Chapter Text
"Brother, had you forgotten that the purpose of coming to Kings Landing is to get familiar with your intended?" Daemon asked while polishing the Dark Sister.
"I have not forgotten." Racaillo huffed.
"So, why the hell do you spend more time with me than with your future wife? It's not me who you were going to marry, Raca; I love you, but I would never marry you, you know that, right?"
Racaillo shoots a nasty glare at Daemon.
Daemon laughed; he put the Dark Sister on his lap, "Then why? Enlighten me."
Racaillo sighs, "I'm tired of my future wife's attempt to set me up with her brother, who seems eager to drag me to his chamber!"
Daemon's eyes widened in surprise. "Again?!" He asked and immediately burst into a laughing fit.
"It's not funny, Daemon!" Racaillo snarl.
"It's!" Daemon said between wheezes; he knew how unbending Racaillo was, especially after their teenage adventures 'gone horribly wrong'. "I still have no idea how you managed to charm every single pillow bitter that crossed your path."
"It's a curse!"
"You just don't know how to enjoy it properly!"
"I'm not going to stick my prick on any asshole ever again! I still hate myself for agreeing with your stupid idea! Mark my word, Daemon, I, Racaillo Antaryon, would never bed another man again even if my life depended on it!"
"Gods! Are you still traumatized by that?! Oh, poor Raca, drunk and covered in shit." Daemon can't help but laugh so hard when he recalled the unfortunate events when Racaillo agreed to broaden his 'horizon'. When Racaillo finished and pulled out, not only his seed that leaked out his partner's arse but the whole other stuff followed through like a broken dam covering almost half of his lower body.
Daemon cannot forget how loud Raca screamed in horror that night; poor sod spent the whole night just bathing, scrubbing his skin until tender and raw while keeping repeating he wouldn't ever bed any man again between his colorful curses.
He learned a valuable lesson that choosing inexperienced partners and skipping all the preparation steps is a huge mistake; he learned his lesson, all thanks to Raca.
"Laugh all you want, Prat." Racaillo rolled his eyes.
Daemon dramatically wiped tears from the tail of his eyes, "Laenor is an expert lover; I guarantee you that there will be no accident if you want to try again—"
“No!” Racaillo screamed.
Daemon snorted in amusement, " Well since you are not going to take Laenor with you to Essos, I shall proceed with my plan. "
Racaillo raised his eyebrow. " What would you do? "
"I'm going to make sure Laenor won't be able to sire any children," Daemon said so sweetly.
"Daemon…"
" You know I'm more than capable of ending that boy's life without even needing to lift a finger. " Daemon shrugs nonchalantly.
" That boy is not a threat, Daemon. He is not even capable of bedding a woman, and I also think he doesn't have the guts to start a Rebellion. "
" He may not, but his father and uncle are more than capable of doing so, and don't you forget that boy is a Dragon Rider; he would always be a threat as long as he breathed."
"You don't have gone that far by ending that poor boy's family line. Isn't he your blood?"
"Maegor was family! A blood, and look what he did to our family!?" Daemon hissed, " I will not rest until I end Velayron's Dragon Lord's bloodline. Seahorses were never meant to roam in the sky."
"You're mental." Racaillo huffed.
"And you love me nonetheless."
"That I do."
Daemon smiled, and he resumed to polish Dark Sister.
Daemon pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed loudly; never, even in his wildest dream, had he expected something like this to happen. Exactly not after drinking all night with Racaillo, Steffon, and his Gold Cloaks.
The room is full of shouting, accusations, denying, and many more noises that keep Daemon's head pounding wildly.
" Prepare proper burial for fallen one, then for the injured," Daemon sighs , "Do make them as comfortable as you can. I'll arrange compensation for the family as soon as possible." He told the head of Dragon Keeper.
" Yes, my prince." The old man bowed to Daemon and then silently left the chaotic, small council room.
"How bad?" Viserys asked.
"Laenor was injured quite badly; the Healer already sent to tend him, and for the Dragon keeper, one died, and two were injured badly, and looks like the injured one won't make it," Daemon told Viserys.
"so much chaos in such a short amount of time," Viserys sighed deeply.
Daemon put his hand on Viserys' shoulder, " You cannot let this slide, brother. "
" I know, but we more likely suffer more loss if we punish Laena accordingly; not only we would once more have strained relationships with the Velaryon, but the scandal would also give the Braavos' Magistrate reason to demand unreasonable compensation or even wage war on us. " Viserys sighed again.
