Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

I

Aemma Targaryen woke up with a startle, sitting up straight, covering her stomach with both hands subconsciously.

However, her supposedly cut-open, bloody belly was actually intact, and flat.

There was no pain at all.

Was that a nightmare?

She breathed heavily.

That was terrible.

And where was her babe? Was it already born or…?

“It is not a nightmare.”

Aemma gasped in shock, looking around, trying to find where this strange voice came from. And she realized she was not in her room any more instead she was sitting alone in some place surrounded by greyish fog.

The floor beneath her was hard and cool to the touch.

“Who are you? Where am I?”

“We are the blood of your blood, the beginning of the legend of Dragons. And, you are in somewhere between the Realm of Life and the Realm of Death.”

Another softer voice rang up above her head.

“You are the Valyrian Gods? You are real?” Aemma could not believe what she was experiencing.

“Depends on whether you believe in us or not.” A thick and hoarse voice answered her.

She was one of their descendant of course she believed in fourteen flames and all that.

“Are you going to bring me to the Realm of Death?”

Of course she was dead. Aemma, you silly woman. She chuckled ironically. How could one so frail like her survive a knife slicing open the belly without any medicine’s help?

She even did not get to say goodbye to her baby girl, her beautiful Rhaenyra, telling her the last time that how much she loved her.

A single drop of tear slide down her cheek.

She hurt. She raged. She hated.

“My poor child. Save your self-pity. You are a Dragon. Put away your weakness. We stopped your soul going into the Realm of Death, because you are our chosen one.” A gentle voice uttered.

Aemma raised her head looking confusedly to the direction the voice came from.

She only saw thick fog.

“It’s not your TIME yet. Your life was cut short by other’s decisions. It’s not your fault that death came to you that early. You should have lived a long life.”

“What do you mean that I am the chosen one?”

Aemma was confused. She recalled back then, once, Viserys, cursed him, said in a dreamy way that the Prince That is Promised would come from their line and that their son would continue Targaryens’ glory.

“We choose you to help make sure that the future of the Dragons shines bright. We need you to lead them to the right way. Targaryens are dangerously close to the path of self-destruction.” A childish voice sadly stated.

Aemma circled her arms around her knees, hugging herself tightly.

“Me? What do you see in me to put such important mission onto my shoulders?”

“Aemma, my child, you can choose not to follow the Gods’ will then we will send you straight to the Realm of Death and give you your peace.” A firm voice said,

“But, you have to be aware that your daughter’s fate is tied to House Targaryen’s doom. Her death would be painful and miserable and bring the downfall of the Dragons.”

Rhaenyra? No… Not her daughter…

But…

“How would I save them? Save her? Everyone will die in the end.”

“Die by burning alive you mean? Your daughter and most of her offspring would not die peacefully if you did not interfere.” A girly voice rang up.

“What?” Aemma shakenly murmured.

How? Why? Why her daughter had to suffer like her? It’s not fair.

“The situation is complicated and urgent. Make your choice.” One of the Gods annoyingly urged her.

“Not my daughter…” Aemma was deep in her thought. She thought Viserys, cursed him thousands times over, would take good care of their only remaining child.

“She is a Princess. She is well-loved, even spoiled rotten. Her uncle and father will not let anything happen to h…”

“Poor child. The twin flame of yours… He is the one will make your daughter’s life miserable later. He already did that by brutally murdering you. The decisions he made and will make would contribute to the doom of your House. Do you not want to help her, to stabilize her claim to the Iron Throne? The ONE That is Promised will come from her bloodline.”

“Her claim to… No way. She is a…” Aemma hated to say out loud that her daughter could not do something or become someone because of her gender, “Viserys did not name her heir.” Not to her knowledge at least.

In her heart, her Rhaenyra could be anyone, anything and more. She was her miracle. A wonder of her life. Her hope in human form. A quite beautiful one. She smiled when she thought of her daughter. How she missed her.

Tear drops slid down her face.

“He did. After your funeral. But that did not help.” A raspy voice chimed in.

“Not help much though.” The childish one concluded.

“He did that, most of all, for his guilty of neglecting her and for the memory of you.”

“He did not prepare her well enough to face what’s about to come.”

The Gods’ voices were everywhere.

Aemma heard their every word.

She hated Viserys for taking her away from Rhaenyra for good.

She did not want to see him ever again.

She cursed his soul. Hope he would be the one that burnt alive.

But she could not leave her little girl alone, helpless to face all the hardship. She had to do something.

Aemma slowly stood up, raising her hand to get some attention from the Gods. Hope they will see that through this invisible fog.

“Um… My Gods. Please send me back. I choose to follow your instruction.” She tried to sound confident.

The bravest choice she ever made in her short life.

“Good.”

In a split moment, a towering figure dressed in all black with a dragon-head-like mask covering their face appeared in front of Aemma, the fog surrounding them fading away.

“My… God.” Aemma knelt down, lowering her head.

“My child. We will bless your soul and recreate your burnt-to-ashes body. Once it’s done, you will be sent back to the living world which you just left mere days ago.”

“What?” Aemma frowned. She thought the Gods were talking about sending her soul or consciousness back into the living body of hers before her tragic death. If what they would do was the deal, then that meant she would reborn from her ashes? That did not make any sense for how could the people in living world view her?

“They will view you as a miracle. A Gods’ mercy showed in human form. House Targaryen born from Dragon Fire and will die in Dragon Fire. And if need be, you shall return from ashes. We would not grant you this great opportunity had House of the Dragon not been walking into its own destruction step by step.”

“What if I failed?” Aemma sincerely asked.

“No. You will not.” The black figure firmly answered.

Aemma nodded and stood up with her chin held high. She wiped her tears away, ready to welcome her reborn.

Don’t be afraid, Aemma. You are a Dragon! You can do it. For Rhaenyra’s sake! She encouraged herself in her mind.

“The recreation will take some time.”

Just like that, the figure stepped up, a long and thin finger covered by black Dragon scales with its pointing spot dyed red reaching out, lightly rest at the spot between her two eyebrows.

Aemma closed her eyes, feeling warmth slowly forming in the place the Gods’ finger tapped at.

She felt a warm breeze embraced her and…

She fell down.

The moment she hit against a hard surface, the Gods’ distant and ethereal voice chanted:

“From Ashes the Dragon shall return; May the Dragon thrive in Eternity.”

Aemma’s head hurt, her heart beating faster than ever. Her body ached from the hit, soreness spreading to her limbs.

The bright day light caused a stabbing pain in her eyes, so she squeezed her eyes closed harder.

She was lying on her side on the ground, carefully moving her muscles to check if they could function. And gradually she sat up, opening and closing her fingers, flexing her wrists, slightly kicking her legs. The pain was fading. Everything seemed went well. Aemma looked up after her eyes got used to the light. It seemed the Gods dropped her from the sky or wherever that was because she noticed that her fall smashed down some branches. It indeed was a miracle that she survived the fall.

The sound of somebody’s heavy steps and horses’ neigh and their tapping feet made Aemma frozen in place.

Someone was coming her way. She alertly looking around, trying to find a place to hide but found none. Apparently she dropped into a woods. There was nothing but thin trees.

Aemma took a long breath. She hoped, that someone was good enough to not hurt her and help her find the way back to King’s Landing.

Someone stopped several feet away from her. Aemma had her back turned to them.

“Who’s there?” A familiar voice questioned.

Is that…?

Then she heard some muffled words and realized, that someone had a company.

In their hushed conversation Aemma caught the name of her daughter:

“Rhaenyra, you stay here…”

Rhaenyra?

Aemma beamed with teary eyes. She missed her daughter so much. Could she be that lucky to reunite with her baby that soon?

She did not notice someone was stood right behind her until Daemon’s voice rang up:

“Woman, what happened? Why are you here in the woods alone?”

Aemma exhaled with relief. Now she did not need to worry about finding way back to King’s Landing.

When she turned her head to her cousin and good-brother, Aemma saw Daemon’s expression changed from wary to shock with his jaw dropped and eyes widened. He seemed speechless, his mouth opening and closing.

A long moment felt like a year later:

“Aemma?”

“Uncle, what’s wrong…” Rhaenyra was by her uncle’s side in a few strides.

When Aemma locked her eyes with her daughter’s, she saw her daughter frozen up and the same expression Daemon made appeared on her face.

“What the hell is going on? Am I imaging you up or…”

Aemma interrupted Daemon’s shocking mumbling with:

“Rhaenyra, I…” She stood up but a sharp pain in her head made her lose her sights in mere seconds.

Aemma fell into darkness.

TBC

Chapter Text

II

Aemma was struggling to open her eyes, to get up. But she could not no matter how hard she tried.

Darkness surrounded her, trapping her, restraining her.

And then she heard someone sobbing in a heart wrenching way from afar… Or from right beside her?

She listened.

It’s Rhaenyra. She then realized. Her daughter is crying.

Shhh… Everything will be alright, my baby, don’t cry. She mumbled but made not a single sound.

Aemma tried, hard, to get rid of this darkness to get to her daughter.

Rhaenyra’s sobbing became louder and realer.

Aemma difficultly tried to move her finger to reach out.

Please… My little girl needs me.

She felt her index finger twitched.

Please… My little girl is right there.

Her hand moved a little.

Aemma finally opened her eyes.

The sobbing is still going on. She turned her head slightly to the direction where the heartbreaking weeping came from, ignoring the throbbing pain in the back of her head.

She saw two shadowy figures stood at steps away from where she was.

“Rhaenyra, my love, shhh. It’s okay. She will be okay. Don’t worry…”

Aemma heard clearly that Daemon was comforting her daughter.

“Little dragon, let’s calm down, okay? I cannot make out what you are saying with all the tears and choking sound.”

She saw Daemon keep wiping at Rhaenyra’s face.

“Rhae…nyra.” Aemma murmured, her voice hoarse, fingers twitching, “It’s… okay, mama’s… here.”

In the next moment, her Rhaenyra ran to her side, kneeling heavily by the makeshift bed she was lying at. Rhaenyra’s thin fingers dug into her wrist, holding her tightly, her red face smeared with tears.

“Mama…” Rhaenyra shook her slightly, her call to Aemma sounding painful, and so heart wrenching. That reminded her of when Rhaenyra was a child having a nightmare or when she was hurt.

A daughter will always be a child in her mother’s eyes.

Aemma struggled to sat up and Daemon rushed to help her sat steady and incline to the headboard behind her.

She pulled Rhaenyra up from the floor to sit by her side on the small bed.

Aemma reached her hand out shakily to caress Rhaenyra’s tear-covered cheek, wiping out her streaming down tears. Rhaenyra spontaneously leaned into her hand, looking up at her sadly.

Her little girl seemed thinner and paler with her once round and pink cheeks sunken, and her chin seemed sharper. Aemma looked down to where Rhaenyra’s hand held onto her, finding her daughter’s hand look smaller. And there were dark bags under her once shining now dimming violet eyes.

She just left her for mere days. What happened to her precious daughter?

Aemma silently studied Rhaenyra’s face and she could say her daughter was studying her as well.

“Mama, am I dreaming, again?” Rhaenyra choked out her words.

She dreamt of her often?

Aemma let her tears fall down freely.

“You can touch me, right?” Aemma shook her hand which was held by the wrist by her daughter’s tight grip.

Rhaenyra nodded with her sniffling.

“And,” Aemma gently lifted Rhaenyra’s other hand, putting it on her chest, right above her beating heart, “You can feel my heartbeat, right?”

Rhaenyra felt for a moment and then nodded.

“And,” Aemma held Rhaenyra’s face with both her hands, “I’m warm, yes?”

Rhaenyra’s smaller hands covered hers and nodded again.

Somehow, she softly squeezed Rhaenyra’s face, and then they both laughed with teary eyes.

“I am very much real, my darling girl.”

It’s good to see you again, my baby.

Aemma’s smile became bigger.

“So…” Daemon cleaned his throat, sniffling a little, lowering his head to hide his reddened eyes, “I am not imagining you up.”

“No. It’s hard to explain the situation and I know you both are confused…”

“But, how can I be sure that you are the real Aemma, and not a pretender? An imposter with witchcraft hiding under your surface?” Daemon raised his eyebrow in question.

“I do not know how to explain all that. It’s complicated…” Aemma sighed. She noticed Rhaenyra stiffened up and hold onto her tighter.

“Do try. We are listening.” Daemon crossed his arms.

“Well, in short, the Valyrian Gods sent me back. They recreated my body and threw me down, back to the World of Living. I am not jesting.” Aemma shrugged.

Rhaenyra looked up at her with her beautiful eyes wide open, like a deer caught in the middle of a woods. Aemma chuckled at the sight of her daughter’s adorable expression.

“What the… How... We watched your body burning to ashes and scattering into the wind, with our own fucking eyes. You need a better explanation. Try again.” Daemon shot her a doubting glance.

Aemma shook her head with a smile, “Daemon, I am telling the truth. The Gods are real. I am real. I am back.”

“Tell me something only you and me know about or something only shared between you and Rhaenyra to prove yourself.” Daemon challenged her.

Aemma tilted her head to one side, deep in thought.

Right, that one would do.

“Daemon, do you still remember that time when you pissed yourself after a nightmare and broke into my room in the middle of the night and asked me to help you clean up? And you threatened me do not tell anyone or you would feed me to Uncle Baelon’s dragon.” Aemma smirked at Daemon.

Daemon’s face reddened significantly and he cleared his throat:

“I do not recall that… You are making things up. Try again.” Daemon lowered his head to hide his flushed face, using a cough to cover his embarrassment.

Rhaenyra broke into a giggling mess.

“It’s okay, Daemon, it’s, well, kind of normal for a 12 year-old wetting his pants after a nightmare.” Aemma teased him.

“Uncle, is she telling the truth?”

“Okay, no more truth revealing. You are indeed real.” Daemon cleared his throat again, trying to hide his embarrassment.

Aemma chuckled and looked back at Rhaenyra with a mischievous smile, “It’s your turn, yes?” The next second, Rhaenyra shook her head rapidly and timidly replied:

“I don’t need any of that. I believe you. I can feel it. You are back in body and soul.”

Aemma lovingly wiped away another drop of tear on Rhaenyra’s cheek. Daemon came near, comfortingly clapping on his niece’s shoulder.

“The Gods are real then. Are they half dragon and half human as the tales say?” Daemon curiously asked.

“I only met one of them but they wear a mask so I did not see their face. They have a human body though.” Aemma recalled.

“I still need some time to process that the Valyrian Gods are real. And why did they send you back? We watched your body burnt to ashes about six months ago.”

“Well…” When Aemma realized what Daemon said in the end of his words, she frowned:

“Six months ago? It cannot be. They said I have only gone for days… The recreation took sometime but…” Aemma was confused. Does time pass differently up there?

“Mother, it’s true. You have been dead for… for almost six months.”

“Aemma, why did the Gods send you back?” Daemon tried to draw them back to the major point of their conversation.

“They said, the Targaryens are slowly heading to our own destruction, to another Doom. They chose me to be the one to prevent that and save not just our House but also Rhaenyra. They warned me that Rhaenyra’s fate is tied to the fate of our House and her… death would bring the downfall of the Dragons. They need me to lead us back to the right way.” Aemma swallowed, remembering the fate her daughter would face if the Gods did not interfere. Burning alive that is.

What a painful way to go?

“What would happen to me?”

“My sweet love, don’t worry. Nothing will happen to you. I am here for you.” Aemma caressed Rhaenyra’s soft cheek. And she continued:

“The ONE that is promised will come from Rhaenyra’s line.”

Rhaenyra stared at her in disbelieve:

“How… how do you know that? The Prince that is Promised… Father told you this prophecy too?”

“It’s a prophecy? Your father once mentioned that to me back… in my last life? But no, it’s the Gods who told me.” The Gods never mentioned anything about a “prince”, though.

