111 AC
King's Landing, The Red Keep
First-Person POV
Aemon Targaryen
XXX
Sneaking back into the Red Keep in the morning was especially fun; we got to use all the secret tunnels and share a few kisses in the dark. Plus seeing Rhaenyra nearly jump out of her skirts because of a rat had made Laena and me laugh hard enough to almost get us caught.
The very next night Daemon had managed to drag himself out of bed in order for us to meet with his odd contacts but that's a story for later. What was most important was that Baelon like in the books had died only one day after he was born. It seemed as if I had been so worried over nothing and that even now my plans could continue uninterrupted.
Of course Rhaenyra had been once again distraught over her loss, and I'd needed to publicly support her when it was up to her and Syrax to ignite her brother and mother's pyres. Taking her hand in that moment had sparked more rumors than anything else had.
Soon after, Viserys summoned me to meet with him. So there I was walking my way towards the king's guards outside Viserys's chambers flanked by two of my own men.
I doubted he truly knew what the two of us had gotten up to or how far we had gone. However, I couldn't help but be a little nervous seeing him after the other night.
As we approached the door, Gerold and William stopped as they faced off with the two king's guards, while I gave them a simple greeting. See Harrold me swiftly and knocked on the king's door.
"Your Grace, Prince Aemon is here as requested," the man called out and a few moments later a soft and tired voice replied.
"Let him in."
Just like that the two white knights opened the door for me and let me into my uncle's chamber. The first thing I noticed was the grand model of Valyria, but I was fairly certain that was the first thing anyone noticed when entering my uncle's room. The second was the king himself off to the side of the model nearly managing to stare his weary gaze at it.
"How goes the modeling?" I stepped towards him quickly spotting chalices and a pitcher of wine. He stepped over to a table and took a nearby seat. Pouring a quick cup I set it down for him before pouring one of my own and taking a seat.
"Well enough I suppose," He said drinking deeply and setting the cup down with a sigh.
"Mmm that's good, tell me uncle have you ever considered doing another city? Mayhaps Tyria or even King's Landing?"
"Mayhaps but that is not why I called you here," He said sighing once again as his gaze drifted from me to the stone model. Though he did take one of the dragon models with him.
"I see…" I paused, taking a sip of wine as the two of us stared at one another. A calm silence filled the air between us and I took a moment to think about what it might be.
"Is it the council? Don't tell me Father did something stupid again. He's just gotten out of the bed I knocked him into and is already causing trouble," I said jokingly though there was some actual resentment bleeding into my tone.
Viserys laughed a genuinely amused smile crossing his face. Setting the stone dragon he'd been toying with onto the table.
"No, no, nothing like that. Though I did see your father a few days ago," He said recovering from his laughter and regaining his semi-solemn countenance.
"And what exactly was that conversation about," I took another sip of wine as I started to suspect something. Setting down his own cup of the Dornish red Viserys seemed to shed his tired countenance and looked like a king again for the first time since Aemma and Baelon had died.
"We considered the possibility of… uniting our houses' bloodlines once more," He finished going silent and looking directly at me no doubt to determine my reaction. I mastered my facial expression as my mind raced. This was arguably either the best or worst thing that could happen in this situation. On one hand, if I can get a betrothal to Rhaenyra out of this then it would be a boon to my plans. On the other hand that leaves Laena high and dry which isn't exactly the best situation for a Velaryon.
"I see and you understand that due to the… unique circumstances of my house at the moment, that it's not up to my father or mother to decide who I will marry?" I asked because if a deal had already been struck then that may pose a problem. More than that Daemon and I would once again need to reassess our relationship. We already had a meeting tonight with whoever it was he wanted to introduce me to so I could probably talk to him then.
The main issue when it comes to Daemon is that I need him for my plan to work whereas he is just living his stupid life all carefree and shit. I frowned and before I could breathe out my rising anger Viserys held up a hand and interrupted.
"Yes yes I'm aware which is why I've called you here tonight," he said setting the hand back down and gripping the stone dragon again. The dragon was painted black and molded in an oddly familiar way. I ignored it; instead, my mind did what it did best. Race through possibilities and plan for probability but most importantly desperately crave a sandwich.
"Oh I see but since my mother is still my regent mayhaps it'd be best she'd be here first before any talks of betrothals," I said tapping a steady rhythm on my cup.
"Indeed but your father advised me that you might not take it well should I not discuss it with you beforehand. Aemon I'll be plain with you, my son is dead and so is my Aemma. You know how sudden the fates of our family members can be. Gods forbid but if anything should happen to me then I have no son to take my place. As such, my council-"
"You mean Otto," I said in a monotone voice not even pretending to not realize whose idea it was.
