DAEMON
114 AC
The Rogue Prince grunts as he walks after his eldest son through the entrance of the Red Keep, passing through the guards.
Aegon looks at his father with a large smile.
His golden-silver hair is cut short, and he is using dirty black clothes with the Targaryen sigil covering his chest.
“Kepa!
When can we fly again?!” The young prince asks.
Daemon sighs, annoyed by the constant voice of the boy in his head, invading his thoughts.
“We just got back from one and your mother hates it, Aegon.
I don’t care about her opinion, but I don’t like to hear her complaining for over an hour.” The Rogue Prince says with a neutral tone.
Aegon makes a pout.
“Muña is not fun!
When I get older, I will fly as much as I want!” The prince says, running more through the hallways.
Daemon grunts.
“Aegon!
Come here and be quiet, boy!” The Rogue Prince calls, frustrated.
Aegon snorts and crosses his arms with frustration as he walks back to be by the side of his father.
Instants later, a servant walks to them and bow.
“Prince Daemon, the Hand of the King is calling you to his room as soon as possible.” The servant says.
Daemon smirks, keeping walking with his son as the messenger follows them.
“What does he want with me?
If it is another stupid discussion about taxation, I prefer to watch paint dry.” The prince proclaims.
The messenger denies with his head.
“He says he needs to discuss recent information with you.
Important ones, apparently.” The messenger says.
Daemon frowns and then smirks.
He looks as Aegon, who is just hearing, a bit confused.
“Looks like your grandfather has finally become a gossipy old lady.” The Rogue Prince mocks.
Aegon laughs, even if he doesn’t fully understand the offense behind the joke.
Daemon looks at his son with a neutral expression now.
“Go back to your room.
Play with your brother if you want.
If you get lost, I am making you eat only lettuce for the rest of the week.
Your mother will probably like that.” The Rogue Prince says with a malicious smile.
Aegon’s eyes get wide with terror.
“Nooo!
I will not get lost!” The young prince says, running away.
Daemon sighs as he sees that it is the right direction.
He then nods to the messenger before walking towards the chambers of his not so beloved good-father.
The Rogue Prince takes a final turn into the hallway where Otto lives and sees his door with a very familiar figure standing by the side of it.
Ser Criston Cole is there with his shining white armor, looking at the opposite wall with an emotionless expression, like a statue of marble.
Daemon walks to him with a laugh.
The white knight looks at him.
“My prince.” The Lord Commander says with a simple nod of his head.
Daemon smirks.
“I might be asking the obvious here, but is my wife inside this chamber by any chance?” The Rogue Prince asks, ironic.
Ser Criston snorts.
“Yes, my prince.
I think you should join her and her father.” The white knight proclaims with a neutral tone.
The two men gaze at each other.
After Rhaenyra’s wedding, Ser Criston became the official bodyguard of his wife.
A lot of husbands would be concerned about another man being by the side of his wife almost all the time, but he has no reason to be worried about Cole.
After hearing the entire story of the knight, he can easily identify what kind of relationship Criston has with Alicent.
Devotion.
Rhaenyra broke his pathetic heart and now he craves for an idealistic woman.
A symbol of pureness.
The opposite of the image he has of Rhaenyra now.
Laughable.
Yet, that kind of man is perfect to have around him.
Easy to manipulate in his favor and too idealistic to dare “corrupt” his wife.
A perfect tool.
The Rogue Prince walks to the door and knocks.
He can hear the faint sound of a chair getting moved.
As an experienced warrior, Daemon can say that the chair was moved by someone getting up, and by that speed, it certainly was Otto.
His wife was, after years, heavy with one more child.
It happened by accident, but Alicent being the obsessed religious woman refused to drink moon tea after learning about it.
He is not complaining, however.
He could use one more project of a perfect soldier or a daughter that could make new allies for him.
His thoughts are interrupted.
“Enter.
Both you and Ser Criston.” Otto calls from inside the room.
