The Serpent's Fangs (Aemond x oc)

Chapter 31

Visenya stayed seated on her bed as her father raged around the room, throwing opened cabinets, pushing apart closets to search in every nook and cranny of the walls. Removing more and more of her vials of poisons and with every new bottle found her mother's face pales.

"When did this start?" Rhaenyra breathed out, looking at her own daughter in disbelief. The princess sat with her legs crossed, hands folded neatly on her lap as she kept her silence. The Queen sighed, holding up her hand to stop whatever answer her daughter might give knowing that none would satisfy her.

"Why, Visenya?" She asked instead, and the Princess raised her chin higher.

"Why did I not inherit Drift Mark?"

Rhaenyra sighed. Sighed. As if the question annoyed her and Visenya felt the sharp tip of her nails dig into the palms of her hands at the sight.

"Lord Corlys had made his wishes clear, for Joffrey to inherit Drift Mark in his name. I had already suggested your name, if that is what bothers you."

"And you are the Queen, is it not your words they swore to obey?"

"If it is Land that you want, Visenya, why not Dragon Stone? Ask for it and you shall have it, my daughter."

"I do not want Dragon Stone."

Daemon let out a mocking chuckle, coming to stand behind his wife as he looked down at his daughter with the eyes she'd come to inherit. "Do you want the world to bow to you? Succumb to your every wish? We don't always get what we want and it's time you've come to learn that. Dragon Stone is more than enough, its walls stronger than Drift Mark, its lands surrounded by dragons. Some would say you'd be one of the most powerful Ladies in the Land."

Visenya spoke, her voice as calm as a sea storm. "If it is as great as you speak, then why haven't you accepted the bastard's pardon? Bend the knee for this Land of Dragons you seem to be so fond of."

"Watch your tongue."

"Cut it off yourself if my words do not ring true."

Daemon seethed, stepping closer and yanking the girl up by her forearms. Visenya's body shook with the force, her bones aching from the sheer strength of her father's grip.

"Daemon-"

"You would harm your mother for the throne? Your own blood?" He hissed in her face, no longer the father or mentor she's grown up with. But a man, a general and a Prince consort who recognizes the threat to his Kingdom.

"Unlike you I do not need to shed blood for my goals, father. I have laid my cards bare, I have offered you all a peaceful solution-"

"A solution that would shatter your family for all of eternity!" Daemon yelled, shoving her back harshly not caring when she stumbled to right herself. "The throne is your mother's right, as it is your brother's-"

"There is no such thing as a birthright!" Visenya out right screamed, the act alone silencing her parents who stared at her with unblinking eyes. The Princess had a temper, that was common knowledge. But she had always resolved it with tricks and plays of the court, never raising her voice.

"Birthright has always been a mere excuse for you cowards to choose who you wish and did not wish to see on the throne. If Birthrights existed, Princess Rhaenys would have been crowned and I would have never been born. If birthrights existed you-" Visenya growled, a sharp painted nail pointed towards her mother who locks her jaw in anger at the disrespect. "Would have never had to fight nail to nail for a throne that was already meant to be yours."

She did not stop, she couldn't stop. There were too much she had to say, too much she had kept in. "Rights are earned, and who better than i to inherit the throne? The Realm does not need a ruler who sits and contemplates for peace and prosperity. Those are for the ones who rules over Saints. These are men, savages who lives in our walls that need order and-"