"Do you even know how it works?" Aegon asked.

"Aegon, really?" Visenya frowned. "He's almost fourteen. He knows how it works."

"And if he doesn't, just give him a room close to you and Aemond. He will learn quite fast," Daeron retorted.

Aemond glared at his little brother. "Spying?"

"I walked by the other night. You two are relentless."

Visenya snickered and leaned into Aemond. They were standing at the entrance to the palace with Luke, Aegon, and Daeron, waiting for the Baratheon party. But they weren't wrong. In the past week since their second wedding, they hadn't stopped. And for once, she felt hopeful. They were fully in love and she just had a feeling in her gut.

"Do you think if you get pregnant, Grey Ghost will nest again?" Luke asked.

"That still boggles my mind," Daeron asked.

"I don't know. I still call Grey Ghost a boy and clearly, that is wrong. But if he doesn't, then we still have two active eggs that can be chosen. A purple and blue."

"Two pretty options. But don't think any dragon will be as breathtaking as Sunfyre. Nothing beats him," Aegon boasted with a proud smile.

"Tessarion is equally breathtaking, Brother," Daeron argued.

Visenya chuckled and wrapped her arms around Aemond's torso. She stood like that with him as they waited, tuning out their sibling's bickering.

"What's on your mind?" He asked quietly.

"Should we ask for Lucerys to marry in the name of Lucerys Targaryen?"

Aemond didn't speak for a few moments. "That would open discussion on Jace and Joffrey even more."

"Borros would be more inclined if he knew his daughter and grandchildren held the title of Targaryen. He is a proud man, I'll admit that."

Aemond nodded and looked at the gate as a caravan of wheelhouses became visible in the distance. "He seems to be getting along decently with Aegon and Daeron."

"I hope it lasts. Daeron still tries to say Lord Strong. I'm proud of you and how far you've come," Visenya replied.

"It's not like he's the one that took my eye, I didn't have an extremely valid reason to hate him. But now I have a reason to hate Jacaerys, that much I know to be true. I won't lie to you and pretend I'm pleased. I'm not. If it comes to war and he still sides with your mother, I will make it my mission to make him pay."

"And not Joffrey or the younger boys?"

"It's not like they're old enough to know or make a decision. Our son will sit on the throne and they will have to bend the knee. Clearly being family doesn't mean much anymore so they will have to or there will be consequences."

Visenya rose a brow. "Do you plan to strike down a five-year-old child, Aemond?"

"You are my queen and I am your sword of justice. I will kill whomever you wish, just give me a name. I will strike down whoever refuses to bend the knee - over the age of five."

She let out a snicker, rolling her eyes. "You're impossible, Aemond."

"I didn't use to be this way until I fell crazy in love with my vexing niece."

"That reminds me," Aegon said. "Tears ago when I was being an ass to you both, I predicted this. It was before the eye incident, I said 'If she's anything like her mother, she has a predisposition for uncles,' do you remember?"

"Aw, brother, ready to fuck our niece already? If she's anything like her mother, she has a predisposition for uncles." Aegon smirked.

Visenya remembers it. She was in the Dragonpit and she was about to punch Aegon when Laenor pulled her back. She remembered that day, she and Laenor had a conversation about her true parentage but he acknowledged her as his daughter. And it was the day Laenor told her to be a dragon.

"I remember," Visenya nodded, "In the Dragonpit."

"Hm. Aegon was actually right for once," Aemond smirked.

"Can we frame you saying that?" Daeron asked.

"Watch it or I'll betroth you to another Baratheon," Visenya smirked.

"Please don't. I would like to avoid marriage for now."

"Surely it can't be awful, right? You just have to be nice," Luke shrugged.

"There's hope for you yet, Lord Strong," Daeron said. Aemond and Visenya's head quickly turned to him and she was about to hit him.

"It's fine," Luke mumbled. "At least no one is being mean anymore."

Aegon wrapped his arm around him. "You have us on your side now, Nephew. You might regret it. Your sister says I am quite annoying."

"Because you are annoying but it's fine."

Suddenly the wheelhouses got closer and the guards for the Baratheon family got off their horses as the carriage came to a stop. Lady Elenda was the first to exit, a gold and black dress hugging her plump figure. Visenya figured she had that to look forward to after popping out a few of Aemond's children. She had to stop herself before she grew excited at the thought.

