Debauchery Chapter 1
Aegon was jealous. There was no other way to describe the feeling bubbling in his chest as he watched Rhaenyra and Daemon from across the table. They were laughing and smiling without a care in the world, without the feelings of burden and worse, unworthiness that had spent years making a home in Aegon’s heart.
He wasn’t the only one watching Rhaenyra’s family. Alicent and Otto were uncomfortably watching as Rhaenyra, her husband, and their children acted...well...like a family. They were genuinely happy to be in each other's presence, they teased and laughed at each other good-naturedly. What made it all worse was that it was like they were watching a mummer's play of what a happy family looked like, and it made it worse when Viserys smiled at them looking just as content to see his daughter and brother happy together.
He couldn't spare a glance for the other side of the table where the rest of his children and the wife that gave birth to them sat. Their side wasn’t even complete, with Daeron in Oldtown. Just once Aegon wished their father looked at him the way he looked at Rhaenyra, with unconditional love and affection. Hell, he wished his mother looked at him that way but wishes didn’t come true. Not for him at least.
No... What truly made it worse was the fact that he couldn’t stop staring. First, it was at her face, how beautiful she looked smiling and laughing with the family she created and loved, then it took a turn. The happier Rhaenyra looked, the more upset Aegon got, which meant the more he would drink and the drunker he got the more his mind wandered, and so did his eyes.
Rhaenyra had a great pair of tits. Pale, big, soft looking. Aegon couldn’t be blamed for starring, after all with that low-cut dress, she was practically showing them off. He wondered how they would feel his hands. Would they be as soft as they looked, or would they have more weight on them? She was pregnant again, and each time she had a child she became thicker in the hips and stomach, unlike his mother who remained slim his entire life. Her tits always got bigger as well and seemed to swell with more than enough milk for her children
He really had to thank his nephews, without them, he wouldn’t be able to ogle their mother and wonder if her cunt would taste as sweet as the milk from her tits. His uncle was a lucky bastard, being able to taste Rhaenyra anytime he wanted. However, the same could be said for the Rogue Prince himself. Daemon was a handsome man. Strong, and confident, looked like he knew how to use his mouth for more than just provoking people. He made pretty children too. Baela and Rhaena had turned into pretty, albeit terrifying, young women and never let it be said Aegon didn’t know his appetites.
Jacaerys had become more handsome as well. He’d grown out his hair, and now it had curls that framed his face more handsomely. Even Lucerys, with his cherub-like looks, was starting to catch Aegon’s attention. The more Aegon drank, the more he compared how pretty the other side of his family was and the more likely he was going to say or do something that would have his mother die in shame and his uncle take his head.
Aegon wasn’t the only one having a sexual crisis at the dinner table. Aemond thought he had been prepared to see the bastards again. He was older now, more dangerous, with a dragon of his own. He had power in the court his grandfather controlled in the place of his father, and he was prepared to wield it like a finely honed weapon.
What he wasn’t prepared for was how seeing his nephews again would make him feel. He had enjoyed the initial fear on the faces of his nephews when they’d realized he had changed. His excitement grew during court, hoping to finally see them punished for something, even if it wasn’t for his eye.
That feeling quickly faded at the arrival of his father and Daemon’s killing of Vaemond Velaryon. His mood only became worse during dinner. Watching not only his elder half-sister be openly happy on her side of the table but her bastards as well. They and Daemon’s daughters were all happily talking and eating as if it was an everyday occurrence that the rotting body of their King dragged himself to court to defend his daughter and her bastard sons.
Perhaps it was. Perhaps they were never really worried about the outcome because they knew, like always, King Viserys would come to their defense. They never had to worry about anything in their lives. His mother constantly worried about Aegon, about the King and his failing health, about Rhaenyra and what would happen to them should she take the throne.
Yet as he looked across the table and met the eyes of Lucerys, he found not a trace of worry on his face. His nephew even seemed to have lost his earlier fear of him and was smiling smugly from across the table.
The feelings of anger and jealousy came bubbling to the surface again, and all of a sudden he was a child being picked on by the people who were supposed to love him despite his flaws, who weren’t supposed to tease him at his brother's request, who humiliated him time and again all because they couldn’t handle the consequences of their own actions.
