A Week Later

  Lilyanna stood in the yard of the Red Keep, waiting for her selected members of the civilian council to arrive. She was supposed to bring them to be introduced to the small council and then take them to the chamber that had been cleared out for the civilian council to use. Two carriages had been sent out to retrieve them from the main square.

  "You know you don't have to wait here with me, I am more than capable of bringing them to the small council chamber. Alone." Lilyanna said, looking at the two women standing on either side of her pointedly.

  Alicent looked at her daughter, "I do not know these people, and I will not leave my child alone with people whose character is not certain."

  Lilyanna looked at Rhaenyra, "And you, sister?"

  Rhaenyra looked thoughtful, "I am interested in seeing the people you have chosen. After hearing about one of their... professions, it has left me curious."

  "You should be resting after giving birth to two babes, not standing on your feet."

  Rhaenyra smiled, "While I appreciate your concerns, I am fine. I have done this twice before; and I cannot use my sweet children as an excuse."

  Lilyanna sighed, annoyed by the insane expectations that were placed on her sister as the heir before looking at the two boys standing next to Rhaenyra, "And you two?"

  Jacaerys smiled, "If the civilian council becomes permeant then it will be something I will have to oversee when I am King one day, so it's best that I familiarize myself with it now."

  Rhaenyra smiled, brushing her fingers through her son's hair. When Jacaerys had asked her if he could come with her to bring him with her and told her why, she felt nothing but pride in him, pleased that he was taking his duties seriously.

  Aemond crossed his arms, his lips pursed and his eyes burning with disapproval, "You want to create and give high positions to peasants, peasants for all we know took part in rioting against our family. Mother is right; they are of uncertain character, and they must be vigilantly watched."

  Lilyanna rolled her eyes not knowing why she bothered to ask Aemond why he decided to come as he had not been trying to hide how much he disliked the idea of the council for the past few days.

  Aemond's opinions on the smallfolk were like those of the majority of nobility; that they were subjects to noble authority and were meant to stay within their place in society, any who did not, were seen as strange and threats to the social structure.

  Rhaenyra looked at Aemond in amusement, "What a gallant protector you are, valonqar."

  Aemond looked away, his ears slightly red, "Someone must, Rhaenyra. Our sister is not making sense."

  "I'm standing right here, asshole." Lilyanna said, side-eyeing him.

  After a few more minutes of waiting, the carriages rode through the castle gates stopping a couple of feet away from the royals.

  The first person to leave one of the carriages was Clarton, who jumped down to the ground instead of using the steps, his usual two bodyguards quickly following him. He smiled wolfishly, revealing his gold teeth to the world, the sunlight gleamed off his teeth and the jewelry.

  "He's so shinny." Jacaerys muttered, squinting his eyes slightly as he looked at the man.

  I told him not to wear his stupid chains and rings! Lilyanna thought, resisting the urge to face palm.

  Luckily for Lilyanna, the other exited the carriages and were not showing off as they walked, causing Clarton to walk forward and bowed deeply to and greeted the royals with them, introducing themselves one after the other.

  This might not go so badly.

  Alicent stepped forward, showing her courteous disposition, "I welcome you all to the Red Keep. With your newly bestowed positions you will be working closely with the small council, an honor and duty you will no doubt take with the upmost diligence."

  Clarton grinned widely, his eyes trailing down Alicent's body. "That will not be hard to do with such a perfect vision such as yourself within view, Your Grace."

  Alicent's eyes grew wide, and she became visibly revolted. Criston took a step forward, standing directly behind the Queen with his hand gripping the handle of his sword, scowling at Clarton.

  Aemond stood in front of Alicent in a comparable manner to Criston, and glaring Clarton, "That is the Queen you are speaking to so causally."

  Daven sneered at the smaller man, "Must you act so unseemly? Your disgusting behavior is reflecting on all of us."

  I was wrong! Lilyanna thought, feeling the stares of her family members on her, but refusing to meet any of them. She then loudly cleared her throat, quickly moving to stand between her brother and Clarton, a fake smile appearing on her lips. "Clarton did not mean any disrespect; he just talks without thinking. How about we take this to the small council chamber? It's best that we don't keep the King and the rest of the council waiting any longer."

  A tense silence overcame the yard before Rhaenyra spoke, "That would be for the best, it seems."

  Lilyanna stayed behind for a moment, watching as her newly assembled council followed her siblings, nephew, and mother into the Keep, except for Mysaria, who waited back, walking alongside the princess as they trailed the rest of the group.

  "Why did you have to choose that fool?" Lilyanna asked the woman, referring to Clarton.

  Mysaria glanced at Lilyanna, "Clarton has the most influence in his area of the city. And despite his repulsive personality, you would be hard pressed to find anyone with the same ability to entertain and acquire funding for his exploits as easily as he does."

  "I would rather have someone middling than someone superior who has created and heads a child fighting pit." Lilyanna said, her voice filled with disgust and anger.

  "I feel the same as you, Lilyanna, but that does not change what I said before about Clarton; he is someone you will need, even if he is of poor character. In this game we play, one must ally themselves with those with which they do not always agree."

  Lilyanna huffed, "I hate that you're making sense right now."

  Mysaria smiled, but it soon fell when she looked up and saw the Princess of Dragonstone turning her head occasionally to look at her. Rhaenyra was watching Mysaria and Lilyanna questioningly, obviously trying to figure out what the two were talking about and why they seemed so familiar with each other.

  "Your sister is watching us." Mysaria said.

  Lilyanna looked at Rhaenyra, meeting her gaze nonchalantly, "She is, she most likely thinks it strange that we are talking as I told everyone that I had never communicated with any of you before."

  "You think that is all?"

  Lilyanna shrugged, "It's either that or she's concerned because I am talking to our uncle's former lover."

  Mysaria pursed her lips, an action that Lilyanna noted the woman did whenever Daemon Targaryen was mentioned in her presence. "I doubt that. I get the feeling that if the princess recognized me, she would have said something earlier."

  Lilyanna laughed, "She would have; Rhaenyra is not the type of person to keep quiet on such things. She would have asked you outright if she was truly suspicious."

  Mysaria did not know how to feel about the Rhaenyra not remembering, it made sense why she did not, Rhaenyra had only seen Mysaria once before about a decade and a half ago, and even then Rhaenyra only stared at Mysaria for a few moments before the older woman retreated inside castle, and the princess returned her attention to her roguish uncle.

  She should be glad that Rhaenyra did not remember her as it made things easier for Mysaria and would certainly make it harder for her to be a part of the new council, a fate that Kella was already experiencing if the looks the other royals and Criston Cole were giving her were any indication.

  But Mysaria could not deny the indignation and resentment that bubbled beneath her surface at the knowledge that she was not important enough to be remembered by the princess, and that even if she were, it would only be due to her past connection to Daemon.

  I am no longer a whore; I have left that life behind and have built for myself a new path. And I will never go back to that life. Mysaria thought.

  Viserys did not know how to truly respond to the small council meeting that he was currently sitting in. He knew that Lilyanna's idea was unpopular with his councilors, all including his eldest daughter and wife, were either reluctant or outright against it.