Daemon and Criston look at each other for a second before they enter the room.
Daemon takes good luck in the same old room of Otto Hightower.
The aligned books on the shelves and the papers on their place in the table.
The windows are closed, so the only light on the dark room is coming from candles.
Otto is standing behind his table with his usual green clothes.
His gaze is a composed one.
Daemon moves his eyes to a close chair and sees his wife there, laying her back on the stuffed part of the chair.
Alicent relaxes while keeping both hands on her enlarged belly.
She is getting closer and closer to giving birth.
She looks at her husband with curious eyes.
She clearly does not understand what is happening.
Daemon turns his eyes back to Otto and grunts.
“What do you want, Hightower?” The Rogue Prince asks, impatient.
Ser Otto frowns and ignores him for a moment as he looks to Ser Criston, who is behind Daemon.
“Ser Criston, please, lock the door.
This conversation is very private.” The Hand commands.
The white knight nods and closes the door.
After the sound of the lock is heard, the four of them are isolated inside the room.
Otto sighs and looks back at Daemon with a serious expression.
“Take a seat.” The Hand says, pointing to a chair by the side of Alicent’s chair.
Daemon smirks, but sits on the chair, giving a quick look to Alicent’s belly before looking back at Otto, who is now serving wine in two cups.
The Hand walks to Daemon with the two cups and offers one to him.
The Rogue Prince frowns, but he accepts the drink.
He could enjoy some wine.
“What do you want with that reunion, Otto?
I hope you are not scheming anything again.
I am tired of you and your plans.” The Rogue Prince says with a grunt before taking a sip of the wine.
Arbor Gold, he notices.
How unoriginal for a man of the Reach.
Ser Otto snorts.
“I am not scheming, my prince.
It is the opposite.
I fear that I have to inform you, Alicent and even Ser Criston of another person scheming around us.” The Hand of the King proclaims.
Daemon frowns, Alicent is confused and Ser Criston is in both situations.
“Lord Hand, sorry, but I think I should not be there for that conversation.
I will leave.” The Lord Commander proclaims, turning around.
Ser Otto frowns.
“I think what I have to say here is of great interest to you, Ser Criston.
Please, stay.” The Hand demands.
Ser Criston hesitates, but complies, walking more to the middle of the room, looking at Otto with curiosity.
Alicent sighs, frustrated.
“Please father, say what you want to say and just let us go.
I want to see my children before going to take a nap.
My back is killing me.” The pregnant princess says, grunting as she tries to fix her posture on the chair.
Otto sighs, before looking at a small rolled paper on his hand.
“Princess Rhaenyra has given birth in Driftmark.
A healthy boy.
She named him Jacaerys Velaryon.” The Hand of the King proclaims.
The room is in complete silence as the information settles.
Daemon laughs with a malicious smile.
“Let me guess.
The babe is too…
strong?” The Rogue Prince says before laughing.
Alicent frowns at him, offended.
“Daemon!
We already had this conversation.
I refuse to believe that Rhaenyra would do that unworthy act!
By the gods, she is the heir to the throne!
Please, father, tell us how the babe looks.” The princess asks, hopeful and almost desperate.
Ser Otto sighs once more.
“The boy has brown hair and brown eyes.” The Hand of the King proclaims.
Daemon laughs even louder as Alicent goes pale in shock, her mouth opened.
“Look at your face!
You seriously believed that Rhaenyra would do the deed with Laenor!
What a foolish lady you are, Alicent.” The Rogue Prince proclaims, entertained.
Alicent is still shocked, trying to speak.
“B-But w-why?
Why would she do that?!
She has no idea what she is doing!” The princess proclaims, getting more angry and stressed.
Daemon smirks.
“I can already see my brother making excuses.
Hilarious.” The Rogue Prince proclaims with a laugh.
The bitter tone on his voice went almost unnoticed by everyone, except to the old Hand.
Daemon takes a big sip from his cup as Alicent tries to calm down.
