moonlisid

[moonlisid]

THE OTHER WOMAN — Part II.

MASTERLIST | Part 1

Pairing: Aegon II Targaryen x Reader

Summary: Elisa had enough of her husband, and soon she finds out how easily the tables can be turned.

TW/Tags: infidelity, profanity, cursing, brief mentions of child loss and miscarriage, angst, aegon still being a terrible husband, mentions of murder. if something is missing let me know.

Author's Note: look at the perfect face claim i found for elisa,i love it so much. many of you asked for a second part and it took me some time but it's finally here, i hope you all love it! i poorly proof read it, so there might be some mistakes btw.

Word Count: 3.8k

Aegon never spoke about the fight ever again. The next few days were as if nothing had happened at all. Elisa was still mad, feeling even more humiliated now that she saw he had no shame in his acts. She was furious with you too, because you had the life she deserves, you have the love that it was supposed to be hers.

It was unfair. For her and for her children.

Even though Aegon was completely bewitched by his newborn daughter, Elisa knew the reason behind his obsession with her daughter, who he later named Naelys. “She will be the most gorgeous princess in the realm.” Aegon would say with a smile, as his eyes were locked in her silver hair that was almost transparent. 

Elisa knew she did not have to fall for it. She knew better. Aegon was only interested in his daughter because he saw her as the child he lost with you. Elisa was no fool, but at least she was grateful that Aegon had some decency and was a good father to her daughter. 

But she was not grateful for your politeness, and for the visit you paid her in the following days. 

Elisa was in her chambers by herself, getting ready to start the day when someone knocked on the door. You entered the room. 

Elisa saw you and felt pity for you; you were looking like a complete mess. Paler skin, dark circles around your eyes, and you looked a bit thinner too. She understood the reason behind it, losing a child was something she would never wish for another woman, not even to you. She knew it was a pain that was hard to heal, but she still could not put on a less-sour grin in her face once she saw you walking to the crib of her daughter. She was not able to put an empathic smile on her face.

“Can I hold her?” You asked her, looking at the small girl hugging the dragon egg beside her. 

Elisa wanted to say no, but she was too kind to deny it. “Of course.” She said plainly. 

She saw you grabbing her daughter between your quivering arms, and she saw the small smile that appeared in your saddened face as you held her. You thought it was a gorgeous little girl, you could already tell she looked like Aegon. She had her father’s chubby cheeks.

“She’s gorgeous, my Queen…” You said with a kind smile, “Congratulations for your blessing.”

Elisa just nodded. Not wanting to waste her words on someone like you.

“I heard you named her Naelys… it’s a beautiful name.” 

“Aegon chose it.” She replied with the same tone as before. She was not comfortable at all, she wanted you to leave. “I’m sorry for your loss, Lady y/n.” She said out of courtesy. 

You only pressed your lips and sighed. “The Gods only want me to have two children,” she said as her voice sounded filled with a defeated tone.

“Are you not going to try for another?” Elisa asked. 

“I’m too scared to try again,” you confessed, rocking the little girl in your arms. “Gareth and Mina are enough.”

Then Elisa tried to repress her words. She really tried. But the pettiness inside her heart, her rage and sadness made her unable to hold back the next words that left her lift without her mind’s consent. She could not prevent it.

“Are you scared that the next one would look like Aegon?” She said, without thinking too further. She saw your face fall, it was pleasing for her knowing that you were trapped. She saw the fear and nervousness in your eyes as she was just as serious as before. She saw your whole body tensed up as you stood as rigid as a rock, “I mean, with Gareth you got lucky, but what if the next one is born with silver hair or purple eyes? Or both?”

You put Naelys back in her crib and you stood there, your arms holding your body against the edges of the crib as your breathing became heavier. Your mind is in a rush, trying to find the words to say, trying to  excuse yourself for what you have been doing to her these years. But what are you supposed to say when your lover’s wife tells you she knows about your sin?

“I’m no fool, y/n,” she spoke slowly, standing with her chin up as elegant as she ever was. “I know what you have been doing with my husband. I have known for a long time.” 

You turned to look at her, your eyes teary, your face paler and your hands shaky. Elisa was looking at you as if she was not confessing knowing your biggest secret. As if she did not have the power to ruin your entire life… just as you ruin hers. 

“Elisa-” you tried to say.

“Shut up.” She quickly interrupted you. There was no feeling in her voice, just a plain, frightening tone that made you feel chills all over your body, “I don’t want to hear your excuses, nor your pathetic lies.”

“I love him,” you muttered, trying to make her understand. But you knew it was a stupid thing to say in a situation like this. 

Elisa scoffed, mockingly. “You both are so pathetic,” she said, bitterly, “and you are an idiot.” You widened your eyes, surprised by her words. “You put your children’s lives in danger just so you can live in this pathetic little fairytale of yours,” she shook her head, pressing her lips, “sleeping with another woman’s husband and bearing him bastards… I never thought you were that ignorant.” You could barely look at her anymore, the shame that was running down your body made you tear up and sob silently,  “Gareth is the only living child of the Lord of Highgarden… but he is Aegon’s bastard. If your husband finds out, what do you think he will do with him? Or with Mina?” 

“What are you implying?” You questioned her, your voice shaking. 

“Lord Tyrell seems like a decent man, from what I’ve seen of him, but men are not to be trusted… they would never understand.”

“Understand what?” 

“Motherhood.” Elisa said without hesitation, “They only see their children as heirs, as a way to make their names prevail… if Lord Tyrell even finds out, he might hurt your babies and I know that you would never forgive yourself if that happens.”

She saw how your face changed with the image of someone hurting your children. She saw the panic in your eyes and she realized you have never considered that little detail that was a consequence of your unashamed affair. Perhaps you were as dumb as she thought.

Elisa saw the outcome of what she told you the following days. You were ignoring Aegon most of the time, and he seemed to be confused about that sudden change of attitude towards him. Suddenly, you would sit far from him, and instead of spending your days with him you would spend your days with your father and your children. Elisa was noticing how Aegon was starting to grow desperate thanks to your indifference towards him. 

Elisa, without even knowing, had broken the relationship between you two.

That was never her intention. She was just trying to warn you about what could happen; about the consequences of your actions. Elisa was a mother too, and even though she hated you with every inch of her heart for all the pain you have caused to her, she would never wish any harm towards your children… They were innocent.

Seeing Aegon falling apart for it was just a bonus.

A day before your departure to Highgarden, Elisa was walking through the hallways when she walked past the library. She was not someone nosy or obtrusive into matters that did not concern her. But she couldn’t help it but to eavesdrop. And the matter did concern her.

Hearing you scolding Aegon was probably one of the most satisfying moments in her life, seeing Aegon's heart getting broken by your harsh words and seeing him on the verge of tears… it made her feel as if the Gods had punished him for what he had done to her, for humiliating her and dismissing her. However, she wasn’t cruel enough to enjoy his suffering as much as she would have liked to.

She never planned to come across you and Aegon quietly fighting in one of the most hidden places of the Red Keep, a place that she usually visits in order to read some books and be by herself. The only place where she could be away from Aegon.

“Why would you do this to me?” Aegon whined, Elisa was able to see his broken heart through those purple eyes of his. She was hiding behind the half-opened door, peeking through the side. “I thought you loved me!”

“Your wife already knows…” You spoke in response, your voice was calmer and quieter, but it was obvious you have been crying too. “It would be a matter of time before my husband finds out too! And you know what that would mean?”

“It means that we could finally be together… we won’t need to hide anymore.” Aegon said, his voice was filled with illusion as his eyes had a hopeful light in them. Elisa wanted to laugh. 

“It means my children will likely be at risk, Aegon.” The fear you felt was too evident in your voice, you were scared of what your husband might do if he ever finds out. Elisa’s words invaded your mind. “Gareth is the heir of Highgarden, if the rumors of him being a bastard come to light...” You went quiet for a second, as your eyes became teary. “Gods, I cannot even think about what would happen.”

“I will protect you, my love… I’m the King!”

You scoffed, shaking your head. “I cannot believe you right now.” You pass your hands through your face in despair. “Mace is no fool, he already has his suspicions. I’ve already lost a child, Aegon, I can't risk losing another.”

“Mina is his, she can be his heir.” Aegon tried to give you a solution, but it only made you more furious. 

Elisa’s words returned to your mind; …They only see their children as heirs, as a way to make their names prevail. 

“How can you not understand?!” You desperately said, tears starting to fall down your cheeks, “It’s not fucking hard, Aegon! My children are my priority, if I have to break every connection with you to save them, then I will without thinking twice.”

Aegon stood in silence, as if your words had made his heart stop. His jaw clenched as his eyes became teary. He put his hand on his chest feeling the pain in his heart, Elisa could not help but to feel bad for him. She was too kind to feel joy over other people’s misery… even if they caused harm to her.

“I thought-” He cut himself trying to not to cry, “I thought you loved me, y/n.”

“You’re insane if you think I will ever love you more than I love my children.” 

You finally decided that you have had enough of Aegon. Elisa could not help but smile, just a small, slight smile.

“Y/n… please, don’t do this…” He begged you, grabbing your hands and looking at your eyes. He was basically sobbing, but you would not bend to his words. Not when your children were at risk. “I can do something, anything! I- I will name Gareth as my legitimate son and as my heir-”

Elisa clenched her jaw at his words. 

“Are you insane?” You interrupted him, taking a step back freeing yourself from his touch, “Did you lose your fucking mind, Aegon?” You scoffed, “You have three beautiful children, Baelor is your heir.” 

“My love…”

“Stop worrying about my children, and start worrying about yours.” You said harshly.

Aegon stood in silence, as if he could not believe your words. Elisa then left, walking back towards the nursery room where her children were. She did not need to hear the rest. You were out of the picture now, and even though the Elisa of two years ago will be thrilled with that information, living with the illusion that Aegon would be able to finally love her, the present Elisa knew better, and she no longer had affections towards her husband. All the feelings were gone. 

She didn’t feel anything for him anymore. She knew it was better that way. 

The day that you left was the last time Elisa ever saw you. Aegon didn’t even come to say farewell as everyone was expecting, only your father and Queen Elisa, were there. You did not feel sad, though, you knew you were doing the right thing leaving Aegon behind, no matter how much it hurted, your children will always come first for you. 

“Farewell, lady y/n.” Elisa said, “I hope you have a safe trip.” 

“Thank you, my Queen.” You bowed swiftly before going towards your father.

Elisa saw you hugging him, and then he hugged his grandchildren, who smiled with his caresses and soft words. That made her think about her own family in Dorne, and how much time has passed since she traveled to her home. Her mother hadn’t met Naelys yet. 

After a couple minutes of thinking, she decided she would take her children back to Dorne, at least for a couple of weeks. She needed to be away from the walls of the Red Keep, away from her husband. Elisa wanted a break from Aegon. She wanted a break from everything that had happened lately, and she knew she would get that peace back if she returned to Dorne.

Hours later, Elisa was in the dining room by herself. She was eating quietly as the candles were the only source of light, the servants were around her, waiting for her to order them whatever requests she might have. 

Elisa was used to eat alone. Aegon would never eat with her, which was why she was so surprised after seeing him entering the dining hall and sitting in front of her, across the long wooden table. Elisa clenched her jaw, and she would have a hard time swallowing the food. She was uncomfortable, his presence made her utterly uncomfortable. 

He sat there, the servants ran to serve him and brought food to him as he looked at his wife. Elisa waited for him to say something. 

"She left," Aegon said, "what did you say to her?" 

"Nothing but the truth,” she answers, drinking from his cup of wine. 

“Whatever bullshit you said to her-” 

“I said no foolery, dear husband,” she interrupted him, a plain expression on her face, “I warned her of what can happen if her lord husband ever finds out about her sins.”

“And why did you feel the right to do so?”

“Am I not the Queen?” She asked, lifting her eyebrow, completely unbothered by Aegon’s eyes filled with rage, “am I not supposed to give guidance to every person in the realm? Because that is what I did with her… I advised her.” 

“You filled her head with lies so she would leave me,” he accused her. 

“I was honest,” she spoke harshly. Aegon clenched his jaw, “you would never understand it because you’re a man. Her children could die, if you claim to love her so devoutly then you should understand what she said and let her go.”

“You had no right.” 

"Why didn't you marry her?” She asked, while a servant started to fill her cup with wine, “you both claimed to love each other so deeply, then why didn't you marry?" 

Aegon sighed and leaned his back in his chair. It seemed as if he was about to tell a tragic story, his eyes saddened with the memory.

“Because we didn't have the time to escape,” he muttered, loud enough for Elisa to hear, “when my mother announced our betrothal, I ran to her to tell her about it and she immediately suggested running away with me.” He shrugged, “she told me she wanted to marry me… but the Gods were cruel. The dragon keepers found us and took us to my mother and his father.”

Elisa felt a pinch of pity for them. It was a typical tragic love story, but the minute she remembered everything she went through because of them, the pity disappeared as soon as it appeared. 

“My mother told her that if she cared about the realm, she would let me marry you…” He took a long sip from his wine and nodded softly, clicking his tongue as he continued, “We've never been able to conquer Dorne, not even Aegon the Conqueror could, and doing it in such a peaceful way as it is a marriage, would cause my name to be in the history forever as the King who was able to make the Seven Kingdoms be at peace at once.”

“And she accepted it.” Elisa concluded, Aegon nodded again.

“She did. But as you realized, she didn't really listen to the words, and neither did I.” He scoffed, as if he was mocking himself, “We belong to each other, we've always had.”

“And yet you both married different people.”

“We did.”

There was a small silence, the only sound coming from the fireplace, where the burning wood would crackle. Elisa then broke the ice and spoke again,

"Do you hate me for it?" 

Aegon shook his head, “I don't hate you, you're the mother of my children.”

“I'm the woman who made it impossible for you to marry the love of your life.”

“You want me to hate you?” He asked almost in an annoyed tone. Elisa could perceive a slight mockery in his voice, and that was enough to make her feel no empathy at all for him. 

“All I ever wanted was your love…” She confessed, “then when I knew you would never love me, I asked for your respect, but you didn't give me that either.”

“I've always respected you.”

She scoffed, “sleeping with another woman while your wife is waiting for you is not an act of respect, I’m afraid.”

“Elisa-”

“I'm taking the children to Dorne with me,” she cut him off, Aegon frowned immediately.

“What?”

“I want my mother to see them. It's been years since she last saw them, and she wants to meet Naelys too.”

“You can't do that,” he swiftly said.

“Why? I thought in this marriage we would do anything we want… it's what you've always done, isn't it?”

Aegon moved the fingers of his hand. Elisa then knew he was getting visibly angry and annoyed by this whole conversation. But she would not bend into submission, not anymore.

“Your children belong here, not in Dorne,” he protested, raising his voice. 

“It's not permanent, just a few weeks.”

“No,” he shook his head, looking down at his plate, “they must remain here. You can go on your own if you please.”

“They're my children…” she objected. 

“They're the crown's, they're the King's heirs, they will and they must stay here.”

“So that's how you see them?”

“That's what they are.”

“You're unbelievable…” Elisa claimed, shaking her head while a sour smile crossed her face. 

Her appetite was gone, she was angrier than ever, but she knew she had to find a way to convince him to let her go. She needed this, she was longing for coming back home after such a long time.

“All I am asking is a couple weeks, two at most. Then we will return to the Red Keep… and Baelon and Rhaegon will be able to fulfill their duties as heirs.” She tried to persuade him. “Just two weeks.”

He looked at her and then looked back at his cup of wine. Elisa saw the doubt crossing in his eyes and she realized he was thinking about it. That gave her some hope.

“Well, if you are so eager to go, you must go under my terms.” 

“And what are those terms, dear husband?” The sarcasm in her voice was so obvious that Aegon rolled his eyes once he heard her. 

“I'm going to give you two weeks to go there, but you must return. If you stay there longer than I’d allowed you, it would be considered as if you kidnapped my children and you know very well what the punishments are for it.”

His words felt so cold, so empty and cruel. Elisa could not help but to scoff and look at him with an incredulous stare.

“Are you serious?”

“I need to be certain that you won't be thinking about staying there with my heirs forever.” He justified. 

“Perhaps if you would've been a better husband I wouldn't think about going to Dorne at all.” 

And there it was, the same serious, cold stare of Aegon. Elisa was used to it. 

“Do you accept it or not?” He muttered with annoyance. 

Silence. Elisa took a deep breath. “Yes.” 

“Good. There's another term.” He continued. 

“Another?” He nodded, “what is it?”

“Since I cannot go with you because I have things to deal with here… I will assign you a companion that will make sure you are going to return.”

“Is the threat of killing me not enough?”

He shrugged, “I'm just doing what I have to do.”

“Who will you assign me to be my companion then…” She tilted her head, looking at him with a hard glance, “one of the men in your Kingsguard? Ser Criston Cole, perhaps?”

He shook his head,

“Aemond will go with you.”

She frowned in surprise, as she did not expect him to mention Aemond at all. She thought the young prince would have better things to do, but apparently he did not.

“Aemond?” She asked, shocked, “Prince Aemond?”

“Who else? I trust him enough.”

Elisa played with the rings in her finger and then, without thinking it too much, she nodded. She had to agree with all the terms if she wanted to go, she had no choice. 

“Fine.” She muttered. Aegon smiled pleased. 

“I'll be organizing everything, then.” He drank a long sip from his cup of wine and then looked at his wife again. “In two days you will be able to go to Dorne with our children… Are you happy now?”

“Quite, yes.”

“Good.” He nodded again. 

Elisa leaned back in her chair as she looked down at her half-empty plate. Aemond was a bit intimidating for her, she never had had the chance to speak to him besides small greetings or short exchanges of words. She knew he was a decent man, but there was something that was a bit menacing for her.

It was better than nothing, though. She thought.

@auratiqs

#aegon ii targaryen #house targaryen #house of the dragon #aegon targaryen #aegon x reader #game of thrones #aemond targaryen #hotd #angst #team green #fanfic #hotd x reader #hotd imagine #oc!female #fire and blood #house martell

[moonlisid]

THE CONQUEROR'S CROWN

MASTERLIST | Part 1 ; Part 2 ; Part 3 ; Part 4

GIF CREDIT

Pairing: Aegon II Targaryen x FemOC!Velaryon (Strong)

Summary: The secret of their relationship is out in the worst time possible, but Visaella does not seem to care. Drown into her own madness, the rage of her grief blinded her and left her thirsty for vengeance. Now she will not rest until she gets her revenge.

Tags/TW: death of multiple characters, blood mention, murder, angst, sexual content (nothing too explicit), death threats, grief, mentions of forced marriage, typical sexism of the time, visaella lost her mind, insanity (?), violence, cursing, aegon is emotially attached to the oc, if there's anything else, pls let me know!

Author's Note: we reached the end. everything that is written with cursive are memories, just so you know. firstly, i'm sorry. secondly, the gif is how i imagined Visaella while writing the story, but you are free to picture her as you wish. thirdly, perhaps i will write some blurbs about the happy moments between these two bc it will be a closure to me lmao. lastly, thank you for reading this story and enjoying it as much as i enjoyed writing it, i hope the end make justice to the rest of the story.

Word Count: 16.1k

Taglist: @mirandastuckinthe80s @clairacassidy @alexandra-001 @stormgirlfriendd @kravitzwhore @poppyflower-22 @bellameshipper

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Two tired and sweaty bodies were laying on top of a big blanket in the middle of the woods. They were smiling and throwing breathless laughs to the air, exhausted and overwhelmed. They were lost, living in their own world as they usually did whenever they were alone. The fire beside them made them feel warm so their naked bodies did not feel an inch of cold.

Anyone can start again Not through love, but through revenge. Through the fire, we're born again, Peace by vengeance brings the end.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Aegon turned in order to kiss her delicately, muttering sweet words against her lips, touching the soft skin of her legs while suspiring, utterly enamored by the girl under him. He leaned back afterwards, only to see her rosy cheeks and glossy lavender haze. A soft smile was made on her face once he saw the messy hair of her lover, produced by her own hands. They were like that for a couple minutes, with silly smiles decorating their faces while staring at each other with complete devotion. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“I never thought we would be able to do this outside the castle.” Aegon confessed, biting his lip trying to hide his excited smile. “I thought I wouldn’t see you until my father’s next name day.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“But here we are.” She said, “Together, and alone. And for the first time, without being scared of someone finding us.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“You’re a genius, my love.” He left multiple kisses on her face, she chuckled due to the tickles his soft peachy lips produced. “How did you even find this place?”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“I saw it on the map on Dragonstone.” She shrugged, “Then, one day, I took Vermithor here and found that cave where he perfectly fits with Sunfyre. It’s right in the middle of Dragonstone and King’s Landing, and far from the Kingsroad. It’s perfect.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“It is as if the Gods gifted this place to us.” He spoke with a dreamy voice. Visaella nodded, tangling her legs between her lover’s.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“I guess we should thank them.” She muttered, kissing him once again.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Aegon cupped her face, starting to leave subtle kisses all over it. Her eyelids, her nose, her cheeks, her forehead, her lips. Every single part of her face was kissed by him while she only could hum and whimper delicate words to him. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎He pulled away and stared down at her, his eyes glistening with a glow that she had never seen in another man's eyes, but she liked the way it made her feel.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“What?” She asked teasingly. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Aegon shook his head softly, 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“I don’t think I'm ever going to get tired of seeing your face.” Aegon whispered. The silence of the night was only interrupted by the sound of his voice, and the breathing of the two large dragons inside the cave; Vermithor and Sunfyre. “You are too beautiful.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Visaella just laughed, and Aegon fell in love with her all over again. It was such a magical sound, so special and unique. It was the most beautiful sound in the entire world, he was sure of it. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“You are too kind, my sweet prince.” The girl said, wrinkling her nose and brushing Aegon’s hair with her fingers. “I would bet there are a thousand girls who are more beautiful than I am, and I can assure you that because I’ve been witness to their beauty.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Aegon’s mouth dropped in a gesture of offense, frowning. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Are you confessing to eyeing other women, my love?” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Of course I do,” She shrugged, and Aegon started to kiss her collarbones. “And I know you do it too.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Why would I spend my valuable time seeing other women when the most perfect one is already mine?” He muttered against her skin, marking her neck and leaving wet kisses that made her sigh. “It’s nonsense.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“You are lying.” She raised her torso, leaning on her forearms, getting closer to Aegon’s lips and kissing them softly before he went back into marking her breasts. “You are a liar.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“I’m not lying.” His tongue swirled around one of her nipples before going lower to her stomach. Visaella bit her lip. “I have eyes only for you. You’re the only woman that I will ever worship.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Worship?” She asked teasingly, looking down at Aegon’s face buried on her abdomen, filling her with kisses and soft bites. “I’m no goddess for you to worship me.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Of course you are.” His lips started to mark trails down her hips, each time he would get closer to her core. “And I will always be on my knees for you.” He gave a soft kiss on the inside part of her thighs, making her shiver under his touch. “Now, let me prove how well I can worship my goddess. Let me serve my queen.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Her head fell back the instant she felt his warm mouth against her. Aegon hummed against her wet skin after feeling her sweet taste. She opened her eyes, putting her gaze on the darkened sky that was the only witness of their love.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Visaella.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎The princess was too lost in her memories to even notice her step-father’s voice calling her. The ring on her heart finger was spinning around it while she stared at it with lost eyes; the black band covered with beautiful rubies was the only memory of Aegon she had on her. She tried to get rid of it by throwing it at the wide and open sea, but she could not bring herself to do it. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Visaella.” Daemon repeated.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The eyes of the girl looked up and saw all the lords looking at her, expecting an answer for whatever they might have been talking about. Jacaerys was at the other end of the table, staring at her with worried eyes. Visaella lifted her chin and quickly hid her hand behind her back, as if she was embarrassed to show the ring decorating her finger. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Pardon me, my lords.” She said, clearing her throat and putting on a smile. “I’m afraid my mind has been a bit lost these last hours.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Your grace, I was expecting an answer from you.” Lord Corlys said, “The fleet will be ready to sail on the morrow from Driftmark to King’s Landing.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Remember that the fleet must arrive after me.” She indicated looking at the giant map carved on the table. “We need to make it appear as if I’m there to bend the knee in the name of my mother. Otto will be the first one to die if everything goes to plan.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Perhaps you should send the fleet at least an hour before Your Grace leaves on Dragon back.” Daemon indicated. “Or, we can find a place to hide near King’s Landing to settle while you go on your fleet.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Isn't it too risky to get closer to King’s Landing?” A lord asked. It was Lord Tully. “With all due respect, your Grace, I think two large dragons are not quite easy to hide.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ But they were. Visaella knew about it because she had been witness to it before. She knew it was possible to hide a dragon, because she knew the perfect place to do so; a site that was full with memories that she would rather forget. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “There is a place.” Visaella spoke, walking around the table. The men moved to let her walk freely. She grabbed a wooden symbol of a dragon and put it on top of the part of the map where it said Duskendale. “The woods of Duskendale.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Daemon looked at Visaella with an raised eyebrow, remembering that name from the letter she had written to Aegon a few nights ago. She just ignored his judgemental stare and looked at the rest of the guards and lords in order to keep explaining herself,

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “There is a cave between the shore and the woods.” She explained. “Large enough to fit at least three adult dragons. Vermithor being one of them.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “And the other one?” Jacaerys asked, curiously. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Visaella just ignored the question and kept talking, “The woods is right in the middle between Dragonstone and King’s Landing, besides it is also quite close to Driftmark and far enough from the Kingsroad. It is the perfect spot.” Her eyes looked down in the instant those words came out of her mind, having instant flashbacks. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “It is decided then.” Lord Corlys, concluded. “On the morrow, Your Grace and Prince Daemon will fly with their dragons towards Duskendale, our fleet will take all the armies toward the place and then, when the time arrives, we’ll begin the attack to the Greens.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “That sounds perfect.” Daemon complimented, “Although, I’m afraid we aren’t thinking about something important. Who kills the beast?”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “What beast?” Visaella asked.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Vhagar is a threat to all of us.” Daemon warned, “We cannot risk being attacked by her, we would lose.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “There is no need to kill Vhagar. Besides, killing a dragon of her size is almost impossible for a common human being.” She said, “Killing Aemond will be enough to get rid of her, she would be a riderless dragon.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Then we need to avoid Aemond from going to Vhagar.” Jacaerys added, “Leave that to me, I will kill him-”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “No.” The eldest daughter said, “Alicent, Aemond and Helaena will be killed under my command, they will die with the flames of Vermithor as traitors to the crown. Leave them to me.” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “What about Aegon?” Daemon asked. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Visaella looked at the table for a minute, brushing her fingers against the wood and taking a deep breath. She turned around to see the older man, 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I will kill Aegon with my bare hands.” She decided, “You can have the rest if you like, I heard you’ve had some tense encounters with Ser Criston, you can kill him if you want. I do not care about him.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “What about me?” Jacaerys asked, “What am I supposed to do?”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “You are staying here, in Dragonstone.” His older sister informed him. He was about to complain, but she spoke first. “You are my heir now, Jacaerys. Me going to King’s Landing is a big risk as it is, I will not allow you to go too.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “But I have a dragon, Ella. I- I can help you, I want to help you.” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “You will help me by staying here, by protecting our home.” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The boy was ready to keep insisting on the subject, ready to give a reasonable argument to make her change her mind, but he was interrupted by the words of his grandsire,

