The White Dragon

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THE WHITE DRAGON CHAPTER 20 : A NEW TITLE

A FANFICTION ON HBO'S HOUSE OF THE DRAGON

ELLYN REYNE

Ellyn's face betrays no emotion as she and Viserys break their fast with Aegon and Helaena. It wasn't much, but it was a start for people to believe that Viserys actually cares for his second wife and their children.

A knock sounds at the door and Otto enters with a deep frown on his face and he bows his head stiffly "Your grace, I have news that I feel is urgent to report." Viserys pats Aegon's head, making the young boy smile up at his father, who smiles at his hand "Speak freely Otto."

Otto glances toward Ellyn and hesitantly says "The information I have to share is best said in private, your grace." Ellyn shakes her head "Nonsense lord Otto, I'm sure my husband would not wish to be torn away from his breakfast. Just say it here."

Viserys nods slowly and Otto sighs "I'm afraid it pertains sensitive information regarding Princess Rhaenyra, my King." Ellyn holds in her smile and watches with disgust as Viserys' smile fades "Has she been harmed?" Otto shakes his head and continues "It is no easy thing to tell a father of his daughter's exploits. I had considered saying nothing, but... "

"What has she done?" Ellyn asks with a false concerned look plastered on her face as she places her fork and knife onto her plate and Otto runs his tongue over his teeth "The Princess was spied last evening... beyond the walls of the Keep... in a pleasure house."

"What of it?" Viserys asks with a tilt to his head and Otto brings his hands together "She was carrying on with her uncle. They were engaged in behaviors unbecoming of a maiden... or that of a Princess."

"What behaviors?" Viserys asks breathlessly and Otto awkwardly chuckles "Well, must I say it, Your Grace?" Viserys' eyes sharpen and he places his cutlery down "You enter my bedchamber, accusing my daughter of something. Now speak it... plainly."

"Daemon and Rhaenyra were seen together... in the bowels of a pleasure den." Otto takes a moment to breath before finishing "Coupling." Viserys chuckles bitterly at this and shakes his head "This is a lie. You have been lied to."

"I only wish that were true, Your Grace." Otto says simply and Viserys glances towards Ellyn before firmly stating "Who is responsible for this gossip? Have this rumormonger brought before me at once, and I will take their eyes."

Ellyn covers Aegon's ears, protecting him from hearing such threats and continues to listen in  "As your Hand, I must maintain trusted sources of information, and this one, as yet, has never led me astray, and several of the servants have now admitted to seeing her, the Princess... creeping through the gates from King's Landing, disguised as a page during the hour of the owl." Otto says standing firmly.

Ellyn watches with anticipation for Viserys' reaction, her heart secretly pounding in joy as her mind races 'The stupid bitch has signed her own death warrant' Yet her heart stops as Viserys glares at Otto "Are you so sick with ambition that you would have my daughter stalked? Spied upon? Awaiting your best chance to destroy her reputation?"

"I have no such intent, Your Grace." Otto says simply and Viserys stands from his seat "You think yourself a cunning man. Yet you have little more wisdom than a pig being led to the slaughter. Is the part of you that blamed Aerys for your son's death now turned to me, your desire now to destroy my family out of vengeance?"

Otto's face goes rigid at this and he speaks through his teeth "I have been nothing but loyal to the crown your grace, since your Grandfather sat the throne. To use a father's grief with ambition to destroy your house is both cruel and unthinkable."

Viserys takes a deep breath and grinds his teeth, glancing towards Ellyn before turning his glare back onto Otto "Leave me, and do not breath a word of this news to anyone else, do you understand."