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Chapter 22: Chapter 18: Aggressive NegotiationsNotes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

"There is no such thing as too much paranoia. There is only productive paranoia or unproductive paranoia."

-My Mother

105 AC, Corlys' Office, High Tide

"What are your intentions towards my daughter?" Corlys asked, leaning back on his high-backed chair.

I spat out my drink in sheer surprise, coughing as I choked on some of the water. The Sea Snake offered me a silk handkerchief, which I gratefully accepted, using it to wipe myself dry. As I did so, I forced iron back into my spine, and let my emotion bleed out of myself. Consciously shutting down all involuntary movement, I let my body become a stone statue, my face a wax mask. I sat straight, meeting his violet eyes.

"Ah. There is the famous monster." The Sea Snake noted, utterly calm. "Aemma warned me about you. Said you killed Daemon with ease."

Mother?! What was she planning now? I knew that she wasn't on my side, but there was a difference between that and outing me to others. She was just as complicit in Daemon's death as I was.

"Do you think yourself exempt from my plans?" I tried, faking calmness I didn't have. "I manipulated Daemon to his death. I can do the same to you."

"Lies. You didn't expect this conversation." Corlys silkily said.

My heart stopped for a few seconds, as a spike of fear jammed itself into my chest. How did he know?! 

"Now then, answer my question. What are your intentions to my daughter?" Corlys asked again, looking distinctly like a vicious snake about to pounce and kill.

I took a deep breath and considered what to do. This wasn't my first time having a talk with the fathers of my girlfriends. Alice's father was distinctly sceptical about his only child dating a guy with a baby daughter from another relationship, and an ex he was openly pining after. And Yuuki's was worse. He wasn't happy to realise that he was a grandfather. And that the guy that impregnated his only child was in a committed relationship with another woman.

Despite everything, I still managed to talk them round. But those times I had the benefit of stacking the deck in my favour. My girlfriends had told me what to expect beforehand. How to broach certain topics and what not to say. I'd come prepared with homemade goodies and my best clothes. And was briefed on their personalities such that I could tailor my behaviour to best get their approval for me and my relationships with their daughters. Mostly.

This time wasn't the same. Not only was I caught flatfooted, but this time round, I was a fellow girl in a distinctly homophobic time period.

"My intentions are no secret." I finally said, keeping my voice neutral. "I like your daughter as my best friend and sister in all but name. We are close and affectionate, and have done nothing that would shame us."

"Do not insult my intelligence, niece." Corlys sternly said. "I know that you've shared the same bed and bath as her every day and night since Daemon's death. There's only so much you can excuse as sisterly bonding."

Well, that was a long shot anyway. Time to change tack. I steeled myself before taking the plunge, heart beating like a drum.

"Very well then. I will admit it. Laena and I are lovers." I confessed. My will faltered and I was unable to meet his withering gaze. "But I was not lying when I said I consider her a dear friend and sister."

"Do you even know what you've done?" Corlys' voice was smooth and calm, but cold anger filled every single syllable. "What your perversion has cost?"

"Just so that we are clear, it was your daughter that first seduced me." I shot back hotly. As a consequence of having an aunt who was a lesbian, I was always very pro-LGBT. Homophobia was something that never ceased to anger and disgust me. "And I have a good idea of what it cost."

"It matters not. I can forgive a single night of experimentation. But the fact of the matter is that you are actively in an illicit relationship with my daughter, and have been for half a year." Corlys scowled. "You are actively jeopardising both of your futures. The Faith will never anoint you Queen of the Seven Kingdoms if your perversions come to light."

"Laena and I have not done anything that dishonours ourselves." I ground out through gritted teeth. "I have neither bedded her, nor do I intend to until I've reached my majority. And even if I did, there will be no proof. I cannot get her with child, and she rides and flies so much. Nobody will be surprised if her maidenhead isn't intact. If we have to, ply her husband with strongwine on their wedding night and bleed a chicken on some sheets the next morn. Nobody will know."

