-Chapter 57-

-Chapter 57-

-POV Alicent Hightower-

Prince Aemon nodded, granting me that point, before asking me in a calmer tone:

"And what is your offer for such an alliance between us?"

"I've thought about it, and I believe that only a blood-forged alliance is the right way to seal this agreement. What do you think?" I said, trying to gauge him.

"Specifically, what are you offering me?" he said, impatient, as I had dodged his question.

I took a deep breath, feeling that I had him in my grasp, and said, raising my chin slightly:

"The House of Hightower and the House of Royce will combine their forces to destroy the grip that House Velaryon has on trade in the Narrow Sea..."

"Wait, forgive me for interrupting so suddenly, your Grace," he said, without any apparent respect. "But what makes you think I'd need you if I were to face House Velaryon? Why do you even think I'd have to?"

I frowned and said to Aemon, "Believe me, Corlys Velaryon's pride knows no bounds. With the way you spoke to him during the tournament, he will make you pay for that insult."

"I'm his son-in-law and a prince of House Targaryen," said Prince Aemon, underestimating the danger of House Velaryon.

'As well as the level of pride that the lord of that house has,' I thought, silently pitying the repercussions that would soon fall on him and his house.

I brushed aside the topic of an economic war, saving it for later when he would fully understand the threat Corlys Velaryon posed, and continued, saying:

"Nevertheless, House Royce has many young women of marriageable age. Given that my elder brother's wife passed away nearly three years ago and he has not yet remarried, I'm sure we could unite him with one of your cousins, don't you think?"

"Is that all you have to offer?" he said, disappointed by the proposal, and I inwardly rolled my eyes, cursing the impatience he shared with his accursed father.

I gathered all the frustration I felt in order not to jeopardize my chances of bringing him to my side before making my final offer:

"My eldest, Aegon, already has seven days of his name. I'm willing to place him at Runestone until his majority, provided he spends half the year in the capital with me."

"Hmm, that's better," he said, making my heart leap with hope that he would accept, but he added, narrowing his eyes, "What do you want me to do in exchange?"

'Here comes the hard part,' I thought.

I said, using all the authority I could muster:

"I want you to have the King's Hand removed from his post, as well as the Commander of the City Watch, and replace them with my father and my elder brother."

I imagined that the Prince would laugh at me, mock me, or even call me mad. In short, every negative scenario that my anxious mind could conjure up in that moment. But he did none of that.

What I didn't expect, however, was that he would take a few moments to think before saying:

"That's doable, but I regret that you can't afford that price."

"What price?" I asked, almost incredulous.

'I was only thinking of my brother, but if there's even a slight chance that my father could return to court, I have to seize it.'

"Your brother is not in the line of succession to Oldtown, nor any other fief, and you don't have the authority to marry him off, nor any of your nephews. What you're offering me is empty air. And even if it were true, he's just a glorified knight, like your father. I have nothing to gain from this," said the Prince.

"Then tell me what you want in return," I said, not understanding what he expected from me.

"A marriage worth my while," he said enigmatically.

I frowned, still not understanding his hints.

And while imagining what he might be trying to ask of me, I followed his gaze, and that's when I realized what he truly wanted.

'Helaena,' I understood, seeing the way he looked at my daughter's cradle.

"No!!!" I said reflexively, in a categorical tone.

'He wants to take two of my children,' I thought.

"Then we have nothing more to discuss," he said, turning to leave.

'I'm becoming more and more isolated. Without Father and Bryndon, I won't make it,' I thought, watching the prince, who had already opened the door, ready to leave.

I clenched my teeth and cried out, "Wait!!!"

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-POV Aemon Targaryen-

As I placed my hand on the door handle leading outside, I heard the sound I had been eagerly waiting for:

"Wait."

"Have you thought it over?" I asked, raising my eyebrows impatiently.

"I am willing to let Helaena marry one of your cousins, but he must be around your age," she said, as if it were a non-negotiable condition and she was ready to jump out the window.

I frowned, confused, then said: "Who do you think I am? She won't marry any of my uncles or cousins. She will be the next Lady of Runestone."

The queen's eyes widened, realizing that we had misunderstood each other.

'At least, she had,' I thought, observing the young mother as she calmed down.

Then she furrowed her brow before saying, "The Velaryons won't…"

"They have absolutely no say on my lands," I said, cutting off the queen, who didn't seem to mind that, before adding: "This leaves the hands of your two sons free to marry ladies from great houses."

'She must think now that our interests are aligned,' I thought, smiling.

"Three," she said, caressing her swollen belly.

"That's all I wish for you," I said, opening the door and stepping out, having concluded a preliminary "alliance" with Alicent.

'It's so much easier with Larys. It only took one conversation for her to think she had found a way to pressure me into a trap,' I thought as I made my way to my cousin's chambers, smiling.