The Death of War

Chapter 11

Work has been crazy!!!! 🥱

Rhaenyra and Daemon have an honest conversation and he tells her some uncomfortable truths. Aemond finally speaks to Rhaenyra about Lucerys, he makes an offer which shocks her. I hope you guys like it. 🥰

Merry Christmas 🎄 🎁

Rhaenyra looked at her husband as he ate, he appeared to be calm and at ease, something she had not been able to feel since her conversation with the other Daemon. She had been unable to forget his words and everything he said had sounded true. Her husband had promised to protect her and her children when they wed, but Rhaenyra was questioning if maybe she had set them both up to fail.

"What do you think of Jacaerys taking the throne?" Daemon stopped chewing and just looked at her. She saw the moment he hid his emotions.

"What do you mean?" He placed the spoon on the table and gave her a confused look.

"I want to know what you truly think about Jacaerys becoming king after me." He still did not say anything and Rhaenyra let out a sigh. "I am not trying to trick you or to pick a fight. I truly want to know what your opinion is on the matter."

"I care about Jacaerys, he is your son." He ran his fingers through his hair. "But one of the things that has the seven kingdoms divided is the fact that a bastard will ascend to the throne after you." Rhaenyra could not help but tense when he called her son a bastard and Daemon gave her an apologetic look. "I know you do not like that title and I do not like it either, but you have to know it is the truth. The way the lords see it is simple, if a bastard can ascend to the throne then any other bastard can fight to take over any noble house or fight you for the throne also."

"So you think I am setting a precedent for war and discord?"

"Yes." His voice was firm, but his look was still apologetic.

"Why did you back me if you felt this way?" He had never been cruel to her children or treated them with disdain.

"Because I love you, Rhaenyra." She had been so consumed in her grief that she had overlooked that fact several times. "I have loved you for years and I made several mistakes that hurt you and I did not want to make another one. I know how much you love Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey. I would have never asked you to take their positions and titles away."

"But you think I should?" Her voice was low.

"Think of it this way." He stood up and moved until he was kneeling in front of her. "Lord Jason Lannister has several bastard children. Let us say we win the war and Jacaerys is still your heir. In a few years, one of Jason's bastards comes to you with a petition to take over the Westerlands. What do you think will happen if you say no?" He paused for a moment. "They will point out that you made a bastard your heir." Daemon kissed her hands. "It does not matter how much you deny it, everyone knows the truth. There is no way Jacaerys and Joffrey can pass as Laenor's children. No one has ever believed that lie, even if they pretended in front of you."

"So I am supposed to just disinherit them?" She stood up. She knew he was right, but it did not mean she was not hurt, because she was the one to blame for all of it. "How can I return and tell Jacaerys that he will never be king? I have raised him to believe he would ascend the throne after me. I cannot make him pay for my mistakes."

"Jacaerys knows the truth." Daemon also stood up and moved closer to her. "He has always known it. Tell him the truth, that you are doing this for them, that you want to stop the war and make sure they survive and can lead happy lives."