Chapter Text
Prologue
Six years have passed since the tragic death of Laenor Velaryon, the lord husband of Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, the heir to the Iron Throne. The official account claimed he had met his end in a fiery demise on Driftmark, though doubts lingered. Dragonstone had emerged as Rhaenyra’s sanctuary, a haven of rugged beauty with its sandy coastline and formidable cliffs. Safeguarded from the machinations and whispers of King’s Landing, where the Queen’s presence loomed incessantly, Rhaenyra found solace with her sons; Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey.
For the last six years since Laenor’s death, Rhaenyra remained unmarried. The burden of being pressured to remarry weighed heavily upon her thoughts. She was fully aware that the King and Queen, along with the rest of the court, were discreetly exerting pressure on her to find a new partner in matrimony. However, Rhaenyra adamantly refused to entertain such notions, ignoring all ravens and letters from the Red Keep.
Chapter 1
The Red Keep
The King’s apartments were always kept spotless by his loyal servants. They often made their rounds a couple hours after dawn, when the King would get his breakfast in the royal dining chamber. A small legion of cleaners would enter the bedroom, a pair to make the King’s bed, a pair sweeping the floor, and a pair carefully dusting the shelves, bookcases, tables, chairs, and furniture around the room. They would clean the large clay model of Old Valyria last, fearful of mishandling or damaging the King’s work, and his favorite pastime.
The King had a routine of enjoying his morning breakfast with his second daughter, Princess Helaena. Due to his declining health, he required assistance in walking to the dining chamber. At his left side, the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard Harrold Westerling stood steadfast, holding his forearm firmly, guiding him to his seat. Affixed on the right side of the King’s face was a golden half-mask, and upon seeing his beloved daughter, Viserys’ weary smile would immediately form on his lips.
Princess Helaena stood from her seat to greet her father, giving him a gentle kiss on his cheek. Her soft voice carried a sweet greeting,
“Good morning, father.” Viserys’ labored breaths filled the air as he exhaled deeply, his touch gentle upon Helaena’s hand. He slumped into his chair, and within moments, two servants entered the room, placing platters of food before the King and princess.
“Your grace,” greeted the first servant, an older woman, “good morning to you, and to you, my Princess.” she smiled at Helaena, and Helaena smiled kindly back. “This morning, we have a slow-cooked venison pie, fresh lemon and lime water from Dorne, and tart scones if you are still hungry.” Viserys looked down, he was given just a small slice of the pie. The crust was lightly browned, and some chunks of cooked venison spilled from the side.
“Thank you,” nodded Viserys in a quiet voice. The servants bowed their heads, and left the dining hall to let the King and his daughter eat.
“Where is your mother, will she be joining us?” asked Viserys curiously.
“Perhaps in her quarters, still.” answered Helaena delicately, her tone indifferent as she took a bite of the pie with her fork, “I rarely see her most mornings. But I do think Aegon will be coming soon.” Viserys looked at his daughter, taken aback.
“Aegon?” he muttered, appearing confused.
“Yes.” Helaena eyed her father, he seemed a bit lost. Before either of the two could say anything else, Prince Aegon entered the room with a cheery demeanor.
“Good morning, family.” he said, with his arms wide open. Helaena rolled her eyes and continued eating her meal. Viserys looked up and smiled at his son. Aegon took a seat at Viserys’s right side, across from Helaena. “What are we breaking fast with?” he tapped his fingers on the wooden table, looking at Helaena and Viserys’ plates.
Viserys put down his fork and opened his mouth to speak, but froze for a moment. The two children looked at their father, and then eyed one another quickly.
“Venison pie.” answered Helaena. Within moments, a servant entered the room with a plate for the Prince.
“Hm, venison, again.” muttered the Prince.
“Where is your brother?” spoke up the King.
“Haven’t the faintest idea.” said Aegon, beginning to devour his food quickly.
“I have to speak to all of you.” said Viserys, “Ser Harrold,” the King’s Lord Commander of the Kingsguard stepped forward from the side of the long hall,
“Yes, your grace?”
“Please fetch the Queen, and the Prince.”
Ser Harold then looked at two other Kingsguard knights in the dining hall who also overheard the orders, and nodded to them. The two knights then left the room to retrieve the Queen and Prince.
The Queen’s chambers were consistently protected by at least two members of the Kingsguard, standing outside her apartment. More often than not, these were younger knights, inexperienced and freshly trained. For the Queen consort of the Seven Kingdoms, threats within the safety of her home were rare. It was King Viserys, as the ruler of the Realm, who truly required constant safeguarding.
Queen Alicent of House Hightower stood facing the arch windows of her bedroom, looking outside at the cityscape far below her elevated room. She stood still as behind her, Criston Cole, slowly fasted the back knots of her deep green gown. The two were alone in the Queen’s bedchamber. Criston Cole, a member of the Kingsguard himself, was sworn to serve and protect the Queen at all times. Over the years since her marriage to Viserys, a bond had formed between them, growing stronger with each passing day.
Criston’s fingers delicately tied together the opening of the Queen’s gown, his fingers just inches away from her smooth, bare skin. Unable to resist the temptation, his eyes lingered on her shoulders that were exposed by the low-cut gown, his desire to touch her growing stronger with each passing second.
“Much longer?” questioned the Queen, impatiently.
“No.” Criston replied succinctly, stepping back from the Queen, having completed the final knot. Alicent turned around to face him with a stern expression.
