Chapter Text
It was a known fact that Lucerys struggled to stay mad at his family for very long, it was a fact his family tended to abuse he had noticed over the years. They mostly shrugged off his anger because it was only for a short while. He was just overreacting, they would normally tell him.
They didn’t take his anger seriously and it was always something that irked him to no end. He actually hadn’t even realized it until he was placed at Driftmark and Coryls started his education.
This time, he would not allow them to shrug him off. His anger was serious. Ever since he had arrived at Kings Landing it had been a mere joke of trying to set Lucerys into plans that he was not aware of.
He had made it a known fact that he was upset with his mother, and had made a point of not speaking to her for the last couple of days even in public. He knew his mother was only a mere moment away of pulling her rank of Queen on him but he tried his best not to care. It had not worked because the small part of him that was still a mama’s boy was screaming at him for hurting her even though she had lied to him in the first place.
He simply had no idea what to do and hiding away in the library from everyone, including Aemond, was the only thing he felt like he could do. He needed peace and the library was oddly good at providing it for him.
He almost screamed when he heard the doors opening but he had managed to refrain himself from doing so as he noticed Aemond making his way towards him. Normally, Lucerys would happily welcome him but his Uncle had murder in his eye and that made him stop.
“Aemond?”
He got his answer when Queen Rhaenyra walked in shortly after him, Daemon by her side. Something was happening and all Lucerys could wonder was if they had managed to find out about them. He suddenly found it hard to breathe when the doors were closed shut and his mother was standing in front of them, Aemond standing behind him to his right.
“Whatever is going on between you two will stop immediately.”
Oh gods, he was right. She did know.
“And what exactly are we stopping?” Aemond asked and Luce was glad that at least one of them was able to function.
“Do not play as the fool brother, it is not a good look on you. You know exactly what I am referring to.”
“And what exactly is that mother?” Lucerys managed to ask, his voice shaky but at least he was able to form words.
His mother faltered, always soft when it came to him. It was rare for him to make her upset and he knew this and hoped to maybe take advantage of this.
“All we have been doing is trying to put things in the past and try to be friends again,” He continued and this time, his voice didn’t waver. He was rather proud of himself for it.
“That is not what I have heard boy,” Daemon interfered. He always did when Rhaenyra faltered.
“And what is it that you have heard Uncle?” Aemond shot at him, “Mere rumors perhaps? You know how these walls tend to spread lies and rumors more than truth.”
“So you aren’t fucking my step son then?”
Silence. Daemon smirked in victory and Lucerys glared at him.
“This stops now,” Rhaenyra finally spoke.
“Mother-”
“No. You are the heir of Driftmark Lucerys and for that you must marry a woman. Since you broke off the betrothal with Rhaena without our acknowledgement, I will choose a new bride for you.”
“I don’t want that.”
“We are Targaryens, we do not get what we want. You will do your duty and that is final.”
“And what of Sir Leanor? You married him and you saw how miserable he was,” Aemond said, “And yet you killed him off to marry your Uncle.”
“Yet I had children,” The Queen tried to defend herself but Aemond only scoffed at that as he chuckled. Lucerys knew exactly what he was going to say next.
“You mean Sir Harwin Strong?”
Rhaenyra froze for a quick moment before her face hardened, “End it. That is final.”
Lucerys only gave Aemond a quick glare as he stood up from the chair he had been curled up in, his legs almost faltering as pins and needles told him he had been curled up in one position for far too long.
“Mother, I know you are upset but-”
“Upset? Yes, I am Lucerys but you want to know what I am mostly feeling? Disappointment. I am disappointed in you Lucerys, I expected better from you.”
And that hurt more than anything else as he curled into himself, his breath hitching as he tried his best to keep his emotions in check. Another thing about being a mama’s boy, she knew exactly what to say to hurt him and he never once thought she would.
“That is not fair,” Aemond growled out, his hand grabbing Lucerys’ softly. A clear contrast of how he was feeling surely and Luce allowed his lover to push him behind him.
