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Chapter Text

When Daеlon Targaryen pushed past a protesting Ser Redwyne and entered his father's chambers, he never expected to find him in bed with Alicent Hightower. With a girl his age, his mother's younger maid of honor. He was shocked by her audacity. Her mother was so kind to her, and that's how she repaid her? Did you jump into the king's bed a couple of weeks after her death? And the father, how could he? His mother was a good wife to him, always trying to do her duty, no matter how difficult it was. Instead of honoring her memory, he showed her disrespect, no, an insult to her memory. And he had the audacity to look him in the eye and mumble an excuse.

— Son I wasn't expecting you. You see my boy things are not what you think I am ....

Daеlon didn't want to listen.

— I only understand one thing father. You humiliated my mother despite all the years of marriage . You spit on her memory despite all the suffering she endured because of you.

At his words, his father looked down at the floor guiltily. It felt as if Deеlon was the parent reprimanding the child. He looked at Lady Hightower, who was trying to cover her naked body with a blanket.

— I'm looking at an apple, Lady Alicent fell not far from the apple tree. You're just as much a leech as your father.
— Daеlon, this is too much!
— Don't you dare defend her! Not after I caught you both together! The Crown Prince raised his voice at his father, causing his father and Lady Alicent to flinch.

Daеlon never raised his voice at his father's king. But any patience comes to an end, and Targaryen patience is short-lived.

— Ser Redwyne! How long has Lady Alicent been visiting my father? A day? Days? Weeks? How long?" he asked the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, who stood in the aisle.

The middle-aged man did not respond. The Kingsguard was loyal to the king. Ser Redwyne would not reveal the king's dirty secret. Fisting his hands, the prince reiterated his question.

— Do you not respect my mother, Ser Redwyne?

Ser Redwyne remained motionless, but his brown eyes were filled with sympathy for the young man.

— The late Queen Aemma was a noblewoman. Like everyone else in the castle, I deeply honor her memory.

Daеlon snorted, full of contempt.

— Excellent words, Sire. I just wish I could see the action.

He looked back at Lady Alicent. The girl cringed under his steely gaze.

— So, as I understand it, you are not telling me the truth. But I think it's pretty obvious. Just look at this one...the stage.

Viserys looked up, gathering the courage to talk to his son.

— Daеlon, listen to me. I really loved your mother. Aеmma was my heart, my breath. I mourned her. But Lady Alicent....She has become my comfort, a balm for my wounded soul. She can bear me more children. She is intelligent, she is young....
— More children? — Daelon laughed. "Father, are you really considering taking this girl as your wife?"

When he saw the seriousness in his father's eyes, he shook his head in disbelief.

— I can't believe it. Of all the women in the kingdom, you chose the daughter of your second son, who has no gold behind her back, and no army for you. What will you get from this marriage other than her womb?

Alicent flinched at his last words, but he didn't care. The prince believed that his father was not thinking with his own head at all. Instead of solving the problem with Valaryon by marrying Lady Laena, he's thinking of marrying Otto Hightower's daughter!

— Don't say that! Lady Alicent may be the daughter of a second son, but she is still a noble lady. The Hightower House is rich.
— As well as Dom Velaryon, with whom we have a big disagreement! You don't seem to realize what will happen if they become our enemies! They have three dragons on their side, including, again, by your grace, Vhagar! It's just me and Uncle Daemon on your side!
— No! Rhaenys would never go against me! — Viserys exclaimed, striking the bedspread with his fist. — We are family!

But Daelon did not back down.

— Family is a loose concept, especially for someone whose pride has been wounded by the Great Council. By choosing Alicent Hightower over Layne, you will offend House Velaryon more than ever.
— But if I marry Lady Laena, I will disgrace Alicent! Otto will never forgive me for that.

"Otto, Otto, and Otto again. Damn it, this man has always been more important to him than his own wife, brother, and even his own son." — the prince thought with irritation.

