Coaxed You Into Paradise - Daemon Targaryen

nineteen

"I didn't cry," he lied - not wanting to be emasculated in the eyes of his aunt. "It's alright to cry, my mother says that it makes you stronger." she smiled, eyes still painted on the bug on her hands.

In his eyes however - Helaena was the mystical creature, his aunt who was older than him always had a strange aura following her. Saera tells him that Helaena is a very smart girl - but the people at court say that she is a half-wit. Daegon knows better than to believe his hearsay.

"Can we stop talking about that," he complains, not wanting to expand upon the thought that his father and idol - would do something to harm another person. " - I'd like to hear more about your dreams." he pleaded, laying his head on the silk pillow that adorned Helaena's carpeted chambers.

Her voice flowed like honey - words that exited her mouth always left him imagining a place far away. "They aren't dreams - merely verses that come to me." Helaena corrects, placing the bug down inside his little home. "Tell me about them, then please." he demanded - eyes twinkling with joy.

She gathers a few shells - banging them together to form a tune. "I haven't quite gotten the first sentences yet, but I know that it ends like this," she explains tapping the shells to create a small melody - loud enough so they'd be the only ones listening.

" - in the end, we all become spools of white, the ashes that we came from." she looked at the ceiling, praying that she'd remember the other words to the prophecy.

"Like Winter?" he asked - remembering his mother's story about the Starks."Or fire." she responded.

—

Saera played with the ball on the council-table, eyes darting around the room to anticipate what kind of meeting would begin.

"I have felt the strife between our families and for any offense given by me, I apologize - but we are one house and long before that, we were friends. My son, Jacaerys will inherit the throne after me and I propose that we marry him to your daughter, Helaena, to ally ourselves once and for all." Rhaenyra smiled, reciting the string of words that she and Saera prepared.

It would be best to end the war before it began.

"Additionally if Melarys and Syrax bring forth another clutch of eggs, your son Aemond will have his choice of them." Rhaenyra continued, meeting the eyes of her sister. Saera's hand moved to her necklace, fiddling with it as she realized that Alicent's face began to turn sour.

Idiot. She thought as the Queen began to rise from her chair.

Saera knows about Alicent's plan of marrying Helaena and Aegon. It was the worst political decision she's ever heard - but Alicent was never the one to think about the future. "We will think about it, Rhaenyra - you've just finished your labors with Prince Joffrey. You should rest." Alicent smiles bitterly.

Saera's grip on the necklace tightened.

That means 'no.'

She'll have to think of other ways again. Perhaps her son, Daegon? But then Rhaenyra would believe that she did that on purpose, to outshine her own boys.

—

"Being in court is infuriating." Saera ranted, taking a large swig of her ale. When she was young - she didn't understand why her uncle was always angry, but now she does - because they were all idiots. "Alicent has denied a betrothal between Helaena and Jace, which confirms my suspicion that she believes that Aegon has a chance in becoming King." she rolled her eyes.

Rhaenyra was heir because of a decree - not custom, thus it led to the Hightowers having more plans than necessary.

"My brother loves all his children - but I know for a fact that he adores Aemma's girls. Rhaenyra especially." Daemon hummed, listening at his niece's words cautiously. He's taken a leave with the council - now focusing upon training the new recruits of the gold-cloaks. Harwin was still commander, but they listened to the Rogue Prince more.

" - but Aegon is a man, and that far outweighs anything." she argued, skin prickling at the thought of someone usurping her sister. "Rhaenyra is equipped - Ser Otto agrees that she is the second coming of King Jahaerys." she explained, feeling the alcohol course through her veins.

"The very reason my father is king is because Princess Rhaenys is a woman." she enunciated, praying to the gods that her kepus would get the point. "I don't care about Rhaenyra, sweet girl." he hums, pulling her closer to his lap. She leans her head on his chest - thinking of everything.

" - instead of thinking about your sister, think about how you can keep our children safe," he whispered. If war breaks, then their children are in the front spikes. "As much as you hate to believe it - you are Rhaenyra's heir." he asserts, pressing a soft kiss on her forehead.

" - and her bastards have lesser claims," he adds.