A Beautiful Tragedy

Chapter Five

ON DRAGONSTONE

Verena sat to the right of Rhaenyra, Rhaenys in front of her and Daemon beside her, as Maester Gerardys brings the news of Jaehaerys' death and brutal killing. Verena felt her throat tighten, a boy had his throat slit in his bed, a babe. Verena suddenly felt the need to hold her children.

But all she could think about was her sweet, sweet Helaena. She knew she would be forever damaged by this, losing a child is an immeasurable loss. Tears welled in her eyes as she turned her head to Daemon who seemed to be unshocked, her attention was taken elsewhere when Rhaenyra spoke,

"We must send our own messages, denying this vile allegation."

Gerardys responds knowing that the letters will not be recieved in good faith, Rhaenyra then asks for them to double the guard from here and in Driftmark. Verena picked at her fingers as Jace offers to fly out on Vermax, Verena and Rhaenyra quickly snap their heads towards Jace, Rhaenyra answering no, Verena nods, speaking frankly,

"You are the heir to the throne Jace, you must be protected."

Verena knew that was the last thing Jace wanted to hear, she knew that he wanted to help, he wnated to avenge his brother. But Verena also knew Rhaenyra could not take another loss. Alfred Broome stood behind Rhaenys, speaking truth about the damage to their postion, in a time where loyalty is all they have. Rhaenyra retorted sticking up for herself,

"B-But it's a lie. Having lost my own son, that I would inflict such a thing on Helaena, of all people... an innocent."

Broome continued pressing the matter, suggesting that the death of Lucerys or of Maelor caused one of them to act rashly, to kill a child.

"You forget yourself, Broome. Are you really saying that the Queen's grief drove her to order the slaughter of a child, my nieces child. That I would allow anything to happen to sweet Helaena. The only one in Kings Landing worth saving."

Rhaenyra stood and walked closer to Broome as he continued, speaking his thoughts that he merely thought an action was taken in haste. Rhaenys was quick to shut it down, Verena moved to speak when Rhaenyra lifted her hand.

Verena rolled her eyes and sat down, trying to control her breathing. Verena turned her head back to Daemon following Rhaenys' eyes, looking for some comfort. Daemon looked back at his wife, a small smirk falling on his face.

A pit opens up in her stomach as she realises. At the same time Rhaenyra came to the same conclusion. Verena's eyes widen horrified, she really was naive when it came to Daemon.

Daemon, Verena and Rhaenyra stood in a room behind the council meeting room, Verena paced back and forth, slight tears falling down her face as Daemon said nothing. Rhaenyra breaks the silence,

"Did you send assassins to murder children in their beds?"

Verena stopped pacing to look at her husband. The man who filled her heart and had at the same time broken it over and over again. Daemon sat down drinking a whisky, Verena walked over grabbing the glass and throwing it at the wall. Before screaming loudly,

"You ordered the murder of a babe!
And you sit there drinking and before smirking in a meeting where Nyra has to fight and say that she is not responsible, when her uncle, my husband is the real aggressor!!"