Chapter Text
After the quite interesting affair about who will rule Driftmark, the King wants to mend the completely severed ties of his family. He thus invites everyone to what Daemon would consider the most awkward and tense dinner affair he had ever attended.
He amusedly watches as his wife and the so-called Queen spare a glance at each other. He knew that Alicent had feelings for Rhaenyra. She has that same intense look whenever Rhaenyra looks her way. Unfortunately for her, Daemon had won Rhaenyra's heart, body, and soul. If only she wasn't as devoted to her faith and not such a puritan who raised her nose in their ways, then maybe Daemon would have allowed her a taste of his Rhaenyra.
Maybe then she'll realize what she's been missing out on.
As the King entered the room, he stood up, his heart aching at the frailty of his once-strong brother. The only sound was the clanking of the soldiers as they brought their King to the table.
Alicent started with a prayer, adding the soul of Vaemond's soul to be at peace, and Daemon couldn't help but smirk at her ridiculousness.
'for fuck's sake.' he whispered, rolling his eyes. He felt his wife nudge him.
He looked up at the ceiling as he tried to follow his wife and ignore Alicent.
"This is a time to rejoice," the King said after the prayer. "Now that Driftmark's inheritance is final, I'd like to congratulate my grandson Lucerys on his inheritance. This is a show not only of our strengthening bond as a family but show that Omega's has the right to land and property."
Lucerys smiled softly at his grandfather as they raised a toast for his honor.
"Hear! Hear!" Daemon grinned with a wink to his omega son. Lucerys may not be born out of his seed, but he is his nonetheless.
He glanced at Otto and saw the despondency on his face.
"To Lord Lucerys, future Lord of the Tides!"
A nervous smile appeared on his son's face as Rhaena assured him. He knew that Luke didn't want the title of Driftmark, but Daemon would do anything to give everything for his children.
"Hopefully, the next time we gather, we are celebrating the betrothal of your children, Rhaenyra. Of course, yours as well, Daemon." The King said, hoping to live longer to see his great-grandchildren. "I'm sure we can find suitable marriage proposals from the Lords and Ladies of Westeros."
Maybe it was the dragon's blood within him, but the thought of his children parting from him brings him great displeasure.
If only Rhaenyra betrothed his and her children with each other instead of other strangers, then they wouldn't be parted from him.
He would have to convince her soon.
"It is too soon to think about betrothals, brother." Daemon answered, "The idea of giving away my children like cattle is not something I want for them."
Alicent visibly flinched and looked down as Otto sneered at him.
Well, it's not like he didn't speak the truth.
Viserys nodded and stood up. He started to talk about the division in his family and how fractured it was, and Daemon couldn't help but feel bitter.
If his brother had been wise enough and trusted him and Rhaenyra, there wouldn't be a division in their house. Yet all Viserys ever did was believed in Otto's false words and scheming.
A part of him hated his brother for throwing him away and leaving him behind.
He looked away as his wife stood up and praised Alicent for her devotion towards Viserys.
Rhaenyra had always been soft towards her father, even after all the mistakes that Viserys made toward her. She had always been willing to forgive.
If Rhaenyra would always be the one to forgive, then Daemon could be the one who was resentful for both of them.
Daemon instead focused his attention on his children. He watched in rapt attention as Lucerys looked at Aemond intensely and saw how Aemond stared back with the same gaze.
It bothered him to realize that it seemed Luke had the same taste as his mother.
This was the Gods' way of punishing him.
He was about to drink his wine and continued observing when Jace slammed his fists on the table. He looked at his oldest Alpha son, glaring at Aegon before his eyes settled on Aemond, who stood up.
"Jace." Baela softly warned, and Daemon could see the anger she tried to keep to herself. He wondered what Aegon had said to anger both of his children.
He watched as Jace and Aemond looked at each other. Daemon worried that feral young Alphas would suddenly throw the room into chaos. At the corner of his eyes, he saw Lucerys bite his lips in worry.
The room was silent, waiting for the inevitable to happen, and Daemon readied his weapon. Waiting for the moment to strike.
Instead, Jacerys forced a smile as he softly punched Aegon on the arm. He looked at his little brother before raising his drink.
"To Prince Aegon and Aemond, We have not seen each other in years, but I have fond memories of our shared youth." He said diplomatically. "As we remember that youth, Baela and I, as the Alpha children of the family, make sure that our little siblings don't have undeserving people of their love to be with them," he said with emphasis. "We hope you'll help us find better matches for them someday."
