ELLIPSISM, aemond targaryen

[050] traitor in every corner

RHAENYRA ANXIOUSLY PACED her father's chamber while playing with the rings on her fingers, her husband was watching her from the chair he sat on.

"He looks like a different person," Rhaenyra murmured and glanced towards Viserys before turning to Daemon. "I believe we should also consult Maester Gerardys."

Daemon's gaze moved from her to the door that started opening and he offered Rhaenyra his hand which she accepted but did not turn around to understand why he did it.

"Perhaps if he could see the King, he'd suggest a different --"

Her voice trailed off as she finally noticed where Daemon was looking and followed his gaze, her shoulders tensing when she saw Alicent.

Alicent hesitated for a small moment at the sight of them, but then withdrew her hand from the door and folded them in front of her. She took a deep breath and took a step towards them with a forced smile. "Princess Rhaenyra. And Prince Daemon."

Daemon let out a bored hum in return and her dark eyes shifted to Rhaenyra, both staring at each other uncertainly as if neither knew how to begin.

"It has been so long since we were granted the joy of your presence," said the Queen and her eyes involuntarily moved to Rhaenyra's arm, on the pale skin that was not covered by the sleeve she could see a scar from the injury she inflicted after her outburst in Driftmark.

Rhaenyra followed her gaze and yanked her hand from Daemon's grasp, folding her hands in her lap much like Alicent to prevent her from seeing the scar. "Indeed, Your Grace."

"Though not long enough to merit a greeting upon our arrival," Daemon muttered as he rubbed his eyes tiredly with one hand. With one leg crossed over the other and an elbow resting on his chair, he looked at Alicent with a raised eyebrow. "Was Aemma greeted in a similar way?"

"I'm sure the Queen had . . . pressing business, my love," Rhaenyra stated and when Daemon hummed in response she turned her head to him. "What can either of us know of ruling a kingdom?"

"I do not rule, as you well know," Alicent said coldly. "My father and I are mere stewards of the King's will and wisdom."

"And how exactly is that wisdom expressed?" Daemon raised an eyebrow. "In blinks and wheezes? I'd be surprised if he could remember his own name. Or if you could."

"King Viserys' condition had worsened since you saw him last," Alicent retorted and deadpanned when he let out a 'Ha'. "It subjects him to considerable pain. On the advice of the maesters --"

"Ah, the maesters," Rhaenyra nodded with a chuckle and started walking towards her. "Of course. It is they who keep him . . ." she glanced towards her father's bed, "addled on milk of the poppy while the Hightowers warm his throne."

"Rhaenyra, if you would see him without it, almost blind with suffering."

Daemon rolled his eyes. "Alicent, I have no doubt it was -- an act of the purest mercy, but tell me, for the King's suffering, did the maesters also prescribe the removal of Targaryen heraldry and installation in its stead of various statues and stars?"

At this point, Daemon also stood up from his chair and walked closer to her, standing beside his wife who had an identical scowl on her face as he did.

"The emblems of the Seven serve only to guide us on an uncertain path," Alicent retorted calmly and when he scoffed she turned to Rhaenyra. "To remind us of a higher power."

Daemon and Rhaenyra were equally annoyed by her statement and Rhaenyra bit her lip and looked away while Daemon let out a deep sigh to calm himself down and look at Alicent again. "Where is Aemma? She was supposed to be waiting for us at the harbour but she wasn't there."