Chapter I

To protect the Queen was something entirely different. The Queensguard as they were known since the coronation of the new queen. Queen Rhaenyra, first of her name, daughter of King Viserys I.

Aemond did not mean to fall into the queen's service but he did. He had begun service immediately as a younger man and now, he was protecting the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. It was a modern day monarchy that was still standing. The Iron throne was no longer fought over, not when everyone had large corporate companies and fresh businesses.

His mother, Alicent Hightower, raised them by herself, having four children while working hard at her father's company, Hightower enterprises. Otto Hightower was planning to have his eldest son take over but that son suffered injuries that caused an early death. Mother never talks about her family really, only mentioning Grandfather in a positive light.

He was watching the Queen, part of the security detail since he graduated a few years back from university.

Aemond had the same hair coloring as his mother with her green eyes. All of them had her looks, making them look all identical to Alicent. They were more beautiful before he lost an eye as a child.

His job was to watch the young princes of Queen Rhaenyra and her king consort, Daemon. Prince Jacaerys and Prince Lucerys were both mischievous and he despised Lucerys the most. An alpha that lived mostly with his grandparents, the Velaryons, on their island.

But he was cunning and rude, with his white blonde hair and violet eyes. Was always seen by paparazzi with his cousin and best friend, Rhaena Velaryon. Which meant that Aemond had to follow him everywhere, watching the prince carefully. It was hard since the prince attempted to run away from his security detail a lot.

Today was no exception, as Aemond kept to the shadows and watched every person passing. The prince was getting coffee with another friend at the moment. Aemond kept to his normal outfit. A crisp black suit with a nice tie and cleaned pressed white shirt.

"My mother won't let me go out anymore because of one thing I did three years ago! I mean honestly! I'm a grown man, an alpha nonetheless!"

It's days like this that really make Aemond want to kill someone. The nonstop complaining that he has to hear numerous times throughout the day.

Lucerys stands, letting the guards know he was ready to leave now. Aemond signals his partner and they leave first, followed by two more. The prince stays in the middle, surrounded by all of them. The omega guard watches his employer get into the car safely. It was a good start to the day, no attacks from flashing cameras yet. They were now heading back to King's Landing, as the Queen requested to see her son.

When the prince goes out, he has more guards but when he is home, Aemond is his only security detail.

"See you later, Hightower, good luck with the prince!" Sir Cristian Cole, a security guard that personally escorts the Queen, was also assigned to watch her son when he could. He is on duty the moment Aemond's shift ends.

Aemond stays twelve feet away from the prince, a rule that Lucerys put in himself.

Lucerys walks through the halls of the Red Keep, beaming happily as he sees footmen and maids pass by. He knew them all since childhood. Aemond simply stays quiet, watching for any threats in the Keep. They walk until they finally come into the room where the Queen's council is. Queen Rhaenyra sits at the head of the table, chatting with her councilmen and women. She smiles though, seeing her son enter.

"We will pick this back up later, thank you."

The Queen gets up from her chair, smiling at her second born son with pride and adoration. "My sweet boy, it is always lovely to see you." Despite having a meeting only mere moments ago, she did not seem to care. Aemond rolls his eye.

"Apologies mother, for no warning. I thought I could catch you for a moment before your next meeting."

"Of course, sweet one. Your older brother told me earlier this morning."

"I told Jace not to. I've decided this year that I want to marry, it's about time I should."

There's a silence of shock as Rhaenyra meets her son's eyes for certainty. Both her first and second children could be quite playful when they wanted to be. Something both boys inherited from their step-father, Daemon. But it was clear Lucerys was serious for a change. It made the Queen realize that her sons were growing up now. Sighing, she takes her boy's hands in hers, smiling softly.

"My dear boy, you do not have to decide this now. Think on it before you arrange anything. Or at least meet some people before you are sure. Your father and I do not wish to pressure you. You are still young, my sweet boy."

Aemond watches the two interact, it's a soft sight to see since it's so rare. The public never see things like this.

"Mother, it is time. I'm doing this because I have a duty, to you and to Grandfather. I am to one day be lord of Driftmark. I need to find an omega that is strong and fit for the role."

"I know, my love, but still, you have some time to wait. But if this is what you want, then I shall accept it."

Once again, all was well in the happy kingdom of Queen of Rhaenyra.

——~𝓛𝓸𝓿𝓮~~——

After a long day at the Keep, Aemond is finally able to drive home, leaving around ten. When he does arrive, it's to Aegon screaming karaoke and Helaena playing with her pet chameleon, Jahaera. Alicent is at the countertop, doing some work on her laptop. Aemond had to admire his mother for being able to work as her eldest son was loud and annoying. He was also so off-key.

"Aemond! You're home brother!" Helaena smiles, scurrying to see her brother. Her chameleon waves her heart-shaped little hand in an attempt to wave at Aemond. He pets the chameleon gently as Helaena hugs him tightly.

"Helaena, make sure Jahaera is fed before dinner."

"Yes, Mama."

Out of her four children, the only child to likely follow Alicent was Daeron. Aegon had his own wine vineyards, a successful business surprisingly. Helaena had her own line of clothes, always going somewhere to promote her clothes. Daeron was the only one still in university, being a business major like his mother.

"How was your day, Aemond?"

"Uneventful as usual. Prince Lucerys has finally decided to get married."

Alicent looks up from her laptop with a raised brow, a questioning look crossing her face. "Really? Isn't he only twenty-six? That is still young for marriage. Rhaenyra must've pushed him."

"No, it was his own decision, Mother. He wants to marry this year apparently."

"And who is the lucky omega then? Rhaena Velaryon?"

"No, Mother. Besides, they are best friends and cousins. He did not specify, only that he wants to marry. I think he's just doing it to get the Queen off his back if he doesn't marry by the next two years."