— Who says we're going to shame her? We can marry Lady Alicent off to a lord, that's all.
— Marry her off? — Viserys looked at his son in disbelief, as if he had suggested something unthinkable. — But I can't do that to her. Lady Alicent, she is....She's carrying my baby.

Daеlon froze. And his heart sank. Had he misheard. Pregnant? There was a deathly silence in the room for several seconds. His father's words were like poison. Dаеlon looked at him in a daze, then looked at Alicent, who was trying to shrink, and then looked back at his father.

— Pregnant? So soon? Do you disrespect my mother so much that not only did you lie with her in mourning, but you also conceived a bastard?

He was shaking with anger. His poor mother in Balerion's domain is probably crying from such betrayal right now.

— I will never accept this bastard as a brother or sister. Can you hear me Father? I will not accept them, and I will never accept your new wife. And believe me, Your Grace, I will never forgive you for the disrespect you have shown to the memory of Aemma Arryn.

With that, he turned and headed for the door. Ser Redwyne silently stepped aside to let the prince pass.
Without looking back, Daеlon headed for his chambers to change his clothes. He needed to leave this damned castle and let off some steam. He urgently needed to visit the Flea Bottom brothel.

Chapter Text

Viserys was upset. Of his family, only Rhaenys attended the wedding, and then on behalf of Velaryon. Daеmon fought on the Steps with Corlys, and Daelon, his hot-tempered boy, lived on Dragonstone from the day he caught him and Alicent. At his request to come, his son sent a crow with a letter.

"I will not come to such an event. Unlike you, I am still in mourning for my mother, Aemma Arryn."

The mention of Aemme stung the king. He knew that he had shown his late wife disrespect, but he hoped that watching him from the Balerion's domain, she forgave him. Aemma has always been an understanding soul. It's a pity that their son wasn't like that.

There were many guests at the wedding. Of course, the Hightower was the brightest, and the Arryns were the darkest. He winced at the sight of his late wife's three sisters, who were present on behalf of the Vale, as their niece, the ruling Lady of the Eyrie, could not leave her seat. 

—Congratulations, Your Grace. May your marriage be long and happy. — said Amanda Arryn with a blank face, dressed in a dark blue dress. 

— Thank you, Lady Amanda.

Viserys preferred not to look them in the eye, for if he did, he would see Aemma staring at him with her blue eyes, filled with condemnation. Damn it, all three of his sisters had the same color eyes as his late wife. After thanking them for their congratulations, he made his way to the other guests as quickly as possible. 

Overall, the wedding went great. The chefs prepared a lot of different food in the kitchen, the musicians played music, and the guests danced. He danced with his new wife himself. Alicent looked amazing in a white wedding dress, and the way she smiled at him. All that was needed for complete happiness was a son. 

 "Everything will get better. He'll cool off and come home."

And Daelon did arrive a month after the wedding, but not for long. As it turned out, his son decided, as heir to the Iron Throne, he would mostly live on Dragonstone and come to the red castle only for small councils. And that didn't suit Viserys. The man tried to talk to his son, but he ignored him.

— He needs time. —   Alicent whispered to him.

The time? And exactly how long will it take his son to come to terms with his new marriage? Sometimes the king would ask himself why his son was as disobedient as Daemon. Were the Seven punishing him?

His son was not at the birth of his younger brother. Aegon was born when the sun went down and turned out to be a strong child. Viserys regarded his youngest son with affection. 

 "It's a pity Daelon isn't here. He would have liked him."

His older brother always wanted a younger brother and sister, but alas, they all died early. But now he has it. Viserys wrote a letter to his son. 

"I have good news for you, my son. You have a healthy younger brother. Alicent and I thought about it and named him Aegon, after the Conqueror.  Alicent is fine, though tired.

I look forward to seeing you at the castle, and I hope you will bring a dragon egg for your brother.

Your father, King Viserys I Targaryen."

