Protecting an Heir

31

A great feast was gathered in celebration of Lucerys's inheritance. Visiera sat beside Rhaenyra and Daemon beside Visiera. Nys, Jace, Luke, Haella, Daelera, Helaena, Aemond, and Aegon were all seated by each other and Otto, Alicent, and Viserys by one another.
"How good it is... to see you all tonight... together. Prayer before we begin?" Viserys asked.
"Yes. May the Mother smile down on this gathering with love. May the Smith mend the bonds that have been broken for far too long. And to Vaemond Velaryon (Visiera rolls her eyes as does Rhaenyra and Daemon), may the gods give him rest." Alicent spoke.
"And good riddance," Visiera said.
The Blacks laughed as Alicent rolled her eyes and continued.
"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. A toast to the young Princes and their betrothed!" Viserys said.
"Hear, hear," the people toasted.
"Well done, Jace. You'll finally get to lie with a woman." Aegon whispered to Jace.
"Let us toast to Prince Lucerys as well... the future Lord of the Tides." Viserys spoke.
"Hear, hear." the people toasted once more.
"You'll be great." Rhaenyra whispered to Luke.
"You will. Just trust yourself." Visiera reassured Luke.
Aegon continued nagging Jace on but Jace just ignored him.
"It both gladdens my heart and fills me with sorrow to see these faces around the table. The faces most dear to me in all the world... yet grown so distant from each other... in the years past. 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. Not just your King... but your father. Your brother. Your uncle. Your husband... and your grandsire. Who may not, it seems... walk for much longer among you. Let us no longer hold ill feelings in our hearts. The crown cannot stand strong if the House of the Dragon remains divided. But set aside your grievances. If not for the sake of the crown... then for the sake of this old man who loves you all so dearly." Viserys explained.
Visiera thinks to herself, realizing that maybe, just maybe, Alicent wasn't the only one to blame. If Visiera had never acted the way she did with Rhaenyra maybe things would've been different. Then again, Alicent was probably being dramatic and overprotective. But she was overprotective of Visiera because she truly loved her. Visiera stood up and held her cup in her hand.
"I wish to raise my cup to Her Grace, the Queen. I love my father by law, 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, love, and honor. And for that, she has my gratitude... and my apology." Visiera explained.
She sat down after, Rhaenyra putting her hand on her shoulder and smiling.
"Well done, my love." Rhaenyra whispered.
Visiera smiled at her, Alicent looked at her at a loss for words, not sure what to say of Visiera's toast.
"Your graciousness moves me deeply, my fellow Queen." Alicent said.
Visiera looked at her, her eyes speaking with more words than spoken. Alicent's gaze softened at her.
"We are both mothers... and we love our children. We have more in common than we sometimes allow. (stands up) I raise my cup to you and to your houses. You and your wife, Rhaenyra, will make fine Queens," Alicent said.
Visiera smiled at her and they shared softened looks at one another.
"I, um... I regret to disappoint you are soon to suffer. But if you ever wish to know what it is to be well satisfied, all you have to do is ask. Jace." Aegon laughed.
Jace clears his throat and stands.
"To Prince Aegon and... Prince Aemond. We have not seen each other in years, but I have fond memories of our shared youth. And as men, I hope we may yet be friends and allies. To you and your family's good health, dear uncles. To you as well." Jace explained.
"Beware the beast beneath the boards." Helaena whispered softly, Daelera looking at her dear wife.
"Are you alright?" Daelera asked quietly.
Helaena nodded as she stood.
"I would like to toast to Baela and Rhaena. They'll be married soon. It isn't so bad, mostly he just ignores you... except sometimes when he's drunk." Helaena said.
Otto and Viserys laughed as Helaena sat back down. Daelera looked down, feeling bad for her, as they could never say they were married, but hoped she was happy in their marriage.
"Good. Let us have some music." Viserys said.
Music began, people ate and talked with one another. Daelera got up, walked up to Helaena, and placed her hand out for Helaena to hold.
"Care to dance?" Daelera asked.
Helaena took her hand and they danced in the center of the room, Helaena finally smiling. Daelera smile widened as she looked into Helaena's eyes. Her heart couldn't have fallen for anything better.
Visiera laughed with her wife and smiled at Alicent for a moment as did Alicent. Viserys started to feel unwell once more. Alicent called for the guards to help back to his chambers but Viserys refused, and turned the guards away. The servants brought forth a cooked pig, which was placed in front of Aemond. Aegon, Jace, and Luke laughed, having one last blow at him. He slammed his hand on the table as the room went silent. Daelera and Helaena stopped dancing and Aemond stood up, cup in hand.
"Final tribute. To the health of my nephews: Jace... Luke... and Joffrey... Each of them handsome, wise... hm... Strong." Aemond spoke.
"Aemond." Otto said.
"Come... let us drain our cups to these three... Strong boys." Aemond smirked.
"I dare you to say it again." Jace said.
Helaena began to clap, thinking Aemond calling them Strong was a good thing, and not an insult. Daelera stopped her and Helaena realized.
"Why? 'Twas only a compliment. Do you not think yourself Strong?" Aemond continued on.
Jace walked up and punched Aemond who punched him back.
"Jace!" Rhaenyra and Visiera both yelled.
Aegon took it upon himself to slam Lucerys's face into the table, the four boys fighting each other. Visiera pulled Jace away and Aemond looked into Visiera's eyes. Visiera sighed, standing her ground, Aemond smirked and turned away from Visiera, Alicent pulling him.
"Why would you say such a thing before these people?" Alicent asked.
"I was merely expressing how proud I am of my family, Mother. Mm, though it seems my nephews aren't quite as proud of theirs." Aemond answered.
Jace began to walk forward as someone walked in.
"Stop Jace." the girl said.
Everyone looked over to find Malia standing there, leaning on the wall. She walks forward beside Visiera and stands in front of Jace.
"Ah, just who I wanted to see," Aemond said sarcastically.
"Aww, c'mon, you miss me!" Malia said, also sarcastically.
"Go to your quarters. All of you, go, now." Rhaenyra said.
They all left, but before Aemond could leave, he was stopped by Malia.
"You say.. another word to them, a simple punch will be the worst of your problems, you hear me?" Malia whispered.
"Whatever you say, Red Death." Aemond mocked.
Aemond left and Malia turned to look at Visiera.
"Red Death, huh? I like the ring of that!" Malia laughed.
Visiera hugged Malia and then Malia left to go take care of Daenerys. Rhaenyra smiled at Visiera, kissed her on the cheek and then left as well, Daemon following not much after, and Otto not long after him. Leaving only Alicent and Visiera left. Alicent walks over to Visiera and they share a sweet moment, smiling at each other.
"Visiera." Alicent smiled.
"It's best, I think, if my family heads back to Dragonstone." Visiera said calmly.
"You've only just arrived. Let me see the children home."
"I'll um-"

