Chapter 25
The siblings were once again having breakfast together and Viserys was waiting patiently for one of them to start talking. It became a routine by now. Every morning during breakfast the siblings will share their plans for the day. Viserys loved this, the quiet mornings, the peace, the routine. It was unexpected to say the least, with how chaotic his siblings actually were. These mornings were reminding him of a quieter time, when his mother and father were planning the day together making sure each knew where to find the other.
"I will need the list of ladies soon." Daemon began.
"You will have it by dinner today and you can start sending the ravens." His sister replied.
"Shouldn't we wait until after we present it to the council?" Viserys asked.
"We all know that presenting the list to the council is more of a formality. They have no say in their households, we just want them to feel important." Daemon said.
"Don't start again Daemon. The council is there for a reason. To advise."
"And I haven't denied that. I am just saying that it will be easier if the letters are already written ready to be sent. I of course will for the wonderful advice of the council." Said Daemon and Maenera snorted.
"Why do I somehow doubt that."
"So little faith you have in me" Daemon said dramatically.
"You little shit." He mumbled under his breath."What are your plans Maenera?"
"I will go speak to Uncle Vaegon this morning, after that I have a meeting with Rhaenys."
"When did she asked you for a meeting?"
"She didn't yet."
"Did you see something?" Viserys asked.
"No." Now he was confused.
"Then how do you know she wants to speak with you?"
"I was in the tunnels and heard her talking with Laena. She will send word after lunch."
"Why do my siblings live to annoy me?"
"Because that is what siblings do." Replied Daemon to his rhetorical question.
"And what do you have in plan for today, your Excellency?" Maenera asked and Daemon started snickering.
"I have a training session with ser Harold, afer that I will send some time with Rhaenyra and before dinner I will ask to speak with Lord Strong."
"Whoa, slow down. You want to train?"
"Yes"
"You?"
"Yes, Daemon, me."
"Since when did you start training again?"
"Since this morning."
"Why didn't you ask me to train with you?" Daemon asked and Viserys heard the hurt in his voice.
"I... Just believed that you will be too busy now with your new position as Hand." He said weakly. His sister, damn her to all seven hells, realized the true reason behind Viserys choice in sparring partners.
"That is not the reason is it?" Daemon asked and his cheeks coloured slightly. His sister began laughing even harder.
"Yes it is."
"No it is not"
"Yes it is."
"No it is not. You are embarrassed." Well he was fucked." If you are worried that you are not on par with me with the sword, you have to know that it is fine. You will get better." Oh bless his soul. He was so grateful sometimes that Daemon was so obvious. For a second there Viserys was worried Daemon had realized, but no.
"Yes, you caught me. I want to spare with you when I am not so rusty anymore." Maenera was still wheezing in her chair.
"I knew it."
"Yes, yes you did." Viserys responded trying to keep the sarcasm out of his voice."
"Gods... You are both so pathetic." His sister said and got up from her chair. She was still giggling when she got out of the door.
"What was that about?" Asked Daemon.
"Who knows she's mad remember?" Viserys quickly responded and he as well got up if his chair and left.
***
Uncle Vaegon let her into his rooms the second she knocked. The rooms were his old ones, from when he was still living in the Red Keep. It was sparsely decorated, a bed a dresser and a table with a chair.
"You have been avoiding me." Vaegon said.
"Correction, I have been avoiding an unpleasant discussion."
"I need to go back to the Citadel." That is exactly what she didn't want to hear. She wanted him here in the capital.
"See that's what I have been avoiding."
"Kingslanding has not been my home for many years."
"You just arrived!"
"And I fulfilled the purpose of this visit."
"I need you here!"
"No, you don't. You have your brothers."
"Damn it Kepus, is not the same thing!" She shouted at him. His expression lost it's sharpness and his eyes softened. He put a hand in her hair and ruffled it.
"I know, byka dārilaros(little princess). But I cannot be what you want me to be. I cannot be your father." Damn him, the son of a whore always knew where to hit. It brought tears to her eyes.
"I never asked you to be." Maenera said and they said in silence for a while after that.
"Stay at least untill Daemon leaves for Stepstones."
"I can agree to that." Vaegon responded."I will give you the rest of the potion that I still have with me before I leve for the Citadel."
"You don't plan on coming back ever again are you?" She could feel her heart breaking. Her uncle Vaegon had been a constant in her life since she was born. Rarely in person, but he could always seek his advice through letters and she had the certitude that he will come if she were to call.
"No. Of course if something dire is to happen I am more than happy to assist, as always, but my life is in the Citadel. I cannot stay here surrounded by the ghosts of my brother's and sisters, the ghosts of my parents. I am old now, I am the last son of the Old King, I cannot stay here haunting the capitol like a spectre of an age already gone. "
She knew he was right. He never fit in, not even with his siblings, even though in his own fucked up way he still loved them. It wasn't fair of her to ask him to stay here to be haunted by the ghosts of the past.
