Rhaenyra couldn't have been able to predict that even if she had tried but their honeymoon ended up lasting for almost two and half months. It was obvious that Daemon didn't plan on being away from Westeros for this long as well but they just caught up with all the places they wanted to visit and all the things they wanted to do that they just lost track of time. Plus, according to Diane, there wasn't much happening in King's Landing anyway so they didn't really miss anything.

And yet, it was obviously time to go home. Despite how much Daemon and Rhaenyra liked their honeymoon, they knew it wouldn't be wise to stay away from King's Landing for much longer. Diane was holding "their fort" pretty well but they had already changed enough in the timeline for new events to start occurring so they didn't have as much leverage as they used to and it meant all three of them had to focus on ensuring Rhaenyra's position as an heir and future Queen.

On their way to King's Landing, they decided to stop at Dragonstone for the night because Daemon wanted to check out all the changes that he had read about in Diane's letters. And if they were lucky, Diane would be there as well. After all, they both missed her. In the last year, Daemon got used to seeing his daughter daily, so it was strange not to speak to her for the last two and a half months. Rhaenyra, on the other hand, also terribly missed being able to chat and gossip with her best friend about all sorts of things and she had so many things to tell her about her honeymoon that she couldn't possibly relay in letters. The princess decided Diane and she should have some girls' time as soon as they were able because there was just so much to discuss!

As they landed and got off their dragons, it became obvious that Diane was at Dragonstone as well because Silverwing flew right to Caraxes and Syrax, sending one of the dragonkeepers to fly with her sheer excitement and the wind from her wings. After checking in on a poor man and making sure he didn't earn anything worse than bruises, Daemon and Rhaenyra left their dragons to socialize and went looking for Diane.

They encountered Gerardys in the Great Hall who was apparently informed about their arrival and was coming to meet them.

'Prince Daemon, Princess Rhaenyra! It is such a pleasure to have you here.'

'We are very pleased to be here as well,' Rhaenyra smiled.

'I've read my daughter has been keeping you busy during our absence,' Daemon pointed out with a small smirk on his lips.

'You have no idea! But if I may say, she just might be the gift from the Gods,' the maester said.

It made Daemon smile, 'Don't I know it.'

As if on cue, Diane appeared from one of the corridors. 'Father! Rhaenyra! I missed you both so much!' she exclaimed with a wide smile on her face and pulled them both into a hug as soon as she reached them. Even if Daemon and Rhaenyra did not expect it, they easily went along with it, hugging her back.

'We missed you too!' Rhaenyra smiled. 'Letters are just not enough.'

'Even though, they were great entertainment,' Daemon chuckled as they broke the hug. 'You doing alright?' he then asked, putting a hand on Diane's shoulder.

She smiled and nodded, 'Yes. I have been busy but I like being busy. I fixed some things here and there,' Diane added, absently worrying a dragon bracelet on her hand.

Perhaps, it was the only secret that she was yet to tell Daemon and Rhaenyra. Of course, they didn't know her whole life story, which would have taken ages to tell, but all the other things from her past that they didn't know weren't exactly relevant. This, however... Diane felt like it was relevant, very much so, but she just didn't know how to breach the subject quite yet. After all, usually when someone told you they had seen and spoken to dead or non-existent people, it was a cause for concern. And not like Diane thought they wouldn't believe her - they believed her when she had said she was from the future, after all - but she was not ready to open the can of worms this conversation would surely open. So she decided to sit on this information for a little while. After all, she didn't want her father or her friend to worry without any real reason.

'That's an understatement if I ever heard one,' Gerardys said with a small smile. 'She just might become the best ruler of Dragonstone since Gaemon the Glorious,' the maester said, then looked at Daemon, 'No offense, my prince.'

'Absolutely none taken,' Daemon smiled. He might be a lot of things but his title of the Prince of Dragonstone was always rather technical. The possession of Dragonstone was bestowed to his father, Baelon Targaryen, by King Jaehaerys for all his years of hard work both on the battlefield and in court. Before that the ownership of Dragonstone had passed from heir to heir but for such an important place as Dragonstone it just wasn't sustainable. King Jaehaerys understood that if they truly wanted to preserve Valyrian customs, Dragonstone needed a permanent ruler. So the title went to Baelon, then for a very short period to Viserys, and then to him when his brother became King. Daemon never really wanted it. He didn't refuse it because he was not a fool but he didn't take any enjoyment in running this island. The same couldn't be said for his daughter so Daemon was glad that she not only found her place but was apparently really good at what she was doing.

'Are you hungry?' Diane inquired. 'Should I arrange for dinner so we can chat and I can share with you all the newest gossip?'

'I'm starving so yes,' Rhaenyra smiled. 'But before that, there is something else we have to do.'

'What?'

Rhaenyra waited for a few seconds then very obviously elbowed Daemon who seemed to suddenly remember something. 'Right! We brought you a present,' the prince said, removing the bag from his shoulder that he forgot he was holding.

'A present?' Diane's eyes lit up almost childishly, and Rhaenyra couldn't help but smile. Daemon and Diane were alike more than any of them realized.

