Ruin Me

Chapter Thirty Two

It seemed like Daenyra had just left the War Room before she was called back to deal with a much more pressing issue of dire concern. Weren't they all?

"We need to send a dragon," Jace stated.

"Yes," his aunt replied from her seat. "It is too severe of a situation to leave them unaided. I can –"

"Send a dragon where?" asked a voice and they all rose to their feet as Rhaenyra came waltzing into the Throne Room. She was dressed like a sister of the faith but without the headdress, as Ser Steffon walked behind her.

The Lords rose to their feet, save for the family of Velaryons and Targaryens whom were already standing.

"To support the war that your vassals have been fighting in your absence, Your Grace," Jace answered bitterly.

"Jacaerys," Daenyra scolded as she turned her head to the side, and he lowered his eyes in apology. Rhaenyra's expression was confused as she watched her sister scold her son. She had been gone days too long where Daenyra hadn't only been scolding him but supporting him and consoling him that his mother was ok no matter where she was.

"Cole's host has grown since riding abroad," Rhaenys answered. "He raised the levies of both Rosby and Stokeworth, and, with their combined strength, sacked Duskendale."

"Duskendale?" Ser Steffon asked worriedly, still dressed as a septon.

"The city has fallen. Many Darklyn men declared for Aegon," Corlys continued. "Those who refused were put to the sword."

"What of my father?"

"He kept his oath. Cole took his head for it," Corlys answered and both Rhaenyra and Steffon's heads fell with the news.

"And the few men who arrived that we sent from the Greyjoy fleet were slain along with them, so I ask, on behalf of my son and of the Ironborn, where have you been these last days, Rhaenyra?" Daenyra spoke, her sword strapped to her back and her arms crossed over her chest.

"I apologise for my absence and the secrecy, but such was necessary," Rhaenyra answered, knowing that her twin's anger was warranted for her hasty departure. "I went to King's Landing."

"To what possible end?" Vaelon blurted, also taken by surprise at the answer.

"To meet Queen Alicent and sue for peace."

Daenyra was pained. She was pained by the absolute stupidity of her sister. It was a thing she had never thought possible as she brought a closed fist to her lips in frustration. "You saw Alicent? You spoke with her?"

"Yes, I did," Rhaenyra answered without remorse.

Jace's eyes weren't the only ones to bulge out of his skill. He looked to his aunt who simply nodded her head. His outrage exploded. "What were you thinking?! You could've been taken or slain!"

"I inherited 80 years of peace from my father!" Rhaenyra exclaimed, cutting off her son. "Before I was to end it, I needed to know that there was no other path. And now I do."

Daenyra wanted to laugh. The fact that it took talking with Alicent for her to realise that they were at war and not her own son's death was fucking hilarious. Then again, what would she know about ruling a kingdom? She'd only kept bloodthirsty lords at bay and organised numerous scouting parties and ravens to be sent and run dozens of Small Council meetings in the near week her sister was gone. But of course, she was secondborn, she knew nothing. Still, she wanted to laugh.

"Only one choice remains to me: either I win my claim or die," Rhaenyra continued.

"We stand at the ready," Jace vowed, and the Queen's eyes rested on her sister.