"Princes, Princess," Lady Elenda bowed. Borros stepped out right behind her and took a deep inhale.

"I love the smell of shit in the morning," he said loudly.

"Borros!" Elenda hissed. "Watch your manners in front of the royal family."

Borros rolled his eyes and looked at Visenya, grabbing her hand and kissing it. Aemond tensed up. "You bow before a princess."

Borros looked between the two and Visenya frowned at the forceful man. "Apologies," he said before bowing. "Girls!"

The four girls started to exit the wheelhouse, one by one forming a line. Visenya looped her arm with Lucerys to offer some support and smiled at him. They weren't any great beauties except the last two, the youngest of the four.

"I present my daughters Cassandra, Maris, Floris, and Ellyn. All would make fine brides for the Prince," Borros boasted.

"T-Thank," Luke nodded.

"Your family is welcome in our palace as we feast tonight in honor of this alliance. As you may well know, houses Baratheon and Targaryen were joined with the union of Aemon Targaryen and Jocelyn Baratheon and have always considered your house to be a friend to the Crown," Visenya spoke with a forced smile.

Borros, bored with her words, looked at Lucerys. "Have you an idea of which you'd like to take as Lady Velaryon yet, boy?"

"That's Prince to you," Visenya's clipped tone sounded more like a threat.

Borros's eyes narrowed at the second correction. "Apologies, Princess,"

"I plan to wed in the name of my mother and adopted father as Lucerys Targaryen."

Visenya looked at him. Shit. That would not only piss off their mother, but Corlys too considering Lucerys was the heir to Driftmark. But he was old enough to make his own decisions.

"Well, that's good news. I'll have Targaryen grandchildren," Elenda smiled.

Visenya nodded and gave Luke's arm a reassuring squeeze. Elenda seemed to be the nice one, trying to keep Borros from further offending the crown. And Borros - completely on Visenya's nerves - was too busy looking at his daughters. Lucerys walked up to the girls and kissed each of their hands as they introduced themselves.

Cassandra had a plain face with full cheeks and no personality behind her eyes. She gave a curt nod and looked straightforward. She was probably Aemond's age at least, too old for Lucerys in her opinion.

Maris was the one that Visenya gave a glare. She was known for her clever tongue and being much too rude. She couldn't let her brother make that mistake. "Princess, Prince. I see you are doing well. Your health was quite the concern after your ... mishap."

Visenya's eyes narrowed and her lips twitched. "I am the wife of Aemond Targaryen, you don't scare me," She hissed.

"What a shame, I think he turned out well endowed."

Visenya was ready to swing at her but Aemond appeared behind her and grabbed her arms. "Don't cause a scene, Vis."

Visenya pushed Lucerys to move onto Floris, refusing to look at Maris. Floris was the prettiest of the four and didn't seem to be rude or mute like her older sisters. But Lucerys didn't seem interested in her.

It was Ellyn that got his attention. The girl was young, probably the age of Luke or a year younger and she was more nervous than her sisters. She was wringing her hands, giving Luke a soft smile. "My Prince."

At least she had better manners than her father. She had dark hair like her sisters but it was still lighter than theirs. She was an inch or so shorter than Lucerys and her eyes were blue, unlike her sisters.

"Lady Ellyn, you look ... pretty."

Visenya repressed her grin at her own brother's shyness. He was definitely crushing on Ellyn and it was adorable. She knew he already made up his mind.

"Thank you, ladies, the Prince and I shall let you settle in your rooms for a bit until the feast and we shall see you then."

-

Aemond was sitting on the settee, his legs spread and Visenya sitting between them. He was playing with her short hair and Luke was sitting in the chair in front of the fire.

"What did you think of Cassandra?" Luke asked.

"Too ugly," Visenya said.

"And Maris?"

"Too much of a cunt," Visenya huffed and Aemond snickered.

"Floris?"

"Too boring."

Luke let out a laugh and looked at her. "Are any of them to your liking?"

"Honestly? No woman will be good enough for my little brother. I want nothing but perfection for you and there isn't a perfect woman."

