My Tears Ricochet // Alicent Hightower

71. Balance and Spiraling

"I had a thought mama Dav." Aemond remarked. Draeya leaned back against the dresser as Davina shifted Haven in her arms.

"Is this a thought suitable for baby ears or am I going to need my hands to emphasize how bad or wonderful this is?" Davina countered. Draeya took Haven from her. 

"I'm not a baby." Haven corrected. "I'm going to be four!"

"Oh good that sort of conversation." Davina mused. 

"Mama just have an open mind!" Aemond demanded. "I know you are... I know you all have been..." Haenry came in closing the door quickly. 

"Did I miss it? What did she say?" Haenry questioned. 

"Aemond is failing at saying what he wants." Davina offered "And I'm ready to emphasize that this is bad now." Haenry stared back at her confused. Draeya put Haven down and she ran to Haenry. 

"Hey Haven," Haenry declared scooping her up and kissing her cheeks she giggled into him. Davina thought that Haenry looked more and more like Harwin as he aged, she saw it in Rhaegar as well. 

"Well mama, we were just thinking that... when the time comes." Aemond tried again hesitantly. 

"Aegon is Viserys first born but we all know that Aemond should to be king. You know it. you want him to be king more than Rhaenyra.' Draeya translated confidently.

"You need Draeya's confidence." Davina remarked.

"Thats another thing-" Draeya began.

"One situation at a time please my love." Davina countered.

"Well?" Aemond questioned.

"I want you to be king." Davina assured. "You are doing well at the meetings, well in your studies and training. Lead. Be a constant, be seen and heard, you are my smart boy but Viserys is not-"

"He is dying and we all know it mama." Draeya whispered.

"He is fine." Davina lied.

"You never see him, we never see him. He lays in bed with his maesters tending to him." Aemond added as Haven looked between them. 

"Aemond, Draeya it is late my loves, please.... Viserys is...." Davina kissed his head. "Go to bed." Draeya looked to Haenry and he covered Haven's ears she giggled back at him. Davinas gaze shifted from Haven to Draeya. 

"He is dying mama." Draeya told her. "He has been for a while now. The council loves Aunt Ali. You get things done. You would be a better hand than Otto. Uncle Viserys has not been a king for a while now."

"Dreaya, please. He is my brother, the only brother I love. He did the best that he could be he wasnt meant to be king. He loved his books and studies. A reign of peace was not a loss-''

"It didnt challenge him. We will be challenged in the moons to come." Draeya declared. "When he passes, do you really want Rhaenyra and Daemon sitting the throne?" 

"I dont. I wont allow that." Davina agreed stiffly. 

 "We just want to help you." Haenry added. "help them see that Aemond is a better option then Rhaenyra." 

"I love you all." Davina moved forward hugging them tight. "And for your information Viserys did pick a new heir. He didnt want drama with Rhaenyra apparently but he did it a while ago.''

"Who!" Draeya demanded. 

"He didnt tell anyone. He wants it done as he was named. On his death bed, revealed to the court. I think he saw that you and Aegon are better than Rhaenyra. I know it." Davina assured Aemond.  They nodded in understanding. "Good, thank you. Now my loves it is late. Go to bed." Davina begged. Davina fell into the sweetest of dreams when she closed her eyes.