"It matters not! My daughter was to be kept pure for her marriage! These sorts of things matter! You've put my entire House at risk! Do you have any idea what this will do to her marriage prospects!? No man of any worth will marry her!" Corlys snarled at me, I involuntarily flinched at his voice, but mustered what was left of my courage.

"I think you're wrong." I got out, regaining some modicum of control over my body. "Laena is the firstborn of the richest man in Westeros. She is a dragonrider and her children will be after her. She is close to the royal family and is a great beauty. Men will line up to marry her even if they have to share her with a dozen others."

"Lesser, unworthy men, mayhaps but—"

"Unworthy? All men are unworthy compared to her." I pointed out, confidence finally returning to me. "Uncle, she is the second most eligible maid in the whole of Westeros. Will you really wed your daughter to the likes of Lucas Tyrell or Jason Lannister? They are your inferiors, and for good reason. Your wealth surpasses theirs. Your fleets are unmatched and your influence and power greater than their wildest dreams. Your military might is even greater than theirs, as one of the only two houses with dragons."

"She is promised to the next king. This was agreed on at the Great Council. I will not shame my House with a wanton and lustful queen."

"Which is me, the Old King's will was clear on his opinion on the succession." I bluntly reminded him. "And even if I get younger brothers, Laena is old enough to be their mother. Hardly a good match in my opinion. They'll prefer wives their own age."

For once, all the underaged brides were working to my advantage. Highborn had few compunctions about twelve-year-olds becoming parents. Aegon II was wed to Haelaena when she was twelve, and she gave birth at thirteen, which was utterly horrifying to me. But the point was, Laena was nearly thirteen, and my mother had yet to give birth.

"And I thought the matter settled. I convinced Jaehaerys to give House Velaryon five dragons." I added. Unspoken was the implication that they'd forget the betrothal as Aemma had shown no signs of pregnancy even after three years of trying, and the five dragons were a means of apology. Sure, it was unspoken, but there were things that were just understood between highborn.

"I agree. Such a match is a poor choice." Lord Corlys said, the sudden agreement startling me. I blinked in surprise. Really? That easily? Wait, this was Corlys Velaryon, not some random noble. There would be a catch. "In exchange for cancelling the betrothal, I expect you to wed my son Laenor." 

Ah, there was the catch. I wasn't fundamentally against it, Laenor was one of the only four boys in Westeros worthy of my hand and honestly the most palatable of the four.

"And Laena?" I asked, tacitly accepting.

"My daughter is coming back home to High Tide, and will be wed off to the Sealord's son in Braavos within the year." Corlys replied.

"The Sealord of Braavos? Uncle, have your wits left you? That is rank stupidity." I protested. "What happens when he dies? His son will not inherit Braavos. Such an alliance is only beneficial so long as he lives. When he passes, Laena will not have the city or wealth of Braavos. At best, she will have the Sealord's family wealth and influence, which is a pale shadow compared to House Velaryon."

I knew that because that really happened in Canon, and the son proceeded to squander his family's wealth before becoming a deadbeat on Driftmark. Corlys eventually had Daemon kill him and swiftly wed Laena to the Rogue Prince.

"You have no right or claim over my daughter. She is a member of my family, and will do as I say." Corlys snarled. "I will not let her remain by your side and continue shaming herself with you."

"Then I will not marry Laenor." I informed him. "Laena stays with me or we will have no deal."

"I think you will find that you have no choice in this matter. You will do as I say, or your indiscretions with my daughter will be leaked to the Faith." Lord Velaryon threatened, smiling as I blanched.

"You would blackmail me?" I incredulously asked. "Your daughter will also be punished as well."

"Consider that an added incentive to do as I say." The Sea Snake smugly said. "If you truly care for her, you wouldn't condemn her with yourself."

I was silent for a long moment, my thoughts running around incoherently as I tried to salvage this situation. Fuck, my mother always warned me to expect the unexpected and plan for even the most unlikely betrayals from even my closest friends. Corlys was an ambitious man, and he intended on reducing me to his puppet queen, allowing him to rule Westeros through me.