(flashback to 104, a moment which Alicent and Visiera are sharing together)
"What are you going to do? If you won't rule, then what?" Young Alicent asked.
"I want to fly on dragonback with my girlfriend, you, and eat all the cake I can." Visiera answered.

(back to the present)

"--I'll return on dragonback." Visiera smiled.
"The King and I would both like that." Alicent smiled back.

Later that night, Rhaenyra is laying in her old bed, waiting for Visiera who arrives shortly after her.
"I went and visited Daenerys. She looks just like them both." Rhaenyra smiled.
"I'd hope so," Visiera laughed, getting into bed.
"You won't be leaving for Dragonstone tomorrow, will you?" Rhaenyra asked.
"Yeah, I won't. I need to be with my mother in her time of need. I hope you understand-"
"Of course I understand. I would do the same if my mother were still alive."
"Thank you,"
"Don't thank me. It's your mother, we have limited time with family in this life. We must use that time wisely and with those love ones."
Visiera kissed her and Rhaenyra kissed her back. Sleep consumed them and by morning, Rhaenyra, Daemon, Jace, Joffrey, Luke, Aegon, Viserys, Corlys, Nymeria, Mayliana, Daenerys, and Malia had left and gone back to Dragonstone. Visiera woke up, the empty space where Rhaenyra used to be. She woke up and felt like something was off, she spoke with her mother that morning who told Visiera that if Alicent or any of the Greens asked where she was, to not tell them. She didn't think much of it until guards locked her in the room and then Alicent came into the room, looking for Rhaenys.