"Dad looks good up there." Aislynn remarked as they gathered. "Not as good as you would." Alicent smiled softly back at her. "Or me... Damn I would look good in a crown."
''Though it is the great hope of this court that Lord Corlys Velaryon survive his wounds, we gather here with the grim task of dealing with the succession of Driftmark. As Hand, I speak with the King's voice on this and all other matters.'' Otto remarked sitting proudly on the throne. "The crown will now hear the petitions. Ser Vaemond of House Velaryon." He decreed.
''My Queen. My Lord Hand.'' Vaemond said setting forward. ''The history of our noble houses extends beyond the Seven Kingdoms to the days of Old Valyria. For as long as House Targaryen has ruled the skies, House Velaryon has ruled the seas. When the Doom fell on Valyria, our houses became the last of their kind. Our forebearers came to this new land, knowing that were they to fail, it would mean the end to their bloodlines and their name." Rhaenys held back the groan as she hated having to defend her claim, her grandchildrens claim against Vaemond. Aislynn loved all of this. This was great, everyone knew it too. Luke had no rightful claim just as Jace had no rightful claim to the throne. Hell, if Aislynn didnt still hold a judge on Rhaena and BAela for attacking Aemond, she might have said give it to them, girl power but no. They were moody little bitches too and time seemed to amplify that, same with Jace and Luke... and Gods the little one. Joffrey.
''I have spent my entire life on Driftmark defending my brother's seat. I am Lord Corlys's closest kin, his own blood. The true, unimpeachable blood of House Velaryon runs through my veins." Vaemond went on.
''As it does in my sons, the offspring of Laenor Velaryon. If you cared so much about your house's blood, Ser Vaemond, you would not be so bold as to supplant its rightful heir.'' Rhaenyra spoke up. ''No, you only speak for yourself and for your own ambition.'' Rhaenyra declared.
"And what of your ambitions Rhaenyra? Your..." Aislynn chuckled unable to keep a straight face.
''You will have chance to make your own petition, Princess Rhaenyra. Do Ser Vaemond the courtesy of allowing his to be heard''. Alicent told her kindly but Rhaenyra heard the bitterness breaking through her false smiles. Daemon smiled back at Aislynn as she giggled out leaning into Criston contently.
''What do you know of Velaryon blood, Princess?'' Vaemond countered ''I could cut my veins and show it to you and you still wouldn't recognize it. This is about the future and survival of my house, not yours.'' Vaemond turned back to Otto and Alicent.
"I fucking love today." Aislynn remarked as she ran a hand through Emmetts hair.
''My Queen, my Lord Hand. This is a matter of blood, not ambition. I place the continuation of the survival of my house and my line above all. I humbly put myself before you as my brother's successor... the Lord of Driftmark and Lord of the Tides.''
''Thank you, Ser Vaemond. Princess Rhaenyra, you may now speak for your son, Lucerys Velaryon.'' Otto informed her and Rhaenyra stepped forward a heavy breath in her lungs.
''If I am to grace this farce with some answer, I will start by reminding the court that nearly 20 years ago, in this very...'' Rhaenyra began but the doors swung open and Viserys came in, cane in hand as he took shaky steps forward. A golden mask covering his lack of eye as he moved closer and closer all could see the age and pain and disease that spread over his body.
"He looks even more like death since yesterday." Aislynn muttered.
"He does." Jaeton agreed. "When is the old bat going to croak?"
"You need to do etiquette lessons with them." Alicent teased as viserys was announced and Aislynn laughed out.
"Etiquette, you hear this girl?" Aislynn questioned criston.
" I will sit the throne today." Viserys said moving forward slowly, his breath shaky but he ascended the steps
"Can he make it up there?" Clayton countered.
"Start taking bets." Daeron remarked.
"Uncle John tell you that?" Criston questioned.
"Find every opportunity to make the money honey." Daeron declared and Alicent thought he very much sounded like John.
''Your Grace.'' Otto agreed. Viserys groaned doubling over his crown falling to his feet. Daemon stepped forward to help but Viserys didn't want to be weak.
"Should have put in the needed help part of the bet." Jaeton remarked.
"It shouldnt count if he gets help, he would have dropped." Clayton remarked and Emmett looked up at Aislynn with big green eyes.
"Stay my perfect little boy, I need one of you to be perfect." Aislynn requested as Viserys snapped at Daemon that he could do it and Daemon helped him all the same. "Look at that, he does give a damn." Daemon winked at Aislynn as he went back to his place. Viserys collected himself before looking out over the council.
