HOTD SI: The Bloody Prince (OC x Rhaenyra)(OC x Alicent)

Part 7

Chapter 7

AEMMA ARRYN

Aemma Arryn had known that she would be a Princess when she was eleven when a match was decided for her with the son of Prince Baelon, Viserys Targaryen. She was born to Daella Targaryen, one of the Old King's daughters. She was timid in nature and a gentle soul who was quite a headache for her sires.

Aemma was not like her mother, and despite the various resemblances they shared, she was not timid. Viserys had won the throne from his cousin Rhaenys in the Great Council, and to this day, a shadow hung over his reign, cast by the lack of a proper heir. A shadow that grew ever larger over the years because of her constant failures to provide him an heir.

A Shadow that would grow ever stronger with the arrival of one Aegon Targaryen to the capital, and how lucky she thought Lady Rhea and Daemon to be for despite their animosity, their single night of physical confinement had produced something she had toiled and failed to do so for years.

An heir.

Aegon Targaryen was not born a Prince. No, that title would be conferred upon him only later by the command of the Good Queen, who would fail in her various efforts to try and mend the relationship between Lady Rhea and Viserys's brother, but to no avail. She was the only person of the Royal family to have laid eyes on the Prince, having flown to Runsetone thrice and, in her last visit, conferring on him the title of the Prince of the realm.

As she looked at the boy, she could only smile as she saw him standing beside her daughter. His face, despite the clear difference in their eyes and hair, recalled her father from his youth.

Aegon, unlike his sire, was more partial to his mother's lineage in those, born with the dark hair of the Royces and their faint grey eyes, though she did not miss the hints of purple in them as he bowed infront of her.

"It is good to see you, Prince Aegon; I hope you did not find the welcome lackluster; the King is busy with his councilors," she began and saw the Prince shake his head as he stood tall once more.

"I believe only a fool would find a welcome by the Princess and the Queen lackluster," he said with a soft smile, and at least he was more fluent in courtly terms than his own father.

She motioned for him to sit down.

"It is good to finally have you with us, Prince Aegon. You have evaded the city masterfully for quite some time," she teased, and the Prince seemed abashed at that.

"Such a coincidence was by destiny, not design. Various matters in Vale have kept me occupied over the years," he made an excuse, and that was only partly through.

He could have been summoned to the capital at any time had the King truly wished so. The truth was that despite the attempts, Viserys and many in his own court were reluctant to have him in court.

Viserys, because of the shadow Aegon's presence would cast on her and Rhaenyra, and the others because of the fear of how his presence would disturb the balance of power at court.

"He is not quite like the rumors, is he, Mother," Rhaenyra teased as the servants brought them refreshments, freshly baked cakes, and tea. Rhaenyra's eyes were following teh cake conspirationally and she would have chided her for that, yet she decided to let it go, not to affect her image infront of their guest.

"And what would rumors be?" he asked as he took the cup from the servant and thanked them, his mannerism perfectly polite and showing his difference from his father.

"Rhaenyra..." she chastised her daughter, who shrugged apologetically as she gave her a sharp glare.

"It is nothing..."