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Your grace,” Lord Corlys spoke again, taking all the attention. “That is a matter we must talk about.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “What matter?” She asked. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Your line of succession.” Visaella clenched her jaw, and she gave Daemon an uncomfortable look, trying to search for help. He only looked down at his feet, avoiding her eyes. “You are not married, and you need an heir.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Her hand unconsciously reached her stomach, specifically where her womb was located. She thought about the hundred times when Aegon promised her to give her a child as beautiful as her. She dreamt about it almost every night that now the thought of having a family with any other person feels wrong, even after everything that has happened. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Jacaerys is my heir.” She clarified. “And after Jacaerys comes Joffrey, or Jacarys’ future children. I have four alive brothers, my lord. I suppose the line of my succession is not at risk.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “You need a son.” He said, “Or a daughter.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “And what are you planning to do about it?” Daemon jumped into the conversation, looking at him with a serious semblance, “She is not married, and at least you have a proper suitor, I don’t think there will be any children from her any time soon.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “What about Prince Jacaerys?”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Visaella felt her body tense, and her breathing stopped for a second. She looked up at her brother who was already staring at her with widened eyes and his frown slightly wrinkled. The princess later laid her eyes on Lord Corlys, glancing at him with a clearly incredulous face.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “What?” Daemon was the first to speak, also shocked by the proposal.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Targaryens have been marrying between brothers and sisters long before the conquest of Aegon.” He explained, “If I remember correctly, Prince Daemon, even your parents were brother and sister, were they not?”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “They were.” He agreed, reluctantly. “But Jacaerys is already betrothed.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “A betrothal is just words, there’s nothing done yet. We can call off the betrothal and marry him to Your Grace.” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The fact that they were talking about her as if she was not in the room listening to their words made her furious. Other Lords started to agree with the idea, and Visaella felt sick with just the thought of marrying Jacaerys. She could not do it, and she will not. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I don’t think it is a good idea.” Visaella said, “Jacaerys is my heir either way, I don’t see the need to marry.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “You need children, Your Grace.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “What about Cregan Stark?” Daemon proposed, “His wife passed away a few years ago.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “He already has children of their own.” Lord Corlys said. “I insist, the best option right now is to marry you both in order to continue the line of succession.” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “That’s enough.” Visaella stopped them before any other person could keep adding reasons to defend the matter. “I will not stand here, hearing how a bunch of men talk about what is best for my reign by trying to sell me away to a husband I do not need.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Your Grace-” Ser Corlys said, but she cut his words.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “We shall talk about this matter once I become queen.” Visaella answered fastly, “There is no need to worry about those foolish things now when I don’t even have a crown to claim my rightful position.” Her voice sounded angry and annoyed, Lord Corlys nodded, “Once I sit in the Iron Throne we will discuss my succession. You’re all dismissed.” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Not wanting to talk any more about the matter, she left the council room and walked away. Ser Erryk, as loyal as always, followed her lead. She was heading towards the beach, finding that bench where she used to sit and watch Lucerys train against Jacaerys. Ser Erryk gave her the space that she needed, standing a few feets away from her. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She sat there, releasing a big amount of air that was trapped in her lungs. She looked down at her shoes, playing with the sand under them. The sound of the waves felt empty without the voice of Lucerys. Everything felt empty without him.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She tried not to look forward, knowing that the memories of her brothers training would come to her mind only to make her cry. Visaella allowed herself to let go a couple of tears, she needed to find some kind of relief from all this agony that had been inside of her. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Baela left with the boys.” A male voice informed behind her back. “Although Joffrey insisted on traveling on his own dragon.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Now they are safe.” She was quick to brush off the tears that had fallen onto her cheeks, looking up to find her brother’s face. “Thank you.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Jacaerys sat on the empty spot beside her sister and looked at the waves crashing against the shore. Visaella just went silent, not knowing what to say. She could perceive how Jace wanted to say something, but the words were struggling to come out of his mouth.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Ella, I- I’ve been trying to find the right words to talk to you since I came back.” He spoke softly.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Talk about what?” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Jacaerys tilted his head, looking at her with a softened haze, “About Lucerys… and mother.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “And what do you want to say about it?” She shrugged, “He’s gone now. He’s not coming back, neither is our mother.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “It’s not good that you keep all those bad feelings to yourself.” He grabbed her hand, trying to comfort her. “I saw what you did to those men, Ella. It wasn’t their fault, they-”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “You know nothing, Jace.” She chuckled with sarcasm, “Those men made me lay in bed, unable to go to Storm’s End in Lucerys’ place. It should’ve been me, not him!” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “What did you do?” He asked, “Why did they try to stop you?”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “It doesn’t matter.” She shook her head.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “It does.” He insisted, “What are you hiding?”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Nothing, just leave.” She muttered.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I will not. Tell me.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Jace…” She begged, “Please, stop asking questions.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “You never tell me anything.” He spoke, hurted. “You barely speak to me. I know your relationship with Lucerys was different, but I really hope we can live through this grief together… she was my mother too, he was my brother too.” His eyes started to get teary with threatening tears, Visaella’s gaze softened, “Right now, right here, we are every we have left. We need to stick together.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “And what do you want me to do?” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I want you to, at least, be honest with me.” He brushed his tears from his face with a careless gesture. “Please, tell me what is going on with you.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She knew he was right. In that instant, there was only them left. There was no point in hiding the truth from him, no use in lying anymore. One of the biggest regrets was the fact that she did not tell Lucerys the truth before he was gone, he deserved to know it. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ And now she realized that Jacaerys also needs to know.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She nodded slowly, understanding what she needed to do. However, she was having an incredibly hard time in finding the words and sorting out her own thoughts to give him the news. A part of her knew that there was a big possibility of Jacaerys starting to hate her for it, but it was the right thing to do, so she just tried, 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I had a thing… with- uhm, with Aegon.” The words were crashing against each other, but Jace was able to understand. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “A thing?” He asked, confused. “What do you mean? Like a- like a rivalry or-?”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “We were together, Jace.” She interrupted him, “In the same way that our mother was with Daemon, in the same way Lord Corlys is with Princess Rhaenys. We were-” She stopped herself before finishing the sentence and corrected herself. “I was in love.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Jacaerys leaned back, straightening his posture and looking at her with astonishment, as if he had not understood what she had said. Visaella did not look him in the eye, too embarrassed to even dare to look up, and too scared to face him. She was staring at their hands.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Ella…” Jacaerys whispered, “Since when?”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Since Aemond’s accident, I think.” She shrugged, “I don’t know, I don’t remember.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “You’ve been with him for six years?” His voice was demonstrating how shocked he was, it was a bit funny how his expression would change so quickly, “Why? How?”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I don’t know.” She shook her head. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “That’s why those men took you, right?” Jacaerys asked, “You were going to see him and that’s why you were treated as a traitor.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Visaella nodded, “Perhaps, if I hadn’t been so blinded by the love that I had for him, none of this would’ve happened.” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Why would you say that? It’s not your fault.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “He always told me he didn’t want anything related to being King. He even told me that the only reason why he hasn’t escaped yet is because he wanted to escape with me.” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “And did you want that?” He asked.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I thought about it… multiple times.” She confessed, “Everytime he would say those things, I would spend the entire night thinking about escaping with him to Essos.” She laughed, but it was a bitter one. “Now that I think about it, perhaps it was all an invention in order to take me out of the picture and steal the throne. Aemond has always wanted it.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “It’s a bit shocking, if I’m honest.” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “You didn’t see it coming?” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I mean,” He chuckled, “Sometimes I would catch him staring at you from head to toe, but I thought he was only being a pervert.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Well, I don’t blame you. He has quite the reputation.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Both siblings went silent once again. Their hands were still tangled while Visaella was caressing him with her thumb, just how she used to do with Lucerys whenever he –or herself– was anxious or nervous. It was a small gesture that brought both of them lots of comfort. It appeared to work with Jacaerys too. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “You will kill him now?”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Jacaerys voice sounded so soft and low, it was barely audible and easily blended with the sound of the sea. That question brought a hundred of emotions to Visaella, who only managed to mumble some words.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I guess I’ll have to.” She muttered. “He is the usurper. He stole my mother’s birthright.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “But will you be able to do it?” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I really hope so.” She bit her lip, nervously. “I trust in the rage I feel, that it will not let me get blinded when I see him.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Let me go with you.” He begged, “I will help you, I swear.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “You will be more useful here, Jace. Taking control of Dragonstone, this place cannot be left alone in case they decide to fly over here.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Ella, please-”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I can’t lose you too, Jace.” She spoke harshly. He frowned his lips looking down at his shoes, “It’s enough with Lucerys and with mother, you cannot leave too. You already said it, it’s you and me right now. We are all we have left.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “What if you don’t come back? Then what will I have left?” He raised her voice, “The boys are too little to even understand what is going on, how am I supposed to live with that burden by myself?”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Then what? Do you want me to stay here and send Daemon alone?” She scoffed, “To leave my own army on their own? No way.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I want you to take me with you, I want to fight by your side. We are siblings is what we are supposed to do.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “It has already been said, Jacaerys. Enough with that.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Visaella stood up, but her brother’s hand grabbed her wrist, making her stop. She turned around and saw the sadness in his eyes, which caused a slight pain on her chest. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I sent Lucerys to Storm’s End.” He said, Visaella’s heart stopped, reviving all her inner pain. “Lucerys is dead because I wasn’t there to protect him. Mother is dead for the same reason.” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Jace-”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Please, at least let me protect you.” He begged, “Please, Visaella.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The girl stared at him with the same look as him; one filled with sorrow. She frowned her lips, thinking about what is the right thing to do on that occasion. His begging eyes reminded her of Lucerys’, and then it was impossible for her heart to deny something to him.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She nodded, and Jacaerys hugged her tightly. She felt the pain of her inner wounds, but she decided to ignore it. She hugged him back, stroking his hair and closing her eyes. She felt his tears falling on her shoulders, and his soft sobs were not easy to ignore. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Jacaerys was everything she had left right then. 

+

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “You’re going to spill the wine inside the tub!” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Visaella laughed, her vision was already blurry due to the effect of alcohol on her body. Aegon hid her face in the crook of her neck, chuckling softly. “Aegon, stop- You’re making a mess!”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Pardon me, my love.” He said between laughter, leaving a delicate kiss under her ear. “I feel a bit dizzy.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Give me that,” She said, grabbing his cup and filling it with wine. She stole a sip from it before giving it back to him. “There you go, my sun.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aegon grabbed her and hugged her tightly against his chest, loving how intimately it felt to have her bare skin against his. Visaella leaned her head back, resting on his shoulder. Aegon started to leave soft strokes on her belly, sighing in her ear.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “How I wish I could be here forever.” He muttered, “All my problems would be solved if you were here with me every day.” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Visaella could not help but smile, “Soon we’ll get lucky enough to do it.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “What if we don’t?” He asked, his voice sounded worried. “My mother is quite eager to marry me off with Helaena.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She turned around, making a mess on Aegon’s bedroom floor. He chuckled after hearing the water splashing against the carpet, and his smile only widened once he saw her face staring at him. She sat on his lap, and soon he was touching the skin covering her waist and hips. Visaella started washing his hair with care, being completely careful and loving. Aegon started to hum without even noticing it. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Don’t be so pessimistic, my sun.” She said while pouring water on his platinum hair. “We will be able to be together one day. We’ll just have to wait a bit.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “How long?”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “My eighteenth nameday is a few moons away.” She thought a bit, “Perhaps, you can come to Dragonstone with that excuse and present to my mother your wish to marry me.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I don’t like waiting.” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I know you don’t.” She laughed, “But be patient for me, please?”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aegon pouted his lips before nodding. Visaella smiled and kissed him gently, tasting the flavor of wine in his mouth. He held her tight, caressing her back and playing with her wet hair strands. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I love you.” He whispered against her lips. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Visaella rubbed her nose against him, making him chuckle. “I love you too, my sweet prince.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The princess took a big breath once her head was out of the water. Her hands quickly went to her face, brushing off the hair strands that were covering it. She looked around her room and she found an empty bed. She looked through the window at her side and noticed that the sun was already up in the sky, announcing the arrival of a new day.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She felt the coldness of air on her shoulders and she hugged herself for a couple of minutes. Lately, every single action has been a reminder of something that she has done with his company; even a simple activity such as taking a bath would be enough to see his face once again. He was carved in her memory, and there was no way to escape from him.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Visaella stood up from the bathtub, covering her naked body with her silk robe. She let her hair loose afterwards, and started to brush it in front of a mirror seeing the water dripping from her head to the floor.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Soon, she got dressed, and she did not wear her typical attires; she wore a black vest that was covered with metal details imitating the scales of a dragon, it was hard material that shielded her whole torso and shoulders, along with black leather pants. It was similar to her rider’s clothes, but this had way more protection. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Later, a maid braided her hair enough to leave her face uncovered. Then she gave her something to eat; it would probably be the first and last meal of the day, so she enjoyed it as much as she could. Perhaps it would be her real last meal. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ After finishing it, and before leaving her room, she looked at the ring on her finger, and she made it spin around it. She thought about letting him there, in some random place inside of her chambers. Instead, she just put it back on her heart finger and left the room with her scabbard around her hips, which had her sword and two daggers. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Ser Erryk received her in the hallway, bowing his head in a subtle move. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Your Grace, Prince Daemon is waiting for you in the dunes along with Prince Jacaerys.” He informed her, “The dragons are ready and the fleets have already left for Duskendale woods.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Visaella stopped walking and turned to him, looking confused. “Why are you still here, then?” She asked, “Shouldn’t you be in one of the ships, leading an army?”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Prince Jacaerys commanded me to stay here, protecting the castle.” He replied.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Nonsense.” She shook her head, “You will be my Lord Commander, they need to see you there.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Prince Jacaerys-”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I don’t care what Jacaerys said.” She interrupted him, “Ser Erryk, you are my most loyal guard, I will need your presence in the battlefield. You're coming with me.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She started walking again, but soon the guard’s voice made her stop. “But, your grace, all the ships are gone.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “You’ll be riding Vermithor with me.” She said, shrugging as if it was not a great thing. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Your grace, I don’t think I could-”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Grab your sword, Ser Erryk, we need to hurry.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She ordered him, and the man only nodded and followed her trace. People would bow whenever she passed by them, they would stop doing whatever they were doing only to do that small action. Visaella did not like it, she did not feel like a queen yet. She barely lets them call her ‘your grace’, and it was only because Daemon persuaded her by telling her she was now representing their leader. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She managed to see the three dragons and the dragon’s keepers holding them in their place. Jacaerys was talking with Daemon, who seemed to be giving orders and explaining something. Both men turned around to see her, but only Jacaerys smiled while Daemon only bowed his head as a greeting. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Visaella walked towards Vermithor, and started to caress his bronze scales. Her head leaned against his and she whispered, “Rytsas, ñuha pazavor valītsos (Hello, my loyal boy.)” Vermithor sighed as a response, “Kessa sagon iā bōsa tubis (It will be a long day)” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “He is very fond of you.” Daemon spoke behind your back. “He is a loyal dragon, not everyone can have that. ”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “He is.” She agreed, “I’m lucky to have him.” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Daemon’s hand fell onto her shoulder. She looked at him, and he smirked. It was the first time since the day of the feast that she felt some comfort in him; perhaps it was because he was the only parental figure left in her life, and she felt like she needed some kind of guidance in her life from now on; a guidance that he could provide.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Your mother and Lucerys would be proud of you.” He said, Visaella haze softened. “I am proud of you.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Why?”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ He laughed, as if she had just asked something terribly obvious.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Look what you’ve done.” His hand cupped her face and she did not feel the need to take a step back in order to stay away from his touch. She thought it was rather reassuring. “You are eager to defend your mother’s legacy until your final breath. You finally opened your eyes and saw the Greens for what they truly are; a group of traitors that deserve their punishment.” He spat the last words with rage, while a grin filled with disgust crossed his face. It faded as soon as he looked at her again. “You will be a great Queen, Visaella, as long as you don’t let your feelings blind you.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She nodded, as if she was wordlessly promising him to follow his advice. And then, Daemon hugged her tightly. It was an odd action coming from him, but she doubtfully accepted the gesture by patting his back. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ When they separated, Visaella looked at her side, seeing Jacaerys staring at them with a confused expression on his face. He quickly walked towards them, and stood beside them trying to find some explanation.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Did something happen?” He asked, addled about the prior scene he had witnessed. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “No, everything’s fine.” Visaella answered. The boy looked at Daemon and then looked back to her sister. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Why is Ser Erryk coming?” He pointed to the man, “I told him to be here protecting the castle.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I told him to come with us,” She replied, “He is my Queensguard, my most loyal guard. I need him in battle with me, not here.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Then who will stay to protect Dragonstone?” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I sent a raven to your grandmother Rhaenys.” Daemon stepped in the conversation, “She will settle here along with Baela. Meleys and Moondancer will be guarding it, with a small group of guards.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Problem solved.” Visaella muttered, “Now, stop wasting time, we should leave before it gets late.” She ordered. Daemon and Jacaerys immediately obeyed, walking to their dragons. “Ser Erryk, it is time!”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The knight walked towards the dragon with care, too scared to even stare at it. He saw how Visaella just caressed his scales while using a rope ladder to climb onto the black and golden saddle on top of Vermithor’s back. Ser Erryk reluctantly followed her path and nervously climbed onto the dragon, seating behind the princess.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Vermithor stood up when his rider gave him the instruction to do it, “Sōvētēs, Vermithor.”  He shook the sand off of his body in a harsh movement that did not even alter the princess, but terribly frightened the brave guard. He gave two steps before starting to fly in the direction of a very well known place for him; the woods of Duskendale. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ During the whole flight, Ser Erryk did not say a word, too terrified to even move. The landing was the worst part; due to his big size, Vermithor was not so delicate, so he always had a hard time arriving on the ground. Visaella was already used to it, but Ser Erryk almost fell. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “How was the trip, Ser Erryk?” Daemon teased him while he was getting off the dragon, smiling mockingly at him. The knight did not answer him, and Visaella rolled her eyes.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The three dragons were kept in the cave resting. Visaella looked around, feeling an uncomfortable sensation in her gut. Thousands of memories came to her mind and it made her shiver. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Lord Corlys was arriving at the shore once they got to the cave, and a few hours later, they joined them to rest and eat before the big attack on King’s Landing. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Visaella was starting to get anxious, a bit nervous too. The pressure might be too much for her, but she knew it was too late to regret the decisions she had made; the day could end on her death or with her being the queen of the Seven Kingdoms, no inbetween. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The idea of having Jacaerys by her side brought her some comfort. He was sitting on a trunk beside her while eating a piece of deer one of the guards had hunted. He was looking around, moving his legs nervously; Visaella put a hand on his leg trying to calm him down, Jacaerys looked at her with his mouth filled with meat.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “You are nervous.” Visaella claimed, “We will be okay.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I know that,” He said with difficulty, trying to swallow the food in his mouth,”It’s just I’ve never been in battle before, what if I do something that costs our lives?”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “No need to think about those things, Jace.” She tried to smile, but nothing came out on her face. “We will do fine, we will win this. I promise you.” Jacaerys nodded and he smiled at her. The sweetness of his gesture reminded her of Lucerys and she got teary eyes almost immediately. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ When the sun started to set, everybody started moving. The ships were ready to sail, the dragons were fed and it was almost time for the attack to start. Daemon was busy giving orders and revising the plans and strategies with Lord Corlys and Ser Erryk, while Visaella was walking around, trying to compose herself before exploiting. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She walked away from the big group, around the trees and the bushes. She leaned against a tree while trying to take deep breaths of air, a knot formed on her stomach and suddenly she felt overwhelmed; as if she had just realized what she was about to do. She closed her eyes and leaned her head back, she felt her heart fastened so her hands grabbed the tree behind her, in an attempt to feel the texture of its trunk and get distracted by it. It barely worked.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She opened her eyes and saw the sky. The stars were starting to come out, she counted them. Aegon always used to say that whenever he was feeling overwhelmed about anything he would count the stars to relax. So she did, and she felt her breathing starting to regulate. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She looked at her hands for the millionth time and saw the ring on her finger; she took it off. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The ring started to spin between her fingertips while her eyes looked at it, observing every detail, color and relief in it. She clenched her jaw, knowing that the ring was everything he had left of the memories she shared with Aegon. She thought about throwing it away for many days now, thinking that it would be better if she could get rid of every piece of him. Perhaps, it would be easy to move on that way. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She saw a hole in the tree behind her, it was small and it was empty. She looked at the ring for the last time before putting it inside. The memories of Aegon will be staying there, in the place where they used to freely show their love towards each other. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ It was the right thing to do, she thought. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Ella!” Jacaerys' scream made her jump. She moved her head to see between the trees, and Jacaerys was moving his arm in order to catch her attention. “It’s time, we’re leaving!” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She saw the ring shining inside the tree’s hole, she covered it with some dirt to avoid someone else to see it and then she walked back towards her brother. Jacaerys was beside Vermax, caressing him while seeing his sister approaching with a fastened pace. His eyes widened with surprise when she hugged him tightly. She closed her eyes and buried her face on his shoulders. He did nothing besides hugging her back.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Ella-”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Please, be careful.” She muttered against his shoulder, “I beg you, please, be safe out there.” Her voice sounded shaky, as if she was trying not to cry. “If you see things getting complicated, I need you to promise me you will fly to the Eyrie to meet the children, to take care of them.” She pulled back and grabbed his face with both hands. A motherly look was seen in her eyes, “Please, Jace, promise me.” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I- I promise you,” He nodded, and Visaella kissed his cheek before hugging him once again. “I thought ‘we will do okay’.” He joked, “You said that yourself.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “It’s a battle, Jacaerys.” She spoke softly, “We never know what might happen.” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Everything is going to be fine.” He said, copying her own words. She tilted her head, and Jacaerys remembered, “But if things get ugly, I will escape. I promise you that.” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Good.” She nodded, “Now, it’s time to go.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She stroked his hair one last time before going towards Vermithor once again. Once she was already seated on the saddle, she gave one last look back to the woods. It was probably the last time she would be there.

+

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ When Vermithor landed on the main entrance of the Red Keep, the guards took off their swords immediately, pointing them to the giant beast in front of them. Visaella smiled proudly at her dragon, before starting to go down the rope ladder. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She walked in front of Vermithor, presenting herself to the knights and watching them getting close. They never let their guard down.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “My name is Princess Visaella of House Velaryon, and I’ve come in the name of my mother, Princess Rhaenyra, in order to speak with the King’s Hand.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ One of the guards stepped forward and looked at her from head to toe. He intended to move closer to her, but Vermithor moved his head, scaring him away.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “What do you want to talk about with him?” He asked.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “With all due respect, Ser.” She spoke with a fake politeness, “I don’t think that something of your interest. Please, tell him to come.” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “The Hand will only accept a reunion in his chambers.” The guard explained, “We can guide you to him if you wish.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Vermithor might have felt the despair she felt when she thought everything would come out in the wrong way, because he put his head closer to the guard, in an attempt to intimidate him. Visaella let herself enjoy his terrified face before controlling her dragon.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Lykiri, Vermithor.” She commanded him. He took a step back before laying down once again. “Now, please bring the Lord Hand, tell him it’s important.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The guard walked inside the castle while Visaella waited there. The nervousness was consuming her body and soon she started scratching her own fingers, trying to free some of that tension. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Her whole body stiffened up when Otto came to her sight. He had the nerve to walk towards her with a smile, as if they had done nothing wrong, as if Lucerys was not dead because of them. The rage suddenly took control over her body, and her jaw clenched as her eyes darkened. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Princess Visaella,” He greeted her with a small bow, “I didn’t expect your presence around here.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I’ve come to talk.” She declared, “There are some important matters that need to be discussed.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Otto nodded lightly, “Perhaps we should go inside, I would be more comfortable if-”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “No.” She hurried to say, “I wouldn’t feel comfortable in a room with only your presence. Not under the circumstances of our present.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Well then, so tell me, Princess.” He said, “What have you come to talk about then? Did Daemon change his mind about our terms?”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She frowned, not knowing what he was talking about. She held back the urge to ask him, knowing that she needed to follow a script written in her mind.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I came to bend the knee,” She confessed, Otto looked at her strangely. Visaella looked quickly at the sky, waiting for Daemon's signal. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Why?” He asked, doubtfully.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Beg your pardon?”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Why are you bending the knee now?” He said, “After your brother’s murder, why?”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She swallowed hard after hearing him pronouncing his name, as if he had the right to do it after everything he had done. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She thought about her answer and she almost bit her own tongue for it. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Because my love for Aegon is bigger than anything else” The words felt so bitter, so filled with lies. She had to blatantly lie. “I came here to serve him, as- as her loyal friend.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Otto did not seem to be convinced at all, it was the opposite actually. He stared at her with pure confusion on his face. Visaella gave up then, the thought of her being caught immediately came to her mind while Otto was observing her with an intense gaze, showing how much he did not trust her. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Allow me to doubt you, Princess.” He looked to a guard and tilted his head. The guard started walking towards her. “But, I must speak with King Aegon before letting you in.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Vermithor roared when the guard was close enough to touch Visaella, and the man fell backwards to the ground. Otto frowned,

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Princess-”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The sound of Caraxes’ singular shrill roar was heard while he flew above their heads. Visaella felt something in her chest, Daemon heard Vermithor and flew over there to check on her, ruining the entire plan. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Fuck, fuck, fuck, Visaella thought. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “What is he doing here?” Otto asked, raising his voice. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Vermithor stood up, spreading his large wings and roaring once more. Otto looked at her, now he was scared, and she gained back the control of the situation. The look of pure terror on the old man’s face will be carved on her memory until the day she died,