Daemon sighs after drinking almost all of his cup of wine and then looks at Ser Criston, who is looking at the ground with a mixed expression.
Anger, sadness, confusion…
all is there on the face of the Lord Commander of the King’s Guard.
Daemon smirks.
“I thought you would be more…
energic, Cole.
How does it feel that your former lover is having children of questionable birth?” The Rogue Prince asks.
Ser Criston frowns at him, irritated.
“I don’t know.
How does it feel to be behind a bastard in the succession of the throne?” The white knight asks.
Daemon grunts with anger, getting up.
“What did you say, dog?” The Rogue Prince asks, walking towards Criston as the armored knight does the same.
Ser Otto gets between them as Alicent grunts, trying to get up.
“Enough!
I will not let any fights happen between us!
We already have too much on our pla-aah!” The princess proclaims as she grunts in pain as she falls back to her seat.
The three men turn to them and Otto runs to his daughter as she starts to breathe faster, frowns in pain, and holds her stomach.
“Alicent!
What is happening?!” The Hand of the King asks, holding her free hand with one of his own hands and holding her back with the other.
Alicent grunts in pain once again.
“It is time…
father…
AAH!” She screams in pain once again.
Otto looks back at Daemon and Criston.
“Ser Criston, call Grand Maester Mellos!
Now!
Daemon, help me move Alicent to the right room!” The Hand of the King commands.
The white knight quickly leaves the chambers and Daemon walks to his wife.
With an unexperienced effort, Daemon and Otto help Alicent get up and move her to outside of the room.
Through all of it, Daemon’s completely lost in thoughts about his unborn child, his screaming wife, and the poor choices of his favorite princess.
Daemon stands outside of the door in the same way he did four years ago, looking at it while his wife screams inside.
Otto Hightower is by his side.
Ser Criston is also there, but a bit far from them.
The three men stay in complete silence, besides the painful screams of Alicent.
Daemon frowns at Otto.
“What did you expect me to do about Rhaenyra?” The Rogue Prince asks.
Ser Otto frowns back at him.
“I expected you to be against the idea of this child being passed as something he is not.” The Hand proclaims.
Daemon smirks.
“Oh please.
What do you even achieve with that?
My brother will not care about anything we have to say.
The child is his grandchild and the fool will only care about that.” The Rogue Prince proclaims, bitter.
Otto sighs.
“I know.
But it will change our plans.
Rhaenyra has a son and heir now.
The queen still doesn’t have a child of her own.
If we want our blood in the throne, we will need to move our piece carefully.” The Hand of the King proclaims.
“A wedding proposal would work.
Helaena to Jacaerys.
The little bastard will need some more valyrian blood on his descendance for sure.” The Rogue Prince proclaims with scorn.
Otto snorts.
“It will not work.” The Hand of the King says straight away.
Daemon frowns.
“Why not?” The prince asks.
Otto looks at him with a serious gaze.
“I know my daughter.
Alicent will never accept a wedding proposal of her trueborn Targaryen daughter to a bastard.
For her, the boy is a sin and an injustice against House Targaryen.
I don’t think she will look at Princess Rhaenyra the same way ever again.” The Hand says, bitter.
Daemon snorts.
“I hate to admit it, but you are probably right.
Alicent would put her ideals over our ambitions without a second thought.
My brother will also never allow this wedding without the consent of Alicent.
I am tired of it.
I am tired of being the man that can’t even have power over his own children.
I am tired of being a mere servant to my brother while Rhaenyra buries her claim on shit as she chokes on Strong cock.” The prince proclaims with a grunt.
Otto grunts back.
“Be careful of how high you say those things, Daemon.
The walls sometimes have ears.
Either way, we will need to make a new plan.
The Sea Snake has done nothing about it until now…” The Hand proclaims, thinking.
Daemon let out a dry laugh.
“He will probably never do something about it.
If Rhaenyra was not condemned by the Velaryons yet, she must have done some type of agreement with them.
