TO LOVE A KING || Maegor II Targaryen [SLOW UPDATES]

096▪️ SISTERS OF LEGACY & SCORN

Otto smiled faintly, pride swelling. All his careful work his teachings, his guidance, played out before him. His daughters had been molded for greatness, their marriages carefully placed. Only Charlotte... his smile faltered at the thought.

Darting his eyes around, Lord Horbert continues. "The Baratheons still cling to their belief that Princess Rhaenys ought to have sat the throne," Hobert continued, sipping his wine. "I even thought, when Naomi married Orys, that Charlotte might be Queen. But it was Alicent who shocked us all."

Otto said nothing. He knew Naomi had always been destined for such a role, even if not the crown itself. She had matured quickly, motherhood softening her, yet giving her grace and strength. Wherever she went, eyes followed her, words whispered in admiration. She had become what he envisioned, a true lady of Storm's End.

But Charlotte... Charlotte was the thorn in his hand. He never saw her fall coming, her marriage to Euron Greyjoy, worse, as his second wife, still baffled him. She was his favorite, the child who carried his ambition, his sharpness, his fire. In her, he saw his own reflection.

He had wished, fervently, that Maegor had chosen her. For Charlotte would have embraced the King's bastard daughter Jasmine without hesitation, weaving even that into her power. Instead, Selena Dayne had crept into their lives like an uninvited shadow, clinging to Maegor's favor.

Otto's jaw tightened. Alicent, for all her beauty and her place as Queen, lacked his wit. Charlotte had the mind for it, and now more than ever, she was dangerous with it.

Still, with Alicent pregnant again and already mother to two boys, the King would soon be cornered. He must name Aegon heir. It was only logical.

And Charlotte? Otto exhaled softly, his gaze finding her across the room, her envy plain even as she tried to mask it. He could only hope she gave the Iron Islands an heir, one that might bind Greyjoy steel to Hightower blood.

The brothers turned their attention back to the children. The wet nurses brought Aegon and Maekar forward again, the boys babbling as the courtiers laughed at every word. Jasmine fussed in Selena's arms, ignored by most save her mother.

"Two years old," Hobert said, voice tinged with pride, "and already our boys have a kingly presence." He gestured toward Aegon, who was tugging insistently at his father's hair.

Otto's mouth curved, though his tone was dry. "They may yet, brother. But this morning, Aegon insisted on eating his porridge with his hands."

Hobert threw back his head with a laugh. "He will grow. We're quite a party assembled in his honor, and Maekar's too." He smiled broadly, then let his voice fall into a sigh. "But it's obvious who this day belongs to. Surely, by the end of this hunt, we shall have more to celebrate."

Otto's head tilted, his gaze sharpening. "And what is that, pray tell?"

Hobert lowered his voice. "It is Aegon and Maekar's second name day. Their infancy lies behind them. It only remains for His Grace to name one of them heir to the throne." His eyes cut toward his younger brother, watchful, skeptical.