𝓐𝓮𝓶𝓸𝓷𝓭 𝓣𝓪𝓻𝓰𝓪𝓻𝔂𝓮𝓷
Being the last to arrive to the throne room all eyes are already on us, speculation filling the air with every step we made.

At first I tuck Elaena to my side but only as a gentleman of the realm would. I want to shield her from their stares but she proves to be more brave than I give her credit for.

"They watch because you escort me, Aemond. Let me go," She whispers, squeezing my arm reassuringly but I don't move away from her, uneager to let her go as she asks.

"Let them watch. Maybe Cregan Stark will hear news you're spoken for and return North where he belongs." I respond under my breath, at first worried for her reaction but she only grins at my antics.

"Careful, my prince. Your possessiveness is beginning to show,"

"Oh my love, I haven't even begun to possess you yet." I whisper with a grin close to her ear before leaving her with her family and approaching mine whom witnessed everything.

I manage to avoid the eyes of my disapproving mother and grandfather by staring head on at my siblings, Aegon and Heleana.

Smirking at me as I come to stand behind him, Aegon turns with a knowing smile.

"It's the Princess is it? She's grown into quite the woman. Are you willing to share the bastard girl, little brother?" His smirk could tempt any man into murder, and I just might with what he's suggesting.

"I'd rather ship you off to Essos and spare us all the trouble of your insolence." I growl, my hands twitching as I hold them behind my back to prevent me from strangling him.

Stealing a glance at Elaena, she stands next to her true father Daemon. Her face is solemn and unreadable as she pays close attention to my grandfather as he begins the proceedings but I barely hear a word he says.

"For as long as House Targaryen has ruled the sky, House Velaryon has ruled the seas. When the doom fell upon Valyria our houses became the last of their kind. I have spent my entire life on Driftmark defending my brothers seat. I am Lord Corlys closest kin, his own blood. The true blood of House Valyria runs through my veins."

"As it does is my sons, the offspring of Laenor Velaryon. If you cared so much about your houses blood Ser Vaemond you would be not so bold as to try to supplant it's rightful heir. You only speak for yourself-" Rhaenyra's patience wears thin as the tide changes, her sons birthright slipping through her grasp.

"You have chance to make your own petition Princess Rhaenyra. Do give Ser Vaemond the courtesy of his being heard." My mother sounds out, ever the voice of reason on the side always opposite of her daughter by law.

"What do you know of Velaryon blood princess? I could cut my veins and show it to you and you still wouldn't recognize it. This is about the future and survival of my house not yours." He grits his teeth at her and Elaena steps forward her eyes spinning with white hot fire but she's pulled back by Daemon who whispers something in her ear to calm her.

"I humbly put myself before you as Lordy Corlys successor. The Lord of Driftmark and Lord of the tides." He steps away but not without giving Elaena and her family a look of pride, tilting up his chin to Rhaenyra herself.

"Thank you ser Vaemond. Princess Rhaenyra you may now speak for your son,  Lucerys Velaryon." My grandfather nods and she steps forward.

"If I am to grace this farce with an answer I will start by reminding the court that nearly 20 years ago in this very-"

Behind her the throne room doors are swinging open, our father, the King himself passing through them.

"King Viserys of House Targaryen, 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."

A hush falls over the entirety of the hall as the knights booming voice demands the attention of every Lord and Lady. For the first time in years my father would sit the throne and all for his true heir, his first born, Rhaenyra. 

Finally reaching the throne, he shares a few words with my grandfather while Ser Vaemond shares stunned reactions with anyone who'd look at him.

Knights rush to his aid but he waves them off, intent on climbing the iron throne himself.

Just as he's to reach the top the crown of Jaehaerys falls, the noise rattling all the hearts of any cold man or woman that stood in his wake but he isn't alone. Daemon climbs the steps besides him and we all watch in silence.

Some even now would speculate that Prince Daemon wanted the throne for himself and they'd be correct. Any sane man would crave power yes, but those who were honorable knew love and loyalties conquered all, despite if some of us didn't want to admit it.  

"I must admit my confusion. I do not understand why petitions are being heard over a settled succession. The only one present who might offer keener insight into Lord Corlys's wishes is the Princess Rhaenys." Struggling to catch his breath the suffering King urges his cousin forward.

"Indeed your grace. It was ever my husbands will that Driftmark pass through Ser Laenor to his true born son Lucerys Velaryon. His mind never changed and nor did my support of him. As a matter of fact the Princess has just informed me of her desire to wed her sons Jace and Luke to Lord Corlys granddaughter Baela and Rhaena. A proposal to which I heartily agree."

Elaena and I lock eyes and I realize now why they expected her to wed and so soon. She was the oldest and if the younger of the siblings were to marry, than it only made sense though that didn't make it sting any less.

"Well the matter is settled... again. I here by reaffirm prince Lucerys Velaryon as heir to Driftmark, the Driftwood throne and the next Lord of the Tides."

"You break law and centuries of traditions to install your daughter as heir yet you dare tell me who deserves to inherit the name Velaryon... no. I will not allow it." He spits, his voice deepening but still heard by all.

"Allow it?" When Vaemond challenges my father a piece of him seems to come back to life. "Do not forget yourself, Vaemond."

"That is no true Velaryon, and certainly no nephew of mine." The mad man points at the boy and though I respect his boldness it's suicide at best. While he said what we all knew to be fact this was nor the time or place.

"Go to your chambers, you have said enough." Rhaenyra attempts to usher her three children away but Elaena shakes her head, eager to stay with her mother and I smile proudly. She would not flee the storm she would face it.

"You may run your house as you see fit but you will not decide the future of mine. My house survived the doom and a thousand tribulations besides and gods be dammed I will not see it ended on the account of this-" he stops himself before he says the words that will seal his fate but Daemon taunts him softly.

"Say it-"

"Her children are BASTARDS. And she... is a whore." His deathly glare closes in on Elaena and her brothers, my body moving toward her before I can even think.

"I will have your tongue for that." My father struggles to stand,  unsheathing his dagger from his waist but his brother is quicker, shocking us all by slicing Ser Vaemond's head in two, his body falling lifeless to the cold hard ground and I freeze mid-step.

"He can keep his tongue."

My lips tip up into an satisfied smile, my eye darting from the body to Daemon himself whom is already wiping his sword clean of the very Velaryon blood Ser Vaemond spoke of.

"His blood seems to be the same as ours after all, Mother." Elaena mutters under her breath and I still chuckle at her sharp tongue, satisfying me beyond belief. Perhaps she didn't need a crown to sound like a Queen after all. 

"Disarm him!" Otto yells out, staying close to my mother and Heleana. 

"No need, no need." Daemon replies, seeming quite bored with the foolishness of it all.

Collapsing into his chair, my mother and Rhaenyra are the first to my father's aid helping him up and into the arms of the knights and maesters.

The crowds of people begin to disperse and I don't waste another moment before going to her, ignoring the judgmental glances from all who looked but I'm yanked back by Aegon who pulls me in the opposite direction.

"Careful little brother, you don't want them to see, do you? Besides, I have something better planned." 

***