What made it worse was when Lucerys looked away from him. Aemond followed his gaze and didn’t know why he felt surprised that Lucerys was looking at Aegon. Everyone always looked at Aegon, even when he didn’t want them to. Even though Aemond was sitting right there.
Aegon had noticed Lucerys’ gaze as well, and his brother was clearly drunk because he had begun to leer at their nephew over the rim of his cup. In front of the boy's over-protective parents. In front of Aemond.
Instead of turning away from his brother or making a face of disgust like he should have. Lucerys smiled back at Aegon and even fluttered his lashes a few times. Aegon choked on his wine, causing his mother and grandfather to stare at him in embarrassment and disappointment.
Served him right, but that didn’t stop Lucerys from subtly flirting with one uncle while the other bore holes in the side of his head. People say there is a fine line between love and hate. Jealousy was the precursor as Aemond was unfortunately figuring out.
But as always with this family, it all fell apart once the toasts’ started, until Viserys, with what little strength he had left, called for peace once more. They all took it for the dismissal it was and as Aegon, Helaena, and Aemond were leaving he heard his sister say that they would be heading back to Dragonstone in the morning.
Finally. Aegon was starting to obsess and constantly thinking about his sister’s tits with her crazy husband right there was a surefire way for him to die young.
What he didn’t hear as he was leaving was Rhaenyra and Daemon’s conversation as they watched Viserys be half-escorted half-carried out of the room.
“I know I said we would leave in the morning, but Daemon... look at him. I’m afraid he won’t survive the night.”
“I know. He is my brother, and I wish more than anything to be by his side, but it isn’t safe here for you, the children, or the babe,” he said softly placing his hand over her slight bump. She placed her hand over his and they held each other for a moment.
“Let’s sit with him tonight, just this once.”
“Alright, but I won’t leave the children undefended.”
“What will you do?”
“I will have them stay in my rooms, if anything happens, they can barricade the doors, and I told Jacaerys and Baela about the tunnels. They can escape to another part of the Keep or even to the city if need be. The Gold Cloaks are still loyal to me, and my daughters know how to get in contact with the best of them for protection.”
“Very well, go find the children. I will go and sit with Father.”
Daemon kisses her forehead and lets her go, following the path her father had taken moments before. Daemon turned on his heel and went to find the children in their rooms. His first stop was the nursery where little Aegon and Viserys were being tended to by Elinda. She was Rhaenyra’s most loyal and trusted maid and earned Daemon’s regard as well. No small feat, and one she bore with honor.
This is why when the Rogue Prince tells her to take the boys to his room and that she is to remain there with all the children until either he or Rhaenyra comes for them, she listens. She quietly guided the boys, stumbling because of how tired they were, to their father’s room to sleep and wait for their parents to return.
Daemon went to get Joffrey and Lucerys next, telling the older boy what he and his mother were doing and why it was important for them to be on their guard. Rhaenyra considered Lucerys to be the sweetest of her sons, but Daemon knew, and Lucerys had proved, that in defense of his siblings, he was a force to be reckoned with.
He finished by collecting the girls, as well as Jacaerys. They and Lucerys were older, if anything happened it would be up to them to protect their younger siblings and get them to safety. He quizzed them on the passageways leading from his room to different parts of the Keep and to the city, and he made sure they knew where to find a hidden stash of gold dragons should they need to flee.
Balea and Jacaerys took his orders to heart and gave him a glimpse of the kind of couple, the kind of rulers they would be at each other’s side. Rhaena, however, was much more hesitant. She had developed Rhaenyra’s bad habit of twisting a ring on her finger, and Daemon had to gently stop her from rubbing it raw.
He waited until the door was closed and tested it to make sure they locked it before heading for the King’s chambers. Ser Harrold and Ser Steffon were guarding the doors when he arrived. His brother’s rooms smelled of sickness and death, a scent he thought he had left behind in the Stepstones or even in the throne room.
Rhaenyra was alone
“How long have you been alone with him.”
“Not long, the Queen was here earlier but I begged her to give me some time with my father. I never got to spend time with my mother in her final moments, and I made it clear that I would not do the same with my father. She granted me privacy and said she would return in the morning. She took her guard dog with her.”