"What did you observed in Rhaenyra?" She asked changing the subject.
"A beautiful little girl, truly the Realm's Delight."
"That is not what I've asked you."
"The girl is not mad if that is what your asking. But she is terribly spoilt. The fact that she is an only child allowed her every wish to be fulfilled. That needs to be rectified soon or it's going to cause problems."
"Viserys won't be happy if I intervien in her education."
"Bah... Viserys is so out of his depth with raising her that he will kiss the ground you are walking on if you take over."
"Viserys loves Rhaenyra."
"And I never said he didn't. I'm only saying that he is awfully unprepared to rise a child alone. Most men are."
"I will discuss it with him."
"Another thing. She proudly proclaimed that her Kepus Daemons will be her husband one day."
"That is not going to happen."
"I should hope so. She would make a terrible queen, but at the same time Daemon is not that much of a better choice in ruler at the moment. Not yet."
"The little girl will never be queen. Ruling or consort. I would never allow that. Daemon is going to be a good King, I will make sure of that."
"A good King needs a Queen at his side."
"And who are you suggesting?"
"Don't be stupid, you know I hate stupidity. You know exactly who I am talking about."
"I had a similar conversation with Viserys a few days ago. He asked if I ever considered to take Daemon as my husband."
"And?"
"And I never entertained that thought. I never thought it was an option."
"It is an option. If you want him, let him finish his little war and when he comes back drag him to a sept. He won't say no."
"How are you so sure that he will want that?"
"I lived a long life surrounded by Targaryen men. I saw that expression Daemon is sporting every time he looks at you. I saw it on the Old King's face and on your father's..."
"We'll see." She said noncommittal.
"I heard you are going North soon."
"How the fuck did you find that out."
"Language! And I may have been gone a long time but news still travel fast in the Red Keep."
"Yes, I had a vision and Daemon and Viserys considered it was concerning enough for us to go North."
"What vision?"
"House Bolton still practices the First Night."
"Ah... Troubling indeed."
"Anyway, congratulations Kepus, you will be saddled with the Princess again for a few days." She said and quickly got up from her chair and made her way to the door.
"Come back here you little miscreant!" He said going after her. She began running." Come back here! What do you mean I am the one in charge of the princess? MAENERAAA!"
She was still giggling as she ran down the coridor.
***
The courtyard was empty as instructed when he got there. Viserys felt the need of privacy today. Ser Harold had already prepared the training equipment before hand it seemed. A meticulous man that one.
"What do we begin with ser?" Asked Viserys.
"That is your prerogative, my King."
"And in your opinion where should we start?"
"I witnessed the fight with Prince Daemon my King and it didn't seem as you would need any help in training. The footwork is good so are the moves. The only thing that needs improvement it's your reaction time, but that is because you are a bit..." The Commander trailed of.
"Out of shape?"
"Rusty. I think that with a bit of exercise and some sparring you will get that reaction time up to par."
"Exercise?"
"Some movements to get the blood up. Helps you not to pull a muscle when you swing the sword."
"I didn't do that since I was a child."
"All the more reason then."
And so the training begun. The Lord Commander was a cruel task master. In no time he was out of breath sweaty and two seconds away from collapsing. The bastard was enjoying this. Of course, nothing could be seen on his face, but that didn't mean he wasn't enjoying torturing Viserys. He had a vague idea that this was some kind of punishment for all the shit Viserys had put the man through.... Fair.
"Let me catch my breath for a moment." Viserys said lowering his palms on his knees.
"You cannot take a break during war."
"Good thing I'm not planing on fighting in one, isn't it?" Said Viserys sarcastically." That is my brother's task."
"Speaking of your brother."
"Here we go." Viserys said under his breath.
"I thought that if you ever began training again you will start with Prince Daemons."
"Yes, well, due to various reasons, I chose not to ask my brother's help."
"Ah... I understand..." Said ser Harold and gave him a look.
"What?"
"Nothing my King."
"No, no. There is something. What is it."
"I think that having prince Daemons as a sparring partner may...help with the tensions between you two."
"What tensions? There is no tension. Daemon and I are fine." Said Viserys.
"As you say your Grace." Ser Harold replied.
"For fucks sake, does everybody knows?" Viserys erupted when the silence got heavy.
"I can assure you your Grace that no not everybody know."
"Then how?"
"Pardon me, if I sound a little impertinent."
"When that ever stopped you?"
"As I was saying. I do not want to sound impertinent, but I am almost five and forty, my King. I had served in the kingsguard since I was seven and ten. You were only a babe then, I watched you grow, same with your brother. The kingsguards have the honor of getting to know intimate details from our charges, being those details shared knowingly or unknowingly." He said and unfortunately it made sense, he didn't had to like it though." That and Prince Baelon and Prince Aemon had a bet on when it will happen."
"Oh, you bastard!" The Lord Commander didn't say anything more but the smirk on his face said enough." My sister had been hounding me about this as well."
"A smart young lady."
"Of course you would agree with her."
