The Gentle Queen: HOTD

Proposal|10|

"Your Grace," Lord Corlys said as he and Rhaenys approached Viserys, who stood outside watching the sky as he drank some wine.

"I'm glad we could meet. I know tempers ran high today, and I wanted to assure you how much I value the bond between our houses. Rhaenys is my favorite cousin after all," Viserys told him, smirking lightly at his cousin.

"I wish to apologize for the tenor at the small council today; by your grace, it was not my intention to take offense," Corlys said, offering a tense smile.

"Your fleet is one of the realm's most important assets, Lord Coryls, but you must understand that, as king, it is my obligation to avoid war until such time as it is unavoidable." Viserys told him, making him nod.

"None among us desires open war; might I speak plainly of your grace?" Corlys asked

"I always welcome the unfettered thoughts of my council," Viserys informed, waving his hand for him to continue as Rhaenys rolled her eyes, knowing he may say those things but gets insulted easily like most men.

"I fear the eyes of our enemies are presently fixed on the red keep; the queen has passed; a girl has been named heir to the Iron Throne, the first in its history; the king's brother, so disinherited, has claimed the Targaryen seat on Dragon Stone without challenge; and now a foreign power has established a colony in our most critical shipping lane." Corlys said everything the King refused to admit.

"You paint such an aspirant portrait of my reign, Lord Corlys," said Viserys Barley, keeping his bitterness out of his tone.

"It is an honest one, Cousin. At the moment, the crown is perceived as being vulnerable," Rhaenys informed him.

"A blind incursion in the step stones is the only way to demonstrate that we are not." Viserys countered, rolling his eyes.

"To elude a storm, you can either sail into it or around it, but you must never await its coming," the sea snake said.

"So you have a specific course of action to propose, my lord?" Viserys questioned the man, curious.

"Join our families and wed our daughter Laena," Corlys said as Viserys made a face.

"Unite the two greatest surviving Valyrian houses with the Targaryen dragons and the Velaryon fleet bound in blood; you can show the realm that the crown's strongest days are ahead, not behind." Corlys finished, and Viserys laughed appalled.

"I must admit, I have not thought much about marriage since my late wife passed," he said, shaking his head as he lied.

"It hasn't even been half a year since Aemma passed," he added.

"The realm expects you to take a new wife soon or late. Your grace will strengthen your line and produce more heirs; you could not ask for a stronger match than Laena." Rhaenys reminded him

Viserys fought the urge to roll his eyes and shout at the man in front of him, so he cleared his throat before standing up. "Thank you, my lord. I will think about your offer, but I must go now. Good day," he said, leaving the sea snake, thinking his daughter would be the next queen of the realm, not knowing the king only wanted one girl who didn't want him.

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The day went on, and Alicent and Rhaenyra went to Sept, wishing to prey. When they arrived, they found Lilly already praying, as she had been to the old and new gods for her safety and guidance. Lilly wiped her tears upon hearing the two girls walk into the septa.

"It's only been half a year since my mother died, and already they are trying to marry off my father and replace me as heir. I know those men and how they plot in their secret councils when I have been sent away." Rhaenyra muttered

"You cannot worry about the matters of lords and kings, Rhaenyra," Alicent told her.

"What if your father was to remarry?" Lilly asked, confusing both girls, why she would ask about such matters. She has never been concerned with such matters before.

"I just mean your father loves you; he chose you as his heir, but it's his duty to remarry. How does that make you feel?" She said, trying to clarify her question,

"He didn't choose me; he spurns Daemon." Rhaenyra corrected

"Maybe so, but he still named you his heir," Lilly said, and Alicent saw Rhaenyra's face pinch in frustration.

"I find this is a way to be with our mother," Alicent chimed in, getting Rhaenyra's attention.

"Here in the quiet of the sept, I feel close to her; I know it sounds foolish," Alicent said, blushing slightly.

"I don't think it's foolish." Rhaenyra assured her, making her smile and grabbing her hand to bring her comfort.

"I don't know what to say," Rhaenyra muttered, slightly embarrassed. She knew the faith was important to her friend, but to her, she didn't care much for it.

"Anything you wish is meant to be between you and the gods." Alicent comforted her, seeing her nerves.

"Confess your sins, talk to your loved ones, ask the father a question, and beg for mercy, protection, and forgiveness." Lilly went on; she spoke from experience, which the two older girls could feel but didn't comment on as they shared a look.

It was moments later. Rhaenyra broke down crying, "I just wish for him to see me as more than a little girl. I miss my mother." The princess cried softly, falling into Alicent's arms. Lilly wanted to comfort her, but she couldn't. She was filled with guilt. She quickly got up and left the room, confusing both girls even more.

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"The small council is urging me to remarry; it seems the realm wants a new queen." Viserys said to Lilly as she stood looking at his sculptures. It was late, and he had called upon her once again.

"A good, kind queen will bring comfort to your subjects," she offered him with a gentle smile as she grabbed a small stone-carved dragon, gingerly rubbing the pad on her thumb across it.

"Lord Corlys has offered the hand of his daughter, Lady Laena," Viserys said, making her nod as she thought about it.

"She would be an excellent match for your Grace. Both of the houses that survived the doom united as one, and the realm would see it as a sign of strength. She is a kind lady, two years older than myself, ten and three," she said, fidgeting with a small wood dragon.

"I don't know her that well, though," he said, pretending to be sad, which she could tell.

"Well, I'm sure you can get to know her with your grace." She assured him she felt selfish as she wished for him to choose Laena instead of her, but she then felt guilty knowing her sister would be punished before Viserys could reply. The door opened, and Otto walked. He felt happy as he saw his daughter, but he kept his face neutral.

"By your grace, I have called the small council to an emergency session," Otto stated, looking at the king.

"why?" Viserys questioned

"I believe it would be best to hear it directly, your grace."

"Very well, excuse me, my dear," Viserys said, making her nod and rush out of the room, feeling relieved to get away.