“Good,” Daemon said as she sat next to her. They both watched Viserys weakly breathe and mummer in his sleep.
“But you wanted to know... if I believe it to be true.”
“What are you talking about father?”
“Don't you remember? Aegon...”
“His dream?”
“Yes... His Dream. The Song of Ice... and Fire... It is true. What he saw in the North. The Prince That Was Promised.”
“I know father. I know...it’s alright, I am ready. I will make sure we are all ready.”
King Viserys first of his name, dies with his eldest daughter and brother at his side. Rhaenyra and Daemon are in no rush to spread the news, no matter what anyone says or how angry they feel at Viserys’ weakness, they still love him.
They would spend the rest of the night mourning their loss and would not move until the first rays of light began to shine on the Red Keep.
“Rhaenyra, we need to make sure that Hightower and his allies don’t get wind of this until we are ready...Nyra...”
“I know... What would you have us do first?”
“Ser Harrold and Ser Steffon are still outside, and I trust them more than anyone else on the Kingsguard. You are the Queen now, order them to keep the doors barred to anyone. I will go and retrieve the children from my room. I will take the passageways and bring them here before anyone knows what has happened.”
“What about the rest of the guards, most of them will be loyal to Otto?”
“Let me worry about that, just keep anyone from entering until I return.”
Daemon squeezed her hand and then was gone, into the secret passageways to secure their children. Rhaenyra took a deep breath; the next few hours would be a true test of loyalty and strength for everyone.
“Ser Harrold, Ser Steffon, I must speak with you both immediately.”
“Yes Princess? What has happened?”
“My father is dead, he is no longer the King, and I am no longer the heir to the Iron Throne, I am the Queen. Can I trust you both, to hold up your oaths to my father and to my line?”
“Yes, Your Grace. We are no longer the Kingsguard but the Queensguard and we will protect you to the end of our lives.”
“Thank you.”
“What do you need from us, Your Grace?”
“I need you to guard the doors, do not let anyone in no matter who they are or what they say. If they press you tell them that I wished to be alone with my father so we may reminisce about my mother. That should deter Alicent at the very least.”
“Can we assume Prince Consort Daemon is aware of this development?”
Rhaenyra couldn’t help but smile. Ser Harrold had known them both too long to miss anything. The fact that he still treated her like a daughter and looked after her even at her age was a comfort she didn’t know she needed until she had it.
“He had gone to retrieve our children; he will return with them soon. For now, we must prevent anyone else from learning what has happened until we are prepared to stand against Ser Otto. How many of the knights here do you trust?”
“Ser Erryk will be loyal to you Your Grace, as will his brother, though I must admit he has taken to watching over Prince Aegon since you left the Keep. I trust his loyalty to his oaths, so long as his charge comes under no harm.”
“If I may Your Grace, Ser Lorent will be loyal as well, since your father sent him with you to Dragonstone.”
“Of Course, I never doubted his loyalty for a second. What about the household knights?”
“Most are in the pocket of the Lord Hand as well as most of the Small Council. There are several Gold Cloaks who roam the lower parts of the Keep, they will come on the orders of your husband, and I have no doubt they will be able to spread word throughout the city for reinforcements should we need them.”
“Good,” a rustling sound comes from behind them and both men move to guard their Queen until they realize that it is Daemon with the children and Princess Rhaenys. Daemon must have told them what was going on because the older children were wide awake and tense. Rhaenys was as stern-faced as usual, but Rhaenyra could see the grief in her eyes at losing another member of her family. Especially a cousin she had been close to in childhood.
Elinda guided Aegon and Viserys away from the adults and entertained them with their grandfather’s model of Old Valyria.
“Mother, are you alright?”
“I’m okay sweet boy. I’m better now that I know you all are safe,” she said looking at Daemon.
“As far as I could tell everyone is still asleep except for the guards who are supposed to be on the night shift. No one saw or heard us leaving and I left the doors locked to all the rooms to buy time in case anyone tries to check on us.”
“We don’t have long until more people are awake. What about my siblings?”
