Better Than Revenge// Otto Hightower (1)

5. Moral support

"Daemon are you in trouble." Gaena mused, the smuggest of smirks on her face.

"Shut up, im doing my job." Daemon reminded her. "What have you done?"

"I'm moral support." Gaena told him confidently.

"Moral support?" Daemon countered as they walked.

"For you, for Viserys, for Aemma. For Rhaenyra as well." Gaena offered kindly.

"You are more trouble than me." Daemon corrected.

"Yes well im clearly more sneaky about it than you because you are always in trouble and im never in trouble." Gaena reminded him.

"Lets get this over with." Daemon grumbled.

'It was an unprecedented roundup of criminals of every ilk. Your brother made a public show of it, meting out the summary judgments himself. I'm told they needed a two-horse cart to haul away the resulting dismemberments when it was done.' Otto informed Viserys as Viserys let out a long sigh.

'Gods be good.' Viserys muttered

'The Prince cannot be allowed to act with this kind of unchecked impunity.' Otto went on as the door opened. Pinched faces softened as Gaena followed Daemon in.

'Brother.' Daemon said a big grin on his handsome face.

'Daemon.' Viserys said trying to keep the edge from his voice. "Gaena my darling."

"I think they called you puny, that must hurt the old ego." Gaena mused taking a seat. Daemon pinched at her waist as she chuckled.

"Impunity.' Daemon corrected and Gaena smirked back at him.

"Both then?'

'Carry on. You were saying something about my impunity.' Daemon said taking a seat at the table next to Gaena.

'You are to explain your doings with the City Watch. Your new "gold cloaks" made quite the impression last night, didn't they?'

'Did they?' Daemon countered smugly.

"I think that's great." Gaena mused, Daemon shot her a glare. "I'm helping."

"Sarcasm sweet sister does not look good on you."

"I think everything looks great on me." Gaena countered and she couldn't help but look in Otto's direction he looked away once he caught her eye.

'The City Watch is not a sword to be wielded at your whim. They're an extension of the crown.' Otto reminded Daemon.

'The Watch was enforcing the crown's laws. Wouldn't you agree, Lord Strong?' Daemon offered.

'My Prince, I don't think... Making a public spectacle of wanton brutality is hardly in line with our laws.' He offered as kindly as possible, he knew Daemon's temper.

'Nobles from every corner of the realm are right now descending upon King's Landing for my brother's tourney. Do you want them mugged, raped, murdered?' Daemon questioned looking around the council table. 'You mightn't know this unless you left the safety of the Red Keep, but much of King's Landing is seen by the smallfolk as lawless and terrifying. Our city should be safe for all its people.' Daemon told them.

'I agree. I just hope you don't have to maim half of my city to achieve this.'

'Time will tell.' Daemon said nonchalantly.

"Time will tell indeed." Gaena agreed.

'We installed Prince Daemon as commander to promote law and order.'

'The criminal element should fear the City Watch.' Lord Corlys reminded them.

'Thank you for your support, Lord Corlys.' Daemon said smiling over at him.

"If they don't fear the watch we lose power and control. Let Daemon off leash every now and again." Gaena agreed and Daemon was going to thank her but then what she said clicked in his brain.

"You are a little shit." Daemon told her but she smiled sweetly in return.

'If only the Prince would show the same devotion to his lady wife as he does his work, Your Grace.' Otto suggested and Daemon stared back at him. 'You've not been seen in the Vale or at Runestone for quite some time.' He remarked.

'I think my bronze bitch is happier for my absence.' Daemon assured.

'Lady Rhea is your wife; a good and honorable lady of the Vale.' Otto reminded him

'In the Vale, men are said to fսck sheep instead of women. I can assure you, the sheep are prettier.' Daemon told them confidently.

'Dear me. You made a vow before the Seven to honor your wife in marriage.' Otto reminded him his gaze shifting to Gaena she was already looking at him.

'Well, I'd gladly give Lady Rhea to you, Lord Hightower, if you're in want of a woman to warm your bed. Your own lady wife passed recently. Did she not? Otto.' Daemon said smugly.

"Daemon." Gaena hissed slapping him upside the head at Otto's pinched face.

'Perhaps you aren't ready to move on just yet.' Daemon mused rubbing at his head.

'You know how my brother makes sport of provoking you. Must you indulge him?' Viserys pondered.

'My apologies, Your Grace.' Otto said bitterly.

'This council has, at great expense, bettered the City Watch to your exacting standards. Enforce my laws, but understand... any further performances like last night's will be answered.' Viserys warned his brother.

'Understood, Your Grace.' Daemon said heading out.

'King's Landing has been in decline since my grandmother passed.'

'In the end... this new City Watch might be a good thing.'

"Or the end of everything as we know it." Gaena offered sweetly.

+

'What troubles you, my Prince? I could bring in another. Perhaps a maiden. I have several. I could even arrange one with silver hair.' Mysaria offered as Daemon covered himself in a blanket staring out the window. He could hear drums and music playing outside. 'You are Daemon Targaryen. Rider of Caraxes. Wielder of Dark Sister. The King cannot replace you.' He kept listening though a dog barking, crowds cheering. They were all getting ready for the new prince to arrive.