  And he could see why; most of the people Lilyanna had chosen were not conventional, either not running legitimate or proper businesses, having controversial pasts and births, or lacking the right temperament and attitude towards the nobility in the room.

  Even just a few minutes of watching the group introduce themselves was enough for Viserys to know that this whole endeavor would be a problem. But he promised Lilyanna to at least try and see this through, and it was beginning to show some time of benefit as the atmosphere in the city had cooled considerably since the announcement.

  There are no whispers of another riot, which is good enough. Viserys thought, seeing this all working in his favor so far.

  The King then cleared his throat and stood up, "I welcome you all. It has been drawn to mine and the small council's attention that the needs of the smallfolk were not being properly met. And as you have been informed, a new council has been created to deal with matters concerning the city and its people, on a trial basis, a council you all have been handpicked to head. The responsibilities that each master you see before you that affect King's Landing shall be given to each of you to head, along with other specific duties for you all to head."

  Viserys then looked at Lyonel, "Has the chamber been cleared for them to use?"

  "Yes, Your Grace. And I have spoken to each member of this council, making sure any documents that they may need are there as well." Lyonel answered.

  A small room below them had been thoroughly cleaned and rearranged so that the civilian council could use it for any meetings they would have and because of its proximity to the small council chamber.

  "I still do not believe that a whole chamber is necessary, any laws or matters they wish to be implemented, will have to go through this council for review." Corlys said aloud, his arms crossed, looking at the commoners across from him.

  Aran could not stop the glare from forming on his face in response to Corlys' words, knowing that the words were intended for him specifically. Aran forced a smile, but his hatred for the Lord of Driftmark made the expression look dark, full of menacing intentions instead of warm and friendly, "Excuse my interruption, Lord Corlys, but I am sure that you and everyone else on the small council would not want my fellow councilors and I to come to you with every little problem. And not having a place in the Red Keep would mean that we would have to conduct our business in the city, and that would hinder efforts to watch over us."

  Corlys could barely keep the sneer off his lips, "I was not aware that you need so much hand holding, Aran. However, I shouldn't be so surprised that you are unable to do such complex assignments after the last time I saw your professionalism in action."

  Aran glared venomously at the lord, and neither Harlario nor Vyrero, could hide their own anger, the room growing tenser as everyone looked between the siblings and Corlys.

  There is definitely more to this story there than just a business deal gone wrong. Lilyanna thought, remembering her first meeting with the Ostaris brothers and Corlys' reaction to her choosing them to be a part of civilian council. "Father, perhaps I should take your new councilors to their chamber? Have them become situated with the space and their duties?"

  "Of course, daughter. That would be helpful." The King said, seeing this as the opportunity Lilyanna was giving him to end the council meeting and separate the people in the room, specifically Corlys and Aran.

  Lilyanna bowed to her father before leading the commoners out of the small council chamber, and Viserys was quick to end the meeting before any of the men could voice their displeasure with their newest associates.

  Soon it was just the King, his eldest two children, his grandson, and his wife left in the chamber and Viserys leaned back in his chair, holding his forehead as he groaned loudly.

  "Are you alright, husband?" Alicent asked concerned.

  "I am fine, Alicent, only tired. These last few weeks have drained me, hopefully all this stress and tension will be behind us." Viserys responded, "But I doubt it, if this meeting was anything to go by."

  "It is only the first day, father. I'm sure that this council and the civilian council will be able to cooperate with each other." Rhaenyra voiced, but Viserys could tell that his daughter was trying to placate him, seeing the flash of uncertainty in her eyes.

  I wish I could escape all this, to not have to deal with any of this, even for a moment. Viserys thought, once again, feeling the weight of the Crown and its responsibilities upon him. He felt that if he was younger and healthier, then he would have been able to weather this all better, to not be caught so off guard and unprepared.

  I long for when I was just a simple prince, when all this politicking was a faraway future for me. The people loved me for me, they did not hate me for making choices that are best for the realm, when I did not have to bend over backwards to please anyone.

  With this thought, the King started to think more about the last time that he did not have to worry about the duties that came with being King of Westeros.

  "I suppose when I was Prince of Dragonstone." Viserys whispered, not aware that he was speaking aloud.

  "Viserys?" Alicent asked.

  Viserys smiled as he turned to his wife, "We should go on a holiday to Dragonstone."

  Alicent looked at her husband surprised, "A holiday? And to Dragonstone?"

  "Yes, it will be perfect; time away from King's Landing and all its problems and minutiae will be good. It would also be a good opportunity to have the children leave the city for a change, see the second seat of our house." Viserys then looked at Rhaenyra, "Rhaenyra, you said that you were planning on going to Dragonstone soon? We can join you then."

  As the Princess of Dragonstone, Rhaenyra ruled over the island in her own right, but as her father's heir, she also had duties that required her to be in King's Landing. So, she would routinely travel to Dragonstone, usually staying for a moon or two, so that she could attend to her responsibilities and allow her subjects on the island to see her.

  "I was, but father, with the civilian council in its infancy, do you think it wise to leave the city for a substantiated amount of time?" Rhaenyra asked.

  Viserys disregarded this concern, "This would give the civilian council a chance to rule the city without the prejudices of most of the small council, as I would think it best if the court comes with us. And for good measure, Lyonel can stay in King's Landing to rule the city in my absence while watching over the civilian council."

  "It would take a considerable amount of time to plan such a trip if the court would also be joining us and the visit to Dragonstone would have to be longer than a moon if that is the case." Rhaenyra argued, not keen on the idea of having to prepare the castle on Dragonstone for such an event and on short notice.

  "Then the family shall leave first and whoever is able to join us, shall leave with us. The court is not required to follow the royal family wherever we go, and we shall plan accordingly."

  Except every noble will want to come, especially as this will be the first time that you will be leaving King's Landing in years. Rhaenyra thought, dreading the amount of planning that she would soon have to complete.

  Viserys then looked at his grandson, "And it has been some time since my grandsons have been to Dragonstone, has it not? Would you not like go, Jacaerys?"

  Jacaerys grinned, "I would, grandfather. And Luke and I can give the others a tour of the castle!"

  Viserys turned to his son, "Aegon?"

  Aegon shrugged his shoulders, "I guess that would be fine."

  "Just fine? Dragonstone is the last pillar of Old Valyria left in the world; it contains the histories of House Targaryen." Viserys said, looking at his son and finding it shocking that Aegon was not outwardly excited.

  "King's Landing has those things too." Aegon said, looking away when he noticed Viserys shaking his head in disappointment due to his response.

  To him, why would he want to go a place that has been said to be cold, dreary, and isolated? A glorified fortress of an island that the Valyrians of old once used as a watchtower before the Targaryens made it their new home to escape the Doom.

  And this is all so tedious, especially as father is just using this as an excuse to leave the city. Wanting his children to experience their heritage and travel? What a load of shit. Aegon thought, seeing this all for what it was; Viserys all but running from the hardships of Kinghood.