“Wait, wait. I do not follow you two. What are you talking about? What prophecy? Who’s Promised?” Daemon narrowed his eyes at them, deep in confusion.

Aemma looked to Daemon then back to Rhaenyra. She was a bit confused now.

“Father did not tell you the prophecy carved on the heirloom, the Valyrian-steel knife he carries around? Father said it’s our family’s greatest secret that it can only pass down to the heir. And so is Aegon’s Dream.”

“Princess, I have no idea what you are talking about.” Daemon huffed with an upset face.

“So, your father truly named you heir?”

“Yes. After your death, he claimed me as the heir to Iron Throne.” Rhaenyra seemed unease, twisting her rings.

“I don’t know why Father keeps this secret from Uncle Daemon, though.”

Aemma watched Daemon furiously stepped away from them, turning his back to them.

“He never trusts me. My dearest brother only sees me when there are wars to fight or rebels to crash. He hates me. He despises me! He has never viewed me as his heir. I am but a placeholder to him. Once you gave him a son, he would happily kick me away and be done with me. Even he does not have a son yet, he cannot wait to get rid of me by naming his daughter heir.” Daemon indignantly gritted out the words.

Aemma felt sorry for Daemon. He was always a good brother to Viserys, and a doting Uncle to her Rhaenyra. And she considered him a good friend to her in her last life. However, she did not like the last sentence he uttered.

She noticed Rhaenyra’s eyes became teary again.

“Uncle, are you mad at me too? I am but a placeholder as you once were. You know it…” Aemma saw the light in Rhaenyra’s eyes dim out. Her poor child.

“No, no, no. My love, I will never be mad at you,” Daemon walked back to hold Rhaenyra into his chest, “You don’t have a choice. And you are not like me. You will make a great ruler one day. Your father is stupid most of time but he made this sole right decision of naming you heir. You will never be replaced. I will make sure of it.” His toned gentle, voice low, his fire of anger died down in an instant by the sight of Rhaenyra’s tear.

It’s always so sweet to see how soft Daemon could be when he’s with Rhaenyra.

“All right. What I was saying is that I think the Gods want me to protect Rhaenyra’s claim to the Iron Throne and by the way protect the Dragons from dying down. Well, actually, I worry for Rhaenyra the most. They said Rhaenyra would be burnt alive and her offspring would not end up in a peaceful death.” Aemma hated to break their sweet interaction. Priority first.

She saw Daemon and Rhaenyra both turned to face her at the same time with a shocking expression.

“Burn alive?” Rhaenyra murmured, shock turned to fear. Aemma quickly took hold of her hand and emphasized:

“Rhaenyra, fear not, I won’t let anything happen to you.”

“Who? Who’s the one would cause her death? Aemma, tell me their name. I will finish them right now!” Daemon’s hand came to grab the hilt of his sword.

Aemma sighed and shook her head.

“I do not think it’s that simple. The Gods did not tell me much. I do not know who’s responsible to Rhaenyra’s death. They did not specify on what exactly would happen that would lead us to our destruction. They only revealed that some decisions Viserys made or would made will cause the downfall of our House. But what decision? I have no idea.” Until now, Aemma realized that the Gods kept most of things in the dark and left her to navigate her own path.

Aemma could not understand why their House would end up self-destroying for Rhaenyra was their heir now. What would happen then? What have Viserys done and what he will do?

Why? Why Viserys had to be the one who ruined her life and then would her daughter’s? Aemma’s expression became hard.

Do I have to kill you, Viserys? If that meant Rhaenyra could live a peaceful life, I would without hesitation. Aemma mused darkly.

“What have Viserys done aside from ordering to save the babe instead of m…” Aemma’s words was cut short by someone who suddenly ran into the tent. She found Rhaenyra tensed up and in a second, she was standing up, blocking her with her body. And Daemon did the same with standing right in front of her daughter. His broader built perfectly blocked out that intruder’s sight.

Aemma stayed silent.

“My Prince, My Princess, the King is asking for your presences.” The soldier panted.

“What now?” Daemon questioned annoyingly.

“The feast is about to begin. He asks you to join them as soon as possible.”

What is the feast for? Aemma wondered. She knew they are in the royal woods for a hunt. Viserys occasionally would organize a hunting event. Are they celebrating for something?

“There is an emergency needing His Grace’s attention. Would you please go and inform him and tell him that me and the Princess require his presence HERE. As soon as possible.” Daemon finished his words with a smirk.

Aemma did not think she was ready to face that despicable man that soon. So, after that soldier left, she questioned:

“What are you doing Daemon?”

“Good-sister, it’s better sooner than later. You don’t want to meet your dear husband, no, former husband again? He will be THRILLED to see you again.” There was this hint of dark mischief in his voice, “Soon, when he comes here, you will see for yourself that what has he done aside from murdering you.”

“Uncle, that is too soon. Mother needs time to process. I am planning to tell her everything that has happened during her… her death, after she has her rest.”

“Several men around here have witnessed that we came back with an extra person in my arms. Your Father’ d be informed of this sooner or later this night. We cannot hide Aemma away from him forever. Now is the perfect time to present him this SURPRISE.” Daemon argued.

It’s been about six months.

But for Aemma, it’s only been days.

She closed her eyes, and the scene of her being butchered into half right under Viserys’ eyes replayed itself inside her head. She had called out for him to order them to stop but her plead fell on his pretending deaf ears.

The flame of hatred and hurt burnt in her heart.

Viserys Targaryen, the one you could not kill, now came back for you again, Aemma darkly thought.

You are not going to get rid of me that easily this time.

Aemma took a deep breath.

“You are right, Daemon. It’s sooner rather than…it becomes too late. I cannot wait to see my DEAR Viserys, again.” She displayed a bright smile with coldness in her eyes, her voice light like a spring breeze.

“Are you sure, Mother?”

“Of course. Am I presentable?” Aemma stood up with the help from her daughter, steadying herself then rearranging her wrinkled dressed.
Rhaenyra nodded after she help fixed her dishevelled heir.

“As beautiful as ever.” Her daughter smiled at her.

Aemma swore to herself that she would do anything to keep Rhaenyra’s smile on her face. So, she straightened up, chin held high in a graceful way, hands overlapped placing at the middle of her belly, putting up her most confident face as once she being in the position of the Queen Consort of Seven Kingdoms.

Moments later, there was sound of feet tapping getting closer and closer. The three of them kept their positions with Daemon standing in front of Rhaenyra and

Aemma standing behind her daughter.

Someone lifted the curtain, making way for a flock of people.

There he was. King of Seven Kingdoms. Her once twin flame.

Over Rhaenyra’s shoulder, Aemma saw Viserys standing on the door way accompanied by Otto Hightower and a woman? Aemma did not see clearly who that woman was but only her red-brown top of head, though, for she was standing behind Viserys and Otto.

Viserys seemed thinner and older. The once proud man of the royal blood with a round face gone, in his stead was a tired man with dark bags under his eyes, the fullness of cheeks was nowhere to find.

“Daemon, what’s your game here? Do you have to let your King brother come here to invite you for supper himself? I don’t see anything out of ordinary here. What’s the emergency?” Viserys asked impatiently.

“We found someone in the woods. Me and Rhaenyra.” Daemon went straight to the topic, head tilted down as a curt greeting to the King.

She saw Viserys raised his eyebrow silently asking “so?”

“Someone Your Grace must have known very well of once…upon…a time.” Aemma could heard the smirk from Daemon’s words, and she knew he purposefully dragged out the last four words for teasing.

“Who is it?”

“Father, the situation here is quite complex. Just be calm and prepare yourself…”

“Rhaenyra, what’s going on?” Viserys sounded confused and a bit suspicious.

Aemma inhaled and held then exhaled. Time to make a show.

Rhaenyra stepped away to one side while Daemon taking a few steps to other side, finally, revealing Aemma.

“Nice to see you again, Viserys.” Aemma breathed out, looking up, gazing up straight to those light purple eyes she had been so familiar with.

Aemma heard someone take in a big inhale, then someone take a step back. But her eyes still glued to the man standing right in front of her the whole time.

Viserys’s once impatient expression gone now changed with a blank one. She watched him blinked once, twice, thrice, lips trembling, seemed like some words were forming on the tip of his tongue but he could not spit them out. He shakenly raised his arm, pointing a finger to her:

“Do… do any of you see…see…see her? Or it’s just…my eyes tricking me?” He stuttered out, voice small. He blinked again.

“Father,” Rhaenyra started, sniffling a little, “Father, it’s real. Mother came back. She came back… from, from death.”

“What… How…?” Viserys’ eyes turned misted, voice broken, “Aemma? Is it really you?”

“What’s the meaning of this?! Your Grace! It must be some devilish illusion! Be careful!” Otto Hightower yelled out loud, getting all the attention in the tent.

“Prince Daemon, where did you find this witch to play such godawful trick, insulting, disgracing the late Queen Aemma like this?” His annoying shout kept going on.

However, Aemma ignored him and focused on staring at her murderer, her twin flame bonded by blood.

There was not a trace of love or warmth for this man but only resentment.

“Aemma? Is it really you?” With the same question, Viserys stepped forward, ignoring Otto’s warning, his eyes blurred by not just tear but uncertainty, “Am I dreaming you up again?”

Aemma stepped backward, keeping a decent distance from him. She did not want this man to get too close to her.

Again? How could you dream of someone you loved and you had ordered to kill? How dared you to dream of the dutiful wife you chose to butchered?

Isn’t it disgusting?

Isn’t it hypocritical?

Aemma bitterly thought. And her inner hatred must have showed on her pale face, the fire of rage burning in her eyes.

“Why, my love, why are you looking at me like that?” Viserys took a tentative step up.

“Please,” Aemma whispered, “Please do not come any closer.”

“Have you any idea how much I…” Viserys’ words were cut short by Otto’s:

“Your Grace! Be careful for this imposter! She’s not the real late Queen. Guards! Arrest that witch now!”

By that, two guards moved forward, swords unsheathing.

At a split moment, Daemon unsheathed Dark Sister as well and pointed the Valyrian sword to the moving guards. They stopped immediately on the sight of Daemon with Dark Sister on his hand. What surprised Aemma was that Rhaenyra also got a delicate but sharp knife on her hand she pulled out from nowhere, pointing it to the guards, standing forward a little bit with a dead serious face.

“Who do you think you are to order around King’s Guards, Lord Otto?” Daemon sneered.

“Don’t you dare come anywhere near my Mother!” Rhaenyra warned them in a firm voice.

“Otto! Your King demands you get the fuck out of here,” Viserys turned back to scolded at Otto and, “And the two of you, put your fucking swords away and retreat at once!”

And then Aemma watched Otto’s always indifferent look turning to scared and he did as the King said with those two guards following behind him. Aemma now noticed the woman beside Otto who was standing stiff on that spot from the beginning.

It’s Alicent Hightower. Her daughter’s lady-in-waiting.

Why was she…

Then, suddenly, Aemma saw a familiar crown on the top of Alicent’s head. Her crown.

And she knew in an instant that what else had Viserys done during her six month long “mourning period”.

Got yourself a new wife that soon, huh?

Alicent noticed her stare and took a shaking step backward, eyes turning down, fingers picking at each other.

Few moments later, there were just Targaryens in the tent.

“Aemma, I’ve missed you. Is it really you?”

“Mother, me and Uncle Daemon will wait outside.” Rhaenyra sheathed her knife, looking a bit uncomfortable, also avoiding eye contact with her or Viserys.

“No need. You and Daemon can stay. There is nothing to hide from you.”

There was nothing left in her relationship with Viserys to be secretive about.

There even was no relationship anymore.

Aemma patted Rhaenyra on the shoulder and nodded at Daemon.

“And, yes, Viserys, Your Grace, I’m real from head to toe. You are not dreaming anything up.” Aemma cleared her throat and answered.

“How?”

“It’s complicated. I will put it in short that is, the Gods, our Gods, they chose me and decided to bring my body back from the ashes and gave a chance to save House Targaryen, to save the Dragons. To save Rhaenyra.”

Viserys seemed unknown to how to react to this information. He blinked, still confused.

“I saw your…body burnt along with Baelon’s.” He mumbled.

“So, I said the Gods brought me back from those ashes, WHICH was once my body.” Aemma coldly stated.

“You are real…” He looked at her with oh so such unspoken love and sorrow.

“You came back to me…” He tried to reach out to touch her face.

Fortunately, Rhaenyra stepped between them, blocking his movement.

“Father, you need no doubt. It really is Mother. I can assure you. I know it. I KNOW it’s her.”

This strange but tight bond between a mother and a daughter.

“And, Viserys, I do not come back for you. I am here because of Gods’ mercy and pity…for me and our House.”

Aemma looked up, across Rhaenyra’s shoulder, and she looked straight into her once twin flame’s teary eyes, again.

“I am here for my daughter.”

TBC.

Chapter Text

III

Aemma did not have the mood to continue explaining more, not with the disturbing way Viserys stared at her by, looking at her with such disgusting, so-called “love”.

She used to shy away from his affectionate staring, acting like a timid maiden with her head bowed, eyes casting down, face flushing.

Now she did not shy away anymore but found it making her want to throw up, and she stared back, with indifference and coldness.

“Aemma… I am so, so glad that, that you are back to me, to us. I truly missed…”

Aemma interrupted him.

“Please excuse me, Your Grace, I am tired and would like to rest now. And we shall discuss later, till we go back to the Keep.”

Viserys closed his mouth and reopened again.

“Okay, of course, you need rest, yeah, and, and I will ask them to prepare you a new tent…”

“I am fine with this one, no need for Your Grace to bother having the servants setting up a new one.”

“Mother,” Rhaenyra pulled slightly on her sleeve, “It’s uncle’s tent, you can stay in mine for the night.”

“Oh, fine, thank you, my dear child.”

Aemma turned her attention to her daughter, ignoring a hesitated Viserys who seemed not knowing what to do next.

“Good, Aemma, you stay with our daughter, I will see you the morrow, have a good night.”

Viserys apparently wanted to come up to hug her but Daemon stepped between them, once again.

“Brother, it seems that Aemma does not like you approaching her, just give her some time, okay?”

Aemma knew that Daemon would notice her estrangement toward Viserys from the beginning. He is observant no wonder he would see through.

Viserys looked disappointed, halting abruptly, and the whole atmosphere was awkward.

Aemma smirked.

“I thank you for coming here, you shall leave us now…”

She smiled up at him wholeheartedly but there was not a trace of emotion in her light blue eyes.

“…Your Grace, Your NEW Queen is waiting for you I assume.”

Her words were like arrows shooting straight onto Viserys’ heart.

“Aemma… just, just drop the formality,” Viserys weakly spoke up, “and call me by my name, okay? I am always ‘Viserys’ to you, right? Not, not ‘Your Grace’…”

He was heartbroken. And that’s what Aemma wanted, hurting him.

Daemon made a gesture to the closed curtain.

“Brother, let me escort you back. Come on.”

Aemma was relieved that Rhaenyra’s tent was placed right on the backside of Daemon’s, far away from the King’s, and the large crowd of Lords, Ladies, Guards and other staff.

She was not ready to face all the people and she needed to lay low, at least for now.

That night she talked a lot with Rhaenyra.

She learned from her daughter that the hunt was held for celebrating the King’s new marriage to Lord Hand, Otto Hightower’s daughter, Lady Alicent Hightower.

Rhaenyra told her that Viserys chose to remarry under the pressure from the Small Council and he chose Alicent over Lady Laena, Lord Corlys Velaryon’s daughter, which angered the Lord of Driftmark, worsening the relationship between their two Houses.

That it’s the tenth day after their wedding.

“I remembered that Lady Alicent was a close friend to you, once.”

