Violent Tides - Chapter 4: Familial Strains

The birth of Jacaerys Velaryons leads to uneasy truths and deep divides to form within the House of the Dragon...

Ten Moons Later  

Aelora Velaryon was a child on a mission, eight moons ago, her parents told her that she was going to be an older sister. 

Aelora had been excited at the news, asking her parents all sorts of questions about the baby, most of which they could not answer. 

Although, Aelora did try to keep her joy to herself when she was not around Rhaenyra, Laenor, or Viserys. Despite her immature age, she was aware that not everyone was happy about the birth of the new royal child.

Aelora saw how pinched Alicent’s face became whenever Rhaenyra's pregnancy was mentioned, while her own was ignored, she noticed how Criston’s jaw would clench as he looked at her mother's growing stomach, she could feel Aegon's annoyance as talk of the unborn child drew more attention away from him. 

Aelora did not understand why the three were upset by her unborn sibling, but liked her. What made her so different in comparison? But she did not linger on this question for long as her grandparents, Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, and Lord Corlys Velaryon had decided to stay at the Red Keep. 

The couple had come to King’s Landing the pervious moon anticipating the birth of their second grandchild, not wanting to miss it like they unfortunately did with Aelora’s.

While Aelora loved Viserys, she could not deny that Rhaenys and Corlys had narrowly edged him out in her heart.

She spoke with them constantly about the new babe and all the things that she wanted to do with her new sibling once they were born. The pair were more than happy enough to indulge their granddaughter, often giving their own input.

Everything was perfect, now they only needed one more thing to welcome her soon-to-be-born sibling with.

“Where you going, Lora?” Aegon asked his niece after she came back from one of the other rooms in the nursery now wearing a silver and sea foam blue doublet and black trousers and was heading towards the door.

The five year old was confused because he thought that himself, Aelora, his mother, and his siblings were going to have a picnic in the gardens. Alicent had come to the nursery for them to ready themselves, which was proving to be a daunting task as usual thanks to the efforts of Aegon, Helaena, and Aemond. 

“To the Dragonpit!” Aelora replied cheerfully.

“The Dragonpit? Why would you need to go to the Dragonpit?” Alicent asked from her seat next to Aemond’s crib.

“The baby needs a egg, Ali!” Aelora said as she smiled at her step-grandmother.

Alicent wanted to genuinely smile at the shortened version of her name that Aelora had been calling her as of late, but it came out incredibly forced when Aelora mentioned her unborn sibling. “I know your brother or sister will need a dragon egg, but I do not believe your mother will allow you to go get one by yourself.”

Aelora pouted. “I know, Ser ‘Win is taking me.”

Aelora liked Harwin Strong, the man was always kind to her and told the best japes and stories, but she was upset that Rhaenyra refused to let her go by herself as she, Laenor, Rhaenys, and Corlys would be busy with court. In her mind she was more than old enough to go to the Dragonpit by herself, to go anywhere by herself and not need a knight or any adult for protection.

“Why do you need an egg, its not even born yet?!” Aegon growled out, once again angered that Aelora was paying the baby more attention.

He could only imagine how much more Aelora would ignore him once his sister’s second child was actually born.

“Aegon! Do not refer to your sister’s baby as it,” Alicent reprimanded, she would not have her son say such things aloud, in public.

Aelora walked to Aegon and hugged him. “We have eggs, so the baby needs one too. Ali’s baby needs an egg too.”

“Don’t remind me,” Aegon said as he returned Aelora’s hug, he was even less excited for the birth of his third sibling than his niece or nephew.

While Aegon loved his sister and brother, his mother told him he had to when he asked her, he was unable to relate to them.

He found Helaena strange with her constant quietness, fascination with insects, hatred of all physical touch, and her riddles. And unlike with Helaena, he could not stand Aemond’s presence. Since he was born, Aemond would scream and cry as if he were being murdered whenever Aegon tried to touch him, lately he had even taken to crying whenever Aegon either got too close or was in eyesight. He knew that Aemond was still young, but neither Helaena nor Aelora had ever acted like this with anyone, so Aegon could not help but feel as though his younger brother was doing this intentionally.

