preparations for his wedding tomorrow is in place. She waited for a few minutes after everyone left the King’s room before she pulled the hidden panel and entered her father’s rooms.

“Rhaenyra?! My child where did you come from?” the King looked at her in confusion, looking as the hidden door remained open.

“Uncle Daemon showed me Maegor’s passageways father.” She smiled innocently at him. “I wanted to spend sometime with you before you get a new family tomorrow.”

The King sighed. “You must stop this non-sense, Rhaenyra, I’m not getting a new family, we’re just adding another one to ours.”

She took her father’s cup and went to the side where the pitcher of wine is located and refilled it. She sat down besides her father and handed him the cup.
“And what will happen if she gives birth to a son? Otto will stop at nothing to put his blood on the throne father.”

“That’s your uncle Daemon speaking with your mouth, Rhaenyra. And Otto is more honorable than your uncle!”

“I just find it curious father, how every time a Targaryen dies, the Hightowers climbs another ring on the ladders going to the throne.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Do you not find it strange that your own father, Prince Baelon, who was strong and robust suddenly finds himself dead of a burst belly which paved the way for Otto Hightower to be named hand on his place?”

“You are grasping, Princess, the Grand Maester examined my father thoroughly—”

“The same Grand Maester who told you to gut my mother like a fish but find himself unable to save the babe he killed my mother for?” she asked sharply, she saw the King reach for his wine with shaking hands. “It’s another coincidence then that your dear friend Ser Otto sent his daughter to your bed the same night my mother and brother was burned? Tell me father, can you tell if the blood on the sheet was Alicent’s maidenhead or my mother’s life blood?”

“Rhaenyra, please—”

“Two Targaryen’s dead, two Hightowers elevated.” She continued as if the King was not hyperventilating in front of her. “They will kill me next father, once you gave her a son. Then they will come for you.”

She can see tears on the sides of her father’s eyes as he tries hard to breathe. “But maybe it was true that you had my mother killed so you can finally get Alicent on your bed. Did she serve you while my mother was still alive? Like she served King Jaehaerys when she was just a child?”

“T-t-those are vile acc-accusa—”

She took her father’s hand on her own. “Don’t worry father, I will take care of her and any bastard she may carry. Your Royal Whore will have my protection even after I burn you and inter your ashes in Dragonstone.”

She can see the shock on his eyes as he looks at the wine in front of him then back at her. “W-why… w-hy would…”

“It’s a slow acting poison, it paralyzes the lungs, feels it with water until you die after hours of suffering. It’s only what you deserved after what you did to my poor Lady Mother.” She whispered to him. “I got it from one of the Essosi merchants that visited our port a few moons ago. Don’t worry I was in disguise and he did not recognize me.”

“Rhae—rhaenyra, d-don’t…h-help…”

“You will have a grand funeral father. I made sure all the Lords and Lady Paramounts are here, all the Great and Major Houses of the Realm will be present to mourn you. There will be a procession from the Red Keep to the Dragonpit where Syrax will burn you in the tradition of our house. I will keep the tragic Lady Alicent Hightower besides me, the girl who thinks she can bed her way to the throne.” She giggled as she patted her father’s hands. She put him on a reclining position to make sure he will not fall and alert the Kingsguards outside. She kneeled near his head and whispered. “You would have doomed us all. I am saving the Seven Kingdoms from a weak and pathetic King who ruled on the strings of Otto Hightowers. I will see you in the Seven Hells father, where all kinslayers go.” She kissed him one last time on her cheek and left him there. The merchant said it will take hours for someone to succumb to death but given how frail her father’s body has always been he might die before she got back inside her own rooms.