"Haha so much like your father. Yes my lord hand wishes that I… wed again. But before such a thing could happen I would see my daughter wed before me," he said staring down into his cup before looking back up at me with an untold sorrow in his eyes. At that point the guilt of what I was planning to do almost overwhelmed me. This man a good king, a man who'd never wronged me and had lost so much was the person I was going to have to kill in order to get what I wanted.
"If by that you mean the Lord's hand wishes for you to pass over my father in favor of your daughter I understand. It's not like you got the throne in the first place because you're a man or something, oh wait," I said sarcasm bleeding through and faint disdain to the level I suppressed his reaction some so I could be more open about my contempt for the man.
"Aemon I… sigh I know you don't like him but-"
"But he's my father's main rival in court and now he wants him and probably me passed over in the line of succession, no? It's fine though, Uncle. I understand your thinking I believe. Let's talk about the elephant in the room you wish me to marry Rhaenyra yes?" I said cutting him off but not too harshly and just to make sure I started calming his emotions with my dragon aura and began making him even more pliant than normal. If I was going to take full advantage of this opportunity.
"Indeed," I replied taking another sip of my wine, which emptied the cup. Next, I used another slight psychological tactic something that I learned from I want to say either Japanese or Korean business culture essentially just making sure to fill his cup every time he emptied it first and then fill my own, subtly encouraging him to get some drinking by doing so I could subtly impair his own judgment and weaken his impulse control even further as he got to next year cannot take it too far so that he would recall every part of this conversation.
"Have you spoken to her about this?" I asked pouring a new cup of Dornish red for the both of us honestly it was a shame Mother wasn't here for this; otherwise I could do a deal right here and now.
"She knows she must wed and will do her duty I assure you," He nodded thanking me for the refill and taking a sip with a sigh his face having grown slightly flushed from the wine by now.
"So you haven't then."
"I… it's a… delicate subject right now," He cleared his throat adjusting his collar. He glanced away as if uncomfortable at the thought of speaking with her about this
"Might I make a suggestion, Uncle?" I asked tentatively pushing the spike of curiosity he felt as soon as the question was asked. It was a common tactic I used to get what I wanted.
"Go on," he said leaning forward like a hooked fish.
"Speak with her about this. The two of us are fond of each other as are we with Laena and I fear harming either of them with a sudden announcement. Perhaps it'd be better to speak with Rhaenyra before any decision is made," I said but when I said fond I truly meant that I had been balls deep inside both of them last night and I didn't want them to start hating each other because I married one and not the other.
"I understand I was a young man once as well and I'm aware that you've all been close since you were young. I'm glad to see your concern for them but tell me which of the two of them are you most fond of? Rhaenyra is a beautiful young woman, a princess, and a dragon rider who is better in the Seven Kingdoms than her?" He asked spreading his hands magnanimously a generous smile crossing his face. I knew my skill was truly working now as I saw the amazing opportunity it opened up for me.
"I see… well let's say I accept what I could accept as a dowry then? If I do recall you already owe me a boon," I reminded him with a small smile my own charm magically enhanced.
"Hahaha, what you want another, or is a princess not enough for you? Besides if you married her the two of you could rule the seven kingdoms one day," he said almost offhandedly, distracted by the laughter filling him and the clouding of his emotions. That's when I truly decided it was time to lock in fully.
"Well, uncle… You can't blame me for hoping can you? Besides if you do have sons in the future that isn't exactly true," I countered, suddenly pushing him to agree as best I could, with emphasis on the importance of the male line over the female. After all without that my. Claim to being third in line and his hold on the throne are both entirely invalid.
"Haha, I suppose not. Alright then what is it you desire?" He smiled again running a hand along his silver-haired chin. He still had the platinum blonde of House Targaryen but the silver grey of age had bled into it.
"Well let's see, so many good options hmmm. Oh, I know! I want -"
XXX
111 AC
King's Landing, The Red Keep
First-Person POV
Aemon Targaryen
Three hours later in the throne room
XXX
I stared up at the giant throne of blades until an evil, no, downright diabolical idea came to mind. Suppressing the malicious grin threatening to cross my face I leaned to the side to whisper into Rhaenyra's ear.
"I'm going to fuck you on top of that throne one day," I said before fixing my face into the perfect picture of innocence, my smile kinder and brighter than that of the maiden herself, as if a wis the most charitable of all the saints as I turned to savor Rhaenyra's reaction to my words with gluttonous anticipation.
"WHA- y-you! Aem- cough I-i! What is gah!" She choked and sputtered on the air itself; nothing could compare to the sheer joy it gave me to drink in the shock on her scarlet face. So of course I could not help but needle her further.
"Is something wrong princess? Are you well? You seem to have turned quite red," I said tilting my head to the side in feigned confusion. Stepping a little closer I pressed a hand to her forehead.
