𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 | 𝐀𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐲𝐞𝐧

FOURTEEN

Danera and Aegon sat down at the table, smiling at the king. They were all together as a family at Viserys request, sitting awkwardly together. Aegon could see Aemonds had on Helena's leg, trying to find comfort in during the torturously boring conversation with his grandfather Otto. He wondered when Aemond would finally ask his mother to let him make Helena his wife. Pulled out of his thoughts, Danera patted his leg, he realised his mother had asked him a question he had completely ignored. "Sorry mother, I didn't quite hear you" he replied, not really in the mood to speak with her as it was. "I wondered how your training was coming along" she repeated. "Oh, well, thank you" he replied bluntly, he wasn't in the mood to chat that evening, too worried about Danera. He watched her pick at her fingers, making them bleed in places. He felt helpless, knowing if he interfered, it would just make it seem as if he only wanted the claim for himself, but that couldn't have been further from the truth. Aegon didn't see the point in the stupid dinner his father had planned anyway, most people at the table hated eachother, they all felt uncomfortable and all he could think about was getting Danera back to bed and naked as soon as possible. He took a large swig of wine, which meant he received an unhappy glare from his wife, to which he shrugged.

The king moved slowly, attempting to stand up, breathing heavily through winces of pain, almost falling into the table as he did so. All eyes moved to him, some expectant, some concerned. "It both, gladdens my heart, and fills me with sorrow, to see these faces around the table. You have all grown so distant from eachother, in years past" the king wheezed through his words. Moving his hands up to his face, he pulled off the mask covering him, revealing his wounded and misshapen face, one side barely a skull, with no eye. Shocked, Rhaenyra looked from her father to Alicent, not realising extent of damage her fathers illness had caused. Viserys continued his speech, resting his hands on the table in front of him, barely holding himself up. "My own face, is no longer a handsome one, if indeed it ever was" he spoke, his wife looking at him with sorrow in her eyes. "But tonight, I wish you to see me as I am. Not just your king, but your father, your brother, your husband and your grandsire" he continued, looking at each of his family members individually, "who may not, it seems, walk for much longer amoung you, so please set aside your grievances, not for the sake of the crown, but for the sake of this old man, who loves you all" he finished, falling back into his chair, Alicent and Rhaenyra immediately getting up to assist him.

Rhaenyra stood standing as Alicent sat back down, raising her own goblet. "I wish to raise my cup to her grace, the queen. I love my father, but I must admit, that no one has stood more loyally by his side than his good wife. She has tended to him with unfailing devotion, and for that she has my gratitude and my apology" she took a sip of her wine and sat down. Alicent waited a moment, looking down and replied. "Your graciousness moves me deeply princess. We are both mothers, and we love our children. We have more in common than we sometimes allow. I raise my cup to you and your house" Alicent spoke and stood up, looking her old friend in the eyes, regretfully, "you will make a fine queen" she added, nodding her cup towards her, meaning every word.

The tension in the room grew greater for a moment, everyone feeling slightly awkward about the sudden emotional speeches. Rhaenyra smiled, moments of her and Alicents friendship flashing in her head. She missed her friend dearly, not that she would ever admit it.

"In happier news, I would like to say something" Aemond stood up and spoke, everyone looking slightly taken aback. "If you will allow me, mother, father, I would like to marry Helena" he continued. Viserys smiled, letting his wife reply. "Of course dear, what happy news, another wedding" Alicent spoke, raising her cup. The table also raising a glass, Aegon and Danera beaming at their friends. "Finally!" Danera whispered to her husband, making him giggle. Aemond sat down and kissed his betrothed on the cheek.

The family continued to chat into the evening, drinking and talking. Aegons hand on Daneras leg, only really chatting to his wife, sister and brother. Aemond still hadn't forgiven Lucerys for his eye, and neither had the rest of them, meaning talk between the children had been minimal. Danera did not care much for her brothers, seeing them as stuck up. Lucerys had been the only one she had got along with up until his fight with Aemond. The servants brought more food out, constantly keeping their plates and bellies full. Lucerys smiled as the pig landed on the table in front of them, Aemond catching his reaction. "Another toast" Aemond raised his cup, not bothering to stand up. "To my nephews, I remember fondly our childhoods together, beating you during training, however, you have come so far, growing up to be such strong boys" Aemond smiled, sipping his wine. Jacerys stood up, smacking his hands on the table next to his sister. "Say that again" he shouted. Aegon put his arm around his wife, smiling at his brothers comment. "What, do you not think yourself strong?" Aemond continued. Jacerys walked towards Aemond making him stand up, squaring up to eachother. As Jacerys walked past Danera, he managed to elbow her, pissing off Aegon. Aegon immediately stood up, pushing Jacerys away. Jace only pushing him back, casing them to tumble onto the floor and start fighting. Daemon and Otto stood up instantly, pulling the brothers apart. Rhaenyra running to her sons side. "I think we should retire" she spoke, as Daemon pushed Jacerys back towards the door, making him leave. Aegon was seething, how dare he touch his wife, accidentally or not. Aemond smiled cockily, enjoying he trouble he had caused. The dinner had bored him anyway, and he had already gotten what he wanted out of it, approval to marry Helena.

Rhaenyra made no effort to bid goodnigh to her daughter, caring too much about her eldest sons slightly bloody nose from Aegons punch moments before. Daemon however, walked up to his daughter, putting his hand on her shoulder. "We will speak tomorrow" he said, before turning to follow his wife. Danera felt strange. She was angry at her mother for not caring enough to speak to her, but felt touched by her fathers actions, she'd never expected any act of concern or care from him.

Danera and Aegon left for their chambers not long after. Danera throwing herself onto the bed as soon as she walked into the room, shoving her face into the plump pillows. She screamed into it, pissed off at everything. Aegon sat down next to her, stroking her back. "I know" he replied, "although I have no trust in your mother or father, I believe they will do right by you on this." Danera sat up and turned around to face her husband, pulling her knees to her chest. "I know, but that only makes things more complicated for us" she replied. Danera and Aegon had tried to ignore the tension, but they knew the Kings death would shove their lives into madness. Danera had overheard the lords speaking of their preference of Aegon as king, how their claim would be complete with her on the throne beside him. Neither of them cared for the crown, only wanting to live their own lives, away from the kingdom, but that was the downfall of their lives as royals, they had no choice.