Maegor's Holdfast, Queen Alicent's Chambers.
Queen Alicent's chambers were thick with the scent of herbs and blood.
Now, she leaned back against a pile of pillows, her face pale, yet her green eyes brightened suddenly as her family filed in.
Viserys I sat by the bedside. Half of his face was covered by a golden mask.
Since six months ago, the illness had been eroding his face with rot, and it ultimately could not be stopped.
Despite his failing health, the King forced himself to stay alert today, keeping watch beside the weakened Queen after her labor.
Just an hour ago, Alicent had given him a pair of children.
The boy was named Baelon and the girl Daena.
Hearing footsteps, Viserys turned his head, his gaze falling upon his eldest son, Aegon.
Aegon bowed calmly in greeting, and Aelyn Rogar beside him nodded elegantly as well.
The King's heart was heavy.
He had not yet told Alicent the news,
A few days ago, a letter arrived from Storm's End: Jacaerys and his two brothers had formally renounced their claims to the Iron Throne to join House Velaryon; Rhaenyra had declared Aegon the Younger as her heir.
Hand of the King Otto had suggested delaying telling the Queen so as not to affect her labor.
"Mother."
Aemond stepped forward first, kneeling by the bedside and taking Alicent's hand.
"You have worked hard."
The Queen's eyes instantly welled with tears.
For two years, she could only touch her second son's words through letters and see his face in her dreams.
"Aemond... you've finally returned."
"I'm back," he answered softly.
The King watched this scene with a complex expression.
At this moment, Rhaenyra and Daemon also entered the room, while Jacaerys and his two brothers waited outside.
The Crown Princess approached with an impeccable smile on her face.
"Alicent," she said softly, "congratulations. I just went to see the children; they are all beautiful. Baelon's hair looks just like Father's."
Alicent and Rhaenyra's eyes met.
All the unspoken past and emotions flowed silently between the two women as they looked at each other.
"Thank you for coming, Rhaenyra," Alicent finally spoke.
"I heard you also gave birth not long ago... are you feeling well?"
"Very well." Rhaenyra's smile remained perfect.
"Young Viserys is very healthy. Like his brother, Little Aegon, he has inherited the purest Targaryen traits, silver hair, purple eyes, and Valyrian features."
Alicent watched her in silence.
Leaning against the door, Daemon chuckled softly, breaking the delicate balance in the air.
"What a heartwarming family reunion," he drawled.
"Let me think, when was the last time the whole Targaryen family was so gathered? Ah, right, it was before that night on Driftmark."
These words were like ice dropped into hot oil.
"Daemon." Viserys shot him a warning glance.
"Mind the occasion; Alicent needs her rest."
"Did I say something wrong?" Daemon spread his hands with a chuckle.
"I'm merely reflecting on how time flies. Look, the children from Driftmark back then are all grown up now."
"Enough."
This time it was Rhaenyra who spoke.
She turned to Alicent, her expression turning gentle again.
"Rest well; we will come to see you another day."
Alicent nodded politely. By now, she had long since abandoned any illusions of reconciling with Rhaenyra.
--------
Maegor's Holdfast, Small Banquet Hall.
According to tradition, on the night of a royal child's birth, the members of the Royal Family would have a family feast.
On either side of the long table, the seating was clearly divided.
The King sat alone at the head of the table; Queen Alicent was unable to attend due to her post-partum weakness.
To his left were the Greens: Aegon, Aelyn Rogar, Aemond, Helaena, and Daeron.
To his right were the Blacks: Rhaenyra, Daemon, Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey.
Handmaidens silently presented course after course.
Viserys looked around at the silent crowd, cleared his throat, and tried to break the suffocating silence.
His gaze finally landed on the, Daeron, this child had always been mild-mannered and the least likely to provoke an argument.
"Daeron," the King's voice was a bit dry, "how are your studies in Oldtown? Maester Maynard wrote to say that your High Valyrian is quite fluent, and you've even begun studying ancient texts."
Daeron put down his silver spoon and sat up straight.
"Yes, Father. I am reading The Downfall of the Freehold. Maester Maynard says that to understand the present of the Targaryens, one must first understand the past of Valyria."
He paused briefly. "In addition, I am also studying Valyrian poetry."
"Poetry?" Aegon sneered from the side, his silver spoon tapping against the rim of his bowl.
"What's the use of learning that? Better to learn about wine tasting, or..."
He suddenly felt a gaze from his side and turned to meet Aelyn Rogar's stare, swallowing the second half of his sentence right back down.
Aelyn wiped the corner of her mouth elegantly, her Common Tongue spoken with a soft Lysene accent.
"Poetry is the essence of a civilization, Aegon. A good poem is enough to be passed down for a thousand years."
"Did you hear that, Prince Aegon?" Daemon toyed with his wine cup and interjected slowly.
"Even your fiancée thinks you should read more."
The air in the dining room suddenly froze.
Being ridiculed by his uncle made Aegon a bit angry, but he endured it.
Aelyn's face stiffened, but she quickly regained her smile.
"Prince, you're joking."
Daemon said no more, but his gaze was fixed on Aemond, who was eating quietly.
At this moment, the King spoke again.
"Rhaenyra, about Jacaerys and the others joining House Velaryon... I already know."
The entire long table instantly fell silent.
Rhaenyra set down her utensils and looked up to meet her father's gaze.
"Yes, Father. It was a joint decision between Lord Corlys and me."
"Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey will become the legitimate heirs of Velaryon, enjoying all the rights of Driftmark."
"And my heirs will be Little Aegon and Young Viserys, they are Targaryens of pure blood, with silver hair and purple eyes, beyond dispute."
She paused for a moment, her gaze sweeping over the Greens before returning to the King's face.
"In this way, the succession dispute no longer exists. The Seven Kingdoms will return to stability. This can be called... a win-win situation."
"Win-win?"
Aemond repeated softly, still not looking up, slowly and methodically cutting the roast chicken on his plate.
"Let me think... Sister won, Velaryon won, and the King won too?"
He put down his knife and fork, looking up at Daemon beside Rhaenyra.
"Everyone is winning, aren't they?"
"Aemond!" Viserys looked at his sarcastic son.
But Aemond continued, his tone calm.
"But that's not the point tonight. The point is..."
He turned to Rhaenyra, flashing a polite smile.
"Since Jacaerys is now a Velaryon, does the betrothal Father arranged back then... still hold?"
Everyone's eyes suddenly turned to Helaena.
Rhaenyra glanced at Helaena, then turned to the King, her voice gentle yet firm.
"This is exactly what I wanted to ask, Father. The betrothal was made by you personally, at a time when Jacaerys was still a Targaryen."
"Though he has changed his surname now, his bloodline remains unchanged; the betrothal... should naturally continue."
She paused and added, "This will also further consolidate the alliance between our two Houses."
Viserys fell into silence.
After a long while, the King spoke slowly.
"The betrothal... was indeed made by me, so let it be as was previously said."
"Mother will not agree."
Aemond's voice cut off the King's words.
The dining room fell into a dead silence.
Daemon raised an eyebrow, watching the scene with great interest.
"Aemond," Viserys's tone became stern, "this is not for your mother, nor for you, to decide."
"I am the King; Helaena's future is mine to decide."
"Aemond, do you have any further objections?"
Aemond smiled and shook his head.
"Your Grace, I have no objections."
With that, he pushed back his chair and turned to leave the dining room.
-----
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