"You're perfect," Aemond mumbled.

"Not helping," she smiled and leaned back, her back laying against his chest. His arms wrapped around her body and his hands rested against her belly.

Please grow soon.

Gods, she needed to calm down. The thoughts were running rampant with fantasies of being a family. She didn't want to get stuck in another cycle of depression if it didn't happen.

"The only girl I think could be the best choice would be Ellyn. She was very pretty and polite, and your mutual blushing was adorable."

"I agree," Aemond spoke.

"She's cute," Lucerys spoke with a blush.

Visenya was almost around two and a half when Lucerys was born so her memories of his birth weren't fresh in her mind like Joffrey, but she did remember Luke's first steps and his first words. She remembered when Arrax hatched and Luke would sneak off to the Dragonpit to sit with him. She remembered her jealousy as her mother doted on all her brothers and the jealousy she felt as they each bonded with their dragon.

But she remembered most of all Luke's brown eyes full of wonder as Visenya carried him outside. As soon as his chubby legs could carry him, she would lead him outside to the courtyard and they would play in the grass. His little toddler laugh was music to her young years, an experience she never shared with Jace.

Visenya placed her hands over Aemond's and squeezed them, grounding herself back to the present. They were older now and as much as she needed to value those memories, they had new ones to make. She had to do better now, she had to be a good sister and that meant supporting Luke even if she didn't like the Baratheon girls. Then she started to wonder if she was like her mother in the sense of forcing a marriage.

"Luke, do you even want to do this? You don't have to."

Luke looked at her, those brown eyes still full of emotion. "I don't mind. I want to be here and I like Ellyn. As long as I get to choose. I'm not mad or anything."

Visenya nodded. "I think Ellyn would be a fine choice. You may court as long as you wish, there is no rush for a wedding."

Luke smiled at her, relaxing into the chair. "Thank you, Sister. You will be such a good queen, much better than Mother."

Aemond snorted and tightened his hold around her. "I sure fucking hope so."

The three of them laughed and the joy Visenya felt made her realize this could be worth it. Sometimes she doubted the decisions that led her here but she couldn't be happier surrounded by her husband and brothers. Aegon and Daeron were her brothers now by name and by affection. Aegon was a better brother than Jacaerys had been in years. He and Daeron gave her more support than most of her family.

The feast wasn't grand by palace means but it was enough for the Baratheons. Luke danced with all four just for appearance's sake but his decision was already made and he spent most of the feast next to Ellyn.

"How soon should we expect a wedding?" Lady Elenda asked.

"I want a wedding by the end of the year. Ellyn is thirteen and has already bled. She is ready." Borros proclaimed.

Visenya's heart raced, her own traumatic experiences haunting her. Suddenly, she had the urge to protect Ellyn from the same dangers she went through.

Screaming. Screaming. My sweet Elaena, no.

"Are you okay?" Aemond whispered in her ear.

Visenya took a deep breath and nodded. "Um, yes. I think." Aemond squeezed her hand under the table. "We can plan a wedding for the end of the year. Lucerys will be fourteen by then."

"So will Ellyn," Lady Elenda said softly. Visenya got the impression she was just as worried about her daughter's health for she knew the truth about having children too young and she didn't want to lose a daughter.

"Let's hope the pup knows where to stick it -"

Visenya slammed her cup on the table and even Alicent and Otto looked over. They had been relatively isolated the whole ordeal, letting Visenya lead the whole situation. But now she had everyone's attention.

"Your repeated insults against my brother and myself have gone unchecked. You stand before the mighty House Targaryen and dare insult us? You are a high lord of the realm and can not even read, you have no right. You should be lucky that we are offering your daughter such a generous offer and taking the name of Targaryen."

The room was silent and Borros was red with anger. "How dare you -"

Aemond drew his sword and Alicent stepped forward. Borros clenched his jaw. "My apologies. Ellyn shall remain in the capital and we shall take our leave tomorrow."

Visenya watched them exit the hall but Ellyn stayed behind with Luke next to her. "I hate Baratheons," Visenya mumbled.

"Good thing they will never sit on the throne," Aemond said.

"Don't speak of such nightmares."

I started a new full time job so that's why updates r a lil more wonky, it has me exhausted.