If I would guess, she is hiding behind her father on that one, as always.” The Rogue Prince says with a bitter laugh.
Otto frowns, thinking more.
“I will search for answers soon, but I think you might be right on that one, my prince.” The Hand proclaims, ironic.
Daemon smirks.
“I am always right, Hightower.” The Rogue Prince proclaims with an arrogant tone.
Otto snorts with scorn.
Ser Criston grunts.
“My lords, can we please be silent once more?” The white knight asks in a cordial tone.
Daemon and Otto stay in silence after that.
Suddenly, Alicent stops screaming in pain and a babe cry is heard for some time, making the three men gaze at the door.
Soon, the door opens and Grand Maester Mellos gets out of it with a tired sigh.
“It is done.
You two can get inside to see the babe.
Except Ser Criston, I am afraid.” The Grand Maester points out, looking at the white knight.
Ser Criston nods and stands by the side of the door.
Daemon and Otto walk inside the room and meet an unconscious Alicent, something that triggers past memories of four years ago to Daemon.
As Otto walks forward to check on his precious daughter, Daemon moves his eyes around and sees the maids taking care of the babe, he walks towards them.
The maids notice him and the one holding the babe with a red blanket smiles at him with happiness.
“Congratulations, my prince.
It is another healthy boy.” The maid says with a joyful tone as she offers the babe to him.
Daemon stops on his track.
A son.
A third son.
Another man with nothing to give to him.
A mere third son of a second son.
A drop of tint on the immense book of history of House Targaryen.
Daemon ignores his thoughts and takes his newborn son into his arms.
He immediately takes a good look at the boy, who is looking at him with curiosity.
Not a big babe and quite pale, but he has what Daemon wanted.
Silver-blonde hair and purple eyes.
The Rogue Prince smiles a bit.
“Another son of Valyria.
Four children with the looks of the Dragonlords of old.
Your mother is quite competent in that regard, huh?” The Rogue Prince asks with a smirk.
The boy opens his mouth to make an innocent and toothless smile.
His eyes shine with the purity of a new soul.
Daemon turns his back to see Otto holding Alicent’s hand with one hand and her face with the other as she shakes on her sleep.
As Daemon observes them, Grand Maester Mellos walks to him with a serious expression.
“This was the worst birth she ever had.
She will recover to full health in about a moon, but I drastically recommend that you stop having children.
The next one could be fatal to her.
Four is enough for you, Prince Daemon?” The maester asks.
Daemon frowns and then sighs.
“I can’t say I am not disappointed.
I certainly wanted her to give birth to a whole army of children, like my mother promised to my father.
Jokes aside, I understand.
I am satisfied.” The Rogue Prince proclaims.
Grand Maester Mellos sighs with relief.
Otto gets up from the bed and walks towards Daemon.
He takes the boy on his arms with way more care and experience than Daemon did and frowns.
“He is another good valyrian boy here.
A perfect member of House Targaryen, don’t you agree, my prince?” The Hand asks, ironic.
Daemon snorts.
“Certainly.
I did not expect that an old man like you could have a sense of humor, Otto.” The Rogue Prince mocks.
Otto grunts and Mellos is a bit confused, but don’t question it.
“I am just a bit disappointed.
A girl would offer more connections with the realm and would be more beneficial to us.
As a third son of a second son, the boy is mostly condemned to pursue glory by being a knight and a dragonrider.” The Hand of the King proclaims.
Daemon smirks.
“Like your sons?” The Rogue Prince asks.
Otto looks at him with anger, but controls his impulses.
“I suppose.
He might be a good candidate to be a kingsguard as well.
Ser Criston would be perfect as a mentor to him.
Maybe even a maester at Oldtown.
He would be closer to his mother’s family.
Full of cousins around him.” The Hand says with a soft tone while he looks at the babe on his arms.
Daemon frowns and grunts.
“I prefer to die than seeing a son of mine on this stupid white cloak talking about duty and being a eunuch in practice.
