9 Chapter 9

Chapter 9

AEMMA ARRYN

Her brush with death had left the Queen of the seven kingdoms extremely weak, yet a fortnight after her miraculous awakening, she could finally walk again. Though, with assistance, Aemma had never thought she would see a day when she would be thankful for just walking.

She took small steps as Aenys supported her from the side and helped her back to her bed, maidservants surrounding a precaution for if she were to fall.

"Just be careful, just two more steps," Aenys motivated her from the side, and she finally reached her bed and sat down gently. He smiled as he kneeled down.

"Now, that's impressive. You just have to get back to the routine gradually, and soon you will be even healthier than before," and she shook her head, knowing that his words were just that words.

"Thank you, of great healer," she japed lightly as the maids helped her lay on the bed. He had even changed her chambers and diet, prohibiting a plethora of dishes and giving the cooks in the kitchen strict instructions regarding her food.

She frowned as she noted her daughter's absence, who would usually be present with her when Aenys came over for her check-up. She looked at him and found him jotting something down in a book.

"Have you seen Rhaeneyra? She often accompanies you to my chambers?"

Aenys closed his diary before and placed it on a table as he replied, "Yes, she is probably in the council chambers for the council meeting. As the new heir, it would be good for her to start sitting in those meetings."

And her reply made her feel a sense of regret and loss for failing in her duty, for failing in giving Viserys a male heir, for putting such pressure on her daughter. The shadow of Baelon's death still haunted her and Viserys. And while Aemma had told Viserys that this would be their last attempt, she had not thought that the Gods would take that ability from her.

Though something else caught her attention in all this, she turned to Aenys and spoke up, "And why aren't you attending the meeting?"

Aenys frowned at this as a smirk appeared on his face.

"And why would I be attending this meeting? I hold no position on the Council," he replied, making her shake her head.

"You are the King's brother. A seat or not, Viserys should invite you to these meetings. I will talk to hi…," but she was cut off by Aenys, who seemed unbothered by this.

"There is no need. And I maybe back in Braavos by the time the next meeting happens," he replied as he rummaged through his bag, which held his various instruments and supplies.

Aemma's eyes widened as she heard this.

"You are going back! But why? Your exile has ended! You should stay here, in your home," she questioned, and he looked towards her with a saddened expression, and she was once more reminded of how he was quite younger than Viserys and Daemon.

He kneeled down once more and held her hand softly before replying gently.

"I cannot just leave Braavos. I have a life there. People from all over the world travel to seek my abilities and to learn my skill. I am also building a kind of citadel for healing there; I cannot just leave it all behind like this," and she was couldn't argue against this, for she was reminded of how the prince had spent years in exile. And for a moment, she berated herself for not pushing Viserys to call him back sooner, yet there was no use in lamenting over bygones.

"But you could have a life here, as well. Have a seat on the council. Build that place you speak of here in Kings Landing. Marry, start a family," she said lightly, seeing his expression saddened at the mention of marriage. She saw a broken smile appear on his face as he shook his head lightly.

"That ship sailed long ago," he said forlornly and saw her wilt at his response,"but I will try to visit frequently," he continued, trying to reassure her. He tried to get up, but Aemma held his hand, making him stop and turn toward her.

"We need you here, Aenys, me, Rhaeneyra, and even Viserys. Without Daemon in court, the Lords will have too much sway over Viserys. Viserys need someone like you to help him, to balance out the court," she tried again, and she saw the wheels turn in his head before he ultimately shook his head.

"Me and Viserys have never shared the closeness he and Daemon enjoy. I can not just uproot everything I have built with my blood and sweat like this," and her heart dropped as he failed to listen to her. She chewed her lips as he packed up his bags, her mind raced as she tried to think of anything to say, and just as he had taken his first step, she let out a sigh as she spoke once again.

"Then stay for Rhaeneyra, Aenys," and he stopped and turned to face her. For she knew one thing that Aenys loved and cared deeply for Rhaeneyra.

"With her becoming the heir, she needs someone to guide her. And before you nominate me, I know nothing of governing. And the court will not let Viserys do it. Only you can stand by her and guide her. So, please, I beg you, please stay. Not for me. Not for Viserys. But for Rhaeneyra. Please," she said as she pleaded once more, praying in her heart for the Gods to change his heart.

She saw him chew his lips as he remained rooted on the ground. Minutes passed before he looked at her and, with a sigh, answered.