Rhaenyra was playing with her rings, nodding in confirmation.

“How are you feeling, my dear?”

“I can ask you the same question, mother.”

“Honestly? I do feel betrayal and pissed off. I assume the same with you?”

Aemma was now holding her daughter close to her beating hearting, combing through her velvet moon-light silver hair to ground herself.

“I had passed away for not even a year and he got himself a new wife that soon and moved on like my death means nothing to him.”

“I am sorry, mother…”

“You are not the one need to apologize.”

“But, but, father hurts too, and he did mourn you and Baelon, he still does, I think.”

“Aw… My sweet baby, please do not find excuse for him. He hurts, yes, but it does not stop him getting a new life, leaving the old one behind either. I have every right to feel betrayal because I suffered hard and sacrificed my life for him, and look what I had ended up in? I am pissed off because what he has done will certainly endanger your future.”

Rhaenyra fell silent.

“I do not know why he chose Lady Alicent for I do not see any political benefits their marriage will bring to your father’s ruling. Mayhaps he likes her juvenility and her beauty? But I have to say that Viserys is not a superficial man…”

And she recalled that Lady Laena is a young and pretty maiden of 16 too.

“I have not spoken to Alicent since the day father deciding to marry her. I feel betrayal too, mother.”

Rhaenyra buried into Aemma’s soft bosom, muffling with annoy.

“Can we not talk about this?”

“Okay, as your wish, my darling.”

Aemma lovingly kissed Rhaenyra’s forehead. She really cherished this moment with her baby girl, her only child.

“How did you end up in the woods?”

“The Gods dropped me there.”

“From where?”

“Um, according to them it’s somewhere between the Realm of Life and the Realm of Death.”

“From above the sky?”

Rhaenyra was a little shocked to find her mother appearing unharmed.

“I think so?”

“Thank the Gods you are not seriously injured…The height would properly, kill you.”

“Well, you see, it’s hard to kill a Dragon, not even burning to ashes could end me, not to mention falling from the sky.”

Aemma jested.

“And, now it’s time to sleep, my love.”

She saw Rhaenyra trying to conceal her yawning.

“I dare not to sleep.”

“Why?”

Rhaenyra’s eyes swelled with tears.

“I am afraid that once I sleep and wake up and find out it’s but a dream…”

Aemma’s heart swelled with sorrow.

“Oh, my baby, don’t be, I am real, and you know that. It’s not a dream. Valyrian Gods would not be that cruel to us. I promise that when you wake up I am still here with you.”

Rhaenyra was sniffling, starting rambling:

“I commanded Syrax to burn you… You lied there on the stage, wrapped with white fabric, lifeless… I so much wanted to believe that it’s but a nightmare. I did not want to lose you… I… I’ve missed you…mother.”

Aemma held onto her daughter tight, comforting her, soothing her.

“Shhh, it’s a nightmare. Let it pass. I am here with you now, my love. You do not lose me. I found my way back to you, didn’t I? I will never leave you till the end of my time...”

“Mama…”

“…I promise.”

Aemma would do whatever she can and give up everything even her life to make sure Rhaenyra live a happy life and secure her claim as the heir to Iron Throne.
One day, she would witness her daughter ascending the throne, becoming the first of ever ruling Queen of the Seven Kingdoms.

The late Queen Consort Aemma Targaryen’s rebirth had raised a hurricane of shock among the whole Realm.

Some thought that was witchcraft’s doing that under the surface of the Reborn Queen lived an evil being.

Some thought that she was just some imposter who wanted to get a taste of the ultimate power.

Some thought that she was a miracle, reborn from burnt ashes by Valyrian magic.

Some feared her while some worshiped her.

Aemma herself did not care what others thought about her.

Now, she was back to where her life had been brutally cut short, back to her dear Rhaenyra’s side.

That’s the most important.

By the way, Aemma decided to keep “Targaryen” as her surname not because of her last marriage to a Targaryen but purely for she IS a Targaryen herself.

——A true born Targaryen Princess, the daughter of Princess Daella Targaryen, granddaughter to the Old King and the Good Queen, Jaehaerys Targaryen and Alysanne Targaryen.

Aemma stood on the high land where her funeral had been held, looking afar to the distant sight, her beautiful blue eyes shining as if in it lies a peaceful sea.

Above her, an almost-golden Dragon hovered, chirping excitedly, on it sat her more excited daughter.

It’s good to be alive, she thought.

TBC.

Chapter Text

IV

When Aemma returned back to the Red Keep, to the Court, the flinching glances and murmuring sound of court gossiping, at first, had bothered her for a short while.

Now they did not unsettle her at all.

Aemma now quite enjoyed the looks the passing Guards or servants gave her.

She could clearly see the flash of fear there, in their fast turning away stare.

Now, they saw her and they feared her.

Aemma grinned to herself, basking in the fear the people around her emitting.

That’s the way they shall look at a woman who had been born with Dragon blood and had returned from ashes burnt by Dragon fire.

Aemma was walking back to the room she once had occupied when she was a small girl, simply a Lady from the Vale, who came to King’s Landing visiting her grandparents.

At that time, her very presence had reignited the Good Queen Alysanne’s love for her long pass-away daughter Princess Daella so that she as her mother’s only daughter was bestowed the title of Princess by her Queen grandmother.

Now, Princess Aemma was back, back to her old self, back to her old room which had witnessed her slowly blossoming into a woman.

She walked arm in arm with her daughter, Crown Princess Rhaenyra, ignoring some Maester who just dropped his roll of a parchment at the sight of both of them, gaping.

They just came back from the Dragon Pit after a flight.

Syrax, her daughter’s golden Lady had become bigger, stronger and prettier.

After some joyful laps over King’s Landing on Dragon back, up in the sky, Aemma felt that there was something awaken in her as if the streams of scarlet rivers under her skin was yearning for something.

Was it freedom? Or power? Or simply the desire of having a soul-bonded relationship with a Dragon?

Aemma had no idea for she had no Dragon egg when she was born and had no chance to claim one when she grew up in her previous years.

Mayhaps this time, she would make a difference.

Why not? The Gods send her back to life for her to help change the future of their House. Why not starting it with herself?

It would do no harm with one more Dragon rider added in, right?

“Mother, you are sure that you do not need a bigger room?”

Rhaenyra crooked her silver top head, interrupting her thoughts.

“Why do I need one? This one is big enough for me. Do not worry for me, my child. I will be fine.”

Aemma crooked her head too, bumping it playfully at Rhaenyra’s.

“And about the, the family dinner tonight, you will go, yes?”

Earlier today, when she was readying herself for the Dragon ride, the King had sent his most-trusted personal Guard, Ser Harrold to her room, giving her an invitation of a family dinner at night.

Aemma came near her room door with Rhaenyra in tow, not missing the expectation in Rhaenyra’s tone.

She did not want to disappoint her daughter, or to make her upset even it meant that she had to endure Viserys the whole supper time.

“Of course I will go. But…”

Aemma swore that she was not being exclusive or mean. She was just not sure about who would the “family” in that case include.

“…It would be better if it’s Targaryens only.”

She needed to grasp this chance to discuss matters which heavily related to the fate of THEIR House with her former husband who was also the King of the Seven Kingdoms and the Head of their House. She would not want to do that in the presence of his current spouse who was from another House. So, it would be better that it’s just them, the Dragon descendants.

Rhaenyra immediately got her hint and nodded with understanding.

“Of course it’s just us. It is House Targaryen’s family dinner! It’s just you, Father and Uncle Daemon and me.”

“That’d be good. See you at dinner, my love.”

Aemma kissed Rhaenyra on the forehead and saw her bounce off to her law lesson with the Master of Law.

When Aemma entered her chamber, her long term handmaid, Eleanor, who had been tending to her since her marriage to Viserys, stopped to curtsy to her with a slight stutter on her greeting:

“My Qu… I, I mean, My… Princess.”

She understood why her poor maid would occasionally slip out and use her old title, who had used to address her as Queen for a very long time.

Aemma smiled knowingly at her and asked about her old gowns and dresses which she required to be transported to her place earlier the day.

“They are all here. And I just picked out the loose ones that, that you wore when you were with child, as you requested. And the others are all folded and put away.”

Aemma’s eyes roamed over the two piles of clothes on her bed which were separated from others.

She had to admit that these fine-made dresses were comfortable to wear for she had been stuck in them for a considerable time in her last life, because her belly had been swollen most of the time and only could fit in those baggy garments.

However, it made her uncomfortable to set eyes on them at the present.

Now she did not need them anymore, as in, for good.

“Well done. Now I want them gone, out of my sight that is.”

“You want me to throw them away?”

“How about burn them away?”

Her tone was light.

Eleanor seemed hesitated at her command but soon obeyed her with a bow.

“As your wish, My Princess.”

Aemma sat on one end of the dining table with Viserys sitting at the other end and Rhaenyra sitting at the middle at the opposite of Daemon.

The four of them were having an awkwardly silent dinner.

In fact, it’s Daemon who was the only one truly having a good time at stuffing his face with food and wine as if he was half step away from starving to death, not paying any attention to the atmosphere around him.

Aemma was trying to enjoy her meal the first time since forever but it’s hard to ignore two pairs of eyes which kept staring her way with different emotions, one with timid scrutiny the other with deep nostalgia, both making her unable to eat at peace.

She cleared her throat, taking a small sip of the golden liquor.

“Rhaenyra, my love, eat your dish before it turns cold, okay?”

Her words broke both Viserys and Rhaenyra out of their current states.

Rhaenyra’s face reddened adorably, quickly moving her eyes down onto her food, sticking a piece of meatball with her fork while Viserys wiping out a single drop of tear on his face, lowering his head, hand shakenly grabbing his fork up.

And they ate and drank without a word exchanging. Then, when they were nearly finishing the food before them, Aemma opened her mouth.

“Now, before we go back to our own room, I would like to use this opportunity to talk with you on matters concerning our House’s future. May I get the permission to that, Your Grace?”

She directed her last sentence to the man seating at her opposite.

“Of, of course, my dear, we are all ears.”

He sniffled, displaying a sad smile to her, his light purple eyes misty.

“Thank you, Your Grace.”

Aemma straightened her posture, not missing the disappointment flashing Viserys’ eyes.

She continued after an indifferent glance over him:

“As I have told you before, that the Gods had mercy on us and sent me back to help save our House from walking to its own doom, and it’s not a jest. Though I have to admit that the Gods did not specify on what would happen if they did not interfere. But, they did hint that Rhaenyra’s fate is tied to the fate of our House, of the Dragons, and if she falls then the Dragons will as well.”

Aemma paused to inhale and exhale.

Daemon chimed in.

“So, as long as Rhaenyra is living and thriving, House Targaryen will be just fine?”

“Thank you, Daemon, that’s the general idea.”

Viserys seemed uncertain.

“But… what would befall Rhaenyra to lead to our House’s doom?”

“I am afraid I do not know but I can tell you this, if we did not take the right path, then burning alive would be Rhaenyra’s ending and her offspring would die in horrible ways. The Gods do not fool.”

Viserys’ eyes bulged and he gasped in horror.

“How? Who would do that to her? She is the heir to the Iron Throne and who dare hurt her in that way?! She is well-protected all the time, no way there would be…”

Aemma glared at Viserys, voiced harsh and pitch rising, accusing him.

“The Gods said it’s mostly YOUR doing, Your Grace. I do not know exactly how but they spoke about some decisions of yours would finally push my daughter to her miserable demise!”

She stood up abruptly, not being able to contain her anger, pointing a finger to the King’s shocking face, body trembling.

“And, you, have already done so much by murdering me, robbing my daughter of her mother…leaving her motherless and helpless meanwhile marrying her once close friend.”

“What are you… No, she is MY daughter too, Aemma, and I will never jeopardize her. I named her heir… I made people, be them nobles or commoners, swore their fealty to her. She has her seat at the Small Council! I have done a great deal to, to secure her position as the Princess of Dragonstone! And, please, my love, I apologize, I am so sorry. I did not know what to do back then and the Maester said you were not be able to make it anyway and I had no choice but make a decision to save at least one of you, which I will always regret about. I truly am sorry for what I have done to you, Aemma…”

Viserys chocked out his words, eyes red with unshed tears.

Aemma shook her head with a mocking smile, not moved at all by his sincere, apologetic words, eyes cold.

“Keep your pathetic excuse to yourself, and please, please be honest with me and answer this, My King, what do you think would happen to Rhaenyra if you sired a son on your new wife, WHEN you sire a son on her? An heir can be quite easily replaced by only a command from the King, not to mention a female one who the men in the whole Realm strongly unapproved of.”

Aemma recalled vividly the look on her cousin Princess Rhaenys’ face the moment the Old King announced Viserys to be his heir on the 101 Council. And from then on, she was aware clearly that men dislike women to rule and to take charge, to be above them.

So, how could that be any different with Rhaenyra being heir? As soon as the King had a son, then his firstborn daughter would be pushed aside, making way for her brother simply because he had a cock dangling between his legs be he intelligent or stupid.

Aemma surely would not allow that to happen now that she knew her baby would be doomed to a terrible fate if nothing changed.

Her daughter was the firstborn child of the King and it’ s only rightful that she inherits the Throne after her father, despite her being a girl.

And, Aemma knew very well that in Valyrian culture, in the Dragons’ history, there was never any rule or law written or spoken about women could not be the head of a House or a Kingdom.

In the Old Valyria, female and male were equal, at everything.

So, by that, the Iron Throne was Rhaenyra’s birth right and it was time to change the order of things from now on, in Andals’ history.

Viserys slumped down in his chair, looking lost and hurt into the distance after her words, eyes dimmed.

“But… They all bowed to her that day, every House’s represent knelt and swore their loyalty to Rhaenyra…”

“Not all of them really meant it. And you know it. Because they had to abide by YOUR, the King’s command as long as they are under YOUR ruling…”

Aemma looked to her daughter, who seemed losing her appetite, poking at her food with her fork, eyes flickering anywhere but to her parents. And she continued:

“…People change, and people pretend, Viserys, have you ever thought about that, once you had a son and after your death, what would happen to Rhaenyra? Would those Lords or small folks still hold their faith in her, uphold her position as the rightful successor and keep their promise to the already dead King who had a male child, or a male relative, like your brother? Have you ever, considered the possibility that Rhaenyra would be usurped by YOUR male heir right after your passing?”

Aemma put stress on her every word, emphasizing her point. And, when she mentioned the word “brother”, she did not miss that Daemon coughed a bit after gulping down his liquor.

The Daemon she had knew for almost two decades, who had always loved her daughter with all his soul, probably would not be so cruel and coldhearted to challenge his dear niece’s inheritance and he was never a man of ruling for he had no patience for even a small matter not to mention kingly businesses.

But one just could not be more cautious, especially so when it came to the issue of who should inherit the ultimate power.

Daemon was a man who once had the right to the inheritance no matter how much he loved her daughter.

Love is meaningless when it comes to who shall sit on that Gods damned iron-made chair.

And every man thirsts after the power a Ruler possesses.

Aemma did not realize that then, but she did now. She would think of any way to secure Rhaenyra’s claim to the Iron Throne.

She looked at Viserys who was now speechless with a hesitating expression on his face, his mouth slightly opened but not a word coming out.

Daemon leaned back on his seat, scratching his hair, eyes flickering to Rhaenyra then to her.

“Cousin, if you want I can kneel and swear my eternal loyalty to Rhaenyra here and now. And you know that I will not do anything to harm Rhaenyra.”

Aemma knew Daemon was absent the day her daughter was named heir in front of the mass from Rhaenyra who slipped out this detail when telling her about that day.

And after hearing his proposal, she just rolled her eyes.

“You can save your show for later, Daemon, now is not the time.”