“If anything, you are a hypocrite sister.”
“Maybe that is so,” She admitted and that surprised not only himself, but it had taken Aemond by surprise, “But two males cannot create an heir. I will never allow this to happen and I know Coryls will not either.”
“Then I can pass on Driftmark to Jace’s second born child.”
Aemond whipped around to stare at him, his eye wide as surprise was written on his face. They had never once spoken about marriage, honestly Lucerys didn’t know what was going on between them. They had never given it a name or truly spoke about it properly.
But he was willing to give it a chance if Aemond was.
“No. I will not allow this.”
“Mother-”
“That is enough!”
Luceys was quick to close his mouth. He knew this was a losing battle and Aemond finally stopped looking at him as he turned back towards Lucerys’ mother.
“Rhaenyra, Lucerys is mine. And I will burn Kings Landing if you keep him from me.”
“Dramatic as always, Aemond,” Daemon chuckled and Aemond only closed his eye in frustration.
“Heed my warning, fire will burn.”
Daemon only laughed as he shook his head while Rhaenyra only rolled her eyes as she huffed before she walked towards the door. The last thing they heard when the door slammed shut was Daemon cackling.
All Lucerys could do was stare at the ground, his lips in a thin line as his fists were balled up. He was beyond frustrated and he was also hurt. He knew he would have to do his duty and push aside his wants and he was prepared to do that. But things had changed and now he wasn’t sure if he truly could anymore.
He had a taste of what he could have and now he only wanted it more. He didn’t want to go back to shoving aside his wants, Aemond had ruined any chance he could have with that. He didn’t find it in him to be angry about it though.
“Do not worry Luce, we will figure something out.”
He still couldn’t look up as he stiffly nodded. He had an idea that could make things drastically worse, but it would be good for them. He sighed, allowing his muscles to relax as he finally looked up to see Aemond staring at him, waiting for anything from him.
“We will, I have an idea.”
Aemond only grinned.
“What is next?” Daemon asked and Rhaenyra only ignored him.
Where has she gone wrong with her baby boy? Her precious pearl. Why would he do this to her?
Now she may be blowing this way out of proportion, and she knew what it was like to fall in love with someone you cannot have. But Lucerys should know his duties, he should know better. She had expected Coryls to teach her boy this and now she could see he had not.
She would have to fix that.
“Rhaenyra, what is the plan now? I understand you are-”
“I am more than upset Daemon, but I will fix this.”
“And we will in time,” He told her gently as he kept in pace with her, “But we still need to be careful about this. Aemond isn’t someone to fool around this even if he is a cowardly cunt.”
“My brother will do nothing, He only does work for everyone else but when it comes to himself he will do nothing. We need to split them up.”
“I agree,” Daemon said and she turned another corner.
“We are heading to Coryls quarters then?”
“Yes, I am sending him and Lucerys back to Driftmark. Where he will teach Lucerys about fulfilling duties since he clearly has not taught him anything about that.”
Daemon didn’t get a reply in before she stopped in front of Coryls’ door and nodded at the guard to throw the doors open. She needed to make an entrance.
And an entrance she made as she stormed into the room, the guard announcing her loudly and Corlys only looked up from the book he was reading before he hastily stood up and gave her a bow. He had to know she was here for business and not for an afternoon visit.
“Your Grace, what is it that I can do for you?”
He was always a smart man, the Lord of the Tides, and he always was there for her boys. Especially Lucerys when her boy needed someone on his side. For that she was grateful, it was something she wasn’t sure if she could ever repay.
She only hoped this didn’t burn away the friendship that they had.
“I need you and Prince Lucerys to go back to Driftmark immediately.”
“I don’t understand, why?”
She found it difficult to even start explaining why this needed to happen. She remembers how upset Corlys had been at his son for loving another man, how disappointed he always seemed to be with Leanor and now she had to tell him that his Grandson was much like his not true father.