Crap. Corlys had me bent over a barrel. I had no leverage on him. One word to the Faith about my relationship with Laena, and there went my entire reputation. Homosexuality was considered a sin by the Faith, and while the days of burning LGBT people at the stake were over, I could still be maimed and mutilated by them. Oh I don't doubt that Viserys would protect me, but I'd be hidden away in shame, forced into exile or obscurity in a monastery.

Shit. It's times like these I wish I were as viciously paranoid as my mother. She had dirt on every single person she ever met, and planned out at least five independent plans on how to use said dirt to ruin their life as a 'just in case' measure. If Corlys pulled this on her, she'd bust out the blackmail and threaten him right back. I'd seen her enact some of those ruination plans, and boy were they savage. In fact, it was considered a sign of how much she loved me, that she only planned out three separate ways to ruin my life utterly. And told me what they were.

There's a reason why I never disobeyed her.

My control slipped once more, my body recoiling in fear as my breathing and heart rate spiked. My eyes involuntarily darted around the room, flicking to the doors and windows, the ornamental weapons on the walls and Corlys' own blade. My hand slipped down to grip my weapons. My right hand tightened around Dark Sister as my left fingered the dirk Daemon gave me, hidden under my shirt. It felt like the room was shrinking on me, walls growing taller and more menacing. I looked up at the tall man, feeling so utterly small.

This was it, the end of the line. My reign had ended before it even began. I'd never rule in my own right even if I got the Iron Throne. Warm water pooled in my eyes as I clenched my fists so hard my fingernails drew blood on my plan.

I whimpered and closed my eyes, wishing that my mother would come and save me.

When you cannot defend, attack! My eyes snapped open. That wasn't my mother's voice, but my father's. I didn't think too highly of the man. My mother married him for his successful career as a doctor, not his wits. He was bigoted and belligerent, and masculine in a toxic way, but for once, his advice rang true.

"Now, now, Lord Corlys." I drawled, regaining my poise and posture in an instant. "One shouldn't throw stones while living in a glass house."

"What are you talking about?" He hissed, his eyes narrowed to slits.

Ah. He was unnerved at how quickly I pulled myself together. He thought he had me dead to rights. He still did, of course, but so did the USA with their ICBMs, and that didn't stop the Soviet Union.

"I'm told you have a squire. A boy from the Stormlands, a certain Joffrey Lonmouth yes?" I said with far more confidence and calm than I actually had. "Laena says you took him as a ward in exchange for better trading rights in the Stormlands."

"What does Joffrey have to do with your dalliances with my daughter?" He asked, bafflement softening his tone.

Thank goodness Laena found out about Joffery from her brother. They were inseparable, and according to my lover, her last dinner with Laenor comprised of him solely chatting about his best friend. Laena was actually really eager and encouraging about them.

"He's Laenor's best friend, I'm told. A handsome and strapping lad. They do everything together, you know. Ride, train, sail and fly." Sorry Laenor, but if I have to throw you under the bus to save my skin, then so be it. "Laenor really admires him, you know."

"Do not speak in riddles, niece! Answer my question or face the consequences!" Corlys thundered. I let out a girlish peal of laughter. Finally. I'd gotten under his skin. Time to twist the knife.

"He's as guilty as I am, you know." I cheerfully said, leaning back confidently. I grinned as Corlys turned purple. Gotcha.

"That cunt dishonoured my daughter?!" He roared, slamming a fist onto his desk so hard the items on it clattered.

"Not your daughter. Your son." I smirked. Corlys had frozen in utter shock, unmoving and statuesque. Perfect, time to hammer it in.

Swallowing my prudishness, pride and shame, I stood up and made some very erotic gestures with my fingers and mouth, in a way that suggested a man giving a blowjob while jerking off with the other hand. Horror, shame and denial flashed across the Lord of the Tide's face as the full implications sunk in. I winked at Corlys before I changed my actions. Miming thrusting into someone while giving said person a handjob at the same time, the way Mushroom had mimed it when recounting a 'totally true' story about a septon and a maester he'd walked into. Never thought I'd ever feel grateful to that malevolent little goblin, but crises made for strange allies. So, thank the Seven for his utterly filthy mind.