Being a maester is even worse for a Targaryen.
My uncle Vaegon is bad enough as an Archmaester.
The last report said that he spends more time reading books in his chambers than walking or talking combined.
Yet, I would appreciate Cole training my children.
You can’t be skilled enough at arms.” The Rogue Prince proclaims.
Otto sighs, Mellos looks a bit offended and Ser Criston only frowns.
Suddenly, Alicent shakes on her bed and opens her eyes, looking at her surroundings like a lost child.
She finally sees the men in the room.
“Maester…
Daemon…
father…
where is my child?
I want to see it…” The princess says, pale and weak.
She tries to sit on her bed, but fails with a grunt.
Otto helps her to sit as Daemon gets closer, offering the child to her.
Alicent’s eyes shine as she looks at the babe.
She seems to recover some energy as she takes the babe in her arms and looks at him with a large smile.
“Oh my sweet boy…
so handsome and special.
A true member of House Targaryen…” the princess proclaims, showing her bitterness towards the current situation that she did not forget.
Otto smiles at the scene.
“What name do you have in mind for him, Alicent?” The Hand of the King asks.
Alicent looks at her son, then to her husband, and then to her father.
“I was thinking about…
Daeron.
It is similar to Daemon, but unique on its own.” The princess proclaims.
Otto nods with his head and looks at Daemon, who snorts and crosses his arms.
“Really?
You already moved a letter of my name to create Aemond and you are now changing a letter?
Is that lack of originality or obsession?” The Rogue Prince asks, mocking.
Alicent sighs and rolls her eyes.
“Do you like it or not, Daemon?” The princess asks, irritated.
Daemon snorts and shrugs.
“It works for me.” The Rogue Prince proclaims.
Grand Maester Mellos then coughs to call the attention of everyone.
“Well, your grace, King Viserys, demanded me to inform that princess Rhaenyra will come in about two hours with Prince Laenor to introduce their son to her father.
As such, the King demanded the presence of Prince Daemon, Princess Alicent, and the children once the princess recovers.” The Grand Maester announces.
Daemon frowns.
“I doubt that Alicent will be getting out of this bed anytime soon…” The Rogue Prince proclaims, only to see his wife trying to get out of bed and being stopped by Otto.
Daemon grunts.
“What are you doing?” The Rogue Prince asks.
Alicent frowns at him with pure will.
“The king demanded my presence and I will obey.
I will be fine, just let the maids take me to a bath and change clothes.” The princess proclaims as the maids quickly obey and help her get up, even if she can’t stand properly yet.
Daemon grunts once more.
“Your idealism is almost insane.
Fine.
I will take a bath too.
I smell like dragon shit.” The Rogue Prince says before turning towards the door, but he is stopped by two words.
“Join me.”
He must have heard that wrong.
Daemon looks back to Alicent with a confused frown.
“What?” The Rogue Prince asks, unsure of what he heard.
Alicent grunts with her cheeks red with shame, the same with some of her maids.
“Join me in the bath.
We don’t have much time and I still have to talk to you in private.
No time to waste.” The princess proclaims, seriously.
Daemon smirks, raising his hands.
“Usually I am the one asking this type of thing, but fine.
If you really want it, I will not deny you the pleasure of bathing with me, my wife.” The Rogue Prince mocks.
Alicent grunts and then looks at two of the handmaids.
“Please, you two, give a bath to our children as well in about an hour.
I will be there to choose their clothes.” The princess proclaims.
The maids nod and leave.
Otto looks at his daughter with an uncomfortable expression.
“If everything is dealt with, I will be leaving.
Be safe.
All of you.” The Hand of the King says before leaving as well.
Daemon holds the door open and smirks as he points to the outside like a servant would.
Alicent snorts and they leave the room with the help of the maids, with the chosen two of them staying with Daeron.
The Rogue Prince relaxes in his bath as he smiles to his wife, who is on the other side of the tub, evading his gaze as she washes herself.
He laughs as he is doing his own job at washing his body.
