Chapter 21
It was Viserys turn at a sleepless night it seemed. His mind wouldn't shut down. The council tomorrow was going to be a shit show, he knew. The dragon claiming, Rhaenyra's introduction as cupbearer, Vaegon's evidence, Rhaenyra's and Maenera's households, Otto and Allicent... It was too much. He knew that Otto and his daughter should be punished, but his heart hurt. He thought that Otto was his friend, an ambitious one but a friend none the less. It seemed like his ambition knew no bounds. To send his daughter to his chambers dressed in her mother's dress was too much. Viserys was not a godly man, the gods knew he had his sins that needed to be repented, but he would never whore out his daughter.
He knew his sister was going to humiliate them. That is why she choose to speak more in front of the council, that is why she had the maids in the room. By tomorrow the gossip those three women spread will be untamable. He didn't want the girl reputation to be ruined but at the same time, the vicious part of him, the part of him that was hurt was delighted at the damage his sister had done. He didn't know yet what his sister had planned for the girl, bit he knew what he had planned for Otto. His brother was right, Otto was a cunt.
Speaking of his brother, it seemed that the little shit, ironically was the only one not creating problems at the moment. Surprising but not unwelcome. He had the vague idea that it was because of his sister. Her disappoinment in you, hurt on a different level so, he thought, that his brother was only behaving to keep out of his sister disappoinment list. That and the fact that he was pretty sure that Daemon was half in love with her already. Sure... If asked Daemon will deny everything, but he saw them. Both of them were gone on each other. Daemon was looking at Maenera like she was a goddess sent from the heavens and his sister was looking at his brother like he hung the moon. They gravitated around each other, Maenera said jump and Daemon would ask how high. She was going to make him King, of that he was sure. The question was will she wait for him to die or something unfortunate will befall him soon. Oh... Viserys knew she loved him, but Daemon, Daemon was the one. Her twin flame. She was going to burn the world down for him if he asked.
It was ironic really, that the level of devotion those two showed each other, he hadn't seen anywhere else than the brother-sister couples in the family. It goes without saying that the others and their spouses loved one another. Aemon and his Lady Baratheon, Rhaenys and Corlys, him and Aemma. But if his siblings ever married they would never cheat, they would never lie. Daemon would have never given the order to cut the babe out if Maenera was the one in the birthing bed. Daemon would prefer to lose an unborn child that to lose half of his soul. Even now he could see them from his chair. They were tangled together in bed. They moulded to one another like they were pieces of puzzle. Her hand having a strong grip on his hair, the other slithered under his shirt. She was almost laying on top of him his arms around her in a hard embrace,like he was scared even in his sleep she would disappear. Their heads bended at awkward angles only so they could feel each other breaths. They were made from the same cloth. They had the blood of the dragon. Both monster children. More gods than men. They were restless and chaotic. Twin flames.
***
The morning came too quickly in Daemon's humble opinion. His sister looked like she drank liquid sunshine. She was buzzing from one place to another, over and over again. Like her skin could not contain her emotions. Viserys on the other hand looked like he hadn't slept a wink. He had dark bags under his eyes, his hair was ruffled and he had a sneer on his face. Wasn't he a vision this morning?
"Could you please sit down already?" Viserys snapped at Maenera.
"Well someone is grumpy this morning."
"Today is going to be hard enough. There is no need for your smart mouth. "
"There is always a need for my smart mouth... That didn't came out right..." Daemon snorted, even Viserys cracked a smile.
"What are we doing with the Hightowers?"asked Daemon.
"Be patient my sweet brother, I am sure you will see at the meeting. I have plans for the girl and I am sure that Viserys has his own plans for Otto."
"But I don't want to wait, I want to know now!" He realized that he sounded like a child but the waiting was killing him.
"I will not tell you! You will smile like a deranged person all through the meeting!"
"So?"
"I said no." Replied Maenera.
"Pleaaaaase."
"NO"
***
The time for the council meeting arrived and Viserys and his siblings, Vaegon with little Rhaenyra in tow arrived at the council chamber. They were making a striking figure, three generations of Targaryens in one room. All of them choose to adorn their head pieces today, even Vaegon. Viserys had his crown while his siblings and Rhaenyra had their golden circlets, Vaegon even if he wore the typical Maester robes on his head was a thin silver circlet. It was not usually done, when you entered the Citadel you are supposed to let go of the family that you had, but Vaegon had dragon blood in his veins and that won't change till his death. The chamber was silent when they entered, the silence probably caused by the rumors that were flying rampant through the corridors thanks to the very talkative maid, Becka. They took their seats, Rhaenyra going to stand by the pitchers.
"As we are all here I declare this meeting started. The first subject that needs to be addressed is Princess Rhaenyra's introduction as a cupbearer. She form now on will be at all meetings." Started Viserys.
"Is it wise, my King to have another girl here while we discuss matters of state?" Said the Grand Maester, insulting two princesses with one sentence. Viserys eyes narrowed.
"What do you mean Grand Maester?"
"Well... I-I-I would only like to point out that this environment is not suitable for young ladies."
