ℍ𝕚𝕤 𝔹𝕒𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕕 𝕝𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣 | 𝐻𝑜𝓊𝓈𝑒 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒟𝓇𝒶𝑔𝑜𝓃

03

Blood was everywhere, and unfortunately, you were too late to stop any of them. Aemond lay sprawled on the ground,  wailing in agony while clutching his bleeding eye. Guards had rushed in, Their armor clinking loudly as they surrounded him while Cerys frantically checked on the other children, her attention darting between Baela and Rhaena. All were unscathed, except for Luke and Aemond, who were quickly carried out by the guards. 

Cerys demanded answers, as she tried to speak through the chaos. But, the remaining guards ushered everyone out before any of the children could speak. 

In the great hall, tension became thick as everyone awaited Rhaenyra's arrival. Cerys held the boys and girls close, shielding them protectively. Alicent was furious, her maternal rage understandable due to the circumstances and lack of information. Still, Cerys earned the gaze of the majority who stood in the room as she attempted to clean the wounds on Luke's face. The glares lowered due to Alicent's continuous shouts at Aegon, while Ammon sat pale and trembling, wincing with every stitch the maester threaded through his torn flesh.  

"And, you"

she growled, pointing a finger directly at Cerys. 

"Where were you, while the children were fighting?!" 

She shouted, 

"Excuse me, your grace?" 

Cerys questioned, Her eyebrows shooting in surprise at the sudden accusation. 

"Aren't you supposed to keep watch of them?" 

Cerys scoffed, gently pushing the boys behind her. 

"I am no knight nor guard to keep watch of the boys every hour of the day. It is as if I were to ask you, where you were whilst your son laid his hands on the children." 

Everyone gasped, their eyes widening at the audacity of her words. 

"You have no right to speak to Your Grace that way!" 

Someone shouted, their voice trembling with outrage. But before Cerys could get punished for the ill way she spoke, the sound of many footsteps approached. Cerys watched as Rhaenys and Corlys hurried down to their granddaughters, checking them for injuries and bombarding them with questions. Luke squeezed Cerys' hand tightly, finding comfort in her touch, until Rhaenyra burst through the doors and the boys scrambled off her to run to their mother.

Concern etched their mother's face as she further examined Luke's wound. When asked what had happened, both boys and Aemond began faulting each other. Their voices rose as Cerys and Rhaenyra tried unsuccessfully to calm the brunette boys down. Aemond continued escalating the argument, drawing his mother into the fight with him.

"Enough!" 

Visery's shouted, bringing a sudden silence to the room. 

"He called us bastards," 

Jace whispered, seeking comfort as Luke reached for Cerys' hand again. Viserys turned to question Aemond about the truth of the incident, as Cery's too, awaited the explanation. Alicent began to interject, blaming her 'grandchildren' once more.

"The prince Lucery's brought a blade to the ambush--"

Ambush? 

Cery's understood that her nephews would never initiate such a violent encounter. She had helped raise them better than that. Looking down at Lucery's, he shook his head subtly, indicating there was more than what was being said. 

"He meant to kill my son-" 

Cerys attempted to interject, instead, Rhaenyra cut in. 

"It was my sons who were attacked, and forced to defend themselves."