“Stop being so reserved, Alicent.
I have seen every inch of your body a thousand times.
Well, I have to say, you look nice with your hair tied like that.” The Rogue Prince proclaims with a provocative smile.
Alicent gets red on her cheeks, but then she frowns.
“That is enough.
I want to talk about Rhaenyra.” The princess proclaims.
Daemons sighs.
“Talk about Rhaenyra?” The Rogue Prince asks, relaxing more in the hot water.
Alicent grunts.
“Don’t play with me!
She has committed a grave offense against our house and the faith of the seven.
How can you accept it like that?” The princess proclaims, angered.
Daemon snorts.
“I am bothered by it, but it does not matter.
My brother will defend his precious daughter until the end of time.
If anyone questions the birth of her son, he probably will scream that it is an absurd accusation, proclaim treason, and cut off the head of who said it.” The Rogue Prince proclaims, irritated.
Alicent struggles to find words, and then she sighs, laying her hands on her face in exasperation.
“That is so unfair to me!
I followed everything I was supposed to do, but then Rhaenyra can do whatever she wants with no consequences!
Why?!” The princess asks, confused.
Daemon sighs and moves to be closer to her.
He lays his arm around her.
And raise her chin with his free hand, looking at her tearful brown eyes.
“She is a brat.
Nothing more than that.
A brat with a lot of power.
She will suffer the consequences for her actions.” The Rogue Prince proclaims.
“Are you sure about that?” She asks, almost innocent.
Daemon smirks.
“No.
The world is a quite unfair piece of shit.” The Rogue Prince says, laughing.
Alicent frowns and slaps his arm before laughing as well.
Daemon takes Alicent by her waist by surprise and kisses her.
She quickly gives in and the two of them share a long kiss that lasts a whole minute with their tongues fighting like they did less than two moons ago.
As they get away from the kiss to breathe, their foreheads touch.
Alicent then recovers her senses and gets up.
“We need to get going.
I am not ready to go beyond that now and you know that.” The princess proclaims, getting out of the tub as she goes towards the cloth to dry.
Daemon follows her with his eyes and Alicent notices, frowning at him.
“Whar are you looking at?” The princess asks, serious.
Daemon smirks.
“This pregnancy made your legs and arse a little more fat.
I like it.” The Rogue Prince proclaims with a malicious laugh.
Alicent throws a brush at his face.
Daemon walks with his wife and children towards the throne room.
Daemon and his sons are wearing their common black clothes with the Targaryen sigil while his wife is using a blood red and long dress and his daughter is using a black dress with red parts that resembles flowers.
Daeron is wearing simple black clothes while still around a red blanket and being carried by his mother.
The family enter the throne room after two members of the Kingsguard open the doors.
King Viserys and Queen Laena are there, wearing their crowns and jewels.
Viserys is trying to stand as stern as he can while Laena is as gracious and beautiful as always in her greenish-blue dress that perfectly embraces her body.
Daemon leads his family and opens a simulated and short smile to his brother.
“Brother.
It is a pleasure to be here to meet the new member of our growing family.
Where is my niece?” The prince asks, even if he knows the answer.
Viserys laughs, walking towards his brother.
“She is not here yet.
She and Laenor just landed at the Dragonpit with Syrax and Seasmoke.” The King says before hugging his brother.
The two of them share it for a time before they separate.
The king then happily smiles towards Alicent.
“Alicent!
You look full of health, by the gods!
And who is the little one here?” The King asks, looking directly at the babe on her arms.
Alicent opens a soft smile.
“This is Prince Daeron Targaryen, your new nephew, your grace.” The princess proclaims proudly.
Viserys laughs with happiness as he holds the small hand of the babe, who looks at him.
“What a pretty boy.
If my grandson looks even as half as pretty as my nephew here, we are for sure blessed by the gods.
Alicent nods, holding her smiles in place.
Laena smiles at them before looking at the babe.
“Can I hold him, princess?” The Queen asks, a bit timid.