Rhaenyra pushed her half full plate away, displaying her uncle a grateful smile. And Daemon winked at her, reaching his hand out to cover Rhaenyra’s smaller one.

“Mother, what are we going to do now?”

“For you, it’s to learn harder and observe closely how your father leads the Small Council and how he handles the petitions from the folks, as a King. And sharpen your dragon riding skills with extra training on how to fight as a dragon rider…”

“Aemma, you are not suggesting preparing our daughter for wars? I do not think the extra training is, well, necessary, for she is the heir and…”

Aemma glanced over Viserys, choosing not to address his opinion, but rather laid her reason out to Rhaenyra who was staring at her in confusion.

“Rhaenyra, listen, because you are the heir so it’s your responsibility to learn how to fight if there is war threatening the lives of your people. That’s a part of being the candidate of the future leader. My child, you need to be ready to fight for your subjects. And with your dragon, your force would be more formidable. And, also, you have to learn some sword skills but let us not rush things and postpone that training for later. One step at a time.”

“Aemma, when did you become such a specialist of training heirs?”

Daemon teased her with a playful tone.

“When I took the mission the Gods handed to me, which is to save my daughter and our House from big troubles.”

Aemma replied matter-of-factly. She came to this family gathering well prepared. And she continued:

“For the sake of Rhaenyra and the future of the Dragons, I sincerely ask for your supports. Actually, all of us shall play our parts. We are in this, together, as a family.”

“I second that. I will see to her battle training with Syrax.”

Daemon eagerly offered his help.

Aemma raised her cup to him as a gesture of gratitude.

“I, I will do anything you require from me, Aemma.”

Viserys hurried to follow, showing his support.

“You were heir before you are King. So, you just need to guide Rhaenyra as you once had been guided.”

“I can do that, I will spend more time with our daughter, teaching her and preparing her for her reign.”

Viserys was still a pitiful people pleaser and more so now with his quick response and a fawning attitude to her words, and she thought if he had a tail it would be probably wiggling excitingly at his backside.

Aemma gave him a curt nod as her acknowledge.

When she moved her attention back to Rhaenyra, the latter standing up abruptly and bowed slightly at her, fingers playing with her rings indicating her nervousness, and she promised her that:

“Mother, I will try my best to not let you down.”

That’s her good girl.

Aemma smiled lovingly at her, eyes glistening the candle light.

“You are already at your best, my love, but I believe you will be more than best, one day.”

After they done eating and talking, when she and Rhaenyra were about to leave the dining room, Viserys called out her name in a timid voice:

“Aemma…”

She turned back.

“Can, can you stay for a moment?”

“What for, Your Grace?”

“I just, I want some time with you, just the two of us.”

“I do not see any point at that.”

“Please, Aemma, I just want to talk to you…”

Aemma thought for a second, and then she kissed Rhaenyra good night, watching her walk away with Daemon as her escort.

She returned back to the inner room, closing the door, facing the man who she once deeply fond of, arms crossing.

“Now, what do you want to say to me, Viserys?”

TBC.

Chapter Text

V

Aemma pushed her shoulders back, standing straighter, shooting Viserys an indifferent look.

Viserys’ eyes reddened and swelled immediately, and he bit hard on his lower lip to stifle his crying.

Drops of tears dripped down his slightly sunken cheeks.

She would go soft the moment she saw him like that if she was her old self, who had loved the man before her with all her heart for what seemed like an eternal time.

But the Aemma who stood here today had no reaction or no empathy for him.

“Ae… Aemma.”

He choked on her name.

Aemma felt the urge to vomit hearing him speaking her name.

Viserys reached out his unsteady hand, trying to touch her face. And she stepped back, moving out of his reach.

“My heart, my… my…” he whimpered like the regretful, sad man he was, “…my soul. I dared not imagine that I could ever see you again. I have missed…you. Gods above, my dear, I, I…”

“Can you please, cut all these disgusting talks? You SICKEN me, Viserys. Please save both of us some dignity.”

“Aemma, I know that you are angry at me even resent me and it’s your right to be but please, my love, let me make it up to you, with the rest of my life. I beg you, dear, do not push me away…Every day went by without you was as the darkest hell for me.”

Now he was begging.

“Well, hell you deserve. And yes, I HATE you, Viserys. What have you done when I was begging you, for my LIFE?! For sparing me the PAIN, the TORTURE?! It’s unfair for you to request me to ‘not push you away’, to accept you again, in my new life. I tolerate you purely for the sake of the daughter I birthed fifteen years ago and raised by my side for almost fifteen years, who, unfortunately, came from your degenerated seed.”

Viserys shut his mouth with eyes looking down, in guilty.

“Now, Your Grace is wordless. How do you plead, then, My King?”

She chuckled coldly, sneering at him.

“I am sorry, Aemma. Hate me you should. I am… I am guilty in all of your misery.”

“Kinslayer.”

Aemma spit at him without mercy.

Viserys gasped at her relentless accusation. But he had nothing to say to defend himself because she was right.

“What can I do, to, to gain your forgiveness, if I may ask?”

Aemma looked down on him even though he was still much taller than her with his head hung very low for a sovereign.

She despised him. King or not, he was a despicable man from skin to bone, from mind to soul. He was none but a pathetic coward.

He wanted her to forgive him after he asked someone to gut her open, for a barely lived child?

How dared he?

Aemma’s lips twitched, eyes darkened.

“Well. I can think of a way, to make you pay for the sin you have committed, or gain my forgiveness as you put it.”

He would never have her forgiveness.

Viserys whipped his head up, eyes shining with hope.

Poor man.

“Since my demise happened not so long ago and I think that you must remember how it went VIVIDLY as you were there when I was CUT to half. So… how about I CUT YOU OPEN like I have been? If you survive, I will mercifully grant you my forgiveness, if not…”

She viciously said, smiling sweetly at him.

Her words coated with honeyed venom made Viserys winced, face twisted in fear.

“Aemma, are, are you se…serious?”

His voice was shivering. He was frightened.

Aemma picked up a silver knife beside a plate randomly, looking at it thoughtfully.

Viserys’ face was paler than his thinning hair, swallowing a lump.

Aemma gazed at him with aversion, inwardly laughing at the face he made.

She did not know how, in the Fourteen Flames, did she fall for such a sad man.

She would not hurt him for Rhaenyra’s sake and she was not that stupid to murder a King by her own hands and she still held a morality which restrained her from committing the crime of both Kinslaying and Kingslaying.

She threw the knife away back on the long table without care.

The clicking sound it erupted when it landed on a china plate made Viserys jump, startled and scared.

“I am an honorable woman and I certainly will not KILL someone or SLIDE someone’s belly open like a heartless MONSTER, even I have the right to. So, do not fret, Your Grace. And, I need you alive and well enough to guide and prepare my daughter in being an heir.”

Viserys took a relieving exhale.

“Aemma, whatever punishment you want to bestow to me, I will welcome it with open arms and I will leave words to make sure Rhaenyra ascend the Throne after my passing and you her Regent. I, I am but a mortal and indeed fear death but, but if it’s you, I, I will be glad to fall dead at your feet.”

Aemma did not care his fancy, oh so sincere words. They were but fake honesty.

“May I leave now, Your Grace? It’s getting late.”

“Of course, but, can I, can I have the permission to, to hug you, my love? It’s been a while since…”

Aemma cut him off with hatred.

“No, you can’t.”

“Okay…I, I wish you good dreams.”

He displayed a heartbreaking teary smile at her.

Aemma grimaced the second she turned away from him, going to the door.

Before she left, her back to Viserys, she revealed coldly to him that:

“Even if I forgave you, I would never forget what you had done to me, ever.”

TBC.

Chapter Text

VI

The moment Aemma closed the heavy door, she blinked away a drop of tear, tear of her out of controlling pity, for the man who had sentenced her death, who had been her other half a very long time ago.

She walked away, warning herself inwardly that she should desert her weakness and arm herself up with steel-like strength because she had a war to fight, for her daughter, for the generations come after her.

But, she really did not hope there would be any war happen upon her Rhaenyra’s ascension.

Aemma went back to her chamber escorted by a Gold Cloak appointed to be her sworn sword by Daemon.

Upon entering the threshold, she was welcomed by the sight of a Rhaenyra slumbering, half lying on her bed, dressing in her night gown.

Her heart melted into puddle seeing such a lovely picture play out in front of her.

Rhaenyra was near her fifteenth name day, but how could she appear so small, almost seemed swallowed by the pillows and blankets, so vulnerable, so delicate.

But the most beautiful she had ever set eyes on, her only child, her miracle.

Aemma teared up. She went to the bedside, gently caressing Rhaenyra’s face, waking her up.

“My dear love… Rhaenyra, wake.”

“Mama?”

Rhaenyra mumbled, eyes heavy.

“Why are you here? Were you waiting for me?”

Rhaenyra yawned, stretching her arms, blinking up at her.

“I, I was but I fell asleep during…waiting for you.”

“Sorry for letting you wait, my heart.”

Aemma leaned in and pecked on her forehead.

“What did you and father talk about? Everything okay?”

Aemma got on her bed and Rhaenyra immediately lied her head on her lap, arms circling her waist.

“Everything’s fine. We… just reacquainted with each other. Nothing serious.”

“Okay…”

Aemma stroked her daughter’s cheek back and forth affectionately. She did not want to burden Rhaenyra with the estrangement between her and Viserys. That’s the last thing she would want.

“Me and your father are good. Do not worry for us.”

“Mother, I just want you to know that, I am and will always stand by you no matter what. I, I love father, but I have lost you once, so, so, I think I love you more.”

Aemma was so touched by her words that a drop of her tear fell and landed on below Rhaenyra’s eye socket, it sliding down her cheek as if that’s her own tear.

She thought her tear might taste bitter. A mother’s tear, who had been through a physically tough life, a bloody, brutal death, now had come back to life, to her daughter’s side.

Her tear should be every flavor but never sweet.

“Aww, Rhaenyra, my dear daughter, how fortunate I am to have you. You are the best thing ever happened to me, in my life, then and now.”

“You too, mother. I am so happy, so overjoy that the Gods return you back to me.”

“I love you, and I am sorry I did not say it more enough to you back then.”

“I love you too, mama. And I never care much about that because I know you love me.” Rhaenyra sniffled, burying her face into her clothed, soft belly.

“A daughter is born to love her mother. My love for you will only die the day I perish.”

“Now, now,” Aemma, teary, tucked a strand of hair away from Rhaenyra’s face, bending down to kiss her on her temple, “time to sleep, love. Are you going to sleep here with mama, or?”

“Can I sleep with you?”

Aemma chuckled, nodding.

“Of course you can. You are welcome anytime.”

Rhaenyra beamed and rolled to the other side excitingly, happy as a name day child.

However, before mother and daughter settled in, Aemma informed her daughter that:

“Tomorrow, I will personally check on your study in history and geography. So, we need to get up early, you heard me, Rhaenyra?”

And Rhaenyra jumped up with shock.

“What? Tomorrow? Well, mother, you see, you need no taking this responsibility onto your shoulder and I have Maesters and Septas for that kind of thing…”

Aemma pushed Rhaenyra back on the bed and tucked her in,

“I decide to be more involved in your tutoring, and start tomorrow. You know, your father is the King and certainly it’s not easy for him to squeeze out more time for your daily study. I am your mother and it’s my duty to help you become better, become excellent in your lessons.”

Rhaenyra showed her a forced smile.

“O-okay then.”

Aemma of course could see through her daughter’s unwilling smile and was aware that she must not have been studying hard enough. She would not be mad at her on this matter, because there was still time and she determined to work on preparing her daughter to be a Queen, a real one.

“We have time, Rhaenyra. Like I said, need not rush things. I want you to be happy, but before that, I need to make sure you are ready for sitting on the Iron Throne when your time comes, you are following me?”

Rhaenyra lowered her head, hesitated, then gave a curt nod.

“Yes, mother, I understand.”

Aemma caressed her cheek.

“Then, I am glad. The path ahead of you, will not be a smooth one to take. And it will be hard. But I need you to know that, whatever hardship awaits you, I will always be there, facing it with you, you and I, together. So, afraid not, my child, you have me.”

Rhaenyra went straight into her arms, smiling, while shedding grateful tears.

“I know, mama, I know. Thank you.”

Aemma and her daughter shared a peaceful night of sleep together.

After she done with checking Rhaenyra’s lesson, Aemma went to search her good brother.

She had some questions needing answers.

She found him ready to ride to the Dragon Pit.

“Daemon, I want to talk. Are you in a hurry?”

Daemon halted in mid-action in getting up his horse, looking at her.

“Is anything alright? I think I can spare some time for you, cousin.”

Aemma changed her mind and asked to go to the Pit with him on a carriage.

“Let us talk on the road. Care to join me on the carriage?”

When they both got comfortable on the seats, facing each other, Daemon arched his eyebrow at her.

“So, what are you going to talk with me?”

“How had Rhaenyra hold up after…after my passing? She is looking healthy and content to me now but she is less robust than before, less lively. She seems changed a lot in mere moons. It worries me.”

“Why didn’t you ask her instead?”

Daemon lowered his eyes to the rings on his hand.

“I think I just could not be that cruel to unleash what’s deemed as painful memory to her. It’d break a mother’s heart seeing her daughter in sorrow. I am not brave enough to ask her about that.”

Aemma put up a bittersweet smile.

Daemon sighed, combing through his short hair.

“She had been miserable those following days after your funeral. She was in a great mental pain, I think. She ate very little, only drinking the tea you once like. It’s…”

Daemon took a shaky breath.

“It’s been hard on her, on me, as well as on Viserys. I had thought that we might lose her at some point too. She was not living but barely surviving, having nightmares and waking up crying for you. She spent most of her days in tears, in her own room, avoiding people.”

Daemon hastily swiped away an escaping tear.

“She had been lost and sad and hollowed inside. I tried my best to cheer her up, being by her side, giving her all I could give. I think I failed when I realized she was not getting better, not getting back to her old self. She once told me that she wanted to leave this place, that she could not take it any longer, that she felt like suffocated. She even asked me why was she still living.”

Aemma’s lips trembled, a whimper slipping out, and she covered her mouth with her hand, trying to block the sound of weeping. And she was shaking with heartbreaking tears.

Daemon tilted up his head, looking up at the ceiling of the carriage, blinking away tears.

“Aemma, I am sorry but that’s how Rhaenyra had been holding up after her mother’s death. She hardly held up, I can say. But the Valyrian Gods were merciful and now she is living once again.”

“Daemon… I cannot thank you enough for…for all of that… I, I am so grateful for you, for being there, for my Rhaenyra. I owe a great deal to you, cousin.”

“Do not say that, Aemma.” Daemon gripped her hand in a comforting way, “Rhaenyra is my kin, my favorite niece. I, I love her dearly. I would do anything for her, even sacrifice my own life for her. I mean every word of mine. As long as I live, Rhaenyra will be safe and sound, nothing will happen to her.”

Aemma studied his face, finding only sincerity.

“Okay, thank you, Daemon. I really appreciate that. And I trust you. Well, aside from that, I also want to know, that do you know why at the first place that Viserys would choose Lady Alicent Hightower as wife instead of Lady Laena Velaryon, who actually was the perfect choice for a succeed Queen Consort?”

The wheeled carriage stopped, indicating that they were at their destination.

Daemon got off first and offered his hand to Aemma to hold onto.

“About that, I was not there when he made his decision to marry that Hightower girl. I heard it from others. But I do know Corlys has been waiting to knit Velaryon bloodline into ours since forever. Viserys’ choice in bride really humiliated him.”

Aemma lifted her skirt, walking down the carriage.

“She is, she was Rhaenyra’s lady-in-waiting. I just do not know why Viserys chose her out of everyone. He couldn’t not know that his choice would hurt Rhaenyra in some way.”

