The Mouth of the Dragon, The Eyes of the Lamb

Chapter 26

"Your Grace," Otto stuttered out as he quickly descended the steps and gave a hasty bow. Viserys simply stared at him before making an attempt to begin climbing the steps of the Iron Throne. He stumbled, and a guard was immediately at his side. Lucela couldn't hear what was being said between Viserys and the guard, but Viserys was waving him off with his free hand.

Daemon squeezed Lucela's hand in his own before letting her go and walking over to his brother. Viserys stumbled again, and everyone seemed to watch in horror as the crown slipped from his head and clattered on the floor. Daemon didn't hesitate to bend and pick it up.

"I said I'm fine!" Viserys yelled before he saw who had picked up the crown and was now holding his elbow.

"Come on," Daemon whispered softly as he helped his older brother up the steps to the throne. "Steady."

Viserys, slowly, made his way up the steps to the Iron Throne. Daemon helped him sit before nodding at him once and walking back down the stairs. Rhaenyra didn't think it was possible for her to love Daemon more than she already did, but she believed it just happened. He didn't say a word as he took his place next to Lucela and took her hand in his again.

"I must...admit my confusion," Viserys started once he caught his breath some more. "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' wishes is the Princess Rhaenys."

Lucela smiled softly. Viserys wasn't panting as much as he had been when she had seen him. Surely this was a good sign? She watched as her grandmother walked to the center of the room

"Indeed, Your Grace. It was ever my husband's will that Driftmark pass through Ser Laenor to his trueborn son, Lucerys Velayron. His mind never changed." Vaemond scoffed, but Rhaenys ignored him and continued to speak to her cousin. "Nor did my support of him. As a matter of fact, the Princess Rhaenyra has just informed me of her desire to marry her sons Jace and Luke to Lord Corlys' granddaughters, Baela and Rhaena. A proposal to which I heartily agree."

Lucela looked over to Jace and Luke in surprise. However, they were both too busy staring at Baela and Rhaena across the room. Lucela sought out Greyson, and she finally spotted him with the other guards by the doors. He lifted his shoulders quickly, and she grinned. He had a knack for hearing about anything her mother planned at Dragonstone, and Lucela had hoped he had heard about this as well. Apparently he hadn't.

"Well...the matter is settled," Viserys glanced around the room. "Again. I hereby reaffirm Prince Lucerys of House Velaryon as heir to Driftmark, the Driftwood Throne, and the next Lord of the Tides."

Rhaenyra and Luclea both looked over at Luke. He looked like he wanted the ground to swallow him whole. Rhaenyra smiled at him softly and patted his arm that was still hooked around hers. Vaemond was practically shaking with rage before he rushed to the center of the floor again.

"You break the law and centuries of tradition to install your daughter as heir. Yet you dare to tell me who deserves to inherit the name Velayron? No. I will not allow it."

Everyone in the room stared at Vaemond. No one dared to speak to the King in such a manner and live to tell the tale. Viserys sat up straighter in the throne as he stared at Vaemond.

"Allow it?" His voice was barely a whisper, but it seemed to echo from the throne. "Do not forget yourself, Vaemond."

"That is no true Velayron," Vaemond rushed out as he pointed at Luke. "And certainly no nephew of mine."

"Lucerys is my true-born grandson," Viserys said with something akin to a smile. "And you...are no more than the second son of Driftmark."

"You may run your house as you see fit!" Vaemond's voice boomed throughout the throne room. At this point, violence was inevitable. He was arguing with the King. "But you will not decide the future of mine. My house survived the Doom and a thousand tribulations besides. And gods be damned I will not see it ended on account of this...." Vaemond's voice trailed off as he looked between Luke, Rhaenyra, Jace, and Lucela. Daemon squeezed Lucela's hand, and she looked up at him.