Chapter 9: Chapter 5

Chapter Text

The sounds of the sea birds sounded through the air as I looked out over Blackwater Bay from the deck of the ship. The Prince Aemon was the current flagship of the Royal Fleet, and currently acting as a transport to Dragonstone, where Viserys had decided to move the court for a few months. Next to me, Rhaenyra was looking at the bright water with an even brighter smile.

"It's so pretty out here, smells nice, too!" she said. I sighed at her excitement and joined her watching the ocean. Though, that quickly turned into playing tag on the deck of the ship for most of the day. During the night, I stayed awake with a lantern, reading the various books I'd brought with me. That night, I was surprised to receive a visit from Queen Aemma, accompanied by one of the Cargyll twins; I couldn't tell them apart. Smiling, she sat down at the foot of my bed, her blonde hair touching the bed as her lilac eyes looked into mine.

"You read even more than Rhae," she said, as Cargyll moved to the corner of the room. I smiled brightly at her, hoping against hope that she wouldn't die. I closed the book and rested it on top of me. I tried to think of something to say, and a quote from Jojen Reed came to my mind.

"A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies," I said. "The man who never reads lives only one." Aemma laughed at that, the same laugh I always heard from Rhaenyra when we were playing. It only made me smile more. Aemma had always tried to make time for me, being almost my mother for the past few years.

"My niece is fond of you," she said, making my head shoot back up. "She writes to me with every letter she sends you, and is always happy to receive more from you." I tried to resist blushing in embarrassment. You save one girl from a marriage to your grand-uncle and now she thinks you're her hero. Aemma started laughing at my embarrassment.

"Aunt Aemma, please!" I begged, but she just ruffled my hair. I playfully pushed her hands away as she backed up across the bed. Her face turned serious after that, but still trying to keep a happy outlook.

"I came here to tell you… it's Ser Otto," she said. I looked at her, worried. "He has been attempting to get Viserys to send you back to the Vale with your father. Claims it's because Daemon has been a terrible husband and must return to his duties. He's not wrong, but he's only doing it for himself. While I have had… disagreements... with my cousin, I don't want to see Rhae parted from her only friend." I nodded. She smiled and kissed my brow, before standing up.

"I'll make sure you're safe, Lucerys. I promise," she said, before leaving my cabin, Cargyll following behind her. I clutched the blankets, a warm feeling in my heart. I'd known of Otto's pestering of Viserys… but it was kind of her to protect me from him. It made me chuckle, thinking of Otto. He'd hated the idea of a trip to Dragonstone, but Viserys had been insistent on moving the court there for at least a short time. And then "short time" had been extended to "a moon or longer" after Otto had argued about it. Even the King of Westeros wasn't above extreme pettiness.

We arrived at Dragonstone late in the afternoon, three days after we'd set sail. The Royal Party made their way up the short road to the mountainside fortress, as I stared at the various rocks and beautiful darkened landscapes as we were escorted into the great castle. Gargoyles upon Gargoyles were everywhere, on the blackened stone that had been shaped by the Valyrians centuries ago.

Within, the Draconic Iconography littered the entire castle; all over the floors, walls, and ceilings were engravings, carvings, and paintings of all kinds of drakes. Servants carried all luggage off to different apartments around the castle, as I looked around. I saw several corridors, and wanted so badly to explore, but Father held the back of my shirt.

"Don't wander off," Father warned me, as I stared off down a corridor. "You can do that another day. My brother would be wroth should we miss what he has planned." I nodded, trying not to show my disappointment. I let out a yawn as we were escorted into the dragon-shaped Great Hall of Dragonstone. Viserys carefully climbed to the lord's seat and sat down, his small council stepping off to the side. Father and I stood off to the side as well, while Viserys began speaking.

"My Lords and Ladies, we welcome you to Dragonstone! Our ancestral home has suffered recently, but rest assured, we shall make this place a beauty once more! Now, I believe we should take petitioners for the day!" he said. Aaand I immediately zoned out as the petitioners that came with us began to use diplospeak and doublespeak… I just didn't have the patience for it today. I had books I wanted to read! I thanked all the gods that I'd ever prayed to once it was finally over and we were free to head to our rooms.

I immediately took the next book I hadn't finished and hid myself in the armoire within the large solar that connected the apartments Father and I shared with the ones that Viserys shared with Aunt Aemma and Rhaenyra. Thankfully, there wasn't a magical kingdom ruled by Jesus hidden inside of it. Though, that might not have been such a bad thing.