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Tell him to calm down!” Otto demanded.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Visaella did not say anything, she just stood there while Vermithor was getting as angry as her. Suddenly, an arrow flew beside the princess and hit the dragon’s scales. It did not do him any harm at all, it barely tickled him, but the Princess saw this as a threat towards her beloved dragon, and she would not allow that. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “What is going on?” Otto asked again.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “You all killed Lucerys,” She said, “You killed my mother and two of my siblings.” She spat, her eyes filled with hatred. “And yet you feel entitled to smile in my presence.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Otto started to walk backwards, knowing that he was in great danger. Another arrow passed beside her, hitting Vermithor's thick skin once again. She looked up and saw two men preparing their archers to shoot him. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “You stole my mother’s throne, you killed my sweet boy.” She walked, positioning herself under Vermithor’s neck, “Now you will pay.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Princess-” He was looking up at the dragon and giving swift glances to her, scared of taking his eyes away from the beast. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I will burn every single one of you.” She threatened him, “I will burn this entire castle and city if I have to.” The guards were starting to walk towards the entrance door. “My mother did not want to be Queen of the Ashes.” She spoke softly, “But I do.” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Visaella-!”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Dracarys.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Vermithor spat a cloud of fire on the men in front of her, and the ones that were stupidly throwing arrows at her. She started hearing their screams, watching them squirm in the ground trying to put out the flames that were burning their flesh, and she could not take her eyes off of Otto’s burning body. She felt a big relief when she saw him kneel in front of her out of the pain, it was better than any other feeling.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ It brought her greater pleasure than any night she spent with Aegon, and that is when knew how good it would feel to kill every single one of them. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She walked between the burning bodies, her chin lifted with pride as she walked inside the main door of the castle and started to make her way towards wherever Aegon was. There were thousands of maids and servants running and screaming while she was walking up the stairs. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ They deserve to be scared, Visaella thought, they bent the knee for the usurper and betrayed your mother.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Visaella sneaked inside the castle without being seen. The commotion and panic of the people were quite helpful as less people were paying attention to her. She tried to walk with her head down, always paying attention to her surroundings in case someone would recognize her, but no one did.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She was almost chanting victory when she saw Ser Criston Cole trotting in her direction and being followed by at least twelve other guards. Visaella panicked, and she opened the first door she found, hiding in an unknown room. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Her movements were quiet and stealthy; the door did not make a sound and her steps were barely heard. She went unnoticed, remaining silent until she heard some voices near her.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I told you this would happen!” She heard a whine from someone she could not recognize. “It was just a matter of time after what the Prince did to that poor boy.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Visaella peeked from where she was hiding, and saw two maids hiding behind a big piece of furniture. One of them seemed as if she could not stop crying. They had not noticed her presence in the room yet.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Poor Princess Rhaenyra,” One of them lamented, “I can only imagine her pain when she found out.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “The worst thing of it all, it’s what the people are saying.” She whispered, “I’ve heard in the corridors that Prince Aemond took Prince Lucerys’ eyes and gave them to his betrothed back in Storm’s End.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ A hole was installed on her chest, and the whistle on her ear came back. Her brow lowered and her lips became a line showing her serious semblance. Her body started to heathen up, and her hands became fists, one of them surrounded the sword handle on her scabbard. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I heard that the King celebrated with him.” One of them continued, now Visaella’s heart stopped. “He threw a feast for his brother.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “How terrible-”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The princess made herself seen by the maids, who widened her eyes scared after noticing her presence. Visaella was shaking, she was crying and her face was red. She looked down at the maids with pure abhorrence on her darkened eyes. They saw her hardened stare filled with rage and they closed their eyes, thinking she might kill them.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Where is Aegon?” She asked, her voice sounding deeper than usual.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “He- he was- he was walking…” The maid was stuttering, deadly scared of Visaella, whose knuckles were starting to get white thanks to the strength of her grip around the hilt of her sword. “He was walking to his chambers…”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Was he alone?” The maids nodded, “Good.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Visaella drew her sword before opening the door abruptly, stumping outside the room and starting to walk fastly towards Aegon’s chambers. Raging tears were escaping her eyes, she was fuming; breathing too fast. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ A guard caught her, but she was quick enough to cut his throat with her sword. Then came another, and another. Visaella was letting all her anger take control of her senses, being completely numb by it, by the end of the fight she was already covered in blood and her arm was bleeding due to a deep cut. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She knew the path very well, so it was quite easy to arrive at the hallway where Aegon’s chambers were located. She peeked through a corner at the end of the corridor and saw a guard standing outside the room. Visaella picked a stone and threw it on the floor in order to make noise and caught the attention of the guard. It worked.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The guard walked towards the corner with the hilt of his sword in his hand. Visaella waited for him as he slowly went forward. She grabbed one of her daggers, and once the guard was close enough, she stabbed him on the neck in a quick movement, without even letting him react. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ His dead body fell onto the ground and she used his white cloak to clean her dagger’s blade. Then, she got inside the chambers. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ A certain feeling unbeknownst to her positioned in her gut. She closed the door behind her and looked around, trying to find him. His scent reached her nose and it was a triggering sensation that almost made her cry, it drove her mad and her mind was engulfed with the tons of memories that came to her mind. She even was able to feel his touch on her hips once she closed her eyes. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She shook her head and woke up from the tortuous trance that her own mind put her in, and quickly tried to compose herself. Only then, she had the strength of going inside the room. Her eyes were scanning around trying to find him, until her eyes fell onto his messy bed. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ There he was.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aegon was sleeping, he was shirtless and only a pair of thin pants covered his nudity. His hair was spreaded on the white pillow, and his milky skin was still covered with marks; marks that she had done. He was sleeping on the right side of the bed, leaving the left side completely empty. There was an empty bottle of wine on the nightstand. She looked around and she was surprised to see her red gown with a wine stain on one of the sofas.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Her haze softened a little, but then her mind started poisoning her feelings again. He was there, sleeping safe and sound, seeming so relaxed and calm, while she barely had enough sleep these last days. She had been living in a nightmare, and yet Aegon seemed to be so content in his bed. It was not fair. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ He made a feast, Visaella thought, and the madness started to succumb her once again. You were grieving and he was having a feast.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Just as if he was able to feel her presence, he started to move. He rubbed his eyes tiredly, and stretched his body. His heart stopped once his vision cleared and saw Visaella standing in front of the bed, he sat up and his eyes softened instantly; he was so bewitched by her presence that he did not notice the stains of blood on her armor. He did not even notice she was wearing an armor. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Her skin shivered, and she did not know if it was for the cold breeze that came inside the room, or the intense haze of Aegon on her.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “My love…” He whispered, astonished. He crawled desperately over the bed until he got close to her. “My sweet love, is that really you?”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ He stood up from the bed and walked carefully towards her, as if he was scared she was some illusion of his imagination. He tried to touch her face, but she grabbed his wrist with a strong grip, Aegon widened his eyes, taken aback by her unexpected action.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “You made a feast.” She claimed. Aegon frowned, confused at her words.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Wh-what?” He muttered. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Lucerys died… and you made a feast.” Her voice sounded so hollow, so monotone. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aegon looked at her eyes, and he saw it again; the same hatred that she used to hurt him the last time they saw each other. He leaned backwards, and just then he woke up from her spell and realized that she was covered in blood. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Are you hurt?” He asked, worried.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “You lied to me.” She accused him, “You used me.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “What are you saying?”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “You trick me… you used me to take my mother’s crown.” A tear fell from her eye. Aegon tried to wipe it off, but Visaella leaned back. “You fucking liar.” She whispered.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Ella, I did this to protect you- They forced me to do it.” He explained, frowning, “I’ve never lied to you, why are you saying those things?”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Protect me?” She scoffed, “Lucerys is dead for what you did… My mother is dead. How dare you call that ‘protection’?” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ It seemed as if the news of his half-sister’s death had shocked him more than Visaella expected. His eyes looked confused, almost lost. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Rhaenyra is dead?” He questioned, astonished.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Because of what your brother did.” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “What happened with Lucerys was an accident, Ella. Just let me explain everything-”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aegon’s words stopped once Visaella’s hand started to squeeze his throat. He looked at her with horror reflected on his face while his mouth dropped open trying to breathe. Her grip was strong, even Aegon was surprised by her strength; her eyes seemed to be lost. He tried to escape from her grip, but he could not do it. Then he just closed his eyes, being unable to bear that malignant stare on him again.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Don’t you dare to say his name.” She spat, “Don’t you fucking dare to defend your murderer brother.” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I did this-” He spoke breathlessly, searching for air, “I did this so we- so we can marry.” He whined. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Visaella freed him from her grip, and she started to push him. “Stop lying!” She yelled at him, while he was trying to make her stop. “Fucking liar!”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Stop it.” Aegon said, grabbing her arms and putting them behind her back, she kept squirming trying to escape. “Stop it!”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She started to cry all over again, breaking down in front of him. Aegon noticed the ache of her heart by seeing through her hardened haze. He leaned his forehead against hers, and he felt the warmth of her breath. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “They told me I’ll get to marry you if I accept the crown.” He whispered, “I did it so we can be together, why don't you believe me?”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “You killed Lucerys…”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I didn’t.” He shook his head, desperately trying to prove his innocence. “Aemond did.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Under your command.” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I didn’t order him to kill him. Please, my love, you have to believe me.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “You stole the crown, Aegon!” She yelled, her face was covered in tears by then, and burning with rage. “If you would’ve rejected it, Lucerys would be with me.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “They forced me-”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “You have a dragon…” She interrupted, “Why didn’t you fly to Dragonstone?”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I sent you a letter.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Stop lying!”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I am not!” He raised his voice, tired of the situation, “Stop fucking screaming and listen to me!” Visaella whined, “I fucking love you, I would leave everything for you, I would do anything for you! How can you not see?”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Her lip trembled, “And yet you did nothing to prevent Lucerys’ death.” He went silent, “You didn’t even punish Aemond for what he did.” She cried, “You knew how much I loved Lucerys, you knew how much this would ruin me, and yet… you did nothing.” She looked right at his eyes, wanting him to see her face once she pronounced the following words, “You ruined my life, Aegon.” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ His grip around her hand weakened, her hurtful words made him close his eyes. He wished to be dreaming, he begged to wake up with her between his arms that day when everything started to go down. He pledged to the gods.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “You don’t mean that.” He mumbled.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I do.” She spat. Her words were venom, and it was burning Aegon’s heart. “You ruined everything! You ruined me!” She managed to get out of his grip and she pushed him far from her. Aegon stumbled, “Look how miserable I am now, and it’s all because of you!”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Don’t say that.” He whispered, shocking his head while his teary purple eyes looked at her. “Please, don’t.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I wish I hadn’t believed in your words, in your lies.” Aegon hummed in pain, “I wish I had never let myself be with you. I was a fool.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Ella…” Aegon begged.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “And I warned you, if you ever touch them again I will kill you.” She remembered him. “You didn’t listen, so now I'm here to keep my word... I will kill you.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Her words were harsh, they pierced through his heart like a dagger and it made him feel miserable. The worst thing of it all is that he wanted to be angry at her, but he couldn’t. He wanted to scream at her, tell her to fuck herself for treating him this way after everything he had done for her, he wanted to yell a thousand of atrocities at her face so she could feel an inch of his pain, of what he was feeling right then. But, he could not bring himself to do that. He had felt abandonment a long time ago by his own parents, being neglected and left aside from his family. No one showed him what love truly was until she arrived in his life to save him. He could not afford to lose her, not after he had tasted her sweetness and devotion. Not after everything they have been through. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ So, instead of getting mad, he begged her. He fell onto his knees and hugged her hips so tightly that Visaella gasped. She tried to push him away but he was too strong, and she was weakened by her own sorrow. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Please…” He whined, “Please, my love, please. I love you, you need to believe me.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “You don’t love me.” She cried, “You don’t do these things to someone you love.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I’m sorry!” His voice broke between his screams, “Please, forgive me!”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Her knees felt weak, they were shaking. Aegon’s face was buried on her belly, not caring about crushing his nose against the cold metal of her armor. He wanted to be as close as he possibly could. Visaella was sobbing loudly, everything started to ache. It was too much, it was too painful.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Too many emotions were drowning her body.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I love you, I love you.” He repeated. “I’m sorry. Please, love me.” He whined, “I can lose you, please. Tell me you love me too.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I can’t.” She spoke. “I can’t love you anymore.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “No! No, no!” He stood up and he grabbed her face. “Look at me, my love. Please, please!”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Stop it.” She muttered.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I love you!” He screamed at her face, touching her skin. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Aegon, shut up.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I love you, my sun. I love you, please!”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Shut up!” She closed her eyes, not being capable of looking at his eyes.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Forgive me, my love. I can’t lose you, I love you.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Stop it!” She screamed, “Stop it!”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I love you-”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Her lips smashed against his, and Aegon moaned out of relief and pain. His lips were dry, but they were still as soft as always. Visaella whimpered against him, feeling Aegon’s hands grabbing her body and bringing her closer to his. It was desperate, intense, it was a kiss that made it count for all those agony days without each other’s presence. Aegon felt consolation, he devoured her mouth shamelessly, whining and sighing against her tongue and feeling her taste. Visaella’s hands were tangled on his platinum hair, feeling his softness one last time.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ When she pulled apart they were breathing fast, their lips swollen and wet. They stared at each other’s eyes, Aegon’s were filled with love but she could not see it. He smiled at her, feeling unburdened by having her back into his arms. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ His eyes were glistening, his purple eyes were softened. Until a shook look took over his face.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ His hand covered his throat while the blood splashed on his naked chest and on her clothing. Aegon’s eyes were filled with horror while he started gulping and choking with his own blood. Visaella looked at the front with a lost stare, trying to ignore the sound of Aegon’s body falling dead on the floor. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She was shaking, and her legs were trembling desperately. She fell on the ground and looked at the lifeless eyes of her lover. She let out a loud sob, starting to cry desperately. She hated him, she hated him for making her do this. For forcing her to despise him. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She looked up, staring at her reflection through the mirror; she was covered in blood. Aegon's blood. Her chest was moving fast, she was sobbing uncontrollably, her eyes displaying the hatred she felt. There was no mercy in them, she was blinded by the rage and vengeance. Those sweet eyes were no longer there, there was no kindness left. She went mad, and killing Aegon was the livid proof of it. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Visaella crawled to the balcony, still whimpering and crying, she felt the smell of smoke reaching her nose and once she reached the door frame, she used it as a support to stand up. Her shaky hands grabbed the railing, and she observed the view; everything was burning, screams were heard. The heat of the fire felt so close to her that she could feel its warmth. She looked at the sky and saw Vermithor flying on top of the Red Keep, he stood on a burning building and roared. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She was just starting to get worried about Jacaerys and Daemon when a cold blade was positioned on her neck. She gasped out of impression, and a laugh was heard against her ear.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Prince Aemond will be thrilled to see what you’ve done to the King.” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ He grabbed her carelessly, almost dragging her outside the chambers, forcing her to keep up with his fastened pace. Her legs were not steady, they were crashing against each other making her drag her body around the corridors. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The man never let the knife go, constantly putting it against her flesh and even cutting a little of her neck. Visaella did not fight him at any time, knowing that she was at a big disadvantage, and that she would probably lose any kind of fight at that moment; she was still shaken with what had happened; with what she had done.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “When Daemon finds you, he will kill you.” She muttered.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Not if Prince Aemond kills you first.” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She did not recognize where they were going, the big castle seemed like a maze and it appeared that not even the guard knew where he was taking her. He was just walking around, as if he was trying to find something –or someone.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The presence of a familiar face came in her way. He stood up in front of the both of them and she frowned; it was one of the twins guards, but she was not able to recognize which, as the light was too dim. She only begged for him to be the right twin.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Where are you taking her?” The guard said, looking at her covered in blood and then to the other guard holding her. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “To Prince Aemond.” He replied. “Why don’t you do me a favor and tell me where he is, Arryk?”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She tensed after hearing the name, starting to feel unsafe once again. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “No.” He shook his head. “Give her to me, I know where Prince Aemond and Queen Alicent are, I’ll take her to them.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Or you could just tell me.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “No.” He denied again, “Only me and Ser Criston know where the Queen is hiding, I will not give that information to a strange guard.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The man behind her clicked his tongue with annoyance before removing the dagger from her throat and throwing her to the ground, just by the feet of the guard. He looked down at her at the same time she looked up, he grabbed his flail and Visaella covered her head once he raised his arm.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She closed her eyes, expecting the impact but instead she heard a body falling next to her. The guard's body. The man was continuously beating his face until it was unrecognizable, and it left a huge blood stain that almost reached the princess.  

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She crawled away from him, and the twin kneeled by her side.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Your Grace, are you okay?” He spoke softly.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Ser Erryk…” She answered with relief. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I was looking for you.” He said, “Prince Daemon wants to see you, he claims to have a surprise for you.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ He offered his hand, and she took it without even thinking twice about it. She stood up with his help and he guided her through the castle. She looked around, and there were dead bodies of white cloak guards laying around on the cold floor. It was a gruesome view, but it was proof that they had won. That thought made her feel some kind of peace within her. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ However, Ser Erryk did not let his guard down until they reached the main entrance of the Red Keep once again, Vermithor was the first thing she saw through the open gates, and later she managed to see three wooden poles with three people tied on them. As she was getting closer, she finally recognized the silhouettes of Aemond, Alicent and Helaena. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Daemon turned around and watched her approaching him with a victorious smile. Jacaerys was by his side, standing up straight with his arms behind his back. He seemed to be unharmed, and that made Visaella feel relieved. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Finally Your Grace is here.” Daemon announced once his daughter reached his side. “That one was tough,” He said pointing at Aemond, who was staring at them without expression at all. Next to him was Alicent, who could not stop shaking, “Ser Erryk was able to catch him before he could escape to find Vhagar.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Where’s Aegon?!” Alicent asked, almost screaming in despair. “Tell him I want to see him!”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Visaella ignored the woman’s words and kept talking with Daemon, “Ser Criston?” She asked after not seeing him among the others.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I took my liberties with him.” He said with a malicious smirk, “But, I assure you he will not be an issue for you.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Good.” Her eyes traveled to her brother’s face, “Are you okay?” He did not verbally answer, but he nodded.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Bring me Aegon!” Alicent insisted, “I want to see my son!”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Visaella turned around at her, expressionless. Alicent looked at her state with eyes filled with terror. The princess’ eyes were orbitated by madness, her whole face changed. The fact that Alicent thought that she would let Aegon live after what he had done to her family was just too insulting for her not to react. She took her words as if Alicent did not think she was strong enough to kill him.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Visaella, please!” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Aegon is dead.” She spoke coldly. The woman frowned and her lip trembled, “I sliced his throat open and watched him bleed to death.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “No…” She denied, incredulous. “You wouldn’t do that. Not to him.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “But I did.” She shrugged. “The usurper is dead.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I don’t believe you.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The princess walked towards her, nothing was found beneath her purple eyes. Alicent was frightened by her.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Do you want me to bring you his head?” She asked teasingly. “He still lays in his chambers.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “He loved you!” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She scoffed, taking a step back and whispering, “No, he didn’t.” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Behind her back Daemon smiled pleasantly.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Visaella walked towards Helaena, who remained serene even after everything she had seen. The silver haired girl looked up to her, she had teary eyes but there was no sign of tears on her cheeks. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I’m really sorry, Helaena.” She said softly, “You were the kindest of them all… Perhaps you do not deserve such a cruel and ruthless death,” She clenched her jaw and looked down. “But neither did Lucerys.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Helaena whispered, “The emerald kinship will prevail, a small child with his sire’s face.” Visaella ignored her words, walking towards Aemond.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Being in front of him was as if a wave of rage washed over her body. Her breathing turned sharp as soon as she saw his face, the despise on her eyes was easily seen and her hands were itching to grab her dagger and cut his throat. However, she held herself back by taking a deep breath and say,

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “After what you did, I dreamt of many ways to kill you.” She confessed, “I hoped the Gods would make your life miserable, I hoped you would die in the most painful and horrible way possible.” She laughed, “You will die last, because I want you to see. I want you to see while your mother and sister die screaming, so you can feel an inch of my pain.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aemond tensed. He tried to make himself look careless, but Visaella knew he was growing desperate as there was nothing he could do by now. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Was it worth it?” He spoke with a deep and raspy voice, looking down at her. Visaella frowned. “Killing Aegon,” He clarified, “Was it worth it?”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Visaella knew he was trying to touch her nerve and make her break in front of everyone, but she would not let him get the pleasure to see her cry. Instead, she smirked.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Put him aside,” Visaella ordered, “And make sure he has a good view.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She walked back towards Daemon and Jacaerys while Ser Erryk along with other guards started to take Aemond off the wooden pole. He was positioned in front of Visaella, watching the scenery in the first row. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Soon, Vermithor started moving towards the women. Alicent closed her eyes the minute she saw the beast getting closer; Visaella watched her as she started to pray to the Seven, and hummed pleased by seeing her despair. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Queen Alicent Hightower, Princess Helaena Targaryen. I, Visaella of House Targaryen, first of my name and rightful heir to the Seven Kingdoms, sentence you to die.” Helaena muttered the same words as before, but once again Visaella ignored her. Alicent took a deep breath and watched her children for the last time. “Dracarys.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The fire brought warmth to the cold night. Visaella looked down at Aemond who was kneeling in front of her with Ser Erryk holding a knife against his throat in order to keep him still. She smiled, pleased with herself after seeing the despair in his eye. She felt an inner peace after seeing him suffering; she had the same look on her face once she found out about Lucerys, and it was such a pleasant feeling to see the same distress reflected on him. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Once the fire started to fade out, Visaella made a subtle sign to the guards and positioned Aemond between the two calcined bodies. He looked completely wrecked, his hardened look now was a defeated one. If he was going to die, he was glad he would die along with his family.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I will not even justify your murder by giving you a reason… we both know why I am doing this.” She put her hands behind her back and straightened up her body, “But I will ask you something, and you shall answer; why did you do it?”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ He did not speak back.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “You owe me an answer, Aemond.” She spat, “Why did you do it?”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “It was an accident.” He muttered, his voice sounding raspy and low. “I never meant to kill him.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She scoffed, shaking her head and looking at him incredulously. “An accident.” She repeated, “You fucking liar.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I’m speaking the truth.” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “How can I trust in the words of a kinslayer?” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ He laughed, bitterly, “You are one too.” He said, looking at her through his eyelashes.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Visaella pouted her lips, and nodded softly. “Yes, I guess I am.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Her loyal dragon prepared himself once again. Aemond straightened up his body and lifted his chin, showing himself unafraid of what she may do. They were staring at each other’s eyes without breaking eye contact, filled with hate and resentment. Visaella did not bend, she remained still in her position without letting him intimidate her. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She smiled, and Aemond frowned confused at her reaction. “Ipradagon zirȳla. (Eat him)”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The silver haired man widened his eyes after hearing her voice, realizing that he would not have the same death as his mother and sister. Vermithor growled loudly, taking his time. Aemond looked up at him just when he opened his mouth and swallowed him fully. The look of shock on his face will probably be carved forever in Visaella’s mind, as a gratifying memory.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She turned around only to find everyone looking at her. She looked to the faces of the present people, she managed to see fear in some of them. She walked towards Daemon, who arched his eyebrow when he saw her expressionless face, expecting her to be broken and crying until her eyes felt sore. But she was intact, with just a few dry tears on her face. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Gather the Green Tropes that are left.” She commanded, “Send ravens to every single Lord and Lady in the realm. Tell them to come to King’s Landing to bend the knee to the rightful heir to the throne, or else they will suffer the same consequences as them.” Her head moved pointing at the place where the burnt bodies were. Daemon bowed his head as affirmation.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Visaella looked at Jacaerys who was staring at the floor without being capable of looking at her. She grabbed his face between her hands and forced him to do it; he was crying.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She reached his forehead and left a soft kiss in it, “We won, brother.” She whispered, “Now we can finally live at peace.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Jacaerys saw her eyes and nodded assuringly. She gave him a soft smile before starting to walk away to the inside of the castle that now belonged to her at the same time that Vermithor flew away. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ As she was getting further from the rest, her smile started to get bigger. She had fulfilled her duty, she kept her word and avenged her family, gaining back what belonged to her. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Her smile just showed how relieved she felt. It was over now, she finished the war before it could even start. She knew very deep inside her that her mother would be proud of what she had done for her. Now she could finally live in peace.

+

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Two months later all the Lords had come to King's Landing, with Lord Stark being the last one to arrive. They were gathered in the Throne room, along with servants, some peasants, and the guards. They were all waiting for her.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ When the gates were opened, everyone turned to see her delicate frame, and a silence took over the place. She was wearing a black gown, with metal ornaments that imitated a dragon’s scales; it seemed like an armor. Her hair was perfectly braided, not a single hair strand was out of place. She was looking completely gorgeous.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The princess started to walk in the large hallway that divided the two big groups of people that were there to witness her coronation. She saw the front, at one side of the throne was the Maester Gerardys along with Daemon, and at the other side was Ser Erryk and Jacaerys. The last one was looking proudly at her.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She saw around the audience the faces of many lords and ladies that she could recognise. Some of them as Lord Stark and Lady Arryn were staring at her with subtle smiles, while others as Lord Lannister and Lord Baratheon were caught with scared hazes; they had supported the usurper after all, and they were afraid of what she might be capable of doing with them.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She felt the weight of everybody’s stare on her, that made her feel nervous. Her nails started to pinch the flesh of her hand, trying to make her calm down and relax. She needed to enjoy her big day after everything she went through to get there.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Once she arrived right in front of the throne, she kneeled before the Maester. He took a vase filled with liquid and started the ceremony. Two stomps were heard before the Grand Maester spoke,

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “We gather here, to be witnesses of this great event.” His voice echoed around the room, it sounded loud and clear. “The rightful heir to the Iron Throne, has defeated the usurper!” He dipped his thumb in the water and marked her forehead with it. “May the Warrior give her courage, may the Smith lend strength to her sword and shield.” She looked at Daemon, who was smiling down at her, and then she looked at the hand-shaped pin decorating his vest. “May the Father defend her in her need, may the Crone lift her shining lamp and light her way to wisdom.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The Maester slowly gave the vase back to Jacaerys, and then he grabbed the crown; Aegon’s crown. He passed it to Ser Erryk, who took a step forward, grabbing it and lifting it up for everyone to see. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “The Conqueror’s Crown passed down through generations, and now it will lay on our Queen’s head.” She held her breath once she felt the weight of the crown on top of her head. “Let the Seven be witness: Visaella Targaryen defeated the usurper, and claimed her position as the rightful heir to the Iron Throne.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ He offered his hand, she delicately took it and stood up. He was the first one to bow, followed by the Maester, Jacaerys and lastly, Daemon. She sighed deeply, and she turned around. Joffrey, Viserys and Aegon were on the front row looking at her with excitement; their sister is now the queen, they might have thought. Baela and Rhaena were next to them smiling slightly at her. Everyone seemed pleased to see her with the Conqueror’s Crown on her head.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ They were all signs that she had done the right thing. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The Maester cleared his throat, “All hail the Queen!” He yelled. “Visaella of House Targaryen, first of her name. Queen of the Andals, the Rhyonar and the First Men, lady of the Seven Kingdoms, and protector of the realm.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ A silence was taking over the room, until Ser Erryk screamed, “Long may she reign!”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ In unison, all the presents repeated his words, creating a deafening echo in the room that made her feel shivers down her spine. Visaella stood up tall looking around with her jaw clenched, and proud of what she had achieved.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ However, in a subtle movement, she touched her belly. A small, melancholic tear fell down her cheek knowing that the last piece of Aegon was growing inside her. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The emerald kinship will prevail, a small child with his sire’s face.

#aegon ii targaryen #house targaryen #house of the dragon #aegon targaryen #aegon x reader #oc!female #game of thrones #aemond targaryen #hotd #angst #mini fanfic #multiple part series #lovers to enemies #daemon targaryen #team green #fanfic #hotd x reader #team black #hotd fanfic

[moonlisid]

THE OTHER WOMAN

MASTERLIST | Part II

Paring: Aegon II Targaryen x Lannister!Reader.

Summary: Aegon was forced to marry Princess Elisa Martell in order to gain control of Dorne. While the princess is deeply in love with him, he is too busy having a not-so-secretive affair with the only daughter of the Master of Coin; Tyland Lannister.

Tags/TW: cheating, profanity, sexual references (nothing explicit), angst, mentions of misscarriage, pregnancy, Aegon being a terrible husband.

Author’s Note: this is narrated from the point of view of the wife, so we –readers– are the other woman. the dance of the dragons doesn’t exist, in this storyline Aegon is king and Rhaenyra lives in Dragonstone. I didn’t proofread this, so if there’s any mistake, i apologise.

Word Count: 3.0k

The day when Elisa Martell met you, was the worst day of her life. It was the day when she realized that her husband will never belong to her. No matter how hard she tries. 

You were there, seated besides her husband. You were making him laugh so loudly that even Otto had to tell him to behave himself. Elisa almost cried, because with her he barely smiled, not even a small grin. Nothing at all. 

Aegon was so touchy with you. He was shamelessly touching your thighs on top of your fancy burgundy and gold dress, you did not seem to mind. Instead, it seemed as if you were enjoying it. Enjoying having another woman’s man touching you so intimately, whispering small jokes in your ear and having such a blast while having a silly conversation. It was a tortuous scene, especially when the wedding was just a few moons away. 

Elisa remembers that night because of Aegon’s toast. How he did not even dare to look at her nor say something nice about her. He made it all about you, actually. He stood up from his chair as you followed him with dreamy eyes, completely bewitched by his careless smile. Elisa saw that look, she knew what it meant. 

“I want to make a toast,” He announced, lifting the cup full of wine in his right hand. “A toast for my beautiful, beautiful y/n.” Elisa looked at her fingers which were hidden under the table, for some reason she was expecting him to say her name. He said yours instead. “Who will soon become Lady of Highgarden.” 

She remembered your face, so flustered and red because of the slight embarrassment you felt. Your smile was so bright, as if you just had won the bigger prize. However, she remembers the relief she felt thanks to the news, thinking that Aegon will finally move on from you. How stupid she was.

“You will be dearly missed around the castle, my dear.” Aegon said to you, and then he grabbed your hand, “My chambers will feel empty without the sound of your laughter.”

You gave a soft kiss on his hand to console him. Elisa saw that as a direct threat and she gave an incredulous look at queen Alicent, who seemed to be too busy smiling at you to even realize what her son had just said. 

“Let us drain our cups, for this beautiful woman!” He yelled excitedly and everyone drank from their cups, while Elisa sank on her chair feeling humiliated.

That was the first string that cut loose. Seeing you being so loved, not only by Aegon, but by his entire family was mortifying. She felt completely alone in a room full of strangers while her heart was aching every time Aegon would whisper something to your ear. She even was sure to have seen how he bit your earlobe one time.

That dinner was the worst one of her life, until the night prior to the wedding. 

Elisa was still dreaming about Aegon loving her, and caring about her. She tried every day to propose some activity that would bring them both together, and that night she proposed a private dinner at her chambers. Aegon accepted, feeling a bit of pity for the poor woman, so Elisa spent the entire evening asking the maids to prepare Aegon’s favorite meals, to have multiple bottles of the most exquisite wine of Westeros. She wanted him to feel her devotion towards him, and perhaps in that way he would realize how much she cares. 

But he never showed up.

Elisa waited hours until it was past midnight. The food was cold and she had drunk half a bottle of wine by herself. She was angry at him for not showing up, but on top of it all, she was brokenhearted. She would not let this slide, she wanted answers from him, so she went to his chambers. 

The first odd thing she found was the fact that there was no guard guarding the door, the corridor was empty. The second thing was the sounds that were coming from inside the room; moans, whimpers, and even screams. 

Elisa’s heart stopped for a second and her stomach tightened. She curiously put her ear against the door, and that is when she managed to hear Aegon, he was saying your name. 

“Oh, y/n. You always feel so fucking good.” 

Another moan followed his words. Your moans. So she was certain that he was not alone, he was with you. She started to tear up in the middle of the empty hallway, and soon she left.

The wedding the next day was another nightmare, because not even during the feast Aegon was able to spend time with her. Instead, he danced and laughed with you. Elisa was able to smell your scent on Aegon’s hair; lavender. That was another string cuttin loose. It was more obvious than ever that you had spent the prior night together. 

The only time when she could spend time with her now husband, was when Aemond invited you to dance. Elisa remembers the look on Aegon’s face, completely jealous and annoyed by the invitation while you gracefully accepted Aemond’s hand and he led you to the middle of the dancefloor. Aegon went to sit back at his seat, next to her, and he soon started to drink.

“Would you like to dance with me, my love?” Elisa asked shyly, almost in a whisper afraid of being rejected by her own husband.

Aegon looked at her, up and down, she looked beautiful. He only shrugged and grabbed her hand leading her to the dancefloor, and just when she was starting to feel a bit of joy, she realized why he had accepted; to keep an eye on Aemond and you. He positioned himself beside you, and he wink at you blatantly, without even caring about Elisa’s presence. 

The urge to cry succumbed to her, and she felt the need to leave once again. 

The wedding night was no different at all. Aegon did not even bed her, he did not spend the night with her. He spent the night with you. 

Walking around the castle in order to find some peace in her mind, she found you both in the gardens, tangled around your own attires. Your eyes were closed while your chin was lifted up and your back was against a tree, Aegon’s face was buried on your neck while moans escaped from his lips, and his hands were your naked breast. One of your legs was around his hips, and his pants were unbuckled and a bit lower than they should be. He was thrusting against you. 

He was fucking you restlessly, in their wedding night. 

Elisa turned around, crying and sobbing up.

The next morning, you had left for Highgarden where your future husband was waiting for you. Elisa felt a pinch of hope, thinking that what happened that night was a way to say farewell, a way to put a closure in everything now that you will also be married soon. And that is when Aegon finally started to pay attention to his wife. Sort of. 

Their first time together was a bit delusional. Elisa has always thought that making love with her husband would be the best experiences in life, but it was not. Aegon arrived at her chambers, wearing only thin pants and a gray shirt. It was late at night, and Elisa was wearing her nightgown.

“I’m sorry I haven’t been able to fulfill my duty as your husband.” He said, taking his shirt off. “But now I’m here, so we can be done with it.”

