Burn The Ships / Viserys Targaryen / Larys Strong

35. Protector

Draco followed after Viserys constantly, when he wasnt with Lila he was with Viserys sitting in on meetings and maybe it was Viserys imagination but he thought Draco was really listening. Absorbing the information. He sat in Viserys lap or Lyonels. Lucia came to a few meetings but she would rather be with Lila Rose. 

Lila was a runner. Always laughing out running towards her uncle larys giggling. She loved riding on Harwin's shoulders. 

Rhaenyra and ALicent got more and more bitter as time passed. Viserys had his favorites and it wasnt them, it wasnt their children. It was Lucia. Crippled little Lucia that had won Viserys heart. 

"If you like Sofia, I just wanted to say I approve." Lucia remarked. Viserys chuckled looking to Harwin. "She is single, a lovely woman, she is smitten with you brother." Lucia added. 

"I dont want to step on your toes Lu. She is your lady." harwin countered. 

"You deserve someone great, Har." Lucia assured. "And your track record for women have been... bad." Lucia offered innocently as she pat Viserys thigh. 

"What about Larys?" Harwin countered. 

"What about him?" Lucia countered picking up her tea as Lila babbled in Viserys lap. 

"doesnt he deserve a nice girl?" Harwin urged wanting to push that topic, knowing Larys crush and wanting to know if Lucia knew too, if their relationship had ever moved past sibling love. 

"Well of course." Lucia agreed after taking a sip of her tea. She put it down carefully before looking to Harwin. "He deserves the world but Sofia likes you, not larys." Lucia answered. Harwin nodded. 

"I think the two of you would be great." Viserys agreed. 

"Such a good queen you are Lu, making matches for me." Harwin teased. 

"She is the best queen." Viserys agreed. "So kind and compassionate, even to those that do no deserve it." He kissed her cheek her eyes fluttered close and Harwin saw the love between them that he wanted one day. Maybe he would take Sofia up on her constant flirting. 

XXX 

The older viserys got, he felt like he aged a decade in a year but he knew things had to change, he didnt want Rhaenyra and Alicent to continue to bully Lucia and his children with her when he was gone. He didnt want them to have to worry. He hoped to be around for many, many years but he had to think about the future and he didnt think that future involved Rhaenyra or Alicent. 

"What's going on?" Larys questioned. 

"I dont know he called a meeting." Lucia answered. "Said it was important." 

"Lucia," Viserys moved to her holding her hand in his. 

"Hi my heart, whats going on?"

"Please, sit." Viserys pulled out a chair for her. "I know you dont like standing for long." Larys did like that viserys knew that, knew what Lucia could tolerate and tried to make her life easier, better. Lyonel sat beside Lucia grabbing her hand. 

"What is this meeting about my sweet girl?" Lyonel questioned. 

"I dont know." Lucia countered. 

"I have called you all together because I wish to announce a new heir." Viserys remarked and Rhaenyra gaped back at him. "and protector of the realms."

A murmur of what is he doing echoed around the council room. Alicent was sure he was going to name Aegon heir but he looked to Lucia she held their son in her lap, kissing his little perfect face.

"Draco." Viserys declared. "My son will be the heir and Lucia Strong- Targaryen will be protector of the realms until he comes of age if my time-"

"Father!" Rhaenyra whined and Lucia stared back at him confused. Her? Her baby?

"I have made up my mind." Viserys demanded.

Lucia didnt know what to say. This put a target on her back from Rhaenyra and Alicent more than usual, she was sure that Viserys thought this was protecting her but Rhaenyra looked vicious. 

"I know you were behind this." Rhaenyra hissed giving Lucia a shove once they were out of the council room. Neely was beside her in an instant blocking Rhaenyra from another blow. "I know you manipulated him into this." 

"That is the queen you are talking to, you best take a step back." Neely warned. 

"I will be queen!" Rhaenyra shouted. 

"Not anymore." Sofia countered. Lucia was surrounded by her ladies and she felt a wave of peace rush over her. She knew she was safe with them around her. 

"I'm going to make your life hell." rhaenyra warned. "Watch your back cripple." 

"Dont." Lucia grabbed Neely's arm she turned back around. "I know you could kill her, I know you hate that word. I do to." Lucia agreed looking to her one arm. Neely relaxed letting out a deep exhale. 

Broken girl gets all the credit. Otto couldnt believe his daughter let a crippled, broken girl steal everything from them. He wished Alicent had convinced the king that she loved him like Lucia Strong clearly did. 

The people thought the same, at least about Lucia. She wasnt a protector. She wasnt strong enough. 

"My sweet Lucia," Viserys held her face in his hands when he found her crying. 

"Viserys pick someone else I can't be protector, I'm not like you." Lucia countered. "I'm broken, they all say it. " she sobbed out. 

"You my beloved are not broken may be a little chipped but so am I." viserys countered. "I thought long and hard about this and with all these treatments I just wanted to protect you just in case something happens to me. Your father is a good hand he wont steer you wrong-"

"Are you dying Viserys? You can't. Please, I need you, i love you. The children need their father." Lucia begged. 

"I'm not dying at the present moment but over time we all die..." Viserys remarked. "I just want you and the children protected." 

"You saw how Rhaenyra treated me, she isnt going to accept this, she would rather have be dead than see our son on the throne."

"Let me handle Rhaenyra."