To Take What Is Rightfully Ours

Chapter 16. Dealing with the Kings and the Spies

Daemon couldn't believe what his life had come to. It was good overall, awesome even, but never in a million years did he expect Viserys to ask him, 'Do you think I let myself go?'

Suddenly this private lunch with his brother didn't seem like a good idea. Because what could he possibly say to that?! The urge to just get up and leave the situation altogether was strong, but Daemon managed to overcome it and stay put. He took a sip of his wine and, in the most nonchalant voice he could master, inquired, 'Why are you asking?'

The panicked look that Viserys had for half a second explained everything better than any words could, but Daemon pretended he didn't notice it just to see what a lie his brother would come up with.

'No... particular reason,' Viserys said. 'I was just thinking- I have a young wife, after all, I need to keep up.'

It took all of Daemon's strength not to snort in his cup of wine. How bold of Viserys to bring up his wife when he was thinking about being not fit enough to attract a mistress. And why did he decide to ask Daemon of all people as if he wasn't trying to get under his daughter's skirt? Well, of course, Viserys didn't know that Daemon knew but... still, what the hell?!

Daemon hoped his face wasn't showing all his inner turmoil because, regardless of what he might think of the situation, he didn't want to be the reason Diane's plan failed. Technically she was the same age as him so he didn't get to have vocal opinions on her love life. He might not like it - hate it, really - but he trusted his daughter to know what she was doing. So he made a mature decision to just suck it up and say, 'You are the King, Viserys. You don't have to care about your looks.'

This, apparently, wasn't the right thing to say because Viserys started looking three times more grim. 'That's another way of saying I look awful.'

'Not awful, just... like a person who hasn't seen a battlefield for a while,' Daemon said carefully. Crap, he wished Rhaenyra was here. She was much better in all this diplomatic talk than he was. But she was having a dress fitting for the wedding, and he was stuck here between the rock and the hard place.

Viserys scrunched his nose. He didn't like to hear that, but he wasn't sure what he expected. Daemon was right, after all, he got too comfortable in the royal life in the last ten years. He used to train with the sword regularly and now he couldn't even remember when he picked it up the last time.

That wouldn't do. For the first time in his life, Viserys felt the urge to improve himself somehow to earn the woman's affections. He loved Aemma dearly but at first, their marriage was a political arrangement and they developed feelings for one another only with time. And with Alicent... well, she came to him, didn't she? He didn't need to try at all.

Diane, on the other hand, struck him as a woman of free spirit who had her own mind and her own opinions. She wouldn't come into anyone's bed unless it was her own decision. And if Viserys was honest with himself, he really, really wanted her to come into his bed.

It was just his wish, of course. He had a wife and didn't particularly want to become a cheater, plus the fact that Diane was Daemon's daughter weighed heavily on his mind, but he couldn't help but think about it. And well, no harm would be done if he got himself a little bit into shape, even if his desires wouldn't lead anywhere.

'You can always join me during my training,' Daemon offered, bringing Viserys back from his thoughts. 'We can pick a time so that it wouldn't interfere with whatever it is you are doing all day... I mean, your kingly duties.'

Viserys looked at him for a second and then smiled, 'It's a wonderful idea. Just like the old times when we have been mere boys.'

The corners of Daemon's lips tugged upward, 'Feels like it was a lifetime ago.'