“Aemma, you can just ask him and you have the right to this answer. And I don’t know but that girl is also Otto’s daughter. I fucking bet that he’s the one playing the game behind his pliant daughter. He is definitely the one who gets most benefit now as the King’s good father, especially after his daughter gives my brother a son.”

Aemma chuckled coldly.

“I want as much as space between me and him. I have no desire to speak with him unless I have to. I feel sick every time I set my eyes on him. I don’t care what Otto would gain from this. This ridiculous marriage must, MUST stay fruitless till the King takes his last breath. For the sake of my daughter.”

Daemon exchanged a thoughtful look with her.

“I am at your service, cousin. I will do any dirty work for you and Rhaenyra, leaving your hands clean off of blood. Do you have any plan in mind?”

Aemma shook her head, but moments later, she nodded.

“Daemon, I appreciate your kindness. But hold your sword, cousin, there is no need to draw blood, not in your way. I do not want to hurt innocence.”

“That girl is not innocent anymore. However, I do not think she would be such a threat to you now that Viserys only has his eyes glued to you.”

Aemma laughed in an ironic tone.

“So? I should feel proud then? I will handle her. And I need you to start training Rhaenyra from tomorrow and please keep an eye on Otto Hightower for me.”

“I will do that. Now, please excuse me, Your Grace, I need to take Caraxes for a ride, he has been caged down the Pit for quite some time.”

Aemma took a breath.

“Can I walk with you into the cave?”

“Aemma, are you sure?”

She knew she had never been into the dragons’ den before her death and she understood Daemon’s concern.

“I am sure. I want to see the dragons, get to know them. I am a Targaryen, that’s what we do, am I right?”

TBC.

Chapter Text

VII

Aemma used to fear dragons. Or, precisely, she felt wary of their existence.

As someone who shared blood with these giant, fierce creatures, she should not feel such things. She thought mayhaps it’s because she had been weak physically and mentally back then and she had dreaded that dragons would go out of control one day and destroy all of them with fire.

But now, as someone who came back from death, reborn from ashes, she was not scared of them anymore. She longed for one for her own even. She believed that she changed, into someone stronger in all aspects.

Her daughter had a dragon born to her while she, the mother, had none.

Aemma told herself that, it’s time to change that.

She followed Daemon, walking into the Pit with determining steps.

There were only three of them residing in the caves: Dreamfyre, Caraxes and Syrax.

Dragonstone housed more dragons, tamed ones and the wild ones.

Aemma decided to try with Dreamfyre first since the other two were already bonded with her daughter and cousin. If she failed, then she would go to Dragonstone.

“Aemma,” Daemon’s voice drew her back to reality, “you better keep some distance, Caraxes is known for his bad temper and zero tolerance for human.”

Aemma halted her step. The moment Daemon finished speaking, a dark red dragon head appeared from the dark above them, a strangely long neck following.

She had never been this close to a real, breathing dragon not to mention to the infamous Blood Wyrm. She could hear her heartbeats.

However, the usually proud and intimidating creature stopped his almost out thunderous screeching the second he set his eyes on her, and shockingly, he lowered his giant lizard head in an unbelievable obedient way, not to his master, but to Aemma.

Caraxes’ respect, or his humbleness was so rarely showed, even to Daemon. He casted his eyes down too, not dared to look straight to Aemma’s eyes.

She was confused so as Daemon. And the latter looked between his dragon and Aemma with disbelief.

“What’ s going on here? Why are you acting like a good little puppy now, my boy?”

He teased and also, he was a bit annoyed.

Aemma stared at the dragon with curiosity, asking in a gentle tone:

“Do you think I can touch him?”

Daemon gave her a nod as affirmation, giving way to her.

“Go ahead, I don’t think he will harm you.”

Aemma walked closer and very slowly reached out her hand, steadily. First, she put her hand slightly above the dragon’s nostril, not touching him but close enough that he could smell her scent, getting used to her presence. Then, she gently placed her hand on his nose tip.

Surprisingly, Caraxes lowered his head even more till his jaw rested on the ground, purring, enjoying Aemma’s petting.

“Wow…” Aemma beamed, “he is running hot like a, a heating pot.”

“Indeed, cousin, dragons’ blood burns like fire.”

Aemma smiled freely, nodding.

“Feels warm. I like it.”

Aemma kept petting the dragon.

“I think he likes me.”

Daemon crossed his arms, studying her and the reaction of Caraxes, concluded in a light tone that:

“No, Aemma, I think, that, he fears you.”

Aemma stayed in the pit even after Daemon took his leave with Caraxes.

Daemon’s words echoed in her brain.

Can dragons do that? Fear… mere human? Shouldn’t that be the other way around?

And what was about her to be feared of? She definitely was not intimidating and scary.

She tested this theory with Syrax by getting near her and to her disbelief, Syrax was tensed up the moment she felt her presence and raised up her golden head, but retreated back her neck, showing a sign of appearing small and respect as a huge dragon.

Syrax casted her eyes to the ground like Caraxes had done.

Aemma reached out her hand wanting to touch Syrax, the latter backed up a little with uncertainness but stayed still when Aemma’s hand touched her neck, showing her obedience.

The dragon was not in alert and that counted as a good thing. Aemma thought she would never hurt her, not just because they shared blood or her daughter being her bonded half, but also because Daemon was right to some extent that the dragons seemed feared of her.

Aemma bid Syrax goodbye and kept walking deeper into the Pit, following the direction drawn on the wall, to where Dreamfyre was nesting.

She did not know if it’s the reason that those two dragons both were claimed so they were more used to humans, so she wanted to try with the dragon who had no rider, to see if she reacted the similar.

Dreamfyre was as the dragon keepers described, a pliant dragon, easygoing, and friendly.

The she-dragon, as well, easily showed Aemma her obedience with her eyes closed, waiting for Aemma to touch her without a fuss.

Dreamfyre was too soft for the present Aemma. She was big enough though. But she was not intimidating in the way Caraxes was.

Not fit enough for battles or threatening others, Aemma thought while eyeing the saddle free back of the dragon.

What surprised her more was that Dreamfyre seemed could sense what she intending to do with her, and she moved her wing to a right angle and formed a slope, for an easy path to get on her back.

Aemma chuckled, patting her, shaking her head.

“Thank you, but I am not ready to take flight for the time being, my dear.”

Suddenly, there was a small voice making Aemma wonder boldly that if Dreamfyre could understand what she desires inside and allowed her the way up her back, would Syrax react the same as her, even if she was bonded?

Aemma knew from history that a dragon could not have more than one rider at the same time, which was against the Law, the Tradition of the way of Old Valyria.

But… was it possible since the dragons feared her and would probably listen to her every instruction?

Aemma returned back to where Syrax rested in with a pretending longing for riding her.

To her expectation, Syrax did what Dreamfyre had just done without consideration or hesitation, even she was already claimed by Rhaenyra. Aemma tried to climb up through the ropes in a fake attempt, and Syrax stayed very still not shaking her off.

“My Gods…”

Aemma muttered under her breath when she was sitting on the saddle without any difficulty aside from the climbing. Could this mean that, she could ride any dragon she wanted, tamed or untamed, all the same?

“Fourteen Burning Flames…”

She could not believe what she just found.

Syrax moved to stand up, loosing up her folded wings.

Aemma immediately commanded her to stay put.

“I am not going to take you from my daughter’s hands, Syrax. I am sorry I confused you. I am going down now, love.”

When Aemma walked out of that Pit, she felt confident and, very much excited.

She thought, mayhaps, it’s the Gods who gifted her this power when they revived her, when they reshaped her, the power of a mother, the power of a Princess born with dragon blood flowing in her veins, to command all the living dragons.

Aemma mused to herself that, after she was done with that Hightower girl, she would take a trip to visit Dragonstone, with Rhaenyra, maybe Daemon, as her companions.

She was going to select herself a suitable mount, or two.

TBC.

Chapter Text

VIII

Aemma left Dragon Pit with the best secret she had ever kept.

And she rejected Viserys’ invitation of having lunch together and skipped her noon meal, then she went searching her daughter.

Aemma found Rhaenyra under the Weirwood, reading a huge book.

“Rhaenyra.”

“Mother.”

The moment her daughter heard her voice, she looked up immediately, eyes shining with joy.

“Where have you been?”

“I was in the Dragon Pit.”

“What? Why were you there?”

Rhaenyra closed the book. Aemma got closer and pulled her up from the grassland, linking their arms, and mother and daughter walked back to the Keep.

“I just wanted to visit the dragons. I, I want to see if I am fortunate enough to claim one for myself. What do you think?”

For the time being, Aemma concealed the fact from Rhaenyra that she was likely capable of riding any dragon she likes due to the mysterious power the Gods gifted her and that the dragons answer to her inner calls, including Rhaenyra’s Syrax.

She would tell her when the time was right.

“You want to have a dragon, mother…? I think, um, that is good as long as it’s what you really want. So, you have your eyes on Dreamfyre? How was it going with her?”

Rhaenyra learned the news with complex feelings but her concern for her mother weighed the most.

Aemma shook her head in fake disappointment.

“I don’t think she would have me to be her new companion. But do not worry for me, she did not hurt me. Dreamfyre has a gentle soul.”

Rhaenyra breathed out with relief.

“I want to go to Dragonstone some time later, to try for my luck. There are other unclaimed dragons, right?”

Rhaenyra nodded to confirm but she queried that:

“Why now? You, you had never showed any interest for dragons and you used to dislike their smell.”

Aemma chuckled lightly.

“Yeah, you are not wrong. But, after that flight with you on Syrax, I think I desire to ride one myself. I like that feeling, up in the sky, going through those clouds… Rhaenyra, can you understand? This time, I want to grab the opportunity to have a try. I do not want to waste my life sticking to the ground, never tasting the freedom only the sky can offer. I want to LIVE, this time, my daughter.”

And most importantly, she needs a dragon as an invincible force for defending her daughter if they ever came to such scenario.

More dragons on their side means more chance to win, to defeat.

She did not want to worry Rhaenyra for some war which was probably not going to happen, so she only revealed half of the truth of why she needs a dragon now.

“Can I help you on this matter, mother?”

“Of course. I do need you, a mature and professional dragon rider’s help, on, such as how to communicate with dragon in High Valyrian...”

Aemma and Rhaenyra walked and chat, heading to her room.

They heard Caraxes’ familiar cry from outside of the castle and Rhaenyra beamed up, excited.

“Uncle is back! Can I go greet him, mother?”

“Sure, you go and we see each other at dinner?”

Rhaenyra smiled and happily bounced away.

Aemma watched her leave, thinking that Rhaenyra had never changed, always looking forward to be with her uncle. She sometimes wondered with a little jealousy that if her daughter loved Daemon more than she loved her.

But Aemma was glad that, even in a hard time when she, the mother, was gone, Rhaenyra still had a Daemon at her side, she had his love and support through and through, and she was grateful of Daemon’s existence, for being there for her daughter in the time of need, for loving Rhaenyra in her stead.

Aemma thought it’s time to sweep away the stumbling blocks lying on the path of Rhaenyra’s ascension to the Iron Throne.

And she decided to start with Alicent Hightower.

Aemma asked her lady-in-waiting, Eleanor, on behalf of her, Princess Aemma Targaryen, to find the Queen and ask for a private conversation.

Alicent Hightower, later, invited her to her own chamber for their meeting.

After dismissing their respective maids, Aemma curtsied to the present Queen, displaying her well-taught manner as a Royal Princess.

She bowed to her with a graceful movement.

Aemma, in fact, did not mind Alicent taking up her place as the Queen Consort of the Seven Kingdoms, wearing her crown. But she did care about the possibility of Alicent being Queen would threaten Rhaenyra’s position as the heir, precisely, the potential offspring of Alicent would be the biggest threat to her daughter. And also, Otto Hightower’s dark ambition for now he was not simply just the Hand to the King but also the father of the Queen.

Aemma mused to herself, no matter who is the Queen, as long as they remain childless till the day they perish, her Rhaenyra’s promising life would be secured.

Alicent seemed in unease facing her, the supposed late Queen. She kept picking at her nails, a typical sign of her being nervous, and unsettled.

She even did not have the courage to look at her in the eyes.

“Your Grace, I thank you for accepting my sudden request of a private conversation.”

“You, you are welcomed. And… please drop the formality and call me be my name as you used to address me, Your, Your Highness.”

“Well, if that’s what you want. Alicent, it’s good to see you again. You look more mature.”

Aemma had watched that girl grow up by the side of her own daughter and personally, she viewed and treated Alicent as if she was her own. She was a timid girl with a kind heart, always listened with her small smile, talked little.

Alicent lost her mother when she was very little and then she came to King’s Landing with her father and became Rhaenyra’s friend.

In her heart, Aemma thanked Alicent for being Rhaenyra’s loyal servant and friend, keeping her company, being the sister she had ever wanted.

She did not want to hurt Alicent, and she somehow sensed that this marriage was not what Alicent would desire. She was more like a puppet pulled and pushed around by her father.

Alicent Hightower was just another poor girl tossed into the cruel world built by men.

Aemma believed that she was helpless and needed a hand.

Alicent returned her words with a warm smile, a drop of tear sliding down from her left eye.

“It’s good to see you again as well. Welcome back to life, and welcome home. My… Queen.”

“Thank you, my child, thank you.”

“So, you are here to talk to me about?”

“About your future and, Rhaenyra’s future.”

TBC.

Chapter Text

IX

Aemma studied Alicent’s expression, continuing:

“Alicent, here are just you and me, can you be honest to me and tell me, why, why you are in this position now?”

Alicent blushed in shame, turning away from her, her voice small:

“You know why, don’t you? Has Rhaenyra not told you already?”

“We are all aware of that, the King chose you over Lady Laena.”

“Why bother to ask me? As if I had any say in that matter…”

“Alicent, I am sorry but I do not think you know Viserys as well as I do.”

Alicent kept picking at her nail nervously and Aemma moved forward, gently taking her hands apart, preventing her from subconsciously injuring herself.

And the young woman jumped a step back, getting away from her touch, alerted.

“You are right that I do not know him at all,” Alicent was quick to reply, “but what is done is done. If you want your title as Queen Consort back, suit yourself, I have no problem with that.”

“Alicent, I am not here to challenge your authority as Queen Consort, and I not just know Viserys well but also know you well enough. I understand that is not what you would have wanted for yourself. I would like you to tell me why he chose you. I know you have the answer.”

“They… the Council pushed the King to take a new wife, to name a new Queen, to strengthen the Royal bloodline.”

“Yes, I am aware of that also. And I can imagine how intense the situation was for Viserys, how tough the decision was for him to make. He is an easily persuaded man and prefers others making decisions for him and he hates quarrels. However, I heard that the Council suggested him wed Lady Laena Velaryon, not you. He always listened when the Council members gave advice. However, here you are.”

Aemma made a gesture to her stressing what she intended to convey.

“I know I am no suitable candidate for Queen Consort. I know I do not deserve…”

Aemma interrupted her next words:

“Alicent, please do not ever look down at yourself, do not ever speak about yourself like that, okay? Just tell me, why did Viserys choose you? He knows you had been Rhaenyra’s lady-in-waiting as good as her best friend. For no matter what reason, he should never choose you. Do you understand what I meant? Did your father have anything to do with that? Please do not hide the truth from me, my child, I have the right to know this.”

Mayhaps was her a bit anxious tone or the light harshness in her eyes, startling Alicent which made her sniffled and her eyes turned misty.

“I…” her voice trembled, “I…I don’t…don’t know. My father…he…”

Alicent was suppressing her crying by biting into her lower lip, her tears streaming down her pale face.

“He told me to go to the King after…after your, your funeral. He told me to comfort him, to, to read to him. He said,” Alicent was shaking with tears, “he said he needed someone by his side. The King, was devastating and needed consoling…”

Aemma was taken aback by what Alicent just revealed.