Baela smirked, staring at both Aegon and Aemond. "To you and your family's good health, dear Uncle." She added as Jace sat down.
Aemond quietly stared at Jacerys and Baela before sitting down as well.
Daemon chuckled loudly at the brashness of his children. He may not know what happened, but he did have a clue.
As the music started to play, he watched as Baela stood up and asked Helaena for a dance. The shy and awkward princess nodded softly as she stood up and danced with the Alpha.
He watched as Helaena giggled as she danced with Baela, and Daemon was sure that it was one of the rare times the princess smiled in this dreadful keep.
In a bold move, Aegon stood up and asked Lucerys for a dance. Daemon saw Luke's eyes flickering towards his brother and Aemond before nodding at Aegon to accept his offer.
Daemon nodded at Jacerys to watch his brother as he dutifully focused his attention on his wife.
As the music continued, the tension lessened as Daemon prioritized making his wife smile and laugh. It wouldn't do good for their baby if the day's stress impacted his wife.
After the King retired to his room, Daemon knew something had shifted back. A roasted pig was suddenly placed in front of Aemond, and Daemon watched as Aegon chuckled loudly while Jace softly grinned. Luke looked at Aemond worryingly while Aegon had his arms around him.
Once again, the table was hit, and Daemon couldn't help but roll his eyes at the dramatics of Alpha youth.
"Final tribute," Aemond said as he stared intensely at Lucerys. "My brother, Always wanting what he cannot have. may our family be proud of you someday. I do hope the day will come." He said as Alicent silently begged him to stop. Daemon grinned as the veins on Aegon's jaw became more prominent. "To my nephews. Jace, Lucerys, and Joffrey." His eye looked at Jace. "Each of them, wise, handsome... " Aemond's eye glanced back at Lucerys. "beautiful..." he softly whispered, as if that word was for Lucerys alone. "Strong."
"Let us drain our cups to these three strong boys," Aemond said, finally looking away when he saw the Lucerys look at him angrily, and dare he say it, heartbreak?
Interesting.
"I dare you to say that again." Jace glared at Aemond as Baela stood up.
"Why? T'was only a compliment." Aemond asked as he walked towards Jacerys. "I thought you think yourself strong to protect your siblings?" Jacerys raises a punch at Aemond as Baela runs toward Aegon to remove Lucerys away from him.
Aegon saw what Baela was about to do, grabbed the Alpha, and slammed her against the table.
"Jace!"
"Let Baela go, Aegon!" Lucerys shouted as chaos filled the entire room.
Aegon looked at Luke, and Baela growled and used it as an advantage. Se used her elbow to shove Aegon's face away as it connected to his eye. Surprised and disoriented, Aegon fell back as Baela stood up, took Lucery's hand, and hid him behind her.
"That is enough!"
Aemond looked towards Lucerys and grinned before shoving Jace away.
He walked away before being cornered by his mother. With a glance from Rhaenyra, Daemon walked towards the fight, knowing it would turn bloody if he didn't stop it.
He saw Alicent whispering angrily at Aemond and the young Alpha replying before returning to Jace. He shoved his arm away from his mother and walked towards Jacerys.
"Though it seems my nephew isn't entirely proud of theirs. Saying he could protect his sibling when he isn't strong enough." He sneered at Jace.
As Jace was about to fight with Aemond again, Daemon stopped him. He warned the young Alpha as Jace backed away.
He needs to teach Jacerys and Baela to protect their siblings better. If this was a real battle, Alphas would've been slaughtered, and their omega siblings would most likely be taken away.
That he would not allow.
After Rhaenyra ordered their children to go to their rooms, Daemon glanced back at Aemond and sighed. He knew that young Alpha was jealous and angered at the display earlier.
He was intrigued at the emotions his young omega son could invoke towards other Alphas.
As much as he loved today's event's drama and antics, he was tired and didn't want his child anything to do with the Hightowers.
He smiled at Aemond, challenging him to a fight.
'If you want my child, come and take him from me.' He thought as his blood sang at the potential bloodbath that could take place.
Aemond paused before walking away and backing out. Daemon grinned at Rhaenyra, wanting her to compliment him for diffusing the situation.
Maybe he'll get the reward later.
While things had been interesting, he couldn't wait to be back on dragon stone tomorrow and forget King's Landing for a bit.
He hoped that things would die down for a while.