  And yet this is what everyone in Westeros wishes for; to seat the Iron Throne. All you'd need to do is look at our King to know that the power of the Crown is not worth it. You'd have to be stupid or crazy to rule over this country and family. Aegon shuddered, knowing that there were those, including some of his own family, that expected him to one day take the burden when he was more than fine with letting Rhaenyra have it.

  "Viserys, are you sure that traveling would be a good idea? With your health deteriorating as it is, making a long trip, especially to an island like Dragonstone, could make your constitution worse." Alicent said, placing her hand atop her husband's.

  "Lilyanna and the maesters will be there to look after me." Viserys said before smiling at Alicent, his expression meant to be suggestive and enticing but failing to inspire either in the woman he was directing his gaze at. "Have I not proven to still be quite capable of many a task as of late, my dear? Even with my illness, I can still take and experience my favorite pleasures."

  Alicent did not respond, giving Viserys a strained smile, her eyes losing a bit of shine as she felt Viserys squeeze her hand, oblivious to her hidden feelings.

  Aegon's expression twisted in barely hidden disgust, for once, wishing for the days when such implications and innuendos would have gone right over his head, being too naive and innocent to notice them.

  No one wanted to think of their parents having sex, and this was especially true for Aegon as the image of his father's rotting, old, and mutilated body writhing on top of his mother's flashed through his mind.

  Although, all I have is the image, its undoubtedly worse for mother who must experience father fucking her. Aegon thought, knowing that Alicent had laid with Viserys at least five times to have himself and his younger siblings. And he knew that they were still sleeping with each other as Viserys made his desire for more children known to all.

  And Aegon wondered if the stomach-turning thought of Alicent and Viserys together is what was causing Rhaenyra's anger when he turned in her direction.

  The princess was not doing a particularly good job of hiding her clear repulsion at the sight in front of her, her eyes moving between the King and Queen's faces and their joined hands. Aegon was sure that if Rhaenyra could light things ablaze with just her eyes, then Viserys and Alicent would have been reduced to ashes by now.

  A nauseating feeling bloomed in Rhaenyra's stomach at the reminder of the cursed knowledge of Alicent and Viserys' marriage. She knew that the couple were trying for another child, her father not satisfied with the six he already had, no doubt imagining himself to be a great father, willfully ignorant of his failings in that regard. But seeing Viserys lust for Alicent angered her in ways she did not know possible.

  As terrible as it sounds, I am glad that Alicent has not fallen pregnant again and I hope that she never will. Rhaenyra thought, reeling with a mixture of jealousy and rage.

  While she would welcome another sibling, Rhaenyra was not sure if she could tolerate another sibling that Viserys would quickly lose interest in, having to again see the heartbroken and angered look on Alicent's face when Viserys would make it clear that her child was only another body to sure up the succession, another babe in his quest to compete with the late King Jaehaerys.

  Trying to have more children then the Conciliator will not make you on par or even better than he was as a King. Rhaenyra thought bitterly, quickly looking away from Alicent and her father, irritated by it all.

  Aemond crossed his arms, watching Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Daeron following the instructions of the dragonkeepers as they strived to strengthen their bonds with their dragons. It was the children's regular lesson in the Dragonpit, and as usual, only some of the young royals were in attendance.

  Helaena had gone with Alicent to one of the city's local orphanages to read and give food to the young children that lived there. A new development, one that the Queen was eager to continue when the people of King's Landing rioted, although Helaena most likely would not have come to the pit even if she did not have other plans.

  Helaena's bond with Dreamfyre was strong, and in a short time, she had learned to command her dragon with ease, with Dreamfyre rarely fighting back against her. So, Helaena often skipped these dragon rearing lessons as they were not something she needed in comparison to her nephews and youngest brother, all three having hatchlings that were quite willful and resistant to the commands of their bonded humans.

  Aegon, having a dragon that was large enough to fly and arguably the strongest bond with his dragon out of the children, only truly came to these lessons to support his nephews and brother, immediately leaving to Sunfyre's cave, going on rides above the city.

  Lilyanna was currently in the middle of a civilian council meeting, wanting to help the newly established group become accustomed. And unlike her siblings and nephews, she only came to the Dragonpit when asked or if she wanted to do something with her family's dragons.

  Unlike Aemond, Lilyanna did not see the point in attending lessons in the Dragonpit when she lacked a dragon of her own. She knew the proper commands from the High Valyrian lessons they all took with a maester, had been thought how to use a saddle and reins by the dragonkeepers years ago, and she never had an issue with approaching dragons before, with her being so strangely loved by the creatures.

  A Targaryen without a dragon was a pitiful sight to behold, and Aemond was not content with being left behind in such a manner. So, Aemond studied the histories of Old Valyria vigorously, paying specific attention to the chronicles of Dragonlords, he made sure to practice his High Valyrian extensively, not content with his pronunciation and understanding of the language being passable, not when Helaena and Lilyanna spoke it fluently. And this competitiveness only growing within him when Lucerys started joining them for these lessons, taking to them even better than the twins, a trait that Viserys had once compared to Rhaenyra.

  And Aemond made sure to take their lessons in the Dragonpit with the utmost seriousness, to always listen and ask questions of the dragonkeepers, even as the others were fooled around, confident in their bonds.

  "Dohaerās, dohaerās, Vermax!" Jacaerys commanded his dragon, the words heavy and awkward on his tongue.

  Vermax, his usual ill-tempered and vicious self, did not listen to Jacaerys command, snapping his teeth at the boy, causing Jacaerys to fearfully take a step back, bumping into the dragonkeeper behind him.

  "R?bās!" The elder dragonkeeper exclaimed, drawing the dragon's attention to him. Vermax stared at the man, grumbling, and screeching quieter than before.

  The dragonkeeper looked at Jacaerys, switching to Common Tongue as he spoke, "You must remain firm when commanding Vermax, my prince. Dragons are unpredictable and stubborn; they will not follow the orders of one they believe to be weaker or lacking in conviction and strength. Try again, and do not show even an ounce of fear."

  The bond is supposed to be strong; how can he fear his own bonded so? Aemond thought, not understanding Jacaerys' panic, confident that if he were in his nephew's position, that he would not react in that way.

  Jacaerys nodded his head, taking a step forward a meeting his dragon's eye, "R?bās, Vermax. Rāpirī, rāpirī."

  Vermax stared at Jacaerys for a few seconds, but would ultimately do as he was told, no longer crying out as he calmed down.

  "Well done." The dragonkeeper praised.

  "Daor, Arrax! Embrot, embrot!" Lucerys yelled a few feet away, watching as his dragon jumped on top of Tessarion, clinging to the she-dragon's back.

  Tessarion was not bothered by the actions of the younger dragon, continuing to eat the sheep that was brought out for her.

  Daeron laughed at the sight, "It's fine, Luke. Arrax is not bothering her."

  Lucerys sighed, "That doesn't mean Arrax can go jumping on other dragons, remember what happened with Dreamfyre."

  The incident that the younger prince was referring to, was a few moons ago when Helaena and Dreamfyre had returned from a flight and Arrax tried to jump on the older dragon in the same way it did Tessarion.

