She was surprised no one killed her, too.

Daella felt her body tense, expecting Otto's anger and for someone– multiple someones, even– to react and subdue her. This is it, she thought, I will not be allowed to participate anymore. My anger will be my son's ruin.

Surprisingly, however, it was only Ser Harrold Westerling and Alicent that looked at her as though she was a madwoman. The Queen was horrified, she knew– she had never been the same with Daella since her killing Ser Criston at Rhaenyra's wedding. The old Commander was the only one who would act, however, for Alicent had never been the sort of person that would have challenged someone that could truly kill her.

"Princess," said Ser Harrold, with a voice heavily laced in judgment. He sounded so disappointed, so horrified, so... disgusted. "You are not well."

"It would not seem I am, Ser Harrold," she said at last, her arm trembling as she drew it back into herself. Orwyle felt for a pulse on Lord Beesbury's neck and found none. She looked at Otto, expecting his disdain. "I suppose I ought to remove myself. And call someone for the body."

"No." His response shocked her. In his eyes she saw some shock, yes, and perhaps annoyance at her quickness to react, but surprisingly no anger. "The door remains shut until we finish our business."

With his approval, she sat herself back down. Orwyle shifted uncomfortably away from Lord Beesbury's body. She felt a thrill growing in her, particularly when none had chastised her for her actions. She had been the first to kill in Aegon's name, the first to kill a supporter of Rhaenyra. She had started a war– and she loved it. She felt a hunger growing for more and more. She would kill a thousand men more if it made Aeneas their King. Yes, yes, her love was strong and powerful, her skill had grown tenfold since Laenor first taught her to use knives. And she had a dragon to use... a dragon and hands that could bring her son a crown, though it might drip with blood.

"Storm's End is of concern," offered Tyland to move them along. "We may not assume the loyalty of Lord Borros. But he has four daughters, all of them unmarried. The right proposal..."

"I agree," said Daella, wringing her hands and feeling as though they could not stop shaking. She wanted more, more, more. "Perhaps a marriage to Prince Aemond would be ideal." We gain Borros as a firm ally, and Aemond may get carted off to the Stormlands... allowing me to push Aeneas forth as heir here.

Alicent burst out, "What of Rhaenyra?" Gods, was that really what she cared about now? Daella saw the way she stared at Lord Beesbury's body– it was as if Alicent was only just realizing what anger could do. She had never been willing to go so far, not even when she tried to hurt Rhaenyra on Driftmark– Alicent had never again risen to that level of rage. She doesn't want her son to be King badly enough. She said she wanted it, but it was I who was preparing Aegon this entire time. I practically raised that boy while she was off doing gods-knows-what.

Otto said carefully, "The former heir cannot, of course, be allowed to remain free and draw support to her claim." Alicent questioned, "You mean to imprison her?" Her father said, "She and her family will be given the opportunity to publicly swear obeisance to the new King."

"She will never bend the knee," said Alicent. "Nor will Daemon, which you know." She finally seemed to realize what Daella had already thought of ages ago– how simple things would be if the blood continued to flow. "You plan to kill them..." When none raised opposing thoughts, she added, "And all here accede to this?"

Orwyle spoke, "Your father is correct, Your Grace. A living challenger invites battle and bloodshed."

"It must be done," said Daella. She felt her hands itching, wanting more blades to rush out. "The truth I will say is that we must secure the rightful succession. Lessen the challenge. If Rhaenyra will rise up and support her farce of a claim– and Daemon and her sons along with her– then the truth is that they cannot live to make these arguments."

"No!" snapped Alicent, staring at Daella with such loathing that Daella wondered who had ever hated the other more– she always thought she had hated Alicent at one point more than anything imaginable. "Your father would never wish for the murder of his daughter. He loved her more than anything, I will not have you deny this."

"And yet," began Lord Jasper, as if to remind her that she and Daella had heard Viserys change his mind.

Alicent shot up, snarling, "One more word and I will have you removed from this chamber and sent to the Wall." Tyland seemed to want to indulge whatever Alicent must have had in mind. "Then, what do you suggest, Your Grace?"

But she could say nothing. She wasn't willing to do anything here. Useless, Daella thought. "Time is of the essence," said Otto, moving them along to what actually mattered. "Lord Commander Westerling, take your knights to Dragonstone. Be quick and be clean."

