The Bronze Dragon-A House of the Dragon fanfic

Chapter 36

Viserys' death was the catalyst for the war. Some say that it started later with the death of Prince Lucerys, or with my grandfather's capture of Harrenhal, but my parents and uncle have always maintained it started here. I would be inclined to trust my uncle's judgement here; my father had asked him to remain in King's Landing to try and talk down the possibility of war.

Unfortunately, it would seem that Otto Hightower had anticipated this measure. My uncle would remain locked in his chambers under house arrest for the entire day.

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The news had come to Alicent in the early hours of the morning, not that she'd actually gotten any sleep. Viserys' last words to her meant that he had wanted Aegon to be king, right? That made him the king, by the laws of the land. Even the Valyrian law that the Targaryens followed gave the leader of the house the right to name their heir. Dressing quickly, she had issued a summons for the entire Small Council to meet without delay.

Her father had cautioned her not to trust anyone, even Daeron, as ridiculous as it was. Daeron is my son. He will fight for his brother. Thinking otherwise was ludicrous; even if he was Daevar's squire, he wasn't Daevar's family. Here though, as the Council gathered, she knew she wouldn't trust any of them.

"What is it that could not wait an hour?" Tyland Lannister asked, chuckling. "Has Dorne invaded?"

"The King is dead." Otto replied. Despite everything, there was a sadness in his voice. He had liked Viserys; difficult as things were, the man had only tried to do the right thing by his family. Otto could sympathise with that. "We grieve for Viserys the Peaceful. Our sovereign and friend. And yet, with his dying breath, he proclaimed Aegon as his successor. "

There was a silent assent around the table, and Alicent did not like it. Something has been happening without me . It was Tyland who broke the silence, though a little hesitantly. "Then we can proceed with assurance that he supports our plans."

What?

"Yes. We will need to remove the captains of the City Watch that remain loyal to Daemon." Otto said, finally taking his seat. "What of the treasury, Lord Lannister?"

"It's in hand. I'll order a third dispatched to Casterly Rock and another third to Oldtown immediately." Tyland replied. This was all moving too fast for Alicent. They'd been plotting all this time to install Aegon as King, and had never spoken to her about it? Lyman Beesbury attempted an interruption, only for Tyland and Jasper Wylde to snap back responses.

"I am six-and-seventy." Beesbury proclaimed, standing up. "I knew Viserys longer than anyone at this table, and I cannot believe he said this alone on his deathbed with only the boy's mother present!" He exclaimed. Judging from the guilty look on Alicent's face, he knew he was right, too. "He named Rhaenyra heir and did not change his mind in twenty years! This is theft! It is treason! And he was well last night, by all accounts. Which of you can swear that he died of his own accord?" He asked, casting a glare at Alicent. It was too much for Criston, who forced Beesbury back into his seat. He did it with far too much force though, and the old man's skull slammed on the table, cracking and splitting. He died instantly.

Things passed in a blur for Alicent. Within seconds of Beesbury dying, they were already discussing the need for alliances with Storm's End. There was only one thing on her mind though. "What of Rhaenyra?"

"The former heir cannot be allowed to remain free and draw support to her claim." Her father replied.

"You plan to imprison them?" Alicent scoffed. Was he serious? Does he truly think this?! . "She will not bend the knee. She cannot. Daemon too. You know this." She said, more in a pleading voice than anything else. I do not want to see her on the battlefield with my sons .