┊͙✧˖*°࿐ 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐈𝐗

  𝐑𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 as she watched the Hand climb the steps up to the throne. The very throne the Hightowers had stolen right from under their noses. They wasted no time once Viserys was bedridden to try and destroy everything Viserys held dear.

The Princess smiled softly at her mother whose eyes she had caught. Rhaenyra loved her daughter but she loathed the sight of her surrounded by the greens. Rhaella stood out standing next to Aemond in a black dress with red and gold embroidery.

  "Though it is the great hope of this court that Lord Corlys Velaryon survive his wounds," Otto started, Rhaellas eyes shifting to the ground while she interlaced her hands together and rested them on her bump. "we gather here with the grim task of dealing with the succession of Driftmark. As Hand, I speak with the King's voice on this and all other matters."

Taking his seat while folding his cloak over his knee he continued. "The crown will now hear the petitions. Ser Vaemond of House Velaryon."

All eyes shifted to the product that had summoned this petition. The man wore a proud look on his face while stepping forward, his eyes glancing in Lucerys direction.

  "My Queen." Ser Vaemond acknowledged. "My Lord Hand. The history of our noble houses extends beyond the Seven Kingdoms to the days of Old Valyria. For as long as House Targaryen has ruled the skies, House Velaryon has ruled the seas. When the doom fell on Valyria, our houses became the last of their kind. Our forebearers came to this new land, knowing that were they to fail, it would mean the end to their bloodlines and their name."

Rhaella felt Aemonds hand resting on her back the man feeling how tense she was. He didn't try to gain her attention, instead, he rubbed his thumb against the material of her dress in a soothing motion.

  "I have spent my entire life on Driftmark defending my brother's seat. I am Lord Corlys's closest kin and his own blood. The true, and unimpeachable blood of House Velaryon runs through my veins."

Rhaenyra spoke up, Rhaella looking over at her mother. "As it does in my sons and my daughter, the offspring of Laenor Velaryon. If you cared so much about your house's blood, Ser Vaemond, you would not be so bold as to supplant its rightful heir. No, you only speak for yourself and your own ambition."

Lucerys met his sister's eyes who nodded at him with a smile that calmed his nerves the slightest.

Alicent spoke up, her hands crossing in front of her as she stared with a pointed look in Rhaenyra's direction. "You will have chance to make your own petition Princess Rhaenyra. Do Ser Vaemond the courtesy of allowing his to be heard."

Rhaella watched as her mother's jaw set and she looked forward as Vaemond turned his attention to her.

"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."

Rhaellas eyes narrowed but the hand gripping her told her not to say anything. Aemonds glance told her enough.

"My Queen, my Lord Hand. This is a matter of blood, not ambition. I place the continuation of the survival of my house and line above all. I humbly put myself before you as my brother's successor. The Lord of Driftmark and Lord of the Tides."

Otto nodded in the man's direction, leaning forward on the throne. "Thank you, Ser Vaemond. Princess Rhaenyra, you may now speak for your son, Lucerys Velaryon."

Vaemond threw one last look at Rhaenyra before stepping back allowing for Rhaenyra to step forward. Taking his place she took a small breath before she began.

"If I am to grace this farce with some answer, I will start by reminding the court that nearly twenty years ago, in this very," Her words were cut short. The Throne room's doors being pulled open interrupted her causing all eyes once again to be pulled in another direction.

The sight of her Grandsire made Rhaella smile, knowing the reason he was here. The relief on her mother's face told her that she knew the reason as well.

"King Viserys of House Targaryen, the 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."

The sight of her Grandsire in such pain as he slowly made his way down toward the throne made her look away. Seeing him so unlike how he was when she was a child brought tears to her eyes, tears that she tried to blink away.

Unable to watch any longer as his crown fell from the top of his head she pulled herself out of Aemonds grasp as he reached out to stop her. He was too late as the Princess had already begun to make her way up the steps.

Bending down was a challenge but she managed as gripped the crown in her hands. Viserys turned, "I said I'm fine." He hadn't expected to see Rhaella when he turned. His tired eyes softening when he saw the young girl.

Nodding her head at him, she placed her hand on his back. "Come on." Viserys slowly nodded at her words, his breathing harsh as with her help he managed to climb the rest of the way. He fell into his seat, his back resting against the swords as his chest heaved.

Placing the crown gently back on the top of his head, Rhaella placed her lips on her Grandsires cheek. The man gripped her hand softly for a moment before letting go.

