The Sea Dragon (House of the dragon fanfic)

17: Virtue

The morning sun shined on my face, awaking me, I turned finding Viserys still fast asleep, slowly and quietly I got our of bed and called for the maidens to draw me a bath.

As I was sitting in the bathtub, Viserys woke "Good morrow wife" he said still sleepy, I turned my head and smile at him "Good morrow husband" I said.

Minutes later, as I was drying myself a knock was heard on the door of our chambers, "Enter" Viserys said, peeking through the dressing curtain I could see that it was Otto, The Kings Hand.

I didn't pay much mind to it, perhaps it's only information for the small council meeting but as I was listening in, what I heard was a disturbing accusation "Rhaenyra fucked Daemon?" I asked to myself perhaps it's only gossip, Rhaenyra would never do that, would she?

As they were talking I laced up my plain black dress and decided to stop this conversation and made myself visible, I cleared my throat and gaining the attention of both Otto and Viserys "You may leave now" I said my voice plain but harsh.

Viserys didn't say anything when Otto left, he dressed and I braided my hair in complete silence. I walked out, hands infront of my dress and my face held high, if that accusation is true perhaps I should ask Rhaenyra about it.

I walked to the nursery to check on my children, Aegon was playing and Helena was fast asleep. When Aegon noticed my presence he ran and hugged my leg as tightly as he could. I picked him up and kissed him left check "Good morrow Aegon" I said "Muna!" he said and pointed to Helena "She won't stop crying" he said clearly annoyed.

"Helena is a baby, Aegon, she will get older and stop crying" I said reassuringly and places him back down. Seeing my children gave me some relief.

I walked down the halls and noticed Alicent walking "Good morrow, your grace" she said and bowed her head "Alicent" I replied "I'm sure your father has told you about Rhaenyra and Daemon?" I said, Alicent didn't seem surprised which was a clear enough answer.

In the corner of my eye I was a maiden no older than one and seven walking with a towel "Are those for the princess Rhaenyra?" I asked while stopping her "Y..Yes, your grace" she said and bowed her head "Please tell the princess that the queen requests her presence" I said with a tight lipped smile.

We arrived at the Weirwood tree five minutes after our encounter with the maiden, it had been a long while and Rhaenyra was still not there but when I say a glimpse of white hair I was very relieved.

When Rhaenyra finally reached us no one said anything, an awkward silence grew so I decided to speak first "Rhaenyra, I hope you are well" I said with a stern voice "Indeed I am, your grace"

"What happened last night?" I asked, I didn't want to wait to long, I wanted answers, I wanted the truth, I wanted her to say it was all a lie. She didn't say anything so I took that to say more ,"Where you with Daemon?"

Alicent spoke up as well "My father has made some worrying allegations about you" Rhaenyra shifted on her feet and chuckled "Oh, I... I haven't seen him in years. He took me into the city for some fun" she said smiling, she really thinks I don't know.

"Tell me the whole of it ,Rhaenyra" I didn't want her to explain anything, I didn't care what she did. "Tell us exactly what you did" Alicent said stepping closer to me.

Rhaenyra's eyes shot to her "Your father accused me of something. That I drank wine? That I left the castle after dark?" she said clearly amused at us. I rolled my eyes and sighed "That you fucked Daemon in the pleasure house" I shot back at her, I hated this, I hated that I'm not believing her.

"This is a vile accusation" she said her voice full of anger "Is it?" I asked "Daemon certainly knows no limits" Alicent said from behind be. "Daelora, Alicent, your grace, sisters, you must know I would, I would never" she said clearly defensive.

I started to believe that they possibly they did fuck "You cannot believe such gossip" she said reaching for my hand but I stepped back "My father is no gossip" Alicent said taking hold of my hand, Rhaenyra turned her slightly to Alicent clearly angry at her.

"Certainly he must be misled" she said more calmer now "He cannot have witnessed such a thing"

"Why not?"

"Because it did not happen"

"He was told"

"Told?" she sounded confused, but she looked disappointed in some way. "Who made these claims to Otto?" She asked, I didn't say anything because I merely heard what Viserys and Otto spoke.

She scoffed "I am the princess, to question my Virtue is an act of treason" she said and moved to stand near the Wierwood tree. I turned around to face her "And I am the Queen but I do not know specifically" I said worrying, maybe what I heard was a lie.

She turned to Alicent "Your father did not tell you?" Alicent picked her fingers nervously "He reported to the King", "I overheard" I continued biting the inside of my cheek.

Rhaenyra shook her head in disbelief "So you accusing me of slanders, you overheard?" her voice  and facial expression clearly disappointed. "I merely wish to help you, Rhaenyra, so... as your Queen I demand an answer" I said, I wanted an answer, I stood as a fool for too long.

She looked taken a back then scoffed, "Daemon never touched me, he took me into the city and indeed we were in a pleasure house but left me for some whore and I found my own way home" she said.

I looked down, perhaps I was wrong, but should I believe her? "I'm... I'm sorry, I should've never questioned your virtue"  she didn't even look at me and only walked away.

I watched her walk away and when she was far enough I sighed and turned to Alicent, "I do not know whom to believe, Rhaenyra or your father?" I asked her, perhaps she could help me in this decision. "Perhaps her sworn protector, Ser Criston Cole, could offer us some insight."

I decided that asking Ser Criston wasn't a bad idea but first I wanted to tell Viserys the information I got from Rhaenyra. I walked down the hallway wondering where he could be, he wasn't with the children so he should be in the throne room.

As I approached the throne room, I could hear someone yelling and another groaning. I opened the door and saw Daemon on the floor while Viserys kicked him "You defiled her!" he shouted.

I ran towards them and took hold of Viserys arm, "Viserys, stop!" I yelled but he didn't seem to notice me. He pushed me back and I landed on the floor with a hard thumb. I stood up shortly after and as Viserys was about to kick Daemon again and stood in from of him.

"Viserys!" I said my voice loud and angry "Is this how you treat your subjects, your brother? What King hurts his people?" I asked him looking straight into his eyes.

He took a step back and I looked behind me seeing Daemon on the floor still groaning from pain. "This is not how you talk to your King! I deserve respect" Viserys yelled at me, smacking me across my face.

I felt a sting on my now bright red cheek and when I touched it, I saw blood on my fingers. I looked up at him in shock but he didn't even look regrettable. My eyes connected with his "I am your King, you are but my wife" he said and lifted his hand for another smack.

I shut my eyes tightly close waiting for the impact but it never came, I slightly opened my eyes and saw Daemon standing next to me, one hand holding onto his side the other holding Viserys hand.

"She is as much the Queen than you are King, brother" Daemon said defending me, I looked up at him in shock and felt grateful. "She is my wife, she shall respect me!" Viserys shouted, "And you are her husband, you shall respect her!" Daemon shot back at him and pushed his arm down.

"I will return to Runestone and you will respect your wife" Daemon said, Viserys scoffed and stormed out the room. Daemon turned around and looked at my cheek, he reached to touch it but I winced when his fingers came in contact with my cheek.

"Let's get you cleaned up" Daemon said and lead me out the room and brought me to the Maester.
Viserys never hurt me, Daemon is a good man, I don't believe he fucked Rhaenyra but something tells me she did fuck someone.

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