'Is this really happening?' I thought with wide eyes as I looked around, trying to make sure I wasn't dreaming. It appears I was not yet as I pinched my arm, staring at everyone's shocked faces.
Turning back, I watched as Rhaenyra ascended the throne, her steps calm yet shaky as her trembling hand reached forward and took the crown from her father.
"Of course, this is simply a formality. The true ceremony will have to be held at a later date. Still, as of today, I Viserys I Targaryen, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm, hereby declare my daughter Rhaenyra Targaryen as the Queen-to-Be."
"Long may she reign," Aemond, Helaena, Daemon and I spoke in unison, Aegon turning to us with gritted teeth as I caught Otto's frown.
"Dear, perhaps you need to rest and wait for a time where you are more cognitively sound," Alicent was quick to try and stop this before it could go further, but I hid my smirk when I saw Viserys shake his head.
"No, I am perfectly sound of mind, my beloved. I wished it could have been done at a later date, but I can feel the Stranger drawing closer with every breath that I breathe.
However, the true reason I am doing this is because of the information I received a month ago in regards to Aegon and his behaviour," I narrowed my eyes as I saw the King doing the same towards Aegon, who didn't say anything as I caught Alicent looking at me.
"And who brought this information to you?"
"I did, Mother," I turned my head as Helaena spoke up, Alicent looking stunned at her words as I saw Otto's frown deepen.
"Y-You did, Helaena?"
"Aegon accused my beloved of being tainted in blood purity. He accused him of not being a trueborn Stark without any proof and I simply defended his honour.
Is it not the duty of a wife to stand beside her Lord Husband and help him through life as it is the duty of a Lord Husband to guard and protect his wife?" Murmurs echoed through the entire Throne Hall, some mocking me softly for letting a woman defend me. However, most were in agreement at her words, a smile on my face when I felt her hand finding mine.
Alicent's lips parted as if to say something, but no sound came. She could only glance at Aegon, whose smug frown faltered when Viserys turned his angry frown at him.
"I am not a man...to simply hear one side of the story. Therefore, Aegon, I wish for you to tell me the truth. Did you say that?" Viserys asked, his voice hoarse yet still carrying that sense of command that made everyone straighten up.
'Is he going to lie?' I thought, looking at Aegon as I saw him hesitate for a few moments before he spoke.
"Father, I may have said something in jest-"
"Jest?!"
'Wrong thing to say,' I thought when Viserys cut him off with a snarl that didn't befit his weakened state, surprising even Daemon as I saw the man raise an eyebrow at his brother's anger.
"You call the questioning of a man's blood...and the honour of a noble house a jest? You insult the Starks, one of our oldest allies and the most steadfast of all Westeros...and you call it jest?!"
'Well, Aegon, you're fucked,' I enjoyed the pale visage of Aegon as well as Viserys glaring at Alicent to stop her when she tried to say something.
"The rot within this family has grown because too many believe that their words have no consequence. I see now that my failure as a father was not in choosing an heir, but in failing to remind you all of the weight your tongue carr-Ooeugh! Haughk-oouegh!" Viserys was cut off by a hoarse cough, but he still raised a hand when Alicent and Otto tried to come help.
"No, do not touch me," he spoke, turning his tired gaze to Helaena and I as I caught his gaze softening.
"Helaena, Lord Torrhen, you have shown grace where others have shown arrogance. It is good to see that one rotten egg has not poisoned the den."
"I merely followed the teachings you taught me, Your Grace," He didn't actually teach me anything, but I did copy some of his mannerisms over the years so I suppose that would fit.
"I only did what any wife would do, Father," Helaena spoke with a smile as she squeezed my hand and for a moment, I could see a flicker of motherly love in Alicent's eyes as she looked at us.
"Then, it is settled. The matter of succession stands. Rhaenyar, you are to be Queen before the moon turns and no words from any of you will change that. So, I decree," Viserys declared, everyone bowing their heads. I then watched as his gaze hardened when he looked to his son.
"As for you, my son, you will hereby be sent to Oldtown to remember what it means to carry the name Targaryen."
"And if there is no change, your Grace?" Otto asked out loud and my eyes widened as I heard Viserys' next words.
"Then I will strip him of every privilege that comes with the name and banish him from the land of his birth."