Daelon declined the invitation. 

"I sincerely congratulate you and Lady Alicent on the birth of your son. Aegon is a fitting name for a descendant of the Conqueror. However, I will not be able to attend due to my commitments on Dragonstone. As for the egg, it will be brought by the dragonwatchers on a ship.

             Crown Prince Daelon Targaryen."

Viserys was saddened. But he was also grateful to his son for not feeling angry at the child and for sending a black dragon egg, which unfortunately had turned to stone over time.

 — Could Prince Daelon have given Aegon such an egg on purpose? — Otto asked him worriedly. 

— Of course not! — Viserys replied. — The egg was warm, which was a sign of the dragon's life within it. The fact that the egg has turned to stone only means that Aegon's dragon is somewhere else. It could be in another egg or it could be an adult dragon. 

At the birth of his second child, a beautiful daughter named Helaena, his eldest son did not come, but as before, he sent an egg, this time a blue one. It also eventually turned to stone, much to the concern of his wife and right-hand man.

 — It's all Daelon's fault. I'm sure he did it on purpose!

— Don't be silly, Alicent. My son has no control over whether dragon eggs hatch or not!

Although he wasn't so sure about what he had said. The man still remembered his son's indignant face.

For the birth of their third child, another son, Aemond. The boy was as agile as a kid, just like Damon when he was little. Viserys decide to give his son a name closer to his brother. But this time, Daelon refused to send the dragon egg. 

"The third son doesn't need an egg. The late King Jaehaerys did not give eggs to his younger children. I advise you to act wisely."

— It's not fair, Viserys! Aemond is your son! He has a right to a dragon! Make Daelon give him an egg! You're the king, and he's just a prince!

But the king didn't do it. His eldest son had already distanced himself from him and barely visited the castle. He didn't want to push him away any further, because if he did, he would lose him forever, and his grandchildren as well.

Chapter Text

Alicent Hightower shuddered as she watched the Crown Prince of Daelon hold her boy, her dear Aemond, by the scruff of the neck like a kitten. Her heart ached with fear. How could he treat a child so cruelly, especially his own brother?

She knew he had a good reason for not liking her. But it had been years since that night. Was it so difficult to let go of the past?

Although what was she talking about? This was Daelon Targaryen. An arrogant boy who only thought about himself, completely unwilling to understand how hard it was for her to obey her father. How she didn't want to tarnish the memory of the good Koroyeva Aemma. But sometimes women don't have rights, and they are forced to do what they are told. How could he, a man and a prince, know about her pain? The woman clenched her fists and opened her mouth to demand that her son be released, but Viserys, who had approached her, spoke first.

 — Daelon! What is going on? Release Aemond immediately!

— This thief doesn't deserve to be treated well. Apparently, stealing someone else's property under the cover of night is something he got from his mother.

Alicent bit her lip at that. Daelon never forgot to remind her of what she was once forced to do.

— What are you talking about, son? What did Aemond do?

— My wife's funeral is today. And this boy went and entered the Vhagar cave to claim the right to it. 

— Aemond — Targaryen, he has a right to a dragon! — exclaimed Alicent.

"As do all my children."

The woman could not believe Daelon's audacity. He was a dragonrider himself, and one of his children had a dragon. So why should her children be denied their right? It was unfair! Alicent was terrified of dragons, but she was willing to demand them for her children. It was for their own good. 

 — Since when do you, my stepmother, know what we Targaryens need? In my opinion, you are the daughter of the second son of House Hightower, not a Targaryen. And I made myself clear in my letter. The third and fourth sons will not receive the dragons and will not be allowed to them. This is a risk to the entire dynasty that I will not take.

With that, he roughly set Aemond on the ground.  

 — Aеmond! — Alicent cried out in concern, rushing to her second son's side. 

 Thank the Seven, her boy was alive, well, and unharmed. Still, the way he had been treated made Alicent angry.

