𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑 | 𝗮𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗿𝘆𝗲𝗻

Chapter 20: Laenor's fate

119 d. C

Driftmark

After the punishments had been dealt in private and attended only by Daemon, the king and the Velaryons Rhaenyra found herself in her private chambers. Shiera and Aemond were asleep in her bed, the adrenaline of the night lost. The rest of the children were in their own beds and the twins had been led to the maesters to make sure their wounds didn't get infected.

Rhaenyra had convinced Alicent to let her brother sleep the rest of the day with her daughter after she claimed that both children needed more than ever to be together.

As silence reigned in the heirs wing of the castle Daemon made his presence known as he softly opened the door. He stopped at her side and looked at the children as they slept soundly. Shiera cuddled at Aemonds right side so as not to hurt him further and him with arms around her. The image made Daemon think about how much he had missed out on his daughter's life. The bonds she had made with Rhaenyra's siblings, with her brothers and with his brother. Maybe it was time to change that.

Rhaenyra was the first to talk.

"How are the girls?" She asked as she made room for him on the chaise where she was seated as she watched her daughter.

This new concern for his daughters surprised Daemon. She didn't think Rhaenyra was capable of caring for anyone other than her children.

"They are as good as they could be. Rhaena has come off worse than her sister but it was to be expected after having attacked someone from the royal family. Even I couldn't do anything to make her punishment lighter." Daemon replied as he made himself comfier besides Rhaenyra. "How are they? Will she have damage after the head injury?"

The maesters had seen to Shiera and assured her mother that the injury wouldn't be a problem for the little princess. She would need to rest and be careful but she would recover.

"Aemond will need to be bedridden until the pain subsides and Shiera must be careful not to overexert herself but they will be alright." She said as she turned so she could also look at him. The similarities between Daemon and Shiera had started to show. Their violet eyes so alike. The whiteness of her hair so much like his.

It was true that she had her mothers and grandmother's soft and graceful features but she also had that famous smirk that appeared in Daemons more often than not. Her personality, thank the gods, was more like her grandmother Aemma. Soft but firm when it was necessary.

"That 's good." He said as he softly caressed Shiera's cheek. He made sure to make this as light as he could as he didn't want to make her. She needed rest.

Once again silence filled the room. it was not uncomfortable for them. On the contrary, they felt more comfortable than ever and wished they could always be like this, without having to worry about filling awkward silences with meaningless conversations.

A mere half hour later it was Rhaenyra who broke the silence once again.

"I need you, Daemon" The look in her eyes as she said that was one of sadness and loneliness. She had spent years alone in the court with the only company of her children. Now she yearned for someone who loved her. Not in a filial way but in a romantic one. "Kastoti mērpī naejuragon koston daor. Īlvor ānogri īlot letagon, hae Aegon Ērinȳ zȳhom mandȳma hāedromā. (I cannot face the greens alone. Let us bind our blood, just as Aegon the Conqueror did with his sisters)."

Daemon stayed silent as he listened to her. Her words were sincere and made his heart hurt for her.

"Ñuhys valzȳrys belmōr aōma issarome, ñuho drīvo bē epvor lykemiluks. Va mōriot. (With you as my husband and prince consort, my claim would not be so easily challenged)" She knew what she was asking for. And that she already had a husband but Laenor did nothing to help her or their kids. He continued to spend his days with the squires and ser Qarl while they drank the finest wines and wore the best silks.

"Velaria embōñar issi. Yn ao nykē... perzōñi iksi. (The Velaryons are of the sea. But you and I... are made of fire.)" This was also true. The Targaryens were meant to be together. Fire with fire. Daemons continued silent.

"Hen prānot hae mērȳ zālagon indīliks. Shiera iksos se proof hen bona. (We have always been meant to burn together. Shiera is the proof of that.)" At that Daemon looked at his daughter. She was soundly asleep, her cheeks pink from the heat of the fire, multiple blankets and Aemond's body at her side.

Daemon was a reckless person. He usually didn't care for others' opinions on his life and choices. But he cared about the future of his family. He knew that they couldn't marry. Not now.

"We could not marry unless Laenor were dead. You know that Velaryons would hate us if something happened to Laenor. They would blame us." It hurt him the look on Rhaenyra's face as he stated the truth. "And I'm leaving for King's Landing with your father. It was part of the pact between him and I."

A second of silence passed between them as she averted her eyes.

"I know" Now she wished more than ever that daemon had taken her with him. Even if that meant that she lost her title as heir. "Then, I will return to King's Landing as well. It looks like our family doesn't fare too well far from the capital."

It was the first time Rhaenyra had made a political decision without letting her heart lead. She wanted with all her strength to marry him, but she knew that the death of her husband would only mean more hatred between the Velaryons and Targaryens.
It also surprised Daemon, he had expected her to be determined in her mission to marry him but he had gladly realized that she had started to grow some political awareness. Not a lot, but it was a start.

"And what do you want to do with Laenor? Should we dispose of him in a few months?" He asked. He would do anything if she asked.

"I could never kill him. If it is true that our marriage has never been one of love, his death would sadden me." After a few seconds of thinking, it seemed that Rhaenyra had come up with the best solution to her problem. "Perhaps... Laenor would prefer a slightly warmer life. With a new identity and the assurance that no lover of his would ever die again at the hands of a Kingsguard."

If he loved her with all his heart now it was impossible to love her more. she might not be the best politician or the best fighter but she had a heart of gold.

"It's not a bad idea. Maybe we should make sure his parents know about his future whereabouts to cover our backs." Taking advantage of the fact that there was no one with them except the sleeping children, he encircled her between his arms as he gave her a caste kiss. "We will make sure that we achieve our dream of creating our own family. But now what you need is sleep."

Saying this, he got up and helped Rhaenyra to do the same.

"We're going back to King's Landing tomorrow so you have to make sure you rest. You've been through a lot of emotions in a very short time." Taking her hands in his, he kissed them. "I would love to keep you company while you sleep but I know that this is not the time. I'll see you later and we'll continue this conversation in more detail."

After he kissed her one last time he turned to the children. Bending down carefully, he gave Shiera a soft kiss on the forehead and a caress on Aemond's head. Then, when he was at the door, he looked one last time at his family.

Now things would start to change. He would protect them. And no Hightower cunt would interfere anymore in his presence. The Rogue Prince was coming home and may the city cower if he found someone stupid enough to test him.

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Hi!
I know it took me longer than I said to post but I've had a pretty hard week.
My dog has suffered a cardiorespiratory arrest and it has been quite bad so I have not had the desire or time to write.
Now he is better and it seems that he is out of danger, so the updates will come back little by little.

I hope the chapter isn't too bad.

On the other hand, I have already finished the exams so I will finally have enough energy to do a little longer chapters.

I hope you start your summer holidays well!
bye!