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She sat at the table on her husband's left and beside the edge. At the end of the table at her left were Helaena and Aemond.
She was speaking to Helaena as Otto watched them. Helaena had a toy in her hands that eased her.
Standing behind them were her husband and Aemond. Speaking at the other end was her brothers and their betrothed.
They all stood as four guards carried in the King. On her husband's side, to his right, was Jace with his betrothed Baela.
At the end of the table on Baela's right was Lucerys with his betrothed Rhaena.
Across from Daella was the dreadful Hand of the King, Otto Hightower.
They placed the king between Alicent and her mother. Next to her mother was Prince Daemon.
"How good it is... to see you all tonight... together." He says as they all look toward him. "Prayer before we begin?" The Queen asks as the King then shortly agrees.
"May the Mother smile down on this gathering with love. May the Smith mend the bonds that have been broken for far too long." Daella shortly made eye contact with her brother Luke.
They both sat with their hands clasped together, watching everyone else. "And to Vaemond Velaryon, may the gods give him rest."
She and Daemon shared a look and a smirk at the mention of him. They both knew of each other's dislike just by a look.
"This is an occasion for celebration, it seems. My grandsons, Jace and Luke, will marry their cousins, Baela and Rhaena, further strengthening the bond between our houses."
She smiled at her brothers and cousins as she leaned forward in her seat.
Her hands clasped in her lap as the King continued, "A toast to the young Princes... and their betrothed." Everyone grabbed their glasses as Daemon said, "Hear, hear!"
She took a sip from her cup before smiling at Helaena, who returned it. "Let us toast as well, Prince Lucerys... the future Lord of the Tides."
Rhaenyra let out a soft "Hear, hear." before they all drank. In the corner of her eye, she watched her husband lean toward her brother.
She sighed before nudging his leg, making him look forward. They all looked toward the King as he struggled to stand using his cane.
He struggled to breathe as he said, "It both gladdens my heart and fills me with sorrow to see these faces around the table." Daella looked up at him, leaning back in her seat.
"The faces most dear to me in all the world... yet grown so distant from each other... in the years past." She glances over to Helaena, who plays with her toy in silence.
She looked back at her grandsire at the sound of him removing his mask. As he removed it, she noted he had now lost his right eye, and his skin was deteriorating from his cheek.
"My own face... is no longer a handsome one... if indeed it ever was. But tonight... I wish you to see me as I am." He tells them as Daella places her hand on the table.
"Not just a king... but your father. Your brother. Your husband... and your grandsire. Who may not, it seems walk for much longer among you." He told them dropping his mask onto the table.
Daella looked down at her lap bringing her hands back together. She began to fiddle with the rings on her fingers.
"Let us no longer hold ill feeling in our hearts. The crown cannot stand strong if the house of the dragon remains divided." As he speaks Daella finally looked back up at him.
"But set aside you grievances if not for the sake of the crown... then for the sake of this old man who loves you all so dearly." Daella felt a hand over her own calming her nerves. It was Helaena as she glanced over.
The Queen then helped him to sit back into his chair. Her eyes shot to her mother as she stood quickly cup in hand. "I wish to raise my cup to Her Grace, the Queen."
Daella watched as the two woman looked into each others eyes. "I love my father. But I must admit that no has stood... more loyally by his side than his good wife."
Daella took Helaenas hand between hers rubbing the back with her thumb. The King placed his mask back on as Rhaenyra turned.
"She has tended to him with... unfailing devotion, love, and honor. And for that, she has my gratitude... and my apology." Rhaenyra finished before sitting down.
The Queen looked around before looking back to Rhaenyra, "Your graciousness moves me deeply, Princess. We are both mothers... and we love our children. We have more in common than we sometimes allow."
