One Good Reason / Lucerys Velaryon

5. Measuring Sticks

Viserys was carried in on his throne delivered to the table, his family rose out of respect as he was sat down again before them at the head of the table. Sera was seated between aegon and luke. She chose her seat beside luke and aegon plopped down beside her. He seemed to get off on her annoyance. Sera rolled her eyes avoiding his smug grin.

''How good it is... to see you all tonight... together.'' Viserys said looking around at all this children and grandchildren. He looked to seras bitterly beautiful face before looking to aegons cocky grin. Aemonds face was void of emotion as he sat at the opposite head of the table.

''Prayer before we begin?'' Alicent offered.

''Yes.'' Viserys agreed as they held hands. Sera smiled back at luke as her cold hand fit into his. He held her hand close whispering 'so cold' and bringing her hand to his chest. His thumb stroked along the back of her hand. She wasn't a dragon. She didnt have fire running through her veins. Luke smiled back at her as she squeezed his hand.

It was funny to see how different the children were. Those of stronger bloodlines were sweeter it seemed. At least to Sera.

''May the Mother smile down on this gathering with love. May the Smith mend the bonds that have been broken for far too long. And to Vaemond Velaryon, may the gods give him rest." Alicent said clearly before looking up at Daemon. Sera looked to daemon and he winked back at her.

''This is an occasion for celebration, it seems. My grandsons, Jace and Luke, will marry their cousins, Baela and Rhaena, further strengthening the bond between our houses. A toast to the young Princes... and their betrothed". Viserys declared
''Hear, hear!''

Luke deflated. He didnt want to marry them. He wanted Seraphina. Perfect and beautiful and wonderful seraphina.

''Well done, Jace. You'll finally get to lie with a woman.'' Aegon sniggered. Sera began to tune them out. Anytime aegon opened his mouth nothing useful came out anyways. Aegon glanced to sera. She was beautiful but they couldn't get along to save their lives.

''Let us toast as well Prince Lucerys... the future Lord of the Tides.''

''Hear, hear.''

Sera looked to Luke finding his eyes already on her. She reached over giving his hand a squeeze under the table.

''You'll be great. You do know how the act is done, I assume? At least in principle? Where to put your cock and all that.'' Aegon went on.

Sera couldnt tell you what false plesentries the queen and the heir were offering. She couldnt tell you how Aemond was giving luke a death glare. She couldnt tell you that Jace was smiling back at Helaena like a boy with a crush while Helaena was muttering under her breath 'beast beneath the boards' Sera couldnt tell you any of that because she tuned out family suppers. This family was not her family.

Sera stifled a yawn. Aegon cleared throat a mischievous look on his face.

''I, um... I regret the disappointment you are soon to suffer. But if you ever wish to know what it is to be well satisfied, all you have to do is ask." Aegon remarked smugly. "I can show you how its done." Aegon offered to Rhaena. Sera rolled her eyes grabbing lukes chin and kissing him. Lukes eyes went wide before he leaned into her. Aegon gaped back at her.

"I think he will treat you just fine." Sera corrected. Luke was completely giddy. He didnt want to marry Baela or Rhaena. He still couldnt tell them apart. He wanted Seraphina that kiss all but ensured it.

Luke couldnt tell if he was breathing or if his heart stopped. All he saw was Sera. Still felt the tingle of her lips on him. Jace was going to be the bigger person like his mother raised him.

''To Prince Aegon and... Prince Aemond. We have not seen each other in years, but I have fond memories of our shared youth. And as men, I hope we may yet be friends and allies. To you and your family's good health, dear uncles. To you as well.'' Jace offered stiffly.

"Lovely," sera remarked.

''Yes. Well done, my boy.'' Viserys said nodding to him. Sera rose her glass up.

''I would like to toast to Baela and Rhaena. They'll be married soon and unlike my own husband I can already tell yours will be dutiful and charming. Treat you both with the utmost dignity and respect. What lucky women you both shall be." Sera declared. Aegon glared back at her. Rhaenyra pursed her lips to bite back a smile. Sera was wonderful. She loved that sera said the things Rhaenyra couldnt. Like Aegon is awful and a few more words and rhaenyras boys were wonderful.

"Thank you Lady Seraphina." Rhaenyra agreed.

''Good. Let us have some music.'' Viserys requested. Music began and luke got up quickly and offered sera his hand.

Sera smiled spinning into him. Sera was a little bit taller but that didnt stop luke from holding her close. Sera didnt notice as Viserys excused himself from supper she was happy. For the first time in a long time she was happy and that was because of Luke.

"Final tribute." Aemond declared. Sera didnt like the look in his eyes as he raised his glass. "To the health of my nephews, Jace... Luke... and Joffrey. Each of them handsome, wise... hm... strong." Aemond remarked.

''Aemond.'' Alicent warned.

"Aemond," sera agreed. She held to Lukes hand. She didnt care if what aemond was implying was true they were trying to have a nice supper and aemond was really to fuck things up with a few seemingly innocent words.

''Come... let us drain our cups to these three... Strong boys." Aemond went on.

''I dare you to say that again.'' Jace spat marching forward.

"Oh no." Luke whispered. Sera offered him a pitiful glance.

''Why? 'Twas only a compliment. Do you not think yourself Strong?'' Aemond chuckled as Jace ran up to him punching him in the face. Seras jaw dropped and she fought to hold back a laugh. Aemond only smiled in return. But it was Aegon that gotnup and shoved Jaces face into the table with a wicked grin.

"Aegon enough!" Sera demanded marching forward and pulling him back. He let jace go and plopped back into his chair.

''That is enough!'' Alicent agreed ''Why would you say such a thing before these people?''

''I was merely expressing how proud I am of my family, Mother. Mm, though it seems my nephews aren't quite as proud of theirs.'' Aemond went on smugly.

"Aemond honestly," sera scoffed. "Do you need a measuring stick? Will that satisfy your little cock show?"

''Go to your quarters. All of you go, now.'' Rhaenyra demanded.

The children cleared out. Sera slapped Aemond when they got into the hall and it echoed. Rhaenyra peered out to see sera a finger pointing accusatorily to aemond.

"What is the matter with you?" Sera demanded. "They were getting along. The only fucking reason you are not being married off is because your mother still wipes your ass." Aemond grit his teeth. "And swaddles you to bed at night." She added. "So the next time you think about tormenting my friends off of their mothers choices think about your own mother that would gladly still have you at her teat." Aemond pursed his lips knowing she was right. Alicent treated him differently. He was her baby boy. Her favorite. Aemond turned his head and marched off wordlessly.

"You didnt have to do that." Jace remarked softly.

"I wanted to," sera corrected. Aegon came up behind her touching her back and she sent an elbow back into his gut. "Dont touch me." Sera demanded. "Are you boys alright?"