The Rouge's Delight

The annoying lion

115 AC

As soon as he entered the tent, Daemon passed his nephew to Rhaenyra and picked up a goblet of wine as he knew he was going to need its help to deal with the people inside.

Daemon stuck close to Rhaenyra, always keeping his hand on her waist, glaring at any lord or knight that looked her way, making it clear to anyone with eyes that she was 'his' betrothed and he was not going to let those pompous peacocks try to take her from him.

Soon, he grew bored with the chit-chat happening around him, not to mention the suffocating smell of sweat and the overwhelming perfumed oils the ladies wore.

He got out of the tent, dragging Nyra along with him in a desperate attempt to get some fresh air and to get away from the ladies who attempted to flirt with him. Thanks to his glares, no lord dared to approach Rhaenyra, but the unwed maidens seemed unfazed by it. He would have been impressed by it, if not for the look on Rhaenyra's face. It was hilariously similar to the expression Syrax wore when any of the she-dragons came near Caraxes. (But he never mentioned it to Rhaenyra. Contrary to popular belief, he actually valued his life.) So both of them got out of there lest she finally lost her patience.

Both of them finally took a breath of fresh air and sighed in relief. They didn't say anything but instead basked in the comfortable silence and held each other close while holding Aegon. The noises of  hooves and clatter of plates, along with the conversations happening around them, sounded like an oddly soothing music

As they say, all good things must eventually end. Daemon found that this particular saying was apt to describe their current situation as their peace was disrupted by none other than the current lord of casterly rock.

Jason Lannister flashed Rhaenyra a  (what he thought was) charming smile(A sentiment which Daemon heartily disagreed) giving him a slight nod and ignoring him.

"I wonder princess was your second name day as grand as this."

"I honestly don't recall, and neither will Aegon," Rhaenyra replied while gently rubbing the said boy's head to soothe him when he started to fuss.

"As someone who was present at her second name day, I can assure you, Lord Jason, it was as grand as this. It was organised by the late queen, Alysanne, after all for her beloved great-granddaughter." Daemon couldn't help but put in.

"Of course." Jason agreed.

Rhaenyra, who had no idea about this, turned to him in surprise. "She did?"

"Of course she did. Father held you during the feast and refused to hand you to anyone else. He even took you on Vhagar to the skies. Aemma nearly fainted at the sight. After some time, grandfather had enough and ordered Father to hand you to him, and then proceeded to take you on Vermithor to fly while the rest of us laughed and Viserys tried to convince Aemma that you were not going to fall to death, emphasis on tried. Rhaenys mentioned that it was her favourite part. "

Rhaenyra laughed, her blue eyes lighting up as did.

Jason, who had grown impatient at being ignored, spoke at the moment. "Princess, I don't think we have been properly introduced. Lord Jason Lannister." He bowed.

"Ah yes. I gathered it from all the Lions."
Rhaenyra replied, shortly, clearly not wanting to continue this interaction any longer. Either Jason did not understand, or he pretended that he didn't. He waved for his cupbearer to bring him wine. He took two cups, one which he took and the other he handed over to Rhaenyra while completely ignoring him.

Daemon, who clearly didn't like the gesture, stepped in and took the glass Jason held for Rhaenyra and handed him the empty glass that he drank from earlier instead of his cupbearer that stood near them. Jason clearly understood the meaning of his action and glared at him. Daemon just raised his eyebrow, challenging the flustered lord to question him. Jason, who had enough common sense in him, did not take the bait.

Daemon, who found this ordeal entertaining, continued to taunt him. He took one sip of the wine and spoke." Honeyed wine from Lannisport, is it?"

"Yes, my prince."

"Ah! Good thing I took it instead of  Rhaenyra, who is my betrothed, by the way. Did you know that? She absolutely loath its taste. Threw it out the last time she was served with this shit. Didn't you."He turned to her.

Rhaenyra, who watched both of them with amusement written on her face, decided to humour him. "I suppose I did."

Daemon smugly turned to Jason and had the joy of seeing his face turn red either with anger or embarrassment. Maybe both.

Jason huffed and stomped his foot like a petulant child and turned to Rhaenyra. (How old was that man anyway. Honestly, his nephew was more mature than this.)

Talking about Aegon (Aegarax bless that boy), before Jason got a chance to open his mouth, Aegon started crying. Rhaenyra excused herself and walked away to an empty area while trying to make him stop crying.

Seeing that the princess he came to talk (annoy) to had left, Jason didn't stick around.

All this time, Viserys watched this interaction from the tent. He, like his daughter, was clearly amused by Daemon's antics. He turned his attention back to the feast, laughing as he did with only one thought in mind
'Yes, I made the right choice this time.'

Viserys was not the only one who watched them talking. Otto also watched them. He never thought Viserys would be stupid enough to arrange a betrothal between Rhaenyra and Daemon.

When Aemma finally died, he fought hard to make sure it was his daughter who took the place instead of the Velaryon whore that everyone wanted as queen.

He was relieved when viserys announced Rhaenyra as heir instead of Daemon as he thought he could easily replace her once his daughter gave birth to a son and marry Rhaenyra off to a lord that he could control. Everything was in place when the fool decided to marry his brat off to Daemon. He knew Daemon would never stand idle and watch as his wife got replaced. And even after Aegon was born, the laughing fool refused to name him as heir.

He wrote to Lord Jason, telling him that the  King was thinking of a betrothal between him and Rhaenyra. (a complete lie). He hoped that he would be able to make the stupid girl fall in love with him. But Daemon didn't even give him a chance.

As Daemon watched Lord Jason stomping off, he felt someone staring at him. Looking around, he found Otto glaring at him as if he offended him. (And Daemon really hoped that he did indeed offend Otto) As a reply, Daemon gave Otto his signature smirk which he knew would make him even angrier and he was proven correct as after some more glaring Otto stormed off.(probably to go and whine to Viserys. And again, he was correct as the King had to suffer for the next few hours as Otto complained about Daemon insulting the lord of a great house. Eventually, Viserys had enough and dismissed him by telling him to go and check on Alicent. This resulted in poor Alicent getting yelled at for failing to convince the king to name Aegon heir)

While all this happened Rhaenyra finally managed to calm Aegon. She was about to go back to Daemon knowing that by now he would have managed to chase Jason away when she heard a laugh and whispers and more laughs. Normally she wouldn't have cared but the voice sounded familiar so she decided to indulge herself.

She carefully went near the tree where the sound came from while hiding behind the said tree. That's when she saw it. 'Fourteen hells!' It was Laena and Harwin... kissing.

She immediately turned Aegon away from the sight and quickly walked away from there. The last thing she needed was for them to see her. The gods were certainly having fun. She had to bite her cheeks to stop the laugh that came from her, even then some muffled sounds escaped. She thought they were perfect for each other. Now that she was marrying Daemon she had hoped that her cousin would find someone who will love her for her wonderful self. and she was glad that she found the right person. (and that was her speaking from experience.)
All this time Aegon who had no idea what was happening was happily trying to eat his sister's silver hair which was his second favourite thing to put in his mouth second only to his wooden toy dragon that Daemon bought from Myr.

AN: I wrote most of the chapter from Daemon's point of view as I have always wondered how would he react to all the things that happened during the hunt and I absolutely loved writing it. Hope you folks would like it too:)