Chapter Text

Rhaenys POV

She sat regally and confidently on the highbacked chair and watch as the rest of the Small Council enters the Chamber. She can see the grimace on Otto Hightower’s face as she sat on the immediate right of the Queen’s Chair. The snake tried his hardest to be given regency over the remaining two years of Queen Rhaenyra’s minority but the Lord Paramounts were firm in installing the two remaining senior Targaryens as the Regents. The Lord Paramounts were not happy about how Viserys and his Hand were running the Kingdom. The North and the Vale were practically ignored, all their ravens answered with platitudes and no real offer of solutions to their problems. In the Riverlands, blood had already been shed again between the Blackwoods and the Brackens but the Crown was deaf to Lord Tully’s call for assistance. The Tyrells had long been stewing in bitterness over the Hightower’s over-reaching, the Stormland did what she told them to do as there are her kin and the Westernland went towards the most popular opinion.

Otto Hightower tried to insinuate that she will try to take the throne herself because she was still bitter over being passed over during the Council of 101 and tried to discredit Daemon and paint him as the Cruel come again. He may have been able to easily manipulate her weak-willed cousin, Viserys, but the Lord Paramounts can see how he tries to scramble and hold on the flimsy power he has now.

She stood up as the new crowned Queen entered followed by Lady Alicent Hightower whose black mourning gown looks big enough to swallow her. Queen Rhaenyra smiled at her as she gave her a small curtsey. The Lady Paramount of the Vale was insistent that Queen Rhaenyra would be given leave to full accounting of what is happening on the Seven Kingdoms and be present on every Small Council meeting as preparation when she comes of age in two years. She agrees. She does not want to have another Viserys on the Throne.

The Queen bade everyone sit, only Lady Alicent remained standing besides her.

“I’m sorry, my Queen, but why is my daughter present? This is to be the first Small Council Meeting since your ascension.”

“Yes Lord Hand but Lady Alicent has an important news she wants to share with us.”

She looked at the shaking girl and wanted to snap at her to hurry up.

“I-I am.. I am p-pregnant…”

Absolute chaos ensues, she looked at Ser Otto, there was no surprise in his eyes but he looked extremely angry that it was divulged to the Small Council. Did he want it to remain a secret? Why? So that he can raise the child to challenge Queen Rhaenyra in the future? She looked back at the Queen who was looking at everyone with an obvious glint of delight in her lilac eyes. She sighed in exasperation. So, this is the reason why Viserys always said that Rhaenyra and Daemon have too much blood of the dragon. They both thrive on chaos.

“My Lords, please.” The Queen tried to calm everyone but it took Ser Ryam hitting the pummel of his sword on the wall for everyone to be silent.

“Even if it will be a bastard…” she saw Lady Alicent’s head turned to the Queen so sharply it looks like someone had slapped her. “…the babe in Lady Alicent’s belly is still a part of my father. The last part of my father left in this world. I would have my sibling be raised in the Keep.”

“My Queen, please, a Royal bastard being raised alongside your future children? It is unseemly, the greatest affront to propriety and against the teachings of the Seven!” Lord Beesbury was frothing at the mouth. She’s afraid this might be the thing that will kill the old man.

Lord Strong was grimacing so hard trying not to look at the Lady Alicent standing besides his Queen. “Are we sure it is the King’s seed?” he asked.

This time it was Ser Otto who was shouting vitriol to the man. Tyland Lannister’s eyes were so wide, he probably cannot believe that his honored fellow councilmen are bickering like children over a bastard child.

“My Lords.” She said loudly, her voice strong. “I don’t understand why we need to bicker over a bastard child. If the Queen wants Lady Alicent to stay in the Keep, it is her discretion. Lady Alicent’s father does not have a Keep of his own and she will only rely on her relative’s good graces if she leaves. Let her keep the child here. It is of no consequence.”

The Queen looked at her thankfully and dismissed Lady Alicent who curtsied shakily at them.

“With that over with, Ser Otto.” The Queen said excitedly. “I thank you for the years you had served the crown and the comfort of friendship you have given my father. But I find that your goals do not align with the Crown anymore, if you can surrender the Hand of the King’s pin, please.”