His words reached her ears as daggers, and it made her feel terribly bad. However, Aegon did not even see her teary eyes and he took off her gown. Elisa layed in bed, completely nervous and unsure, she thought he would do something to make her feel good, to make her moan in pleasure as he did with you, but he barely touched her. He put his cock inside her, without any preparation, and started moving until he reached his own climax.

Then, he just left. 

That process was repeated at least twice per week until the Maester announced the pregnancy of Elisa, and some part of her was relieved. She thought that Aegon would leave her alone now that she was finally with child, but his visits did not stop. 

She tried to enjoy it, and sometimes it did feel good, but every time she would let herself be pleased by him, your name would slip his mouth. Aegon would not even bother to correct it, he would just continue doing it until find his relief. 

When the twins were born, Aegon was not there. He had traveled to Highgarden to see you, because your name-day was close and a big celebration will be made. Two healthy blonde boys with cinnamon skin and purple eyes were born; Baelor and Rhaegon. The whole castle celebrated the birth of the boys, but Elisa felt miserable because Aegon was with you when he should have been with her instead. 

Aegon was away for a month until his duties as heir forced him to go back to King’s Landing, and when he met his sons, he kissed her. 

“Well done, dear wife.” He had told her with a soft smile while he was carrying Rhaegon on his arms. 

For the first time, Elisa felt that things were going to change. 

Three years later, Elisa was pregnant again, about to give birth. Aegon started to worry more about her and she finally realized that you were long forgotten, at the end of the day she was the one carrying his children and raising them. Everything was exactly as it was supposed to be. 

Until you came back. 

The excuse was to visit your father, but Elisa knew you were coming to see Aegon. The green and gold carriage arrived, and Aegon –now as the king– received you with a tight hug as soon as you got out of the carriage. You were looking exactly the same, the only difference was a small bump on your belly that announced you were pregnant too, but your smile was as shiny as it ever was. 

Instant flashbacks of the night in the gardens came to her mind, and it was impossible not to remember your face filled with pleasure while you were fucking a married man.

“My King.” You bowed with a smirk, “How nice it is to see you again.”

“My Lady,” Aegon answered, grabbing your hand and leaving a soft kiss in it. “It is a pleasure to have your presence in this castle. You have been missed.” 

Your eyes looked at Elisa and the two small and identical boys beside her. You smiled at them kindly before walking towards them. 

“My Queen,” You bowed again, Elisa only smiled, trying to hide her disliking. “You must be Baelor and Rhaegon!” You spoke to the little boys who hid beneath their mother’s skirt. 

“Boys, greet to Lady y/n.” Aegon demanded with a harsh voice. Elisa frowned. “That it’s not proper behavior for a Prince.”

“I’m afraid I cannot force them to greet people they do not know, husband.” Elisa said firmly.

“Oh, no worries at all.” You said with a careless smile. Aegon relaxed. “I do not force my children to greet strangers either.”

“Your children?” She asked, trying to find the shape of a child hiding behind you. “You have more than the one you are expecting?”

“I do.” You answered, a genuine excitement was found in your voice. Elisa would have thought it was cute if it was any other person, but instead she just nodded with a sour grin. “They are a bit shy, that is why they haven’t got out of the carriage.”

You walked to the carriage, and Elisa heard you speaking softly to someone. A couple of seconds passed when you turned around and two children followed you. You positioned behind them while they were looking at the floor. 

“This is Mina Tyrell,” You pointed at the smallest one, “And this is Gareth Tyrell.”

The boy looked up and Elisa’s heart skipped a beat. Her jaw clenched and she almost yelled out of anger. The boy had your eye color, and he had your hair and your skin tone, but he was an exact copy of Aegon. He had the same features; the same shape of eyes, the shape of his face. It was almost insulting the fact that you showed them around so proudly.

“How old are they?” Elisa asked.

“Mina has just turned two.” You replied, “Gareth is almost four.”

The boy was a bastard. It was Aegon’s bastard. The worst part of it all, was that it was conceived on their wedding night. The night were Aegon fucked another woman.

“And how far are you?” She asked again, this time pointing at your belly. 

“Oh, this one is more recent.” You said in an intent to make her laugh, feeling the air too tense already. Only Aegon did. “The Maester says I’m supposed to give birth in four full moons.” 

Five months ago, Aegon traveled to Casterly Rock. Elisa then knew he traveled there because he knew she would be there. 

“Congratulations.” She muttered. A fake smile was drawn on her face. “You have beautiful children.”

Elisa thought that Aegon leaving her alone because of you was something from the past, and again she was mistaken. Even he had left his own children aside in order to be with yours. The fact that your children felt so comfortable with the presence of Aegon after showing themselves acting shyly was enough proof for her to know that Aegon never stopped seeing you. That probably the child you were expecting was his too. 

When the nights arrived, she was afraid of leaving her chambers. She was too scared of finding you with Aegon once again. She would rather stay with the idea that your relationship with him was long forgotten, although she knew it was not true. 

The night when her water broke, was the same night when you had your miscarriage. You had woken up in the middle of the night with a pinching pain in your womb, and the sheets covered in blood. You screamed for help, scared and not knowing what was happening. Aegon was the first one to reach your side to comfort you, knowing too well that his wife was birthing his child on the other side of the castle.

He consoled you while you were crying, and he cried too. He knew that was his child, and you knew too. His heart was broken because he knew he had lost a child with the love of his life, the pain was so tremendous that he did not even think about Elisa. 

Elisa cried when she found out. He had chosen you all over again. The hell that she was living was burning her heart, and that was just too much. She could not live like this any longer, it was too painful. So, when Aegon went to meet his daughter, Elisa finally spoke.

“I know.” She said, looking at him with hatred.

“What are you talking about?” He asked, looking at his daughter with teary eyes. He was pretending she was yours. 

“I know you’ve been fucking with Lady y/n all this time.” She spat, ragefully. 

Aegon looked at her, not a single expression was seen on his purple eyes. He just stood there, with her new born daughter between his arms and a serious semblance.

“You will not say anything?” 

“What do you want me to say?” He shrugged, “I will not deny it.”

“You could at least apologize.” She said. 

“For what?” He frowned, “For loving someone else?”

“For humiliate me in front of everyone!” She yelled, while tears were starting to wet her cheeks. “She brought her children, Aegon! And one of them is literally carrying your face! Then you left me alone during birth for the second time, because you would rather be with her!”

“Of course I would rather be with her!” He raised his voice. “She is the love of my life, Elisa. I think you are smart enough to know about it.”

“And what am I?” She asked, her voice was shaking while she could not stop sobbing. “If she is the love of your life, then what am I to you?”

“You are just my wife.” 

Elisa chuckled, incredulously looking at him. Aegon left the child in her crib, just beside her dragon egg. Then he faced his wife again.

“I tried to love you, Elisa.” He confessed, “but you are not her.”

“Don’t lie.” She shook her head. “You barely tried. You could never get her out of your head, you were moaning her name every night we spent together. You whisper her name in dreams, Aegon.”

“Then why is this a shock to you?”

“Because I thought that after all this time you at least have the decency of caring about me.”

“I do care about you.” He quickly responded.

“And that is why you left me on the birthbed alone?”

“She needed me.” Aegon whispered, “She lost her child.”

“I needed you!” Elisa screamed, making Aegon jump in his place. “I am your wife, you are married to me, not her!” 

Aegon stood in silence, the only sound heard was Elisa’s crying and fast breathing. He sighed and looked at her with pity. 

“But you are not her.” 

He left, and Elisa stood in the middle of the room uncontrollably sobbing. She did not care about her daughter sleeping, she started to make a mess in the room. She threw tables, papers, and chairs. She spilled the bottles of wine and cider and broke all the mirrors she could find. Once the maid found her, the room was a disaster. Elisa was in the middle of the messy bed with her daughter crying between her arms. 

She just had accepted that Aegon’s love would never belong to her. No matter how hard she tries, it has always belonged to you.

#aegon ii targaryen #house targaryen #house of the dragon #aegon targaryen #aegon x reader #game of thrones #aemond targaryen #hotd #angst #team green #fanfic #hotd x reader #hotd imagine

[moonlisid]

i can't stop thinking about this, it's the same look on their face.

The Last Day of Pompeii, Karl Briulov (1833)

House of The Dragon, S1 E9. (2022)

#alicent hightower #rhaneyra targaryen #art #art detail #house of the dragon #house targaryen #aemond targaryen #aegon ii targaryen #daemon targaryen #team green #game of thrones #a song of ice and fire #fire and blood #art comparison #art parallels

[moonlisid]

THE CONQUEROR'S CROWN

MASTERLIST | Part 1 ; Part 2 ; Part 3 ; Final Part

Pairing: Aegon II Targaryen x FemOC!Velaryon (Strong)

Summary: After many years of secrecy, Aegon and Visaella's relationship was discovered just a few days prior the beginning of the Dance of the Dragons, unleashing the chaos and uncontrollable feelings that will do more harm than good. 

TW: Lots of angst (like seriously, a lot), murder (with fire), blood mentions, death of multiple characters, violence, birth, daemon being manipulative, incest (niece/uncle), toxic behaviour, grief. if there is something else pls let me know!

Author's Note: this is probably the most angsty shit i’ve written so far, so i apologize in advance. 

Word Count: 12.1k

Taglist: @mirandastuckinthe80s @clairacassidy @alexandra-001

PART 3 — Shattered.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎She was walking back and forth in the council room, biting her nails and breathing fast. Everything that could have gone wrong, went wrong. Daemon lost his temper with Otto after he seemed to have said something that upset him and almost drove him to madness. Visaella felt so relieved to be there, Vermithor’s roar seemed to be quite efficient to break up a fight, otherwise she knew Daemon would have been capable of beheading Otto without even thinking twice about it. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Now she was waiting for him to arrive. As soon as she saw the Green’s tropes walking back to their fleet, she flew to the dunes with Vermithor and then she ran inside the castle, expecting to have a serious conversation with Daemon. She was mad, red with anger. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎When the door was opened, her face turned to look at whoever might come in. Daemon stepped into the room, almost as mad as her. She could perceive the vein in his head pumping blood with rage. He did not even bother to notice her presence in the room, instead, he loosed the scabbard around his hips and threw it on the table, not minding about all the important things that were on top of it. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“What were you thinking, Daemon?”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Her voice came out louder than she expected, but he did not even spare a glance at her. That infuriated her more, he was visibly ignoring her. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Thank the gods I was there to prevent a blood bath!” She screamed, as if she was talking with one of her peers. “You were ready to kill him!”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"I'll kill him either way." He said with a monotone voice, as if he did not care. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“You’re a grown man!” She stood in front of him, and he just sat on the chair beside the table, crossing his legs and looking at his own fingers. “How can you act so careless? If we start a war we are going to lose our advantage!”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"And what do you know about war, huh?" He spoke harshly, "Have you ever been in one?" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎She went silent, clenching her jaw. Daemon chuckled.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"Of course you fucking haven't." He mocked her, "You have never been to battle either which means you don't know shit about the matter." 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"You're being impulsive." She accused him, in a failed attempt of scolding him. "We must be strategic." He just laughed, and she closed her eyes trying to send away her anger. "What is so amusing to you?”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“You are pretending to know better, but you are merely repeating things that you’ve heard somewhere else to make yourself look as if you know what you’re saying.” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Instead of trying to make me look like a fool, why don’t you teach me?” She crossed her arms. Daemon looked up, staring at her between his eyelashes. “You say I don’t know what I’m doing, then teach me what the fuck am I supposed to do.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Watch your mouth.” He stood up and positioned himself in front of her. “Remember who you are talking to.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“My mother taught me all about politics, diplomacy, philosophy. She managed to train me well in those aspects, but she taught me little about how to lead a war.” Her voice calmed down a bit, and she took a big breath. “If I ever become queen then I must know how to deal with these situations.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Of course you do.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Then fucking teach me instead of losing control of your actions.” Daemon raised an eyebrow, but he slightly smirked.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“You are your mother’s daughter, aren’t you?” He clicked his tongue and started to walk to the fireplace. “I will teach you how to lead an army, but for that you must be part of the army.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“I know how to fight.” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“But you haven’t been into battle.” He turned to her, “If there is something your mother did right, it was the fact that she allowed you to grab a sword and learn how to use it instead of forcing you to do embroidery and boring shit like that. Knowing how to fight with a sword is way more useful.” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“What am I supposed to do then?” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“You’ll train harder, with more than one opponent.” She followed him with her eyes while he was walking all around the room. “I supposed Ser Erryk is the one helping you train, am I right?” She nodded. “Fighting with the same person for more than a year is useless, you end up learning their techniques and memorizing their movements. From now on, you’ll train with a different guard everyday.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“So, I learn combat. Then what?”  

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“And then you became a leader.” He shrugged. “But only the experience will make you good.” He took his scabbard and turned around to see her one more time before leaving. “You’ll start on the morrow.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎He was about to leave, but Visaella remembered the main situation that brought her there. The curiosity once again took over her, and made her speak before thinking further.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Daemon,” She called him. He slowly turned. “What did he say?”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎He frowned, “What?”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Otto. What did he say that made you so angry?” He leaned his head back, and clenched his jaw as if the mere memory of it made him lose his temper. “You spoke for like half an hour.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎When she was outside, she was way too high on her dragon’s back to hear them. Vermithor’s heavy breathing was the only thing her ears managed to perceive. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"They wanted us to bend the knee." He spat, "Those fucking cunts..." He whispered for himself. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"Did they tell you something? Did they offer some terms or- or some kind of arrangement?" She asked curiously, clearly annoying the grown man who just closed his eyes. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"The only agreement that was offered was letting us live as a return of our loyalty to that drunk fucker that you loved so dearly." Loved. Daemon was already talking about it in the past. That brought a sour taste in her mouth, not exactly knowing how to feel. "It was a waste of time. Perhaps they only came here to take a look at our army."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"Are you sure they did not say anything else?" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"It was a good thing to bring Vermithor with us." He laughed, ignoring her words purposely. "Otto shat his pants when he saw him. You did good, child. Keep it that way." 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Then, he left.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Visaella looked at the door where there were two guards, with more questions than answers. She knew there was something else, it was impossible that so little information was shared on that conversation that seemed to last forever. And of course, she was way too invested in knowing what they spoke to even think about the consequences of her acts. So, a bit later that day, she wrote to Aegon.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎After thinking about it for a few minutes, walking back and forth in the room and debating with herself inside her mind, she went to the Maester’s office. She tried to do it quietly, without being seen by someone who might ask too many questions. She knew she could get herself in serious trouble by writing to him, but she felt the need to do it. It was something that went beyond her curiosity, perhaps it was the urge to speak with him after everything that has been happening lately.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎The Maester greeted her with a small bow once she arrived at his office. She smiled kindly as a response and immediately asked him for parchment and quill. He obediently gave her those things so she hurried to sit on a table filled with books and papers and started to write down.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎She wrote in High Valyrian thinking less people would be able to read it. It was a letter telling him to meet her at midnight in the woods of Duskendale; the place where they always secretly met. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Visaella was too busy writing the letter to even notice the Maester curiously peeking over her shoulder, trying to hide his attempt to read the letter. She did not feel his closeness or how he was slightly whispering the words he was reading in order to translate what they say. It was not a secretive action, but her mind was so lost on the thought of seeing Aegon again that she let all her guard down.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎He jumped and took a couple steps back when the Princess straightened up and started to fold the piece of paper in the small shape of a cylinder. She started to heaten up the sealing wax, and while waiting for it to melt she turned around to see the man standing a few inches away.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"If I send this letter right now in a raven, how long would it take to arrive to the Red Keep?"

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"To the Red Keep?" He questioned, surprised and confused. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"Yes. The Red Keep." She replied impatiently, "How long?" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"Perhaps just a few hours before midnight." 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"Great." She celebrated for herself. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎She took the sealing wax and poured it onto the parchment, but she did not put the typical Targaryen stamp in it, trying to hide who wrote it. She quickly stood up, and gave the parchment to the Maester who hesitantly received it. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"I need you to send this immediately, please." A look of confusion was reflected on his face, so she just smiled softly at him, putting on a facade that seemed convincing. "It is quite urgent."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎He nodded, "Immediately, my princess."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"Thank you." She said, but once she was about to leave she turned around, “I would highly appreciate it if this interaction remains a secret, especially to Daemon.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎The man only managed to nod, and she left the room as quickly as she arrived, walking through the hallways, her head down and her eyes hidden from the light. Once she was far enough from the office, she took a deep breath.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ When she got to her room, the minutes became hours while she was impatiently waiting for midnight. She laid on her bed after being too distracted to read, and she watched the ring on her heart finger, playing with it and making it spin around her digits. The memory of that night still haunts her, especially because she knew that it was the last moment of peace that she had; the last moment of calm. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Aegon giving this ring to her as a promise was a vivid memory of happiness that was soon stained with misery thanks to her conversation with Daemon a few minutes afterwards. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎She needed to speak with Aegon, she needed to ask him why. Why would he betray her in such a horrible way after promising things such as eternal love and devotion. She was asking herself which part was false and which part was true, or if there was ever some truth at all. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Visaella stood up once she saw the night falling on top of the castle, and she dressed with her rider’s attires, replacing the thin clothes she was wearing before. She opened her door once she was ready and she saw Ser Erryk standing outside of her room, looking at her with a questioning gesture on his face. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Princess,” He bowed swiftly.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Ser Erryk.” She greeted him, before starting to walk away from him.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Princess, where are you going?” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎That made her stop almost immediately, she turned around with a fake innocent smile trying to hide her annoyance. She just shrugged as a response, without giving too much explanation to the guard that was looking at her carefully. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“I’m going for a walk.” She lied.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Would you like me to give you some company?” He offered, “It’s quite late. It might be dangerous for you to be alone.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Don’t worry, I will be fine!” She laughed it off, moving her hands in order to make it seem as if it was not a big deal. “You stay here, I will be back in no time.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Before he could keep asking questions, the Princess hurried through the hallways, trying to not be too loud or to be seen by many servants. She did what she always did, walking with her head low and using the less crowded halls, the one that she already knew as the palm of her hand. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎She sneaked out to a hidden door that led her exactly to the dunes of sand where Vermithor always rests. She heard the sound of the waves crashing down on the shore and the salty air quickly reached her nose. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The air was blowing violently, and it was getting cold. She tried to walk faster to feel the warmth of her dragon and, later, the warmth of Aegon’s hug. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Visaella was getting closer, when a hand grabbed her arm and made her stop out of nowhere. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“I found her!” The guard screamed, she widened her eyes and looked at him with pure astonishment. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“What is going on?” She demanded an answer that the guard refused to give. “Tell me what is going on right now!” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Before the man could answer, she saw at least four other guards walking swiftly towards them. Her heart sank and she tried to let go of the firm grip of her wrist, which was starting to hurt. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Let me go, right now!” She ordered him, but again her words were not listened to. “I demand you to let me go!”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Her desperation started to increase and that is when she could recognise the Maester between the group of guards that were getting closer to her. Her heart started to go faster, her jaw clenched and her whole body stiffened up. That whistle in her ear came back, and her breathing turned heavy. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Fucking traitor.” She whispered for herself.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎In just one movement, she turned her hand around, bending the guard’s arm. Her free hand quickly grabbed her dagger from her scabbard in order to beat his eye with the hilt, being able to escape from his grip and starting to run towards her dragon. However, the guards fastened their pace, running behind her. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎She could hear the screaming getting closer and closer. She might be a good fighter, but she was a terrible runner. Her feet were being swallowed by the dense texture of the sand, making her getting more and more exhausted with each step. A part of her was scared, knowing that she might be in serious trouble after this, but another part of her —and the one that was giving her the adrenaline to keep running— was furious with the Maester for snitching on her. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Something –or someone, actually– beated her from the side, making her fall onto the sand and moan for the pain that the sudden action brought to her body. She was not wearing armor to protect her from the weight that had just fallen on top of her. She felt some warmth running through her left side, and it was quite difficult to move. The man that had fallen on top of her, bruising her ribs and taking the breath out of her. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Without even letting her rest, a couple of arms picked her up before she got the chance to run again. She screamed, feeling the pain blurring her sight and feeling weak. A guard grabbed her and put her on his shoulder in a sudden movement, she whined for the pain. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Take her to Prince Daemon.” The Maester said. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Between the tears filled with pain, she saw the face of the Maester. The hateful stare of hers made him feel a bit uneasy, but he knew he had done the right thing. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“I will burn you, you fucking rat!” She threatened him, spitting her words with rage. “I will fucking kill you!”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎The guard that was holding her just managed to laugh, mocking her and humiliating her in front of everyone. She was fuming, and while they were walking her inside of the castle once again, a deafening roar was heard; Vermithor’s roar. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎They took her to her mother’s chambers, where Daemon was doing her some company. The Maester was heading the group, and they entered the room abruptly, without even knocking the door or announcing themselves first. Daemon stood up as soon as he saw them entering the room, while Visaella was silently sobbing thanks to the excruciating ache of her body. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“What is the meaning of this?” Rhaenyra asked softly.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Your majesty,” The Maester bowed, and then made a sign to the guard that was carrying the girl. “Princess Visaella was planning on meeting with the usurper in the woods on Duskendale, we managed to find her before she could escape on Vermithor.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎The guard was not gentle once she pulled her out his shoulders, and the pinching pain made her fall to the ground as soon as her feet touched the ground. Rhaenyra widened her eyes with horror after seeing her daughter’s eyes filled with tears, and Damon soon walked towards the Maester, who gave her the parchment that she wrote just a few hours ago. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Rhaenyra walked slowly toward her daughter, still being weakened by a fever that was already gone. Visaella closed her eyes and whimpered out of pain when her mother touched her face.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Daemon took his time to read the letter. Once he finished he chuckled, looking back and forward between Visaella and Rhaenyra. The Maester stood with his chin lifted, as if he was proud of what he had done, the old man even was smiling a bit thinking he would be compensated for his actions. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Instead, Daemon’s hands grabbed him by the collar of his brown robe and looked at him furiously.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“What the fuck have you done to her?” He asked, tilting his head to point out her poor state. “That is your queen’s heir, you dumb cunt.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎The old man was starting to stutter, too nervous to even pronounce the correct words or to even form coherent sentences. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“How dare you even put a hand on her, huh?” He spoke daringly, his eyes darkened. “You fucking fool, I will kill you if-”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Daemon.” Rhaenyra called him, her voice sounding delicate in comparison to Daemon's. She was kneeled with Visaella’s head on her shoulder, the poor girl was breathing heavily. “She needs a Maester.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎The man looked at the guards who were now too scared to even dare to say a word, and he pointed to one of the back, “Call Ser Erryk and Maester Gerardys. You better hurry if you don’t want your fucking head on a spike.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎The guard left running, and Daemon clicked his tongue looking around at every single one of their faces, memorizing them. More than one tried to hide his face, but he was able to see them either way. His eyes then fell on the knight with the bloody eye, Daemon walked to him and laughed, loudly.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“You're lucky you're not dead.” He grabbed his face, at first it was almost a gentle touch, until he started to put pressure on his wound, making him growl in pain. Rhaenyra quickly looked away. “You are all lucky to not be dead,” More pressure until drips of blood were starting to run down his face. “I would kill every single one of you, but I will put your faith in the hands of my daughter.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎He let him go, and the guard soon covered his eye, screaming in pain. It took Daemon just one movement of his head, and every guard –including the Maester– left the room immediately. He stepped closer to the girl and looked at her with pitiful eyes.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎When Ser Erryk arrived, he carefully held her. She moaned, feeling that stinging pain on her ribs that would make her close her eyes and cry. He tried to be careful when they arrived in her chambers and he left her on her bed. Daemon followed them, since Rhaenyra was not able to leave the room yet.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Maester Gerardys soon arrived, and he tried to see her wound under her clothing. A big dark ‎violet stain covered all her left side and she would breathe sharply everytime he would touch her skin. The Maester decided to give her some milk of the puppy in order to numb the pain and make her able to sleep well. At first, Daemon was reluctant with the idea of her being sedated with the liquid, but after hearing her pain, he accepted it.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎The Maester massaged that part of her body with special ointments to relieve the swollen area. He put some warm tissues to make the accumulated blood dissolve and eliminate the purplish bruise. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎After finishing with her treatment, he left. Ser Erryk –who felt quite guilty for not going with her– followed him. Daemon watched her, softly stroking her hair that still had some grains of sand in it. They were in silence, Visaella was awake but her eyes were closed and Daemon knew it. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“I hope that this has taught you a very valuable lesson.” He said, his voice sounded delicate but something was off. “Aegon will only bring destruction to your life.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎A tear fell down her cheek, but it was not because of the pain in her body. This is the second time she was hurted because she was thinking about him, the first time was more emotional rather than physical, but it was still something that made her cry herself to sleep. After everything she has been through these last days because of him; the betrayal, her mother’s grief, her bruised rib, she thought that, perhaps, Daemon might be right. 