 — You could have been more careful. He's a child, not a thing. —  she said, giving the heir a look of complete disapproval.

— Be glad he still has his hands. Next time he tries something like this, I'll cut off his hands. Just like I did with your father's spies.

Silence fell over the room. The woman's heart sank. Cut off her boy's hands? Fear overwhelmed her. Her father had warned her that Daelon had become as cruel as Daemon but she had refused to believe it. And it seemed she had been wrong. He was absolutely serious when he said he would cut off Aemond's hands. His hand rested on the hilt of Blackfyre.

He was a threat to her innocent children. 

"I must protect them. They are my everything."

In the morning, Alicent left Driftmark dressed in a green dress. She decided to do what her father had told her to do. Declared war. Only, at the sight of her dress, a grin formed on Daelon's face.

— The green color suits you very well, stepmother. But let me point out, black suits you even more. 

Alicent didn't understand what he was saying, but she gave him a fake smile.

— Thank you. You reminded me yesterday,  stepson, of the kind of house I come from, so I decided to wear a dress like this. 

Taking Viserys by the arm and proudly raising her chin, Alicent headed towards the carriage. The first move had been made. It was a pity that she had forgotten that playing with a dragon, especially an angry one, could lead to serious consequences.

A few days after Alicent returned to the Red Keep and began wearing green dresses every day, tragedy struck. Her older brother, Gwayne, was killed in a drunken brawl at a brothel. The green dresses were replaced by mourning attire, and it was then that she remembered Daelon's words.

The Queen realized with horror that it was his doing. He had given her the answer to her declaration of war.

Chapter Text

Otto Hightower was a clever man. And yet, for all his cleverness, he could not understand how Prince Daelon always returned unharmed. He had sent many mercenaries to Dragonstone, but none had returned. This was not the case with the heir. Always impeccable on his golden beast. 

The man realized early on that the boy would not be like Viserys. He had claws and fangs. But he never managed to strangle the little snake, and the snake managed to escape. As a result, the little snake grew into a monster and took his son away from him. Gwayne, his golden boy, was killed in a brothel when he least expected an attack. It was dishonorable, but a part of Otto appreciated it. Daelon had the opportunity, and he took it.

The death of his son pushed the Hand to act more decisively. Unfortunately, Alicent's call for war and the letters she sent to various households were met with silence. No one responded except for Larys Strong. Not even his own brother. 

— I will not support this madness. — Hobert told him the other day. 

— Why not? Don't you want to put our blood on the throne?

— Our blood? — His brother asked mockingly. — You wanted to say yours. Isn't that why, knowing that I was going to propose Bethany to the king after mourning for Queen Aemme, I sent you daughter to seduce him?

Otto pursed his lips. Of course, Hobert had told him about his grand plan to offer his daughter to Viserys. And he couldn't allow that to happen. He didn't want to bow down to his pompous niece. He didn't want to let Hobert rise above him. So, without waiting for Prince Daelon to return from Dragonstone, Otto sent Alicent to the king. And he didn't regret it. 

— If Aegon takes the throne, the blood of the Hightowers will flow in the future kings of Westeros. Don't you want that?

Hobert was as greedy as Otto. The Hand was confident that his brother would agree, but he was wrong.

— You're a fool if you believe that the lords will support you and start a war against the Crown Prince. Prince Daelon is the king's firstborn, the official heir, he is an adult, he has four children in the Velaryon union and he has a dragon. He has the law on his side. What does Aegon have? The second son is also a drunk. Hobert chuckled. 

And then he added seriously.

— Your war could cause trouble for the other lords. A younger son trying to take the inheritance of an older son. If the younger brothers or sisters of the ruling lord see this, they might feel that they have a similar right.

Otto frowned and clenched his fists. He hadn't expected his brother to refuse to help. It was unexpected.

 — You can't be serious, Hobеrt. We have a chance, even if it's slim, but you still want to leave?