"These young Ladies are princesses of the blood. If something were to happen to me and my brother these young ladies would be Queen and heir respectively, why would this environment, where all the decisions concerning the realm are made, woud not be suitable?"
The silence after his little speech was loud. Nobody dared to say anything else, it was obvious to all of them that the King was in an extraordinary mood today.
"If that is settled, the second subject on today's itinerary is of course the proof all of you requested concerning my sister. Arch Maester Vaegon has all the records needed." Said Viserys and Vaegon took the reins of the conversation.
"As expected all information concerning the marriage and the birth of a Targaryen is written in the Targaryen family book." He presented the book to the council all members studying the writing."
"Are there any other evidence, Maester Vaegon? Witnesses, documents?" Asked Otto and Viserys could see the pursed lips and the raised eyebrow Vaegon was sporting.
"Of course, Lord Hand. Their Graces Prince Baelon and Princess Aerea had decided in the year 91 AC to hold three different ceremonies in the light of all the religions their Graces were following. The first ceremony was the Valyrian one, and on this document are the priest writings about the ceremony." Vaegon said and passed the document." The second one was in the eyes of the Old Gods, the officiator had not documented any of the ceremony as the vows in the North are said in front of the Heart Tree and it said that through the heart trees the Old Gods are listening. There should be a small mention in the family book."he continued and Lord Strong who was a follower of the Old Gods nodded along." The last ceremony was held in the light of the Seven-who-are-one. Septon Lance had officiated the union and his writings have been sent to the Citadel as per tradition." He passed that document as well.
"And the documents regarding the birth of the Princess?" Otto asked through clenched teeth.
"Maester Laegel and a handful of midwives had assisted the birth of the Princess, there are no documents except the inclusion of the birth in the Targaryen family book, but after his death Maester Laegel jurnal was sent to the Citadel, the entry about her Grace birth being documented there. The passage in the journal saying as follows:
"During a snow storm in the year of 92 AC, the fruit of the union of Prince Baelon Targaryen and his second wife Aelera Snow, was born. At the hour of the wolf her Grace the Princess gave birth to a girl, white of hair that had the late Princess Alyssa's eyes, one green and one purple. The Princess was born small and didn't cry when she was first born but was declared healthy enough if a bit quiet."
Vaegon finished reading the entry then passed the journal as well. After all of them studied the documents carefully, Lord Strong was the first to voice his opinions.
"I believe that all our doubts have been put to rest."
"Indeed" replied Corlys. It was the first time since the meeting started that he uttered a word.
"If all of you my Lords are in accord, then we pass to the third subject on today's list. The households of both the Princess Rhaenyra and Princess Maenera." Viserys spoke and gave the torch then to his sister.
"Yes, it has come to my attention that ppl princess Rhaenyra lacks lady in waiting, so as of today we would like to receive suggestions in the next council meeting regarding her ladies. Same can be said about myself. I has been decided they the younger daughter of Lord Strong will be her chief lady in waiting."
"What about my daughter?" Said Otto and all the council members had an expression of disbelief on their faces.
"I assure you Ser Otto, your daughter will be discussed later." His sister said" as for myself, the chief lady will be Lady Laena Velaryon and of course one of the ladies will be the oldest lady Strong. I would also like if one of the Mormount Ladies will join me but that remains to be seen."
"Will your Grace also take Queen Aemma ladies in your employ?" Asked lord Beesbury.
"No, as the late Queen Aemma's ladies are already married they will go back to their husbands in the Vale. "
"It will be good if your Grace or the princess would choose other ladies from the Vale."
"Yes, I will ask Lady Jayne Arryn or Lady Rhea Royce for advice in the matter. "
"On our next point, as I am sure that all of you heard the rumors, we will be discussing the actions of Lady Allicent Hightower."
"May we ask your Grace, what exactly had happened?" Asked Corlys.
"Last night the lady in question decided to enter my rooms under the pretext of helping me with my grief." He explained. Outrage was shown on the faces of the council men although he had the vague impression that the outrage on Otto's was a tad different.
"We cannot let this stand your Grace." Said Corlys.
"This is despicable." Said Lord Strong.
"Your Grace I am sure my daughter didn mean..." Began Otto. They were already taking over one another. And of course Daemon had an amused smirk on his face. The little shit. He stopped them quickly.
"My Lords, I understand your concerns. As nothing happened and the Lady's virtue cannot be put into question as I was not alone in my rooms at the time of her visit, we can calm down. The question remains though, what punishment should be passed."
"Your Grace, I must insist, it is all a big misunderstanding..." Otto began again. Viserys snapped.
"You will be silent!" The usual supporter of Otto, the Grand Maester was quiet as a grave. It seemed he had self-preservation instincts after all.
"My King, if I may offer a solution." Vaegon interjected.
"Go on."
"Princess Maenera is the only woman in the Council, maybe her Grace can offer insight in this problem we are facing."
"What insight can she offer in this matter?" Asked the Grand Maester.
