NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 77: Prelude to The Trial
[A/N: I will try to get Patreon back to 30 chapters ahead before another update here is dropped. Been busy with work and Wilds as of late.]
(Third Person POV)
Aemma was looking down at the ground, "I cannot believe it..." She said softly, "Father.....Father wants Uncle dead?"
She was sitting in front of Rhaenyra who was quietly sobbing. Aemma was holding a small chest in her hand, looking at the floor. She was still taken aback by the sudden news, that her father was imprisoned in the dungeons after attempting to kill Baelon.
"I...." Rhaenyra cried, "I am so sorry, Aemma...."
The doors opened and Aemond walked in, looking around the room as the doors quickly closed.
"Aemma...Rhaenyra....." He said as he stood in front of them, "Are you two alright?"
Aemma looked at Aemond, "A-Aemond...." she said softly, "What will happen to Father?"
"He is going to face trial." Aemond said, "The King will pass judgment...."
"B-But...." Aemma said, "Will he....?"
Aemond looked at her, "Mm...." He said, "I will be blunt with you, Aemma....it is highly probable that Baelon will kill him."
"O-Oh...." Aemma said, "T-That is...."
Rhaenyra looked at Aemond, "Y-You...." She said, "You knew all along, didn't you, Aemond?"
"Knew what, Sister?" Aemond said
"That Trevor was the traitor..." Rhaenyra said, "And that Baelon will kill him...."
"There was no proof. Now we have it." Aemond merely said, "That is all I knew.."
"You...." Rhaenyra started, "Aemond...."
"No harm will come to you nor your daughter, Sister." Aemond said, "Father will not allow it. This is for your safety. We intend to draw out Trevor's fellow traitors. Once that happens, we will purge the realm of filth that needs to go."
"Do not speak like that in front of my daughter..." Rhaenyra said as she sniffed, "W-Will Baelon see us....?"
"No." Aemond said as he turned around, "He will not."
"Why?" Aemma asked softly
"He knows what he needs to do." The Prince said, "He will not look at either of you in the meantime."
*********
"This is ridiculous..." Rhaenys said, "You mean to tell me that my husband was a traitor who died by his own hand? His own foolishness?"
"I refuse to believe that." Laenor said seriously
"Whether or not you refuse to believe it..." Otto said, "That confession came out of Trevor's own mouth."
They were in the Small Council Room, an emergency meeting had been called.
Daemon looked at Rhaenys, "It is the truth." He said, "The man fathered three bastards who he intended to exploit to get dragons. They are of dragon's blood."
Rhaenys shook her head, "You lie."
"I don't." Daemon said seriously
Laena, who stood behind her husband, "I...." She said, "I cannot believe this....."
Laenor slammed his hands on the table, "My Father was NOT a Traitor!!!"
"Settle down, Ser Laenor." Otto said seriously
"This is a grave situation, where is His Grace?" Lord Jasper said, "We need to know what is to be done?"
"A trial....it seems...." Lord Tyland said, "Considering Trevor's position.....his Father is on his way....."
"Trevor Celtigar will die, that much is for sure." Otto said, "He will answer for his crimes. We will then seek out Harwin Strong and the other traitors."
"What role has Harwin played?" Laenor asked, "What is going on?"
"We don't know." Otto said, "But Harwin was one of those that were behind the poisoning....alongside Willam Blackwood."
"But...." Rhaenys said as she closed her eyes, "Corlys...."
"I am sure it is hard to hear the truth, Princess...." Otto said, "But we need to ensure that House Velaryon is not against the Crown."
"No, of course not...." Laenor said as he sighed, "But.....my Father is already dead...must we tarnish his legacy further?"
"There is no need....." Laena said, "But now we know the truth about him..."
"He was a traitor, through and through." Daemon said seriously, "He tried to have me and my nephew killed."
"Mind your tongue, Cousin." Rhaenys said
"That is the truth, Rhaenys." Daemon told her
The doors opened and Baelon walked in. Everyone immediately looked up and straightened up when seeing the Heir walking inside the room.
"Everyone but Father and Mother are here, hm?" Baelon said as he slowly walked around the table, "Otto, what is the situation?"
"Our men are scouring the city in search of Harwin Strong. We have not gotten any more names from Trevor." Otto said
"I know there are more rats hidden in plain sight." Baelon said seriously as he walked towards the open window, "We pull them out and exterminate them. It is that simple....."
"What of House Celtigar?" Otto asked, "Lord Celtigar is on his way, to answer for his son's crimes."
"If he disowns Trevor himself and offers me one thing as payment, then I will consider sparing their house." Baelon said seriously as he stared outside, "If they intend to resist and fight for his treacherous son....their House falls.....they will be reduced to ashes.....It is not the time to be lenient. The King must be firm with his judgment."
"As he should." Daemon said with a slight smirk
"What is it that you want as payment, Baelon?" Rhaenys asked
"Aemma is currently known as Aemma Celtigar." Baelon said as he had his hands behind his back, "Lord Celtigar has to verbally remove her name so she is known as Aemma Targaryen from here on out.....I will not have my niece to be associated with that piece of filth name despite having his blood."
"You want to humiliate his House?" Lord Jasper asked, "To have Lord Celtigar verbally denounce the only Celtigar with Targaryen blood?"
"That is right." Baelon said
Everyone looked at each other; they knew how brutal that could be when it comes to names in the history book. Everyone knew that while Baelon was reasonable, he could be ruthless at times. As it currently stands, Baelon Targaryen is out for blood and is only held back by his position.
The doors opened again and King Viserys walked in slowly, rubbing his chest as he looked at everyone. Queen Alicent walked besides him, holding him by the arm.
"It appears everyone is here...." Viserys said, "What is being discussed without the King?"
"House Celtigar's fate." Baelon said without looking back
"What is it that the King's Sword has decided?" Viserys slowly walked over, "Otto?"
"If Lord Celtigar denounces both Trevor and Aemma, then their House will be spared." Otto said, "But should they resist, they will be destroyed."
"Seems fair...." Viserys said as he sat down, "But I hope Bartimos does not make the wrong choice. My Heir is a ruthless one."
Alicent looked at Baelon, "Baelon..." She said, "Come."
Baelon slowly turned around and walked over to the table, "Yes."
"You need to comport yourself properly." Alicent grabbed him by the hand, "You will be reasonable and will show mercy should it be needed."
"Mercy? Every breath Trevor is taking is my mercy." Baelon scowled, "I would have had him reduced to ashes by now."
"Baelon..." Alicent said firmly, "I understand."
"Trevor Celtigar will die." King Viserys said, "But we are going to hear him out first. I wish to hear his explanation."
"What of Rhaenyra and Aemma?" Rhaenys asked
"What about them?" Viserys asked
"You are going to execute your daughter's husband and your granddaughter's father...." Rhaenys said, "What are you going to do about them?"
"What am I going to do? Absolutely nothing." Viserys said, "They had no part in this. Anyone who dares think otherwise will have to speak up at this moment."
Nobody said anything.
"Good." Viserys said seriously, "I will not have my daughter and her girl be punished for the crimes of that scum. The scum who used her for years and tried to take away my boy's life, my son, my Heir! But he is not the only one....and I intend to bring about all of those involved. Now, if Bartimos is indeed behind....I am afraid I will not be able to keep Baelon back."
Baelon nodded seriously, "That is right." He said,
"Fire and Blood...."