Chapter 18 - Brother..

(Mc pov)

After I spoke my words, they seemed to make Alicent happy but stiff, her hand holding my own as she turned her head to the floor, whatever Otto was planning it was certain he would force Alicent to move as he wishes.

"Brother, lord Otto, you may talk over the details at length in your own time. For now, it seems my fiance wishes to rest, it may have taken a toll on her.." I said, I never cared much about talking or affairs of my brother or the snakes that lay at his feet, but if she was to be my wife, it would change much of my plan.

"Right, Maliketh you must understand, this is only because lord Otto has agreed that I have overlooked the matter, why can you not stop your unending want for discord, I brought you here to be with us, your family as my heir, your future king will be born soon. Why must you cause me such stress.." Viserys who had got up, followed Otto, only to stop as he closed the door, speaking to me.

"We both know the reality of it don't we brother.." I said, letting go of Alicent's hand as I when to the wall, placing the claymore back, rubbing it gently. "The only reason I'm here is to show your might, so that your court which is nothing but vultures, will grow quiet until my nephew is born." I knew why he had called for me, the uneasiness I brought about would silence the collective prattle of his court.

"You speak as if I do not care for you, Maliketh you are my brother.." Viserys eyes, and face went through many changes as he spoke. "Yet all I do is defend you, turning a blind eye to things that others would have been killed for.. and yet you still drown my words with your words of doubt. Do you not think of my position, how I had to concede to my own court for you to stay.." he went on, rubbing his fingers together as he tried to help me understand.

"What care for me did you have when Rhaenyra was born, as I sat in a field of fire, as you celebrated? what care did you have when i put thousands to the sword in your name? What care for me did you have when I cut down Baelor and his dragon for you.." I said, my head shaking as I turned my back to him, pouring wine into my cup as I looked at Alicent who was confused.

"Baelor had gone mad! how much longer must I pay for that mistake, in the end, it was you who raised your sword to cut him down, I merely ordered you to do so.." Viserys said, his voice raised slightly, only for a somber tone to mix with his voice as he looked at my back.

"You only did so because of fear. Fear of what I would do if another had made that choice, but all the same, I did it." I said, my hand gripping the cup, the candles flicking out, leaving with it a trail of smoke as I took a sip.

"Maliketh.." Viserys who was gripping his hand said lightly, my face looking into the mirror, watching the sorrow wash over his face.

"He was my son Viserys, and his memory is nothing, but the night of the black sky, a story no one has ever heard.. and even before that, 15 years I have done all you wished,cutting down what stood in your path, 15 years! with nothing to show for it.." My anger raised as I slammed the cup on the stone shelf, my emotions soon coming into check as I looked in the mirror.

"Go and enjoy your tournament and your celebration, I will do as I have always done, widen your shadow." My tone, returning to normal as i spoke lightly, watching Viserys take something from his pocket, placing it down as he left the room.

"Prince Keth.." Alicent who had shown understanding of the situation, got up, walking to pick up what was left behind, her head leaning on my back as she placed it in my hand.

"I do not know what has happened in the past, nor can I speak on things I do not fully understand. But his grace seems to want to fix the relationship between you two." she said, her words swee trying to act like an adult when she knew nothing of the world.

"In time, you too may learn of the past. For now, rest, my books are at your disposal, and the maids will tend to your every need. I will return soon." turning around, I kissed her forehead, taking her hand as I place the ring on her middle finger.

"It was Baelor's, just like he once had, your heart is still yet kind." I said, watching her rub the red ring as I pulled away from her embrace, only for my head to turn as she pulled me, kissing me as she wrapped her hands around my neck.

"I will treat it with care.." Alicent left these words as she let go, a smile on her face, my hand pushing her loose hair back as I looked at my Warhammer, but soon picked up the strange claymore once more.

[Note - a claymore is usually around 140cm = 4.7 feet, I knocked it down to 120cm 3.11 feet when a normal longsword is about 3.4 feet, so still slightly in the range of a claymore, while still being able to carry at the waist and not the back like most claymores. by the way he wears the same kind of clothes daemon wears.]

My mind did not drift much, my steps clear as I wandered the halls, my heart bringing me to the throne room, unguarded as it was most of the time when it was not used. My hand pushing the door open, as I walked up to the throne of shit.

"I have placed many of these swords on the throne myself, of those who wished fight and those who did not.." Walking past the swords lining the edge of the steps, I rubbed my hand across many as I thought back.

My body tired as I walked to the back most part of the throne, leaning against it as I looked at a sword placed there, the exact replica of my own claymore, my eyes closing as I felt at peace. Time moving in a never ending March, the morning sun still low, as I remained in place uncaring about the footsteps I heard earlier, or the talks in Valyrian I heard now.

"It would seem my brother still covets the throne, as she said, it could be taken for treason.." I spoke in Valyrian, causing the ones within the throne room to stop talking.

"No words for me brother? or from you princess Rhaenyra?.." Standing, I walked out from the dark. leaning against the throne as I watched Daemon smirk the same way I always did.

"It has been a while Maliketh.." Daemon said, his words light as Rhaenyra looked between the both of us.

"That it has Daemon.."