Aemon Targaryen

-Chapter 164-

-POV Bryndon Hightower-

"I don't like the atmosphere at court since Father's death," I said, casting dark looks at everyone I passed, unable to contain all the rage I'd been feeling since his demise.

'It feels like our troubles are far from over, just as we've lost our rudder in the middle of a storm.'

"The execution," Alicent pointed out in a hollow tone, as if she were talking about someone else's death.

'She'd almost be convincing if she didn't constantly wear that mask drained of all emotion,' I thought, watching her for a moment before sniffing and moving on.

We continued through the corridors until we reached the terraces overlooking the private training grounds, usually empty at this hour.

'Empty except for those two,' I noted as I spotted Aemond and Aegon sparring, the elder constantly giving pointers to the younger.

"The execution of our traitor of a father was just the opening act. A way to make a statement in front of all the lords of the realm—to show them who holds power now, and that anyone who stands against the new House Targaryen will be reduced to ashes in dragonfire," Alicent said, her gaze fixed on her sons continuing their training in the distance.

'Those monsters are still incredibly impressive,' I thought, remembering Father's "execution" and how close I'd come to sighing in relief when I saw Urrax's jaws, blazing with destructive fire, aimed right at us.

"So this is when the real battle begins?" I asked her, realizing from her words that now was the moment we truly needed to stand strong—lest we end up like our late father.

She said nothing, her attention drawn elsewhere.

"Lord Baratheon," she said as the newcomer approached.

My sister extended her hand, which he hastily and properly kissed, before replying:

"Your Grace, you shine despite the circumstances."

For the first time since Father's death, my sister showed a hint of sadness and said:

"You are too kind, but there's no need to lie... Since my father passed, my light dims more and more."

The Lord of House Baratheon, clearly a bit surprised and unsure how to respond to such a confession, glanced at me before turning back to my sister and saying:

"You must stay strong for your children. They'll need you, with all the vultures at court just waiting for you to collapse so they can strip away what is rightfully theirs."

Alicent frowned and looked at me, signaling for me to leave—which I did, reluctantly.

---

-POV Borros Baratheon-

Seeing the Queen's brother walk away, I understood she was ready to speak to me without any other ears around to eavesdrop on our conversation.

'Still, her brother is without a doubt the last person who would ever betray her trust.'

"Do not worry about my children. As long as they are alive, I will fight like a lioness so they do not suffer the same fate as their grandfather," said the Queen, clearly implying that Princess Rhaenyra and her lackeys might try to take advantage.

I looked around to make sure no one could hear us, then said, trying to speak softly:

"Know that all the lords of the Stormlands want only one thing: to see the true heir on the throne."

'I didn't say who I meant, but she will surely understand.'

The Queen smiled softly and said, placing a hand on my arm:

"Thank you for your kindness, Lord Baratheon. Lately, I'm afraid I have very few friends at court."

'Even if Rhaenys advised me not to interfere in court affairs to avoid angering Prince Aemon, Prince Aegon was her ward. He can't blame me for supporting him in the succession,' I thought, remembering my aunt's advice.

'Especially since I know that, despite the appearances they maintain at court, in reality, Prince Aemon is not close to Princess Rhaenyra and only supports her in appearance.'

"It is a pleasure to count myself among your allies," I said, meeting her gaze with mine.

"Let us walk," said the Queen, wanting to move elsewhere.

I nodded, letting her lead us on this impromptu stroll.

Without saying a word, we reached the private royal gardens.

"Did you know that, in another life, we could have been married?" the Queen said suddenly, catching me off guard.

I frowned, finding the topic dangerous while also being surprised by the statement. I had never been told about such a thing.

Seeing my expression, the Queen smiled sadly and said:

"Father tried to find me suitable husbands, and your name was the one that came up the most. Our fathers even discussed it more officially."

"I had no idea," I said, as my father had never spoken of it.

The Queen didn't seem surprised and said: "I imagine so."

'Why?'

My frown deepened, and she explained:

"It would have looked bad for the king to take the 'fiancée' of the future Lord of the Stormlands. It would have been an unnecessary conflict between cousins."

"Hm," I said, though deep down, upon learning this, I still felt like something had indeed been taken from me.

'She would have given me sons,' I thought, remembering I still had no heirs despite my wife's many pregnancies.

'And she wouldn't have gotten fat,' I added, allowing myself a few glances at the Queen, who, even burdened by grief and four pregnancies, hadn't lost an ounce of the beauty that had once charmed the king.

'She's even more beautiful than before. She ages like fine wine.'

