Ashes In The Castle ||| Aemond Targaryen

forty-three

Naerys didn't know what to do. She knew what she'd done could get her killed but she couldn't force herself to feel bad about it. Aegon had it coming, after everything he'd done to her and her family.

But what if she was caught and executed? After everything? Naerys followed Corlys' instruction and tried to act normal. She went to go see her brother and talked to him as if nothing were wrong.

It was when she was leaving the dungeons that the knights came for her. Naerys feared the worst, that Corlys had been forced to say something.

Until they reached her. "Your Grace, your presence is needed in the council chambers."

Naerys felt her heart jump as she looked at them quizzically. "What did you call me?"

It seemed the knights had forgotten to tell her about her rise in station.

"The King is dead, Your Grace. Suspected poisoning."

Naerys knew what it meant then. Corlys had planned to poison him that day anyway. Naerys beat him to it by strangling him. He used the poison to cover up what she'd done.

She was safe.

Aemond was King. And she was his Queen consort. Which meant she finally had power.

Suddenly, Naerys was the second-most important person in the city, in the Kingdom. In a matter of seconds.

She took a moment to breathe and collect herself. Naerys closed her eyes. It wasn't exactly what she wanted but she had power.

One thing first. "Get my brother out of that cell and take him to new quarters and have him cleaned up."

The guard that had been following her around for months at that point looked to the knights who'd just arrived for permission.

"Don't look at them. Look at me. I am your Queen now. Do it."

Hesitantly, he bowed his head. The sudden commanding tone of her voice was somewhat frightening to him. "Yes, Your Grace."

"And the other one. The young one. I'll deal with his station after."

With that, Naerys turned and nodded to her knights. She was ready to face it.

They took her through the Red Keep, across the Yard, and toward the council chambers. Not many people knew the King was dead, they were keeping it quiet for as long as possible.

There were two white cloaks guarding the door and they bowed to Naerys when she got close. They opened the door for her and she took a breath before she walked inside.

Naerys entered and took the small turn to find the large, lavish chamber. All of the councillors were there, including her grandsire and Alicent, her allies.

They bowed to her but Naerys' eyes found Aemond first. There were conflicting emotions on his face. Despite Aegon's unfitness for rule and his crimes, they were still brothers. And Naerys killed him.

She would have to tell him. Eventually.

He came to her as soon as she entered. Aemond took her hands and Naerys leaned up to kiss his cheek. "My King."