  Unlike Tessarion, Dreamfyre was not amused by Arrax's actions, quickly bucking the hatchling off and breathing fire in his direction. Arrax had been able to avoid the torrent of flames, and Helaena was able to calm Dreamfyre before the dragon could try to burn Arrax a second time. To this day, Dreamfyre still did not like the younger dragon's presence, snapping and hissing when Arrax was in sight of her.

  Aemond could not stop the jealousy that formed in his heart as he watched the younger boys and their dragons, yearning for what they had.

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  About an hour passed, and as the dragonkeepers were leading the young dragons back to their caves, Aegon returned from his dragon ride, emerging from the pathway that the riders and dragonkeepers used to make their way underground.

  His long hair was wind swept, his skin red from the harsh winds hitting his face, but despite his disheveled appearance, Aegon looked relaxed and happy. But Aemond could feel his suspicions rising when Aegon turned in his direction, smirking at him.

  Aegon walked towards his brother, putting his arm around Aemond's shoulders, "Brother, it's good you made your way here today."

  "It is?" Aemond asked doubtfully, well aware of how Aegon viewed his presence in the Dragonpit.

  For the last few years, Aegon would go out of his way to remind Aemond about his lack of a dragon, bemoaning his attempts to claim one and how seriously he took the topic.

  "Of course." Aegon said before looking at their nephews, "If you weren't here, it would be much harder to give you the present we got you."

  "Present?"

  Lucerys smiled, immediately running off and disappearing from sight, clearly going to get the present, and Jacaerys moved to stand on Aemond's other side, his smile equally as wide as Aegon's.

  Aegon's smile grew, playfully shaking Aemond, "We found you a dragon!"

  As he listened to the conversation, Daeron's face became pale and his eyes widened, quickly speaking up. "Aegon, you can't."

  "I can't what; give our brother, the only one of us without a dragon, one of his own?" Aegon asked.

  "Aegon-"

  "Don't tell me you want to refuse Aemond what he has wanted for so long, Dae? What a cruel little brother you are." Aegon was smiling, but his eyes became sharper as he stared at Daeron.

  Daeron opens his mouth but quickly closed it as he saw Lucerys returning to the pit from behind Aegon and Aemond, with the 'dragon' in hand.

  "You found me a dragon?" Aemond asked, and while he knew that his brother could not be telling the truth, he could not stop the twinge of hope from bleeding into his voice, and his desire for a dragon of his own overriding his sense of logic and cynicism.

  "We did, you are the only one of us without one and we felt badly about it, so we found one for you." Aegon said.

  "How?" Aemond asked.

  "The Gods provide." Aegon grinned, using his arm to turn Aemond around as he, Jacaerys, and Lucerys spoke in unison. "Behold; The Pink Dread!"

  At the other end of the rope Lucerys was holding, was a large pig with fake horns, wings, and teeth glued to its body. The pig grunted and whined as Lucerys tugged the rope, causing the animal to move forward.

  All Aemond could hear was the sounds of his brother and nephews' laughter as he stared the pig, consumed with anger, sadness, and humiliation.

  Aegon then leaned closer, his breath brushing against the side of Aemond's face. "Be sure to mount her carefully, brother. The first flight is always the roughest."

  The laughter continued as Aegon, Jacaerys, and Lucerys began to oink and squeal, mocking Aemond further as they left the Dragonpit, leaving Aemond behind with the Pink Dread.

  Daeron glared at their backs as they left, disgusted by the cruelty the trio showed before nervously bouncing on the heels of his feet, looking back at his brother. "Aemond? Are-are you... You shouldn't listen to them, they were being-"

  "You knew." Aemond said, still staring at the pig, his back to Daeron.

  Daeron cringed, "I told Aegon not to when he... when he said he was going to the pig yard. And I tried to dissuade Jace and Luke when they began to make the wings and horn-"

  Aemond finally turned around, scowling at his younger brother, "But you did not think to tell me what they were planning? Is it because you thought it was funny too?"

  "No!" Daeron exclaimed, stepping closer to Aemond, "What they did wasn't right, and I don't think it was funny, I just-"

  Daeron was not able to finish as Aemond quickly slapped his hand away, giving him a final glare before running off into the tunnels below.

  "Aemond!" Daeron yelled in vain, watching as his brother disappeared into the caves.

  What do I do?! What do I do?! Daeron thought, he wanted to go after Aemond, but Daeron had only gone into Tessarion's cave by himself, when he went to the cave of other dragons, he was always in the presence of said dragons' riders, knowing how dangerous it was to go near the creatures alone.

  Aemond was not sure where he was going; his desperation to be as far away from Daeron and the embarrassment of it all, fueling his movements. Before he knew it, Aemond had found himself at the entrance of Dreamfyre's cave, watching as the light of nearby torches bounced off, she-dragon's pale blue and silver scales.

  He could not help but be reminded of when Helaena claimed Dreamfyre, what was a monumental and joyous occasion for his sister, was sorrowful and heartbreaking for him.

  Dreamfyre's eyes snapped in Aemond's direction, slowly lifted its head to stare at him properly, meeting his gaze sharply and closely.

  Should I, can I... Aemond slowly walked into the cave, his arms raised in front of him in a passive demeanor as he approached.

  Dreamfyre growled, the force of which echoed and shook the walls of the cave, a warning if ever one could be heard. But Aemond ignored it, resolutely walking deeper into the cave and closer to the dragon. Dreamfyre's body became tense, it growls louder before it opens their mouth, revealing the now glowing expanse of her throat.

  Fear gripped Aemond, the young boy quickly turning around and running out of the cave, reaching the entrance just as a fire rushed above him, narrowly missing his head as he threw himself to the ground. Aemond clamored away, tripping and falling over himself in his attempt to escape the tunnels and distance himself from the incensed beast.

  Just as he reached the top floor of the Dragonpit, Aemond felt a pair of hands quickly take hold of his shoulders. Aemond flinched in surprise, relaxing somewhat as he saw the helm covered face of Arryk Cargyll. He could see Daeron behind the Kingsguard, standing in the same place that he left him, the dressed-up pig still milling about.

  "I am taking you both to the Queen." Arryk said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

  Aemond sighed, closing his eyes as he felt Arryk leading him and Daeron out of the Dragonpit and towards the carriage, dreading the upcoming lecture from his mother.

  An Hour Later

  "Don't put too much honey, we don't want it to overpower the other ingredients." Lilyanna said, watching as Helaena put a spoonful of honey into the cauldron.

  Helaena blew a strand of hair out of her face, "I know what I'm doing, Lily. Or did you forget how hopeless you would be without my expertise?"

  Lilyanna pursed her lips, stirring the concoction, "I still don't understand how no one has noticed the full-on bee atrium you're keeping in your closet."

  Helaena shrugged, "Just be glad they haven't, otherwise you would be struggling to find fresh honey in this city."

  "That's true." Lilyanna said, looking at the orange-brown liquid beneath them.