She didn’t want to break the news to him but she had no choice.
“My son is far too close to Prince Aemond than I would like.”
Corlys didn’t seem surprised at the news as he gave her a nod. This was not the reaction she thought she was going to get from him.
“Last I heard they had come to some truce. Isn’t this a good thing Rhaenyra?”
“Yes Coryls, but they are much closer than that. They,” She had to stop and compose herself for the news she was about to break, “They are lovers.”
“Lovers?” Coryls echoed and this is what told her everything.
“You already knew,” She accused and he only sighed.
“I had an idea but I didn’t fully know.”
“You are lying to me.”
“Rhaenyra-”
“Why would you allow this to happen? He is the heir to your throne.”
“I know he is.”
She felt as if they were all lying to her. If Corlys, a man she trusted to give her son education and to help him prepare for his duties lied to her, who else was lying to her? Was Daemon lying to her? Her son Jace? Who could she trust?
“Then why would you allow this to happen?”
“Because I have failed Leanor, I have failed my son because I could not accept the fact he could not lie with a woman. I saw what happened to him when I married him to you. I do not want to see the same thing happen to Lucerys.”
So he was blaming her now for it all. How dare he?
“I was good to your son-”
“I know you were. This isn’t about you Rhaenyra, please.”
She was offended.
“Corlys.”
“I believe you sending us back to Driftmark will only make things worse,” Corlys only told her and she glared at him.
“It will split them up. This is what we need. Aemond is his uncle.”
“And if I remember correctly, Daemon is your uncle and yet you are married to the man and have children. How is this any different?”
“They are both males!”
“Then have Jacaerys' second born child be the next heir. Baela has Velaryon blood and it will stop the whispers when that child becomes the next Lord of the Tides. It will be a win-win situation.”
“Lucerys is not a bastard.”
“But he is. I know this and yet I love him as if he is one of my own, he is still my grandson and he is still my heir. I will not change this Rhaenyra. I will always love that boy as if he was my own blood.”
That should reassure her, hearing his declaration. But it hadn’t helped her anger. This will only humiliate her if she allows her son and Aemond to be together, the people will turn against her and they would only hate her even more. A woman cannot be on the throne and yet she had the crown placed on her head after a brief war that could have ended badly had started.
She fought for her place and she will not allow anything to have people turn on her now. Her son will not be allowed to be with Aemond and that is final.
“This will only cause more problems in the future, please do not do this,” The man in front of her basically begged but she already made up her mind.
“You and Prince Lucerys will leave this evening and that is final. If I see you still in Kings Landing tomorrow I will arrest the both of you.”
With that she turned and left the room, she couldn’t bear the thought of seeing how Corlys only stared after her, his expression possibly dark.
She was doing the right thing. She had to be.
“Wait so mother is actually mad at you? You of all people?” Jace asked in disbelief and Lucerys only groaned as he buried his face into his hands.
This is not what he needed on top of everything today.
“She said it was worse, she was disappointed in me.”
Jace only stared at him before he laughed. Luce only glared as the laughter did not stop, it only grew louder.
“Stop laughing at me.”
That only seemed to trigger his brother more as Jace moved from laughing too full on wheezing which was even worse. After a quick shove and a yelp, Jace only groaned as he landed hard on the floor, the laughter gone.
Finally, some peace.
“That was uncalled for.”
“You wouldn’t stop laughing at me, it is what you deserved.”
“Fair enough,” Jacaerys sighed, still sprawled on the ground, no attempt to even get up.
“I am embarrassed more than anything.’
“Why is she even disappointed in you, what have you done that could possibly get that reaction out of her?”
“I don’t even want to talk about it.”
“That bad huh? Alright keep your secrets. I will learn of them eventually.”
And hopefully he would not be here to see how Jace would react when he did find out.
“Jace, if you were to find out something personal about me and my likes, would you not talk to me anymore?” He didn’t really mean to ask it, not truly but the self doubt urged him to ask ad he was desperate for an answer.