— That's enough. I'm returning to Old Town. House Hightower won't help you. This is your war, and you'll have to fight it on your own.

With that, their conversation ended. But Otto refused to give up. He had put so much effort into this, and he couldn't just give up. Aegon had to become king. Daelon had taken his son away from him, and he was still taking away his grandson's opportunities. Well, if the mercenaries couldn't kill him, he'd have to kill him quietly. Poison was the solution. Mellos owed Otto a favor, and obtaining the necessary poison wasn't a problem for him. Thanks to Lariss's spies, he found out who the most unreliable person was in Dragonstone, and through a servant, he gave him poison. Ser Broome was the perfect candidate. 

"He will poison both Daеlon and his children. Let's see how the dragon gets out of this."

The gods won't help him this time. The poison acts slowly, and its symptoms are similar to a common disease. Indeed, the gods were on Otto's side. Broome sent him a message.

"Prince Daеlon started coughing."

Joy filled his right hand and he grinned contentedly. After all, the prince wasn't as smart as he seemed, as the poison successfully passed the tasters.

However, a couple of days later, Otto's joy turned into concern. He began to feel weak, followed by a runny nose and cough.

— Is everything okay, Father? Where did you catch a cold? — Alicent asked him worriedly.

— You'd better step back, Alicent. Otherwise, you'll get infected yourself or infect the children. 

He didn't know the answer himself. Mellos, who examined him, said that this is a common disease, it happens. Perhaps one of the servants was ill. But do people spit up blood with a common illness? 

Hightower didn't believe he was just sick. He had never been ill like this before, and according to Larys's report, none of the servants in the castle were ill. A cold dread began to grip the man's heart. He had fallen ill after receiving a letter with good news.

Perhaps he had underestimated Daеlon for the last time. Perhaps Ser Alfred Broome was not only his pawn.

Watching her grandfather wither away, Helaеnа whispers to no one, her eyes empty.

 — The poison is wrapped in paper, the pawn is a trap, and the dragon on the island is triumphant. The old tower has fallen.

Chapter Text

A black mourning dress. Again. Alicent had hoped that after her brother's death, she wouldn't have to wear this dress for a long time. However, the gods were cruel, and she had lost her second parent. Her father. He was strict and not always kind, but he cared for her in his own way. She was once again in mourning. Despite this, some people were enjoying life. Through the black veil, she could see Prince Daelon Targaryen standing in the distance next to Viserys. He was smiling. Laughing. Her grief was an empty sound to him. 

A burning hatred pierced her like a sharp dagger. How dare he, the cause of her misery, come to the castle? Her hands clenched into fists, her nails digging into her skin, leaving marks. How she hated him. May the Seven forgive her for her sinful thoughts, but right then, she wanted to run to her husband, grab the dagger from his belt, and thrust it into the heart of the heartless prince. To experience the same agony as her brother and father at the moment of their deaths. To have his children experience the same loss that she was experiencing at the moment. 

"But those are just dreams," —  she thought almost with a smile.

She had never held anything heavier than a sewing needle in her life. And if she picks up a dagger, the probability that she will win is zero. Daelon is a trained man, and he will easily knock the dagger out of her hands. Also for attacking the heir, her fate will be unenviable, and her innocent children will be left alone with this monster because Viserys was blind to what kind of monster he finds on his tray. The second Maegor. 

The Queen was confused and didn't know what to do. According to Larys Strong, there was no way to fight against Daelon, especially now that he was the regent under the sick Viserys. They had only minor lords on their side, and no dragons. The bastard had refused to allow her children to ride the adult dragons on Dragonstone.

— We need allies. And they can be acquired through marriage to your children. —  Ser Larys advised her. 

 Alicent's heart sank. She had never planned to marry off her children against their will, as her father had done to her. However, it was a matter of survival, and despite her reluctance, she would have to do so.