Ser Harrold did not move, however. He sneered– truly– and glanced between him and Daella. He would not do it, she knew. He cared for Rhaenyra too much. He was not in support of what they were doing– it was a mistake to have him here, too. He ripped off his white cloak. "I am Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. I recognize no authority but the King's. And until there is one... I have no place here."

Daella knew that he was a risk, that he could no longer be trusted to serve them. She would dispatch her son to handle him, otherwise he'd run right to Rhaenyra and be in support of her. She would be quick to entrust that to Aeneas... let him prove himself as soon as possible. Let him show her that he truly did have what it took to be King. It was to be his challenge– she'd offer him only the task with no suggestions. If he was smart enough to see it done, it would leave her no doubts that he should be their next King.

She waited for Ser Harrold to dismiss himself, then said, "I would advise waiting, if we can. We have the advantage as long as Rhaenyra remains unaware. We can still hide it... perhaps another day or two. She is heavy with child. Gods, perhaps she'll even die this time around and we won't have to worry about her or whatever monster Daemon put in her."

"Let us handle her supporters, then," offered Tyland. "There are those at court who would be inclined to favor her. What is to be done about them? Soon, others in the castle will know... they may inform her before we do."

Otto heaved a sigh, tapping his fingers on the table. "Any servants who know of the king's passing should be sent to the dungeons. No ravens will fly from now unless they are to our allies. No bells will be rung. To these potential loyalists... do them no violence, unless they resist. Such men as bend the knee and swear fealty to King Aegon shall suffer no harm at our hands."

"And those who will not?" asked Orwyle quietly.

"Are traitors," said Lord Jasper, "and must die a traitor's death."

Daella nodded in agreement. "I will leave you to handle the rest, my lords. I ought to tell the princes... and prepare them for what is to come." She wanted to send Aeneas after Ser Harrold, and she wanted her brothers on high alert... it was crucial they were all on the same page now. Otto gave her a nod of approval.

She gathered all the children in her quarters at once, though they were not yet ready to rise. With tired faces she had them line up and told them the truth– Viserys was dead and Aegon was their King now. Her brother looked as though he might be sick when they all turned to look at him. She made the truth very clear– Rhaenyra would gladly kill them all to secure herself and her bastard boys the throne if it came to that. It was important they all rise up together (as she had always told them) to support Aegon. To Aeneas, she gave a discreet look– the sort where she pressed her eyes together to silently let him know that this was all temporary. Then, she gave him explicit instructions that he was to find Ser Harrold and track his movements, subdue him, and bring him to her. The rest of them were to remain in their rooms and await further instruction... Otto would know soon how they should proceed.

When she met with him again, she found that the City Watch had been taken care of. Gwayne himself would now be part of them, second-in-command to Ser Luthor Largent, who was one of five captains to have bent the knee to Aegon. The other two had not been sympathetic and were put in the dungeons instead.

Tyland had been named Master of Coin to replace Lord Beesbury, and had immediately begun work to seize the royal treasury. One part would go to the Iron Bank of Braavos for safekeeping, and two parts would be sent to Casterly Rock and Oldtown. The remaining wealth would be theirs to use as needed, for bribes and gifts, even sellswords if need be. Otto had already sent for a replacement Master of Ships, thinking perhaps he could find an ally in the bloodthirsty sixteen-year-old Lord Dalton Greyjoy, the Red Kraken and Lord Reaper of Pyke.

He had been even cleverer than that– he had asked them to bring forth the annals of the Great Council and learn which lords had spoken for Viserys or Rhaenys to let them know which of them were dissenters. Houses Velaryon, Bar Emmon, Massey, Celtigar, Crabb, and perhaps even the Evenstars of Tarth were like to support her. The Starks and their bannermen had spoken for Rhaenys, while Lady Jeyne Arryn was going to back Rhaenyra lest her own claim was called into question.

Although the Baratheons had spoken for Rhaenys for obvious reasons, Otto had great reason to believe that Borros was going to side with them, particularly after her idea of offering a marriage to one of the Princes. Otto had the idea of sending Aemond to win the hand of one of Lord Borros's daughters himself– this would be his task to deliver the Stormlands to Aegon, a test of his loyalty. Daella liked it... it got him out of the way.