  Lilyanna had spoken to Visenya, the woman being the one who gave her the recipe for the medicine they were making. At first, Lilyanna was confident that she would be able to make it on her own, but this ceased to be when she realized many of the ingredients came from animals and insects, two things that she was not familiar in dealing with.

  It's a good thing I have a sister who's basically an entomologist and zoologist all wrapped up in one. Lilyanna thought.

  "How much longer do you think we will have to keep giving this to mother?" Helaena asked.

  "Helaena, we've talked about this; until Viserys is too weak to do much of anything."

  Helaena sighed, "I know, it just feels wrong to keep sneaking this into her food when she's not paying attention. You know that if mother knew the truth, she would be furious."

  "Well, it doesn't matter how she feels, this is necessary!" Lilyanna yelled, her anger getting the better of her. "I will not watch her give birth to another child that her foolish husband will ignore. I will not leave her and that child's fate in his hands."

  "I know, but mother is blaming herself, don't you see? Every time she sees her moonblood, every time she goes to Orwyle and receives his ill tidings, she blames herself for not falling pregnant. And it will only be a matter of time before father starts to blame her too. I hate seeing her in this state." Helaena said, her voice cracking with emotion.

  For almost a year, Lilyanna and Helaena had been making and secretly administrating an effective contraception for Alicent, the woman unaware of what her daughters were doing.

  After the death of Elaera, Lilyanna knew that it was only a matter of time before Viserys called Alicent back to his bed, expecting her to resume her wifely duties. And Viserys had made it clear that he wanted more children, wanting to fill the Red Keep with them, to have as many as Jaehaerys and Alysanne.

  This enraged her, filling Lilyanna with an immense desire to punch Viserys in the face for his selfishness. And this is what led to her seeking Visenya and Helaena's help in preventing Alicent from becoming pregnant again.

  Lilyanna stopped stirring, meeting her twin's eye, her expression becoming solemn. "It hurts me too, seeing mother like this, but I can't just stop, you didn't hear Viserys that day when I confronted him about Elaera. He claimed to forget how harrowing childbirth was because of us and our brothers. He forgot how terrible it all is, after he had Mellos cut Aemma Arryn open in order to save the son he dreamed of, and after Baelon died just hours later. The woman and son that he loves more than us, and he is able to forget so easily, to not care about doing the same to our mother."

  Helaena shook her head, "The King does not forget, Lily, the experience has forever broken him. He holds Elaera in his heart, I know he does, he is just not good at showing it."

  "If it was Rhaenyra who died, he would morn openly."

  "And if Aemma had lived and Baelon did not, he would have still expected her do her duty and let him impregnate her, to try again to birth his heir, no matter her own feelings. You cannot blame him for doing what men have done for centuries."

  "Of course I can." Lilyanna scoffed, "Our mother has given him three fucking sons and yet he did not make Aegon his heir, the son he so desperately wanted, because of his feelings for Aemma, for the guilt he has in taking away Rhaenyra's mother. This is not about duty and responsibility, plenty of men will not force their wives to have more children than is necessary, especially once their sons are born. It's the same as Jasper Wylde; he does not have almost thirty children and has had four wives because of duty, it's all because of ego! Viserys, Jasper, and men like them, do all of this to prove their manhood in some worthless competition with themselves and each other."

  To Lilyanna, Viserys was a man obsessed with legacy and dreams, a man who cared deeply about the opinions of others and how he would be remembered in history, his current actions more than proving this.

  Vexation filled Lilyanna's body as Helaena tried to defend him and his actions, but Lilyanna knew that her sister's words stemmed from a place of pity and empathy for Viserys and what he has been through, even if Lilyanna thought Helaena was giving their father too much grace.

  Helaena reached over and held one of Lilyanna's hands, "Lily-"

  A knock was heard at the door and Rickard's voice followed, "Princess, Prince Aemond is here to see you."

  "Aemond?" Helaena asked aloud, turning towards Lilyanna who shrugged in response, just as confused as she was.

  "Let my brother in, Ricky." Lilyanna called out.

  The door to her bedroom opened, revealing Rickard's bulky frame, the man leaning against the door as Aemond moved passed him.

  The door soon closed behind Aemond, the prince standing awkwardly by it, looking between his older sisters bewildered, his expression becoming one of disgust. "What are you two doing and what is that smell?"

  "I asked Helaena to help me make more of the dragon muscle relaxant. The ingredients boiling together are what are causing the smell, once we're done cooking the paste, I'll add rose water to get rid of the smell." Lilyanna said, the lies coming off her tongue with ease after years of practice.

  "Rose water truly works that well?" Aemond asked as he got closer, standing in front of them, a move he regretted as the smell became stronger.

  "A lot of rose water." Helaena said pointing behind Aemond to the four metal buckets filled with water sitting near Lilyanna's bed.

  Lilyanna's eyes trailed over Aemond's body, she reached forward and gently rubbed her fingers against his cheek. When she pulled her hand back, Lilyanna saw the black grime that now coated the tips of her fingers, "Why are you covered in ash and dirt?"

  Aemond looked away from Lilyanna's piercing and questioning gaze, his eyes falling to the floor as he clenched his fists and bit his lip. He had just left Alicent's chambers and as he thought, Alicent had berated him for running into Dreamfyre's cave and almost getting burned in the process.

  But she softened when he told her about Aegon, Jacaerys, and Lucerys tricking him into thinking they found him a dragon, only to give him a pig dressed as one, with Daeron readily validating the story, telling them both how and where the other boys got the pig and how they dressed it up and brought it to the Dragonpit.

  Alicent had softly told Aemond that he would one day have a dragon, but that such a thing would not happen if he got himself killed trying to force the issue so strongly.

  "Aemond?" Helaena asked, looking at him worriedly, "You did it again, didn't you?"

  Aemond's silence was enough of an answer for the two girls as this was not the first time, he had gone into the bowels of the Dragonpit unaccompanied.

  Lilyanna put her hands on her hips, staring at him admonishingly, "Aemond-"

  "I have already been scolded by mother; I do not need the same from you." Aemond voiced before his sister could finish.

  Lilyanna maintained her posturing, "Well? Are you going to tell us why you went into Dragonpit despite there being no available dragons there for you to claim?" Something you are well aware of."

  Aemond retold the story for the second time that day, the emotions still fresh in his mind as he spoke, not making eye contact with Lilyanna or Helaena.

  "I'm going to kill those idiots."

  Helaena gave her twin a blank look, "No, you're not."

  Lilyanna glared at her, "Well, I need to do something! I refuse to let Aegon, and our nephews get away with treating Aemond like this."

  How could they think giving Aemond a pig was funny? And why did this even happen? Aegon and Aemond are not best friends, but their relationship isn't as bad as it was in the books and show. Right? Lilyanna thought to herself.

  "You are so sure they won't be punished, but I doubt that mother and Rhaenyra would let that happen."

  "I should hope not, but still." Lilyanna said, calming down a bit.

  "Why do you care so much?" The two girls turned in Aemond's direction when they heard the question he asked Lilyanna.

  Lilyanna looked at him, "Why wouldn't I care?"