It was hours before any noise came from outside. Quickly, I blew out my candle and shut the door to the armoire all the way, before pressing my ear to the door. I heard voices approach, and I quickly recognized them. Uncle Viserys and my father.

"Close the door, Daemon. We don't want Rhaenyra or Luke wandering in here while we talk," he said, in a tone that left no room for argument. After hearing the click of locks, Viserys continued. "Now, what are we to discuss? You insisted on it being here, and you are clearly in a rush." After footsteps approached the armoire, I heard Father speak.

"Symond is soon to squire for his cousin, is he not? You'll soon need a new cupbearer," he said.

"Aye, I will," Viserys replied. "I've half a mind to summon Corlys' son to court to fill the role. Might finally shut him up for a few minutes if we have his son with us." I heard father sigh.

"Brother, why not take my son as your new cupbearer? He's skilled at the duties, having done them for me since your coronation, and knows how to stay quiet during anything important," he explained. I nearly took a breath in, I didn't know I was that good a cupbearer.

"Daemon," Viserys said, before letting out a long-suffering sigh. "Lucerys is a grand cupbearer to you, yet I cannot take him as my own."

"And why not, brother? Surely, having your nephew at your side is safe. And you owe me a debt, for placing me in charge of the filth. Otto's men have started calling me 'Lord Fleabottom,' tarnishing my reputation. Letting Lucerys stay by your side would be acceptable as recompense," Father argued. A hand hit wood outside the armoire.

"No, Daemon! Do you know what message that would send to the realm? It would tell all the lords that I saw him as my successor, and the various lords would begin to court him as a future King," Viserys said. "Otto already grows in influence. He'd immediately set Alicent on him, and every Lord Paramount and Warden would send their daughters and sons to treat him as the future King. I still have hope that Aemma can give me a son; when you have a nephew that can become Prince of Dragonstone, then those lords and ladies who courted him will abandon him. I saw it happen with Rhaenys after Uncle Aemon died, and again after young Laenor lost at the Great Council. I do not wish for my nephew to be left alone."

"Viserys, we both know Aemma cannot survive another birth," Father said, his voice growing in volume. "She gave birth to your first son far too young, and we both know Rhaenyra nearly died twice before her first moon, she was too small. Every child since then has ended in miscarriage. It's just like mother. If you'd just name me Prince of Dragonstone, you can let Aemma rest and spend her life with Rhaenyra, and she can marry Lucerys; the two can't be kept apart, and your daughter will be Queen. Let Lucerys train at your shoulder to sit upon the Iron Throne—"

"Enough, Daemon!" Viserys yelled. "You are not the Prince of Dragonstone, and gods willing, you never will be! This subject is settled. If you attempt to bring it up again, I swear to the Seven, I'll make Gwayne Hightower my cupbearer!" Heavy footsteps sounded, followed by the sound of a door slamming. Several tense moments passed, before footsteps came to the armoire, and the door flew open. Leaning against it, I yelped as I fell out, tumbling to the floor. I looked up, and Father stood over me. His face was twisted into one of rage, before calming into a smile. A twisted smile that one might expect a serial killer to wear.

"You heard enough, Lucerys," Father said. "Shall you share your thoughts on the matter? You always do." I knew that this wasn't the time, but something about the way that Father said that told me he wasn't asking. Is this what others see? Is this the Rogue Prince that so many fear? I thought.

"Uncle Viserys doesn't want you to succeed him," I said, dropping any masks. "He fears making me cupbearer will indicate to the lords that you becoming Prince of Dragonstone is imminent, and shift politics utterly. After you and Lord Velaryon raised forces during the Great Council, he fears that happening again." Father nodded.

"Otto wants Viserys to name Rhaenyra as his heir," he spat. "No doubt he wishes to marry her to his son and control the throne. Grandfather brought Otto to the capital to act as a counter to Corlys Velaryon, but he's more of a threat to us than Corlys is, now. He wants to rule in truth, with my brother just providing the feasts." He looked at me a determined look. "Come, Lucerys. We're going for a flight." I nodded and followed along.

"Where to?" I asked. He gave me a wicked smile and looked at me side-eyed. I gulped. That was never a good sign.

"To find my grandparents' dragons," The Rogue Prince said definitively.