Drama Queen // Otto Hightower // Thea Queen

18. Vultures

Cruel Summer/ Maegor the Cruel out now!

"You didnt think that I would miss- Theadora Queen!" Moira shouted. "What are you still doing in bed?" 

"Otto got up early and interrupted my beauty sleep." Thea offered and Otto chuckled smiling back at her as he finished getting ready. 

"Lord Otto." Moira hissed. 

"He's my husband, I'm not calling my lord." Thea corrected. 

"Show some respect." Moira demanded with an audible huff.

"It is my fault." Otto assured. "I kept her up late and woke her up early when I received news for the king." Moira looked between them as Thea shifted awkwardly on the bed. 

"Fine...." Moira agreed. "I want barley brought in... this is something a husband should not witness." 

"Mother-"

"Dont." Moira warned. "WHen I know you are pregnant I go home and-"

"I get to sleep in until noon." Thea murmured. 

"Don't mumble Theadora, its not ladylike."

"Sorry, lady mother." Thea agreed clearly as she got up. 

"I will see you soon." Otto remarked kissing her cheek awkwardly and Moira huffed a breath. 

"Is that how your husband kisses you? You will never get pregnant." Moira declared. "After fornication you need to- do you remember what I told you to do?"

"Yes mother." 

"Lies or else you would be pregnant and your husband would be happy." Moira remarked. 

"What of my happiness?" 

+

'Have you spoken to her?'

'No.'

'It is not in Rhaenyra's nature to be deceitful. I cannot say the same for your brother.' Alicent reminded him

'You believe he lied?'

'How often does he speak the pure truth? How does confessing to such things serve him? By reducing you.' Alicent offered and Viserys sighed.

'Whatever transpired, Rhaenyra is not innocent.' Viserys reminded her

'Only because Daemon tried to corrupt her.' Alicent didnt realize that by undermining her father and trying to support her once friend that she was digging the grave for her fathers reputation. 

'Daemon and Rhaenyra share the blood of the dragon. They are restless and chaotic.' Viserys told her

'She swore to me that she remains a maiden. And I believe her.' Alicent offered hopefully.

+

"Damnit I missed it!" Thea declared annoyed. 

"You missed it." Tommy agreed. "And it was great." Oliver chuckled. 

"He came limping out of the throne room." Oliver agreed. 

"DIdnt know the old man had it in him." Thea agreed. 

"Is he elder than you husband? Is your husband an old man?" Tommy mused and Thea rolled her eyes. 

"Otto is not a young man." Thea offered. 

"I saw mother dragging, well not her but someone she was yelling at to get the barley." Oliver remarked. 

"Ye-p." Thea agreed and Oliver cocked his head at her. "shes waiting for it to bloom..."

+

'That dagger once belonged to Aegon the Conqueror. It was Aenar's before that. And before that... well, it is difficult to know. Before Aegon's death, the last of the Valyrian pyromancers hid his song in the steel.' Viserys said holding out a blade over the fire, a message was revealed.

"From my blood... come the Prince That Was Promised... and his will be the Song of Ice and Fire." Rhaenyra read

'The responsibility I have handed to you, the burden of this knowledge... it is larger than the throne, the king. It is larger than you and your desires. Jaehaerys would've disinherited you.'

'For a lie?' Rhaenyra countered 'You've yet to ask me for the truth of what happened.'

'The truth does not matter, Rhaenyra. Only perception. You have exposed yourself. Now we must both suffer the consequences.' Viserys told her solemnly.

'Were I born a man, I could bed whomever I wanted. I could father a dozen bastards, and no one in your court would blink an eye.' Rhaenyra countered

'You are right... but you were born a woman.'

'So you'll strip me of my titles and name Aegon in my stead.' Rhaenyra offered stiffly

'I would. But it is mine to hold the realm together, not sow it with further division. Your courtship is at an end. You will wed Ser Laenor Velaryon, and you will do so without protest. The son of the Sea Snake.'

'So I can be a remedy for your political headaches.' Rhaenyra groaned

'You are my political headache! Your wedding to Ser Laenor Velaryon will unite the two most powerful houses in the realm. With the combined strength of our shared dragons and naval fleets, no one would dare to stand against us. The House of the Dragon will stand as one for a further generation.' Viserys demanded

'And what will you do about the vulture who perches upon your throne?'

+

"Congratulations my girl." Moira kissed both Thea's cheeks. 

"Congratulations?" Thea countered. 

"It bloomed."

"What- I'm..." Thea couldnt breathe. 

"You will enjoy motherhood as much as I do." Moira assured her. 

"So not at all." Thea rasped but her voice was stuck in her throat. 

+

'What vulture?'

'Your Hand.' Rhaenyra informed him

'Otto High tower has served two kings loyally and faithfully.' Viserys assured

'He wants Aegon to be named heir. And he will stop at nothing to see it done. Including spying on me to bring about my ruin. You speak of The Conqueror's vision and the need for strength and unity across the realm. But how can that be accomplished with your most trusted adviser so self-interested?' Rhaenyra offered

'Every lord and lady that calls for an audience with me, every man on my small council, and all councils past, has been self-interested. It is unavoidable.' Viserys informed her

'I disagree. I will do my duty as heir and wed Ser Laenor. But you must first do yours as king.' She knew what she was doing she would probably lose Thea. She was trying to get her husband removed from the capital so obviously thea queen would go where her husband went. And she felt bad about it she truly did. But Otto was someone that needed to go that was constantly a thorn in Rhaenyras side. Always doubting if she was to be queen one day she didn't need doubters on her council.