My love

Six

That night Aelora sat next to Daemon as the King was placed at the table.
The tension in the room could be cut by a dagger and that left her gripping her gown from nerves.
"Prayer before we begin?" Alicent said softly.
"Yes," Viserys said as Aelora looked at him hoping this feast was what he wished for.
"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 as the science from everyone in the room made everything more uncomfortable.
"My grandsons, Jace and Luke will marry their cousins Baela and Rhaena.
A toast to the young princes and their betrothed" Viserys said.
"Hear, Hear," Daemon said mockingly as if this was all a joke.
Aelora lifted her cup hoping for the same thing as the king.
Suddenly Viserys stood up as his breaths became heavy.
He stumbled as he placed his hand on the table for support.
"It gladdens my heart and fills me will sorrow.
The faces most dear to me in all the world yet grown so distant from each other" Viserys said before taking off his gold mask revealing what his illness had truly done to him.
"My own face is no longer a handsome one if indeed it ever was.
I wish you to see me as I am.
Your father, your brother, your husband and your grandsire.
Let us no longer hold ill feelings in our hearts.
The crown cannot stand strong if the house of the dragon remains divided.
If not for the sake of the crown then for the sake of this old man who loves you all" Viserys said as Aelora watched him speak.
He was right.
Even near death, he was right yet she didn't know if anyone would listen once he was gone.
He fell back in his chair as Alicent held his hand.
Suddenly her mother stood up with her cup in her hand.
"I wish to raise my cup to her grace, the queen.
I love my father.
She has tended to him with unfailing devotion and for that she has my gratitude" Rhaenyra said before sitting down.
Then Alicent stood cup in hand.
"I raise my cup to you and to your house.
You will make a fine queen" Alicent said before sitting down.
Everyone then drank from their cups.
"Now there is something I must say before I leave you all to make peace with each other.
As you all know I don't have much time left on this earth and because of that, I wish to see one thing after years of waiting.
Aelora my dearest granddaughter.
I have decided that before I take my last breath I will see you married" Viserys said.
Aelora looked at Viserys.
"I have had many houses offer their sons and I have decided who you will marry" Viserys.
"And who is that?" Rhaenyra asked.
"I have decided that Aemond and Aelora will marry not only to strengthen the Targaryen bloodline but to unite you all" Viserys said.
Aelora looked at Aemond before looking at Viserys.
"Yes your Highness," she said.
"What of lord Stark?
We could do with stronger alliances Father" Rhaenyra said not wanting to see her daughter marry Aemond after everything he has done to her sons.
"I have made my decision.
You will both marry in four days.
I, unfortunately, must rush this as I wish to witness this.
I wish to see you happy sweet girl" Viserys said.
She smiled softly.
Jace looked at her.
How could she be happy?
Aelora then looked at her cup before standing.
"I wish to raise my cup to the king.
Even though I have not always been attentive to this family I will always hope for your happiness.
If you are to leave us I hope that you rest peacefully amongst the gods" she said before sitting down.
"Well done Aelora.
You finally speak" Daemon whispered.
"I have spoken many times.
You have failed to hear me Father" she said softly before sitting the wine from her cup.