Hearts In Opposition//Aegon ii Targaryen

Chapter 5

Aemma's POV
As it does in my daughter and sons, the offspring of Laenor Velaryon. If you cared so much about your house's blood, Ser Vaemond, you would not be so bold as supplant its rightful heir. No, you only speak for yourself and for your own ambition." Mother defended us, but Alicent cut her off
"You will have a chance to make your own petition, Princess Rheanyra. Do Ser Vaemond the courtesy of allowing his to be heard."
Vaemond turned to us smiling smugly
"What do you know of Velaryon blood, Princess? I could cut my veins and show it to you, and you still wouldn't recognize it. This is about the future and survival of my house, not yours. My Queen, my lord hand. This is a matter of blood, not ambition. I place the continuation of the survival of my house and my line above all. I humbly put myself before you as my brother's successor... the lord of Driftmark and the lord of the Tides." Vaemond finished, and Otto thanked him
"Princess Rhaenyra, you may now speak for your daughter, Aemma Velaryon.." the hand said
"If I am to grace this farce with some answer, I will start by reminding the court that nearly 20 years ago, in this very-"

Mother was cut off by the knights announcing the King's presence. I went up to mum and whispered in her ear
"How did he know about that?" I asked
"I asked him for his help last night, but I wasn't sure if he would come." She answered. Grandsire sat on the iron throne, but when he sat, his crown fell on the floor, so Daemon put it back on his head
"I must...admit...my confusion. I do not understand why petitions are being heard over a settled succession. The only one present who might offer keener insight into lord Corlys's wishes is Princess Rhaenys." The king said
"Indeed your Grace. It was ever my husband's will that Driftmark pass through ser Leanor to his true born daughter Aemma Velaryon. His mind never changed. Nor did my support of him. As a matter of fact, Princess Rheanyra has just informed me of her desire to marry her sons Jace and Luce to lord Corlys's granddaughters Baela and Rhaena. A proposal to which I heartly agree." Rhaenys explained
"Well... this matter is settled. Again. I hereby reaffirm Princess Aemma of House Velaryon as heir to Driftmark the Driftwood throne and the next lord of the Tides." Viserys said, and Vaemond laughed
"You break law and centuries of tradition to install your daughter as heir. Yet you dare tell me who deserves to inherit the name Velaryon. No. I will not allow it." Vaemond said angrily
"Allow it? Do not forget yourself, Vaemond." The oing said calmy
"That is no true Velaryon, and certainly no niece of mine." He shouted while pointing at me
"Aemma is my true born granddaughter. And you are no more than the second son of Driftmark."
"You may run your house as you see fit, but you will not decide the future of mine. My house survived the Doom and thousands of tribulations besides. And gods be damned I will not see it end on the account of this..." Vaemond got quiet
"Say it." Daemon smirked. Oh gods, be good what will follow next.
"Her children are bastards and she is a whore." He shouted at Daemon
"I will have your tongue for that." Grandsire said but before he could do anything Daemon cut off his head leaving the tongue
"He can keep his tongue." Daemon said smugly and everyone gasped. and I chuckled at that.
"Finally." I said, annoyed by this man

Suddenly, the king fainted. And Alicent and mother shouted for someone to call the measters. So mother told us to go to our chambers and later to get ready for dinner.

We were in the dining room altogether, including the Greens.
"Well, sister, I got betrothed before you. Guess who's the loser now." He said laughing at me
"I'm simply not yet betrothed because I need someone as perfect as our cousins Baella and Rhaena." I explained
"Keep telling yourself this if it helps you sleep better at night. Even Luce has gotten betrothed before you." He said, but we got quiet as the king entered the room carried on a chair by his knights. We all sat on the chairs. I was between Aegon and Jace.

"How good it is to see you all tonight together." The king said. Alicent suggested a prayer before we started eating, and he nodded. I gave Mother a confused look as we've never prayed before dinner or prayed at all. We all closed our eyes.
"May the mother smile down on this gathering with love. May the Smith mend the bonds that have been broken for far too long. And to Vaemond Velaryon, may the gods give him rest." As Alicent said the last sentence. Me and Daemon gave each other a look and slightly smirked.
"This is an occasion for celebration, it seems. My grandsons, Jace and Luke, will marry their cousins, Baela and Rhaena, further strengthening the bond between our houses. A toast to the young princes and their betrothed. And to Aemma, the heir to Driftmark." Grandsire said
"Hear, hear." Daemon said and took a sip of his wine. I took a sip of mine, too. It was a sweet wine with a bit of a honey flavor.

"Let's not forget that our not so liitle Aemma is not yet bethrothed. We shall find her a husband very soon." Viserys simled at me. Gods be good.

Oh God. I thought, taking a big gulp from my wine. Aegon laughed at me.
"Oh dear niece, I knew you didn't want to get married, but that much?" Aegon smirked

The king got up from his seat.
"It both gladdens my heart and fills me with sorrow to see these faces around the table. The faces most dear to me in all the world, yet grown so distant from each other in the years passed."He said, then took off the gold mask that coveres half of his face. This half was half eat and fallen. His eye was missing, leaving a hole and half of his cheek, too. His mouth was visible to everyone. It was horrible sight. I took an even larger sip of my wine. Feeling the burning liquid in my throat.