'Oh, well, that's...that's a pretty good threat,' I thought as I looked to Aegon, who stood with wide eyes as he stared at the ground.
Yeah, that's going to be a big wake-up call for him.
Turning my gaze back to Viserys as I heard him cough, I couldn't help my smile when Daemon and Rhaenyra ascended the throne. The latter placed her father's crown back on his head before they held out their arms, allowing him to use them as support.
The message it showed made my smile widen, my eyes flickering between the many lords and ladies of the court as they bowed their heads when Viserys stumbled past.
"Any who opposes his will opposes House Targaryen itself," Helaena whispered from beside me and I nodded. We watched as Daemon and Rhaenyra led Viserys out before we turned and made our way out one of the many side doors.
"Do you regret your decision?" I asked as the two of us made our way through the hallways of the Red Keep. Helaena simply turned to look at me before she smiled.
"Are you angered with me for acting without telling you?"
"Angered at you for defending me at the cost of your relationship with your family? I'm overjoyed."
"Then, no. I do not regret it in the slightest," She responded as she laid her head against my shoulder. A chuckle escaped my lips as I tapped my head against hers while we continued walking.
'However, Aegon is the type to strike when his emotions run hot,' I thought before I gave a silent nod to myself.
I'd rather take care of the threat before he can become one.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
My mind was scattered into many as hundreds of wings drummed in unison, my dozens of bodies connected with our hive mind as we flew through the air.
Our gaze were focused on the window in front of us as we dove down, making sure to obscure our forms in the darkness. Crawling into the dimly lit room, we made our way up to the ceiling.
'There you are,' Our minds thought as we saw Aegon sitting on the loveseat in front of his hearth, struggling to keep his head up as he was barely able to hold a cup of wine in hand.
In unison, we all dove down, our stingers sharp as our wasp forms descended upon us.
"Wha-" Aegon's slurred words didn't even get too far before we dove into his orifices, stinging and stabbing with glee as one of our bodies stayed outside.
We watched as our bodies entered his. We watched as he struggled to breathe. We watched as he strained and failed to stand up, his drunken state only making things worse as we gnawed and bit at his innards.
"You dare to take us for a fool?" Our mandibles clicked together, but we knew he would not hear anything other than an angry wasp staring him down.
"Learn what it means to draw the ire of a monster," With that, the body outside joined the many inside of Aegon, all of us feasting upon his flesh as we disconnected our mind to the swarm.
My eyes slowly opened as I laid in my bed, letting out a slow breath as I stood up and let out a soft exhale. Standing up, I made my way to the door and opened it with a yawn.
"Lord Torrhen? Can we help?" One of the three Gold Cloaks in front of my door asked with a confused look and I blinked before I nodded with a smile.
"Yes, could you perhaps get a glass of water for me? Make it a pitcher, actually. I forgot to ask for the attendants to bring one to my room."
"But of course. Kaleb, go and fetch a pitcher of the freshest water for Lord Torrhen," The one to my right spoke and snapped his fingers towards the one beside him. He quickly jogged off down the hallway as I gave a thankful smile.
"Thank you."
"It is our pleasure, my lord," The guard spoke and I gave a tired blink of my eyes before I closed the door quietly, walking back before lying back on my bed with a sigh.
In the distance, I could feel the hive going silent, their glee vanishing and replaced with contentment as they took to the skies once more.
'It's done and no one will ever know,' I thought, looking up at the ceiling with a stoic look. I hated how easily it felt to take a life, but I forced those thoughts back as this was a ruthless world.
Now was not the time for reflection.
"My lord, your water," A knock and a voice from the door drew me attention, to which I let out an audible groan as I stood back up.
Opening the door with a smile as I took the pitcher from Kaleb and closed the door once more, I walked over to the table next to my own loveseat.
Pouring out a glass, I took a sip, letting out a blissful sigh at the cold sensation. Moments later, I closed my eyes as I heard a scream echo throughout the hallways, Alicent's voice being far too familiar.
Footsteps thundered behind the door before it opened, etching a panicked look on my face and dropping the silver glass as Erryk entered with a frown.
"Come."
"What happened? Is it Helaena?"
"No, you just need to come before you're targeted as well," He spoke and I nodded, throwing on my Stark cloak. Following closely as we ascended the Red Keep, I was not surprised to see Helaena being guarded by Arryk.