“We can get an egg when mama gets bigger,” Helaena told her brother and niece, speaking for the first time that morning.

“We’ll all go!” Aelora declared, happily imagining all of them soon having dragons of their own.

Before they could discuss their plans for a trip to the Dragonpit further, the door to the nursery opened and Criston Cole entered.

“Your Grace, Ser Harwin Strong is here. He says he is to bring Princess Aelora to the Dragonpit by order of Princess Rhaenyra,” Criston told the Queen, his voice was calm, but he was unable to hide the disgust in his eyes when he said Harwin’s name.

Alicent ignored this, not wanting to cause a scene in front of Aelora. “Let him in, Ser Criston.”

Criston did as he was told, stepping aside after opening the door and letting Harwin into the room. He then closed the door behind him and walked to the corner of the room, his eyes never leaving Harwin’s form, and his hand rested on the hilt of his sword, fully prepared to use it should he deem it necessary.

“Are you ready to leave, princess?” Harwin asked Aelora, his smile soon left his face as he noticed Alicent from the corner of his eye. “Your Grace.” Harwin stiffly said, giving the woman a small bow of his head.

Criston tightened his grip on his sword and was preparing to unsheathe his blade when he saw Alicent subtly shake her head. Despite the overwhelming desire to beat Harwin bloody for the disrespect he was showing their Queen, he did as Alicent said and reluctantly stood down.

“I’m ready Ser ‘Win!” Aelora said happily as she rushed forward and grabbed Harwin’s hand. Aelora then turned around, facing the others. “Bye everyone! I’ll go to the garden when I get the egg!”

“You better not take too long or I’m eating your desert,” Aegon said, smiling when he saw the look of devastation and betrayal on Aelora’s face.

“What?! You can’t eat my cake!” Aelora yelled.

“Then don’t be late,” Aegon said with a shrug.

“C’mon Ser ‘Win, we got to go cause Egg’s being mean!” Aelora said as she pulled the man from the room, wanting to pick a dragon egg before Aegon went through with his threat.

~X~

When Aelora and Harwin entered the Dragonpit, the dragonkeepers had been waiting for them with the four dragon eggs present in King’s Landing. The eggs were all the same size, but varied in color and design. 

Aelora had stood patiently while the dragonkeepers explained which dragon laid which egg, how old each egg was, and the distinct reasons why each one would be a good pick for the new royal child. This had been going on for almost an hour, the young princess carefully looking over each egg to make sure she was making the right choice.

Just when Aelora was about to choose, she heard a strange sound. She whipped her head around to see where it had come from but saw nothing but the dragonkeepers and Harwin, it was if a bard was singing a beautiful song made for her ears alone, a whimsical tune that sounded both foreign and familiar.

Aelora then looked back at the dragon eggs, as her eyes moved down the line, the song had gotten louder. It was practically screaming in her ears when she reached the end and laid eyes upon a mud brown egg.

She had not paid the egg much attention before due to its boring color and lack of intricate design, writing it off and narrowing her choice down to the other three, but now she knew that this was the egg that would hatch her younger sibling’s mount.

“That one,” Aelora said as she pointed to the brown egg.

“Are you sure, princess,” One of the dragonkeeper’s asked, they had all assumed that the egg would not be chosen as the princess was young and children tended to gravitate towards brighter colors.

“Yes, that one,” Aelora reaffirmed, her eyes never leaving the egg as she watched the dragonkeepers place it in a cauldron that was then put inside of the carriage.

Harwin grabbed Aelora’s hand and led her to the carriage. “Good choice, princess. I am sure that a great dragon for your brother or sister shall soon hatch.”

“Are you sure?” Aelora asked the commander, while she felt sure in the moment, she was now afraid that if she had chosen wrong, then her sibling would not have a dragon.

Harwin smiled at Aelora and patted her on the head. “Of course, Aelora, you have made a fine choice. You have chosen a dragon worthy of a Targaryen.”

