Burn Together ❖ Daemon Targaryen

Chapter 25

Their second day in the Red Keep signalled the beginning of the succession of Driftmark debate, which the Blacks were very nervous for because they would need the most compelling argument ever to be able to prevent Alicent and Otto from manipulating the situation and usurping Luke

Rhaellanne put on a gorgeous, tight black dress with intricate golden patterns on the skirt and then over her shoulders was a black cape, which clasped in the hollow of her neck, with golden embroidery on the shoulders and all the edges of the cape were red

Behind her in the mirror Daemon put his hands on her shoulders and kissed the side of her head "It'll be alright, ñuha jorrāelagon [my love]."

"I know" she sighed "But Luke is so young and I don't want him to be caught between this feud. Aemond tried to kill him once and he would do it again if his mother asked"

Daemon turned his wife around in his arms "I promise you that we will win this. Whatever they throw at us we have more power than they do and they will not be allowed to overthrow us"

She nodded slightly and they shared a sweet kiss before leaving their room and heading down into the throne room. They stood on the right side of the hall with the rest of their family and disgustingly, Otto was standing up by the iron throne "Though it is the great hope of this court that Lord Corlys Velaryon survive his wounds, we gather here with the grim task of dealing with the succession of Driftmark. As Hand, I speak with the King's voice on this and all other matters." Rhaellanne, Daemon, Rhaenyra, and Bennard all rolled their eyes "The crown will now hear the petitions. Ser Vaemond of House Velaryon."

Vaemond walked forwards and smirked, "My Queen. My Lord Hand. The history of our noble houses extends beyond the Seven Kingdoms to the days of Old Valyria. For as long as House Targaryen has ruled the skies, House Velaryon has ruled the seas. When the Doom fell on Valyria, our houses became the last of their kind. Our forebearers came to this new land, knowing that were they to fail, it would mean the end to their bloodlines and their name. I have spent my entire life on Driftmark defending my brother's seat. I am Lord Corlys's closest kin, his own blood. The true, unimpeachable blood of House Velaryon runs through my veins."

Rhaenyra scoffed, "As it does in my sons, the offspring of Laenor Velaryon. If you cared so much about your house's blood, Ser Vaemond, you would not be so bold as to supplant its rightful heir. No, you only speak for yourself and for your own ambition-"

"-You will have chance to make your own petition, Princess Rhaenyra" snapped Alicent "Do Ser Vaemond the courtesy of allowing his to be heard-"

"Shut up," sighed Rhaellanne "Fifteen years and your voice is as irritating as ever"

"Princess Rhaellanne-"

"-Careful how you speak to my wife" growled Daemon

Alicent reluctantly backed down, and Vaemond continued to speak "What do you know of Velaryon blood, Princess? I could cut my veins and show it to you and you still wouldn't recognise it. This is about the future and survival of my house, not yours. My Queen, my Lord Hand. This is a matter of blood, not ambition. I place the continuation of the survival of my house and my line above all. I humbly put myself before you as my brother's successor...the Lord of Driftmark and Lord of the Tides."

He stood back in place, and Otto called, "Thank you, Ser Vaemond. Princess Rhaenyra, you may now speak for your son, Lucerys Velaryon."

Rhaenyra stood in front of them all and sighed, "If I am to grace this farce with some answer, I will start by reminding the court that nearly years ago, in this very-"

Behind her, the doors to the throne room swung open and in hobbled the King himself. Rhaellanne and Rhaenyra beamed with pride to see their father finally up and out of bed, which was a sharp contrast to the horrified expressions of Alicent and Otto