Was I pressing upon the gates of propriety?
Yes.
Did I care?
NO!
"Perhaps you should rest; it seems you didn't get much sleep last night," Which of course I was responsible for, and if she could get even more red I would find out in about 2 seconds.
Second one. She flustered and stepped back from my hand.
Second two. She turned around and moved in a way that was somehow both a full sprint and a proper walk out of the hall.
Second three. She's totally gone and the whole room saw it and the king has stopped talking and started to stare at the closing door as Ser Harold follows after her.
Meanwhile, I surrounded by the noble lords and ladies of Westeros, simply turned back towards the throne, completely ignoring all of the gazes of every single person in the hall, and stared up at my uncle.
He looked down at me with a familiar exasperation only this time it was aimed at me instead of my father. Speaking of which my father had his trademark smirk as he looked over at me. I looked away from him and placed a fist over my mouth coughing to stifle my laughter.
Otto who stood even closer to the throne than Daemon did looked like he wanted to kill me but thought better of it and held his tongue for now.
Viserys continued holding court like usual; however, when it ended he called me to stand before the Iron Throne. I passed by Laenor and Laena who stood with their parents and gave me a polite nod. Then I glanced over to Mother, who stood with the Royces and the other Vale houses.
This was the part I'd discussed with her and the rest of my house for years in advance; it had taken nights of family dinners, intense spars barely short of duels to the death, and my final victory over the mountain men to get them all to agree. But after seven years of effort and manipulation, I'd finally gotten what I was aiming for out of Viserys and a bonus as well.
But now as the premier house of the Vale, there was none other so worthy. What other house had a head nephew to the king? What other house wielded three dragons? What other house had managed to conquer a foe so ancient as the mountain tribes and did what I could do? I'd invented things the world had never seen; if beaten the best warrior in the realm alive today, my own father, I was dragon lord. The blood of old Valyria, and I'd bedded the two most beautiful women in the whole realm and lost my virginity to a god damn princess!
Yes, I've earned this boon and I'll have nothing take it from me. So as I approached the throne I unleashed my dragon aura in full force filling the hall with awe, amazement, respect, and attraction enough to wet the britches of all the women in the hall.
I took a knee to the ground before the throne and lowered my head keeping my kneecap just shy of touching the floor. My inner dragon snarled at the idea of kneeling to anyone but if I didn't want my head chopped off it was probably best to just follow common courtesy plus my knee didn't actually touch the floor so it didn't count anyway.
"Rise Prince Aemon," Viserys said; he was cutting rare form today. He'd looked stronger than usual a tad bit more kingly. I nodded quickly rising to my feet my hand resting on the pommel of Lamentation. The Kingsguard tensed but did not step forward and I could see Otto's face almost twitch into a frown at my presence. Suppressing a smirk I turned my attention to the throne once more.
"What happened with my daughter just now?" He asked quizzically.
"Oh, that's nothing to be concerned about Your Grace," I said trying not to laugh as hard as I could. My face was stone but my heart a blaze.
"Is that so? Well, it is no matter then. Prince Aemon your have proven yourself a valiant and honorable man and anyone would be proud to call you kin as I am. Through your victory in the tourney joust, you have earned a boon from your king. Speak and I shall grant you anything within my power," he said a royal air about him as he coiled both hands around Blackfyre the sword of kings.
"Your Grace," I said, my voice booming with all the strength I could muster. "My dearest uncle. You honor me beyond words. My wish, that you should see it granted is one thing. Not for me, but for the men and women of my house who shall follow after me. If I may be granted but one thing I ask this. That you elevate the house of Royce, and allow it to become a princely branch of the royal house Targaryen so that my sons and grandsons, daughters and granddaughters, and their children and grandchildren be known as princes and princesses after me and be under the direct authority of the crown and no lord paramount. So that they might take the name Royce-Targaryen as I shall now take myself," I announced as I could feel the shock and awe and radiated waves of emotion throughout the crowd and applause filled the throne room.
Viserys stood raising the blade Blackfyre in his grip. If there were any objections from the nobility or Otto then they were drowned out by the applause. This was the full culmination of the seven years of effort.
[Chapter image]
XXX
Hello everyone this marks the end of Volume 2 I hope you all enjoyed it. Unfortunately, it took a long time to upload as life's been pretty crazy for me. I'm going to try and be better about that but I can't promise anything as my dad is going to get surgery to remove his pre-cancer soon so I need to help take care of him. Plus I need to prepare the new cover for the next volume. Funny enough I can't even remember what the original cover for volume one looked like anyway.
Either way, let me know what you all would like to see in the next volume as things are going to be a lot more action-packed than before and I can only hope you'll like it.
Bye y'all your author! 👋