Aelora returned the look, leaning into Harwin’s touch, she did not know how to explain it, but she felt at peace when around Harwin Strong, knowing that she would always be safe so long as the man was there. It sometimes reminded her of the feeling she would get around her father, Laenor.

By the time the two had returned from their trip to the Dragonpit, the Red Keep was in a state of pandemonium. Servants and guards were all running around trying to do their jobs as nobles hungrily gossiped with each other.

All of this stopped for a moment when Aelora made her way through the Keep’s entrance, the people parting like the sea as Aelora, Harwin, and a member of the City Watch who was pushing the cauldron, walked past.

Aelora tried to ignore the stares and loud conversations going on around her. She was used to being stared at by the nobles, but this was excessive for the princess. “What’s wrong, Ser ‘Win?”

“I do not know, princess,” Harwin responded, he then grabbed the arm of a maid that was walking by. “You there, what is going on?”

~X~

“The Princess Rhaenyra’s water had broken during court, and she is in her labors, milord.” The maid answered before quickly taking her leave.

All the color had left Harwin’s face as he heard the news. “I must take you to the nursery, princess.”

“No. Take me to mama and papa,” Aelora quickly said.

“Princess-” Harwin tried to speak before Aelora interrupted him.

“No! I need to go to mama. I need to be with her,” Aelora pleaded, her eyes watering as she worried about her mother’s safety.

Harwin sighed, knowing that Aelora would just fight him if he tried to refuse her or cause problems for the servants in the nursery. Aelora was usually well behaved, but that went out the window whenever her parents were concerned. “Alright, princess.”

Harwin then lifted the toddler into his arms and carried her towards Maegor’s Holdfast, he used his muscular frame to clear a path for them through the bustling crowd of nobles.

Once they reached Rhaenyra’s chambers, the guards posted outside allowed the pair inside. They walked into the parlor and saw the rest of the royal family there, except for Aemond, who was in the nursery. Harwin saw from the corner of his eye that his father, Lyonel Strong, Hand of the King, was the only member of the small council that could get into the room.

It had taken everything within Harwin not to flinch when he saw his father, the man was calm, sharing in the joy that the others in the room were feeling.

“Your Grace, Princess Aelora and I have returned from the Dragonpit. The princess insisted that she be here for the birth,” Harwin addressed Viserys.

“That is okay, Ser Harwin,” Viserys told him, watching as Harwin placed Aelora down and took his place beside his father. “You wanted to see the birth of your new sibling, Aelora?”

Aelora shook her head. “Is mama alright?” 

“Your mother is okay. She’s a fighter, Aelora, she’s going to be perfectly fine,” Viserys said.

Aelora did not look as if she believed Viserys, but nodded her head anyway, she then walked over to Corlys and Rhaenys, allowing Rhaenys to sit her on her lap.

“Did you choose an egg, sweetheart?” Rhaenys asked her granddaughter.

Aelora’s mood switched at the topic. “Yes! I picked that one!”

Aelora then pointed at the cauldron that had been wheeled into the room.

Corlys walked over to the cauldron and removed the cover with a smile. “What a perfect egg my little sea snake has chosen.”

Aelora giggled in response, leaning back into Rhaenys’ arms. She was about to talk about the dragon egg further, when a piercing scream rang out from Rhaenyra’s bedroom.

“It's okay, Aelora. Your mother will be fine,” Rhaenys whispered into Aelora’s ear, stroking her hair when she felt the girl tremble in her arms.

Corlys saw that distraught look on Aelora’s face and marched up to Laenor, the young man had been standing in an almost catatonic state next to Rhaenyra’s bedroom door since her labors began.

“Go and comfort your daughter!” Corlys hissed in Laenor’s ear.

Laenor immediately moved to where his mother and daughter were sitting, he wordlessly asked for Aelora and Rhaenys complied, handing Aelora to him.

“Papa?” Aelora asked from where she had buried her face in his neck.

Laenor could feel the fear emanating off her as Rhaenyra’s screams grew louder and Laenor found himself lost on what to do, despite having a child already, he had never experienced this before. During Aelora’s birth, he was not even in the Keep, he had been drinking in a tavern with a group of his male favorites when word had been sent that his wife had been in labor.

