Rhaenyra was unhappy with the grand hunt that had been called to honor her half-brother’s second name day.
She had more than a few reasons, but the largest was that her father was trying to sell her off to the Lannisters, and the thought made her skin crawl.
In the King’s tent, while the hunters sought their quarry things came to a head.
Her father had been drinking and jesting with his lords.
When she spoke with him it quickly became heated.
“I see what is happening here, father!
Was there this celebration for Elaena’s second name day?
Her third name day?
Will there be one for her upcoming fourth?”
Viserys looked flummoxed.
“I, well, it isn’t quite the same.”
“Of course it isn’t, the King’s heir is to be honored above mere daughters.”
“You are my heir, Rhaenyra.”
“Do you think me blind?
You held a tourney for his first name day as well.
All can see what you intend to do, so just do it.”
Viserys looked angry and raised his voice “I have…”
The King’s Hand interrupted, likely to prevent a scene from being made and getting tongues wagging.
Hightower was good about smoothing things over and managing her father.
Viserys loved to drink, and while he was neither lecherous nor fury-driven when in his cups, he did sometimes lose his more graceful bearing and guarded tongue.
Little Elaena, who traveled with the Queen’s family, approached as the Hand drew away her father.
“Sister, you should not quarrel with father over such things.
I do not care about having things done in my name.”
It had been months since that day.
Elaena had matured quickly, unnaturally quick in Rhaenyra’s eyes.
The girl had not just been looking at the pictures of the books provided but reading them.
She was not yet even four!
“It isn’t about you; it is about the disparity between how he treats his son and how he treats us.”
Elaena nodded in understanding.
Which was wrong.
She shouldn’t understand that!
“I see.
Well, if you feel strongly about this, speak to father in a less crowded area and when he is not within his cups.
Tempers could flare with the wrong timing.”
She ruffled her sister’s hair, which drew an annoyed childlike glare that Rhaenyra still found adorable.
She liked to do things like this when her sister was speaking beyond her years.
“I’m certain you know best with your many years of wisdom, sister.”
Elaena let out a small huff and then wandered off back toward Alicent’s side.
Rhaenyra had tried to talk with Alicent about Elaena, but her one-time friend had thought her strange.
She had even told Rhaenyra that Elaena was a boon and could reliably calm down Aegon when he went into a tantrum.
Rhaenyra sighed; she would talk to her father again, later.
This endless waiting had her in a state of limbo.
If he meant to replace her, he should just do it.
She was in no hurry to wed, no hurry to face the woman’s battlefield that Aemma had suffered through.
Bedding, now that sounded fun to her, but childbirth.
She shuddered.
Whether her father took the heirship away from her or not, she would have to face it one day.
…
Viserys rarely grew truly wroth, but this was one of those times.
Since the hunt he had reassured Rhaenyra; he had no intention of replacing her as heir.
More, he had even given her leave to make her own choice as to who to marry.
She had gone on a tour of the Seven Kingdoms and rejected every offer.
Birth, wealth, reputation, or even looks, none would sway her.
Then his damned brother, who had returned so triumphant and yet had humbled himself after his grand victory, had gone and done something unconscionable.
Why could his family not simply do their duty?
Had he not given them chance after chance?
Had he not forgiven slight after slight?
Much had happened in a short time.
Otto Hightower had been replaced as Hand, Daemon exiled, again, and now he had made Rhaenyra finally do her duty.
She would wed Laenor Velaryon, or he would replace her as heir.
If she could not be made to see sense, she could not rule the Seven Kingdoms.
Viserys would remove her for the same reason he removed Daemon as heir.
Fortunately, she had complied, though she had tried to make him feel as if she were the wronged one.
It was enough to drive a man to drink.
He poured himself more wine; he deserved it after the last few weeks.
“You should not drink to excess, father.” Elaena told him as she entered the room.
Viserys was always guarded by his Kingsguard, but he had left instructions that his wife and children need not be announced or barred from his company.
Not unless he specifically instructed it.
The little princess had not yet seen her fifth name day, and yet the Maesters claimed she was brighter and more knowledgeable than half the nobility.
Her love of books had made her a bit of a recluse.
His wife reassured him that she got on well with Aegon and his youngest daughter Helaena.
“I believe I’ll need a word with the septa on teaching you the proper courtesies when speaking with your lord father and King,” he jested.
She smiled for a moment and Viserys felt at peace, but it faded quickly.
“I am serious.
Excess food and alcohol will prematurely age you and add to your current infirmities.
I would not see you join my mother in the grave before I even reach my maturity.”
He grunted.
Little Elaena would couch her words sometimes, but other times she was as direct as a Stark.
This was one of those times where she seemed to judge him with those decidedly un-childlike eyes.
“Do not worry, I have many good years left in me.
The stresses of kingship require a bit of vice to get through them.”
She frowned.
“I know I am young, but there are texts that suggest that are better ways to alleviate anxiety.
Have you considered going out riding?
Or even a morning brisk walk?
I could join you, and you can start your day with a fresh mind.”
Viserys was touched by his daughter’s words.
She was genuinely worried about his health.
He knew he had not spent much time with her compared to Aegon, but he must have made some favorable impression on his precocious child.
“I will think on it, being a King is very busy.”
She nodded to him.
“Would you like to meet tomorrow or the day after to begin?”
He laughed; he couldn’t quite help himself.
She was as relentless as Otto had been.
Ah, but he did miss his old friend and Hand.
Viserys shook his head.
“So insistent, very well, I will walk with you on the morrow.”
She smiled again, walked up to him, and took the bottle he had poured from off his desk.
“Lest you fall into temptation, father.
You will be most vexed if you try to rise in the morn, only for a pounding head to keep you from adhering to the word you have given me.”
Viserys blinked.
Elaena was going to be even more willful than Rhaenyra!
Only a child could be so audacious with a King, and yet he found he did not mind.
“Alicent will be cross if she sees you with that, you can leave it here.”
“Only if you promise not to drink more tonight.”
“You have the solemn word of the King of the Seven Kingdoms, is that sufficient for you, Princess Elaena of the House Targaryen?”
It was and she gave him a kiss on the cheek goodnight and went off to her own room.
He shook his head again in bemusement.
His mood was lifted, and breath came easier into his lungs.
His mind was now more at ease with the big changes he had made.
He was even more intent on personally sailing to Driftmark and see to it that the match was agreed upon with House Valeryon.