Late in the evening, when her stepson was no longer present in the chambers, the queen approached her husband. He was lying there, listening to the servant read stories about Valyria. But when he noticed her, he stopped the servant by raising his hand. The servant understood his signal and left with a bow. 

 — Alicent, my dear. How are you feeling?

— I am still grieving, my king. But I wanted to talk to you about something else.

— Of course, I am listening, Alicent.

— I was thinking that it might be a good idea to arrange engagements for our children.— the woman said, fiddling with her ring.

— And you have some ideas?

— Yes. I have thought of marrying Helaena to Tyland Lannister, Master of Ships, and Aegon to Vaemond Velaryon's daughter, Clarisse Velaryon.

— Not bad. What of our other children?

— I'm considering arranging an alliance between Aemond and one of the Baratheon daughters. As for Daeron, it might be best if he married my niece, Amelia Hightower.

 Alicent hoped that her husband would accept her suggestions. She and Ser Larys had spent a long time considering suitable matches for her children.

 — You... Kha... Kha... — Viserys coughed.

She took a goblet of water from the table and gave it to him to drink. He nodded his head in gratitude and continued.

 — You've prepared well, I see. But I must consider your suggestions, Alicent. My children are very dear to me.

— Of course, my love. Thank you for listening.

 The woman was certain that she had one victory in the bag. But was that all?

The next day, she and her children were summoned to the throne room. Daelon was seated on the Iron Throne as if he were already the king. Alicent was wary. After the deaths of her family, she did not expect anything good from him.

 — My dear stepmother. My father summoned me yesterday to discuss the engagements of my dear half-siblings. I must admit that I am impressed by your choices, as you do have some sense. However, my father and I have discussed the matter, and I have made some adjustments to your proposals.

These words made Alicent's heart race. Had he made changes? Fear for her children enveloped her. 

She dreaded to think of who he had suggested to Viserys.

— I do agree with your suggestion, stepmother, that Aegon should be betrothed to Vaemond Velaryon's daughter. However, regarding Helaena...

 He shifted his gaze from her drunken son to her daughter, causing Alicent to squeeze her hand tighter.

— Your daughter approached me this morning, shortly before I summoned you, and declared that she did not wish to marry Lord Lannister or anyone else. Instead, she expressed a desire to join the Septs. 

Alicent's eyes stared at him incredulously, then at her own daughter.

— That's impossible. Isn't that right, Helaena? You didn't say that. Yes? Did he force you? 

— No, Mom. This is my decision. — Helaena replied softly, but her words silenced everyone in the room.

— What?

— I asked my older brother to send me to the sept. 

The Queen couldn't believe her ears.

— As you can see, I have nothing to do with it. — the man chuckled.

 — Well, let's continue. As for Aemond, he will be engaged to Lady Alysanne Manderly. We have a long-standing agreement with this house, dating back to King Jaehaerys. It's time to fulfill it. And Daeron will be betrothed to Lord Massy's daughter.

Alicent froze in place. She wanted to yell at him for interfering with her plans. Of course, Daelon had to go and put a wrench in her works. But under the watchful eyes of the courtiers, the woman remained silent. She would not give in to her emotions, after all, she was the queen, and if necessary, she would remind people of that. 

But her nightmare didn't end there. In the evening, Ser Larys was arrested by the Golden Cloaks for the murder of his father, the attempted coup state, and his involvement in the assassination attempt on the heir and his children. Despite her orders, resistance, and her children's attempts to free her from Daemon Targaryen's grasp, Alicent was dragged away from her chambers and locked in a tower. From there, she watched in horror as Daelon drew Blackfyre and cut off parts of Strong. Afterwards, he gave the leftovers to Syrax to eat. She was sickened by what she saw, and tears welled up in her eyes. The woman wanted to turn away, but the Vicious Prince standing behind her forced her to look.

—That's what happens, honey, when you try to go up against a dragon. 

The man's words ignited the woman's rage and she exclaimed. 