By the time he had returned to the Keep, Rhaenyra had just given birth to Aelora, so Laenor had not been there for the blood and the screaming. He found it strange that everyone around him could be so calm about a woman’s most dangerous task, especially when Rhaenyra’s mother, Aemma, along with both her grandmothers, Alyssa and Daella, had all died in childbirth or from childbirth complications.

Will I get to use to this the more children we have? Laenor asked himself.

“It's me Lora,” Laenor whispered into her hair.

“Will mama be safe?” Aelora once again asked.

“Yes, she will,” Laenor said strongly.

Laenor felt Aelora’s body relax in his arms, her breathing no longer sharp and erratic and Laenor let out a sigh of relief, feeling proud of himself for being able to reassure his daughter. It was usually Rhaenyra that comforted Aelora during stressful times, so he was glad that he was capable of being there for Aelora when she needed him.

~X~

The hours dragged on and occasionally Rhaenyra’s head midwife would come out and tell them that it would be longer still.

Aelora stayed in Laenor's arms as they sat in the chair closest to the door because Rhaenys had enough of her son's nervous fidgeting and ordered him to sit down.

Even Harwin was not immune, as he kept shifting the longer the labors continued, his own eyes never leaving the door.

At last, the midwife appeared with a smile on her face and her arms spread out. “The princess has delivered a healthy boy.”

Viserys clapped his hands together, and Rhaenys went to her son to kiss him on the cheek, her hand on his head, as the young man used one arm to return his mother’s embrace.

“Well? Go see your son and give thanks to your wife!” The Sea Snake was smiling as well, his broad face split in the biggest smile possible, gesturing for Laenor to follow the midwife back into the room. “Go on, then!”

“I’ll be right back, Aelora,” Laenor said as he placed his daughter on the ground.

Aelora nodded as she watched her father walk into her mother’s room.

“Ser Harwin,” Viserys commanded. “send word that the bells must be rung in honor of our new prince!”

Harwin hesitated, but saw the surprised and angered look on his father’s face at the action. “Of course, Your Grace.”

Harwin immediately left the room, missing the suspicious look that had formed on Lyonel’s face.

“We now have another heir. Praise the gods for the future Lord of the Tides!” Viserys cheered.

The jovial King missed the put off look on his wife’s face.

“What’s taking so long?” Aelora crossed her arms and grumbled.

“It takes a while for a woman to present herself proper after the birth of a child,” Rhaenys explained.

Aelora nodded her, she did not know much about childbirth, but her grandmother Rhaenys was the smartest woman she knew, so Aelora knew she was speaking the truth.

After waiting a little longer, Rhaenyra emerged from the room arm and arm with Laenor, her hair was combed into high bun, and she wore a black and red dress. Rhaenyra smiled at her daughter before walking to Viserys and Aelora ran from her grandparents and stood next to Rhaenyra, and cautiously hugged her legs.

“I am fine, my brave storm,” Rhaenyra gently said, her voice was horse from screaming.

“Let me see my darling new grandchild,” Viserys said, taking the newborn from his daughter’s arms.

Viserys continued to smile as he pulled back the top of the blanket, he then stood still in shock as he stared at the newborn. Seeing this, Corlys and Rhaenys walked behind Viserys, staring down at the babe over his shoulder.

The three then looked up and saw the defiant look on Rhaenyra's face and all the smiles in the room died with it.

“What's wrong with my brother?” Aelora asked, looking at the adults in the room and trying to figure out why everyone was no longer excited.

No one answered the girl's question, their eyes remaining on the baby.

Viserys eventually found his words, clutching his grandson tightly. “Is he not the perfect likeness to Jocelyn Baratheon? It seems my cousin’s blood won out as all three of you are dark of hair.”

There was a desperate gleam in Viserys' eyes as the lie left his mouth and it was a good thing that Viserys was in front of her, because the look Rhaenys gave her cousin was downright murderous as he used herself and her deceased mother in his lies.