+

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎When the morning came, the sudden sound of her door being abruptly opened woke her up. Her eyes fluttered, wandering around the room until they saw the shape of her two brothers walking inside the room; Lucerys had a vase with some flowers in it and Jacaerys had a platter with food in it.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Those beasts!” Lucerys said, looking at her sister. “Look what they’ve done to you!”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Does it hurt?” Jacaerys asked, sitting in the bed careful to not hurt her even more. “How are you feeling?”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎She struggled to sit on the bed, crunching her nose and complaining about the pain. Jacaerys was quick to help her, putting the platter aside and grabbing her arm. She shook her head, and tried to give them a smile that assured them she was fine.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“I’m better now.” Her voice sounded deeper than usual. “Did you bring me breakfast?” She asked, pointing at the platter beside her.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Actually, it is lunch.” He explained while grabbing the platter and putting it on top of her legs. She widened her eyes. “It’s already past noon, mother did not want to wake you up.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Mother?” She asked, confused. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“At the Council meeting with Lord Corlys.” Lucerys said. “He bent the knee for mother.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“We are also going to Winterfell,” Jacaerys added, “Well, I’m going to Winterfell and the Eyrie, Lucerys is going to Storm’s End.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“That is too much information.” She said, a bit overwhelmed. “Why are you going to those places?”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“To look for allies.” Jacaerys shrugged, stealing a piece of beef from his sister’s plate. “The Starks, the Baratheons, and the Arryn sworn to mother when she was named heir of Viserys. We are going to remind them of those oaths.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Visaella looked at Lucerys a bit worried, not trusting enough on the outside to let him go that far without someone to take care of him. She felt scared. Lucerys seemed to notice her thoughts, and he was quick to say,

“I’ll be fine, Ella.” He reassured her, grabbing her hand and looking at her with a smile. “It’s a small trip and I’ll go with Arrax.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Did mother allow you to go?” She looked at Jacaerys, as if she was asking them both. “How?”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“I was quite convincing.” Jacaerys bragged. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“I don’t know if it’s a good idea to send you, Luke.” She said, terrified. “I- uhm, I think it’s better if I go instead. My dragon is larger and-”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Are you insane?” Lucerys interrupted her, “You can barely move.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Believe me, this is not the worst pain I’ve felt.” She ate a big piece of her beef. “I can ride Vermithor without issues.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Mother will not let you go.” Jacaerys commented.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“When are you leaving?” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“A few hours before sunset.” The older boy spoke again. “We actually should be getting ready by now.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“We wanted to see you first.” Lucerys explained. “We heard the maids whispering about it, we thought it was a lie.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Yes, Daemon was threatening all the guards today when we arrived at the Council Room.” Said Jacaerys, “He told them he would cut their hands if they ever touch one of us again.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“That’s when we realized it was actually true.” The youngest concluded. “Why did they do that to you?”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎She just shrugged, unable to create an excuse for them to believe. She was tired of lying about everything, so in that moment she just decided to omit some piece of information by not giving them the true answer. It was easier this way.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Well, we are going to get ready for our tasks, wish us luck.” Jacaerys stood up and pat Lucerys on his head to incentivize him to do the same. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Good luck, Jace.” She turned to Luke and caressed his face, “And good luck to you too, my sweet boy.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Jace scoffed, “No need to show your favoritism.” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“I love you both very much.” She smiled, “Please be safe.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎She gave a hug –a very loose one– to each of them before they left the room, leaving her in bed with a half empty plate. She tried to eat more, but there was a sensation in her stomach that did not allow her to do it. She thought, perhaps, that it was the worry for her brothers, who are going to do a major task completely on their own for the first time.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎She trusted them, she knew that they were capable of doing as much as she. Still, there was this feeling in her gut that was telling her it was best if she goes instead. Visaella was afraid of what they might find on their way to fulfill their duties, the world was wild out there and they were just boys. Her boys.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Without even realizing, she was biting her nails with nervousness once again. She felt the need to do something. So she did. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎She barely stood up from her bed and started to dress herself up with the first clothes that she found. She hissed once her shirt touched her skin, feeling the burning pain on her ribs. She just closed her eyes and tried to deal with it in silence, batting her eyes in order to send the tears away and trying to not move too much. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Once she was done, she walked out of the room breathing slowly, in and out. Ser Erryk, who was guarding her door, immediately tried to stop her, but she refused to listen and kept walking, but now with him watching her back.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“There is no need to follow me, Ser Erryk.” Visaella said, muttering. “I’m just going to see my queen mother.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Last night you told me you were just going for a walk.” He reminded her, looking everywhere around. “I’m not taking risks anymore.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎They walked silently afterwards. The knight was keeping an eye on her in case he must hold her and prevent her from falling, but she was too stubborn to ask for help even if she needed it. People were staring at her, because she was a mess; her hair was not brushed, her attires were loosened up so they would not be too tight, she still had some grains of sand on her hair, and the circles in her eyes were darker than ever. She had lost her sparkle, and everyone seemed to notice it. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎She even wondered to herself what Aegon would think if he ever saw her being this deteriorated. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Visaella opened the door of the council room, and the first thing she saw was her mother speaking with Lord Corlys. The man looked at her and opened his eyes as if he was surprised to see her standing. Rhaenyra turned around to see why his expression had changed so abruptly, and soon she found herself with the same semblance as him.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Visaella, what are you doing here?” Ser Erryk, who was still behind the princess, quickly grabbed a chair and forced her to sit down. “You should be resting in your chambers.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“So do you.” She muttered, taking a deep breath once she was seated. “And yet here you are, leading a war.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Why did you not call me instead of walking all over here?” She scolded her, frowning.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“I thought you might be busy and this matter is quite urgent.” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Her daughter looked at her, and Rhaenyra knew she wanted time alone with her in order to have a conversation. She granted it by telling everyone in the room to wait outside. Visaella closed her eyes, trying to ease the suffocating feeling.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“I know what you’re here.” Rhaenyra took a chair and sat right in front of her daughter. “You’ve come to talk about Luke, am I wrong?”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“You can’t send him. It’s too risky.” She explained. “He is just a boy, it’s- he barely can wield a sword properly.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“You are underestimating him. Lucerys will do fine.” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“I’m impressed that you even thought about it.” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“I wasn’t too pleased with the idea either.” She confessed, “But Luke has grown, and we must start to give him these tasks so he can see how everything works.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Why don’t you send me instead?” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Rhaenyra laughed softly.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Look at you, my child.” Her purple eyes scanned her from head to toe, “You barely could walk here today, you are too weak to fly.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“I am not.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Yes, you are.” She grabbed both of her hands, “Everything will be fine, Luke and Jace will be fine. They’ll go as messengers, not as fighters.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“I know, but what if-”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Ella, is okay to be worried. I know you see Luke as a small child, I know how deeply you love him and protect him. But you must start to let him go.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Her body stiffened up after hearing those words, as if they had triggered something deep inside her. She did not like the feeling that those words brought to her at all. She looked at her own hands, which were wounded by her own teeth, trying to avoid her mother’s gaze. Rhaenyra stroked her hair carefully and sighed. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Besides,” Rhaenyra added, “Luke will be back before supper. Storm’s End is not very far from here.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Visaella smiled slightly.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“That’s why you sent him there, right? Because it was the closest place.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Now you understand it.” They both chuckled, but Visaella’s laughter was quickly replaced by a moan of pain. Rhaenyra glanced at her, worried. “Go back to your chambers, I’ll send the Maester to check on you.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“I want to say farewell to the boys before.” She asked, “Please, then I’ll try to spend the rest of the day in my chamber. I promise.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Her mother pursed her lips, doubting a little. Eventually, she still agreed. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Minutes later, the Velaryon boys were waiting for their mother on the balcony of the castle. The sun was setting down, and the view from there was absolutely gorgeous. The boys turned to see their mother and sister, acting surprised with the presence of the last. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Shouldn’t you be in bed?” Jacaerys asked.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“I wanted to wish you both farewell.” She tried to smile, but her inner concern did not allow her to do so. “Come here, my boys. Hug me not so tight.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎They shared glances between them, and then they glanced at their mother who softly nodded as if she was giving them permission to do such an action. They wrapped their arms around her body delicately, scared of hurting her. She felt some pinch on her side, but she just decided to take a deep breath and ignore it. She closed her eyes for a second after leaving a kiss on each of their heads.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Don’t do anything stupid.” She warned them, “Especially you,” She pointed at Jacaerys, “Lord Stark is close to your age so you might find some leisure time with him, but don’t do anything stupid during that time, is it clear?” Jacaerys rolled his eyes, but nodded either way. “And you, my sweet boy, please be careful. You may find some storms in your way, but remember that if it gets too dark, you can always fly above the clouds.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Rhaenyra started to explain what they must do, giving them each parchment to each along with a small piece of advice on how to treat each lord. They both swore under the eye of the Seven to go as messengers and not fighters, and then… They say goodbye.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Visaella was watching all the interchange of words quietly behind her mother’s shoulder, looking through it and perceiving the slight nervousness of her little brother. He tried to assure her he was fine by doing a crooked smile that ended up being a sour grin. She tried to follow her mother’s advice and not to think so poorly of him. He was going to be fine, he will be fine.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎She only went to her room once she saw Arrax and Vermax flying away from the castle. She was walking back to her room, mostly looking down at the floor. Ser Erryk once again was guarding her back, apparently those were the new orders from her mother, the queen, and she could not put any complaint about it. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Visaella was slowly going up the stairs when she saw him; the Maester that had snitched on her with the guards. She stopped walking, and the feeling of her blood pressure rising was installed on her chest again, being able to hear her own heartbeat. The whistle came back, and the pain on her body suddenly disappeared, being replaced with pure rage. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎She looked at them with disgust, he tried to not stare back at her but her hateful glance was impossible to ignore. The old man hurried his pace down the stairs, almost falling down because his feet were fidgeting against the cobblestones in order to leave that room as soon as his body let him. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Something inside her begged to push him down the stairs. To kill him. But at the same time, she knew she could not do it. Not yet, at least.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Let’s go to train.” She suddenly said to Ser Erryk.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Princess, you cannot train, it’s late and you must rest-”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Ser Erryk…” She got closer to him, whispering, “I feel the need to free my anger with some activity, otherwise I think I will end up killing that man over there.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Ser Erryk turned around and looked at the Maester walking towards a room. He swallowed hard, not knowing what to do.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Princess-”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“I’m not lying.” She warned, “I will kill him.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎He gave in, and half an hour later they were on the shore fighting with swords.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎The guard tried so hard to be slow, to just defend himself instead of attacking her, but she was acting like a derange. Something in her was different and he could perceive it as soon as she picked up her sword. Ser Erryk soon was forced to attack too, forced by the princess herself. He did not understand how the pain soon vanished from her body, anyone who sees her right now would think she does not suffer from any injury. She was being completely unhinged and even Ser Erryk was taken aback for it. A bit scared too.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎The princess was using all of her strength attacking her opponent, who was starting to regret accepting her invitation to train. He was actually starting to think that she actually wanted to kill him, for her movements were all directed to his head or neck.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎There was a moment where Ser Erryk lost his sword. A madness stare was sent by the Princess who forced him to pick it up and start to move again.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Come on!” She yelled. “Grab your sword. I’m not over yet.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Princess, why don’t we take some time to rest?” He suggested with a breathy voice.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“There is no time to rest in battle, Ser Erryk.” She reminded him, “Pick up your sword, now.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎The man was tired already, but he still obeyed her orders, breathing with her mouth open and sweating like a pig. She would not let him take a deep breath. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎They spent hours like this, even a subtle rain was starting to fall on top of them but Visaella did not seem to care. She was too busy to notice it, as well as she was too busy to notice the frame of Daemon walking slowly towards them. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Princess!” Screamed Ser Erryk, trying to get her attention, but it did not work. Ser Erryk took a step back and fell on the sand, breathing fast and looking at the deranged eyes of the princess with confusion. “I yield!” He said.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“It’s the third time you yield.” She accused him, annoyed. “It’s an excuse to rest, right? You’re making it boring.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Visaella.” Daemon called her, interrupting her moment.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎She turned around, and looked at her step father without expression at all. He was a few inches apart, and thanks to the darkness of the night she was not able to see his expression. Ser Erryk walked beside her and took her sword, knowing that she would not use it anymore.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Daemon gave the guard a look and he immediately left.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Why are you interrupting?” She asked harshly, “I was training!”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎The blonde haired man took a few steps forward, and Visaella finally could see his expression. Her heart stopped for a moment after seeing his glistening eyes, her whole body froze. “What happened?” She managed to say despite the knot that was getting formed inside her throat. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎He held her hand, a touch so gently and so odd coming from him. His touch only produced a shivering sensation running down her back, a feeling that was disturbing. He started to walk with her away from the maids and the other guards that were close enough to hear.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"Daemon-"  

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"A letter came in a few minutes ago, Visaella." She stopped walking, Daemon faced her and she distinguished the pain on his eyes, "A letter from Storm's End."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎She clenched her jaw, and her heart started to beat faster.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "And what did this letter say?" She asked, afraid of what might be the answer. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Daemon sighed and squeezed her hand, she looked down at it, frowning confused but with the heavy weight on her chest, suddenly all the pain that she avoided came with the strength of a giant rock falling on top of her ribs.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Daemon, speak.” She demanded, “What did the letter say?”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"They found Arrax's remains floating close to the shore on Shipbreaker Bay." He spoke softly, and calmly. "He was dismembered by what appeared to be a larger dragon."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Visaella blinked a couple of times. She understood what he meant, she knew what was coming, but she refused to believe it before he would say it.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"I don't- I don't understand." 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"Lucerys is dead." He informed her. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Everything started to spin around her, her hands started to feel numb and the whistle in her ear came back louder than ever. Her vision became blurry, not for the tears but for something else unbeknownst for her.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"What?" She asked, whispering. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Daemon took a deep breath.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"Lucerys is dead." He repeated, "Witnesses claimed seeing Aemond chasing him on the skies above Storm's End after a fight inside the castle of Lord Baratheon. He killed him. The Greens killed him."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Aemond killed him, the Greens killed him. Aegon killed him.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Daemon was expecting some response from her, some kind of hard cry or loud scream, anything really. Instead, she just nodded, as if she was receiving any kind of news and she was demonstrating that she understood what she had heard. She removed her hand from his touch, her eyes lost in the white sand beneath her feet, thinking about anything. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎The deafening whistle was getting louder and louder, she could barely bear it anymore. Daemon frowned, worried about her reaction. He tried to touch her once again in order to console her, but she took a step back, then another, and another, and another, until she started to walk towards the salty waters. She was wandering around, it was as if she was disorientated, completely lost.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"Visaella," He called her, but he did not move from his place in order to get to her side. "Visaella, listen to me, your mother is giving birth right now, we need you on the council room and-" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎She stopped listening to his words. She stopped listening to everything while her eyes were starting to close and her legs moved by their own. The maids were looking at her worried, following her pace from afar in case she needed something, anything. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎The weight on her chest became too heavy, and her metallic armor felt too tight. Suddenly, a gasp desperate for air escaped from her throat. Her chest started to move fast, way too fast for her to breathe properly. The air started to miss from her lungs, her mouth dropped open seeking puffs of oxygen. And then she fell onto her knees.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎She crawled until she reached the wet sand and the broken waves could touch her. She was gasping and choking, while desperately trying to get rid of her clothes that were making her feel asphyxiated. Her hands were moving in despair trying to get the strings, but her blurry mind did not let her accomplish that, she started whimpering, feeling like she might die. Feeling as she had a big rock against her trying to steal the life out of her. It was anguishing. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎She felt a pair of hands loosing the strings that were holding her armor in place. She did not bother to see whose hands were, her mind was already gone to even care. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Visaella took a deep breath once the armor fell on the floor, and she grasped the sand under her hands in an intent to feel something real, something that was supposed to wake her up from this nightmare. When a wave broke close to her, she dipped her face into the water, feeling the coldness that helped her to react. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎She felt the pain burning her body, she felt fire inside her veins. And then, when she finally realized that what happened was real, she completely broke.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎A scream so loud left her mouth that she felt her throat burn afterwards, the whole castle was witness to her grief. Her chest hurt, but she did not mind, and another scream was heard. It was a heartrending one, one that even made the maids feel her inner pain. Everyone around her was able to sense it.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎In the distance, a deafening roar was heard along with the orange shadow of fire. It was Vermithor, who was also able to feel her.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Then the tears came out, along with mumblings and whimpering that had no meaning. Those were sounds that her broken heart was letting go, trying to make itself feel better, to get rid of the eternal grief that was haunting it. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎The sound of waves crashing against the shore were not able to bring her comfort anymore, and the pain that her body was suffering was easily forgotten thanks to her aching heart. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎A pair of arms held her tight, making her gasp due to the excruciating pain. She let herself go into them, leaning her back against the chest of someone unknown. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“They will pay for it.” She heard a whisper in her ear, the recognizable voice was Daemon’s. “We will make them pay for it.” She grabbed Daemon’s shirt tightly, her fist was shaking thanks to the strength she was using to hold onto him. “But now, your mother needs you more than ever.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎He tried to pick her up from the sand, but she was dead weight. She just moaned out of pain for his useless try. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Visaella, come on.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“No…” She whined, sobbing violently and almost feeling the need to throw up. “No, no, no. Please, don’t.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎He ignored her pledges, forcing her to stand up. She was still grabbing his shirt, and he forced her to look at him, shaking her shoulders.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Look what Aegon did!” He screamed at her, she just looked at him with lost eyes, gulping with her own tears. “He killed Lucerys. Lucerys is dead because of that fucking cunt! They killed your brother, and mine too!” Visaella did nothing but sob loudly. The servants that were watching the scene were also crying. “We must avenge him, Visaella. We- You must kill them all.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“Please… please stop.” She begged him.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“You must burn them all. All those miserable lives.” She shrunk on her own position, “It’s all their fault. It's all his fault.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎A pinch of rage appeared in her eyes. It was brief, but Daemon got to see it and smiled at himself for it. She was breaking, she was cracking every time he would say something about her beloved Aegon. Soon she will be shattered into pieces, and Daemon will be there to mold her as he wishes. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Visaella looked around. Everyone was looking at her with pitiful eyes and for some reason that did the opposite of comforting, it made her mad. Their looks were trying to be empathic, to make her feel as if they understood what she had been through. But they knew nothing, none of them would understand. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Aemond took her babe away from her, her sweet boy, the light of her life. Lucerys was everything for her, and they took him away. They stole his life and left nothing behind. Not even a body to bury or burn. There was no closure with his death, it will be an open wound for eternity, and she would never forgive them for it. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎They killed her most precious thing in the world, and now she was going to pay them with the same coin. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎She felt all the grief slowly turning into something more. Daemon was witness to how her whole semblance changed into one darker, somber and ruthless. She felt nothing once she started to walk to her mother’s chambers, as if someone had just taken her heart away from her chest, and in some way, they did. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎The people who had found out about the tragic news were giving her their condolences with delicacy, because everyone knew about her close relationship with her brother. Visaella never answered to any of their words, walking by them and feeling she was floating around. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎There were maids crying in every corner. The truth was that Lucerys was loved by everyone in the castle, he was such a sweet boy. So good, so kind. And yet, he received such a cruel destiny from the Gods. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Visaella started to despise the Seven for what they have done to Lucerys, for putting this cruel faith on top of the family, for forcing her to be away from Aegon. The Seven made her life miserable in multiple ways, and she soon started to loathe them deeply. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Her hate toward the Gods only became worse when she witnessed her mother suffering in labor. Her screams were deafening, she was agonizing in pain. Rhaenyra’s eyes were close and a thin layer of sweat covered her skin, soaking the hair strands that were close to her face. A big maroon stain was on her white undergown, just between her legs which were open and shaking. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Visaella tried to look away, but she needed to see it. She needed to see all the harm the Greens had made to her family. All the destruction they caused.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎”Princess,” The Maester Gerardys walked quickly towards her, as soon as he saw her entering the room. “What are you doing here? You should be resting!”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎The girl looked at him with an obvious expression. Her brother just died, her mother needed her by her side; she was definitely not going to stay in her chambers that night. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎”What is going on?” She asked, ignoring completely the words of the old man. “Why is the babe not born yet? Why is she bleeding so much?”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Visaella has been present on the last two births of her mother, wanting to be there for her, and this time will be no different. After seeing the process twice, she knew there was something wrong thanks to the big amount of blood that was coming from her mother. It was not normal at all. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎”The babe should not be born yet. It is not ready.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎”Well, but it is fucking happening right now.” She spoke with harshness, making the old man flinch. “So you better do something to make her feel better, she is your queen.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎”Thanks to the prematurity of the birth, the babe is not in position to be born.” He informed her.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎”What does that mean?” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎”It means that the head of the babe is upwards, when it should be upside down.” Visaella frowned. She gave a look to her poor mother, who was crying not only because of the pain her body was suffering but also because she was grieving. She lost a child and she might lose another one. “We’ve tried to move the babe to the correct position but it hasn’t worked.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎”Well, then find another way.” The princess demanded. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎”The other way is to cut through the Queen’s womb, and-”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎The Maester went silent after Visaella’s hands put a firm grip on the collar of his brown robe. He opened his eyes, surprised to see the so-delicate princess acting in such a harsh way. She looked up to him furiously, her purple eyes now seemed to be almost black.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎”What are you suggesting?” She asked him, menacingly. The Maester only mumbled, “As far as I know killing or even suggesting to kill your queen is an act of treason. Do you want to die burning and screaming?” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎”N-no, my princess.” He quickly answered.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎”Then do something else!” She pushed him, letting him go. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎The poor and scared old man quickly grabbed a book close to him, searching between the pages for an answer, desperately. Visaella was looking at him with a threatening semblance, and that would only make him shake even more. By that time, she was blinded by her own pain, turning it into rage.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎”My sweet girl,” She heard a mumble coming from her mother’s bed. It was Rhaenyra calling her, asking her to go closer. Visaella obeyed her mother and quickly reached her side, grabbing her shaky and cold hand. “Ella…”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎”The Maester is looking for something to make you feel better.” She said, still with that angry frown on her face. “You will be just fine, you just need to wait a bit.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Rhaenyra shook her head, it was a weak movement but it was easily perceived by Visaella’s eyes. The woman looked at her daughter with soft eyes, while tears were falling down through her sweaty and pale cheeks. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎The princess soon relaxed her body, and with the sweet but weak touch of her mother, she allowed herself to cry again. Rhaenyra took a sharp breath,

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎”They killed him…” Visaella whined, “They took him away from us, our sweet boy.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Her mother closed her eyes and moaned out of pain.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎”They can’t take you too, mother.” She whispered, bringing her mother’s hand to her lips, “Please, mother, you can’t leave me alone.” She pledged, her voice was thinner, softer. “I don’t know how to do this, I’m not ready.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎”It has always been written in your destiny to be queen, my child.” Rhaenyra spoke, holding her daughter’s hand as if she was holding on to life. “It just came sooner than we expected.” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎”Mother, I’m scared.” She confessed, “I feel like I will explode at any time.” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎”Do it.” She said, “Burn them all, burn it all. Take what is yours, Visaella.” Her mother said, “Take the throne back and avenge your brother’s death.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎”Mother…”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎”Your grandmother once told me that the birthbed is our battle.” Her voice started to sound more and more slow, while the stain of blood on the sheets was only getting bigger. “I might lose this one.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎She shocked her head swiftly, denying her idea and trying to make her mother react. She was talking nonsense, Visaella thought, she will not leave her alone.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎”Mother,” She begged once again. “Please!”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎”Send Viserys and Aegon to the Eyrie, they will be safe there.” Rhaenyra ordered, “Once you win the war, send them back to King’s Landing.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Visaella was about to say something, but the words were left hanging from her mouth. Rhaenyra started screaming again, causing all of the people in the room to flinch. She never let her mother’s hand go. Not even when she started to feel how her grip was loosening up.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Rhaenyra’s eyes were losing life while her daughter was desperately crying by her side, begging to the Gods and screaming for mercy. The Stranger looked at her and laughed once he took her mother’s life away, causing her to break into a million pieces.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎She was holding onto her mother’s body not even caring about being covered in her blood. She had lost everything. Her mother and Lucerys were gone forever.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Daemon could not even look at Visaella during the funeral. He had left her alone, he had left Rhaenyra alone too. The brown haired girl was throwing daggers with her eyes everytime she would see him, knowing that he should have been there with her. It was his duty as husband and father. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Jacaerys arrived that morning, his eyes were swollen. He confessed having cried all the way to Dragonstone, and once he saw her sister holding Joffrey in her arms he ran to hug them both, apologizing for not being there. Visaella was not showing emotions, she was too broken already. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Joffrey, Aegon and Viserys were all surrounding their sister once she ordered her dragon to burn the wrapped body of their mother. Poor Joffrey, who was old enough to understand everything that had happened, was crying attached to his sister's hip, using her skirt to cover his tiny face. Visaella was stroking his hair delicately, the same way she used to do with Lucerys’.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎She let herself cry quietly, just for a couple of seconds before putting that facade of anger on her face once again. She turned around and looked down to everyone who was watching her with attention, as if they were expecting her to do something else.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎”You are their queen now,” Daemon whispered close to her.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Those words made her close her eyes tightly. She stopped breathing for a second and then she let herself look at every single one of their faces. She lifted her chin, and then she saw him. The Maester Orwyle. The one that had tried to snitch on her. He was the one to blame for everything. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎He hurt her, he made the knight follow her and crush her in the sand. If it was not for his stupidity, she would have been able to fly to Storm’s Ends instead of Lucerys. Lucerys and her mother would be alive if it was not for him. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎The mere thought made her blood boil. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Maester Orwyle.” She called him in front of everyone. “Please, come forward.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎The old man walked towards her hesitantly, with his head low. He bowed once he was in front of her. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎”I want you to bring forward to every single guard that was making you company that night.” She ordered. “If you miss one, I will find him either way, and that will make things worse.” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Since most of the guards were already present at the funeral, the Maester only needed just a small sign to gather all the knights around her. Jacaerys got closer to her,

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎”Ella, what are you doing?” He asked, but she did not bother to answer. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎The guards bent the knee, and some kind of overwhelming sensation possessed her body. She pursed her lips before asking them to stand up once again.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎”I guess we all remember what happened two nights ago.” She started. “Maester Orwyle, you betrayed me.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎”My princess-”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎”I told you I needed your confidentiality for a simple matter, and yet you betrayed me.” She clicked her tongue. “Not only that, but you were expecting me to receive a punishment.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎”If you allow me to justify myself-”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎”Be quiet,” She interrupted him, getting angrier with every word he would say. “What you did, it is a crime. What kind of queen would I be if I forgive this kind of treason?”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎The old man’s face turned pale, she could perceive his nervousness and for some reason she loved that. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎She then turned and looked at everyone’s face, until her eyes reached his; she only saw him at night, but she was able to recognize him. “You,” She said, catching his attention. “I remember you too.” She smiled slightly, “You laughed at me when I said I would kill you, did you not?”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎The man clenched his jaw, also scared. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎”Well, I will not let Vermithor wait any longer.” She finished, “Ser Erryk, please take these men to the podium.” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎People started to gasp out of impression, but Visaella was too busy hearing the screaming of the men to perceive any other sound. Jacaerys was constantly asking her to stop doing it, saying that this would not have been approved by their mother. She looked at him, a cold stare that made him shiver, “They are the reason why she is dead.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Ser Erryk, along with other guards, made them kneel in front of Rhaenyra’s body. The princess was looking at them, without any expression reflected on her face. Once they were ready, they started to beg. She did not give them mercy, the Gods were not merciful so why should she?

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎”I, Princess Visaella, of House Targaryen, sentence you to death for treason to your crown.” The whimpers of the men kneeling before her were heard all around the place. Visaella covered Joffrey’s eyes and once she made sure Viserys and Aegon were not watching she said, “Dracarys.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Vermithor heard her words, and soon a big cloud of fire was seen. The men started screaming desperately. Then, something snapped, Visaella felt calmness watching them burn. She felt comforted by the warmth of the fire. For the first time in days she felt genuinely good. It was in that moment when the girl that used to be the sweetest person tried her first bite of an act of violence; and she loved it. The flavor of revenge had the most delicious taste, and it made her feel good.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Daemon got closer to her once again, “It’s queen Visaella now. You should use your new title.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎She turned around to see him, 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎”I will be called queen once I wear the Conqueror’s crown.” She spoke oddly calmly, “Once I have every single head of the Green put on a spike, that is when you will be allowed to call me Queen.” She clicked her tongue, looked around and then stared back at Daemon, “Tell Baela I need her to take Joffrey, Viserys and Aegon to the Eyrie before noon, and call a Council Meeting with the Lords.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Daemon frowned, expecting her to say something more, something he was dying to hear. She saw his face, and clenched her jaw.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎”Tomorrow night we are going to burn King’s Landing to the ground.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Visaella took Joffrey’s hand and walked with him away from the fire. Daemon followed her with his eyes, trying to repress a victorious smile. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎She was finally shattered, and it was his turn to mold the pieces.

#aegon ii targaryen #house targaryen #house of the dragon #aegon targaryen #aegon x reader #oc!female #game of thrones #aemond targaryen #hotd #aegon smut #angst #mini fanfic #multiple part series #lovers to enemies #daemon targaryen #rhaenyra targaryen #team green #fanfic #hotd x reader #hotd imagine

[moonlisid]

THE CONQUEROR'S CROWN

MASTERLIST | Part 1 ; Part 2 ; Part 3 ; Final Part

Pairing: Aegon II Targaryen x FemOC!Velaryon (Strong)

Summary: After many years of secrecy, Aegon and Visaella's relationship was discovered just a few days prior the beginning of the Dance of the Dragons, unleashing the chaos and uncontrollable feelings that will do more harm than good. 

TW: Lots of angst (like seriously, a lot), murder, blood mentions, sexual references, aegon suffers a lot, many people die, cursing, incest (niece/uncle), cheating (aegon is married to helaena), toxic behaviour, daemon (and alicent) being a manipulator. if something is missing let me know!! 

Author's Note: sorry if this is boring, the next one will be hopefully, more exciting. english is not my first language, so if there’s any grammar mistakes i’m sorry, i’m doing my best.

Word Count: 9,7k

It turned into something bigger.

PART 2 — The Usurper.