"Well, as none of us had ever been before young women, so to understand the problem better so we can offer a proper punishment we need the insight of a young woman into the mind of another young woman." Responded Vaegon.
"Quite, if you would sister."
"Thank you. There is no secret my Lords that many girls dream of being princesses and Queens when they are little. Slowly as we grow up we understand that such motions may not be possible. Even so, sometimes at the encouragement of a parent or simply because they lack proper education, some girls try to fulfill this dream through various methods, some more distasteful than the others." His sister begin painting a very bad picture." That being said my Lords, we cannot let these actions unpunished. We must set an example for the rest of the Ladies in the seven kingdoms that this actions are not to be tolerated. Just imagine all the women that are disappointed in their stations or their intended going to the chambers of Lords hoping for a better marriage. That in itself can cause wars to break between families. Imagine a scenario where a lady of a minor House seduces the betrothed Lord paramount of a region. There can be two options in this situation, one, the Lord in question will break the betrothal and marry the Lady he slept with, angering his former betrothed family or the second choice, marry his betrothed and risking a bastard on a noble lady, angering the families of both girls. In either case there will be fighting."
"That is indeed concerning. What would you suggest my Princess?" Asked Lord Strong.
"There are three options that I see that will resolve our problems. Option one we send Lady Allicent to the silent sisters. Option two we exile her from Westeros a thing that had been done before by the Old King. Option three the Lady and her family will agree to a fast marriage the suitor to be decided by the injured party, in this situation the King."
"These are indeed drastic punishments your Grace" said Lord Beesbury.
"My Lords, you can all agree that as the evidence presented showed my daughters honor is still intact. Such punishment are too steep." Tried Otto tu justify.
"That is why the option of marriage is still open. Plus this is not her first infraction. Three years ago Lady Allicent who was four and ten at the time tried to seduce my other brother Prince Daemon, who was already married at the time might I add. So no, I do not believe that the punishments are too steep." Explained his sister. Huh... Daemon never mentioned the incident.
"In that case your Grace, I personally can agree to all those punishment. I also think that it will be better if his Grace the King would choose the punishment." Said Lord Strong and he could see the members of the council nodding along.
"As this is not her first infraction, I have decided that the Lady Allicent Hightower is to be sent to the silent sisters." He declared and a little sniff could be heard. All the heads at the table turned towards the noise and they were greeted by a teary eight year old Rhaenyra who was frozen in her spot holding for dear life the wine pitcher.
"I'm sorry..." He didn't know exactly what she was sorry for. For interrupting them, for Lady Allicent?
"My Princess, as Lady Allicent was your lady in waiting what punishment would you think is suitable?" Daemon asked Rhaenyra. The girl didnt stop crying but had a look of concentration on her face.
"May I ask some questions first?" Asked Rhaenyra.
"Of course, Princess."
"So Allicent had gone to Kepa's room so she could sleep with him she could marry him and take Muña's place as Queen and she tried that before with Kepus even though he was already married to Lady Rhea. Is Allison a whore? Because if she is we cannot send her to the silent sisters because those women are supposed to be pure to serve the Gods that's what Septa told me." Said Rhaenyra. Otto looked very close of dying, Daemon and Maenera were trying to suppress their snickering and Videos was extremely close of throwing himself out of the window.
"Do you know what a whore is, Princess? Asked Lord Strong using a voice he no doubt was used with his own daughters.
"Not.. exactly. I heard Lord Hand telling Allicent a few weeks ago that Kepus brought his whore in the Council room. But when I asked Allicent she didn't want to tell me what it meant neither did the maids, so when I spend the day with uncle Vaegon he explained that whores are women who sleep with men for gold or for other benefits. So Allicent tried to sleep with Kepa and Kepus to become princess or Queen, does that not falls under the category of favors?" Rhaenyra asked and most of the council were trying to hold their laugh in, even Vaegon which was an achievement into itself.
"Well, you are not wrong." Said Daemon.
"Then the punishment for the whore who tried to take muña's place should be burning. Dragon fire, Syrax can help. Nobody should try and take muña's place." Ah... There was the Targaryen madness, he was wondering when it will start to appear.
"Darling we cannot burn lady Allicent, I think that what I decided is a suitable punishment." He tried to pacify Rhaenyra. It would do no good to anyone if his daughter was chaising Lady Allicent down with her dragon trying to burn her.
"As you say Kepa, but I still think that my punishment is better."
"Anyway... The last thing that needs to be addressed is your position as Hand, Ser Otto."
"Your Grace?" Otto asked and he could see that the men had began to whiten.
"Well you either knew about your daughter's actions and encouraged her or you were blindsided by the actions which means that you don't have control over your own family. Either way these are not good characteristics for the role of Hand of the King. So effective immediately you are relieved from your post and you are to return to Oldtown as soon as possible with your entire household." The members of the council were truck mute. Even his brother was looking at him surprised. Otto didn't utter a word he just got up and left the chambers slamming the door in his wake.
"Who will be the next Hand your Grace? Asked Corlys.
"Prince Daemon will take the spot and a new Commander of the City Watch will be found. If that is all this meeting is officially closed."