The twin Kingsguard looked wary as we ascended the steps, Helaena's fingers interlocking with mine as I pulled her close.
It took us a few minutes before we exited at the King's solar, Aemond awaiting there with a grimace on his face as Viserys sat behind his desk.
Rhaenyra, Daemon and their children were also in the room, but as I looked to the side, I could only 'grit' my teeth as I saw Aegon's body in front of a wailing Alicent.
Blood was pouring from his orifices, his face swollen up like a balloon.
"How?" was all Viserys got out as he looked to Otto, all of us doing the same as he shook his head.
"The maesters are still preparing to examine the body, but I would surmise it to be some form of poisoning, your Grace."
"Who was on guard at Aegon's room?"
"I was, your Grace. No one entered the room, though he was inebriated," Criston Cole spoke up, Viserys turning to him with a frown before the man shook his head.
"My son. My beautiful boy. Why must the gods be cruel?" We all turned as Alicent sobbed, Viserys struggling to his feet and walking over to kneel beside his wife.
I was surprised though when Daemon walked closer, crouching down beside Aegon and running a finger along the blackened veins on his face.
"This is unlike any poison I've ever seen. The markings here show dozens of puncture wounds, but...only a needle could make such wounds."
"Are you saying that whoever did this wanted him to suffer?" Rhaenyra asked and Daemon nodded, Viserys letting out a tired sigh as I watched the man stand up.
"Otto, triple the guards. Ser Criston, none are to leave the Red Keep until I command so."
"You," I turned my head as I heard Alicent's voice, the woman aiming a glare with bloodshot eyes at me.
"It was you with your northern witchcraft. Ever since you arrived, my family has undergone nothing but pain!"
"Alicent!" Otto was the one to speak, but the Queen did not remove her glare as she looked at me.
I didn't say anything as I simply unsheathed the sword at my side, walking closer while ignoring the sounds of the Kingsguard unsheathing their blades as well.
Yet, I surprised them as I stopped a few paces away, dropping to a knee before holding the sword out to her with my head bowed.
"If my death would bring you pleasure in believing that the Prince's murderer was taken care of, your Grace, then I can only ask that you make it swift," I could feel the tension in the room spike as I kept my head down, hearing Alicent stand up and her footsteps draw closer.
Feeling the blade be taken from my hands, I lowered my hands and prepared myself, but I looked up once again as the sound of steel clattering against stone reverberated in the room.
Alicent's eyes were filled with sorrow, but at the same time, she looked hesitant as she fell to her knees. To everyone's surprise, I shuffled forward and wrapped my arms around her, ignoring the surprise of everyone around us.
"As a son who lost his mother, I never had the opportunity to give my mother one final hug before her passing so I can say that I understand your pain, your Grace," I whispered and I felt the woman's arm wrapping around me as she hugged me tightly.
No one dared to interrupt Alicent as she cried, a few tears of my own escaping as I could feel the woman's grief as well as feel the thoughts of not getting to say goodbye to Gilliane herself.
It felt like hours passed before I felt Alicent relax, pulling back and smiling when I saw the peaceful look on her face.
"Lord Torrhen," I looked up and finally remembered the crowd in the room, but Viserys' thankful smile put me at ease as Erryk picked up Alicent in a bridal carry.
"You have gone above and beyond in your duty to this family despite us not doing the same. Thank you."
"It was my pleasure, your Grace," I spoke with a smile, standing up once more as Helaena walked closer. I was a bit surprised as she reached up and wiped the tears away, a soft chuckle escaping my lips as she smiled.
"For now, everyone return to their rooms. A Kingsguard will be posted inside at all times along with three Gold Cloaks in front of the door and on the balcony. Lord Torrhen, you and Aemond are to stay together in one room."
"Understood," Aemond and I nodded in agreement, a soft smile on my face as I saw the conflicted look on his face.
"Did the ice melt and drown the smoke?" I heard Helaena whisper to me as the two of us descended the stairs behind Aemond, the three of us walking between the Kingsguard twins and Cole.
I just nodded and she looked forward, neither of us showing the victorious looks in our eyes.
'And with that, one threat is gone.'
A/N: Ey, that's what Torrhen thinks, but unfortunately, actions has consequences. What consequences? Find out next time.
Also, there is a reason I killed Aegon and it has to do with succession, but that will be talked about later.
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