"You ask too much of me, Aemma, but I will see what I can do."

And Aemma nodded. This was not a rejection, and smiled as she thanked him, "Thank you for this, Aenys, thank you!"

And with a final nod, he walked out of her room. She looked to the ceiling and prayed to the Gods for her daughter. Prayed for the departed soul that had left long ago, breaking his heart.

0000

VISERYS TARGARYEN

"You shouldn't have rushed to name Rhaenyra the heir like that?" Aemma commented from the side, surprising him as he looked towards her, for she had never interfered in the realm's running previously.

"What do you mean by this? If not for her, then Daemon would have been the heir and half the realm w…." but he was cut off by her as she interrupted him.

"And everything would have been fine!" and Viserys was surprised by her words.

"It all would have been fine, while yes, Daemon is a rash, and he needs to sort out matters with his Rhea. All these matters could have been settled with words rather than such drastic measures."

And Viserys frowned as he shook his head.

"I don't think so. Daemon is a man grown and set in his ways. They call him another Maegor. The realm would not tolerate another tyrant. Do you expect the realm to follow a man who celebrates the death of his brother's child!" his voice grew louder as he said the last sentence, and saw Aemma's face turn paler at the mention of Baelon's death.

He saw her struggle to find any retort as she only spoke up after some time.

"Daemon has a foul mouth, and his words and actions over Baelon's death were extremely hurtful. And maybe you were right in removing him from succession, but you must understand, Viserys, that this has left our family more divided than ever, and the effect this would have on Rhaenyra given her unique position, could be extremely dangerous," she finished weakly, and he could agree with that.

Viserys may have been wroth with Daemon, but that did not mean he did not miss him, and with Aenys still focused on leaving, he could understand her worries. He sighed as he wrapped his arm around Aemma and tried to console her.

"You don't have to worry about it. Rhaenyra was chosen by the Lords, and they all swore fealty to her," and Aemma scoffed by her side.

"Let us not delude ourselves. They are content with her because the Lords think I have a chance to birth a son. But what happens when they find out that I can not give you any more children!" she spoke up derisively, looking him straight in the eye, and all this talk of politicking was beginning to bore him.

"Then what would you have me do? Aenys refuses to listen to any of my pleas to stay here, and Daemon has spurred me by settling down on Dragonstone with his Gold Cloaks. I can not let them hector me, Aemma. I am not just their brother but their King as well!" he argued and saw her nod at that.

"I understand that. But you are also the eldest brother Viserys, and they feel slighted by your actions despite your reasons. The fact that Aenys knelt for Rhaenyra showed his willingness to improve the situation. As for Daemon, I believe you should wait for an opportune moment and try to mend things back if you can."

Viserys listened to her words and let them run through his mind, and despite his irritation, he could feel that it was sound advice.

"And as a first step in making amends, I have just the thing to make Aenys stay here," and his head snapped towards her as he frowned.

Despite everything, he truly felt guilty regarding the exile and had not been able to think of any way to make things better, and if Aemma had a proposition in that regard, then there would be nothing better.

"What?" he asked and saw her reach for

0000

LYONEL STRONG

Lyonel Strong sat with the rest of the Council in the chambers. The seat for the Commander of the City Watch remained empty still. The shadow of Prince Daemon Targaryen was too large for any to fill up, and the King had yet to decide on anyone.

He stood up as the doors to the chambers were opened up, and the King walked in. Still wearing Black for the death of Prince Baelon, though surprisingly he wasn't alone. And Lyonel's eyes widened as he saw Prince Aenys following the King.

And he wasn't the only one surprised as he saw the complicated expression on the faces of the rest of the Council, more so one Otto Hightower.

The King sat down on his seat, indicating for the Prince to take the seat right by his side. The one previously sat by Prince Daemon.

"Ok, let us begin," The King said, placing down his marble to mark the beginning of the meeting. And Before Otto Hightower looked toward the Prince.

"Your grace, have you decided to name Prince Aenys as the Commander of the City Watch?" the Hand questioned. And he saw the King shake his head.

"NO! While my brother would make an excellent commander, he is here in a different capacity. And in that, I would like to inform you all of my decision."

And Lyonel saw the Prince smirk as he turned to face Lord Corlys, giving the man a nod as the King stood up and spoke up with a smile.

"Aenys has agreed to build a second of his college here in Kingslanding!" The whole council became quiet. And Lyonel could tell, right there, that things were about to change.