Corlys said nothing, continuing to stare at the brown haired, brown eyed, pale skinned baby in Viserys’ arms. Suddenly, Corlys lifted his head and stared at his son and Laenor visibly shuddered, his body almost buckling under the heavy weight of his father’s gaze.

Rhaenyra spoke then, her voice high and admirably steady. “Yes, Father, Laenor and I were just saying how strong his Baratheon looks are. And mayhaps he resembles my own grandfather, Lord Rodrik Arryn, as well?”

Lord Corlys turned on his heel and strode through the doors without a single word, the doors thundering shut behind him.

This shook Alicent out of her own horrified reverie, her eyes wide with disbelief and disgust as she had stared at Rhaenyra. She had thought after Aelora's birth and the years that had passed since then, that former friend would have seen the importance of having trueborn heirs and would not have allowed her affair with the Commander of the City Watch to go as far as committing a woman's ultimate taboo.

For moons, the Queen had feared that Rhaenyra would push a healthy a fierce Velaryon son out of her foul and monstrous womb, a child who could properly be used to challenge Aegon's claim. So now she found herself scandalized, disgusted, and bemused by Rhaenyra's clear reckless disregard and stupidity.

“No more visitors,” She declared. “The princess and babe need rest and must not be disturbed.”

“Yes,” Rhaenys agreed, gritting her teeth. “Family only. No one else must enter.”

Queen Alicent jerkily nodded her head and went outside to dismiss the crowd outside as best she could while Criston had taken Aegon and Helaena to the nursery. The murmurs at Lord Corlys’ swift departure had already begun and rumors had begun swirling that the newborn was either ill or that Rhaenyra was on her deathbed.

“An egg! The prince must have his dragon egg!” Viserys cried.

He held the bundled-up child close to his chest as if he could guard him from the truth of his birth with his body.

“Ser Laenor,” The King commanded. “Fetch your son’s egg.” He looked at his daughter afterwards. “The realm will know him for what he is; a prince of House Targaryen.”

Laenor quickly moved to the other side of the parlor, pushing the cauldron to the King, he kept his head down, trying not to look into his mother’s eyes. 

Aelora could hear the bells of the city ringing in the distance. She was still annoyed that no one was telling her what was wrong and that her grandfather was holding her brother so high up on his chest that Aelora could not see him.

Just when she was about to ask what was wrong again, Alicent had reentered the room, with Harwin using this opportunity to slip back inside. Aelora saw how everyone’s eyes besides Rhaenyra and Laneor, moved between Harwin and her brother.

Finally having enough, Aelora tugged on Viserys’s trousers. “Can I see him, grandpapa?”

Viserys stared at Aelora, his face was blank as he looked between his grandchildren, the King then dropped to one knee. “Of course. Say hello to your new brother.”

Aelora leaned over Viserys’s arm to look at her brother, the newborn was small with short coarse brown hair at the top of his head. Although his eyes were watery, Aelora could see the brown almost black color to them.

Aelora gently brushed her fingers against the pale skin of his face, a smile grew on her own face when the infant moved his arms out of the blanket and grabbed one of her fingers.

“You know,” Viserys began speaking to Aelora. “As his older sister, it will be your job to look out for him, to protect him.”

“I know,” Aelora said, not understanding what exactly her grandfather was trying to tell her.

Viserys placed a hand on Aelora's shoulder. “You must protect your brother, Aelora.”

Aelora flinched as the grip Viserys had on her shoulder tightened, the nails of his fingers digging into her skin. “Gra-grandpapa, you're hurting me.”

Before Viserys could apologize, Aelora was pulled backwards by someone, and when Viserys looked up, he saw that it was Rhaenys who had done so. The older Targaryen did not bother to hide the glare she was giving him as she held Aelora's shoulders.

Viserys had then decided to order everyone out of the room, leaving Rhaenyra, Laenor, Aelora, and the baby alone. The King hoped that some time and space would allow the anger within his relatives to simmer.

Viserys then thought about Corlys, the Sea Snake's pride was legendary, he could only imagine what was going through his mind and he could only hope that Rhaenys would be able to calm her husband down and get him to see reason.