Rhaella rested a hand on her stomach as she carefully made her back down the steps, Aemond waiting for her at the bottom with his arm held out for her. Looking over she saw the proud look not only in her mother's eyes but also in Daemon's. Daemon nodded his head in her direction, surprised at how much the girl he saw as his own had grown in such a short time. A perfect vision of her mother.

Aemond gave her a stern look as she placed her arm in his and started to walk back over to take their places behind Aegon and Helaena.

  "I must...admit...my confusion. I do not understand why petitions are being heard over a settled succession." Viserys got the words out, Rhaella's lips quirking in the slightest watching the Queen's eyes close. "The only one present, who might offer keener insight into Lord Corlys's wishes is the Princess Rhaenys."

Rhaenys looked only partially surprised that he had spoken to her but stepped forward after a short moment. "Indeed, your grace." She looked to Vaemond who looked at her with betrayal in his eyes as she moved to stand where Rhaenyra had been moments ago. "It was ever my husband's will that Driftmark pass through Ser Laenor to his trueborn son, Lucerys Velaryon. His mind never changed. Nor did my support of him. As a matter of fact, the Princess Rhaenyra has just informed me of her desire to marry her sons Jace and Luke to Lord Corlys's granddaughters Baela and Rhaena."

Rhaella smiled when her brothers glanced over to their betrothed.

  "A proposal to which I heartily agree."

Viserys leaned forward. "Well, the matter is settled. Again I hereby reaffirm Prince Lucerys of House Velaryon heir to Driftmark, the Driftwood throne, and the next Lord of the Tides."

Rhaenys didn't speak as she moved back to her place next to Baela.

The anger in Vaemond's eyes made Rhaella furrow her brows in worry knowing the next words to leave his mouth would more than likely be his last.

  "You break law and centuries of tradition to install your daughter as heir. Yet you dare tell me who deserves to inherit the name Velaryon. No. I will not allow it."

The words nearly would have made the King laugh if he had not been in such pain.

  "Allow it?" Viserys shook his head. "Do not forget yourself, Vaemond."

Vaemond stood still, Rhaella could practically see his body shaking in anger as he harshly turned and thrust his finger in Lucerys direction.

  "That is no true Velaryon, and certainly no nephew of mine."

Rhaenyra pushed Lucerys back. "Go to your chambers. You have said enough."

  "Lucerys is my true-born grandson. And you, are no more than the second son of Driftmark."

Rhaella closed her eyes, her grandsires words only angering the already angered man even further.

  "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 damned. I will not see it ended on the account of this,"

His words were cut short, the man only stopping as the weight of his words seemed to stop him.

  "Say it." Daemon whispered.

Rhaellas hand gripped the leather covering Aemonds arm. But he just quirked his lips, seemingly amused by the scene playing out in front of him.

  "Her children, are bastards!" Vaemond shouted, the words echoing across the throne room. Rhaella flinched when the words she was taunted with as a child reached her ears. "And she is a whore."

Rhaella pulled her arm from Aemond when she noticed his smirk. Frowning that he found amusement in this. Her eyes then fell on the King who now stood up and was reaching for the dagger hidden in his cloak.

  "I will...have your tongue for that."

He didn't seem to have the chance as Daemon's sword cut through Vaemonds head. The sound of metal meeting flesh was enough to make Rhaella cover her mouth but the sight of the severed head hitting the ground and slide across the floor in her direction made her turn away.

Aemond gripped her arms as he pulled his wife into his chest, shielding her from the sight. Placing a hand on her back to keep her close.

Smugly Daemon propped his hands on his sword as he looked down at Vaemonds body. "He can keep his tongue."

Otto shouted alerting the Kingsguard. "Disarm him!"

Wiping off his sword with his cloak Daemon muttered. "No need." He placed his sword back in its place, taking his place next to Rhaenyra.

Rhaella moved her face from Aemonds chest when she heard the King fall into the chair from the pain. Sounds of agony leaving him.

  "Fetch the maesters!"

Aemond placed his hand on Rhaella's back as he gently nudged her away from the scene. He had read enough books from the library on pregnancy to know too much stress wasn't good for the babe and he wasn't going to put anything to chance, especially with Rhaella.

Rhaella cast one last look at her mother and brothers. Her mother had her sight on her father but her brother's eyes were on her and Aemond clearly not happy with her being dragged away from them once more. But she smiled at them making their faces soften from the hardened look they once had.

Rhaella placed her arm through Aemonds once more as he lead her down the hall. The Princess could only hope that even after everything that had happened a few short moments ago that the dinner would at least be a chance for peace. If not for them for her Grandsire.