The savage scene had silenced the hall, and all present understood that today had reached an impasse.
Then, a calm, majestic female voice broke through the tension.
"Your Grace."
Rhaenys Targaryen, the "Uncrowned Queen," stepped slowly from the rear of the black camp.
She was no longer young; the years had left their mark on her black-and-white hair and the fine lines at the corners of her eyes. She wore a solemn crimson gown, her favorite color.
She was the wife of Corlys Velaryon, the Sea Snake, and a staunch princess, stripped of her inheritance rights at the Great Council years ago due to the male succession laws.
Her very presence was a silent question to the cousin on the throne.
"Perhaps," she stood motionless, her gaze calmly sweeping over Viserys on the Iron Throne, then the subdued Aemond, and finally the King himself, "we might try… another way."
Her voice was low, yet both the Black and Green factions listened intently.
"Let us both take a step back."
"Rhaenys, you say?" Viserys croaked, like a man drowning clinging for driftwood.
Rhaenys gave a slight nod. "Today's events, no matter how tangled, are like reopening a wound already visible—they will only make our blood run deeper."
"I promise I will not pursue anyone, be they right or wrong, over this."
Her gaze shifted to Aemond, restrained by the Iron Guard, and lingered over the scar on the left side of his face.
"Vhagar's bond included."
She sighed as she spoke.
"This is my compensation."
A ripple passed through the hall.
Years ago, after the death of the two brothers' mother,Alicent Targaryen, the dragon Red Queen, Meleys, should have passed first to her brothers.
But her cousin, Rhaenys Targaryen, then only thirteen, had slipped into the dragon's lair and tamed Meleys.
At the time, young Viserys and Daemon had furiously accused her of theft.
Yet under the wise hand of King Jaehaerys, the dispute was settled.
Now, times had changed, roles reversed.
The years and the cycles of fate embedded in her brought mixed feelings to those who knew the history.
Daemon remained silent, Aemond had survived, and Vhagar had little chance with the daughters.
The plan Rhaenys quietly discussed with him now might be the better course—through Jacaerys' matter—so that the Green faction could neither refuse nor resist.
Daemon glanced at Rhaenyra in the center; had his brother Viserys promised to marry Rhaenyra's daughter, perhaps none of this misfortune would have occurred…
Viserys listened to these concessions, yet his heart grew heavier with each passing moment.
The more you give, the more you inevitably must accept.
Rhaenys slowly raised her right hand, lifting two fingers. Her eyes bore an unshakable resolve.
"We require two compensations. Small, yet necessary."
Viserys closed his eyes, his Adam's apple rolling with effort. "Speak plainly, Rhaenys."
"First," Rhaenys said clearly, "for true reconciliation, for peace across decades."
"Now I would ask Your Grace to betroth Princess Helena to my grandson, Jacaerys Velaryon."
"Marriage is the best way to heal wounds on both sides and the strongest bond between us."
"No!!"
A sharp voice rang out.
"I will never agree!" Her body shook, each word torn from her lips. "I will never give my pure and spotless Helena to Rhaenyra…!"
"Never! Do not even think of it!"
Her eyes pleaded.
"Father! Father, speak!"
"You cannot allow them to do this to Helena! Say something!"
Prime Minister Otto's expression twisted. Helena could marry any noble, but never the illegitimate son of Rhaenyra…
"Alicent! Mind your words and bearing!" Viserys, worn with anger, resentment, and helplessness built through the night, found an outlet in this moment.
He scolded his trembling wife. "Look at yourself! Where is the dignity of a queen?"
"Of course I have the right to decide her future!"Alicent cried, her voice hoarse and broken.
"Viserys, you cannot… You cannot do this to us…"
"Your Grace, I cannot accept this marriage," Prime Minister Otto interjected.
If the Queen and Prime Minister insisted on opposing this proposal of reconciliation, Rhaenyra's cold voice cut through him.
She rose from the ground, brushed dust from her skirts, and with a patronizing gesture said, "Then we may simply return to the original, primitive way."
"An eye for an eye. A tooth for a tooth."
"The old and the bright."
Prime Minister Otto looked at Rhaenys, the Sea Snake, Daemon, Rhaenyra's faction, and others. He knew exactly what they intended.
"Ugh."
Aemond, gagged, let out a roar from deep in his throat, his restrained body twisting and thrashing with incredible force.
He flexed several powerful muscles in his arms, nearly breaking free. The Iron Guards were stunned by the strength unleashed by the prince.
But this time Otto could no longer restrain himself.
"Your Grace, Helena also carries Hightower blood."
"Or do you wish for me to decide all family matters in the future?"
Faced with the King's reproach, Otto bowed his head. "I dare not. Your Grace has the right to decide your family's affairs."
This marriage would declare to the nobility of the Seven Kingdoms that the Green faction bows to the Black faction.
It would also affirm Jacaerys' orthodox identity, not the illegitimate Strong line, whose claim had been disputed in whispers.
This was what Rhaenyra had always wanted…
Otto was visibly irritated, and Viserys' love for Rhaenyra was apparent.
He was exhausted, rubbing his forehead. His daughter remained silent as a shadow.
"Father respects your wishes," he said softly. "Your own will is paramount."
"Tell my father that you… are ready to accept this marriage contract."
She looked toward her mother for support, tears in her eyes, staring intently.
She looked at her grandfather, Otto, standing silently.
Finally, her gaze passed over everyone and settled on Aemond, who shook his head.
She closed her eyes.
After a long pause, a faint but clear answer was given.
The Queen's face, realizing her daughter had been compelled to agree, grew increasingly desperate.
"Very well." Viserys said, final.