Somewhere in the haze,

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aegon had always thought that the worst day of his life was the day he was forced to marry his sister. How mistaken he was. 

got a sense I'd been betrayed.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ His inner turmoil started as soon as Visaella left King's Landing. The pain on his chest was too painful to bear it, he would not stop tormenting himself with the idea of not being enough for her, blaming himself for everything that happened just a few hours before. He drowned himself in cups trying to forget about his lover's disdain, trying to erase the image of her eyes looking at him with hatred and disgust. But it was impossible, it was impregnated in his mind and it seemed like there was no way to let it go; it was an infinite loop.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ He went from tavern to tavern that night. He spent big amounts of gold on wine and cider, along with whatever substance may make his mind numb enough to not think about everything else. He went alone. He managed to sneak his way through the castle without Ser Arryk noticing it. Although, it wasn't as if someone would care where he was. No one ever cared enough for him to worry about those things. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ That day, he was a simple man. Not a Prince, not the King's son, but a hurted man. A man that was suffering the consequences of loving too much. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Many times he found himself crying, he would not realize it until his tears fell onto his hands. Until his nose started to get itchy or until his eyes were too blurry to even see what was a few inches away from him. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ A lot of ladies offered him their company, they tried to take advantage of his poor state and his wealth. Caressing his hair, shamelessly whispering desecrating words in his ear. He yelled at every single one of them, scaring them away. They were not his sweet Visaella, they did not have her tenderness, her kindness. Their touch felt empty and unemotional; he did not feel anything at all, not a pinch of lust nor love. His mind was too busy thinking of her. Aching for her.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎There was a point in the night when he left one of the taverns after he got bored of seeing the same people for more than a few hours; the only face he would never get tired of seeing was Visaella’s. He dragged his feet around the streets of King’s Landing, wandering pitifully while sobbing and hiccuping. Aegon was lost in his own drunkenness, and soon he fell on the ground after some people pushed him too hard. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ He just layed there, not knowing where he was nor what time it was, whining about a girl who does not love him enough. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Minutes passed when a pair of arms grabbed him. It was a sudden movement but Aegon did not even flinch. He just let himself go, too exhausted to even try to free himself from their grip. Through his own tears and blurry vision, he could perceive a small figure of a black haired woman that was standing right in front of him, looking at his aspect with a slight smile just as if she had won the bigger prize. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ His ears were buzzing, feeling all the external sound as if his head was submerged in water, so he was not able to hear her command, the one that made the enormous men drag him across the street to an unknown place.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aegon muttered the name of his beloved, calling her, asking for her. Begging for her presence. He heard laughs, mocking shrieks of laughter that made his head burn. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎His eyes were closing by themselves, and his sight was getting darker. Before he could see where they were taking him, he passed out.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ His consciousness returned when he felt someone pulling his foot, dragging him across the gravel and exposing his swollen eyes to the candle’s light of what seemed to be a chapel. His back was scratched due to the action, causing him to growl in pain. His head was pulsing, and all the sudden light was only making it worse. He, again, did not try to fight since his body was way too weakened to do so. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ He just let himself go, tired of everything at that point.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Ser Arryk's figure was recognized by Aegon the minute he opened his eyes. The knight, without even explaining the situation to the young prince, forced him to walk outside the building. The sunlight only made him moan, he was too delicate for it. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Once his eyes were able to adjust themselves to the natural lightning, his heart sank on his chest. Aemond and Ser Criston were waiting for him with serious semblances. Aegon knew then that something wrong had happened, there was no other explanation for it. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ He got scared, and he wanted to run, to hide somewhere far, far from them. He did not know where, he knew that the burden that his family has put on his shoulders is unavoidable. A burden that was not even his to carry. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ In their first distraction, fighting over him like hunters over their prey, he found the chance to run, so he did. He did not know where the strength to move her body came from, perhaps it was the adrenaline running through his veins, the fear of being punished with what most men desire. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ He started to beg to the Seven, to let him be free, let him live his life away from all of that, away from a family that did nothing but torturing him with an overwhelming pressure, and a duty that does not belong to him. However, as usual, the Gods did not grant him with such a merciful request, and Aemond was fast enough to catch him, pushing him onto the ground and forming a new wound on his cheek. He groaned in pain, squirming under the scrawny but strong figure of his young brother. He spat on his face in a desperate attempt to escape, but he did not have such luck. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aemond pinned him against the ground, using his legs and his hands as support,while Aegon was too weak to do anything more than curse him out loud. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Father's dead." Aemond announced. A cold tone with no feelings in it, as if it did not affect him at all. "The crown is yours."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Suddenly, Aegon stopped his movements in shock. He stared at Aemond with perplexity reflected on his purple eyes. He swallowed, hard, completely taken aback with that information. It was not unexpected, but when he finally pronounced those words it turned into something real that proved that the scheming of his mother and grandsire finally worked. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Have you spoken with Rhaenyra?" He asked, "Does Ella- Visaella know?" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "No, and they won't know." He made him stand up, Aegon growling for the pain his exhausted body was in. "You are now our king."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "What? No- I'm not the heir" He mumbled, obfuscated by the situation. "I don't want it!" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Ser Criston appeared beside them, his breathing was fast and he was sweating a bit. He fought with Ser Arryk for Aegon. His appearance in the middle of their conversation made Aemond completely ignore his words, as if he just had not said anything at all. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Your mother, Queen Alicent, wants to see you." Ser Criston informed, "We must take you to her."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "I don't want it!" He screamed, desperate, "I have no wish to rule! No taste for duty, I'm not suited!" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "You'll get no arguments from me." Aemond said. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Send a raven to Rhaenyra!" Aegon pledged, screaming and bringing the attention of the peasants around. Aemond hummed, worriedly. "Tell her that she has to come, tell Visaella to-" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "The Queen awaits." Ser Criston interrupted, watching him with disapproval of his comments. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aegon’s words were once again ignored. He started to tear up, thinking about her and how betrayed she would feel about this whole situation. He kept mumbling soft complaints, words of rejections towards the idea of him being king. He could not allow to be crowned, not when  her love for him was at risk. Not when he could lose her for it.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ When the night dropped above the Red Keep, Aegon was laying down on his bed, wearing the same dirty clothes of the night before. He was unwashed, with dried blood on his attires and dried tears on his face. He barely had the strength to eat, and his mouth was covered with the leftovers of his meal. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ His mother walked inside his chambers, he did not react to her presence. She was looking serious, in her eyes he could not find a pinch of care. She was mad at him, her body language was enough proof for it. Seeing her son’s state made her feel pity for him; his eyes were red and glistening with tears, the lilac bags under his eyes were covering a big part of his pale face. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She stood in front of his bed, waiting for him to do something to acknowledge her presence in the room. Once she realized she would not have a reaction from him, she said, "Where were you last night?" She spoke firmly, demanding an answer instead of asking for one. Aegon remained silent. "Were you in a brothel?"

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aegon scoffed, turning his body to his left side. Visaella's side. "You don't know me at all." He muttered. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Alicent sighed frustrated, shaking her head from one side to another. “I’m being serious, Aegon. There is no time for your antics.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I am being serious too.” He spoke calmly, dragging his words, “I’m not suited to be king.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “You have been raised to rule.” Alicent tried to get closer, but something was holding her back. “Your father, King Viserys, told me on his deathbed that he wanted you as his heir. Those were his own words.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "The crown doesn't belong to me." His eyes were lost on the empty side of his bed, wishing she was there with him. "Rhaenyra is the heir."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “It has always belonged to you. You are the King’s first born son, you-”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "He had twenty years." He interrupted her, chuckling about it. "And in twenty years he never saw me worthy of the crown."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "But now he did." 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "I don't believe you." He sat up in his bed, laughing with sarcasm. "He never loved me."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Aegon, when you were born-" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “He only loved Rhaenyra.” He shrugged. “You don't love me either, do you? Do you even like me?” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “You are my son.” She walked closer now, and she sat in front of him. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I didn’t ask you that.” Alicent pursed her lips, starting to grow impatient. "The only person who loves me is now on Dragonstone."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Dragonstone?" She asked, incredulous. "Who are you referring to?" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aegon laughed now. Loudly, and mockingly. Alicent closed her eyes, taking a deep breath, trying to not lose their patience. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "You know who." He said with an obvious tone. "You've always known who." His voice was starting to raise, getting louder at the same time he was losing his patience. "Don't try to deny it, don't you dare."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Aegon-"

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Why don't you want me to be happy?" His voice turned unsteady and roaring, his eyes were starting to get foggy and his nose started to feel itchy. He was used to that feeling already. "When I asked you to let me marry Visaella, you laughed at my face. You told me you would never allow it."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "That marriage would not be beneficial for no one." She justified, trying to make him understand. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "You know that if you put the crown on my head, a war is very likely to start." Aegon clicked his tongue, "But you are doing it anyway. Is a war beneficial for us, mother?" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Alicent clenched his jaw, and she grabbed his hand. She stared at his glistening eyes with pure pity, brushing his hair in what it intended to be a motherly touch. Aegon flinched, feeling so uneasy with the gesture. It did not feel comforting, at all. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She grew desperate to convince him, so she tried to do what she thought was necessary to win his trust; "You will be able to marry her if you become King." She whispered, as if she was unsure of her own words. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ He frowned, confused and surprised. His heart jumped inside of his chest, feeling a pinch of hope starting to form. Such emotion was perceived on his now dreamy eyes, and Alicent's face relaxed, knowing that he had just let his guard down. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "How?" He questioned, blinking the tears away. "Tell me."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "You can annul your marriage with Helaena, and marry with Visaella under the protection of the Seven." She held his hand tightly. "She will be your queen." 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "She will?" The hope on his voice, along with the new shine on his eyes, made Alicent feel odd enough to take her eyes off of him. She had never seen him like this. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "As long as Rhaenyra and the rest of her family bend the knee, and claim you as their King." The queen said, her voice was rather demanding. "Otherwise, they will be treated as traitors to the crown. We both know what happens to those people."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aegon's slight smile soon vanished over the thought of seeing his lover murdered in cold blood. He even took away his hand from his mother's touch, as if her mere touch would do big harm to him. If Visaella dies, he would soon follow her without a doubt. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "You can't do that." He shook his head, "I will not allow it, I-" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "If you want to keep her safe, then you must wear the crown." Aegon nodded, eagerly. "You must fulfill your duties as King and protect her by doing such duties. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "I will." He muttered. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Alicent nodded with approval, knowing that his child will do as he is told. She left a small caress on his hand before standing up from the bed. She let go a big sigh of relief that she did not even know she was holding in. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "A maid will be here soon to prepare a bath, on the morrow you will be woken up early for your coronation." She instructed, talking in command. "Once you are crowned, your grandsire will sail towards Dragonstone in order to deliver the terms of this arrangement."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Let me go with him." He begged. "Let me see her. Please."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Sadly for him, she denied. "It is too dangerous," She said, "You are too important, we cannot put you in such a risk." 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "But-" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "It's already been said," Alicent cut him off, not wanting to hear any more complaints about the matter. "I'll see you on the morrow. Sleep well." 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Alicent left and soon Aegon jumped out of the bed and started to look for parchment and quill desperately around the room. He only managed to find the parchment with a drawing of him on it made by Visaella. He took the quill and turned the parchment towards the empty side to start writing quickly; a letter for her. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ He explained everything. He mentioned that they must bend the knee first, but it was only for a short period of time. He assured her that as soon as he was crowned, he would annul his marriage. Afterwards, he will surrender the crown and give it to Rhaenyra, as it was always supposed to be. He promised it. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The letter was signed with the words 'your sweet Prince', and Aegon rushed to the Maester's chambers and commanded him to send the parchment as soon as possible. The maester was confused at first, asking to himself why would Aegon want to send this message with such a hurry, but he did it anyway, scared to ask too many questions. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aegon saw the raven flying through the night sky, a small relief on his chest. Everything will be fine, he thought to himself. Visaella will finally be his queen. 

ㅤㅤㅤㅤ+

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Across the Blackwater Bay, Visaella woke up from his eternal hour of sleep. She had spent the entire day alone in her chambers, drowning on thoughts that made her eyes glisten and her heart ache. Lucerys had tried to be with her, not understanding why she was acting so weird. He would bring pastries and books for them to read together, but she wouldn't answer the door. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aegon was invading her mind, and not in the usual romantic and sweet way. Daemon's words really engraved themselves on her brain, making her question everything about her relationship with him. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She thought about Aegon's bastards, which made her cry out of rage. If those children are actually his, then that would mean that everything that he had said to her were words with lack of sincerity. Words that claimed and assured her that she was the only one, that she was the love of his life. Now it seemed as if they were just empty affirmations.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The unavoidable feeling of anxiety was located on her chest once she started to think about those things again. She looked at her hands; her fingertips were wounded with small cuts produced by her own teeth, it was a proof of the inner nervousness she was feeling. Her nails were shorter than usual, also being victims of her hungry mouth. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She sat on her bed, and everything spun around her. She felt uneasy, a bit ill. She closed her eyes for a second, trying to regain her energy because even though she spent the whole day sleeping, she was still feeling exhausted. The princess looked around her room as if she was expecting to find something; a sign of his presence, perhaps. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Three soft knocks were heard. Her head turned to the door and did not say anything until she heard the person who was outside. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Ella,” She managed to hear, the voice sounded soft and quiet. It was like a whisper trying to be a scream. She soon recognized it, it was Lucerys. “Mother told me you haven’t eaten today, so I brought you some food.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The guilt was quick to replace all the prior feelings. She had been locking herself in her chambers without spending time with her family. She had probably worried all of them by her own selfishness, since she was not even able to say what had happened to her. The only one that might know the reason for her lockdown was Daemon, and she highly doubted that he would say something about it. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Soon she forced herself to say, “Come in”, then she realized how dried her throat felt for the lack of water. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She saw the head of her brother peeking inside the room looking for her. She only managed to smile at him tiredly, and only then he entered her chambers completely. Between his small hands, there was a golden plate filled with a generous amount of beans and smashed potatoes, along with a big piece of beef. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Gods, Luke…” Visaella chuckled, “You almost brought the whole table in that plate.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The small boy left the plate on the table, and she stood up on the bed walking towards him. She sat on a chair, and then she invited him to take the other one right in front of her. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "I thought you might be really hungry." He shrugged, taking two cups and filling them with water. "You haven't eaten anything, I bet you haven't drank water either."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "I have..." She jumped on her own defense, clearly lying, "I've been too tired, it's just that."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Ser Erryk came looking for you in my chambers after you didn't come to your practice, he was worried. We were all worried."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "No need to be worried anymore," She searched for his hand across the table, holding it and giving it a soft squeeze, "I'm fine now."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎  He just smiled at her softly, as she started to eat. He looked at her a bit worried about her state; she looked paler than usual, there were violet marks below her lilac eyes and her lips were dry and pale. Lucerys’ eyes were curiously trapped on her lower lip, noticing a small scar on it while she was chewing her food. Inquisitiveness took the best of him, and even when he did not want to be noisy or too invasive, it was impossible for him not to ask what he wanted to know. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "What happened to your lip?" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Visaella stopped eating, her jaw froze along with the rest of her face. She slowly swallowed the remains of food that were left in her mouth and then she started to panic. The hole on her chest was formed once again, she was already getting used to the feeling. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Lucerys, after not receiving any kind of answer from her, pointed to her lip as if he was specifying what he was referring to. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "It's nothing," She said carelessly, "It's just a small cut." 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "How did you get it?" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She sighed, impatiently. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She loved her little brother with her whole soul and heart, but he was too noisy sometimes and that would make her act so nervously and clumsy. Her mind struggled to find a credible excuse to say, she was just shaking her head slowly while thinking. She was digging in the depths of her mind for a proper answer, but she did not have luck. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "I don't remember, actually." She answered without paying too much attention to it. Soon, she was eating again. “Did you train today?” She asked, desperately trying to change the subject of the conversation.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I did.” He nodded, “Daemon saw us, and he told me I was getting better.” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “That 's good!” She celebrated, “In a couple years from now, I bet you will be one of the best swordsmen of the realm, I have no doubt in that.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Jace is better.” He said discouragingly. “I’m lucky I wasn’t the second born, otherwise Driftmark will be mine to inherit.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “You’re speaking nonsense, my boy. You would be great.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I’m fine with no big titles or duties.” He sighed, looking at his hands shyly, “There’s a reason why I was born third.” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Don’t speak so poorly about yourself. Otherwise, other people will think they have the right to do so too.” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I’m sorry.” He muttered. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Don’t be.” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ A comfortable silence was present in the room, the only thing that was heard was the utensils that Visaella used to finish her meal. She ate fast, she did not even realize how hungry she was until the food touched her lips. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Lucerys was quiet, but he was thinking about something. She was able to see the thoughtful eyes and his eyebrows furrowing slightly.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “What are you thinking?” She asked while cleaning the corners of her lips with a small fabric napkin. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The boy took a deep breath. “Ella, there’s something I’ve wanted to ask you for a while now.” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “What is it?” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I don’t want you to get mad.” He mentioned shyly, 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I would never be mad at you, Luke.” She spoke softly, “Tell me, I’m all ears.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ He took his time to organize his ideas. Visaella could perceive how his mind was working to find the right words to say. His eyes left his hands in order to look at her, and then he said, almost in a whisper, 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Do you love Aegon?” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Her heart stopped for a second. The uttering of his name was enough to make all those haunting memories come back to her exhausted mind. Her cheeks turned red, and she tried to cover it by hiding her face from him. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ It was her chance to come clean with him, to be finally honest. It was her chance to decide who knows and who does not. But the words got stuck on her throat once she decided to tell the truth, it was as if someone —perhaps herself— was holding her tongue and forcing her to stay quiet. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “What makes you think that?” She said slowly, trying to not show her restlessness. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ He shrugged, pursuing his lips. “I feel like I know you enough to tell.” 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Her haze softened a bit. She wanted to confess. Say it, say it, say it; she would repeat those words to herself but nothing would come out. It was an inner turmoil. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ A few days before he would confess her feelings towards Aegon the minute Lucerys told her about his suspicions, but now it was different. Daemon planted a contagious thought in her mind that was spreaded on every single one of her memories with him, and now she was not sure how she felt about it. Everything was uncertain now.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She took a deep breath, and instead of speaking with honesty, she chuckled and said, “Of course not!” She shook her head. Lucerys smiled slightly, it was a relieved smile. “What would make you think that nonsense?”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ He laughed with her. Thanks to the gods, he did not realized how fake her laughter sounded. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “After what he had done to you,” She pointed out the small bruise on his forehead. “I can’t love someone who hurts the people I love, can I?” She said out loud, but it was more a question for herself. “Does it still hurt?”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Not anymore." He smiled softly. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "I'm sorry..." She lamented, "Perhaps, I should've done more to defend you. To avoid all of this."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Ella, you put a dagger in his throat. I don't think there's something else to do."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She pursued her lips, remembering that moment quite clearly. She remembered the fear in Aegon's eyes and, inevitably, she felt some kind of breathtaking pressure on her chest. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "I've never seen you so angry before." He added, "It was a bit scary."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "I would do it again for you, my child." Her eyes were dazzling with adoration, grabbing his hand once again and smiling down at him. "I would do anything for you."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "I don't like it when you treat me like a babe." He complained, "I'm ten and four!" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Her smile was weakened a bit, realizing that Lucerys was now the same age that she had the first time she spent the night with Aegon. Something felt weird inside her, as if she could not believe that Lucerys was growing up. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "It does not matter," She pinched his cheek, making him grumble and frown. "You'll always be my sweet boy."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Lucerys left soon after that, before their mother would realize about him being awake so late at night. He hugged her tightly and she kissed her forehead in a motherly gesture before letting him go. The guilt of lying to him was eating her alive. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She couldn't sleep during the night as a result of sleeping during most part of the day. She regretted it tremendously. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The darkest hour would make her drown in her thoughts without her even realizing it. The minute Lucerys left, was the the minute when she started to be tormented by the memories of her love story with Aegon. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ At some point of the night, she stood up in front of a mirror with only her night gown. The marks on her collarbones were now maroon, and she spent the entire night watching them in front of the mirror, closing her eyes trying to remember his lips on her skin as if she was craving for it. However, she could not find comfort in those memories as a result of Daemon's words still wandering around her mind. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ He took advantage of you. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ He broke you. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ He stole your innocence. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ But was she innocent at the beginning? She was the one who asked him to be her first kiss. After finding great trust in him she thought he must be her first. Her first in everything. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Ever since they were children, she would spend time with him giving him some joy. Joy that everyone else seemed to deny him. They were usually seen in the Gardens, playing some silly games or reading some books —although Aegon would fall asleep in the first paragraph of it. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ He grew to care about her in a way he has never cared for no one else. She did too, until the Aemond incident occurred. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ For Aegon, that night was a dream becoming a nightmare. It was the night when they shared their first kiss, and the night when Visaella —with just ten and two years— showed him that her brothers will always be her main priority. Not him. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "How could you say those awful things?" She had told him that night after everyone went somewhere else. She was almost screaming out of rage. "You promise me, Aegon! You told me you'll never say that word again!" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ He lied to the King that night. He had lied to protect his own mother and brother from the King's disdain. He did it, because Visaella has always told him that they must protect their own, even if he did not like them very much. So he did it, he protected Aemond and his mother because she had told him it was the right thing to do. Yet, she went crazy mad for it. . 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aegon cried that night for the first time in years, scared that he might lose the only person who made him feel loved. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The next morning, not being able to bear the feeling of her being angry at him, he went to the gardens in order to collect the prettiest flowers on the Red Keep. He picked up the ones that he thought would make justice to her beauty. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She forgave him, as she always did. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Everytime Aegon did something against her brothers, especially Lucerys, she would get furious. Hours later he would beg for her forgiveness, and she would receive him on her bed. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Now, in the calmness of the night and in the company of the disaster that was on her mind, she thought, why does he always have something to apologize for? and why did she always end up accepting his apologies? 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ That was when Daemon's voice started to speak in her ear once again: 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ He manipulated you. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ It did not make sense at first, but looking back at the past, at his behavior towards her and her brothers, and the thousand times Aegon ended up screaming at her that she did not love him enough, it started to be a reasonable idea rather than a far-fetched one. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ But it was hard for her to accept it, it was hard to see him as someone manipulative or controlling. Aegon was many things, he had a dubious past, he acted as an insolent to keep appearances and to not raise suspicions of his relationship with her. But he was a good man. She was sure of it. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The rest of the night was no different from that; only her and her mind. Until, at some point of the night, she could finally find some peace to rest. 

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ+

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Hours later, at midday, the Velaryon brothers were fighting on the beach. Visaella was looking at them from afar seated on a bench with a book between her hands, not being allowed to train with them. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She was distracted by the sound of the waves crashing against the shore. She looked up from her book and watched her siblings fight with wooden swords, wishing she would be able to be with them. But she was not allowed. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Years ago, she showed her mother her wish to learn how to fight, using Ser Harwin as a role model. Wanting to be able to defend herself without the need of someone else to protect her. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Her mother spoke with him, and that's when her lessons started. They were usually at night, or very early in the morning so that no one would see her, since it wasn't appropriate for a girl like her to do such activities. Their time together made them bond, and soon she saw him as a father figure, increasing the rumors of her illegitimacy. She did not care, and neither did Ser Harwin, who told her to just ignore their foolish words. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ When Ser Harwin died, Visaella begged her mother to go to Harrenhal in order to attend his funeral. She did not allow her, saying it would not be appropriate for them to show their faces over there. So she just cried in silence the whole day, until Aegon found her and comforted her with delicate hugs and soft words. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ And there she was, thinking about him again as if his name and his face was engraved on her mind. Aegon, Aegon, Aegon. An infinite loop that was contaminated with awful thoughts. She was getting exhausted from it. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ So she just focused on her siblings. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Ella, help!" Lucerys yelled. "Jace, stop! Ella!!" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The girl saw Lucerys lying on the sand while Jacaerys was laughing and hitting him with his wooden sword. He wasn't doing too much harm to him, but he was loudly mocking him. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Ella! Tell him to stop!" Lucerys begged, and she instantly went walking towards them. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Jacaerys was not able to see her since he was with his back turned to her, so he did not see when her hands grabbed him by his shoulders and threw him onto the sand. She did it as it was nothing, as if Jace was lighter than a feather. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "You must start to train more, Luke." Visaella advised him, "I thought you were getting better-." 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "I am! But Jacaerys would not even let me swing the sword." He grabbed his sister's hand and stood up. She later helped him to shake off the sand on his clothes. "He only attacks."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "You're too slow." Said Jacaerys, standing up. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "And you're too dumb!" Lucerys screamed angrily at him. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "That's enough." She warned them. "We are a family, we don't treat each other like this." She came closer to Jacaerys, also shaking off the sand on his clothes. "You are the oldest between you both, you need to teach him with patience, Jace. You were also his age not much long ago."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "He is a slow learner." Jacaerys accused. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "But he'll learn." She pinched his nose and he took a step back annoyed by that gesture. Then she turned around towards Lucerys and brushed his messy brunette hair with her fingers, looking at him with adoration. "Always remember, both of you, everyone has their own rhythm. Some are slower than others, some are faster than others. We just need patience."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "You sound ridiculously similar to mother." Jacaerys teased, smirking. "It almost appeared that she has possessed you."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She pushed him, jokingly, making him lose his balance. Lucerys laughed a bit, and she received a widened look of his sister, acting offended. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "You're laughing too?" She asked surprised. "You traitor!" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "He is right!" He hurried to say, "You do sound like mother."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "I do not!" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The boys stared at each other, knowing hazes crossing their eyes. Visaella gasped at their sudden alliance and pushed them both down to the sand once again; it did not stop their laughter. She tried to hold back a smile, but it seemed impossible with those two, so she laughed with them. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ A cheerful moment with her brothers, and Aegon was long forgotten. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "I hate you both." She said in between chuckles. "You are so annoying sometimes. Joffrey is the only one who's always on my side, you little traitors."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Jacaerys was about to answer with a probably hilarious comeback, but his eyes —and Lucery's— got stuck behind Visaella's back. Both of their smiles dropped, being replaced with frowns. Visaella's smile also vanished and her facial features exposed her confusion. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She turned, and her grandmother Rhaenys was standing there, watching the three of them with a serious glance. For some reason, Visaella felt extremely nervous all of the sudden. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Jacaerys grabbed her hand to have support in order to stand up. It was an unexpected action, so she tumbled a bit. Then, they both helped Lucerys. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Children," She greeted them, "Your lady mother wants to speak to you. It is urgent."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Is something wrong?" Visaella hurried to ask. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Rhaenys just stood there and tilted her head a bit. She, without answering her question, walked away from them, causing a bitter sensation on Visaella, who walked quickly behind her grandmother. Soon, her brothers followed her. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She found herself running, almost crashing against the maids and the servants until she reached her mother's chambers. She stumped inside the room. She was sweating, since she had desperately hurried her pace all the way from the beach. Visaella was grateful that she had decided, earlier that day, to wear pants instead of a gown, otherwise it would have slowed her down.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The first thing she saw was her mother lying in bed, a hand on her swallowed womb and the other holding her head. She was sweating, and her face was red. She could easily see that her mother was having a serious fever that had seriously weakened her. Visaella tried so hard not to cry out of worry for her mother, so instead she rushed to her side. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The Maester stopped her before she could climb to bed. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Be careful, Princess." He warned, holding her shoulders. "Your mother is in a delicate state, we must be careful."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She nodded, obedient and worried. She climbed to the bed, now being slower and more careful, trying to not move the mattress and her. She felt a knot of anxiety growing on her chest, barely letting her breath properly.  

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Mother..." She called her, her voice was trembling, "What happened? Are you okay? Is the babe okay?" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Rhaenyra moved the hand on her head and watched her daughter's concerned eyes. She took her hand and squeezed her, Visaella could perceive the dry trace of tears on her mother's face, and that did nothing but worry her even more. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Mother!" Lucerys voice was heard. Visaella looked over her shoulder and saw her brothers walking inside the room cautiously. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Their mother seated up, a maid was quick to help her by putting a bunch of pillows behind her back. She groaned out of discomfort, clenching her eyes and whimpering. Rhaenyra took a deep breath in order to say, 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Your grandsire, the King Viserys, has passed." She informed them. "The Greens have taken the throne." She said, and then she looked at her daughter to say, "Aegon was crowned as their King."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The poor girl shifted her position, straightening her back and looking at her mother incredulously. Her eyebrows frowned, and she stopped breathing for a second, she felt the whole world stop. Unconsciously, she touched her lip, the small cut that was still in it. She felt the scar, and the sudden urge to scream possessed her body. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Fool, fool, fool. She repeated those words in her mind, they were directed to no one but her. Her heart was beating hard, so hard that she was able to hear it, to feel it. Her mother's lips were moving, she was speaking to them but Visaella was not able to hear anything besides the torturous whistle on her ears. It was deafening. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ If it was true, if Aegon really took over the throne, then it meant that everything Daemon told her was real. Everything about Aegon wanting the throne and taking advantage of her was true. All true. He did not truly love her. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The ache on her chest was suffocating, she did not even cry due to the shock of the news. The betrayal went through her heart as a dagger, and it hurted so bad. She wished she had not been such a fool to fall into his web of lies. She wished she would never have tried to see the good side of him. It would be easier, more painlessly. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "What is to be done?" Jacaerys asked, standing with his chin up. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Visaella finally managed to hear something outside her own mind. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Nothing yet." Rhaenyra took a sharp breath, feeling exhausted. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Where's Daemon?" He asked again. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "I don't know." She whined, squeezing her daughter's hand. "He might be around, planning his war. Gone to madness."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "I'll go to find him." Jacaerys said, determined. Lucerys followed him. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Jacaerys." Her mother stopped him. "We ought to do naught after this treason, but it will only be done under my command." She hissed, grinding her teeth. "Tell Daemon."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ He nodded and left the room. Rhaenyra's attention went back to her heir, whose eyes were reflecting all the pain her soul was suffering. Oddly enough, not a single tear rolled down her cheeks. Her eyes and her face remained dry. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "My child," Rhaenyra called her, her voice sounding softer than before. "Whatever is left for me to claim, you are now its heir." Her hand traveled to her cheek. "So you must not let your feelings blind your judgment."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "What do you mean?" She questioned, confused. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "You don't need to pretend with me." Her eyes closed, hissing softly due to the pain. "Daemon told me."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Visaella closed her eyes and looked down, ashamed. She felt as if she had just betrayed her mother's trust, and it felt awful. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "I'm sorry." She whispered. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Why are you sorry, my child?" Her voice was so soft, so comforting. Even when Rhaenyra was in pain, she was able to make her daughter feel calm. "We don't choose the people we love, otherwise everything would be so simple."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "I put disgrace on my name, mother, I bedded a man before marriage. A married man!" Her nose started to get itchy, she wrinkled it to send the feeling away. "The same man that has stolen your throne, your birthright." 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "There was no way you could've guessed what was yet to come." She cupped her face, a comforting gesture that relieved part of her torment. "You cannot see the future, you are not a dreamer."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Plenty of things would've been avoided." 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Love cannot be avoided, Ella." She lamented, "That's why it hurts so much sometimes."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She remained silent, caressing her mother's belly and holding her hand in a supportive gesture. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "A few days after Joffrey's birth, I offered a betrothal to queen Alicent." She spoke, "You and Aegon, both would become queen and king once I passed." She shrugged, in disappointment. "She did not allow it, claiming that it was a desperate attempt to keep things controlled."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Was it?" Rhaenyra looked at her confused, asking her to elaborate further. "Was it a desperate attempt to keep things controlled?" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "It was strategic." She explained, "It would've avoided all of this nonsense." 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "What is done, is done." 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "I will do my best to try and find a solution to all this madness. A betrothal now doesn't sound so wild." 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Aegon is already married." She said sharply, those words hurted to be pronounced. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Aemond is not." 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Visaella frowned, a bit reluctant to the idea. Her face must have been a clear reflection of what she felt since her mother had to repress a smile. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Are you planning on betrothed to me with Aemond?" She asked, incredulous, "He despises us!"