“He told you to go to the King, to his room? At what time? Just you alone?”

Alicent nodded her head to answer her questions.

“At nights. Because…” she carefully gave her a shy look, “at such time, basically no one would notice aside from the Guards…”

Aemma patiently encourage her to share more.

“Okay, and your father connived all of that, allowing you, a young, unwed noble lady to visit a grieving man, a sovereign, who just lost his wife, at late hours and for more than just one time? Did you ever question why did he assign you with such strange mission? Do you think that was normal?”

Alicent first nodded in confirmation, then shook her head in disagreement.

“He demanded me to go to the King leaving me no other choices. And I dared not questioning him for I was so nervous, so frightened back then. I, I do not think it’s right thing to do, but… what could I do? He is my father whose order I shall follow without hesitation. That is what daughters should be, obedient to their parents.”

Aemma was sad hearing Alicent’s words because she sounded so much like her in a similar age, who always listened to her elders, to her husband, to the Court but never to her own voice.

They noble ladies were puppets alike, saying and doing as they were told, pulled by the strings attached on their bodies, even on their souls, which were controlled by their family, by rules specified for women.

This world is unfair to people like them.

Aemma’s heart ached for the young girl in front of her who was at the same age as her daughter, who had to shoulder a burden she should not endure.

And what hurt Aemma most was that she was about to be one of those people to Alicent.

For Rhaenyra, she had to. She made a silent apology and then:

“I am sorry for what you have been through, my dear. But you have to understand that what Otto made you do is treacherous. It is obvious that he wants someone who has Hightower blood in them to sit on the Iron Throne one day. He is a man who serves the Crown therefore he should not be selfish and ambitious, thirsting after something out of his league.”

Alicent heard her every word and appeared distraught.

“Alicent, he wants his grandchild to succeed the King.”

Aemma stressed.

“But… but Rhaenyra is the heir.”

“She would be no longer the heir if you gave Viserys a son.”

Alicent lowered her head, deep in thought, seemed worried.

“Do you think, that, my father would hurt Rhaenyra?”

“He will if he has to.”

Alicent’s eyes reddened.

“He is a good man. He is always kind to people… to Rhaenyra.”

Her defensive words for her father were weak.

“I know, Alicent. But, can you tolerate seeing Rhaenyra be pushed aside, be harmed? Can you?”

Alicent shook her head hard.

“She is my best friend… She used to be my best friend. I cared about her. I still do.”

“My child, you have a kind heart, a pure one. I am grateful for you being Rhaenyra’s best friend.”

Alicent’s lips wobbled, tears wetting her cheeks.

“But now, she speak no word with me anymore. She ignores me. It is my fault.”

Aemma went up to wiped away her tears.

“My dear, it is never your fault. Do not say that. I am sorry and I will talk to her about this. For the moment, I need your help, Alicent.”

“My help? What for? How?”

“For Rhaenyra. Please forgive me. I know it is cruel to ask you to do such ting, but please, for the sake of a mother who hoping to secure her child’s future.”

Alicent showed fear in her eyes, stepping back.

“What, what are you going to do?”

Aemma said no more and walked to the door, opening it, speaking in a very low voice with her trusted maid who had being waiting outside of the door for the whole time, and she came back moments later, with a cup of tea in her hands.

She presented the half-full cup to Alicent.

“What is that?”

Alicent was frightened.

“It is not poison. At ease. It is… Moon Tea. Have you heard of it? Do you know about it?”

Of course, Alicent knew what Moon Tea is.

“Why?”

“To make sure that no seed of the King will take root in your womb.”

Aemma’s voice was warm but her words were cold.

Alicent’s face turned pale.

“Please drink all of it.”

“No… no need of that. I am not with child. My moon course just ended two days ago!”

Alicent tumbled backwards a few steps.

“Please, Alicent, consume it for the sake of Rhaenyra.”

“No, no, no. Princess Aemma, listen to me. I, well, I have never shared a bed, with, with the King. I am telling the truth! Or, you can ask him yourself!”

Aemma’s jaw dropped slightly hearing that, disbelieved.

“What?! How so?”

Alicent picked at her nails nervously, face red like a boiled shrimp.

“We did get wedded days ago, but, but at the wedding night, I was left alone in the room, till dawn. The King has never summoned me to his room at night. I dared not ask why. Please believe me! I am not lying!”

Aemma stilled at her spot, speechless, gripping the cup, making no move.

Alicent studied her for a second and sighed.

She took the cup and drank it in one go, emptying the vessel.

“Alicent…”

“Can you believe me now? I have no use for this tea.”

Aemma felt ashamed and apologetic for the girl.

“I am sorry.”

Alicent gave her a sad smile.

“As long as I know, I am still a maiden. Rest assured, my Princess, no son of mine with rub Rhaenyra of her place as the Crown Princess.”

Aemma’s lips moves but she did not know what to say.

What had she done to this poor girl?

“I think I know why the King does not touch me. He has been mourning the loss of you. He loves you. I do not know the reason he chose me for. But I know that, he does not cease loving you.”

TBC.

Chapter Text

X

Aemma gave out a wry smile.

“Aw... Alicent, that’s kind of you to say. But, my child, I am sorry that you are wrong about that. The King ceased loving me the moment he chose a supposed son over me. Or, I could say, he stopped loving me the day he decided to sire one more child on me even he knew that would cause me a great deal of pain.”

Alicent gasped in realization, lowering her head in regret.

“I am sorry.”

Aemma caressed her cheek with affection.

“It’s never you who shall be sorry. Alicent, listen, do not trust what others say but watch what they have done. Put yourself first, body and soul, because no one will ever love you more than you yourself do.”

Alicent nodded to her words, absorbing them.

“What am I going to do next?”

Aemma held her hand.

“I will talk to Rhaenyra and then you two can talk. I need you to tell her everything you just revealed to me, alright? But first of all, after dinner tonight, I will accompany you to meet the King and I hope you report the thing your father, Lord Otto had made you do, to His Grace.”

Alicent hesitated.

“But he is my father. How can I do that? Report my own father?”

“If you do not want to, I will not push you, but I will report him in your stead and I bet Viserys would believe me no matter truth or lie.”

“Princess Aemma, please…”

She still could not escape being her father’s obedient daughter.

Poor girl, Aemma thought sympathetically.

“My dear, you do not need to be worried for your father. He will not be punished physically since there is no serious harm done by him to the Royal family. However, if we do not act now, we will never know what he is about to commit next. We are not destroying him; we are saving him from walking to his own grave. I simply just want to show Viserys Otto’s true color, his ambition, for the sake of securing Rhaenyra’s claim to the Throne.”

Alicent Hightower has always been a girl who is easy to manipulate because of her upbringing.

Therefore, even though Aemma Targaryen was not the present Queen, she still was an elder to her, and she chose to follow her lead.

In the next morning, right after the Small Council, the King summoned the Hand to his royal study, and Aemma asked Viserys for a presence in that interrogation.

When Otto Hightower walked into the room and found out Princess Aemma was also there, standing beside the King, he was surprised.

But quickly, he disguised his slight displeasure with his insincere humbleness.

“Your Grace, Your Highness.”

He bowed elegantly to both Royal members.

Viserys was betrayed and furious and went straightforward to the topic.

At first, Otto denied and called the accusation a “purposeful slander”.

Aemma firmly and calmly listed out the evidence she collected, including the information Daemon had passed to her through a scroll, which read that, Otto had been instructed his men to spy on the heir and certain Council member.

In the end, Otto unwillingly admitted what he had done.

King Viserys ripped the Hand’s pin from Otto Hightower forcefully and threw it to the fire, dismissing his place as the King’s Hand, and commanded him to leave King’s Landing and back to Old Town immediately.

“Otto Hightower, you shall never come to King’s Landing, unless you were summoned by your sovereign. Now, get out of my sight!”

In the meanwhile, in Princess Rhaenyra’s chamber:

Rhaenyra and Alicent stood far away from each other and facing each other awkwardly.

No one uttered a sound.

Time passed swiftly and Rhaenyra could not bear the silence any longer, speaking up impatiently:

“What do you want to talk to me about? Just spill it and leave me alone.”

Alicent twisted her fingers nervously.

“Rhaenyra… listen, I am here because…”

She told the Targaryen girl everything, and ended her confession with an apology and her unstopping tears.

“I am so sorry…”

Before she could finish, Alicent was pulled into a tight embrace and in the next moment she found herself crying on Rhaenyra’s thin shoulder.

“Alicent, why did you not speak to me earlier about all this?”

“You did not give me any chance to get close to you…”

Alicent wept.

“I am sorry, Alicent, I did not know. But what I meant was, why did you not come to me after Otto’s devious demand for you?”

Alicent got out of the hug.

“How could that be any help for me?”

“I could have helped you! I am your friend! I would do my best to help you! You should have come and found me!”

Rhaenyra sounded so heartbroken and sad.

“I did not know, I, I was so frightened and not knowing what to do but obeyed my father. You know how he is!”

“You should have refused…”

“How?! How could I?! I am a daughter of House Hightower and that’s what we do, listening to our fathers’ every order. Not everyone is as lucky as you are, born a Targaryen Princess, having a King father who is actually nice and easygoing… doing whatever you desire…”

Alicent cried out her emotions to her best friend.

Sometimes, she admitted to herself that she envied Rhaenyra who lived a life she dreamt about on some dark days.

Rhaenyra got closer once again and touched their foreheads together.

“I am so sorry, Alicent, for everything.”

“Me too, Rhaenyra.”

Like that, two friends made up and shed tears together.

Otto’s sudden removal left the position of Hand unoccupied.

However, to everyone’s surprise, or disbelief, the King named Princess Aemma as his new Hand days later.

As for Queen Alicent Hightower, she kept her title as Queen Consort under the insistence of the Hand Aemma Targaryen and performed Queen’s duty with the help of the same woman and Princess Rhaenyra.

Rumor said that, Queen Alicent was still a virgin till the moment she took her last breath.

“The Virgin Queen”, people of later generation hailed Alicent Hightower, after her demise.

TBC.

Chapter Text

XI

The day her father departed, the weather was cloudy.

The air was humid.

Alicent could even smell the upcoming rain.

She went to see Lord Otto Hightower off, without any company, just by herself.

The carriage back to Old Town was ready for the trip.

Daughter and father stood in silence, studying each other’s face.

Alicent could not stop a drop of tear sliding down her pale face.

She so much wanted to go back hometown with her father, to go back to a time where she was no Queen of Seven Kingdoms, but a girl who liked diving in books, who was easily satisfied.

“My daughter,” Otto Hightower opened his mouth first, his voice hoarse, “from now on, you are on your own. I am sorry that I have to leave you alone, and I know that you are aware of why must I leave King’s Landing.”

He was not mad at her which surprised her.

Alicent could see clearly that the man in front of her, who used to be proud, was tired, and hopeless.

“Father, you had gone too far before… It’s not too late to halt.”

“You have no idea how much work I had done to go this far to get a place for myself right beside the Targaryens. Now, all gone.”

“Father, at least you can keep your head on your neck! What you had planned was treason! You should be grateful.”

Otto Hightower chuckled mockingly.

“You are certainly grown, my child. Treason? What do you know about treason? Since you are the Queen, well, you can define anything as your heart desires. I shall say no more. But Alicent, after my departure, you, will be the only Hightower in the pit of Dragons. Have you any idea, what dragons will do, to a Hightower? They will step on top of it, craws sinking into its skin, crushing it.”

Alicent shook her head in denial, in tears.

“Father, it’s not like that. You are wrong about them…”

Her father signed heavily and held her slim shoulders firmly.

“Alicent, listen, you are a Hightower, you are one of us, not one of them, even you married into their family! I am your father, and I am disappointed that you chose to be dragons’ puppet, to help them push me away…”

“I am not anyone’s puppet! Father, I am an individual person! I say and do whatever I think is right! Father, Rhaenyra would be a good Ruler, one day. As long as one can bring prosperity to the Realm, to their subjects, no matter if they are a female, or a male, a full Targaryen or half-Targaryen. Can you not understand? You said I am their puppet, what about I have been yours, our House’s puppet for the last 17 years of my life?! What say you now?!”

Alicent struggled out of her father’s grab, yelling to him with a red face.

She had had enough!

Otto Hightower was shocked at his daughter’s unusual boldness.

He was speechless, facing the accusation, because deep down in his heart, he knew Alicent was right.

But he would never acknowledge this.

“We are Hightowers, we do what is benefit for Hightowers. I hope you will keep that in mind, never forget who you are. Alicent, we light the way, with the fire of Hightower green, not Dragon-blood red, not Targaryen red. Remember!”

Alicent ignored him and said her farewell to him:

“I wish you a safe trip home, father. I will write to you.”

Otto Hightower bowed to her.

“Your Grace.”

Then he turned away from her, getting into the carriage without turning back.

In the Small Council this morning, Lord Lyonel Strong mentioned up the concern in the form of the matrimony of Princess of Dragonstone.

And with this opportunity, the Seasnake, Lord Corlys Velaryon offered out his son, Ser Laenor Velaryon’s hand.

“I believe that my son would be a fine match to the Princess.”

Rhaenyra’s eyes widened at his confident claim, inwardly, refusing his proposal, while watching others’ reaction, especially the King’s.

Ang the King, her father, was looking her mother’s way, seemingly waiting for her opinion.

The Lady Hand cleared her throat.

“Ser Laenor, surely, could be a good candidate as the husband to our future Queen. But I suggest that the Princess Rhaenyra will have a say at this, so, what do you think, daughter?”

Aemma indeed thought Laenor Velaryon was a suitable one, since he was a fine Knight with a dragon of his own, Princess Rhaenys Targaryen’s firstborn, Rhaenyra’s cousin. But she still needed to let Rhaenyra express her will, after all it’s her marriage.

“I think, that, it’s still too early for that matter. I am still learning my heir courses. Can we take it slow and discuss it later…”

Rhaenyra did not want to think about marrying a man and having her own heirs.

It’s too much for her now.

The last time she felt the urge to be someone’s wife was when she was ten? And, the sole person she had wanted as her husband, still wanted now, was none but her uncle, Prince Daemon Targaryen.

Well, she was not sure if her parents would let her have her wish.

Therefore, she better kept that to herself, for now.

“Rhaenyra, we are not asking you to get married now. But someday you will have to consider about it, right? I hate to phrase it like that, but that is part of your duty, as the future sovereign.”

Aemma looked at her child sympathetically.

“Your mother is right, Rhaenyra. Dear, how about a tour? To find you a betrothal?”

Daemon was sitting on the opposite of Rhaenyra, and the later made eye contact with him subconsciously.

Her uncle winked at her and smirked.

She pouted and shoot him a glare.

“A tour?”

She was definitely not ready to travel around other Houses’ territories.

Aemma turned down Viserys’ proposal at once:

“Your Grace, a tour will not do. It’s not safe for our heir to tour around for the time being. I suggest we invite those who are interested for a try, and qualified, to Dragonstone, Rhaenyra’s future domain, and by then she could choose her betrothal for herself. What do you think, My King? Rhaenyra?”

Rhaenyra was quick to response, almost jumping up from her seat:

“I second!”

Viserys also had no different opinion.

And the Lords all agreed.

Daemon, as before, made no comment or attitude to this matter, his expression unreadable.

“Well, then we shall leave this…”

Aemma chipped in and continued for the King:

“…to Queen Alicent and me. We will be handling the following matters concerning Princess Rhaenyra’s marriage arrangement.”

King Viserys smiled agreeably.

“Whatever Princess Aemma says.”

TBC.

Chapter Text

XII

After the Council meeting, Rhaenyra left first, frustrated, deliberately disregarding Prince Daemon calling her name behind, searching for her best friend, Queen Alicent Hightower.