"You lie." Corlys got out, but his voice was weak. It was the confidence, I realised, that was what convinced him. Nobody had any right to be as confident as I currently was unless they knew what they were saying was true. Even I couldn't fake the bravado. Sure, I could and was playing it up, but outright fabrication was beyond me. He knew as well as I did that I wasn't lying. Truth was a far better knife than the silvermost lies.

"Possibly. I'm not sure how far they have gone." I agreed, ceasing my movement. "But they are lovers at least. If you don't believe me, you can confront them yourself. You'll get the same answer."

"You—" Corlys started, but I interrupted him.

"Now what would happen if the Faith found out, hmm?" I mused in the same silky manner he did. "Women bedding women can be forgiven, but men bedding men is a gelding offence."

Thank god for the whole concept of Man's World. Lesbianism could be forgiven, because most men found it highly erotic. But gay sex couldn't, because it disgusted those same men. Never before had I ever been so glad to be a female in a male-dominated society.

"You threaten my heir." Lord Velaryon accused.

"You threaten my reign." I accused back. "I will not be your puppet, dancing to your whims."

"Do this, and you will doom yourself!" Corlys shouted, rising to his feet and looming over me

"Indeed. It's Mutually Assured Destruction. Reveal Laena and I to the Faith, and I will reveal Laenor and Joffery to them as well." I agreed, undaunted by him. "If I am to be defeated, then I will drag your legacy down with me."

"I can always produce another heir." He tried, but we both knew he was bluffing.

"Lies. Rhaenys is barren. She struggled greatly with Laena, and Laenor broke her womb permanently. She will never bear another child." I told him, smiling as his glare intensified. Never thought that my pillow talk with Laena could come in handy, but I'm glad my lover told me about this. "And good luck setting her aside and remarrying. Please inform me before you do it. I want to see the carnage."

"Do not think that I will not do it." Corlys desperately said.

"Uncle, I am not your enemy." I told him. "While I will not suffer being turned into a puppet, I do require advisors and a new Hand of the King, and I can think of no worthier man than Corlys Velaryon."

"You would propose allying after all our threats?" My uncle asked, bafflement causing him to forget his anger for a while.

"Call it aggressive negotiations for a diplomatic solution." I quoted a certain character from A Long Time Ago, In A Galaxy Far Far Away. "There are negotiations, and there are negotiations. You know how it is."

Corlys let out an involuntary snort of laughter.

"Yes, I do know how it is." He admitted. "Name your terms."

"While there are boundaries, we can both gain from this alliance. First and foremost; I will not be your puppet. But I will not heedlessly disregard your advice." I informed him. "When I claim the Iron Throne, I'll name you Hand of the King. You'll become the second most powerful person in Westeros. Your daughter will be in my bed and have my ear. And your grandchild will sit the throne.

"In exchange, I want both your children. You will not interfere with their love lives any more, and the betrothal between Laenor and I will be announced only at a time of my choosing." I didn't want things to calcify too quickly. My hand was a very valuable commodity, and while I wasn't bargaining using it anymore, the mere promise of a possibility was a very tempting bribe.

"An intriguing offer, one worth serious consideration." Corlys carefully said. "However, if what you say is true, then neither you nor Laenor will produce children. You have no interest in men, and he has no interest in women."

"There are ways around Laenor's and my own... condition." I awkwardly said, fidgeting in my chair. "I can bear him trueborn children without another man involved."

"And what are these methods?" My lover's father pressed. I took a deep breath and forced myself to say it.

God, what I wouldn't give for a drink right now.

"Well, it involves a cup and a turkey baster..." I began.

Notes:

My muse is back... I think. I'd like to say it was thanks to all the wonderful suggestions everyone gave me in last chapter, but reality isn't like that.

Honestly, I went drinking last night, and wrote most of this while utterly drunk. Then once I got over the hangover, I polished it up. Hopefully it isn't inadequate.