In the midst of the dragon home, tensions arise and sides are chosen. To keep peace between the greens and blacks, Rhaenyra offers her eldest child, Aelanys Velaryon, to wed Alicent Hightower's son, Aegon II.
Aelanys knew being the eldest and futur...
Owing someone a debt was something Aelanys always despised. She felt as though she was at the mercy of her collector. But, what else could she do? Her mother made a final decree to remove the princess as next in line to the throne.
"I shall not steal my own sister's birthright!" Jace fervently shook his head. It warmed her heart knowing she could at least count on her brothers — or at least one of them.
"Mother must have her reasons. I do not believe she had any ill intentions," Luke murmured lost in his own head.
"Still...it does make one ponder about the haste of it all," Jace sighed with a hand rested on his sheathed dagger at his side.
Luke had always been attached to their mother, so she never expected him to sway when it came to her. He'd always take their mother's side no matter the circumstance. Mostly because he saw their mother as the most perfect being.
Jace scoffed at their younger brother.
"Whether or not her intentions were not meant with malice, she means for me to take our sister's birthright! That's the very thing she fights against with Aegon. It wouldn't make us any better than them." His face hardened with each word he spoke.
"Enough. It's been done," Aelanys huffed out seemingly annoyed with Luke. She understood his predicament, but his lack of support didn't hurt any less.
"Why don't you gather your things, Luke? I'm sure mother will need you to console her."
He nodded before giving his sister one last hug.
"I wish you farewell, sister." Luke politely dipped his head toward her before making his way to their mother's quarters.
"What's your plan?" Jace was quick to ask as soon as their younger brother departed.
"Plan?" Aelanys raised an inquisitive brow.
"You must have one, surely?" He was beginning to see she clearly did not.
"I will not take your birthright from you," He declared. "I don't even know the first thing about ruling the realm!"
Aelanys bit down on the inside of her cheeks.
"I have lived my entire life striving to keep peace between our families. So much of my time devoted to acting as the peacekeeper that I believed it was the only reason I exist. I cannot in good conscience go against that very nature. If I do, I don't know who I would be..."