The Queen and the Hand each gave their own wooden congratulations to the couple before taking their leave. Lyonel grabbed his son by the arm, his furious gaze never leaving the side of his son's head.

Rhaenys laid a kiss on Aelora’s forehead, telling the girl that she would see her later before taking her leave as well. The Targaryen kept her gaze straight as she walked, not looking at the King, the princess, or even her son.

Viserys stood back up and handed the baby to Rhaenyra, smiling at his family before turning on his heel and leaving.

The door shut loudly, and a heavy silence took over the room.

Eventually, Laenor let out a loud groan and slumped into a nearby chair, lowering his head into his hands. “I am going to die. They're going to kill me; they're going to fucking kill me.”

Rhaenyra shook her head. “No, they will not. You have given them two trueborn children; they have nothing to be angry over.”

“But Rhaenyra-" Laenor tried to start when his wife cut him off.

“But nothing. There is nothing wrong with our children,” Rhaenyra told him, her eyes staring into his own, daring him to say something else.

Rhaenyra then turned to Aelora. “What do you think of your brother, Aelora?”

Aelora shrugged. “I like him. He looks like bread.”

Laenor snorted and looked at his daughter incredulously. “Bread?”

“Like bread before it’s made,” Aelora clarified.

Laenor laughed, lifting Aelora into his arms. “You hear that, dear wife? Our son looks like a roll of unbaked bread.”

Rhaenyra playfully rolled her eyes. “You both don’t know what you are talking about.”

It was a temporary peace for the family of four, one where the reality of the world around them, of their actions and not yet shattered them.

~X~

Rhaenys had been standing outside of her and Corlys’ bedchamber for the last few minutes, she knew that it was better to allow her husband time to let out his anger before confronting him.

Rhaenys let out a sigh, knowing that the longer she put off this conversation, the worse it would get. Rhaenys entered the room and saw that Corlys was sitting in front of the fireplace, staring blankly into it.

“Have you come to tell me that you were right, lady wife?” Corlys said, still staring at the flames.

“And why would I do that?” Rhaenys asked as she sat down in the chair across from him.

Corlys let out a bitter laugh. “Don't you remember how I was when Aelora was first born? How arrogant I was?”

Rhaenys hummed, a small smile forming at the memory. “Yes, you were quite smug when we saw our granddaughter for the first time. Telling me with your eyes that I was wrong about Laenor and Rhaenyra’s marriage.”

“Yes, I thought I was right, that Laenor had moved past his…inclinations and learned to desire his wife,” Corlys then looked at his own wife. “You were right, their marriage bared nothing.”

“It gave us Aelora-" Rhaenys said before Corlys scoffed.

“We both now know that Aelora's birth was a happy accident. Rhaenyra has probably been cuckolding our son with Harwin Strong since their marriage began.” Corlys growled. Corlys then jumped to his feet as his anger returned. “How could he do this?! How could Laenor allow this to happen?!”

Rhaenys rose to her feet, watching as her husband paced in front of her. “He does not understand the gravity of what he has done, neither of them do.”

Corlys turned to his wife again. “Why are you not angry? Why are not furious that the idiot we call our King is trying to use you and your mother to protect Rhaenyra’s bastard?”

“Of course, I am angry,” Rhaenys' relaxed expression did not change. “Do you want me to show it the way you are?”

Corlys crossed his arms. “It would make me feel less like a child throwing a tantrum if my usually calm and collected wife was losing it as well.”

Rhaenys quietly moved forward and place her hand against Corlys’ face, and Corlys leaned into the touch.

“Perhaps we can ask Viserys to change the succession?” Corlys said, an idea taking shape within his mind.

“Change the succession?” Rhaenys asked.

“Yes, Viserys and Rhaenyra are free to do whatever they wish with the Iron Throne, but Driftmark is mine. I could get Viserys to switch Aelora and the babe’s positions, so Aelora will be the one to succeed Laenor as Lady of the Tides. A True Velaryon shall rule Driftmark,” Corlys explained.

