16 The Greens and The Blacks

[Otto Hightower]

That was the last of the parchment. I took it in between my fingers, personally sealing it. In some matters, maesters can not be trusted.

Even if I am from the family of Oldtown where the Citadel is present. Now that the tides are changing, no one can be trusted.

From what I have heard, the Lannisters have already pleaded allegiance to Baelon Targaryen. The others including houses of the Westerlands follow along with the Lions.

Fortunately, the other great houses have not yet followed along. Waiting to see the drama unfold before taking a stance.

Larys Strong, the new head of House Strong and trusted adviser of my daughter has sent a letter of allegiance as well. However, he seems to be playing both sides of the coin.

Allicent has him in the tip of her fingers, I am sure. As for now... I watched as the raven flew with my letter.

I took a deep breath...and let it out slowly.

The letter will reach Bravos within the week. There were three more letters to send. The Baratheons, Tullys, and Tyrells.

I looked at it flying into the distance, my visage as stoic as ever. My mind went back to the time, Blackfyre burst into flames.

That was not something I expected. Viserys had always spoken of his dream often, even before the birth of Baelon.

He even held a grand tourney and proclaimed the unborn child, heir, and male. While that was true... the crown prince turned out sickly.

In my long life, I have done many nefarious things... unspoken sins. It all began with the realization that we would never be able to escape from the clutches of the dragons.

If that is not possible... then there was only one way to usurp control... and with that began the long game.

I shook my head, looking away from the raven in the sky. I would probably get a reply from House of Black and White soon.

Their answers come in very discreet manners and the moment they provide death too is mysterious and unknown.

However, they have never failed a job. Death is always certain. Unfortunately, they are arbitrarily expensive but it was easy to sipe money from the Crown's Treasury.

The Faith is always getting funds and most of those funds go into our pockets. In the midst of peace, the crown has become plenty rich.

I look forward... to the Faceless men and the death of... Baelon Targaryen

~

[Allicent Hightower]

Anger seethed throughout my entire body. I stared at my child... it saddened me to even call him my offspring.

The boy slept naked in his bed, vases full of wine wasted on the ground. A sigh escaped my mouth, walking up towards a particular glass... I gulped it down.

Everything feels like a lie. All my life I have played a pawn in my father's schemes. The moment of power I got was delectable.

For... Aegon and the safety of my family, I have worked my toe off. The one goal, The Iron Throne seems to be widening the distance between us... so far yet so fucking close.

A laugh escaped my mouth, I took another glass of wine and gulped it down. I am definitely lying to myself, I love my family... but a major part of my ambition is for the Iron Throne.

My mind flashed to the moment I was young. Rhaenyra. She has always been lucky. She had everything she wanted. Freedom most of all.

The power to choose her husband, the power to have everything she wants... one day she would have been a queen.

I am beautiful, true but Rhaenyra was a Targaryen. No matter how beautiful one is... power always amplifies the standard aspect.

Daemon Targaryen... I would not lie, I loved his attention despite knowing he only did so due to piss father off.

My heart broke into pieces knowing, he was not for me... although a part already had known for long and the fact he was intimate with Rhaenyra.

Then, Ser Criston Cole... who showed unrivaled attention to Rhaenyra. All my life I never felt important, a side character, a pawn... just the playmate of Rhaenyra Targeryan.

It was always Rhaenyra this and Rhaenyra that.

I decided to kill the me of the past... no longer be a pawn... but a player. Still, despite my play... everything seems to be breaking into pieces.

Tears welled into my eyes, my lips curled outward... I lowered my face as I knelt lightly... silent whimpers escaping though my mouth.

I glanced at the boy on the bed. A beautiful child, Aegon Targaryen yet such a disappointment.

He thinks his endeavors escape my eyes and ears when it is clear as day.

What happened to that sweet child of mine? Did I go wrong somewhere? Did I maybe not love him enough?

Taking a sip of wine, I kept it on the table. Standing up, I wiped my tears. A stoic expression filled my face.

I have done my duty well. Taken care of my sick and old husband, played the court as a Queen should... influenced other ladies who did otherwise to their husbands.

I have done it all...

Even if, I am not happy in the slightest. I stare at the boy again, he looks so innocent yet... I know better.

A cold expression crept onto my visage. I did not know if it was the alcohol turning my head light or my deepest feelings.

Walking towards the boy, since he loves alcohol so much... I poured it all on his face.

The boy awoke, instantly feeling the liquid on his face as it entered his nostrils, eye, and mouth.

"Mother! What are you doing?!" He yelled angrily.

I ignored him. Clutching more of the alcohol, I threw it at the monster.

"Drink! More! Why do you not now?!"

He groaned in agony... his face contorted, alcohol flowing down his face... just as he was about to open his eyes again, another splash of alcohol covered him from head to toe and in the face.

"Stop this madness!!"

He tried to take a step forwards, away from the bed and towards me, hoping to stop my temper tantrum but in the end, tripped on some of his favorite liquid, smashing his face on the front.

Aegon's face twisted in rage. His hands clenched tight before loosening.

"Mother!" He screamed.

I chuckled.

~

[Rhaenyra Targeryan]

"Baelon Targaryen. Nephew certainly made a good show. Maybe it was a good plan to come back to King's Landing.

I did not speak. My thoughts were pretty much diverged on this topic. It would be a lie if I tried to convince myself otherwise.

I absolutely despise Baelon Targaryen. I know I should not as an older sister but the whispers of resentment keep screaming.

Since mother's death, all father cared about was Baelon and then Allicent, the new family he created... finally selling me off.

I wish my little brother was never born and my mother was still alive. Things would be so much different. A sigh escaped my mouth, at least I knew about the real threat to the realm.

The evil gathering beyond the wall in the North. Aside from that... I had to focus on my family. I glanced at Daemon, he gazed into my own as if understanding all of my soul.

"We... should have Jacaerys betrothed to Laena Velaryon."

I did not reply, holding my chin I thought about this deeply. I do not believe father has told Baelon about the real threat that looms, I still have a heavy burden upon myself.

Although I vie for The Iron Throne... it seems unlikely but even if Baelon seems recovered, nothing is over yet.

Vultures are ever present and my father has not stripped me of the Regent position. Accidents could still happen... hope is still there.

My kids... danger surrounds them as well, House Targaryen is vulnerable. My family the most. I do not wish for a sad life for them, they all deserve a royal life.. in their home... The Red Keep.

Daemon does not care about the throne. Our kids... I am unsure. He may want a better life for them but is unknown what is a better life in his opinion.

They on The Iron Throne or as further away as possible, away from this nest of vipers.

Father likes Viserys and Aegon, especially the former but I am sure he cares for Baelon more. Gritting my teeth lightly, I bit my lip accidentally.

It was as if the blood gave me clarity. It is time, my family reconciled with the Velaryons... fill their bloodline with purity again without shame.

We will both reap from this.

Returning to my senses. I glanced at Daemon.

"We shall leave for Driftmark at the earliest."

***

A/N: Why should you send me power stones? You should because, more readers motivate me and the easiest way to get more is by attracting attention and that can be attracted if you send power stones.

So let's milk them out good yeah?

Thanks everyone for your support and reading this chapter. Write reviews if you enjoy reading. Shoutout to those who do haha.