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "It is just an option." She spoke calmly, contrasting the agitated tone of her daughter. "I made a promise to my father; to keep the realm united and in peace. Keep the legacy of Jaehaerys' reign." She caressed her belly, tiredly. "I will do whatever I can to fulfill my word and avoid this war. I will not be queen of the ashes."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ As soon as she stopped talking, a moan of pain escaped from her lips. Visaella got scared, and was quick to ask for the maester, while trying to bring some comfort to her mother who was starting to feel the pain of her pregnancy once again.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Princess," A maid called her while the maester started to attend to her mother. "The Queen needs some rest."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She understood what she meant immediately. Her mother was in a poor state, the pressure and stress of the whole situation were draining the health she used to have. There was no other choice but to leave her to rest. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Visaella was about to leave the room, when her mother's voice stopped her, "While I'm in bed, you are in charge of the decisions. Daemon is in no position to rule right now."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She nodded softly, already feeling the burden of avoiding an inevitable war. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She left the room, shaking and pinching her own fingertips out of nervousness. She was scared of what may come, afraid of everything. A war only means death, losses and grief, and she was too weak to face all of those things. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Daemon looked at her the minute she entered the council room. He was around the table along with all the other Lords that were following his instructions, looking up to him with attention, serious semblances were found in every single one of their faces. They were all thirsty for war. He had a piece of parchment on his hand, for the look on his face she came to the conclusion that he had just read it. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "What is that?" She asked curiously once she arrived by his side. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ He folded the paper before she was able to read it, then he threw it away to the fireplace, where it started to turn into ashes. Visaella was able to see some drawing on it, but she could not recognise its shapes. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "A letter from the greens." He chuckled, "It was a trick, they want us to bend the knee." 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Who wrote it?" Her eyes looked at the Maester behind Daemon's shoulders, trying to find an answer. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "It doesn't matter." He spat. "It is good that you're here now. We are starting to plan our first attack." His hands were positioned on her shoulders, making her flinch. "Come here, my child, I'm going to teach you how to win a war."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "You will not do such a thing." She spoke up. Her bravery was sudden and it left her body as soon as Daemon looked back at her with a mocking smile. His expression only made her remember the night when he found out about Aegon. "My mother does not wish to start a war."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Your mother is blinded by the loss of Viserys, and she is too delicate right now to even think clearly." His voice rumbled around the room, and all the conversations stopped. "Every minute that passes by with us doing nothing, is a minute of advantage for those fuckers." He took a step closer, looking down at her. "You will be our queen, you better learn these things before it is too late."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Daemon, my mother-" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "I'm sending Baela, Jacaerys and Lucerys to patrol the surroundings of the castle from the skies," He ignored her, talking to the other Lords. "We must create a perimeter of guarding, we don't have the numbers, but we have more dragons." 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Arrax and Tyraxes are too small to face the other dragons." Visaells pointed out, "And the rest of them have never been in battle."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "But we have Vermithor, one of the biggest."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "I have Vermithor," She emphasized. "And he still is not as big as Vhagar." All the Lords looked at her, and then they looked at Daemon, who was clenching his jaw. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ He shrugged, downplaying the situation. "Vhagar is old, and slow."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "I don't think putting our dragons at risk would be beneficial." She judged, "We, as riders, must protect them just as they had protected us all these years. It would be completely nonsense to put them in such a position where their lives would be compromised."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Daemon smashed his hands against the table, making her shrink on her position. She felt threatened by his sudden action but she did not bend, instead, she lifted her chin showing herself as brave, although she had to hold her hands as they were starting to shake. He closed his eyes, fuming already and holding his body against the table with his arms, looking down at the map engraved in it. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "We have dragons," He said, furiously "And we are going to use them."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Visaella wanted to reply, she was about to open her mouth with another complaint about his raging plan, but a knight walked in leaving her with the words hanging from her mouth. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Everyone turned to look at him, and once he realized he had everyone's attention he spoke clearly and loudly, "A ship has been sighted off shore, with a green banner of a three headed dragon."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Daemon tilted his head and everyone started moving. Visaella stood in her place, a bit uncertain about what she was supposed to do now. Daemon saw her inner confusion and he held her hand guiding her in front of him, both of them leading the big group of Lords and knights that were following them. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Go and get Vermithor.” He commanded, “We need an eye in the sky to be sure nothing happens.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Daemon.” She stopped him, turning around to face him. “They are here to make terms with us. They will not want to speak with anyone but my mother.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Your mother is indisposed.” He said firmly, “They will speak with me or they can fuck off.” He started to walk again, wielding his sword. Before he could be out of her sight, he told her, “Get Vermithor, now!”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Visaella stood in her place, breathing deeply and trying to maintain calm while everyone was swiftly walking past her. The fact that Daemon was not following her orders made her get angry, fuming almost. She was trying to avoid a catastrophe, but everyone else seemed to be eagerly trying to start one. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She breathed in, and then breathed out, repeating the action a couple times. Then she came to the conclusion that it was not the best idea to leave Damon unsupervised with Otto’s presence, so she reluctantly rushed to the dunes beside the beach in order to find her loyal dragon resting.‎‎

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Fucking Daemon, she thought while waking up her dragon who growled loudly feeling the slight anger of his tiny rider.

#aegon ii targaryen #house targaryen #house of the dragon #aegon targaryen #aegon x reader #oc!female #game of thrones #aemond targaryen #hotd #aegon smut #angst #mini fanfic #multiple part series #lovers to enemies #daemon targaryen #rhaenyra targaryen #team green #fanfic #hotd x reader #hotd imagine

[moonlisid]

THE CONQUEROR'S CROWN

MASTERLIST | Part 1 ; Part 2 ; Part 3 ; Final Part

Pairing: Aegon II Targaryen x FemOC!Velaryon (Strong)

Summary: After many years of secrecy, Aegon and Visaella's relationship was discovered just a few days prior the beginning of the Dance of the Dragons, unleashing the chaos and uncontrollable feelings that will do more harm than good. 

TW: Lots of angst (like seriously, a lot), murder, blood, smut (blood kink if u squint, p in v), aegon suffers a lot, many people die, cursing, incest (niece/uncle), cheating (aegon is married to helaena), toxic behaviour, daemon being a manipulator. if something is missing let me know!! 

Author's Note: this is what happens when I listen to folklore by taylor swift, i'm so sorry in advance. btw, aegon is two years older than our oc (20&18). english is not my first language so you may find some grammar errors but please forgive me, i'm doing my best.

Word Count: 13.7k

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎That morning, the maester —under the prior orders of Aegon— left a Moon Tea outside the wooden doors and knocked it five times before leaving the hallway. Visaella, who was watching from the hole of the lock, saw that there was no one around the chambers, and she opened the door. Her hair and a big part of her face was covered with a white cloth, so that no one would recognise her. 

PART I — Old Valyrian Traditions.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ They had been doing it for almost four years, successfully. The maester never asked questions, neither the guards that left their positions for five minutes after seeing the maester arrive. It worked perfectly. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ When the door was closed, Aegon woke up, but she did not realize it yet. She did not feel his stare on her back while she looses her robe to be naked once more and folds the white cloth that was covering her face, knowing that there was no one else in the room except for her lover. Aegon smiled admiring her naked body and how her brown hair made her skin look paler that it was. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Meanwhile, she stood up in front of a window. Aegon's chambers were at one of the highest points on the Red Keep, so no one would watch her from there. The cup between her hands was warm, and she was sipping small sips out of it, not being a big fan of the taste. Aegon sighed once he realized what it was, not being used to seeing her drinking it. He thought, perhaps, one day she would stop. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "You really have to drink that every time?" His raspy morning voice made her jump out of impression, she did not expect him to be awakened this early, yet there he was with his sleepy purple eyes looking at her with admiration. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She gave him a slight smile, turning around in order to face him. Aegon's smile appeared as soon as he perceived the red marks on her body; her collarbones, her breasts, her hips, and her stomach were covered with stains that were evidence of the night before. He was almost drooling over her. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "I tried not to wake you up so early, my sweet prince." She took another sip of her cup. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "I do not mind waking up early if I get to contemplate this view every morning." He shifted his position, lying on his back. He patted the empty spot beside him lazily, inviting her to join him on the bed once more. "Come here, my love."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She pouted her lips, trying to suppress a silly smile. She drank what was left of her tea in one sip and left the cup on top of the table close to her. Then, she started walking towards his lover, who could not manage to take his eyes off of her. He was lucky to even be able to look at her this closely, this intimately. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She climbed on the bed once again, cuddling under his arm and hugging him softly. They tangled their bodies until they felt each other's heat, she then took his chin in order to make him look in her direction and she kissed him; deeply and slowly. He sighed because of it, mesmerized. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Mhm..." Aegon moaned once they split. "Why can't I wake up every morning like this?" He complained, searching for her lips once again. She laughed. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Good morning, my sweet Prince." She whispered between small kisses. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Good morning, my love." Aegon replied. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Did you sleep well?" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "I always sleep well with you by my side." He stroked her hair. He had always liked her chocolate-hair, it made the perfect match with her lavender eyes. He had thought multiple times how their children would look, and he had always hoped they would look like her. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "You flatter me." She chuckled. Aegon closed his eyes, thinking it was the most beautiful sound in the world. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ He held her face and looked at it. He touched her lower lip with his thumb and then left a small touch on the tip of her nose that made her wrinkle it. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Do you really have to drink that?" He asked again. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "You know I have to." She explained, "I'm still a maiden under my mother's eyes. Imagine how surprised she would be if she saw me with my stomach swollen."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aegon giggled at the image of her pregnant, excited with the idea of seeing her carrying his child. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "You would look gorgeous with my child." His hand traveled down her body until her stomach which he caressed softly. "The result of our love, a living proof of how much we love each other. It would be wonderful, wouldn't it?" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Her haze softened by his words, her heart beat faster and an already familiar sensation possessed her stomach. She leaned over him, passing her hands through his silver hair. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Would our child have your hair?" She asked him, playfully. Aegon shook his head quickly. "Why not? I love your hair!" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "And I hate it." 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ But it is gorgeous." Visaella whispered, now caressing his chest with the tips of her fingers. "You are gorgeous."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aegon tried so hard not to blush by her words, but he failed tremendously. His cheeks inevitably turned scarlet thanks to her sweet compliments, and in an attempt to try to go unnoticed by her, he covered his face with both hands. She just melted in his arms, completely in love with the image of her lover being shy.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "The only thing I know is that, if we ever get lucky enough to be wed, our children would be as gorgeous as you, my sweet Prince." She kissed the back of his hand that was covering his face, once he removed it she kissed his cheek. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "We should have escaped to Essos when we got the chance." His face fell to the left side, from where his lover was watching him. "Perhaps we would have already been married."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "I'm my mother's heir, Aegon." She reminded him, her voice softly and saddened. "You know I can't just leave." 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "But, do you really care about the crown? Jacaerys can take your place, you have a hundred siblings that can take your place."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "I know, but it is my duty and my birthright. I have no other choice whether I like it or not." 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ He sighed, desperate by not being able to do anything for their future. He wanted to cry. Since forever he had demonstrated his wish to marry Visaella, but his mother never listened to him. The night he was told to marry his sister, Helaena, was the worst night of his life. He cried, begging his mother to let him marry the girl he loved instead. As usual, his crying was never heard.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Besides," Visaella added, "You know I can't leave Luke alone. He needs me." 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aegon rolled his eyes, annoyed by having the same excuse over and over. It was draining his happiness. Visaella had always put Lucerys first in everything, and even though Aegon loved her, he couldn't bear to share her love with that 'annoying child'. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "I am tired of this." He said. "I am tired of hiding and pretending that I hate you when in reality I crave for you. My whole body aches with the absence of your touch." His eyes were getting more glistening, she took her hand up to his face knowing that he might start crying, knowing that he always got sensitive over this matter. "I don't like what we have now, I want to be able to show everyone in this fucking realm that you are mine. That you have always been mine."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "There would be nothing in this world that could make me happier than to be yours for eternity." Visaella started to leave soft kisses around his chest, his collar bones, and his neck. "Make you my king, my companion for life, bear your children and have the family we've always dreamt of. It is a dream, really." 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aegon sat on the bed, leaning his back to the bed frame. Visaella was quick enough to follow him, not being able to be without his touch. She then seated on his lap, only a thin white sheet was separating their bodies although Aegon was too busy staring at her eyes to notice it, too hypnotized by her beauty. Unconsciously, and out of habit, he hugged her waist, holding her close and burying his face on the curve of her neck. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "You are my dream, Visaella." He muttered against her skin, making her shiver due to his breath tickling her neck. "You are everything I've ever wanted and more. You are fucking perfect for me. My sweet love, my heart, my queen."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She smiled at his sweet words, feeling butterflies all over her body and wanting to kiss him until her lips felt sore. She knew that words could not create an answer that describes her feelings towards him, not even using every language in the world. So, even though they felt way too short to express herself, the words that came out of her mouth were simple, "I love you, Aegon." 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Promise me you'll never leave." He said as quickly as she ended up pronouncing the sentences. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ His voice sounded unsteady, almost desperately. She was taken aback by his sudden request, completely confused as it was unexpected. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Why would I ever leave you, my love?" She then asked, trying to find an answer for this odd situation. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aegon held her more tightly, closer; as if he was scared someone would come and take her away from his arms. He managed to lean back a few inches only to look at her face, her gorgeous, beautiful face. Only then did she realize how gleamed his eyes were. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Promise me," He repeated, "Promise me you'll love me forever."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Her noses rubbed against each other, a gesture that always had assured him love from her. He loved when she does that, he felt that subtle touch, innocent but filled with care. He had never felt more loved than when she does that. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "I promise you, Aegon." She whispered, cupping his face and leaving soft brushes with her digits. "I will love you no matter what." 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ An unexpected tear fell down Aegon's cheek. He did not even know why he was crying, he always felt so flustered by his own feelings whenever he was with her. She cleaned the rebel tear and left a kiss in the place where it had fallen. He searched for her lips desperately after that action, eager to kiss her and to feel her whole body pressed against him. It was soft, but passionately at the same time. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She received the kiss by opening her mouth to let his tongue slip inside her. He moaned, loudly and needy, once he swirled her tongue. He was kissing her shamelessly in despair, as if he was trying to remember her taste and impregnate himself in her. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ They kissed for what seemed to be forever, but Aegon felt in paradise. He loved kissing her, taste her and feel her tongue against his. Sometimes, it brought more pleasure to him as he thought it was more intimate than anything else. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The warmth of her body surrounded him, covering him from the cold breeze that was sneaking in from the windows. He felt safe in her arms, he felt loved and protected, sighing due to the overwhelming feeling of the butterflies on his stomach and muttering small words of affection against her lips.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Suddenly, he stopped the kiss. He stared down at her and just watching her swallowed lips was enough to make him feel flustered and overwhelmed with adoration. She was the most beautiful woman in the world, and he was lucky enough to be the one she looked for comfort. However, thanks to his own destructive and intrusive thoughts, the love haze soon become one full of terror, and she was able to perceive it. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "My love," she called him, stroking his hair. "Is something wrong?"

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Marry me." He said, completely out of the blue. Visaella looked up at him, frowning confused at the sudden petition. It was not the first time he had asked her that, he had probably asked her everytime they were together, but now she was taken aback by his words. "Please, my love, marry me. Be mine for eternity."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She chuckled in response, unable to think what to say. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ What she did not know is that, in reality, Aegon got scared, scared that someone would be able to see her in the same way he looks at her. He was terrified with the idea of someone else taking her away from him, marrying her first, touching her body as he does. He did not want to lose her, he did not want to see her in another man's arms. He would rather die.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ So his heart spoke without his mind's permission, "Marry me, Visaella." He repeated. "Please, say yes."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Aegon, you know we-" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "I don't care. Please, be mine." His hand grabbed her cheek, and he kissed her softly, as if a kiss would be enough to convince her. "We can do it right here, under the traditions of Old Valyria." The excitement that the thought brought to him put light on his eyes, "I've read about it, we don't even need a maester or a priest, only us and our love. You can be mine for eternity, you only need to say yes."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "But- What about Helaena?"

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "It doesn't matter. Maegor married with Alys while his first wife was still alive." He was quick to say. "Visaella, please. Say yes."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "You want to have two wives?"

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "What?- No!" He shook his head, his eyebrows furrowed out of frustration. "I only want you, my love. Once we marry, we can speak with a maester and annul my marriage with Helaena. I've read about it too!"

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "But our mothers- They would never allow it." 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "It would be too late for them to find out." He smiled softly, dreaming awake about it. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She bit her lip, the distress in Aegon's eyes begging her to say yes, and she wanted to. She would leave everything behind if she could, but her mind and the torturing reminder of her duties did not allow her to do so. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Marry me, and I will give you anything you want and more." His lips rubbed against her cheek, soft pledges were heard. "Marry me and I will do nothing but please you, I will live to worship you." A trace from her cheek to her neck was made, leaving delicate and soft kisses on her already tainted skin. He hummed once he noticed his marks, loving how they looked on her. "You are a goddess, my love, you need a man who treats you like one... Marry me, and I'll be everything you need."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Aegon-" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Just let me hear it." He begged. "That's all I need, a simple yes." His hands were holding her tight. "Please, my love, marry me."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She thought about it, and those seconds were pure torture for Aegon, who was kissing her face while little whispers of pledges were muttered against her skin. His grip around her body was never loosen up, he was keeping her as close as he could. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Visaella felt the need to say yes, her heart was screaming inside her chest while her brain was completely ignoring it. But, what was the worst thing that could happen? As far as she knows her mother and Daemon would be very angry, and her siblings too. What else could she do? She was blindly in love with Aegon, he was her whole sky, she would be a fool if she did not accept to at least try. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Yes." She said, Aegon opened his eyes, a small smirk on his face. "Yes, my love, I will marry you."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ He started to kiss her, deeply and temptingly. He sighed under her touch many times, and moaned out of relief. Her arms were around his shoulders, trying to feel his skin against hers. It felt different, for some reason. Perhaps, the excitement of doing more secrecy was fueling their desire for one another. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aegon leaned a bit towards the left, searching for something on the small piece of furniture beside his bed. There was a lot of things there; a dusty book, empty glasses of wine, a small dagger made out of dragon glass —that she gave to him on his ten-and-eight name day—, Visaella's jewelry, and a parchment with a drawing of Aegon made by his lover the night before. His hand reached for the dagger and then she parted. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Are we really doing this?" She questioned, chuckled a bit from nervousness. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "I want to be yours, my love." He replied, "This is the only way I know."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Have you ever been to a Valyrian wedding?" Aegon shook his head. "Do you know what to do?" He doubted a bit, and she laughed. "Don't worry, I do. My mother and Daemon got married in one, I think I can recall a bit."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "I know we must make a blood oath." He informed her. "I cut your lip, and you cut mine."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "And then your hand." She added. "Then we say the vows, and unify our blood."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "And we kiss." He said, a bit too eagerly. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Do you know the vows?" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Yes!" He said quickly, searching for a piece of paper on his night stand. It was a ripped page of a book. "I stole it from Aemond's library, hopefully he won't notice."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Aegon, you ripped the page of an ancient book." She claimed, utterly shocked. "Why didn't you bring the whole book?" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "I didn't think about it if I'm honest." 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She took the page and unfolded it, reading the vows that were written in both; the common tongue, and High Valyrian. She sighed, grabbing the dagger and holding it in front of Aegon's lips. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Do it." He said, "I'm ready."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "I feel like a child trying to imitate the grown ups." She confessed. "Are we sure of what we're doing?" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "I've never been more sure about something in my life."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She nodded, a bit unsure of her doings, but she ended up cutting Aegon's lips anyway. He groaned out of the pain, and frowned for the same reason. Blood was soon seen on his pinkish lips, and he hurried himself to grab the dagger and do the same thing to her. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Visaella closed her eyes, and moaned, feeling the stinging pain. A small cut was enough to produce a thread of blood running down her chin, and following to her neck. Aegon grabbed the paper, and read it out loud. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Blood of two, joined as one." He started, making sure to read the words and then look at her straight to her eyes before pronouncing them. "Ghostly flame and song of shadows."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She took the parchment, and continued, "Two hearts as embers, forged in fourteen fires. A future promised in glass."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "The stars stand witness, the vow spoken through time of darkness and light." His thumb collected his blood from his lips and he drew an Old Valyrian rune on her forehead; fire. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She repeated his action, using her own blood to draw another rune on his skin; blood. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ He grabbed the dragon glass again and cut his hand. Visaella did the same, but with a smaller cut. The blood spilled on the white sheets under their naked bodies, but they did not care. Instead, they ignored it and they grabbed each other's hand unifying their blood. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "One flesh, one heart, one soul." Visaella whispered, seeing how the sheets were tainted with the burgundy liquid. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Now and forever." Aegon finished, and he smiled widely, so thrilled and excited for what they've done. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ He grabbed her face with his free hand, and he pressed his lips against hers hungrily. The taste of each other's blood gave the kiss another meaning, the metallic flavor did nothing but make things even more real. Aegon's heart was beating fast, everytime he felt closer and closer to his happiness because she was with him. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ He was kissing his wife now. The love of his life, he couldn't be any happier than in that moment. He felt the joy of her touch, the delicacy of her lips, the calmness of their breaths. Everything felt too perfect, almost unreal. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "I love you." He whined against her lips. "Let me make love to you, now as my wife."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ His hands contoured the edges of her body, admiring every inch of it, and leaving trades of his blood on her. His lips never stopped moving against hers, not wanting to be away from her. Aegon turned their bodies, now he was on top of her, protecting her from the cold breeze. She surrounded his shoulders, and she parted her legs making room for him.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Make me yours, husband.” She whispered, a small smile drawing on her face. “We must consummate our marriage, right?”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aegon chuckled, not wasting any more time and pressing his lips against hers. The thin white sheet that was separating their bodies was soon thrown away by him. His touch was slow and soft, trying to memorize her curves, her shape. He was trying to engrave this moment on his memories for eternity. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ He kissed her neck, touched her breasts, whispered a thousand ‘I love yous’ that were making her shimmer under his frame. His touch was electrical and magical, it made her feel so loved and desired, it made her feel so unique. He was delicate, loving and careful. Aegon was determined to make her feel good, to fulfill his word and worship her as the goddess she is to him. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ His lips captured one of her breasts, while his free hand was caressing the other. The girl sighed, moving her hips unconsciously in order to feel more of him. His tongue swirling against her delicate skin was making her feel intoxicated with pleasure. Aegon smirked, knowing how sensitive she was in that zone, and knowing that he perfectly knew every part of her body. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Aegon…” She whimpered, her eyes closed but her mouth opened, dropping moans and sighs in the shape of pledges. “Please, my love, I need you.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Visaella was Aegon’s greatest weakness, so when he heard her begging for him, his mind went numb. He took his legs, grabbing her tights and positioned them on his shoulders. He took his time to look at her, she was covered in blood; his blood. He barely felt his climax arrive on his body due to the sight. He moaned once his shaft rubbed against her slit, feeling her arousal and wetting himself in it. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “You’re a goddess, my love.” He whispered, sinking on her painfully slowly. She gasped due to the sensation. “Your beauty is beyond compare, I’m so fucking lucky to have you.” He left a soft kiss on her leg, “And now you are completely mine, no one else’s.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ One thrust and he was fully inside of her now. They both moaned, and Visaella closed her eyes drunkenly. Aegon started moving; hard but slow. He was hitting every right corner and that sweet spot that made her whine. She was arching her back, unable to control the intense waves of pleasure he was causing. Her bloody hands went to her chest, clenching her nails on it while Aegon hissed for the pleasuring pain. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Oh, my love,” Aegon moaned, “Seeing you like this; covered in my blood under me, moaning my name… You’ve never looked more beautiful.” He let go of her legs to lean down and kiss her hungrily, biting her lip and eating up her sounds filled with pleasure.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ His hips started to fasten their movement. He was desperate now, pinning her down with his hands on her breasts. Touching her shamelessly, while he could not stop whispering sweet compliments to her. She felt in heaven; soon, she forgot about all the duties of her life and her mind only focused on his lover, his husband. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “I love you,” Her voice sounded shaky, unsteady. “I fucking love you, Aegon.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ His movements started to become sloppy while she was clenching around him, squeezing him and making him whine. He started to get vocal, without caring about the knights outside the room. His thrusts became harder, causing the bed frame to clash over and over again against the wall. The wooden bed was squeaking under their sweaty bodies. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Her orgasm made her shake under him, especially because Aegon did not stop until he reached his, filling her with his seed and marking her as his once more. He hissed due to the overwhelming sensation as he kept moving his hips slowly. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ He kissed her, wanting to feel her again. However, it was slower, deeper and more intimate than the ones before. He whined against her lips, cupping her face and caressing her rosy cheeks with delicacy, as if he was scared of breaking her. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ He slowly came out of her, causing her to cry, and stared down at what he had done. She was marked as his, filled and stuffed with his seed, covered in his blood. She now was only his, his lover, his bride, his queen. Visaella Velaryon was completely his for once and for all. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "I love you." He breathed, tiredly. Her eyes were closed and her chest was moving fast. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ He leaned over her body, grabbing her face and kissing her intensely. Aegon touched her sensible skin, while she sighed. His soft lips were moving slowly against hers, an unhurried pace while their bodies managed to control themselves. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aegon lied by her side and hugged her tightly, not wanting to let her go. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "I want to stay like this forever." He whispered against her hair. It smelled like lavender. "Can we stay here all morning?" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She laughed, tiredly. Her eyes were closing down out of exhaust, her body was starting to relax under his touch and she wanted to stay there, tangling her body with his. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "I wish I could, my sweet husband." She lamented, "but today is an important day for Jacaerys, I must be with them.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “They don’t need us.” His face is buried in her neck. “They won’t miss us.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “If they see both of us missing, they will suspect something is going on.” She turned around, facing him. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Does it matter?” He shrugged, “We are married now, there’s nothing they can do about it.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Aegon…” She sighed, closing her eyes. “We must go.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “It seems like you are trying to convince yourself, my love.” He chuckled. “It is just a few more minutes, then we go, mhm?”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “We need to take a bath.” She informed, looking at the drying blood on their bodies. “Why don’t you call a maid and tell them to prepare a bath? We rest a bit there and then we go to fulfill our duties.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Fine.” He stretched his body, a bit reluctant. “Let’s take a bath, shall we?”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ He gave her a sleepy smile, his eyes were closed. Visaella sighed, enamored by his cuteness and how gorgeous he looked. She caressed his hair and left a soft kiss on his lips before he stood up off the bed and walked towards the door.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ He peeked through the door, she managed to hear a worried exclamation by the guard outside once he saw stains of blood on his milky skin. She chuckled at it, hearing how Aegon asked for a maiden to come to his chambers in order to prepare him a bath. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ At least two hours later, no one noticed them arriving together at the Throne Room even though they arrived later than anyone else. 