Daemon leaned backward, shrugging at his niece’s childish behavior.

“What?”

Although he was looking at the closed, heavy wooden door, he directed his question to Aemma, who had been staring at him for some moments.

“I was wondering why did you not have any opinion on the matter we just discussed.”

“Why should I?”

Aemma gave him a light chuckle.

“Why shouldn’t you?”

“I said nothing because I was, I am, totally agreed with what you set up for Rhaenyra.”

Somehow, Aemma was not convinced, but she let her doubt flow away.

After all, she never really knew Daemon.

But what she could be sure of was, that he loved her daughter and cared deeply for her.

That would be enough.

“Well, glad to hear that. See you around, cousin.”

Aemma left the room.

When Alicent came back to her chamber, she found Rhaenyra lounged on her bed, looking upset.

“Rhaenyra?”

“Alicent.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Everything is wrong.”

Rhaenyra deadpanned.

Alicent got off her damp coat and lied down beside her friend.

They let out a deep sigh almost at the same time.

Rhaenyra eyed Alicent with concern.

“How was your morning going?”

“I bid fare well to my father.”

“Did he say anything?”

“A lot of things.”

Rhaenyra held her hand in hers, silently giving her support.

“Alicent, do not let what he said get into your head.”

“I know, Rhaenyra. I think it’s better now that he’s going home. But…”

Alicent looked at her best friend with a sad smile.

“…I will be missing him, after all, he is my father.”

“Of course, you are going to miss him. That’s fine.”

“I am sorry for what he had done.”

“It’s all water under the bridge.”

“So, what about your morning?”

“They want me to marry.”

“To whom?”

“I don’t know… They expected me to choose my own husband, and the choosing will take place at Dragonstone.”

“When?”

Alicent concerned.

“That will depend on my mother, and you, My Queen.”

Rhaenyra playfully flicked Alicent’s curls

Alicent giggled and pinched Rhaenyra’s cheek.

“You know, in the end that’d be your mother’s call. But I believe that she will always put your convenience first. Do not worry, Rhaenyra, at least you can choose your future spouse.”

Rhaenyra lied on her side and embraced Alicent, catching the lingering sadness in her tone.

“Do you think that you could go to Dragonstone with me by that time?”

“I would love to; however, I do not think my Queen duty would allow me going with you. I am sorry, Rhaenyra. But I will pray for you.”

Alicent genuinely said.

Deep down in her heart, she really wished her best friend would find someone who could be her perfect match, who would cherish her, respect her, and love her as she deserved.

Aemma was having dinner with King Viserys.

There were just two of them.

Viserys was visibly overjoyed. He wanted to hide it but his starry eyes betrayed him.

The way he looked at Aemma, as if she was the Goddess who gave birth to the sun and moon.

But Aemma turned a blind eye to his disturbing adoration.

“Your Grace, do you give consent to what I just suggested? I proposed that…”

“Yea, yea, it shall be whatever you say.”

Viserys said without a blink, his eyes speaking none but sincerity, and affection.

Aemma rolled her eyes, not sure if the King was actually listening to her or was busy staring at her and paid no attention to her request.

“May I ask Your Grace to repeat what I just proposed, concerning the future of Princess Rhaenyra?”

Viserys cleared his throat, seemed embarrassed, and he raised his cup, taking a sip of the liquor.

“Well,” he cleared his throat once more, “you were talking about…” he tried to recall what she said, “…about names of our future grandchildren?”

Aemma was at a loss for words. She calmed herself that at least he was right about “names” and “children”.

“I was saying that the offspring of Rhaenyra, of the future Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, shall take “Targaryen” as their surname, for obvious reasons.”

Aemma realized that names do matter. She felt stronger and more entitled when she called herself a “Targaryen”.

“Targaryen” means power, strength and dragon force, and the rulers of the whole Realm.

Viserys seemed hesitated when he opened his mouth.

“Um… That is a thoughtful idea. In fact, it is a wonderful idea. But we both know that, at some level, it is against the Common Law.”

“You meant the Andal Law?” Aemma was pissed immediately, speaking with scorn that: “I must remind you, my King, that we are Targaryens, when do we have to follow the Law of others’? We are the Exceptionals. If we were to follow strictly the Andal Law, then our tradition of incest would send us straight to death sentence.”

“Well, if you put it that way… I do totally support your idea, my, my love, but I just worry the Court would give Rhaenyra a hard time if we allowed that to happen.”

Aemma dabbed at the corner of her mouth with a serious face, deadpanning that:

“If it ever came to that scenario, then, we would make a reshuffle out of the Court.”

Rhaenyra went and took her dragon for a flight after she departed from Alicent.

And her uncle Prince Daemon was expectedly soon following up with his own ride.

The dragons met in the sky, chasing each other for fun.

Rhaenyra sat tightly on Syrax’ back, letting her fly freely and play as she desired with Caraxes. She ignored Daemon as she did this morning.

Hour later, they both landed on some unnamed island.

Riders got off of their mounts and the latter once again took off to the sky.

Syrax was always excited when Caraxes was around.

However, her owner was not always happy when she met with the owner of Caraxes.

“Princess, what have I done wrong to anger you this time?”

“Who says I am angry with you?”

Rhaenyra kept roaming around, kicking away a rock on her way, her tone flat.

“It seems like that to me.”

Daemon quickened his steps, walking along side his niece, naturally taking her hand into his, fingers intertwined.

Rhaenyra let him.

“You want me to get married soon, as well.”

It came out as a statement not a question.

“My dear, that will eventually come to all of the members in the royal family, no matter you want it or not. For me, I want what’s good for you, as always.”

“Uncle, I do not want marriage at all. I am aware that is my duty, but still…”

Rhaenyra was being candid.

“I am sorry that you must go through this. But you know, in the core, it’s never your call even you are the successor to the Iron Throne. Marriage is just political for people like us. For you, especially, because it ensures legitimate heirs. But worry not, you are free to do whatever you want out of wedlock, as long as you perform your duty to the Crown.”

Rhaenyra shook her head.

“I just do not want it.”

Daemon sighed beside her.

“What do you want, little Princess?”

Rhaenyra stopped and looked at her uncle’s face for a moment, then she averted her eyes, feeling lost.

“I don’t know.”

They went back strolling, holding hands.

“Uncle,” Rhaenyra called out for him, “how do you feel about being married?”

Sometime, she almost forgot her uncle was a wedded man.

“I think the whole realm knows that how hateful I am towards my own marriage. If you want some advice on martial field, you are asking the wrong person.”

Rhaenyra chuckled and recalled that her uncle did not even consummate his marriage with Lady Rhea. She seldomly saw him going to the Vale all those years.

Daemon had been wedded for over a decade, and he hated every moment of it whenever he thought of his good-for-nothing marriage.

“Why do you not ask father to annul it and set both you and that poor Royce lady free? Since you had never laid with her. You are as good as strangers to each other.”

“Princess, that’s unkind of you rubbing salt on my wound!”

Daemon accused Rhaenyra, pretending being hurt by her words.

“You know that I have begged my Kingly brother to do so, for, if not thousands but hundreds of times. But he said ‘no’ every damned time. I am tired of being turned down, so I stopped trying a long time ago.”

Rhaenyra felt sad for Daemon, and also for herself.

“I am sorry, uncle.”

Daemon stretched his arm and side-hugged her.

“The last thing I want is your pity, my love. I am used to it now. Married or not, makes no difference to me.”

They walked and occasionally talked and they reached the end of this tiny island.

The sandy earth beneath their booted feet was wet and soft.

The sea ahead was peaceful. And above them, a strange but joyful screeching echoed.

Rhaenyra looked up afar, seeing their dragons circling each other in a graceful way.

She had never seen anything like that on dragons which looked like they were… dancing.

“Uncle, look——”

She pointed at the sky, at the two dancing dragons.

“What are they doing?”

Daemon was confused first but after some moments, a realization hit him and he laughed.

“Oh, my Gods, my Dragon Lords, oh my… The Dance of Dragons!”

“What?”

Rhaenyra was the one to feel confused now.

“Do you not know? They are doing mating dance! The Dance. Have you not heard of it?”

“That is The Dance? I never see one till this moment.”

Rhaenyra was at shock learning the truth but then she gaped.

“Syrax and Caraxes are, are MATING?!”

“Well, they are about to, I guess, once they land and find somewhere comfortable.”

“Oh, my Gods… My girl is too young for this!”

Daemon laughed again.

“Rhaenyra, that’s their way and we just need to let them be. Don’t interfere. The timing is up to them, not us. We can not control the dragons, we never can.”

Rhaenyra looked to her uncle once again, studying him, thinking that, Syrax was at the same age as her and now she had found her match, moving forward in steps.

As for herself… Everything stayed the same, not much changed.

“Kepa, can I ask you for a favor?”

She wanted to be brave for once and made progress as her dragon did, so…

“Of course.”

“Can I share my first kiss, with you? Right now, right here?”

Daemon looked at her with uncertainty, and surprise too.

“Rhaenyra, do you know what are you asking for? Are you serious?”

She could sense that he was nervous. She found this side of him adorable.

“You heard me clearly. Can you claim my first kiss, uncle? I mean a real kiss, with lips… and tongues.”

Daemon wetted his lips, swallowing.

Rhaenyra thought if in the end she had to do it with someone, she wanted her very first kiss was with Daemon Targaryen.

A man she had loved since the day she was born.

They might not have the chance to be bonded by marriage, at least they could have a memory of a kiss…

Her face was burning hot, but her eyes shone determination.

“Daemon, do you not want to kiss me?”

Daemon answered her with action. He dipped down his head and sealed their lips.

Rhaenyra was the one deepened it, standing on her tiptoes, arms on his shoulders.

Daemon held her firmly to himself, savoring the kiss.

He never wanted to let go.

“Uncle, will you be there with me when I choose my future betrothal?”

“I will be anywhere you want me to be. I promise you, my love, I will be there.”

Daemon held Rhaenyra in his arms, fingers combing through her beautiful, wavy hair, taking in her scent, silently making a plan.

TBC.

Chapter Text

XIII

Aemma did not expect to hear from her daughter that her Syrax and Daemon’s Caraxes are mating.

When she heard the news, the first reaction she made was widening her blue eyes in surprise.

“It is so out-of-expectation, mother. I never thought that was a possibility. Syrax and Caraxes… Gods, never imagined that would happen.”

Rhaenyra’s rambling went on, however Aemma did not really pay attention.

She looked up to the warm orange sky, the sun was going down, and a thought floated up in her head——

Syrax and Caraxes, would that be a sign from their Gods?

Dragons were the tangible connection between the Valyrian Gods and Targaryens, was it possible that the Gods would send their messages through them?

Since her returning to life, Aemma had never once received any instruction or implication in any forms from the Gods.

Every time Aemma made a decision, she looked forward to get signs from their Gods, to make sure that she was leading their family down the right path.

But she got none.

Would the sudden combination of two dragons be the sign?

But, a sign for what?

Aemma was deep in thought.

“…and Syrax is just a baby, well, compared to Caraxes who’s more than 80 years old I could say… And soon she will lay eggs, becoming a mother…”

Rhaenyra kept talking, and she found that her mother was not actually following her.

“Mother, are you even listening?”

Aemma nodded immediately, turned her head to Rhaenyra, seeing her making an adorable frown.

“Aw, dearie, I heard you clearly. That, that is a wonderful news!”

She patted Rhaenyra’s hand affectionately.

That’s the moment she really realized that the mating dragons her babe was talking about, one belonged to herself, and the other belonged to…

Daemon came into her daughter’s room in strides, spirit high, smiling.

“Uh, fancy seeing you here, Lady Hand.”

He bowed to her dramatically, eyes on Rhaenyra though.

Aemma looked at Daemon and then her daughter thoughtfully.

Killing a disturbing hypothesis right in its cradle.

Mayhaps she was overthinking.

“Is there any problem that I am in my daughter’s chamber?”

She playfully bit back.

“No, none at all, cousin.”

“Uncle.”

Rhaenyra addressed him.

“Niece.”

Daemon addressed back, ready to take her to supper, appearing as gentle-man as the infamous Rogue Prince could be.

“Shall we?”

“Where are you going?”

“To eat, cousin.”

Daemon answered for them both, casually, as if nothing had changed between a niece and an uncle, as if there was never a kiss shared.

In a blink, Rhaenyra had already gone to Daemon’s side, linking their arms together in a natural way, leaning against her uncle.

“It’s dinner time, mama.”

Rhaenyra reminded her mother sweetly.

“Already! Well, just the two of you?”

Daemon sassily returned Aemma’s phrase to her:

“Is there any problem that I have dinner alone with my own niece?”

Aemma smoothed down her dress, ignoring him.

“May I join you?”

Rhaenyra seemed hesitated, and a bit awkward.

“I suppose that is…”

“Aemma, I am sorry that you may not. The table’s already set, only for two, and I very much crave some lone moments with my dearest niece, since she’s about to leave home to search her true love. Would you kindly allow me to have that?”

At his words, he purposedly put stress on “true love”, making Rhaenyra blush in no time.

Aemma studied the two persons in front of her, who she treasured most in her life——

Rhaenyra looked so relaxed, so at ease with Daemon, she looked so happy, almost like her old self.

Daemon looked less sharp, less aggressive, all softened up inside out.

They looked peaceful together.

Eventually, Aemma let niece and uncle be:

“Alright, your wish is granted, Daemon. Make sure my daughter eats her vegetables.”

Aemma understood that in the world, aside from her, there were still others who hold Rhaenyra dearly to their hearts, who would love her without condition as she did.

She should allow those people to love her daughter freely. Aemma convinced herself.

“Mama! I always eat my vegetables!”

“When will you go to Dragonstone?”

Daemon sipped his wine, leaning back, staring at his companion.

Rhaenyra sliced her steak and thought for a moment, putting one piece inside her mouth, chewing slowly, then she swallowed.

“In fact, there is not a set date yet. I guess, in a moon or more so? Mother and Alicent need time to arrange. Not looking forward to it at all.”

She shrugged and devoured a half of potato.

Daemon chuckled and rose up from his seat a little, wiping clean Rhaenyra’s lips with his handkerchief.

“It’d be fun, trust me, niece. Don’t lose hope. Who knows? Mayhaps you would meet your perfect match there. Your Prince Charming?”

Rhaenyra downed her red wine in one go.

“No,” she shook her head, deadpanning that, “I will not…”

Because I have already found him, seating right across me.

Her inner voice completed her sentence.

Daemon was pulling her leg, not being serious. Actually, he hated the thought that there could be someone who would attract Rhaenyra’s attention.

He darkly concluded that in the whole realm there is no one but him deserves Rhaenyra Targaryen, his dearly niece, his only niece.

“You promised me that you will be there. Do not let me down, uncle.”

“Of course! When have I ever let you down, my Princess? I will go to Dragonstone on Caraxes. You will ride or sail there?”

Rhaenyra put down her fork, finally her tummy was full.

“I suppose I am going to ride there on Syrax. We can take off together?”

“’Kay, anything you wish, my love.”

They enjoyed each other’ company in silence for some moments.

“Uncle, is it real that in a wedlock, we can do whatever we want once we performed our duty to our elders? To our responsibilities?”

Rhaenyra played her rings, sounding dreadful.

“Well, it is for people who hold power and wealth, such as, me, and you. Little dragon, do not worry, everything will be alright. You have me, remember? I will do literally anything to make your life better. I promise.”

Rhaenyra showed a toothy smile to the most handsome and daring man around Seven Kingdoms.

“Aw uncle, you always make my life better. I am glad that I have you.”

She got off of her seat, bounced to her uncle, placing her butt right on Daemon’s lap, the latter caught her and held her tight to his chest, kissing her forehead.