His brother only looked confused as he sat up from where he was laying on the floor, looking up at him, “You are my brother Luce, I will love you no matter what.”
How Lucerys wished that was true.
All he was able to do was smile before they were interrupted, Corlys standing to the side looking grim and Luce knew it only meant trouble.
“Grandsire?”
“Sorry to interrupt boys, I was hoping to steal Lucerys for a bit?”
“Yeah sure, I shall see you later for supper,” Jace easily replied and Lucerys gave him a nod as Jace only smacked him lightly on the shoulder before he was off with a grin.
As soon as he was gone Lucerys turned and stared at Corlys and that seemed to be enough for his grandsire to understand what he was asking.
“Your mother came to see me.”
He only groaned at the mention of his mother and Corlys chuckled in return.
“I am afraid it is not good.”
“Of course it’s not,” Luce grumbled.
“We are to return to Driftmark by this evening, Queen’s orders.”
He expected that, “And if we don’t?”
“We will be arrested on sight.”
Another thing Luce expected at this point.
“You are not reacting the way I was expecting,” Coryls hummed, “You have a plan don’t you?”
“I do yes,” He confirmed and Corlys only nodded as he placed a hand onto his shoulder.
“Do I even want to know?”
“I will need your help so yes.”
“Then tell me everything,” Corlys only replied with and Lucerys beamed.
He knew he could always count on the man to be on his side no matter what.
“You did what?” Alicent asked and Rhaenyra only ignored her.
This was the last thing she expected to hear when Rhaenyra summoned her. When she had walked into the room, she knew she was not talking to her friend, no she was talking to the Queen.
“It is necessary. I thought you would be happy with this news.”
“I mean, I am. I was unaware of Lucerys and Aemond and it goes against my faith but-”
“But what Ailcent?”
She was taken back by the aggressiveness that was in her friend's voice, “I know my son. This will not end well.”
“So you doubt my judgement as well?”
“No of course not,” Alicent was quick to answer. She had to tread carefully, she had realized, because at this point, Rhaenyra was not going to be swayed to take any other course of action.
“Good, I know I can always count on you.”
“Yes, but I am curious as to why you have summoned me for this?”
“I need you to tell your son the news. Aemond will not take it well if I were to give him the news.”
“Right, because of how you had cornered him this morning,” Alicent only said, she was not thrilled to hear about that part.
Her son did not handle being cornered well. He lashed out and he knew how to hurt with words and she could see how badly Rhaenyra seemed to be thrown off by him. Alicent had no idea what words had been said, or what action had been taken. But it was clear to see that Rhaenyra was thrown off.
“Please do get it done,” Rhaenyra demanded of her, ignoring her implication.
All Ailcent could do was give her Queen a nod before she left the room without looking back. She was not looking forward to this.
She found him in his room, he was simply reading one of his books he was fond of and she couldn’t help but to smile. Her son wasn’t normally a soft man, not with everything that had happened and the poison her father had fed her and her children, but when he was like this, she could maybe see the soft man he would have been.
“Aemond.”
“Mother,” Aemond acknowledged as he placed his book into his lap, his attention immediately on her and she only closed the door behind her.
She only hoped he would take this well but she knew he wouldn’t.
“I have news that the Queen wanted me to give to you.”
Aemond changed completely, his stance hardened as his smile fell. She could see just how angry her friend had made her son earlier this morning.
“What is the news then?”
“Lord Corlys and Prince Lucerys have been ordered to leave for Driftmark this evening.”
He didn’t explode as she was expecting, instead he only seemed to shut himself off completely away from her. His hands didn’t even ball into fists as they do when he gets angry, instead they were relaxed, and that should have been her warning of what was to come.
“I see. Thank you mother. You may go now.”
“Aemond-”
“I said,” Aemond started loudly before his voice softened, “You may go now mother. Please leave me for a bit.”
And she foolishly did.