Alicent’s smile gets larger before she nods.
Very carefully, Laena takes the child from her arms and holds it like it will break at any moment.
Her smile to the child is almost sad.
“What a beautiful lad he will be.
You are truly blessed, princess.” The Queen says, letting her sad tone more clear.
Viserys lay an arm around her to comfort his wife.
Alicent takes one of her hands with her two hands before looking at Laena’s eyes.
“You will succeed in having a child of your own one day, your grace.
I am sure of it.” The princess consort proclaims.
Laena’s eyes get tearful as her smile becomes a real one.
“I am very grateful for your support, princess.
It means a lot to me.” The Queen says with honesty.
Alicent smiles at her, taking her hand away.
And then, Alicent’s leg shakes.
Daemon quickly catches her by the waist before she falls.
Aegon screams.
“Muña!
Muña!
Are you good?!” The young prince asks, fearful.
Alicent holds her head with a hand and Daemon smirks to his son.
“Your mother will be fine, Aegon.
She is just tired of giving you a new brother.” The Rogue Prince says.
Aegon looks unsure.
Helaena looks at her mother with a sad expression and tearful eyes.
Aemond looks oblivious to this.
He is still attached to Alicent’s leg, looking at his father in silence.
Alicent grunts and finally manages to recover her ground.
Laena looks at her, very worried.
“I think you should go to your bedroom to get some highly needed sleep, Alicent.
You don’t look in form to me.” The Queen says with a soft tone.
Alicent opens a short smile to her.
“I am fine.
I just felt a bit out of place for a second but I am recovered now.
I just hope that the princess doesn’t take too long.” The princess proclaims, extending her arms to demand her son.
Laena hesitantly looks at Daemon, clearly worried about Alicent falling down.
Daemon grunts and turns down the arms of his wife.
“Alicent, I think you should let Aegon hold his brother for now.” The Rogue Prince says, not wanting to hold the babe for long.
Aegon looks at him, confused.
“Me?” The boy asks.
Daemon snorts at him.
“Yes.
You.
Take Daeron in your arms and hold him well for your mother like a good older brother.” The Rogue Prince demands.
Aegon makes a pout, but turns to Laena, who smiles at him before getting on her knees.
“Here.
Be careful.” The Queen says, handing the babe to his brother.
Aegon struggles for a bit to fit his brother on his arms, but he soons manages to do so.
He looks at Daeron, who shakes a bit on his arms.
The boy of seven looks at his father.
“For how long do I have to hold him, kepa?” The young prince asks.
Daemon snorts.
“Until we are done.” The Rogue Prince says.
Aegon grunts, but does things the way he was told to.
And then, everyone hears the sound of paces coming from the entrance of the throne room.
They look back and see Rhaenyra and Laenor walking in.
Rhaenyra is wearing a long black dress with the sigil of House Targaryen also in black and almost unnoticeable around her whole dress, almost like the three-headed dragon is wrapping around her.
She has a proud posture and a short smile while she holds a babe boy with a small amount of brown hair on his head.
The babe is wearing blue and white clothes.
Laenor walks by her side, wearing bluish clothes with the sigil of House Velaryon in white on his chest.
He has a composed expression, but he is clearly nervous.
Viserys is the first one to laugh and walk towards them.
“Rhaenyra!
My sweet daughter!
Words can’t express how happy I am to see you and your son alive and well!” The King proclaims, hugging his daughter and kissing her forehead.
Rhaenyra laughs as they separate.
“Father, this is Prince Jacaerys Velaryon.
My son and heir.” The Princess of Dragonstone proclaims, offering the child to her father.
Viserys smiles and takes the boy in his arms.
Daemon looks at his side and sees Alicent frowning.
Seeing the cursed child apparently made her flame burn once again.
“Oh!
What a boy you have here, Rhaenyra!
My first grandson, a birth to be celebrated, indeed.” The King says, looking at his grandson in his arms.
The others walk towards them.