They would not call septons or Silent Sisters while these arrangements were made– that would give time for ravens to fly out to their allies. But Daella had been right, this would hold at most for a day or two. They were lucky that Rhaenys had chosen to leave that morning without question– though Daella wasn't sure she could trust that she knew nothing. A statement had to be made, and fast.

By that evening, Aeneas had Ser Harrold. He'd gone into the old knight's chambers completely uninvited, expecting a fight. When he found them empty, he searched through the walls until he found a passage that connected with Maegor's tunnels. Alone, he'd slipped through knowing the man would have to wait until dark to slip out unseen– he could not move as quickly as he once did, and he was too easy to recognize in the daylight, whether cloaked or not.

It had taken him a few hours of quiet tiptoeing to find him crouched in the tunnels that led into the lower floors of the castle. Ser Harrold hadn't been unarmed, but Aeneas had been quiet enough that the knight reacted too late. A hidden blade in his sleeve had gone up against the old man's throat, prompting him to quietly follow him back through the tunnels. Aeneas had taken his sword and led him back the way he came– her boy had always had a good memory, though he didn't frequent the tunnels (not that Daella knew of, at least). He'd held him there until he could wait for a knight he recognized to patrol outside, dispatching him to bring his mother.

"Has it really come to this?" Ser Harrold looked up at her as she entered, shutting the door behind her and immediately flicking a knife out from beneath her sleeve. "I watched you grow, Princess. I've never wished you any harm."

"Nor did I wish you any," she said honestly. "But I cannot quite allow you to leave the city and tell Rhaenyra anything... or serve her, even. I must be sure that the Kingsguard surrounding my brother is one that will defend him at all costs. At present, I question your loyalty."

"What you are all doing is nothing I can defend," said Ser Harrold. "To usurp the throne from your own sister... your mother never would have wanted this."

Daella's lips curled angrily. "Doesn't matter what she would have wanted. She is dead, you recall? Because of my father, she is dead, because he wanted a male babe. He got that babe. His guilt prevented him from changing his mind any sooner. You know as well as I that Rhaenyra deserved nothing–"

"Is that it? All these years, it has always been about what she had that you did not? Is that reason to kill a man, to usurp a throne? You... are someone I no longer recognize, Princess." He shook his head. "If I am to die, then at least I will not live to see the damage you will inflict on a girl who never did you any harm. I regret I did not leave sooner, to warn the true Queen and be a sword to protect her children. Your mother's heart would break seeing what you would do to the only piece of her you have left. To know you are willing to hurt her children... you are mad... mad like King Maegor was. "

To her surprise, Aeneas lifted his leg and kicked the man across the face. "That is my mother you are speaking to, you ancient cunt!" he snarled. "How dare you call her mad like Maegor?"

"Aeneas," she tried to say, motioning for her son to stop. She was going to silence that old man now, she truly was–

But her boy reacted first. Aeneas unsheathed his sword, and with one decisive thrust plunged the blade into the man's heart. Daella watched her son's eyes light up– light up the way hers did when her hunger was satisfied. He is like me, he has always been stronger than any of the other children. Nothing could be said to quantify the pride she felt in that moment, as she watched Ser Harrold fall while Aeneas stepped back, his sword dripping with blood.

"There," said Aeneas, staring down at his body. "One less man to rise in support of Rhaenyra." He let the blood drip from the sword onto the floor, until at last he chose to wipe it off on the man's cloak.

Daella waited for him to sheath his sword to place her hand on his shoulder, smiling proudly. "You have done very well, my boy. You are a man now, taking spilled blood truly for the first time."

His lips quirked up. "I am younger even than you were when you first killed." She rolled her eyes playfully, knowing he wished to make this a contest. "I am ready to be on the battlefield, Mother. Let me earn my name in a way none of the others ever could."

"We will see, my boy, we will see," she said, hoping he'd only ever have to see a battlefield from the skies– he was ready to have a dragon now, it was only about finding him one. He was worthy of a great one... Silverwing or larger, she knew. None of those little useless ones like Rhaenyra's boys had. She could see her son having claimed Vhagar if Aemond hadn't beat him to it.

_

By the seventh day, they could no longer hide what was going on. Otto had imprisoned many men suspected of disloyalty that even the High Septon had asked after them. The smell was impossible to ignore as well... the stink coming from his bedchambers was so unbearable that even the guards could not tolerate their patrol.