Rhaenys gave Corlys a pitiful look. “My cousin will never do that. He is adamant that Aelora succeed Rhaenyra as Queen.”

Corlys scoffed. “The Seven Kingdoms are already begrudgingly allowing Rhaenyra to remain heir and even then, there are those like the Hightowers who continue to plot. Do you think they will tolerate two Queens back-to-back? Especially one that they consider a freak of nature?”

Rhaenys quickly moved away from her husband, as if she had been burned, glaring at Corlys. “Our granddaughter is not a freak. Do not ever refer to her as such.”

“I do not see Aelora as a freak. I love our granddaughter more than anything,” Corlys fiercely said. “But the people are a different story. At least if she is Lady of Driftmark then the backlash will be miniscule. Another of Velaryon blood could be her heir, most likely one of Laena’s eventual children.”

Rhaenys sighed as she allowed her husband to hold her. “We do not know if Aelora is incapable of reproducing, there is still a good chance she will have children of her own.”

Corlys hugged his wife tighter. “I know, but that does not change the reality.”

“It also does not change the reality that Viserys, Rhaenyra, and Laenor will proclaim that boy and any others after him to be trueborn Velaryons,” Rhaenys said as she lifted her head to look at her husband.

Corlys’s glare returned. “We'll just say that it was all Rhaenyra-"

“Laenor will defend Rhaenyra no matter what, Corlys. I saw it in his eyes," Rhaenys said.

Corlys said nothing, knowing that his wife was right. Even if Laenor did not, doing so would mean admitting that their son had been cuckolded, it would mean admitting Laenor's true nature.

Not only that, but they would have to admit that Laenor willing committed treason by lying about the legitimacy of the King's grandchildren, that he actively threw the succession of the Iron Throne into question. And if that were to happen, it could also call Aelora's legitimacy into question. Who is to say that someone will not accuse Aelora of being a bastard as well if her siblings are so obviously not Laenor's?

Corlys was a proud man who created his legacy and image with his own two hands, admitting this truth would not only ruin Laenor, but their entire family as well. It would make House Velaryon look weak and pathetic.

They both did not understand how Rhaenyra and Laenor could be so blind. Did they not know that not only were they putting themselves in danger, but the very daughter they claimed to love as well?

“Fine. I will not say anything about the child,” Corlys agreed, if nothing else than to protect their son from the noose he stupidly wrapped around his own neck.

“I will keep quiet so long as our son does,” Rhaenys said, “But that child is not of me and my blood, Corlys.”

“I know,” That was all Corlys said as he continued to hold his wife.

~X~

It was early the next day, when Viserys had reassembled the court to meet their new prince. The royal family stood at the base of the Iron Throne as the nobles clamored to get a look at the newborn. Many failed to hide their surprise and shock as they looked at the baby, taking in his lack of Valyrian features.

Lord Beesbury then asked if the couple had decided on a name and Laenor smiled widely. “We have; he will be named, Joffrey.”

“No,” Corlys said from his place behind them, his voice echoing throughout the room. “No, his name will be Jacaerys. A true Velaryon name.”

Laenor’s face twisted in rage. “He is my son.”

“And you are mine,” Corlys said, returning the glare. “He will be named Jacaerys.”

“It is a fine name, Laenor. Your father is right, it is a good Valyrian name. We even thought about naming you as such before you were born,” Rhaenys told her son, trying to deescalate the situation.

“Then it is settled. Our son shall be known as Prince Jacaerys Velaryon, heir to Driftmark and third in line to the Iron Throne,” Rhaenyra stated, knowing that fighting Corlys at that moment would not end well for either of them.

Laenor looked at his wife, the two having a silent conversation before Laenor sighed, giving into the demands of the other three.

The court was abuzz as people began to gossip about the similar appearance between the newborn prince and the Lord Commander along with the clear issues between members of the royal family.

Most focused on the Crown Princess' two children, discussions about the two were whispered between nobles. Some were in defense, others as reasoning to support Aegon and the Greens.

It was clear to everyone in the room besides the King that House of the Dragon was not infallible and large cracks were beginning to break apart the foundation.