Lord Corlys was the first to react as he applauded and endorsed the decision.

"An excellent decision, your grace. I am sure the Prince's institution would be a great boon to our kingdom," and the king smiled at that.

"Indeed, I consider the same," and Lyonel could feel both the Grandmaester and the Lord Hand shift in their seats.

"Your grace, the citadel remains the most advanced source of knowledge in all subjects. Such an institution would be an insult to it. Even the Prince derives much of his knowledge from it." Mellos spoke up.

"Indeed, and while The Prince has won great fame across narrow sea for his skills, however, every castle in the Seven Kingdoms has a Maester sworn to it. Such an institution would be useless."

And as expected, there was opposition. Any such institution could shift the balance greatly in the whole continent. The Hightowers prized themselves as the voice of the citadel as its patrons. This was a power that they would never willingly share.

Though if anyone could ever topple this, it would be him. Prince Aenys stood up and began slowly.

"While the Citadel is a great place of learning, it has failed to innovate and improve over the years. They have made no major breakthroughs in recent years, and they focus on too many varied topics and subjects. My college is to be focused on a single principle, Health."

And Lyonel saw the Prince turn to face Mellos as his eyes narrowed.

"While I have studied at the Citadel, I can assure you I have made advances over the years, leaving your order way behind!" the Prince said before turning to the Hand.

"Moreover, my institution is not focused only on Nobles. It will be open to all. Everyone!" and Lyonel's eyes widened at that.

"I am afraid the Crown cannot afford to fund such an institute. It would be a drain on resources." The Lord Hand began and turned to face the King. "Your grace, this would beggar the crown!"

"Are you saying that the Crown should not care for its subjects? For way too long, we have left our small fold at the mercy of quacks and witches. This would be revolutionary for the kingdoms," argued Lord Corlys.

"So why don't you sponsor this Lord Corlys, and waste the wealth of your Ho…."

"ENOUGH!" suddenly, the King ordered, and everyone quieted down. And Lyonel saw the King look towards his hand with a frown.

"My decision is final! Plus, the crown will not have to foot the entire cost of this. Only half! Aenys has promised to cover the rest himself! Since this is for welfare, the organization shall receive exemptions in taxation from the Crown!"

"Your grace! This will be…." but the king stopped his hand, stopping the Hand's protest.

"My mind is made, Otto! See it done!" And he saw the King turn to him.

"Is there anything you would like to add, Lord Strong!"

He thought momentarily before looking towards Prince Aenys and speaking up.

"My Prince, from what I remember, you were building something similar in Bravos. What is to become of that?" the Prince nodded.

"That will continue as per plan. The institution in Bravos would be an extension of this, and maybe I could later build it in other places as well. I want it to act on a model similar to how the Septs function! Of course, it's not a religion but a place of learning and welfare. I have some plans drawn up which we could discuss!"

He nodded, it seemed the Prince had given this due consideration so that it would be workable, but another question needed to be answered.

"Is the Sealord offering you similar tax exemptions, my Prince?" and he saw Lord Hand perk up at this. The Prince's eyes narrowed at this before a smirk appeared on his face.

"While the Sealord shared no blood with me, such exemptions are also in discussion with him," and Lyonel smiled as he shook his head.

"That will be all, my Prince. Though may I ask what is to be the name of this institution!"

The Prince seemed to think for a moment before he took out a rolled-up cloth from his pocket and spread it on the table to reveal a white background with a single red cross on sewed on it.

"The Red Cross! It will be called the Red Cross!"

0000

On the shores of Dragonstone, waves crashed into the shores of the island. Daemon Targaryen looked at the sea from the balcony of the castle as he nursed a glass of wine. The news of the Queen's waking had also made its way to Dragonstone.

His brother had slighted him. Naming Rhaeneyra, his heir.

Viserys had gone too far.

He heard the doors to his room open and soon found familiar arms wrapped around him from behind as Mysaria hugged him.

"You seem to be in a bad mood, my love," she cajoled in her sweet voice, and Daemon took another sip of his vine.

"My brother has refused to call me back and has replaced me as his heir breaking hundreds of years of tradition," he snarked. He felt her kiss seductively on his neck before she said lightly.

"Then let me lighten your mood with some good news! I have just missed my moon blood!"

And the words took moments to register before he turned to face her and looked her straight in the eye.

"You are not lying, are you!" he questioned her, and she shook her head.

"I am not. Even the Maester confirmed it! I am with child!"

0000

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