“Kepa,” Rhaenyra relied on her uncle, head on his broad shoulder, arms circling his neck, “thank you and, and please do not leave me, okay? I need you more than ever! Only you and mother really know me, really see me as I am. When I choose my future betrothal, I need you standing right beside me, put up your most deadly look, to scare the shit out of anyone who stupidly thinks that they could be my rival!”

Daemon laughed heartedly, lips searching Rhaenyra’s, showering loving kisses on anywhere he could get on her soft face.

Niece and uncle shared another kiss, urgently and erotically.

Rhaenyra was almost suffocated by Daemon’s passion and lust.

But she very much enjoyed the feel of being this intimate with him.

“Daemon,” she panted, faced burning red, thirsty for his love, “Kepa, please, spend the night with me, on my bed…please…”

Daemon pushed Rhaenyra away, suppressing his devious impulse to take her right now and here on their dinning table.

“No, I am sorry, my love, it’s not the time.”

He planned to claim her on their wedding night.

He would make their first night together memorable. So, now he had to control himself.

“Then when?” Rhaenyra teared up, so adorably annoyed, “I will not let some random man who I married for duty to share my first time with! Never! I only… Daemon, I only want… you. The marriage could be a cover, a show for others, I will not allow another man to touch me like I do you. As for my duty, well, I will only carry children who came from your seed…”

“My Gods, Rhaenyra, stop, stop… Say no more… Oh, Gods have mercy…”

Daemon now felt his pant becoming extremely tight.

Rhaenyra could certainly feel his physical change. She blushed.

“My little dragon, I want you as well, no one else but you. But now is truly not the time. Do not do anything that would make both of us regret, okay? I promise, eventually, you will get what you desire. It’s just not now. Be patient, my dearie.”

In a moon and a half, Rhaenyra found her self sitting on the throne of Dragonstone, her mother the Hand, Aemma Targaryen standing beside her, and the nineth candidate was reading her the love poem he wrote for her…

Everything was so boring, so ridiculous.

And Daemon Targaryen did not keep his promise to her.

They came to the island together and he even escorted her back to her chamber last night.

He did not show up at breakfast, no one knows where he was and Caraxes was flying laps after laps in the high sky above the castle by himself.

Rhaenyra cursed her uncle and started the choosing without him.

So far, Rhaenyra had found no interest in those men.

They were either too old or too young, either too arrogant or too shy, all of them, except for her dear cousin Laenor, were homely looking.

Laenor was the first to be announced and went into the grand hall, and Rhaenyra was not surprised to see him with that cocky smile on his beautiful face.

“Princess Rhaenyra,” he bowed to her, making a show, “it’s my pleasure being here today.”

“Oh, cousin, just drop it. We had dinner together last night, remember?”

Laenor’s presence made her mood lighten up.

Rhaenyra was fond of Laenor because he’s her cousin and her childhood companion, not because he’s a fine, young man.

Aemma studied the interaction between her daughter and Ser Laenor, trying to find if Rhaenyra saw Laenor more than just her cousin this moment.

To her expectation, there was only familiar love between them.

She knew it.

Somehow, she was not disappointed. She understood that from all angles Laenor Velaryon could be a perfect fit to the position of the husband of Crowned Princess, a King Consort to a future Queen, but she did not feel right when thought about he being Rhaenyra’s other half, more so her soulmate.

So, she stayed silent, face blank, when Rhaenyra dismissed Laenor without gifting him that gold-silver mixed ring of hers which served as a token of affection if she made her pick of her future husband, after they done chatting.

Before the choosing, in private, Laenor confessed to Rhaenyra that:

“You know how my father is, I came here purely for his satisfaction. No offense, cousin, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever laid my eyes on, do not tell Laena I said that, but you are not my cup of tea as I am not yours, I can see…”

“Be clear, Laenor.”

“Do not pick me.”

Rhaenyra laughed till her stomach ached.

“Eww, Laenor, what makes you think that I would choose you?”

“Just in case. I am not being over confident as you know me…”

Rhaenyra bumped against him with her shoulder.

“You know what? The image of me and you marrying makes me want to throw myself down that cliff over there——”

Cousins laughed together.

Rhaenyra kept refusing the hands of the candidates, showing how uninterested she was in them, a perfect image of a well-spoiled, proud Princess of House Targaryen.

Aemma released a light sigh after they watched the last one walking out of the hall, while her daughter was stretching herself, relieving.

“Mother, he is the last one, right?”

Aemma checked the scroll written with names, up to down, making sure there was no one left.

“You are right, love, he’s the la-”

Before Aemma could finish her answer, they heard another announcement——

“Next, Prince Daemon Targaryen, of House Targaryen!”

TBC.

Chapter Text

XIV

Aemma watched Daemon Targaryen walked into the hall with his iconic mischievous smile, chin tilted up a bit, steps firm and confident, as if he owned this place.

She felt an urge to roll her eyes but she held it.

“Daemon, may I ask, what, are you doing here?”

Rhaenyra was gladly surprised to see her uncle, and her cheeks turned pink at the sight of him immediately.

Aemma looked to her daughter, seeing her reddened face, and she could not help getting suspicious.

No way her cousin was here to…

“To campaign for the position of the husband of our beloved Princess Rhaenyra.”

Aemma’s jaw dropped.

“Pardon?”

“Good morrow to you, Your Highnesses. I am the last candidate, Daemon Targaryen, from House Targaryen, and I bet you already know that part…”

Daemon ignored Aemma’s confusion, his sole attention on Rhaenyra, his dear niece.

Aemma stepped forward and put an end to a supposed prank of Daemon’s.

“Enough, Daemon. This is not a game. Please stop fooling around. It is not funny.”

“Aemma,” Daemon’ tone was earnest, “I am not fooling around. I am being serious.”

By that, he took down his Dark Sister, and knelt with one knee to Rhaenyra:

“Princess Rhaenyra, I, Daemon Targaryen, here, and now, offer you my ultimate fealty. I swear upon my life, with all that I have, all that I am, I shall love you and only you, and I shall guard you, fight for you, till the end of my story.”

Both Rhaenyra and Aemma were astounded to witness this.

Aemma was too astonished to utter a word while Rhaenyra teared up.

Daemon continued with sincerity, his eyes shone the light of genuineness.

“Will you grand me the honor to be your husband, your protecter, for life? I give you my promise that I will take you as you are in the way of Old Valyrian, by fire and blood.”

By that, he lowered his head to Rhaenyra, showing her his loyalty:

“Your Highness.”

“Daemon, are you aware of what you just said? Did you, did you even listen to yourself?”

What shocked her in the next moment was that Rhaenyra moved closer to Daemon, and gently asked for his hand.

Daemon obediently stretched out his left hand.

Rhaenyra tried a couple of times to put the token in the form of a ring on his fingers, and finally it fit right on his small finger.

Aemma watched the incredible scene unfold before her eyes, lips slightly ajar.

“Rhaenyra, what are you doing…”

She sounded unsure. But deep down, she knew what her daughter was doing.

Then, her daughter turned her head to her, smiling with tears, telling her joyfully that:

“Mother, look, I have found my match.”

Aemma felt like fainting the exact moment.

Aemma demanded a private talk with Daemon with a dead serious face.

Rhaenyra would not let her do that and asked to be there as well.

“There is nothing to hide from me! You want to talk, mother? Then talk to us both. I and Daemon are in this together.”

Aemma sighed, realizing how grown-up her daughter was, not a little girl any longer.

“Fine, you can come along.”

Aemma pinched her daughter’s poked-up nose.

They gathered in the main study.

Aemma sat behind the desk, looking slightly mad, and also betrayed. And in her head, she kept reviewing what just happened and still found it unbelievable, mood worsening.

“I need an explanation.”

After what seemed like hours, Aemma opened her mouth.

Rhaenyra still felt chills climbing up her spine every time her mother spoke in that tone. She started to play the rings on her fingers, head hung low.

Daemon glanced his niece who was busy avoiding too much attention from her mother.

His poor little love, Daemon delightfully thought, she was overly adorable.

“No explanation needed, cousin. You were there when it all happened.”

“EXPLAIN WHY.”

“Because I love Rhaenyra. I love her since I understood the true meaning of ‘love’.”

“Daemon… you are her uncle. I do not doubt that you love Rhaenyra, as an uncle…”

Aemma sounded tired.

“Also, as a man.”

“Look at her, cousin,” Aemma solemnly commanded him, “she is a CHILD. Your niece!”

“Mama, I am no longer a child, please… I love Daemon too, as a woman would a man.”

“I will not allow this” Aemma gestured to both of them, “to happen.”

Rhaenyra moved forward and her expression desperate.

“Mother, you cannot do that to me… You said I am a child, but at the same time you and father hurried me up to get a husband.”

Aemma reasoned with her that:

“Yes, you are! You are only shy of sixteen and just newly flowered. We have talked about this before, that you will not have a wedding, not until you are eighteen. We are here to find you a betrothal, for the time being.”

Rhaenyra grabbed Daemon’s hand, demandingly questioning her mother that:

“I just DID what you expected me to do! Why that betrothal of mine cannot be Daemon?! You told me that I can make my own choice on the matter of who I shall marry. Now I have made my choice, but you said ‘no’. How is that fair?!”

Aemma thought about her words for a moment, finding herself speechless, because Rhaenyra was not wrong about what she had promised her.

But the point being…

“Daemon is your uncle, my love. And he is way much older than you…”

“I do not give a damn to the age gap, as long as he is someone I love. And, how could our blood relation be the problem? We are Targaryens, mother. Do you forget?”

“That’s the Way of us, of the Dragons, Aemma. Dragon only mates with dragon, to make the blood pure, to ensure the Valyrian magic continue.”

Niece and uncle made a good cooperation in persuading.

Aemma fell quiet, because both of them were right.

“Or, do you think I am not worthy enough for Rhaenyra?”

Aemma hesitated, then honestly shook her head.

When she thought about who Daemon Targaryen was and the achievements he had made, she knew there was no man in this land, this generation, could compare to him.

If these advantages owned by any other man than Daemon, she probably would give her blessing.

Aemma had to admit that, prejudice aside, to some extent, Daemon Targaryen was a perfect match to her daughter, more so than that Velaryon boy was.

And he was not lying about the part that he loves Rhaenyra.

“Mother, I know that you wanted me to choose Laenor. But Laenor is also our blood kin, he is my cousin. The difference is insignificant between choosing him and Daemon. And Daemon is closer to me than Laenor in bloodline. I rather marry my kepa.”

Suddenly, she thought of the news Rhaenyra shared with her, about Syrax and Caraxes mating… And now the respective riders were choosing each other.

Was that a sign of her daughter’s future, sent from the Gods?

Would letting Rhaenyra marry Daemon be the “right path” the Gods wanted her to lead their House to?

Or would that lead them straight to their doom?

Aemma kept reprocessing what the Gods had warned her about…

They spoke about some decisions made and would be made by Viserys were the keys that opened the gate of misfortune for the Targaryens, even led to the tragic death of her daughter…

But marrying Daemon was the decision sole made by Rhaenyra herself! And Aemma could foresee that how furious and disapproval Viserys would be when he learned of the news.

She was certain that Daemon being Rhaenyra’s future husband would be the opposite of what Viserys would decide for his heir, his only child.

Aemma’s objection to their combination was wavering. In fact, she did not hold grudge against Daemon. And he did take good care of her daughter and loved her with his heart and soul.

However, another thing Aemma could not accept was that, Daemon was already there when Rhaenyra was a babe, and he used to carry her around on his hips and liked bouncing her on his lap…

He’s the man who had witnessed the growth of her daughter! She just could not imagine he was also the man who one day would share a bed with her daughter!

Truth be told, Aemma found this realization very much disturbing.

Would it be the right way? She asked herself once more.

Was doing what Viserys would not do be their elixir? Would it be that simple?

Gods, Aemma begged them with her inner voice, please tell me how to do this…

She was so lost now. She did not want to disappoint Rhaenyra not after she had died once, which left a permanent scar on her daughter’s life…

“Mother? Please say something.”

Rhaenyra urged her.

“Rhaenyra, even if you found Daemon, well, attractive, and claimed that you love him, you cannot make such decision out of impulse.”

Aemma did not know what she’s talking about, sounding weak.

“Impulse? No! I was not impulsive. I have wanted to marry him since I was a child!”

Daemon shrugged, of that he knew. But he used to view it as a childish talk, nothing serious. He had thought that she would grow out of it, but here they were…

“Aemma, I can be sure that in this world there is no one more fitted than I am to be Rhaenyra’s other half. I have Dark Sister, I have that brutal, fierce beast, Blood Wyrm, and I have my own force, and numerous gold dragons and exotic treasures… Most of all, I am a brother to a King, a fucking Targaryen. Who can compete, with me? And it’s evident that Rhaenyra considered all of those when she picked me. Right, little dragon?”

Rhaenyra nodded quickly. But the fact is that she did not think too much when she put that ring on her uncle’s finger. She chose him because she always did and she loved him too much to let the chance of marrying him slip away.

Daemon relaxed his rigged shoulders.

“Just admit it, Aemma, I am the perfect match to Rhaenyra. Case closed. Let’s call it a day. Ok?”

Daemon yawned, he wanted a nap.

“Even if I had no opinion on your union, daughter, your father would certainly not approve of this.”

Aemma felt a headache was already forming.

To be honest, she really did not care about what Viserys thought. She cared about the future of Rhaenyra only.

And she turned her sight to Daemon once again, who was suppressing his second yawn.

Fourteen Flames, she just could not imagine him being Rhaenyra’s husband…

“Mother, that’s where we need your help. Nowadays, father listens to you and only you, you see… If you talked to him, I think, probably he would permit us, to marry.”

“Rhaenyra, first, let go of Daemon’s hand.” Aemma knew she was the one who had to report this to their King and to convince him to accept the fact that his dear little brother was going to wed his dearest, well, one and only daughter, “second, before it’s literally settled, behave, and keep distance, you two.”

The soon-to-be couple’s eyes lightened up at the same time, and Rhaenyra screamed excitingly:

“So, I can marry uncle Daemon?!”

And Daemon straightened up.

“Will do, My Lady.”

Rhaenyra obediently released Daemon’s hand.

“Mayhaps, I don’t know, if things went smoothly as you wanted…”

Aemma smiled motherly at her daughter, she thought that as long as Rhaenyra was happily alive, well, nothing mattered.

“Princess Aemma, thank you.”

Daemon gratefully bowed to her.

Rhaenyra bounced like a happy little bird, to embrace her.

“Mama, thank you, thank you! I love you the most!”

“Last, and the most important, Daemon, I hope you remembered that you are still married to that Lady Rhea. That needs to be solved before you married my daughter.”

“Aegon the Conqueror has two wives…”

Daemon said matter-of-factly.

Aemma raised her eyebrows.

“What gives you the confidence to compare yourself with The Conqueror?”

Daemon pushed out his muscled chest, shoulders rolling back.

“In some sense, I even surpass him. No jesting.”

Aemma sneered at him while Rhaenyra laughed hard.

“Mother, uncle need an annulment on his marriage with Lady Rhea. You can also help him with that, right? Father rejected him every time he asked before… But if it’s you, father will surely think about it.”

Aemma massaged her temples.

“Fine, I will try.”

Rhaenyra hugged her tighter.

“Thank you, mama.”

That night, the night before they went back to King’s Landing, in her chamber, Aemma knelt in front of the burning fire, asking the Valyrian Gods for guidance.

“Just show me some signs, whether I am doing right or not. I beg of you.”

She stared at the flames, earnestly.

“I just want my daughter to be alright. I want my family, our legacy to be intact… Gods, please help me.”

After Aemma fell asleep that late night, she had a dream.

In it, she saw a vision…

TBC.