ㅤㅤㅤㅤ+

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aegon almost fainted. He had seen the most beautiful lady entering the dining hall; Visaella was wearing a red gown, with a corset that molded her shape perfectly. Her neck was decorated with a golden necklace that had a medal with a scarlet stone shining in the middle. Her hair was braided, leaving her gorgeous features exposed. He knew she was wearing some kind of coverage on her skin, he could not see the reddish marks on her collarbone. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Visaella saw him across the room, and she realized he was already staring at her. She loved the way he would look at her; a haze full of love, devotion and lust. It made her feel so special and beloved. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She smiled at him, trying to be overlooked by everyone. He returned the smile, dazzling her with tenderness. She felt those butterflies and the blush running through her face making her feel flustered. Aegon always has had that effect on her, as well as her with him. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Her smile quickly faded once she saw Aemond looking at her. She panicked a little, hurrying her pace until reaching the chair beside Lucerys, right in front of the long haired boy, who was staring at her deeply as if he was trying to discover all of her secrets. She was a bit intimidated, therefore she stopped looking at him to look at her brother, whom she greeted by pinching his cheek. He rolled his eyes but smiled either way. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "You look quite pretty." Lucerys said, "Even Aegon is watching you right now." 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ He tried to whisper those last words, but Aegon managed to hear him anyway. He looked away from her immediately afterwards. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "I'm sure he is not looking at me," She played dumb, "Perhaps I have something on my tooth and he is trying to mock me for it." She smiled widely, inviting him to look at her teeth. He laughed at the weird expression of his sister. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "There's nothing there." He giggled, showing those bunny teeth that she adored. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Perhaps he is just trying to make me feel insecure about something." She tried to convince him again. "Don't mind him, my sweet boy. Ignore him."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aegon rolled his eyes out of annoyance. Visaella perceived his bad looks but just decided to ignore it in order to keep the conversation with her brother. That made him even more mad. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ He knew how close they were. Lucerys has been acting as her shadow ever since they returned to King's Landing. He was always by her side, like a lost puppy. Aegon hated it, he always complained about it since he wasn't able to get close to her during the daytime. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ He would also get jealous of the boy for taking most of her attention away. Having to share the only person he cared about was torture, specially when he was not allowed to publicly claim his love towards her, something that Lucerys could do without secrecy. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "The maester told me I was doing better with my Valyrian." The boy informed, excited to give that information to his sister.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "How great is that!" She celebrated, raising her cup. "Let us drain our cups for your achievement."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Lucerys took his own cup and made it clash softly against hers, causing a small sound that was muffled by the other people's conversations. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "It is all thanks to you." He said, "Mother told me you learned Valyrian by yourself, how were you able to do such a thing?" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ A chuckle was heard. Aegon was eavesdropping without even trying to hide it. Lucerys looked at him with an expression that was a mixture of confusion and rage, but Visaella looked at him with warning, because she knew the truth; she did not learn Valyrian by herself, Aegon taught her. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Every night when she managed to escape from Dragonstone and meet with Aegon in the woods of King’s Landing in order to spend the evening between her lover's arms, he would read to her in Valyrian. Sometimes, he would sing to her some old song that he had learnt by himself. He used to hate it, speaking Valyrian only made him feel closer to a family that always made him miserable, but after she showed her interest in learning it from him he couldn't deny her. After so many times, some words stuck with her, and she ended up learning a bunch of words without the help of the Maesters. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Did we say something that amused you, uncle?" Visaella said, before Lucerys could say something worse. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "It's nothing really." He shrugged, a downward smile forming on his face. He looked so bloody charming. "It's just that it is quite miraculous the fact that you've learned a whole language by yourself." He took a sip from his cup, smirking shamelessly. "Are you sure you did not receive any kind of help?" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "My sister is completely capable of-" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "I'm not talking to you, child" Aegon interrupted him, without even a glance at him. "The adults are talking."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "I did not receive any kind of help, Aegon." She clenched her jaw, a bit mad about his tone with Lucerys. However, he bit his lip and looked up and down to her, that almost made her choke. "Don't you think that eavesdropping is a bit inappropriate?" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Well, people have told me that I am an inappropriate person." He spoke. His tone was flirtatious and with a double meaning, luckily Lucerys did not seem to get it. "I guess I am just be myself." He shrugged. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Drink a bit more and you will be truly yourself." Lucerys mumbled, trying to hold back a smile. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Lucerys-" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Visaella was about to nag him about his comment, but Aegon acted first standing up abruptly out of rage. Lucerys flinched a little, and unconsciously looked for her hand under the table. Aegon was about to say something, perhaps it was something cruel, but when his haze fell on her eyes, he couldn't do it. He cursed himself for it, her big purple eyes watching him gingerly were enough to make him fold. Therefore, he cleared his throat and sat back down in his chair. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Lucerys, of course, was not fool enough to ignore that action, and he looked over his shoulder with a confused stare. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "What is going on?" He whispered to her, almost disgusted as if he had realized what had happened. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The conversation did not continue any further, for it was interrupted by the door cracking open and the silhouette of the King presented in the room. Everyone stood up when he entered the dining hall, being carried by the guards until reaching his spot between his wife and his daughter. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Two stamps were heard, indicating the start of the meal. The servants were quick to put all the food on the table. Visaella took her seat and put a napkin made out of fabric on her lap in a gracious movement. A gesture completely different from what Aegon did, since he completely forgot about his manners and as soon as he saw the food, he took a big portion of it and put it on his plate. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "He's like a pig." Lucerys mocked him, whispering to his sister's ear. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Don't say those things to him, Luke." Visaella said softly, while pouring some beans on Lucerys's plate. "If you don't have anything kind to say, then don't say anything at all."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "He always says mean things to us, why can't I say mean things to him?" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Because we must always be the better person." She stroked his hair in a motherly gesture. "You must be nice to him, promise me." 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Lucerys spared her a glance with astonishing eyes. He was a bit surprised about how his sister would defend Aegon after everything he has done to her family. To him. It was a bit ridiculous on his part to be annoyed by it, but at the end of the day, he was just a child. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Aegon and Aemond have tormented us for years, Ella." He whispered, completely shocked. "How can you ask me to be a better person when they constantly are bothering us and calling us names? It is ridiculous!" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "But Aegon-" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Why are you defending him?" He interrupted her, looking at her with narrowed eyes, as if he was accusing her of something. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Pardon?" She replied, not because she had not heard him the first time but because she wanted to earn time to create an answer. She started to panic. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Why are you defending him?" Lucerys repeated, this time a bit louder. Aegon managed to hear him, and he turned to their direction. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "My sweet boy, I'm not defending him, I just-" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "It is not the first time you said something like that about him." He recriminated her, "But when I speak in the same way about Aemond, you do nothing."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aegon frowned, he started to see the panic in his beloved's eyes. He realized what was happening almost immediately and he knew he needed to do something to get her out of the situation. Even though Aegon wanted to make everybody know about their love, including that annoying boy, he was certain that she did not want the same. And as usual, he would do anything to please her and make her happy.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "It's as if you were in love with him!" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ A clashing sound was heard around, followed by the sound of many other utensils falling. Before she could even realize, a full bottle of wine fell onto her gown, causing a maroon stain on the fabric. Gasps out of surprise invaded the room, and she swore to have heard Alicent screaming something. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Once she looked up to see what happened, she saw Aegon hovering over the table with his arm extended across. He was trying to reach the bottle of wine that had fallen on top of her. He was looking at her with a hidden smirk, and she tried so hard not to smile in response. She knew why he had done that, and she was grateful for it. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "You idiot!" Lucerys yelled. "Look what you've done!" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Luke, it's okay. It's just a dress." She tried to clean the excess of liquid with the same napkin that was on her lap. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "You ruined her dress!" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Lucerys!" Rhaenyra's imposing voice was heard across the table and both of her children look up to her. Lucerys immediately went silent, while Visaella was trying to clean the mess. "Visaella, my child, is the dress to stained?" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She stood up, trying to show the dress to her mother. Once Rhaenyra got to see her, she pouted her lips. Daemon, by her side, gave a bad look to the blonde who was still looking at her. The stain covered a big part of her chest, and some of the wine splashed against the milky skin of her neck. She was a mess. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Visaella, darling, why don't you go and change your attires?" Alicent suggested, "We'll wait for you, don't worry." She then switched her stare to her son, clearing her throat. "Aegon, do you have something to say?" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Only then he took his eyes off of her in order to look at everyone else. He shrugged, as if he did not mind at all, then chuckled a little. He was acting as if he was a bit drunk, but Visaella knew he was on his five senses. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "That's a hideous fucking dress." He said, and he almost bit her tongue for it. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Lucerys looked at his sister as if he was proving his point. She clenched her jaw, trying to make herself look as if she was a bit mad for it. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "I'm going to change my dress, if that is not inconvenient for someone." She announced. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Of course not, my child." Rhaenyra answered softly. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Visaella excused herself before leaving the dining hall, and once she was far enough to not be seen, she allowed herself to smile and chuckle a little, amused by the whole situation. She was a bit mad about the dress, it was one of her favorites and now it was completely ruined. There was no way the stain would come out of the fabric. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Once she arrived at her chambers, she looked at the mirror and laughed, she looked like a mess. She grabbed a wet towel and started to clean the stains of wine from her neck and collarbones, taking with it the coverage of the marks that Aegon had left on her skin. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She sighed once she saw them, and she started to touch them. Memories of that morning came to her mind and she bit her lip, feeling the heat running to her cheeks. She quickly woke up from her trance and started to untie the laces of her corset, struggling a bit but still managing to do it. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The door behind her opened and through the mirror she managed to see Aegon's figure crossing the doorframe. Visaella couldn't help but smile playfully while he was walking closer to her. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Did you really have to ruin my favorite gown?" She asks, turning around to now look at him directly. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "I saved your arse back there." He said with a smirk. He put his hands around her waist and rubbed his nose against hers. "Besides, you look better without it."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ He pressed his lips against hers, kindly and shortly, then he smiled looking down at her. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Let me help you to clean my mess." He offered, grabbing the towel on her hands and starting to clean her skin. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Then, he made her turn around and ended up untying the laces of her corset. Once he was ready with that, he pulled the dress down, admiring her naked body. He looked at her nudity, not with lust but with admiration, incredulous that she belonged to him. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "It was my favorite gown." She complained, waking him up from his trance. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Pardon me, my love." He walked around the room until finding her wardrobe. Out of all the options, he chose a green dress. "It was the only thing that came to my mind to get you out of that situation."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ He picked the dress and walked back to his lover. She was waiting for him, standing up in the middle of the room while Aegon was taking care of her. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Where do they think you are?" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "In the siege house." He shrugged. "I pretended to be sick and no one asked questions."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "We must not take long, then."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ He helped her put on the dress, tying the laces of the back and making sure everything was in the right place. He loved doing that for her, everytime he would get the chance to dress her up, he would undoubtedly do it. He liked to think that she needed him to do all of those things, he liked to feel needed by her. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Lucerys knows." She said, watching Aegon's face through the mirror. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "How does he know?" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "When he starts asking questions it means he knows something." Visaella explained, a worried tone was present in her voice. "He has been suspecting us for a while."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Has he?" He asked. She just nodded. "Well, doesn't that make things easier?" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "What do you mean?" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "If he knows, then it would be easy for us to come clean after all these years." She perceived a sparkle of illusion on his purple eyes. She wished she wasn't the one to break it down. "If we confess, once your mother becomes queen we can ask her for us to marry." 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "It is not that simple, my sweet Prince." She turned around and looked at his hopeful eyes with sadness. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "You are making it more complicated than it actually is." He spoke. "What happened this morning, I really mean it. One flesh, one heart, one soul. Now and forever."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"Our mothers would never allow it-" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎”I’ve already told you, it is too late for them to do something about it.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"Aegon, we've talked about it." Her hands reached his face and caressed his cheeks. "Even if we wait, it will be a long time before I become queen. I might not be able to give you an heir for when the time comes."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"I couldn't care less about an heir." He said quickly. There was a silence in which she wasn't sure what to answer, so Aegon kneeled in front of her and then proceeded to take off one of his rings. "You are already my wife, my one true love. But, please, my love, wear this ring as a promise. I could wait a million years for your hand." 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Visaella looked down at the ring between his index finger and his thumb. It was a thin black band of Valyrian steel with small rubies sparkling under the light of the candles and the moon. It matched with the crown of Aegon the Conqueror, and it was gorgeous. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎She lent him her hand slowly, and he softly put the ring on her heart finger. It was a bit loose around her finger, but not loose enough for it to fall. Aegon stood up, and sealed the promise with a deep kiss that took her breath away. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"I will love you forever." He muttered against her lips. "Please never take it off." 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"I will never, my sun." She answered, a slight smile forming on her face. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎They both looked at each other after breaking the kiss. They couldn't find anything but a drunken stare deeply in love. Silly smiles were shared, along with other soft and short kisses that steal giggles from her. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"You better go back to the dining hall." She spoke, "Before someone starts asking where we are." 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎He stole one more kiss, this time it was a bit longer. He closed his eyes enjoying her touch, her taste, how soft her lips were against his. He could kiss her a thousand times, but his body would always react as if it was the first time. So out of control, as if he was a bloody teenager. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"Come to my room tonight." He asked. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"Where did you think I was going to sleep tonight ?" She answered flirty. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Aegon smirked, about to blush, and he left the room before she could notice it. Visaella stood there for a couple minutes more, waiting for him to arrive at the dining hall first to not raise any suspicions. So, while she was waiting, she stood in front of the mirror looking at her reflection. The green dress felt a bit odd on her body, not being used to wearing that color. She wanted to change it, but Aegon had chosen that gown for her, therefore there was no chance she would replace it. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎She tried to cover the hickeys on her collarbone with the special dust one of her maids gave her, and it worked quite decently. Once she saw she was ready, she walked out of the room. She had lost track of time, and she didn't know how much time she had been away, so she tried to hurry up her pace towards the hall. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Suddenly, a tall figure stood in her way. She almost fell due to the surprise, but she was quick enough to take a step back and gain balance again. Once she looked up, her color drained from her face and a cold feeling ran through her back, causing shivers all down her spine. Her lungs ran out of air. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"Why the fuck were you with Aegon in your chambers?" He spoke harshly, but sounded monotone at the same time.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Her legs began to tremble and shake. The man in front of her was looking down at her with disgust, and she couldn't find any words to say. His eyes were darkened out of rage, she did not know whether it was rage towards her, or towards the situation. Either way, she felt weak under his hateful stare.  

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"Daemon-" She managed to say, her voice sounding weak and breathy.  

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"What were you doing with that cunt, Visaella?" He asked again. His words were spitting venom, the poor girl was afraid.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Daemon was a man that imposed fear on everyone who ever tried to dare him. He was intimidating, and even though she had never seen him angry, she knew it was true. Now, she couldn't even dare to look him in the eye due to how threatened she felt by his mere voice. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"He came to apologize..." She whispered, speaking so low that Daemon found trouble in understanding her. "He- We didn't-" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"Do you really think I'm stupid enough to believe that?" He scoffed, sarcastically smiling. "Aegon fucking Targaryen apologising? You may think I'm a fool!" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"Please, Daemon-" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"I've heard the rumors, you know?" Only then she was brave enough to look up to him, he looked even more intimidating from that angle. "I thought they were lies. Filthy lies that brings dishonor to your name." For some reason, she felt so ashamed. "How could the sweet Visaella be fucking a beast such as Aegon?" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Her nose started to feel itchy and tears were starting to fall down her cheeks while she was trying to swallow her sobbing. Not only was she crying out of fear, but she was also crying because she was embarrassed that she had been discovered by Daemon. Visaella was ashamed, her face was turning red because of it. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎She has always been known as the sweet and innocent girl who everybody loves, and that was the main reason why she didn't want to tell anyone about her affair with Aegon. Deep inside her, she knew she felt some shame in her relationship with him. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"Please, I beg you." Her words came out as a plea. "Don't tell anyone."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"Since when?" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Those words came to her ears like a buzzing sound. She just denied, unable to say something coherent due to the nervousness of her body. She was shaking at this point. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"Since when you've been fucking with that cunt?" He spat with hatred. "How old were you?" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎She hesitated, contemplating the idea of lying to him, but she knew he would eventually find out the truth. She realized that that would be even worse than it already is. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"Fourteen." She mumbled. Daemon clicked his tongue and scoffed. "I'm sorry..." She whispered, choking on her own sobbing. She didn't even know why she was apologizing. "I'm so sorry, Daemon, I'm sorry."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Something in his eyes changed, a haze that was perceived as emphatic. Then, he walked towards her, getting closer to her body, and making her take a few steps back. He raised one of his hands and she filched out of surprise, a bit scared and feeling threatened by his approach. Daemon started to caress her hair in a fatherly way, but she did not find comfort in his touch. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"You were a child," He said softly. Pity was heard in his voice. "He took advantage of you, you shouldn't be sorry about it."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Her eyes widened, surprised by his words. That was not the case at all, she was the one that started this affair in the first place. Asking him to be her first kiss, the first man to sleep on her bed, the first man to have her. She was the one that started everything. She was the one that seduced him first, right? 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"He broke you." He whispered, grabbing her chin to lift her head. "He took advantage of your innocence." He chuckled, "He stole your innocence, my child."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎She tried to tell him he was wrong, she tried so hard to speak, but her mind was blurry and her throat felt too dry to even dare to talk. Instead, she sobbed. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"He manipulated you." He declared. "He used his words against you and your innocence made you believe everything." 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎She gulped, and tried to deny his words by moving her head eagerly from one side to the other. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"No!" She managed to say. "Daemon, he didn't- he never-" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"I've heard what he does to the maids," Visaella looked at him confused, "I never thought he would do the same to you."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Her chest suddenly felt heavier, the air turned thick. She whimpered out of confusion and her legs felt weak. She was scared of what he may say about Aegon, she was afraid that whatever he may say was going to hurt her. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"You don't know, do you?" His hand went to her cheek and wiped off her tears. She shrinks due to his touch. "Aegon is well known around the castle for sneaking around and forcing himself with the maids." Her heart sank down her chest and her nose felt itchy. "Not only that, but he also has been seen multiple times around the Streets of Silk, searching for company."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"What?" She frowned, her voice sounded so light that it was almost impossible for Daemon to hear her. "No, he wouldn't- Aegon would never do that."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"Oh, but he did. One walk around the Streets of Silk and you will see at least five kids with silver hair." His hand traveled to her neck and moved away her hair. He laughed once he saw the uncovered marks on her skin. "He has bastards, Visaella. Bastards that prove that he had fucked every single whore on the realm." She sobbed, loudly, hurted. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"He used you as his puppet, and I don't blame you for falling into his web of lies." He walked away, giving her his back. "Men like Aegon are beasts. They want power, and they would do anything to reach the top." His voice raised its volume everytime he took a step forward. "You are your mother's heir, Visaella, you have more power than you think."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"He loves me." She muttered, trying to convince him. Trying to convince herself. "He told me he loves me." 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Daemon chuckled, and turned around to face her once again. Her lower lip was trembling, her cheeks were soaked in tears, and her eyes were swollen and red. He almost felt real pity for her. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"Aegon would never do that, not to me."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"And what makes you so different from the rest?" He scoffed. "He got into your mind, didn't he? I bet he promises you to be your king, your lover for eternity and beyond. I bet he told you he wanted to fuck an heir on your womb."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Visaella clenched her jaw, swallowing her tears and trying not to whine. Her heart was aching, she just wanted to be alone. She tried not to believe his words but sounded way too convincing to be untrue. Daemon would not lie about it, what did he earn by doing so? 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎But deep inside of her, she wished they were lies. She wished for all of that to be just filthy rumors. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"I'm your father, Visaella." She looked up to him, his words came so softly spoken, so caring and loving. Daemon was the closest thing she ever got to a father, she grew up with him by her side, protecting her from harm. There was no chance he wouldn't do the same thing now. "I'm always going to protect you, and if I have to tell you the ugly truth to do it, then I will do it." 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"I'm sorry." She whined again, sniffing and wiping her tears. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"Leave him now, before it is too late." He warned, "Aegon will only bring destruction to your life, he will cause nothing but pain in you."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"But he loves-" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"He loves the crown that you'll wear." He interrupted her. "He wants the throne. That drunken fuck does not love you, he loves what you will become."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Daemon left as fast as he arrived. Visaella stood there, in the middle of the hall trying to think of something, trying to mute that buzzing sound that would not leave her ears. Obfuscated by the piece of information, she just let out a loud cry, feeling a hole on her chest and her legs shaking. She, somehow, managed to walk back to her chambers, forgetting about the dinner, forgetting about everything else. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Aegon was the only thing that was on her mind. That was the main reason why she did not want anyone to know about it, she knew they would break the glass of her crystal fantasy. But, four years was a long time, it was a matter of time until someone would find out; and Daemon turned out to be the first to know. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎She walked to her bed once she got into her room, and lay there staring at the ceiling. Somehow, she managed to stop sobbing, but the tears kept falling off her temples. She tried to stop, but her thoughts tormented her mind with awful images about Aegon with other women, touching them in the same way he touches her. And those children, Aegon's bastards, walking somewhere around King's Landing as the living proof of his lies. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎She closed her eyes, and curled up her body trying to give herself some comfort. Her chest was aching, her eyes were sore and her throat felt dry. Visaella sighed and then, out of the blue, she fell asleep. It was the only way to silent her awful thoughts. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎She dreamt about fire. She managed to hear some screaming in the background, and she felt the closeness of the heat. She was able to see peaks of her own crying face, eyes full with raging tears while her clothing and face was covered in blood. She saw a dragon that she wasn't able to recognise flying on top of her, spitting fire all across the Red Keep. The dragon stood up on top of a burning building, and once he roared, she woke up. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎The first thing she saw was Lucerys beside her bed, shaking her body in order to wake her up. In his eyes she could see the concern, perhaps she was moving too much due to the nightmare. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"Luke, what are you doing here?" She asked, her voice sounded raspy. "Are you okay?" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"Why didn't you come back?" He said, as if he was blaming her for something. "You left me alone and Aegon smashed my head on the table!" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎The uttering of his name brought a sour sensation in her mouth, she sat on the bed grabbing Lucerys' arm to make him sit in front of her. Soon, her hands were examining his head. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"Why would he do that?" She spoke worryingly. "Are you okay? Does it hurt?" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"Aemond made a stupid toast and Jace went mad for it, he punched him in his face!" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"And what does it have to do with Aegon smacking your head?" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"I was trying to defend Jace," He confessed, shyly. "But Aegon got in my way and hit me! If you would've been there, he wouldn't have done that."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎She held him tightly against her chest. Hugging him trying to give him comfort, or perhaps, trying to give herself a bit of comfort. Her little brother surrounded her body with his arms.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"My sweet boy..." She whispered, then proceeded to leave a kiss on his head. "You can sleep here today if you want, I can ask a maiden to bring us some pastries-" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"That's the other thing." He let her go and leaned back to look at her. "Mother wants us to go back to Dragonstone tonight."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"What? Why?" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎He shrugged, as confused as her. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"She says she doesn't cause any more trouble to our grandsire, but I suspect there's something more." Visaella frowned, inviting him to elaborate. "Daemon arrived and spoke to mother about something, and she looked very upset about it..." 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎She clenched her jaw, and she wanted to cry once again. Daemon told her. There was no other reason for this sudden departure. Now her mother knew too, and it was going to be a matter of time until everybody else found out. Lucerys kept talking, but she wasn't listening to anything, too deep in her own mind. Then she thought about Lucerys, and how sad he would be if he found out about it from other people's mouths. She decided to come clean with him, her sweet boy. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"Lucerys." She called him, interrupting her ranting about his uncles. His big brown eyes looked at her with attention. "I need to tell you something important." 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"What is it?" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎She looked at him. He was staring at her with an adorable expression that made her heart melt. For a moment she doubted about telling him about Aegon and her, scared of seeing him being mad at her, but she knew she must be honest. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"It's about Aegon..." Lucerys frowned, "We- Aegon and I, we are-"

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Her wording stopped. The door of her room was opened abruptly and both looked at it with surprise. The silver haired boy walked in the room and froze once he saw Lucerys in the room too. The youngest took her sister's hand, a bit scared of him. Visaella swallowed hard, feeling uneasy with his presence. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"Uncle," She said, "may I know the reason for your unexpected visit?" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Aegon felt something was wrong. Her tone was different, and it wasn't because Lucerys was with her. She was being docile, cautious, and he didn't know why. His eyes traveled from her to her brother, who was frowning at him with anger. Then, making an hypothesis of what could have happened, thought that he told her about the discussion from earlier. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎He cleared his throat, shifting his position and lifting his jaw in an attempt to make himself seem more secure, less doubtful. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"I came here to apologize." He said, creating a lie out of blue that was not convincing at all. "To, uhm, Prince Lucerys." 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"What?" The youngest questioned, completely taken aback by his words. "How did you even know I was here?" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"I've heard you came to visit your sister."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"From who?" He asked again, his tone being cautious. Aegon couldn't respond.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"Lucerys, it doesn't matter who told him." Visaella said, trying to drive away the attention. "What matters is that he came to apologize."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Aegon just realized that she had not spared a glance at him the whole time he was in the room. He, at first, thought she was mad about what happened with Lucerys, but now he knows for sure that it is something else. He just needs to figure out what it was. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"Well, he already apologized, he can leave now." 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"Actually," Aegon spoke, "I also wanted to talk to you, Visaella."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Lucerys stood up from the bed, looking a bit angry. She held his hand, trying to hold him still in his place. Lucerys was being brave, or at least pretending to be brave, in order to protect her from him. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"There's nothing you have to talk about with her." He spat.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"Lucerys, it's okay." She stood up too, only then she realized how tired she felt even though she had just woken up. "What do you want to talk about, uncle?" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"I was hoping to have a moment alone." He replied, ignoring the deadly stare of Lucerys. "If I may-" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎The door was opened again. Three pairs of eyes were attracted to the wooden entrance and fell onto Jacaerys frame. He widened his eyes with surprise once he saw Aegon standing in the middle of the room, just a few meters away from his siblings. He clenched his jaw and made fists with both of his hands, still raging with fury after what had happened at dinner. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"What are you doing here?" He spat, angrily, walking slowly towards Aegon. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Visaella swallowed nervously, the two boys in her chambers were staring at the blonde one as if he was their prey. Her legs began to shake, and she felt dizzy all of the sudden. Along with what had happened afterwards, she was in a terrible state of mind. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"Jace-" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"He wanted to talk with Ella, alone!" Lucerys explained faster. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎”Lucerys!” She scolded him.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"Why would you want to talk with her, huh?" Jacaerys asked, daringly. Aegon smirked, starting out on the same act as always. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"It's not of your fucking business." The blonde replied, turning his body onto Jacaerys. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"Aegon, please." Visaella said in a breathy voice, a headache starting to form. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"It's my sister, of course it's my fucking business." Jacaerys took one step closer to him, and Visaella held his breath. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"Oh, gods." She complained. "Why are you here, Jace?" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎He clicked his tongue, playing a staring game with Aegon and not wanting to be the one to lose. Eventually, his eyes went to his sister. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"Vermithor is ready, along with the rest of the dragons. We are ready for departure-" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"You are leaving?" Aegon's voice sounded around the room once again, taking all the intense hazes of the Velaryon children. "So soon? Why?" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎His tone, worried and saddened, was a bit suspicious for both boys who eyed their sister with curiosity. She only looked at Aegon, begging him with her eyes to remain silent, but even though he would keep quiet, his eyes were giving away his true feelings. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎He was too tired to pretend he did not care about her. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"My mother does not want to cause any more trouble to the King's health." She explained, plainly. Lucerys and Jacaerys looked at each other, trying to find answers for this weird exchange of words. "And, honestly, I do not wish to be here any longer. I'm starting to get home sick."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Her pettiness was clearly evidenced in her words. Aegon felt something break on his chest, unbeknownst the reason behind her tone. He looked at his lover, completely hurted by her comment, knowing that for the first time she had rejected him. It wasn't because she was with the company of her brothers, there was something more. Aegon grew desperate for an answer, desperate to end his inner turmoil. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"What happened?" He sounded desperate, taking a few steps closer to her. Jacaerys walked near him too. "What is going on, Ella?" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"Aegon..." She warned him, trying to tell him to stop before it is too late. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"No." He was quick to say, "I don't care anymore. What the fuck is going on?" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"Easy, Aegon." Jacaerys broke in the middle of the discussion. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"Why are you acting like this?" He asked her, his voice broke mid sentence. "Have I done something wrong?"

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"You smashed Lucerys' head against the table!" Jace said. His interruptions tease  Aegon's patience. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"Jacaerys, stop." Visaella said, knowing Aegon too well to perceive his anger. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"Visaella." The blonde boy called her. "Talk to me, please, I beg you." 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"Aegon, this is not the time to speak about anything." She walked closer to him. "I need you to leave."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"I'm not going anywhere." He shook his head, desperately. His eyes started to tear up, feeling her rejection. "Please, Visaella. Tell me what is going on, my lo-" 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"She told you to leave." 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎That must have been the thing that touched his nerve, because Aegon turned to Jacaerys and punched him in the face. Right on his cheek. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Lucerys ran in order to defend his brother. Visaella tried to push him aside before he could find himself in the middle of the fight, but he was faster and he tried to punch Aegon’s face. The older saw him coming, so he pushed him strongly back to his sister. What he did not notice was the big piece of furniture between them. Lucerys’ body fell on the ground, and his head smashed against the table causing an open wound on his forehead.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Visaella gasped and worriedly ran towards his little brother. He moaned due to the stinging pain on his head, and he touched his forehead only to wet his fingers with blood. Visaella’s eyes widened in shock, she was not sure of how drastically her semblance changed, but even Lucerys looked at her oddly. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎She went mad, all her emotions collided on her face and she was fuming. She stood up, and walked towards Aegon. She grabbed him from his shoulders before pushing him too against her wardrobe. His eyes widened when he felt the coldness of a blade against his neck. Visaella was holding a dagger against his skin, threatening to cut him at any moment. Her eyes were showing how furious she was, he had never seen her like this, but he understood part of it. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Even Jace was taken aback by her sudden actions.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"Don't you dare to touch them again." She threatened, so close to his lips that he felt the waves of her voice. "I will kill you if you do."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎”Ella-”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎”I swear it,” She spat, “I will fucking kill you.”

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎A tear escaped from Aegon's eye, he couldn't bear to look at her haze filled with hatred. But mostly of it all, he couldn't stand the fact that she, once again, chose her brothers over him. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"I love you." He whispered, only for her to hear. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Her hand trembled after hearing those words. Something in her eyes changed too, as if she had just woken up and regained control of her body to realize what she was doing. Even Aegon got scared by how easily her semblance changed. She let him go, and his hands quickly touched his own throat. The girl went to help Jacaerys, who had a small cut on his cheekbone due to Aegon's rings. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Leave." She said, talking to Aegon. "Now."

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aegon obeyed her, without insisting any longer. He was crying quietly once he got out of the room. Visaella did not even look at him, too busy taking care of her brother's wound. 

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ He gave one last look to her, begging in silence for her to glance at him. One time would be enough, one sided look would do. Yet, she did not spare him a look, and he realized that he had never been her first choice, he had never been her priority. And he had to deal with it in order to keep her by his side. 

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