The Shifting

As Aerys and Corlys moved down the dimly lit corridor, the heavy silence was punctuated only by the echoes of their footsteps. The tension from the recent confrontation still lingered in the air.

"Are you certain, Corlys?" Aerys asked, glancing at the older man. "About the plan to keep Laenor hidden?"

Corlys's expression remained stern, but his voice softened slightly. "It's not a plan I relish. But Rhaenys is right. If the word gets out that Laenor is alive, it could cause chaos. And with Daemon's unpredictable nature, we need to ensure his safety first."

Aerys nodded, though his brow furrowed with concern. "And if the truth comes out before we're ready? What then?"

"We deal with it as it comes," Corlys replied grimly. "But for now, we must protect what's left of our family's honor and ensure that Laenor's safety is paramount."

As they reached the library, the door creaked open, revealing Baela waiting anxiously by the entrance. Her face was pale, a stark contrast to the vibrant young woman who had been teasing Aerys earlier.

"Are you alright?" Baela asked, her voice trembling slightly as she saw Aerys's disheveled state.

"I'm fine," Aerys reassured her, offering a wry smile. "Just had a bit of an encounter with Uncle Daemon."

Baela's eyes widened in concern. "Did he hurt you badly?"

"Just a bit shaken," Aerys replied, rubbing his neck where Daemon had grabbed him. "But nothing I can't handle."

As Corlys and Baela moved to support Aerys, the door swung open again. Rhaenyra entered, her expression a mix of frustration and determination.

"Aerys," she said, her tone more controlled than earlier. "I owe you an apology for my reaction."

Aerys raised an eyebrow. "An apology?"

"Yes," Rhaenyra said, nodding. "You crossed a line, and I let my anger get the better of me. I should have handled the situation with more restraint."

"You're not the only one with a temper," Aerys said with a chuckle, though it was clear the humor didn't reach his eyes. "But I appreciate it."

Rhaenyra's gaze softened as she looked at him. "We're all under a great deal of strain right now. The loss of Laenor, the uncertainty… it's affecting us all."

Baela stepped closer to her sister. "Are you certain you're alright? You seemed so… distant earlier."

Rhaenyra sighed. "It's hard to reconcile everything that's happening. I'm expected to mourn my husband while trying to keep our family together. It's exhausting."

Corlys put a hand on her shoulder. "We all have our burdens. But we must find a way to move forward. We can't afford to let our emotions tear us apart."

The conversation was interrupted by the arrival of a servant with a message. The servant bowed deeply before speaking. "My lord, my lady, there is word from the gatehouse. An emissary from the Red Keep requests an audience."

Corlys's eyes narrowed. "The Red Keep? What could they want now?"

Rhaenyra took the message and read it quickly. Her face paled as she finished. "It's from King Viserys. He demands to know why the funeral for Laenor was not held as scheduled and requests an explanation for the recent events."

Aerys's eyes widened. "Viserys is coming here?"

"It seems so," Rhaenyra confirmed, her voice tight. "We need to prepare ourselves for his arrival. If he learns that Laenor is still alive, we'll face more than just Daemon's wrath."

Baela's eyes darted between her father and sister. "What should we do?"

Corlys took a deep breath. "We need to act swiftly. Prepare the castle as if we are hosting a grand feast, but keep Laenor hidden. We'll need to craft a convincing story for the King and handle this delicately."

Aerys nodded in agreement. "And while we're at it, let's ensure Daemon is kept away from the King's visit. His temper could ruin everything."

As they all hurried to execute their new plan, Aerys couldn't help but feel a pang of uncertainty. The shifting alliances and hidden truths were becoming a tangled web, and he wondered how long they could maintain their delicate balance before everything unraveled.