Daemon rubs his thumb over Dark Sister's hilt while watching in silence how Lyonel and old Beesbury are trying to have a level-headed conversation with Corlys, who kept spluttering nonsense after nonsense to keep her daughter away from the execution ground.
"My daughter shouldn't be punished! She just claimed what was rightfully hers!" Corlys yelled.
Daemon barks a laugh, which startled everyone within the room, "Rightfully hers?! Ha!"
"My daughter Laena is the blood of old Valyria, daughter of Rhaenys Targaryen! Granddaughter of Aemon Targaryen! She had every right to claim a dragon just like Princess Rhaenyra and her mother, Rhaenys!" Corlys spat.
Daemon shook his head in amusement, "Being granddaughter of Aemon Targaryen and Daughter of Rhaenys Targaryen wouldn't suddenly grow wings on a Seahorse, Corlys."
Collective gasps filled the room.
"How dare you!" Corlys shouted once he regained his composure after the backlash.
"How dare I?" Daemon scoffed, "How dare YOU, Corlys of House Velaryon, Lord of the Tides and Master of Driftmark, take part in great crime against the throne! Have you already forgotten your oath to be faithful to your King? Didn't you pledge fealty to Viserys and shall defend him against all enemies in good faith and without deceit? Did all merely just meaningless words?"
Corlys slumped to his chair; he looked pale as a sheet.
"You are well aware of how much destruction your precious daughter almost brings upon us all! Lady Laena not only tried to steal a dragon with the intent to break her betrothal with Sealord Antaryon. She blackmailed her own brother, Sir Laenor, to fly her to the Dragonstone, resisting arrest, resulting in one Dragon keeper being killed and two being badly injured and most likely not surviving. On top of that, You! Lord of House Velaryon, instead of turning your daughter in, you tried to bribe the dragon keepers in order to keep the incident secret. You should thank the Gods that my brother was the one who currently sat on the iron throne; if it were my grandfather, the old King, you and your daughter would be executed without question asked!"
Viserys cleared his throat to break the choking silence that was created by Daemon, "As Daemon said, I'm not my Grandfather; I honestly believe that we would suffer more losses than gain anything by punishing Lady Laena."
Hearing that, colors quickly went back to Corlys's face.
"However, as King, I cannot just let Lady Laena go unpunished because It would only make people think it's fine to steal from the crown." Viserys sighs.
"May I suggest something, your grace?" Lyonel asked.
"You may."
"I believe exile minimum of five and a maximum of ten years would be suitable punishment for Lady Laena."
"You can't!" Corlys protested, "Without support from the crown, my daughter would be chewed alive by Braavos' court!"
Daemon sighs, "That whole point of punishment, Corlys. Someone needs to teach your daughter that every action has its own consequences since you seem to have failed miserably on it."
"Your grace, please."
Viserys started to look visibly annoyed, "Can you see that I already tried to help you enough regarding this situation as fellow fathers who love their daughter dearly?" Viserys clicked his tongue in displeasure, "I suggest you just accept the judgment before I start thinking that you are not appreciating any of my efforts, my friend."
Corlys bit back all the words he was going to utter to defend Laena there; he looked resigned and defeated, knowing too well that there was nothing he could do to change the event.
"Look how she sabotaged herself, from the most influential and noblest lady in the court, only second to me, into a worthless exile with a farce wedding ceremony," Rhaenyra giggled, "Even a low-rank lady would have a more proper wedding than this." She said while hiding her satisfied smile behind the rim of her goblet.
" Savour all her sorrow, Rhaenyra ; you won't be going to see her face again, most likely for another decade, " Daemon smirked.
"Keep it down, would you two?" Viserys hushed both Rhaenyra and Daemon.
"Oh come on, brother, It's not like the two of us were the only ones talking shit about that Witch in this banquet," Daemon laughed.
"And don't forget she deserves every scorn and humiliation," Rhaenyra added.
"I understand, but you two didn't need to discuss it so openly." Viserys hissed.
Rhaenyra gives Visery a look, then walks away from Viserys to talk with Laenor and Rhaenys on another side of the banquet hall.
"You should let Rhaenyra have her fun, brother." Daemon chuckle.
Viserys rolled his eyes at Daemon, "How about Laenor?" he asked while looking at the boy who sat in a wheelchair.
"Physically, he's well, but mentally, it's hard to determine; the healer and master had done everything they could, but his leg cannot be fixed," Daemon said grimly. "He would never be able to attend melee tourney ever again."