“The guards will surely wonder about the duration of your stay here,” she stated coldly. Criston took a step towards her and looked down at her. Their deep brown eyes locked onto each other.
“Serving my Queen,” Criston murmured. Alicent’s eyes widened subtly, her hand came to rest up on his chestplate, holding him at bay as he attempted to lean in for a kiss.
There was a knock at the door, and Alicent pushed Criston back, walking towards the door.
“Enter.” she said. One of her knights entered the room, Ser Edward,
“Your grace,” he bowed his head, “You have been summoned by the King, to the dining chamber.”
“What for?” she let out a weary sigh.
“He did not specify why, your grace.”
Alicent, her irritation apparent, briskly walked past Ser Edward, with Criston close behind in tow. Criston paused and thanked the young knight as they left the room, making their way to the dining chamber to meet the King.
Queen Alicent stepped into the dining chamber to find the rest of her family already assembled. The King sat at the head of the table, with Helaena a seat down to his left, and Aegon and Aemond to his right. An open seat lay waiting for Alicent on the King’s left, and when she entered, Viserys smiled kindly. Alicent moved towards the seat and sat down.
“Good morning, your grace.” said Alicent flatly to her husband, offering a performative kiss on his cheek as she sat beside him. “I was informed we were needed urgently,” she said, her voice slightly concerned.
Viserys sighed and looked around the table, his eyes lingering between Aemond and Helaena, who were listening intently, while Aegon seemed more preoccupied in his own thoughts. He began,
“I miss my eldest daughter,” lamenting, “It has been almost a year since I’ve seen her, yet she is merely across the bay.” he then declared, “I will instruct Rhaenyra to return to King’s Landing.” Alicent’s eyes moved quickly, darting from Aegon to Aemond, her confusion mounting.
“What for, husband?” blurted Alicent, “The Princess seems to be content on her little island.”
“I have given it much thought over the last few years, since the death of Laenor… and Rhaenyra shall be wedded to Aegon.” Viserys said. Alicent’s heart sunk to the pit of her stomach, she felt sick. Aegon was suddenly attentive and alert,
“What?”
“You heard me, boy.” said Viserys strictly. Frustration laced over Alicent’s voice as she responded,
“What has provoked this?”
“I worry for my daughter’s future,” Viserys began to explain calmly, “I fear how the Realm will react when she ascends to the throne as ruling Queen. Therefore, Aegon shall become King Consort.” Alicent took a deep breath and lowered her face, sinking into her hands. She shook her head slightly in disbelief. Aegon’s eyes widened,
“King?” he muttered confusedly.
“Consort.” clarified Aemond, as he sat still as a statue in his seat.
“Aye.” nodded Viserys, “You will serve Rhaenyra as her husband, as she will be the Queen.”
“She is my sister…” muttered Aegon.
“We must keep the bloodlines strong.” responded Viserys.
“And how do you expect Rhaenyra to respond to this? She has secluded herself on Dragonstone, what would compel her to come?” retorted Alicent with frustration.
“When I inform her… that I will be abdicating.” responded Viserys. A collective shocked rippled through the Targaryen siblings, each face marked with disbelief and wide eyes. Alicent’s face paled, as if she was witnessing a grim vision. Viserys continued, “All to ensure to smooth transition of power, for my daughter.”
Aegon marched to his apartment, followed closely by Aemond. The elder prince seethed with anger as he barged into the main room, his body hunched over in fury. Uncertain whether he should release his frustration with a scream or a chokehold, Aegon clenched his fists. The thought of marrying Rhaenyra, his half-sister, seemed to be inconceivable and absurd to Aegon, even though he knew it was a common Targaryen custom. He had no aspirations to be linked to the throne in any capacity, let alone be in its orbit. Aegon paced through the length of his room as Aemond watched his brother, standing still for a moment.
Aemond, moving to the chaotic table in Aegon’s room, littered with used wine goblets and empty bottles, picked one up and examined its contents. Finding only a few drops left in the dark bottle, he spoke dryly.
“I think this was inevitable, brother.” Aemond put down the empty bottle and picked up some of the fallen goblets on the floor. “It would have been her or Helaena… and we all know how you feel about our dear little sister…”
“She’s nearly twice my age!” shouted Aegon, spinning around to pace around the room. “And she has children already, those fucking Strong bastards!” Aegon’s eyes flared with frustration as he whirled around to face Aemond. Aemond then responded calmly,
“Perhaps father will ensure they are passed over. In favor of your… future children.” Aegon fell onto his back on the bed and closed his eyes.
“And what about abdicating?”
“I am intrigued to see how Rhaenyra will react to all of this.” said Aemond, “Father must truly not have faith in the Seven Kingdoms.”
“He’s the King, he can make them abide!” shouted Aegon, sitting back up on the side of his bed, “No need to put me at her side!”
“Brother, I think you must accept it.” Aemond sat down in one of the chairs at the table with the empty wine bottles, “There is no purpose in fighting it.” Aegon gave his brother a smug look, one with some disgust,
“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”
“What do I have to gain from enjoying this?” asked Aemond frankly, “I am a pragmatist. Have you not realized, brother, that you will be King?”
“A bitch King.” sighed Aegon.
“A King nonetheless.” smirked Aemond.
Aemond rose from his seat and leaned against the doorframe, looking back at his brother who was still lying on the bed, his hands covering his face. Aemond observed his brother, a hint of irritation, but mostly he saw the immaturity within Aegon. He had much to learn, perhaps this would push him in the right direction. He couldn’t just waste away his days and nights drinking and whoring.