— And you think that's justice? This is barbarism! He's worse than Maegor! He shouldn't be the king! 

— It was you who started muddying the waters. My nephew didn't wait and gave you an answer. If I were in his place, I would have strangled all your children when they were babies, and I would have cut your throat in your sleep. But here's the thing: Daelon isn't me. He has a different mindset.

— How noble. I'm going to cry. — Alicent spat out contemptuously.

— You'll cry. —  Daemon retorted, and his voice sounded cold and impassive. — But not now. You will cry, watching from here, from a small window, as your children leave this castle, without being able to give them instructions or attend their weddings. You will shed tears from the realization that a fate worse than death awaits you. 

He let go of her, and Alicent almost collapsed to the floor as his iron grip loosened. She was trembling from the horror she had witnessed.

— Death is a mercy, Alicent. And you will live alone and watch my nephew rule.

 Daemon turned and left the room, locking the door behind him. Alicent was left alone, leaning against the cold wall of the tower. Tears of helplessness streamed down her cheeks. She was completely alone, without her children, father, brother, or allies. She was a queen in name only.

Chapter Text

The death of his father brought relief to Daelon. He no longer had to look into his shameless eyes and feign a smile, pretending that nothing had changed between them. He was no longer the little prince Daelon who had followed his father around. He no longer sought his father's warm embrace. The love he had for his father turned into contempt the day he caught him in bed with that whore, Hightower.

Daelon never forgave his father. After all the pain his mother had gone through, she was not given the simple respect her father deserved. From the man who had proclaimed his great love for her. 

If his father had really loved his mother, as he claimed, he would have waited until the mourning period was over before taking Hightower to bed. Or, as Daelon himself did, he would not have remarried. Daelon did not love Laena in the way a husband should love his wife, but he respected her as a Vhagar rider, trusted her as a cousin, and eventually found her to be a friend. However, after her death, he never remarried. He did not even visit brothels like he did in his youth. 

But Viserys Targaryen could only talk and turn a blind eye to the obvious. He turned a blind eye to Otto's disrespectful actions when he sent his daughter to him late at night. He ignored Alicent Hightower's declaration of war and did not hold her accountable.

He allowed Uncle Daemon and Lady Royce to remain in an unhappy marriage, despite hearing that both parties were unhappy.

Time and time again, he prioritized strangers over his own family.

Therefore, no one shed tears for him at his funeral, except for the whore Hightower. According to the servants, Alicent had wept for his father for a long time and demanded to attend his funeral, which he had repeatedly refused. Daelon did not believe in her feelings for his father or her tears.  

"Perhaps she wanted to meet her children,"— the man thought.

Surprisingly, even the Hightower children did not cry for their father. Aegon, already drunk, was barely standing on his feet after his gloomy wife. Helaena, standing with the other septas, read the prayers with them as expected, but there were no tears in her eyes. Aemond did not come at all. According to a letter from Manderly, the prince was deeply offended by his father's marriage. As for Daeron, he stood with his wife, staring at the fire with indifference. Of all of Alicent's children, he was perhaps the only one who had no attachment to either his mother or his father. 

On his side, Daemon stood with a bored expression next to his wife, a beautiful Lyseni woman, who was the subject of much speculation among the court. Aunt Rhaenys wore a black veil that obscured her face, but he was certain that she was not weeping for his father, although she was making a show of it for the court.

Lord Corlys didn't even try to feign sadness. Perhaps the only ones genuinely sad were Daelon's children. Although they rarely saw their grandfather, he was kind and generous towards them. The children clung to him, thinking he needed comfort, and Dailon couldn't help but smile. His children were so lovely. It was a shame that he didn't miss his father. Not at all. 

 — Children, I need to leave for a short while. I need to give an order to Syrax.

And they obediently took a few steps back. 

Looking at his loyal Syrax, his second soul, he calmly gave her an order.

— Drakarys.

 And she lit a bonfire. 

