Chapter 34: Denounced And Declared Mad
~~~(POV: Joffrey Baratheon)~~~
~~~(Current Age: 17 Years)~~~
~~~(Location: The Red Keep, Kings Landing, Westeros)~~~
~~~(Time: 299 AC)~~~
Mother hasn't been herself since the realm learned Raenon Targaryen burned all of Braavos. There are few moments I don't see her without my grandfather or Tyrion. It's been two weeks since this major event happened.
I've been to every Small Council Meeting since the day we found out what happened. If it were up to me, I'd be doing something else.
The Starks and Tullys in the North have stopped due to the current state of finances. My uncle in the South has also stopped. I also don't know why I bother calling that man my uncle. The day I learned about my mother and Jaime was when a lot of things changed.
It doesn't matter to me. I'm King, and that's what matters. Grandfather has me making sure I refer to myself as Baratheon when everyone in The Seven Kingdoms knows I'm a bastard. Born of incest.
How funny that it only took one generation of ruling for incestuous rulers to take the throne. It's actually poetic in a sense.
"Your Grace, The Small Council Meeting is starting."
I'm warned the most boring part of my day has started. It doesn't take me long to reach The Small Council, and I'm the last to arrive.
Mother has me sit next to her, and we all turn our attention to my grandfather. He's sitting at the head of the table with a neutral face. But if you look closely, there are dark shadows under his eyes. He hasn't slept well since the news spread about the Targaryen.
"Perhaps I should start this meeting?"
My little monster of an uncle Tyrion sees that grandfather isn't going to speak. Taking this chance to lead the meeting. I don't care who's talking as long as it's fast, which doesn't happen with all these old men. It's not something I'd call productive.
I'm the King, and what I say goes. Well, that's how it'd go if not for grandfather. He's too strong for me to take on myself, and he has too much control to seize power from. I may be the King, but he's the leader behind The Iron Throne.
There are ways to shift the power, but that's not a topic for now. Everyone looks to Tyrion since he's got no protests from my grandfather.
"I've gotten reports that people in Astapor are celebrating this as a massive Targaryen victory. House Targaryen's strength is gathering and doing so with haste. However, that's not what's got me most concerned."
Round and round in circles, we go.
~~~(POV: Tyrion Lannister)~~~
~~~(Current Age: 34 Years)~~~
~~~(Location: The Small Council Chambers, The Red Keep, Kings Landing, Westeros)~~~
~~~(Time: 299 AC)~~~
The obvious displeasure on my nephew's face doesn't bring me much hope for my family's future or the power base we've constructed. I know that more serious problems will begin with Joffrey soon; his tendencies have only worsened since being crowned King.
"The Lords and Ladies of Westeros are taking their support away from The Iron Throne and House Lannister. The Vale and The Reach are going to stop supporting us in the coming year."
As I finish talking, I see my sister staring off into a random wall across from her. She's been like this for a while now. She can't control Joffrey anymore, and that scares her.
"He's not wrong. My little birds have informed me that minor houses all over Westeros are sending ravens to Raenon in hopes of being spared. Declaring that they have no allegiance to The Iron Throne."
Vary's backs up my bad news with supporting evidence of his own. My eyes drift to the head of the table and rest on my father. He hasn't spoken this entire time, and I can only assume he's thinking of a plan. It's what he always does when things get complicated.
"The only way to keep Raenon Targaryen away from Westeros and The Iron Throne is to turn the people against him."
After a few minutes of silence, my father speaks. It's a plan that's been used before and has shown results. It won't be hard to brand Raenon mad like his father. Turn the Smallfolk against him. The little people of Westeros are the biggest to overcome.
While people are incredibly dissatisfied with Joffrey, the fear of being burned in Dragon Fire is worse. We can convince people that's what will happen if Raenon comes. If they support him.
"That's a plan that's worked in the past, Lord Hand. However, I don't think Raenon is the type to care for people's thoughts about him. If they cause a problem, he'll burn them. Smallfolk or Noble alike. Braavos is the perfect example of this."