"The relationship between Prince Baelon and Prince Aemon was an open secret between the royal family and the kingsguards. It would have been hard not to when you would see them leave each others chambers during the night, and morning, sometimes during lunch as well..."
"Fine, fine I get it."
"All I am saying your Grace is that maybe you should have a discussion with your brother."
***
Rhaenys didn't know what to do. On one hand if her husband was having affairs behind her back she wanted to know. On the other hand she really didn't want to speak with Viserys sister. Rhaenys wasn't stupid, she knew that Viserys, or better yet Daemon were training the girl to be mistress of whispers. It was obvious, her slyness and cunning, her ability to find secrets buried deep. He was under no illusion that she was the one that informed Viserys of their plan to get Laena a dragon. She had time to think since then, it was clear that the girl was not to be underestimated, she would make a good ally and a fierce enemy. The way she threw their plans into chaos was a prime example. Not only that but managed to convince Viserys to get a dragon, Vhagar at that.
While she send a maid to make an invitation to lunch she had the dreadful feeling that she was about to make a deal with the Stranger. The girl was young, yes, only a year older than Laena from what she found out, and oh how hard it was to find anything about her. It was like she was a ghost, nobody knew anything or everybody was so loyal to her that it will have been a waste of time to even try to get information out if them. How did this girl, who was a nobody, an unknown, managed to have that kind of influence at court with her being here only a month?
The Hightower incident how it was dubbed now, was a clear sign of her power. With the Hightowers punishment she managed to get rid of the Hand, his whore of a daughter and their entire household in one go, while at the same time sending a clear warning for anyone who tried that again. And it was a warning. A warning pointed at them specifically. Maybe Corlys didn't realized it yet, but Rhaenys did. She knew that Corlys was trying to get Laena to be queen and she did not approved. Part of Rhaenys was glad that her daughter wasn't going to became the breeding mare of Viserys, because that is what she is going to become if she managed to marry him. Viserys will never love her, maybe hold some affection somewhere down the line, but he will never love her like he loved Aemma. And if Viserys killed Aemma, the woman he loved in his desperate need for an heir, what will he do to her daughter, someone who he held no affection to?
The door opened and with the maid came the girl and her sworn shield, ser Harwin Strong. Another move Rhaenys did not anticipate. Tk make the heir of one of the council members her sworn shield will win her the loyalty of his father. She told ser Harwin to wait outside and she moved her eyes on Rhaenys.
"Princess Rhaenys, what an unexpected surprise. I am glad you invited me to lunch, we haven't had the opportunity to speak one on one. And to be honest it became dreadfully boring being sounded only by men." She said.
"Was it?"
"Was it what, Princess?"
"A surprise?" The girl didn't responded but her sly smirk was answer enough. "Please take a seat, the table is already set"
"Thank you." The girl said and took a seat. She didn't touch any food she just took a goblet of water from what she was sipping slowly waiting for Rhaenys to begin talking.
"You made clear that you know many secrets, secrets that you may share if you so choose."
"Are you in need of some of the secrets that I keep, Princess.?" Rhaenys clenched her teeth, damn this girl and her word games."What will you give me for them?
"What do you want?"
"A favor. To be collected from you in the future."
"Done."
"Ask away."
"You alluded when we were on Dragonstone that one Lord has bastards close to home, is that Lord my husband?"
"Yes." Fuck, Rhaenys was waiting for this answer but that didn't mean it didn't hurt.
"Do you know their names?"
"Do you plan to kill your husband's bastards? Because there can be only one mad Targaryen in every generation and Daemon and I have priority."
"I am not going to kill them, just want to know who they are."
"Don't know their names, but they are all over Driftmark and Kingslanding if that is what you want to know. The youngest was just born, a little girl she is not even 6 moons old."
"Tell me where they are exactly."
"No"
"I already told you I am not going to kill them." Rhaenys was becoming increasingly frustrated.
"You may not mean to, but when you are face to face with your husband infidelity your mind might change. I am not going to allow you to hurt innocent children. You want someone to blame, you have your husband."
Damn her if she wasn't right. She may not intend to hurt them, but if she ever saw them. The proof of what Corlys is doing behind her back... Meleys may have a big meal.
"Anything else you want to ask me, Princess?" The girl asked.
"What are your plans with Laena."
"For her to be my lady in waiting."
"After that."
"We both know that I intend to keep Laena far away from Viserys bed. There is no evil plan. The only thing I require of her is to stay away from Viserys bed and in exchange she will be my lady in waiting, she will have unlimited access to all things Valyrian that she wants to learn, and I will find her a good husband when the time is right. That means when she is not still a child."
"Good." Rhaenys was relieved, the girl had no reason to lie. She was blunt and honest to the point of rudeness, but Rhaenys felt she was telling the truth.
"Then we reached an accord. We should do this more often my Princess. Truly it has been a pleasure." The girl said. Without waiting to be dismissed or for Rhaenys to say anything else she got up from her chair and left the room. Such impertinence.