“I don’t—my Queen, I had only served your father loyally—”

“And you have my sincerest gratitude, Ser Otto, but I am not comfortable working with the man who told his maidenly daughter to climb on my grieving father’s bed on the night we put my mother and brother to the pyre. Or is there something wrong with what Alicent told me? Should we call her back?”

The older man was so red he looked like his head will burst any minute. Ser Ryam had to remove the pin from the man’s doublet and gave it to the Queen.

“You have regents for a reason, my Queen—you are still young and it might cloud your judgement—”

“As Regent, I agree with the Queen’s decision.” She said. She does not know why the man looked at her in shock. Surely, he knows his blatant slander of her character during the deliberation for Regent did not endear him to her.

The Queen smiled at her gratefully. “There’s a horse waiting for you on the Outer Courtyard, Ser Otto, along with your sons and guards. You will ride immediately back to Old Town. Your personal belongings will be sent to you by ship. I’m sure your brother, Lord Hightower, can find you a post where you can use your brilliant administration skills to good work.” The Queen said and looked at Lord Strong. “I hope you will accept the Office of the Hand, my Lord. I know that you are impartial and honorable. I’m aware that you also have links from the Citadel?” she said clearly dismissing the Hightower.

Lord Strong took the pin, looking uneasily at the previous Hand whose mouth was open wide like a fish. The Lord Commander had to pull the man out and practically throw him out the Small Council Chambers.

“Yes, my Queen.” Lord Strong said. “I have six links I earned from the Citadel. I thank you for trusting me with this esteemed position. You honor me so.”
Queen Rhaenyra smiled fondly at the man and then looked at her. “Cousin, do you think Lord Boremund will accept the Office of the Master of Law?”

She smiled at her for the first time since the meeting had started. “A good choice, Your Grace, there is no man who is as unbending as my uncle Boremund. I will send him a raven.”

The young Queen nodded at her then looked at the Grand Maester sharply. “You will go back to the Citadel, Maester Runciter. I cannot look at you without picturing how you butchered my mother.”

The man bowed his head in shame and removed himself from the room.

“Maester Gerardys arrived from Dragonstone last night, he will take care of everything in the Rookery for the meantime. Tell the Citadel I want them to choose a new Grand Maester, one not connected to the Hightowers. And Maesters specializing in Economy, Sums and Money, History and Foreign Policy. Each.”

“So many?” she asked.

“My father never furthered my education even after I was named Heir.” the Queen said, bitterness evident in her voice. “I need tutors, I only have two years to learn. I need all the help I can get.” She said.

“Very good, Your Grace.” This slip of a girl of four and ten is already better than her weak cousin.

Chapter Text

Rhaenyra POV

“Thank you for accepting my invitation for a private meeting, my Lords, Princess Rhaenys.” She said as the Lord and Lady of Driftmark sat in front of her enormous ironwood table.

“Thank you for having us, my Queen. Am I right to believe that this is about my betrothal proposal between you and my son and Heir, Laenor?” Lord Corlys said, obviously pleased. Her cousin Laenor smiled forcefully at her.

“That’s correct, my Lord. My advisers told me that Ser Laenor is the best candidate for Consort. He’s a war veteran, a Valyrian, a dragon rider and has the might of House Velaryon at his back.” She said as she looked at her cousin who was clearly uncomfortable as she lists all his achievements. “Tell me, cousin Leanor, can you give me an Heir?”

He looked at her, his violet eyes wide, his hands shaking.

“Of course, Your Grace, my son will do his duty.” Lord Corlys puffed his chest.

“I am asking, Ser Leanor. Will you be able to give me a legitimate Heir?” she insisted.

“Your Grace, are you questioning my son’s ability?” Lord Corlys asked, offended.

“Lord Corlys, I am the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, I have an army of little birds who sings and whispers to me. I know things. I already have a bastard brother who have the backing of the Hightowers, I do not need a succession crisis. So, I asked you again, Ser Laenor, can you give me an Heir?”