Once again, Vary's isn't wrong. Raenon has proven that he cares not for the consequences of using his dragon. Just as Aegon The Conqueror didn't care. He's not coming for a peaceful transition. He's coming as a storm on our lands.
"That's if Raenon wants to rule over ashes instead of people."
Cercei is the one to speak this time. Arguing against Vary's point. What she says is valid. But it's not that Raenon is without mercy. If what has been said about Astapor and The Unsullied is true, he's a reasonable and generous man.
They say that Daenerys and him allowed any Unsullied to walk away as free men. At that point and forever, the option stands. No one would stop the Unsullied from leaving. They offered the same to all the slaves in Astapor.
Free people with absolute loyalty to Raenon and Daenerys.
"We won't give Raenon Targaryen a choice. He'll either have to burn The Seven Kingdoms or take The Iron Throne with armies instead of Fire and Blood."
My father has made up his mind. He plans to place Raenon in an ultimatum. One that I don't see working. Not against someone with so much power and still power left to gain.
~~~(POV: Raenon Targaryen)~~~
~~~(Current Age: 15 Years)~~~
~~~(Location: Manse, Astapor, Essos)~~~
~~~(Date: 299 AC)~~~
It's been two months since I burned Braavos to the ground. And Dany is getting closer to her due date. A month or more is left, and another child of Targaryen will come into the world.
I'm watching as Alysanne plays with a toy. It's a wood carving of a dragon, and she's found great enjoyment in the small wooden plaything. Soon, Vaelor and her will be going through the skies. It's obvious she's bonded to the dragon.
I can see the protectiveness Vaelor has with my daughter when she's around. They're linked both in mind and soul. When Alysanne is having a bad day, so is Vaelor. The opposite can be true too. The Blood of The Dragon runs thick.
"You know when we do march on Westeros. Every Smallfolk from The Reach to The North will be against us. Dorne is the only place where such things won't exist."
Dany is leaning against me as she gently rubs her belly. She's naked, and I am too. Alysanne is too young to care. We haven't done anything that would result in our shared pleasure. It's just a scorching hot day in Astapor.
My sister has grown uncomfortable with the big belly that adorns her body. The heat added to that means fewer clothes are comfortable. Everyone in the Manse knows not to disturb us.
What my dragoness is talking about refers to the state of The Smallfolk in Westeros. The Lannisters have turned the people against me. Using my actions against Braavos as proof. That being, I'm a madman like my father before me.
Only that I'm worse since I'm riding on a dragon that could destroy cities.
"Don't worry. After our next child is born, we'll be marching to Yunkai next. It's time we moved on from Astapor. We've set up freedom here. We've got allies in power, and no slavers are left."
The rest of Slavers Bay should be free, like Astapor. There are so many people out there that don't know what it means not to be owned by another. Plus, Yunkai has the funds we need. Along with ships. It's the next step to taking Westeros back.
Dany turns my head and clashes her lips against mine. We kiss for longer than we need to. And before things get too hot, I stop it. Alysanne is still in the room.
"Alysanne, go to your room. Mommy and daddy need to talk to each other alone."
Before I can even think about doing anything, Dany sends off Alysanne. She's able to walk, and she heads to her room. She's an incredibly intelligent girl. I'm grateful she's innocent. Not knowing what her mother and I are doing in our moments alone.
She gets it from Dany and me. Our combination has resulted in wonder.
"Now, where were we..."
I know exactly where this is going from her tone of voice.
Dany wraps her arms around me and starts kissing me again. She presses her naked body against mine, and it's to the point where it's not stopping from here. Some base things could be said about having sex with your pregnant lover.
Her belly is already so big.
But that doesn't stop me from picking her up in my arms and carrying her to our bed. Laying her down and kissing her deeply.
"It's a good thing I can't get pregnant right now, huh... But not that it'd matter..."
Her breath is labored as I pull away from the kiss.
A chuckle escapes from my lips at her logic. It's true. She can't get pregnant since she already is. But it's not like I'd pull out anyway. Hence, why it wouldn't matter.
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