"I didnt like that." Criston grumbled watching Daemon retreat.
"I love you, I dont care about Daemon." Aislynn assured.
"I must... admit... my confusion. I do not understand why petitions are being heard over a settled succession. The only one present... who might offer keener insight into Lord Corlys's wishes is the Princess Rhaenys." Viserys remarked.
" Indeed, Your Grace." Rhaenyra stepped back as Rhaenys stepped forward ''It was ever my husband's will that Driftmark pass through Ser Laenor to his true born son... Lucerys Velaryon."
"Trueborn." Aislynn sniggered out.
"His mind never changed. Nor did my support of him." Rhaenys went on pulling her gaze from Aislynn. "As a matter of fact, the Princess Rhaenyra has just informed me of her desire to marry her sons Jace and Luke to Lord Corlys's granddaughters, Baela and Rhaena. A proposal to which I heartily agree."
"She put up such a damn fuss about being sold off and now shes doing the same to her bastards." Aislynn declared. "What a joke."
''Well... the matter is settled. Again. I hereby reaffirm Prince Lucerys of House Velaryon as heir to Driftmark, the Driftwood Throne, and the next Lord of the Tides." Viserys said with a wheezing breath.
"Fuck this muppet." Aegon muttered and Aislynn cackled out.
"Aegon," Alicent scolded.
"Auntie says it." Aegon grumbled.
"Aislynn is not the best of role models." Alicent sassed. Aislynn put a flat hand under her chin, batting her eyelashes.
"I'm a fucking angel." Aislynn corrected blowing ALicent a kiss.
''You break law... and centuries of tradition to install your daughter as heir. Yet you dare tell me... who deserves to inherit the name Velaryon.'' Vaemond shouted in outrage. ''No. I will not allow it.''
"Allow it"? Do not forget yourself, Vaemond.'' Viserys warned.
"His threats are not threatening." Clayton remarked. "I bet I could take him out with one shot... but I want a real fight."
"Nothing beats bringing down the gorilla." Criston agreed.
''That is no true Velaryon, and certainly no nephew of mine.'' Vaemond shouted pointing back at Luke and Jace.
"Oh fuck yes, preach Vaemond, preach!" Aislynn agreed.
'Go to your chambers.'' Rhaenyra told jace and luke. ''You have said enough.'' Vaemond didn't budge as her gaze turned sharp on him.
''Lucerys is my true-born grandson." Viserys said confidently. "And you... are no more than the second son of Driftmark. You... may run your house as you see fit..." Viserys warned ''but you will not decide the future of mine.''
"His true-born is different from Laenors true-born." Aemond remarked.
"Have you corrupted all my babies?" Alicent pondered.
"Corrupted or made better?" Aislynn countered.
'' My house survived the Doom and a thousand tribulations besides." Vaemond hissed ''And gods be damned... I will not see it ended on the account of this...''
''Say it.'' Daemon said softly from behind him.
"Oh, I like that look." Aislynn remarked. She scooped up Emmett covering his face and pulled her kids back. Alicent watched her hesitantly.
"Her children..." Vaemond shouted ''are bastards! And she...'' he pointed at Rhaenyra ''is... a whore.'' A smile curved Aislynns face it was about time someone else was shouting such things.
''I... will have your tongue for that.' Viserys told him but Daemon stepped forward slicing his head free from his neck is an elegant swoosh. Helaena jumped, Aemond faltered back and Aegon flinched, Daeron cocked his head as he looked to Vaemonds head on the ground. Jaeton tensed and Clayton reached for Cristons blade.
"I can take him." Clayton assured. Criston shook his head vigoriously.
''He can keep his tongue.'' Daemon remarked calmly.
'' Disarm him!'' the guards shouted.
"That old age decapitation will really get you." Aislynn remarked.
"Daeron are you alright?" Alicent questioned.
''No need.'' Daemon said putting his blade down.
"I've seen worse." Daeron offered.
"I'm going to kill John." ALicent muttered but Viserys groaned out doubling over. ''Call the maesters!'' Alicent said running to his side.
''' Father?'' Rhaenyra said stepping forward as well his groans only escalated.
''Please, my love. You must take something for the pain." Alicent begged
''I will not cloud my mind. I must put things right.''
"Put what right?" Aislynn questioned quizzically.