Claiming the Dragon

What Remains Unseen

Ser Otto Hightower walked through the courtyard, inwardly mulling over his frustration. He was sure, when he left, that Alicent had finally understood what he told her. Based on her letters home, he believed her shroud of ignorance and innocence to have been pulled back and she finally saw Rhaenyra for the spoilt woman she was. Since he'd returned to court, however, he noticed her demeanor had softened toward the princess. Adding to his annoyance, was the fact that Viserys had yet to call on him, or even speak to him alone. Otto had gone from trusted advisor, to outcast, to an unwanted guest of the crown.

"Ser Otto," Larys Strong greeted, shuffling up to the former Hand. "You asked to see me?"

"Yes, Lord Larys," Otto replied. "I wanted to speak to you... about the queen." He made his way to one of the benches around the edge of the garden and Larys wobbled closely behind him. He lowered his voice as the pair sat down. "I understand that you and my daughter have been in close council in the years I have been absent..."

"We have, Ser Otto," Larys answered, "Though, as of late, the queen seems to have become withdrawn. I haven't been able to converse with her privately in weeks"

"Yes, I have noticed. I believe we can come to an arrangement." Larys gave him a timid smile of agreement. "Do try to keep an eye on her, as best you can." Otto said, the wheels in his head already turning. If his daughter couldn't be trusted with his vision of the future, he would use Larys to his advantage. "What can you tell me of Rhaenyra and Daemon since my departure?"

Larys recalled the extensive details of the couple's dismissal and return to King's Landing and all that had happened since. Otto immediately realized that his stay in the capital was a clever maneuver by the princess, though, not clever enough. Rhaenyra was playing the short game. He was playing the long game; he had been for far longer than he would ever divulge...

The entire flight back to King's Landing, Rhaenyra felt blissful. She allowed all her concerns to fall away and simply enjoyed her flight beside Daemon and Caraxes. Every so often, the dragons spun and looped around one another. Rhaenyra watched as the sun sank low on the horizon, casting rays of pink and scarlet across the sea.

When the pair touched down and dismounted, Rhaenyra gave Syrax a loving pat, before allowing the dragon keepers to take responsibility of her beloved mount. Daemon and the princess walked hand in hand up the road and into King's Landing, stopping occasionally to watch the shows or purchase a piece of candied fruit.

It was the first time she and her husband had enjoyed a night out in the city since the brothel. The memory of that night no longer stung, and Rhaenyra laughed to herself as she thought of it. She paused, for a moment, when they passed a pair of frail-looking children huddled against the wall. The princess turned and held her hand out to Daemon expectantly. He rolled his eyes at her but produced his coin purse. The children stared at her with wide eyes as she laid coins in their palms.

"You're too charitable, Princess." Daemon said softly, planting a kiss on her temple as she handed him back the bag of coins. "You'll have the beggars at the gates of the keep in droves.

"Aren't you the one who told me that it matters what the small folk think of us?" she teased, retaking his hand. They reached the Red Keep in a cheerful mood. Ser Harwin, however, was not in a cheerful mood when he came across them.

"Princess, I must kindly insist that the next time you leave the gates without Daemon, or myself, you wait for an escort." Rhaenyra's eyes narrowed at him.

"Did I not best Ser Criston this morning, during training?" she countered hotly. "Can I not be trusted to defend myself?"

"Of course, princess," he deferred. "But, should any harm happen to befall you, I would never forgive myself for allowing your departure. Similarly, any guard on duty would likely lose his head." She sighed, knowing he was right.