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KINGS LANDING || 130 AC
the present day
—
𝕿he next morning at court, many gathered in the Throne Room to discuss the legitimacy of Daena's nephew Lucerys. Daena met with Rhaenyra in the Throne Room as she entered with her children behind her. Her children immediately began conversing with their cousins as Daena took her place beside Rhaenyra, in the tense courtroom, the younger sister stood by her older sister's side, her presence a pillar of support. As the legitimacy of her nephew was questioned, she leaned in and whispered words of reassurance. Her voice, soft yet unwavering, promised that they would get through this together. Rhaenyra, wracked with anxiety and fear, found solace in her sibling's strength. She squeezed her sister's hand, drawing on the warmth and love that had always defined their relationship. Daena's unwavering belief in their truth and justice steadied her, infusing her with the courage to face the daunting challenge ahead.
As Otto Hightower sat the Iron Throne in the absence of King Viserys, Daena's blood boiled watching the man sit comfortably on her father's throne. Daena harbored a deep, simmering resentment towards her father-in-law, a man whose cold calculation and relentless ambition had shaped much of her life. From the moment she was wed to Gwayne, she saw Otto's manipulative hand in every decision, every move that sought to place his family above all others. To Daena, Otto was the embodiment of the ruthless political machinations that had robbed her of the chance to choose her own destiny. His stern, unyielding demeanor and the way he treated her as nothing more than a pawn in his grand schemes only deepened her dislike. She saw through the thin veneer of courtesy he wore, recognizing the cold ambition that lurked beneath, and it fueled her determination to resist becoming another of his tools, even if it meant standing alone against the man who held so much power over her life.
Vaemond Velaryon stepped forward, his presence commanding attention. His expression was one of barely concealed contempt as he prepared to challenge Rhaenyra's sons' legitimacy. Daena could feel the eyes of the court on them, each gaze carrying its own judgment, its own expectation of what was to come. Vaemond's voice, when he finally spoke, was sharp and filled with accusation, "My lords, we gather here today to discuss the succession of Driftmark, the seat of House Velaryon," he began, his words slow and deliberate, "But before we can consider such matters, we must first address the question of legitimacy—of true blood. I am Lord Corlys' closet kin his own blood," Vaemond, emboldened by his ambition towards the Lord Hand and dared to openly question the birthright of Prince Lucerys, insinuating that he was unworthy of inheriting Driftmark, "What do you know of Velaryon blood, Princess?" Ser Vaemond questioned daringly, "I could cut my veins and show it to you, and you still would not recognise it," by this point Daena could feel Rhaenyra's anger grow by the second as Vaemond Velaryon continued to criticize her sons who stood beside her clearly distraught.