  Aemond clenched his fists, "Having a dragon has never bothered you. So why-"

  "I care because what they did was cruel and heartless. Our brother and nephews all know how much you desire a dragon, and they used this to mock you for some cheap laughs at your expense."

  Aemond crossed his arms, looking away from Lilyanna again, uncomfortable with the intensity in her gaze.

  "And it's worse because those three just happened to get lucky and have their dragon eggs hatch. Most of the dragonriders in our family had to go out and claim a dragon; like Rhaenyra, father, and cousin Rhaenys. It's pathetic that they would be so proud of themselves for such a small accomplishment."

  Helaena pinched Lilyanna's arm, in response to her last sentence, causing Lilyanna to yelp in pain and surprise. "You don't have to go that far in defending our brother."

  Lilyanna rubbed her arm, pouting exaggeratingly. "You could have just said that instead of pinching me too."

  Aemond smiled, a small laugh escaping him, "Thank you, Lily."

  Lilyanna waved this off, "There's nothing to thank, Aems. Besides, if Helaena is right, you will probably be given the chance to get the last laugh."

  "What do you mean?" Aemond asked.

  Helaena answered this time, "Father wants us to visit Dragonstone as a family."

  Dragonstone? Aemond licked his lips, trying to act casually. "He does? Did he say when we will be leaving?"

  "I believe that we should be leaving in a fortnight at the earliest and a moon at the latest."

  Why can't we leave sooner?

  Lilyanna, seeing through this, rolled her eyes. "You don't have to hide, your excitement, Aemond. You now have the possibly of claiming one of Dragonstone's many dragons."

  "You mean, we have the possibility, sister." Aemond said strongly.

  "You're never going to let this go, are you?" Lilyanna asked rhetorically, going back to stirring the pot in front of her.

  When Aemond spoke of dragons when in his sister's presence, he would always speak of what kinds of dragons they would both have, unperturbed by what he saw as Lilyanna's lack of desire to correct her mindset towards getting a dragon for herself.

  "I won't." Aemond said truthfully, "And why are you not happy to be going to Dragonstone? It is the home of our ancestors, where the Conquerors were born and launched their conquest of Westeros."

  Aemond loved reading the historical events and legacies of House Targaryen, proud of the blood that ran through his veins. It was one of the few things that made Aemond feel good about himself, letting him think of how history would remember him when he was dead and buried, and if he would be mentioned in the same breath as his ancestors.

  Lilyanna clicked her teeth, "It is not the trip itself that I don't like, but the timing of it all. The civilian council is just getting off the ground, I should be here for it but no, now we are going to be over a hundred leagues away.

  Aemond glowered, "That is what you are so worried about? Your gaggle of upstart peasants?"

  Knowing that her sister was going to say something nasty to their brother, Helaena swiftly interjected, "You're the only person I know who is upset to go on a trip and not have to work."

  "Because I have things to do!" Lilyanna exclaimed, "And you say that as if I'm always busy doing things."

  Helaena crossed her arms, smiling playfully, "And when was the last time you didn't spend even a single day, going to lessons, studying, training, or working on your little projects?"

  Lilyanna grinned, "When I killed that assassin."

  Both Helaena and Aemond stared at Lilyanna blankly, and Lilyanna could tell that neither found her joke to be as funny as she did.

  "What?"

  Helaena and Aemond the looked at each other, before looking back at Lilyanna with condescending expressions, as if visibly questioning her intelligence.

  "That joke would have killed with Mushroom." Lilyanna muttered.

  Helaena huffed but was unable to keep the smile of her face as she bumped Lilyanna's shoulder with her own.

  Aemond rolled his eyes at the jokes, but eventually looked at the floor, scuffing the ground with his boots, and his voice becoming quieter, "Do you really think I have a dragon? That the ones on Dragonstone will accept me as a rider?"

  Lilyanna placed a hand on Aemond's shoulder, "Of course you will have a dragon, Aemond, you have everything a dragon will want in a rider."

  Aemond's cheeks and the tips of his ears turned a dusty shade of red, his sister's sincere words falling over him like a healing balm.

  The moment Lilyanna said these words, Helaena's eyes glazed over, her voice becoming quieter, taking on a dreamy tone. "He will have to close an eye."

  Lilyanna unknowingly tightened her hold on Aemond's shoulder, the color draining from her face and her breath hitching as she looked at Helaena, terrified. "W-w-what did you just say?"

  Helaena looked at her sister confused, "I said something?"

  Lilyanna did not respond, still staring at Helaena fearfully. Helaena rarely had clear and cognitive dreams, and she would often whisper strange, and cryptic words that would describe what she saw hours after she had these dreams.

  Usually, Lilyanna was nearby to hear what Helaena would say, helping to decipher them, but this time, Lilyanna already knew what the words Helaena had spoken meant.

  I thought- Is Laena already dead? Will Aemond try and claim Vhagar? Of course he will, Aemond has a complex. Lilyanna thought.

  "Lily?" Aemond said, drawing his sister's attention to his grimacing face. "Can you let go?"

  "Sorry." Lilyanna said, letting go of Aemond's shoulder.

  Aemond rubbed his shoulder, looking at his sisters suspiciously. "What is wrong? You reacted strangely to Helaena's words, why?"

  Lilyanna smiled, working to hide her worry, "It wasn't that I just thought she said something else."

  Aemond's eyes narrowed, and he turned to Helaena who only stared at him passively, making his suspicions worsen.

  What are they hiding? Aemond thought, curious as to why about Helaena's words had caused Lilyanna to become uncharacteristically afraid.

  But Aemond knew his sisters well enough to know that he would not get any answers from them. The twins kept each other's confidence and were often seen speaking to the other in ways that were only understandable to themselves, a phenomenon that many wrote off as being the closeness that twins share with each other.

  Aemond did not stay long in Lilyanna's room as he soon grew bored watching his sisters working on their foul-smelling mixture.

  Once he was gone, Helaena turned to her sister, "What did I say earlier that terrified you so?"

  Lilyanna stared at her sister for a few seconds before releasing a resigned breath. She then repeated Helaena's words and explained the significance of them.

  When Lilyanna finished, she looked away, "Have you seen- Do you think Laena is dead?"

  Helaena swallowed, "I-I don't know. Word would have reached the Crown and the Velaryons by now, yes? Don't you know when she is supposed to die?"

  Lilyanna crossed her arms, "No, I don't. If it were like the books Laena Velaryon would already be dead and show only mentioned the year it happened."

  "This year?"

  Lilyanna covered her face with her hands, cursing herself. "This year, I-I forgot. I can't believe I forgot something so important; I thought, I thought everything I've done would have changed things."

  Lilyanna walked away from the fireplace, sitting on the edge of her bed, her hands moving from her place to gripping the front of her hair. "What is wrong with me?"

  Helaena sat down next to her sister, rubbing her hand along Lilyanna's back comfortingly. "Not everything you do has changes on other things. We still have time to change this."