Aegon had finally accepted what was happening– much to Daella's delight. He knew she was right, in the end– Rhaenyra would kill him, Helaena, and his children before anyone if she wanted to secure the Iron Throne. Daella had him attending the Small Council meetings each day since they first unleashed their plot. The moment Tyland awkwardly brought up the amount of suspicion from those remaining in the court, Aegon asked (somewhat petulantly for Daella's tastes, but this could be improved upon), "Am I a king or not? If I am king, then crown me."

The moment they agreed, Otto dispatched Orwyle to write of the King's death and Aegon's ascension to the throne, intending for the letter to be broadcasted far and wide beyond the allies who already knew. Daella had assigned Alistair to help him; her son was eager to do his part and would not complain about writing. The silent sisters were sent for as hasty preparations were made for the coronation. It was Otto's idea to have Aegon crowned in the Dragonpit– not only was it large enough to seat eighty thousand, but it also had thick walls, a strong roof, and towering bronze doors that would prevent anyone from disrupting the ceremony. Daella had added another component– let the city see Aegon, Helaena, and their children with their dragons. This, they had all liked.

They crowned him the following morning, after a troublesome night. Otto had angrily reported that they'd suffered their first defections– Ser Steffon Darklyn of the Kingsguard had taken his squire, two stewards, and four guardsmen with him as he snuck off to Dragonstone. They'd taken with them the crown of Jaehaerys– the same one Viserys used to wear.

Daella had been furious, but tried to keep calm by reminding them they would still have the iron-and-ruby crown her father had never liked– the same one Aegon the Conqueror had worn. She requested the honor of crowning him, and none objected. And when the time comes, I will crown my son, too. For now... Aegon must rule us. He may get us through the war, but Aeneas will bring us peace and prosperity as Jaehaerys did.

They kept the proceedings as brief as possible. The remaining four white cloaks had walked Aegon up to the stage, where Helaena awaited with Jaehaerys and Jaehaera– all dressed for riding. As soon as the High Septon had anointed Aegon and blessing him in the light of the Seven, Daella had placed the crown on his head, the first of them to bow to him. Alicent, much calmer now, had given her own crown personally to Helaena, the first to call her, "My Queen."

Daella had looked into the sky as Aegon and Helaena flew with the twins for all the smallfolk to admire while the bells rang, celebrating their new king. She saw the darkness in Aeneas's eyes, his jealousy. Soon, my boy, soon. You proved yourself and you shall have what you want. Give me time and we will see it done.

Quietly, as the smallfolk cheered, she'd reminded Otto that it was high time Aemond left to secure the hand of one of Borros's daughters. He nodded slowly, and let her know a letter had arrived already from Casterly Rock– Tyshara Lannister was being sent to King's Landing at once to wed Aeneas. Daella had about twenty days to plan their ceremony. She wished this could have happened before her father's passing– expenses could not be spared for anything grandiose, the sort of wedding her son deserved. Alas... he would be King. That would be sufficient.

"He sees you as his mother." She did not glance at Otto as he spoke to her from the gallery, as they observed Aegon sitting the Iron Throne for the first time and greeting the members of his court. He seemed much happier now– excited, even. Perhaps he was finally growing comfortable with the truth.

"He knows Alicent is his mother," said Daella. "He calls her such."

"You always cared for him more than she did. He respects you as if you were the one who birthed him. But... he fears you, too."

She finally turned to him. "Well, he's seen more than all of them the extent to which I can go. He was young when I killed Ser Criston, but old enough to remember the criticism I faced."

Otto shrugged. "It matters not anymore. That alone is Aegon's assurance that you will do anything to protect him. It is what always allowed you to encourage him in ways Alicent constantly failed. He heard your support of him and saw what you would do to someone who disappointed you. He wishes you to express pride, but... he knows he has not reached your expectations. He knows your standards are impossible. He already lacks motivation and has a sharp dislike for duty. He'll play any role you ask of him to appease you, not because he desires it. That alone will exhaust him. Even in these days, he's offered nothing useful. He will be a perfect puppet for us while we secure this throne for him. After that, however... I believe the thrill will fade. He will not want this, and when he confides that in someone... we will learn of it. And you will convince him to abdicate his throne and name a successor."

Daella rubbed her hands together with glee, watching the crown on Aegon's head shine in the torchlight. She knew where he was going with this, and started to grin. "Indeed. And all we need to do is convince him to choose Aeneas."