HOTD SI: The Bloody Prince (OC x Rhaenyra)(OC x Alicent)

Part 29

Chapter 29

OTTO HIGHTOWER

Politics was a game of time and influence, both of these aspects required a sensible and deft hand, and with his little tirade with Alicent he had understood that he had little of both. Alicent's behavior was one of a petulant child, and if she was left to do as she pleased, she could cause irreparable damage to his cause.

She had somehow gotten besotted with Daemon's son, refusing to see the truth that was staring her in the face. The gruesome and rotten truth is that all her suffering was not caused by him but rather by the very person whose bed she sat besides, praying desperately. He had only done what was best for her and their House, keeping at bay the political power and influence of Daemon's child.

The atmosphere in the capital was rather tense. The tension from the whole ordeal of Alicent's abduction had been added to by the news from Dragonstone, where House Velaryon had found itself another dragon rider in the form of Lady Laena Vealryon, who had bonded with Vhagar much to the consternation of the King.

And in all this, the King's own ailment ate away at him. Those wounds that refused to heal which had first cost him but two fingers had only spread, and the look on the Maester's and the acolyte's faces told him that he was set to only lose more.

"Your grace, the incident from Dragonstone is disturbing and has Daemon's hands all over it. As the custodian of the ancient seat, it was his paramount duty to guard the dragons. This whole ordeal shows a lack of commitment and duty if not sheer malice on his part," he began as the King sat in his chair, his body bare for the master to mark the wounds which had only grown.

"Believe it or not, we cannot pin the blame on Daemon. The girl skipped past several dragonkeepers, when she eventually approached Vhagar. The mighty beast could have damn well killed her!" the King cursed, and wouldn't that have been easier for him. Now, the Velaryons had a disproportionate amount of power, power that was allied against him.

"Daemon has replaced the dragonkeepers that let this happen, but we cannot separate her and the dragon," the King added, and he did not for one second believe the Rogue Prince's excuse. This was deliberate. This was a response from the man against his actions.

"There is still the matter concerning Daemon's involvement with my daughter's abd..."

"Otto!" the King cut in before he could finish, those amethyst orbs snapping towards him in apt attention as the room became silent.

"We have talked about this. Daemon had no part in it, and it has been investigated enough. Do not bring this up again," the King cautioned him sharply, and he could do little but nod.

The Strongs had been tasked with investigating the matter and had declared Daemon free of charge, claiming that the two men had acted independently, something which he refused to believe.

"As you say your grace," but after years at court, he was able to recognize a lost avenue when he saw it, and it seems this was but one of them. The King gave him a nod as the Grand Maester turned towards the King.

"I am afraid, Your Grace, we have no choice but to cauterize the wound again. But they have refused to heal, and if they do not stop, I am afraid we might have to sacrifice the hand," and he saw the King's lips thin at that, given that the King was rather fond of regal look, something which would be rather greatly marred by losing a hand.

"Seven Hells!" the King cursed as he shooed away the old man and shook his head.

"Letters have begun arriving from Runestone about Aegon's condition," the King added, and he did not know that.