  Lilyanna looked at Helaena, her eyes growing sharp, "And how are we supposed to do that? Laena and her family are in fucking Pentos. Should we tell the King, and her parents that oh, Laena is going to die from childbirth fever or in the flames of her dragon, so we need to go and stop it? Then if that fails, we can tell Aemond not to claim Vhagar because our nephew will cut out his eye?"

  Helaena looked down at her hands, "We could tell them about me."

  "No." Lilyanna spat.

  Helaena sighed, "Lily-"

  "I won't let you become a tool that our family thinks it can use. And even if we did tell them; do you think they would believe us?"

  "Rhaenyra suspects I am a dreamer. It's why she took your dragon egg and let you give it to Luke, why she wanted to listen to you when you tried to save Elaera. I am positive she knows."

  For some time, Helaena had been imploring her to trust their family, that they should tell them everything, but Lilyanna was hesitant to. Both because she found it hard to do so, focusing on their family members' faults and characters, and because she viewed saving their house as her responsibility, her burden to bear.

  Helaena stood up, seeing that her sister was not hugging to budge on this issue. "We still have time, we can fix it, like we have done before."

  Lilyanna nodded, "We can do this."

  Lilyanna forced herself to believe her own words, hoping that her choice would not condemn a woman to her death.

  Alicent angrily stalked down the hall, Criston following quickly as she was singularly focused on the approaching door of her son's bedchamber. The Queen did not bother to knock as stormed inside, slamming the door shut behind her.

  Aegon, who laying in his bed napping, jolted at the sound of the door closing, his eyes building wildly as he sat up. "Mother?"

  "Get up." Alicent hissed.

  Aegon looked confused but did as he was told, slowly pushing himself out of the bed and standing to his feet.

  "Why did you give that gift to Aemond?"

  Aegon slowly blinked, still under the effects of sleep, "Gift?"

  "The pig! Why would you trick your brother and give him a pig?!"

  Aegon shrugged, looking away from his mother's eyes, "Because it was funny."

  Alicent scoffed, her eyes still burning, "Funny? Your brother certainly did not find what you and your nephews did funny."

  "That's because he's a twat." Aegon muttered.

  Alicent slapped the back of her son's head in anger, "Don't not speak of your brother like that again."

  Aegon rubbed the back of his head, scowling at the floor.

  Alicent began walking towards the door, "Now come."

  "Come where?"

  "You are going to apologize to Aemond and then you will return here. And you will not be able to go anywhere unaccompanied, and certainly not into the city or the Dragonpit."

  Aegon's eyes widened, "That's not fair, you can't keep me from Sunfyre!"

  Alicent turned back to her son, still glaring at him, "You are my child, I can keep you from doing whatever I wish, and I do not care if you find it fair."

  "For how long?" Aegon asked almost desperately.

  "You sought to bully your brother over his lack of dragon, so you will know what it feels like to be without one. You will not go near the Dragonpit until I say so." Alicent then opened the door, standing against it and waiting for Aegon to leave the room.

  As they stepped outside, Alicent saw Rhaenyra, Laenor, his parents, and their children walking down the hall.

  Corlys was holding on of Lucerys' hands, listening as the boy rapidly spoke to him, while the other three adults were speaking to Jacaerys.

  When Rhaenyra noticed Alicent and Aegon, she smiled at the pair, "Valonqar, Alicent. How are you both this day?"

  "We are going to see Aemond, princess." Alicent's mouth remained downturned as she glanced at Aegon, "Aegon has something he needs to tell his brother."

  "Tell him what?" Rhaenyra asked, noticing the anger in Alicent's voice and the way Aegon refused to look at anyone, crossing his arms sullenly.

  Alicent raised an eyebrow as she looked at Rhaenyra, then to Laenor, and finally the young boys with them. "Did your sons not tell you what they and Aegon did to Aemond?"

  Laenor looked at his sons, "What did you do to your uncle?"

  Jacaerys, who understood the severity of their prank, grew nervous, his eyes widening and he struggled not to fidget under the gazes of his parents, grandparents, and Queen.

  Corlys spoke next, "Well spit it out. What did the three of you do?"

  Lucerys perked up, "You mean the Pink Dread?"

  Jacaerys quickly turned to his brother, "Luke, don't-"

  But it was too late as Lucerys excitedly told everyone about the prank, leaving no detail out in his retelling of the events.

  "You did what?!" Rhaenyra yelled, glaring at her sons once Lucerys was finished.

  Lucerys flinched at the sound of his mother's voice, "W-"

  "Why would you do that to Aemond?" Laenor asked this time, his voice was quieter than his wife's but no less angry.

  "It was a joke, it was funny." Jacaerys said lowly, trying to defend himself and his brother.

  "Was Aemond laughing?" Laenor asked.

  "But-"

  "There is no but, what you three did was wrong." Rhaenyra said, cutting Jacaerys off, "If the roles were switched and Aemond had did that to you, would you have found it funny?"

  Jacaerys looked at the floor, unable to respond to his mother's question.

  Rhaenyra sighed, "I raised you both to be better than this, I'm so disappointed in you both."

  Corlys placed a hand on Lucerys shoulder, never liking to see his grandsons especially Lucerys, upset. "I'm sure the boys now know that they did was wrong."

  Rhaenys shook her head, "Do not try to give them a mild reprimand, husband. It is a privilege to receive a dragon egg, and especially to have it hatch for you, mocking another for their lack of dragon is a grievous insult."

  "W-w-we're sorry." Lucerys stuttered, feeling tears spring to his eyes at the idea of his parents and grandmother being disappointed in him.

  Rhaenyra remained resolute, "We are not the ones you should be apologizing to."

  "We'll apologize to Aemond." Jacaerys said quietly.

  "You most certainly will and do not think either of you will not be punished. Honestly, what were you three thinking?"

  "It was Aegon's idea." Jacaerys added, ignoring Aegon's squawk of indignation at Jacaerys trying to hoist most of the blame onto him.

  Rhaenyra scoffed, "Did Aegon hold a sword to your necks and force you to dress up a pig and give it to Aemond? Did he threaten to hurt you if you did not snort at Aemond as you laughed at him?"

  Jacaerys looked away from his mother's eyes again, "N-no."

  "Then what does it matter that is was Aegon's idea, when you both thought it alright to go along with it?"

  Aegon, still not understanding why everyone was so angry, spoke up, an action he would soon regret. "Why does any of this matter? It was a joke, it's not like you see Lily throwing a tantrum like Aemond does every time her not having a dragon is mentioned."

  Rhaenyra quickly turned to Aegon, there was an anger in her eyes that Aegon had never seen directed at him before. "It matters because I am raising a future King of Westeros and a Lord of Driftmark; not two bullies who think they can get away with mocking anyone much less their uncle in such a way!"

  The hallway fell into a tense silence after Rhaenyra exclamation, Laenor placed a hand on Rhaenyra's back as she regained her composure.

  She then turned to her children, "Come, we are going to Aemond's room so you can apologize to him right this instant."

  "Yes, mother." Jacaerys and Lucerys replied.

  "And you two will never do this again. Your uncle should not be belittled for something like this." Laenor added.

  "Yes, father."