"Farewell father. Farewell King Viserys. I hope you will not find peace in the realm of Balerion."

 For the man who caused the problems does not deserve peace. After the funeral, Daelon ordered the portrait of his father to be moved to the farthest part of the castle, next to the portrait of Maegor Targaryen, which was covered with a cloth. The portraits of his mother were returned from Dragonstone and placed back in their original locations. 

— You're finally home again, mom. — he turned to the portrait of his mother, in which she was depicted sitting in the garden.

Just like him. And he had a lot to do. A coronation, the appointment of new people to empty seats on his small council, a feast, and then business and more business. 

The king is dead, long live the king.

Chapter Text

King Daelon I Targaryen did not resemble his father, the late King Viserys I, known as the "Peacemaker." It was not just a matter of appearance, as one might initially assume. No, he had the typical Targaryen features of silver-gold hair tied in a low ponytail and purple eyes. According to the records of Septon Eustace, he differed from his predecessor in terms of his character. He stood firm on his decision, he listened, but he did not allow his uncle's right hand to rule in his stead, as his late father had done, who had allowed Otto Hightower's right hand to do much during his lifetime. Even too much.

Where King Viserys would have remained silent or closed his eyes, his son King Daelon would have responded decisively. And he didn't shy away from shedding blood if there was no other way out.

— He's more like his uncle the Vicious Prince Daemon. I wonder if it's just uncle's influence or much more? 

The fool Gribbok claimed that Prince Daemon could very well be the biological father of King Daеlon. But Septa Eustace firmly rejected this theory, remembering the character of the late Queen Aemma Arryn.

 — She was a devout and quiet woman. She knew her duty and would never betray her vows.

But the fact remained. King Daelon looked more like his uncle than his father. And many people were afraid of that. Queen Consort Alicent Hightower, who had been imprisoned for plotting against the heir, often shouted from her window that the current king was like Maegor and would kill all her children if she wasn't released. 

However, everyone knew that this was nonsense. Despite his cruelty and indifference towards his father's children from his second marriage, King Daelon did not want to be a murderer of his own relatives. 

Septon Eustace quotes the king's phrase.

 — To be a murderer of one's own kin is the gravest sin, one cannot wash it off even after death.

All of the late King Viserys's children by his second wife were alive and well. Prince Aegon Targaryen lived a peaceful life with his wife, Lady Clarissa Velaryon, and had three legitimate children: twins, a boy and a girl, as well as another son and five illegitimate children. He died after falling down a steep staircase. There were rumors that his wife, who was tired of his infidelities and excessive drinking, was responsible for his death. However, there was no evidence to support these claims. Princess Helaеnа Targaryen, who became a septa after her older brother's coronation, spent her entire life in Oldtown serving the Faith. She lived longer than all her siblings.

Prince Aemond Targaryen, the "Rebel," was married to Lady Alysanna Manderly, but they did not have any children together. According to the archmaesters of House Manderly, the couple did not get along well. Aemond, who was angry with his older brother for denying him a dragon, attempted to overthrow the throne, but none of the other lords supported him. As a result, he was exiled to the Night's Watch. Additionally, according to Gribbock, Aemond was castrated. No one knew if it was true or not.

As for Prince Daeron, the youngest son of King Viserys, he was the only one of his brothers who managed to fall in love with his wife, Lady Elinda Massеу, and live a peaceful life with her, having five children. Unfortunately, he died early due to illness.

Despite what Alicent Hightower, known as the "Queen in Chains," claimed, all of her children were alive.

Under King Daelon I, there was peace and order in the kingdom and within his family. He passed away at the age of 48. The cause of death is unknown. However, Gribbok writes the following: 

 — The king drank the poison himself. I heard him calling out to his late mother, Queen Aemma Arryn.

No one knew if it was true or a joke, but King Daelon's body was burned by Prince Jacaerys' dragon, as per the traditions of House Targaryen.