The Heir // King Viserys Targaryen // Daemon Targaryen

48. Otto

Hoax // Benjen Stark Out Now!!

"I want to be there and see the look on his face." Avalon declared cheerily.

"Avalon love," Viserys chuckled kissing her head.

"I should have told you moons ago." Avalon told him confidently as there was a knock on the door.

'Your Grace.' Otto said looking between them. "Your grace." He added stiffly to Avalon she smiled sweetly, her arms crossed over her chest, this was it, bye, bye Otto.

'Five days.' Viserys told Otto

'I'm sorry, Your Grace?' Otto questioned

'Though it was some time ago. The details... they fade in memory. My father was a hale and healthy warrior and dragon rider at the peak of his abilities. Jaehaerys named a great royal hunt to celebrate him being named the Hand of the King. Five days later my... my father lay dead. Tourneys last longer. Baelon the Brave, rider of Vhagar, heir to the Iron Throne... dead of a burst belly. The gods have a dark wit.' Viserys reminded him.

'It was a grim day.' Otto couldn't help but noticed how Avalon smile seemed to twist into a wicked grin.

'I recall it all too well. Yeah... It was a good day for you. Jaehaerys named you Hand in Baelon's stead.' Viserys recalled

'That's hardly how I viewed it, Your Grace. It was a duty.' Otto assured

'You served my grand sire nobly in his final days. You are the man that taught me how to be King.'

'Oh, you honor me, Your Grace.' Otto said happily but King Viserys sighed.

'Just five days... you went from being another man in Jaehaerys's court, to the second most powerful man in the realm. I wonder... how long did it take you to choose yourself over your King?'

'Your Grace?'

'I will never recover from Aemma's death. But Alicent... She was a calculated distraction. I only now realize how well-calculated it was.' Viserys told him stiffly.

'That is an absurdity. Alicent was Rhaenyra's friend, she enjoyed your company... I don't understand what she has to do with this.' Otto said nervously.

"Avalon told me of your talk as well. I don't know what you thought you would accomplish by trying to manipulate my queen." Viserys hissed.

"Avalon-"

"The queen." Viserys corrected.

"The queen." Otto said swallowing the lump in his throat. "Perhaps she misunderstood." Otto offered and Avalon scoffed.

"Why did you send your daughter home?" Viserys countered. "As you said she was Rhaenyra's friend but after Avalon and I were wed, she was sent home." Viserys reminded him. "Why do that?"

"I... well... I..." Otto didn't have an answer and Avalon was reveling in his pain.

"You tried to set Avalon up with suitors her entire stay against my orders or requests." Viserys reminded him and Otto took a nervous step back. "Now I see you for who you truly are Otto." Viserys told him. "What you wanted, your goals and plans..."

"Your grace I just-"

'Your interests no longer align with those of the realm. Your judgment has been compromised.' Avalon told him confidently, smugly, victory emanated off of her.

'A loyal Hand must tell his king a discomforting truth from time to time, Your Grace. If he doesn't... he's failed as a servant.'

'You were a faithful servant, Otto. The crown and the realm both owe you a debt that can never be repaid. But I can no longer trust your judgment.' Viserys told him.

+

'I hope you can forgive the late hour, Princess. I took great care in its preparation. If not brewed properly, it can either prove ineffective or else bear unpleasant...' the maester said putting a glass down in front of her

'Brewed properly? I'm sorry, what is that?' Rhaenyra said giving it a sniff

'A tea, Princess. From the King. It will rid you of any unwanted consequences.' She put is back down and watched him go.

+

''Good morrow, Lady Rhea.''

''Cousin.'' Rhae answered stiffly from horseback.

''What's today's quarry?'' he pondered ''Rabbit?''

''Deer.'' She corrected

''Oh. Fine challenge. Care for some company?'' he offered

'I'd rather ride alone.'' Rhae told him as she rode off.

'Good fortune to you.' He called after her. Birds were squawking in the distance as Rhae rode farther away but suddenly her horse snorted and neighed coming to an abrupt halt

'Husband. What brings you to the Vale?'' Rhae said stiffly as she looked down at Daemon. ''Or have you at last come to consummate our marriage? The Vale's sheep might be willing, even if I'm not.'' Daemon approached her slowly. ''Our sheep are prettier, after all.'' She recalled word of him saying that and thought she might throw it back in his face. ''Or perhaps your brother has at last had his fill of your company. Cast you aside in favor of a little girl.'' Daemon still said nothing as he got closer, her horses shifted uneasy before him.

''What will you do now? Will you strike the child down? Or?'' Daemon lunged forward her horse bucked sending Rhae flying off getting crushed under his weight. Her horse whinnied as Rhea grunted, she winced, and whimpered as Daemon stepped down on her arm. Satisfied that she would die on her own he walked away.

'I knew you couldn't finish. Coward!" Rhae seethed back at him, Daemon turned back around. Fury in his eyes as he picked up a rock budging her.

+

"Your grace... a word?" Otto requested and Avalon watched Viserys and Rhaenyra sail off to make a deal with Laenor for Rhaenyra's hand. She wanted to go but Viserys knew that Corlys was still bitter and seeing Avalon might stir up anger and Viserys wanted to keep her safe. Thunder rumbled as the rain poured down around them as Avalon approached Otto.

'Listen to me, your grace." Otto began in a hushed voice. ''The King will die. It may be months or years, but he'll not live to be an old man. And if Rhaenyra succeeds him, war will follow, do you understand? The realm will not accept her. And to secure her claim, she'll have to put your children to the sword. She'll have no choice.'' Otto warned her but Avalon just stared at him wordlessly. 'You know it. You're no fool, and yet you choose not to see it. The time is coming, your grace. Either you prepare Aegon to rule, or you cleave to Rhaenyra and pray for her mercy.''

"Rhaenyra wouldn't hurt my children.' Avalon told him.

"You don't understand, I was trying to help you." Otto told her.

"Help?" She scoffed.

"When Rhaenyra is queen you position is weakened-''

''Rhaenyra is family, perhaps we would have such struggles if your daughter had become queen, if your plans had succeeded but I am queen." Avalon told him. "Rhaenyra has always been family, I love Viserys and I support Rhaenyra's claim. She will not, will not hurt my babies because I will give her no reason to fear their claim."

"You don't understand, you are all in danger." Otto told her.

"No. but you are. Get out of the capital otto, go home. If I see you back in kings landing, I will send a fiery inferno down upon you and your kin." Avalon warned. "Have a safe trip." She added sweetly as she left. Otto watched her go, a war would come, but at least the Targaryens would burn in their own flames.