  Rhaenyra then turned to her brother, "I am sure that your mother has spoken to you already, but let me reiterate, that you will not do anything of this magnitude again, and I do want to hear a single word of you bullying Aemond about this topic again. Am I understood, brother?"

  Aegon opened and closed his mouth, resembling a gaping fish, "I-I understand?"

  Even Alicent herself was shocked, having never witnessed Rhaenyra reprimand any of her siblings. Rhaenyra had always been fine with leaving this to her siblings' parents, understanding that it was not her place to do so, but her outrage had gotten the better of her.

  The three children walked morosely towards Aemond's bedchamber, the adults following behind them, moving as if they were criminals being led to the rope, knowing that their apology would mark the start of whatever punishment their parents wanted to give them.

  The Next Day

  Aemond looked at his sisters confused as he watched them slink into the hall, questioning the gloves they were now sporting. Most of the family had already arrived to break their fast, but for some reason Aegon, Jacaerys, and Lucerys had not yet arrived.

  "Girls, have you seen your brother?" Alicent asked as they took their seats.

  Lilyanna's response was to look at Aemond and Daeron before looking at Alicent.

  "You know I meant Aegon, Lilyanna." Alicent said dryly.

  "We haven't seen him since yesterday." Lilyanna finally answered before leaning across the table and filling Helaena's plate for her.

  "Where are the boys? The servants should have gotten them ready by now." Rhaenyra asked aloud.

  Just then the doors to the hall opened and said trio of boys walked into the room, causing almost everyone inside to stare at them in shock.

  Aegon, Jacaerys, and Lucerys' hair, heads, necks, and hands were covered in bright pink paint, and with how the paint seemed to disappear into their clothes, suggested that most, if not all of their bodies were of a similar color.

  The silence was broken by the sounds of Daeron's guffawing, "W-what happened to you three?!"

  Aegon glared at his brother, "We weren't pink when we woke up, but we somehow ended up turning this color."

  Lucerys broke away from the other two, running into his mother's arms, "Mother! Is something wrong with me? Am I going to be pink forever?!"

  Rhaenyra's eyes widened as she was unable to respond for a moment, "I am sure that is not the case."

  Aemond bit his lip to keep himself from laughing, but as he looked at his older brother and nephews, he remembered Lilyanna's words and the gloves she and Helaena were now wearing, and it suddenly clicked in his mind as he turned to them.

  Alicent, was thinking the same as her second son and quickly turned to her daughters, "Helaena, Lilyanna."

  "Yes, mother?" Helaena and Lilyanna said in unison.

  "Why are you two wearing gloves?" Alicent asked knowingly.

  "Gloves have been very fashionable as of late, mother." Helaena said, looking at her mother innocently.

  "Then you would not mind taking them off?"

  Helaena and Lilyanna stared at their mother blankly, making themselves look more closely related than usual.

  "Take them off." Alicent ordered.

  Reluctantly, the twins did as they were told and removed their gloves, and when everyone looked at the backs of their hands, they were completely clean.

  Lilyanna shook her own hands for extra effect, "See, mother? We-"

  "Turn them over."

  Lilyanna blinked, "What?"

  Alicent looked at her youngest daughter sharply, "Turn. Your. Hands. Over."

  When the girls turned their hands over, they revealed that their palms and fingers were now stained pink, although the color was far more faded than the one on their brother and nephews, with large swatches of clean skin bleeding through.

  Aegon pointed at his sisters, turning his anger onto them, "You! You two did this to us!"

  Lilyanna shrugged unfazed, "Guilty."

  "Why would you do this to us?" Jacaerys asked, not knowing what they could have done to warrant this reaction from the girls.

  "Is it not obvious?" Rhaenys said, looking at the girls, "You three gave Aemond a pig and told him it was a dragon. Now we have three little pigs right here in front of us."

  Lilyanna chuckled at Rhaenys' words, finding humor in the unintended reference that the older woman made that only Lilyanna could understand.

  Viserys looked at his younger daughters, "You two should not have done that, from what I hear your mother and sister have already given them suitable punishments."

  "Oops?" Helaena said, causing Lilyanna to grin.

  Aegon looked at his mother, "So? What punishment are you going to give them?"

  Alicent looked at the girls, "Your father is right; you should not have done this."

  "They shouldn't have given Aemond a pig." Lilyanna replied.

  "No, they shouldn't have." Alicent agreed, "You two will be helping the dragonkeepers clean out the caves for the next week."

  "Yes, mother." The twins said, knowing that they were getting off rather easily.

  "What?!" Aegon exclaimed, "How is that fair?! They turned us fucking pink!"

  "That is enough, Aegon." Alicent said, "You would not be pink if you did not start all of this by playing a terrible jape."

  Laenor lifted one of Lucerys' curls, seeing that it was pink all the way from the ends down to it roots. "How did you two manage to do this?"

  Lilyanna smiled at the man, more than happy to explain her and Helaena's plan. "We heard about a similar prank that involved pink paint, so we grabbed some and waited until they fell asleep and snuck into their rooms. We didn't paint their bodies; that would have caused them to wake up and catch us, so we replaced all of their soap with the paint."

  "Ah, Aunt Saera." Viserys said wistfully, remembering the story his father had once told him of a ten-year-old Saera sneaking into the White Sword Tower, stealing all the cloaks of the Kingsguard and dyeing them a gaudy shade of pink. The Kingsguard did not have replacement cloaks, so the seven men were forced to wear them for days before new ones could be commissioned.

  Alicent looked at her daughter tiredly, "You should not be so proud of your actions, Lilyanna. What you two did was petty, vengeful, and immature."

  While Lilyanna would have normally felt chastised, she was unable to feel anything other than proud when Aemond mouthed the words thank you to her when their mother was not looking.

  Rhaenyra looked at her sister with a similar expression as Alicent, "This is not permanent, is it?"

  Helaena shook her head, "It should come off after a few washes."

  "Should?" Jacaerys asked.

  Helaena's response was to smile at her nephew, causing despair to bloom in his gut at the thought of being pink forever.

  Luckily for him, Lilyanna assuaged his fears, "It will come off, Helaena and I just didn't have time to wash all of it off our hands before Talya was calling for us."

  Aegon was still glaring at his sister as he took his seat, "I still don't get what is wrong with you two? The pig was a damn joke, this was too far."

  "You don't have to understand, Egg." Lilyanna said, "All you need to know is that no more jokes about Aemond and his lack of dragon will be tolerated."

  Aegon leaned close to Lilyanna, trying but failing to intimidate her, "Or what?"

  Lilyanna grinned openly at her brother, baring her teeth at him venomously. "Or this will be child's play to what I do to you next."

  Aegon leaned away from his sister as much as he could, a shiver racing through him. He had never felt afraid of Lilyanna before, but this time he felt instinctively like a small animal in the face of a predator, realizing that there was no escaping their fate.

  "Whatever." Aegon muttered as he turned away, beginning to pick at his food.

  I'm not afraid of Lilyanna and I'm not afraid of what she may do to me. Aegon thought, although, he did make sure to avoid Aemond for the time being, just to be safe.