Laena lands her eyes on the child and gets surprised.
She clearly did not know that beforehand.
She exchanges a gaze with Laenor before she fixes her posture and looks at Rhaenyra.
“Congratulations, princess.
But I have to say, your son certainly have a…
unexpected appearance.” The Queen says, being cautious.
Rhaenyra frowns, clearly to hide her nervousness.
“There is nothing wrong with my child.
If you are referring to his hair and eyes.
That happens.
His grandmother, Rhaenys, had black hair.
My grandfather was a Arryn.
That sort of thing can happen sometimes.” The Princess of Dragonstone says, confident.
Viserys nods.
“Exactly.
The important part is that he is what he is and that he is healthy.
Now, Rhaenyra, I want to show your new cousin to you.
Meet Prince Daeron Targaryen.” The King says, pointing at the babe on the arms of Aegon.
Rhaenyra smiles and looks at the babe, bowing to see him better.
“I thought that he would only be born in a week or two.” The Princess of Dragonstone says.
Alicent frowns.
“Change of plans.
He was born today.” The princess consort says.
Rhaenyra gets up and looks at Alicent.
The two of them gaze at each other.
Alicent being in a controlled state of anger and Rhaenyra in an uncomfortable position.
The younger woman smiles.
“I am happy it worked out, then.
Are you doing well, Alicent?” The heir to the throne asks.
Alicent don’t change her serious expression.
“I will live.” She says, dry.
The silence reigns around them and then Viserys coughs to call the attention of everyone.
He smiles while giving Jacaerys back to his mother.
“So, I had a great idea.
We have two newborn babies here.
Two boys of the same age that could potentially grow together.
I think they should share a wet nurse.
Being milk brothers would make them a lot closer.” The King offers.
Rhaenyra frowns at him.
“I am sorry father, but I must return to Driftmark with Laenor soon.
Lord Corlys was very strict about the rules I have to follow.
Besides, I am already feeding my son by myself.” The Princess of Dragonstone proclaims.
Viserys sighs, but nods.
Alicent snorts and also frowns.
“I plan to do the same.
I never did that for Aegon, Helaena and Aemond, so I plan to do that for Daeron, at least.” The princess says, taking Daeron back to her arms, to the relief of Aegon.
Viserys nods slowly.
“I understand both of your choices and I find it very noble that you two want to feed your own children.
Is not something most noble mothers do.” The King points out.
Alicent nods and fixes her posture.
“Well, with everything treated, your grace, I need to rest.
We are leaving, if we are permitted to.” The princess says, Viserys nods and Alicent walks towards the door with her children by her side.
“Be careful on your way back, princess.” Alicent says while leaving the room.
Daemon then looks at Laenor with a smirk.
“Some men just don’t have as much luck as I do when it comes to children.
Well, have you visited Dragonstone for an egg, Laenor?
It is usually the father’s duty to get an egg.” The Rogue Prince says, trying to contain his ironic tone.
Laenor frowns, but nods.
“I got an egg for him, yes.
A brown one.
It is very hot.
I think it will hatch soon.” The heir of Driftmark says.
Daemon nods, still smirking.
“Good.
I will leave right now to get an egg for Daeron as well.” The Rogue Prince says before looking at Rhaenyra and her son.
His smile is more ironic now.
“Sometimes, you just don’t get what you want, Rhaenyra.
Remember that.” The Rogue Prince says with a serious tone behind his smile.
Rhaenyra nods, gazing at him with serious and worried eyes.
Daemon then walks away, raising his hand to his brother.
“Good night, brother.
We have a long day at the small council tomorrow.” The Rogue Prince proclaims.
Viserys sighs.
“Don’t even remember me!
I am already feeling a headache just from thinking about it!
Good night, Daemon.” The King says, waving a hand to his brother.
As Daemon leaves the room and walks towards a secret entrance that will get him into the Dragonpit, he thinks about how much things have changed today.
The future will be interesting, to say the least.