"Poor boy, crippled for life because of his Sister's recklessness." Viserys gives a wry look at the boy; it's unsettling to see Laenor, who is always full of life, become nothing but a lifeless doll.
"Anyway, Daemon, are you sure Sealord Antaryon is fine with Laena's new status?" Viserys asked next.
"I have talked with him; he said it's fine; Laena being exiled from the court doesn't change the fact that she's a precious daughter of Corlys fucking Velaryon, and it will still stop Braavosi Magistrates from shoving their daughter on His face."
Viserys let out a sigh of relief, "At least something good to hear after such chaos."
After Laena is shipped to Braavos and the court is back to normal, Daemon decides it is time to proceed with the tour.
"I entrusted my brother to you, Harrold," Daemon told the commander of Kingsguard.
"Of Course, my prince." The man answered.
"I meant it, Harrold; if I'm back for the tour and somehow my idiot brother reconciles with the queen and pops out another halfbreed abomination or, even worse, married to some unworthy minor lord's daughter, I'll flay you alive, myself."
The old knight smiled fondly at him, "I'll guard the King with my life, my prince. I'll also double the guard on Queen's tower."
"Good… Here's another thing: I assigned Balon to keep my brother entertained. Don't deny his access to my brother's private apartment; you can trust him, but only he, no one else,"
Harrold nodded, "I understand, my prince."
Daemon moves to the Cargyll twins next, "Erryk, Arryk, take care of the babies, make sure those two stay away from Dragon Pit, especially their crazy mother."
"Yes, my prince!"
"Remember, those babies are only half Targaryen; they're not better than any dragon seed out there who became dragon snacks when they tried to tame a dragon." Daemon lied; he knew for sure that Dragon Seed or any Targaryen Halfbreed could tame a dragon; they only lacked training by Dragon Keeper and never familiarised themselves with the Dragons. "It's not like I care if those babies die, but their deaths will definitely sadden my brother greatly, and I don't like seeing my brother sad, so you need to take great care of them, am I understood?"
"We understand, my prince." Answered both twins simultaneously.
"Good," Daemon hummed, "Luthor, I don't want to hear any reports of any Gold Cloaks abusing their power while I'm away; keep my brother's city safe, and finally, refrain yourself from fighting with Balon."
"Yes, My prince." Luthor pursued his lower lips.
Last, Daemon goes to Balon; he drapes his arm around the man's shoulder and talks to him with a hushed voice, "Balon, if any woman you brought to entertain my brother causes any trouble like court gossip, disease or worst, a bastard child, I will hang you by your balls when I come back,"
"Don't worry, my prince; I'll only bring the best goods for the king; I'll also drown those women in moon tea with my own hand if I have to."
Daemon pat Balon's shoulder; he knew he could trust the man with this delicate job.
Daemon looked at all the knights; he thought he had done everything to prevent Viserys from doing stupid shit while he was away; he hoped his efforts were enough.
"Do behave, and please finish your tour this time," Viserys told Rhaenyra.
Rhaenyra smiled, "Of course, Father, I will finish this tour, and I promise you I will secure the best marriage contract for Helaena,"
Viserys returned the smile as he patted imaginary dust off Rhaenyra's shoulder, "Don't catch a cold. Are you bringing enough fur to keep you warm? I heard the wind in the north was really cruel."
"I'll be a fine father, don't worry. White Harbor is not as cold as Winterfell, and it will be mid-summer when I arrive there."
Viserys squeezed Rhaenyra's hand gently, "How could I not worry? You're my firstborn, my precious daughter."
Daemon couldn't help but smile when he saw how happy Rhaenyra was hearing Viserys' words; he squeezed Viserys' shoulder gently, "The ship is ready to sail."
Viserys nodded sadly.
"Aww, don't make that face, father. We will be back soon," Rhaenyra smiled.
Viserys pulled a small smile and nodded.
"You stay away from those Masters, Don't forget to check your wound with the healer, eat your goddamn Vegetable, and don't skip your morning stroll!" Daemon told Viserys.
Viserys rolled his eyes, "Yes, mother."
Daemon huffed, "Harrold ensures my brother doesn't gain weight while I'm away."
"Oy!" Viserys protested.
Daemon pat Viserys' soft belly, "for your own good."
Viserys immediately slapped Daemon's hand away from his belly, "Rude!"
Daemon snorted, "See you soon, Brother."