Leanor just bowed his head in defeat. Lord Corlys continued to protest while she stared at Princess Rhaenys. The regency will end on her name day, not once had Daemon deigned to visit the capital too busy fighting his war. And now that it was done, he was too busy building fortifications in the Stepstones. It was Princess Rhaenys who guided and taught her how to play the game of thrones. She hates putting her on the spot. 

“If we can show you a babe of Leanor’s seed, will that be enough?” Rhaenys asked her.

She sighed in relief. “Yes, it needs to be Laenor’s. No one else’s. Not his father’s, not his uncles. Laenor’s.” she said.

“I don’t have a child yet.” Laenor said confused.

“You’re going to make one. We can find a daughter of a minor Lord in Driftmark or even a maid…” Rhaenys said.

“No, you will go to Alicent.” She said.

“Your Grace!” Rhaenys looks horrified.

She raised her eyebrows at her. “She’s already proven to have the capability to bear a healthy child of Valyrian descent. She will do.”

Princess Rhaenys stood up and stormed out of her solar.

She shook her head, Targaryens are so dramatic.

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She has not even changed her clothes and finished her breakfast when an angry Alicent came inside her Solar after being announced by Ser Lorent.

“Rhaenyra, my Queen! Please tell me there has been a serious mistake!” she cried.

She finished the report she’s been reading before looking up at her former friend, her hands were shaking, her eyes shining with barely concealed fury.

“You’ll have to be very specific Alicent.” She said putting the report next to a plate of soft bread lathered with a generous helping of butter with garlic.

She can see Alicent trying her best to keep calm.

“Ser Laenor… he went into my room yesterday and said—he said—oh I can’t say it! It’s immoral, it’s an insult to the teachings of the Seven.” She said, tears falling down her face.

“Cease your crying, Alicent, it makes your face very red and ugly.” She snapped that made the Hightowers eyes bulge in shock. “And you have a three year old bastard sleeping in your rooms, stop using the Seven for your convenience. No Septon or Septa had agreed to meet you for the past years for a reason.”

“I—I… Rhaenyra, sister, please!” the woman had the audacity to take her hand and hold it tightly.

She snatched her hands violently and pushed her away. “Don’t make me laugh, Alicent, what sister? You would have been step-mother if my father did not die in his sleep the night before your wedding.” She sneered at her. “Do you think you could stay here for free? To have the best dresses, the best foods and maids and guards to serve you for nothing?” she asked mockingly. “You are the Royal Whore, Alicent, you will serve anyone I bid you to.” She rolled her eyes as her former friend dramatically collapse on the ground, crying. “You will accept Ser Laenor into your bed and bear another bastard if he can or I will send you back to Old Town on your foot and feed your son to the dogs. Now get out of my sight.”

She called for the Head Maid and bid them get Alicent back to the Maiden Vault discreetly. She saw Marya put a hood over Alicent’s head before hurrying her outside.

Impudent little bitch doesn’t know her place.

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A month after, Lord Corlys formally withdrew his private proposal, he went back to Driftmark with a visibly relieved, if not thoroughly chastised, Laenor in tow. Princess Rhaenys stayed in King’s Landing as Hand of the Queen, Lord Strong had to go back to Harrenhal where his second son, Larys, died in a fire.

Instead of the typical Hand of the King pin, she gave her the Valyrian steel made pin that has a curled dragon instead of the typical circle. It’s a pin meant for a Targaryen Hand. Princess Rhaenys was pleased. Lady Laena stayed in King’s landing as the Queen’s Chief Lady-in-Waiting.

She had assigned Ser Criston Cole to be Aegon’s guards. The maids had told her about the sweet way Lady Alicent had taken to his presence. She can also see the heat of desire from Ser Criston's eyes turned from her to her former friend. She smiled to herself. It seems another one of her problems might solve itself. Even if it took a years for something to happen.