Cough...

The Queen coughed slightly, noticing I was looking at her a bit too much, and I said:

"Forgive me, Your Majesty. I was simply reflecting on how radiant you are, even with all the misfortunes that have befallen you."

The Queen avoided my gaze and said timidly:

"Don't be ridiculous... and we are friends, so call me by my name."

I didn't have time to respond before she continued:

"The reason I'm telling you all this is because for some time now, I've felt smothered under the weight of my crown. It is very difficult to be accepted and respected within House Targaryen if you are not one of them yourself."

I snorted in frustration and said softly:

"You're telling me."

Alicent looked surprised and asked:

"You've experienced the same?"

I hesitated to speak, and she said:

"I'm sorry. I talk too much and forget that not everyone is as talkative as I am."

'Talkative?' I thought, unfamiliar with the word.

I didn't dwell on it, as I understood the meaning.

So I simply replied, deciding to confide in her as she had in me:

"As you know, my grandmother was the mother of the Conciliator, and my aunt the mother of Princess Rhaenys. I am just as much a member of the family, even older than some of them... but none truly show me any respect."

The Queen nodded and sighed before saying:

"Only those who bear the Targaryen name are granted respect."

Then, a few moments later, her mood darkened again as she softly added:

"Even though you carry the blood of the dragon yourself."

'It is true that, even though our house is better known for descending from House Durrandon, we are also descendants of House Targaryen of Old Valyria.'

'We also carry the blood of the dragon through our founder, Orys Baratheon, the Conqueror's bastard brother.'

"If things had been different... if, in another world, I had been Lady of Storm's End... would my father still be alive?" said the Queen, quickly wiping a tear from the corner of her eye.

'If things had been different, I might have been king... or prince.'

'I might even have claimed a dragon,' I thought, cursing my ancestor for not trying when the first wild dragons began to hatch.

'Controlling a dragon is worth the risk of losing one's head.'

"Life is cruel," I said, gently tightening my arm around hers, as seeing such a beautiful and kind woman cry pained me.

"It's nothing, it will pass," she said, wiping away the tears that had continued to fall.

I held back the urge to take her in my arms to comfort her, as even in the private gardens, it would only take a guard or servant to see us for things to get complicated and turn into a degrading rumor that neither of us wanted.

Once she was calm, I said:

"I admire your incredible strength of character. If only your husband had as much as you, the realm would be at peace for five generations."

She smiled softly and said:

"Thank you, Lord Baratheon."

"Call me Borros. We are friends, aren't we?" I said, empathizing with her and enjoying seeing her smile.

"We are, Borros," she said, regaining the radiant expression she had lost earlier.

"How do you keep going, with all that weight on your shoulders?" I asked, in awe of this beautiful yet fragile lady.

"I cling to the holy scriptures. It is well known that the gods test those they love the most."

"Then they must be madly in love with us," I said ironically.

Alicent smiled without saying anything, before changing the subject and saying:

"I've heard of your daughter's beauty. It seems she might be married to a prince."

I nodded and said proudly:

"All my daughters are incredibly beautiful, but my eldest is truly stunning."

Alicent smiled, then said:

"What would you say to giving our children a little happiness by betrothing them..."

'Is she trying to make Cassandra the next queen?!'

"Aemond and Cassandra are about the same age. They would make a fine pair, don't you think?" she asked me.

The excitement that had ignited in me like a blaze after the beginning of her sentence was frozen once I heard the end.

And she noticed it, as her smile faded at my reaction.

"Forgive me, that was rude. Your daughter wouldn't turn to a prince without a dragon," said Alicent, pulling her arm away from mine.

"It's not that, I just thought Prince Aegon was still available," I said, trying to recover.

"Aegon will marry his sister. It is the king's will, even though it disgusts me to no end," she said before finishing:

"Even though no one cares about my opinion... or how I feel."

"That's not true..."

I tried to justify myself, but the Queen stepped slightly away from me, maintaining a forced smile:

"It is true, and I don't blame you. It is only justice, after all... justice for how I treated you."

"It wasn't your fault," I said, fully aware she had had no say in it.

'It was her father's fault, and the king's.'

"Father used to say the throne was safer, stronger... greater," she said before sighing and softly murmuring while looking toward the horizon:

"If only he could have realized his mistake sooner... Thank you for taking time out of your precious day, Lord Baratheon. I won't waste any more of it."

I felt her steps moving away one by one, and I felt like I might be losing her... all over again.

'This is my chance... A Baratheon once remarried the Queen Mother.'

"Wait..."