Chapter 2: Union of Targaryen and Royce

Daemon Targaryen strode through the grand halls of the Red Keep, his footsteps echoing against the stone walls. As he passed by ornate tapestries and gilded furnishings, his mind was preoccupied with thoughts of what he wanted to do today. 

Suddenly, a familiar voice called out to him from behind. "Daemon, my dear boy, where do you think you're going?"

Daemon turned to see his mother, Daella Targaryen, approaching with a regal grace. Her silver hair cascaded down her back, and her violet eyes held a steely glint that brooked no argument.

"I was just heading to the training grounds, mother." Daemon replied, trying to keep his tone casual.

Daella raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a knowing smile. "Oh, please. I know you better than that, Daemon. You were heading to that whore house in King's Landing, weren't you?"

"I wasn't planning to go there mother," protested Damien. 

Daella didn't say anything. She kept her disapproving expression on her face. Daemon relented with a resigned sigh. Despite his reservations, he knew better than to defy his mother's wishes, especially on matters of family and duty.

"Mother, why was I married to that bronze bitch. She~"

"Daemon!" scolded Daella," She is your wife. You have been wedded to her for one year now. And how many grandchildren do I have to count?"

"You have Rhaenyra as your granddaughter," replied Daemon.

"Yes, from your Viserys, I'm asking about you. Have you ever seen her after your marriage?" asked Daella.

"I suppose I haven't," he admitted reluctantly.

Daella's smile widened as she reached out to grasp his ear firmly between her fingers. "Then what are you waiting for? Off you go."

Daemon winced as she tugged on his ear, a gesture that he had not felt since he was a boy. "Mother, please. I'm not a kid anymore." he protested, trying to free himself from her grip.

"Then behave like a man, and don't come back until you have sired a child." Daella let go of his ear and walked away. 

Daemon rubbed his red ears firmly, easing the blood flow through the cartilage. "You should really listen to Mother." A familiar voice came closer to him.

"Viserys, my dear brother. Shouldn't you be at the Small Counsel now?" Daemon asked the silver-haired figure.

"It finished quickly. Great Grandfather retired to his chambers early today." said Viserys," But Mother is right. You should head to Vale and spend time with your wife."

Daemon rolled his eyes," Not everyone is happily married like you and Aemma, brother. I can't get her pregnant thrice like you have."

"Why? Performance issues," Viserys jested.

"As if! You and I have frequented all the brothels of King's Landing several times. I can perform even better than you." 

"Shh!" Viserys stopped him. 

Daemon snorted, "Aemma already knows brother. You shouldn't be scared of your wife."

"I left all of that behind when I married her Daemon. Just like you should have. A harmonious marriage can bring stability and strength to our house." said Viserys.

"Fine!!! If it gets all of you to shut up, I'll visit that bronze bitch and 'try'." Daemon spoke sarcastically and headed to Dragonpit for his dragon, Caraxes.

[Runestone, The Vale]

Caraxes let out a bloody screech as he landed in front of the castle, scaring the wary soldiers that guard the walls of Runestone. Daemon Targaryen jumped off of Caraxes back, fully wearing the Targaryen red and black robes, with a quiet smirk on his face.

On the opposite side, a woman walked through the gate of Runestone, wearing a runed bronze armor. She had a displeased expression when she saw the red dragon that landed on the land, and an even darker face when she saw whose dragon it belonged to.

Besides her, her loyal knight sworn to her protection, Sir William, accompanied her along with a dozen more guards. 

"My dear wife," Daemon said with an exaggerated false smile on his face." How have you been in Runestone."

"Better, without your company," said Rhea Royce.

"Where is my Father-In-Law?" Asked Daemon," I believe it's protocol for the lord of the castle to come out when a Targaryen Prince visits."

"I apologize in the place of my father, Lord Yorbert, but his health has deterioated recently." said Rhea.

"Is that so? How goes the succession for Runestone?" asked Daemon.

"Forgive me, Prince Daemon, but I believe that the issues of succession belong to Runestone's internal affairs. It does not concern the Prince." said Rhea.

"Oh come on. In the eyes of the outside world, we are husband and wife. Can't I care for my wife's affairs."

Rhea coldly responded, "I am the heiress to Yorbert Royce. The advisors don't have any reasons to oppose my succession."

"As a heiress, they may agree, but you have one fatal flaw. You have no successors, while your younger brother already was betrothed. Who knows, he might have a child when the battle for succession begins." said Daemon while grinning.

"If someone wasn't so incompetent that night, I might have sired a child by now." mocked Rhea.

Daemon's smile dropped when he heard it. As he walked towards Rhea, the guards behind her grew more anxious. Daemon placed his hand on the hilt of the Dark Sister. When Daemon stood just right in front of Rhea, he grabbed her face, forcing her to stare at his violet eyes.

Rhea looked unimpressed, instead, she spat on Daemon, making him release the grip on his face. After he wiped the saliva on his face, he unsheathed the Dark Sister, and pointed the Valyrian sword at her.

The guards behind her unsheated their weapons, but Rhea seemed unimpressed.

"You can't kill me, 'dear' husband." said Rhea, venom laced in her words.

"You precocious bronze bitch" Daemon visciously spoke, mocking her bronze chestplate.

"So what brings you to Runestone then? Did you come all the way here just to mock me?"

"I came here because my mother demanded that I do so!" said Daemon. "As husband and wife, she told me not to come back without a child."

"Are you sure you're up to the task?" she asked him.

Daemon looked at her up and down, seemingly checking her out. "Let us just consummate the marriage and be done with it. If you can't give me a child in a month or two, I will just say that your fault."

"You sound confident that you can impregnate me." said Rhea.

"Will you take it or not?"

"Then lets head to the castle." Rhea gestured towards the town. She glared at the dragon,"What about the blood worn?"

"Caraxes will be fine. He won't hunt any humans as long as you keep him fed."

Ser William just stood there confused at the whole spectacle. He sighed,"I'm glad I wasn't born a noble."