Aegon and Helaena sit at the dinner table as Alicent closes her laptop and stands up, looking in the refrigerator for food. They usually have their chef, Larys Strong, do the cooking but the man was on vacation.

It would be an informal dinner today as Grandfather could not come. Alicent was a great cook though, getting some ravioli to make. Aemond relaxes as he goes to his room, changing into comfortable clothes for the night. The smell of freshly cooked food follows through the house.

"Rhaenyra loves her children but she can be quite pushy sometimes. But perhaps the prince really wants to do this on his own terms."

Alicent was still friends with the new Queen, meeting weekly over some coffee or at a tea parlor. They had been friends since childhood.

"Aemond, you should put yourself on the list of contenders. You'd be a good lady of the tides." Aegon says it in a teasing manner, smirking at his baby brother. Alicent rolls her eyes, shoving some food onto his plate to silence him.

"Prince Lucerys will need a good omega from a good family. Someone from one of the royal houses."

"Wasn't Grandfather the Hand to the king at one point?"

"That was long ago, child, before your time. But yes, he was until King Viserys did not want him anymore."

"Is that not enough for Aemond to be considered then? Good family name and good fortune."

Aemond grumpily eats the rest of his dinner as his brother and mother discuss the possibility of him marrying the prince. He would rather die than have to fuck that blonde bastard. Aemond didn't even want to marry, he still had so many things he wanted to do.

——~~𝓛𝓸𝓿𝓮~~——

"I must say, we should do this more often, Alicent. I do enjoy having some tea and being away from my duties as queen."

"Hmm, indeed, Rhaenyra. I remember when we were in high school, we were a pair."

"I will never forget giving your father almost a heart attack when we snuck out from the palace to a party in the Free Cities for the weekend."

"A sight to behold! Or Viserys almost dying from shock when you started dating Harwin Strong before he joined the kingsguard."

The two women laugh, remembering their youth fondly. They were troublemakers for their fathers but it was fun. It was before Rhaenyra had to take on the duties of her father and Alicent going to university to get a business degree. It was before the children were born and they got extremely busy with their lives.

But now they were both mothers, and powerful business women, prepared by their fathers to take on their roles one day. Rhaenyra admired her best friend so much for having four children and balancing her work schedule. Alicent felt the same with Rhaenyra, applauding her for having five children and being a queen.

"I hear that Lucerys wants to marry this year, is that right?"

"Ah yes, I am guessing Aemond might've mentioned something?"

Alicent chuckles, sipping on her tea as she hums her response. "You know Aemond, always keeping to himself, only telling his mother the best gossip."

"Lucerys does want to marry but to whom, I do not know yet. I told him to compile a list of potential people that could be his betrothed. I feel as though Jacaerys might've pressured him into this."

"Well, we both know your eldest son is all about duty. It would not surprise me in the least bit."

"The thing is, I don't even know if I am ready to have a daughter or son-in-law yet. I still feel so young despite everything. Jacaerys has not even had any children yet, and I don't know if I am ready to be a grandmother just yet."

"Have you spoken to Daemon about this?" Alicent takes her best friend's hand in hers, looking at Rhaenyra with worry. Age is something Rhaenyra hates, denying the fact that she could be so old when she really wasn't. She could have more children if she wanted to but Alicent had a feeling that was not a factor in this.

"Daemon tells me that I should not fret so much about this. But the boys are growing up, they graduated university and they have their own lives too. I know I still have Joffrey, Aegon, and Viserys and Visenya but still. Jacaerys is my heir and he will take the throne one day and Lucerys is to be Lord of Driftmark too."

"You wish they were still babies, don't you?"

"Of course I do! I remember when it was just the boys and myself before Daemon, living on Dragonstone. Going to the beach and spending almost the whole day there. Seeing my cousin, Laena and her children too."

Rhaenyra sighs, slumping slightly as she thinks back on the memories of her boys being children. Jacaerys' first steps and Lucerys teething. When her husband, Laenor, died, it was just her and the boys until Daemon had come to King's Landing. But nowadays, she had to send her people to hunt down her sons, as they were all over the place. Joffrey was still in school, Aegon and Viserys were learning to read and write, and Visenya just had her fourth birthday.

"I would say having another baby might be good for you but I don't think you want that. You may just be feeling this way since Lucerys wants to marry now."

"I was younger than Lucerys when I got married. My father was just finding out he had cancer and Laenor and I just had Jacaerys. I remember when the public media freaked out over Jacaerys not looking a thing like me or Laenor."

Rhaenyra chuckles, wiping a tear from her eye as it threatens to run down her cheek. She drinks some more of her tea, hoping it would calm her nerves a bit. Alicent smiles, understanding how Rhaenyra felt about all this. "I distinctly remember the media debating whether it was Sir Criston or Sir Harwin that was father of Jacaerys. My father was so angry about it, trying to kill all the rumors."

"Yes until Jacaerys' hair finally started turning lighter to his now white-blonde hair. I don't think anyone even remembers what he looked like as a child if there were no photos." Rhaenyra says, sniffling a bit.

"If I could, this is an official proposal I have, as this is official business."

"Oh?" Rhaenyra sips on her tea as she watches Alicent say her next few words.

"Your grace, I would like to put forward my son's hand, Aemond Hightower, for your son, prince Lucerys. I believe they would make a good match."

"I do remember you saying in our youth that if we ever had children, they could marry each other and become best friends. Are you going back on that now?"

"Yes, your grace. I believe that Aemond could learn the duties of being Lady of Driftmark and rule alongside Lucerys one day."

"Is he up for the challenge? Being a public figure is no easy task, Ms. Hightower."

"Yes."