“Uncle Aegon was really drunk last night, so he’s probably still sleeping. I don’t know about Helaena but from what I remember she tends to stay in her room. Aemond is the only one I can think of who may wake early.”
“Then we have no time to waste. Daemon, can I assume your ability to get in and out of the Keep is still one of your strengths?”
“Do you even have to ask cousin?”
“Good, if you can get me out of the Keep, I can make my own way to the Dragonpit. Corlys and our allies along the Narrow Sea will need to be alerted as soon as possible. Meleys and I are the fastest pair, we can be there a back in only a few hours.”
“A good idea Rhaenys, while we are in the city, I can gather more Gold Cloaks. The moment I do though, rumors will spread quickly. We need to decide how to oust the Hightower’s once and for all.”
“I’ve already asked Sers Harrold and Steffon; we can count on all the Kingsguard except Ser Cole. Most of the household knights and Small Council will side with the Hightowers if given the chance, but since my father never named Aegon heir, if they push too hard, we can charge them with treason. It’s not how I want to start my reign, but maybe the threat of it will be enough.”
“What if we made it difficult for them to get to Uncle Aegon? If they can’t find him in time to crown him, and if we can convince him to kneel before you in front of the entire court then the men who want to put him on the throne, won’t have a leg to stand on.”
“What are you thinking Jace?”
“It’s no secret that he sneaks out of the Red Keep to go drinking and whoring, what if we hide him in one of our rooms and bought time by having them search for him in the city. I’m sure that the Lord Hand and the Queen will send men to look for him. Let them continue to think grandfather’s health is failing, they wouldn’t want anyone else to influence Uncle Aegon, and we can use that to hide him until we are ready for him to swear fealty to you.”
“That may work, but what about Helaena and their children? I don’t want my sister, or my niece and nephew hurt over this, but if Aegon is nowhere to be found Otto may get desperate and try to crown Jaehaerys or worse, Aemond.”
“We hide her too. I think Aunt Helaena will be happy to stay out of the way, so long as we make sure she and her children aren’t hurt. She and the twins can stay with Rhaena in her room. No one would dare to burst into the room of the daughter of Daemon Targaryen or risk his wrath. Helaena and the children in Rhaena’s and we can hide Aegon in Baela’s.”
“What do you girls think?”
“I am in agreement, Your Grace.”
“Actually, it was our idea. Our doors are still locked and as far as everyone is concerned you and Father are the only ones who sat with His Grace all night. They won’t expect us for a few hours, just enough time to use the passages and move Aegon, Helaena, and the children. The problem is we need to make sure that Aemond either leaves the Keep in search of his brother or that he doesn’t think of going into their rooms or the nursery and seeing both Aegon and Helaena missing.
“Elinda, come here for a moment.”
“Yes, Your Grace?”
“Will most of the maids be up by now?”
“Only a few, Your Grace.”
“How quickly do you think you can spread a rumor that Aegon snuck out of the Keep?”
“Not long at all, shall I go now?”
“No, we must wait until Aegon is hidden away. Jace, you and the girls go and get your aunt and uncle. Once they are secure report back, then Elinda can go and spread the rumors. In the meantime, Daemon and Rhaenys can sneak out of the castle.”
“Your Grace, might I suggest calling a Small Council meeting? Ser Steffon and I don’t have to reveal who called the meeting, but if we imply it was the King...”
“Then we will be able to gather them all in one place and avoid arousing too much suspicion. You may go ahead with this plan should anyone question why simply make sure they understand you are merely following orders. Let them draw their own conclusions.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
After being dismissed, everyone quickly leaves to complete their assignments. They only had a few hours to install Rhaenyra as Queen, before Ser Otto became suspicious. Daemon leads himself and Rhaenys, still in her night-gown with only a cloak to cover her features, into the city. Jacaerys, Baela, and Rhaena had gone to retrieve their aunt and uncle and hide them away. Ser Harrold and Ser Steffon returned to their posts outside the doors.
Lucerys remained at his mother’s side. Holding her hand and offering her comfort as she grieved her loss. He remembered the feeling of sadness and helplessness when both Ser Harwin and Laenor died. He would shield his mother and his younger brothers as much as he could. As she did for him.