Daemon handed a bag to Diane so she could open it. 'We found it on the market in Qohor. I remember you mentioned you... um, had one before but don't now so I thought...' Daemon made a gesture that looked just a tiny bit nervous while Diane was unpacking a carefully wrapped weapon. 'It's called...' the prince blinked, looking lost for a second. 'I forgot what it's called but it's a Dothraki blade.'

'Arakh,' Diane said in awe, finally getting rid of all the packaging.

She had one in her previous life. During battles in Westeros, there was no use for it but as a kill-for-hire, Diane found arakh to be quite useful to send someone to their gods fast and efficiently. She had bought her first one in Essos from some shifty guy who couldn't explain how he got his hands on it but Diane didn't care as long as the weapon worked.

And now she had it again! Obviously, it was a different one but it didn't matter. What mattered was that her father actually listened to her when she had told him about her arakh, then remembered about it during his honeymoon, and Rhaenyra and he went out of their way to acquire one. For her!

'So... do you like it?' Daemon asked carefully. He knew he wasn't the best at gifts but now he hoped he made the right choice.

'Yes. Yes! It's a beauty! Thank you so much!' Diane exclaimed, making both Daemon and Rhaenyra smile. 'I would have hugged you again but I have a deadly weapon in my hands.'

Rhaenyra chuckled, 'Yeah, let's postpone the hugs.'

***

The servants served dinner and the three of them were able to catch up on all the recent changes and discuss some things that were too lengthy or too complicated to be written in letters.

'I do also have a task for both of you,' Diane said when they seemed to talk through all the recent developments. 'I believe it will greatly help Rhaenyra's position as an heir to the throne if it's done.'

'What is it?' Daemon immediately asked.

'Have you heard about Widow's Law?'

'That's the one that states that the children can't kick out the widow from their home when her husband passes?' Rhaenyra asked.

'Yeah, something like that. It also says that the man can't disinherit the children of the first wife in favor of children of the second, or the third, or whatever wife.'

'Sounds great,' Daemon said. 'It only reaffirms Rhaenyra's position, doesn't it? What's the problem?'

'You're thinking in Dragonstone laws, father. There is a problem if we talk about the rest of Westeros.'

'Wait, I'm sorry...' Rhaenyra interjected. 'Dragonstone has different laws?'

'Not completely but Dragonstone was always somewhat detached from the rest of Westeros. The differences usually meant to preserve Valyrian culture,' Daemon explained. He might not be that much interested in ruling Dragonstone but he preferred to stay educated.

'The issue of inheritance was never much of an issue here,' Diane added. 'Men and women inherit equally since... well, probably since Dragonstone was founded. Widow's law works perfectly here but when we are talking about the rest of Westeros-'

'Women don't usually inherit,' Rhaenyra realized.

'Or only do it when there is no male descendant. The problem with Widow's Law is that it is unclear whether or not the daughter from the first marriage comes before the son from the second. You were named the heir to the throne by the King, Nyra, and in an ideal world it wouldn't be up for debate but...'

'We are not in an ideal world,' Rhaenyra sighed.

'No, we are not. And because this particular law is so frustratingly unclear, the case can and will be argued both ways.'

'Then we need to change it. Make it crystal clear. It's damn well the time for women to get the right to inherit seats and lands.'

'Unfortunately, right now only you have such a pull, father,' Diane looked at Daemon. 'You're at the Small Council, you can offer to change the laws.'

'I feel like there is a "but" coming,' the prince said, making his daughter smile.

'But it wouldn't be easy. You'll have to make sure you have the King's support first because others might not be so keen on accepting such changes.'

'You mean Cunttower.'

'Him especially. He is a smart man, he would figure out what we are doing as soon as he gets the wind of it, so unless we can completely blindside him, it won't work.'

'If only Viserys stopped being so ridiculously sure I'm doing everything to get the throne...' Daemon sighed. His brother and he weren't on bad terms but their relationship definitely lacked trust in each other's good intentions, and Daemon wasn't precisely sure how to fix it.

'I'll do everything I can on my end but you know I can't be too obvious with Viserys,' Diane said. 'And I actually might have an idea or two about how to distract Otto long enough if necessary.'

'Like what?' Rhaenyra asked curiously.

'Well, I can always sleep with him.'

Daemon, who was taking a sip of his wine, spat it out and started violently coughing. One of the servants rushed to the table to offer him a napkin. Rhaenyra, who was sitting on the opposite side of the table from her husband, rather calmly wiped a few wine drops that managed to reach her from her dress (that was, thank the Gods, black).

Diane raised an eyebrow, 'Are you alright, father?'

Daemon nodded, then coughed a few more times and grabbed his fork with much more intensity than was necessary.

'Are you sure?' Diane double-checked because well, in hindsight, saying what she said when Daemon was drinking something was not her smartest decision, but to be fair, she didn't quite anticipate that kind of a reaction.

'Yeah, I'm fine,' Daemon said, his voice slightly hoarse. 'I just- with your taste in men, I would prefer you stick to women.'

That made Diane smile. 'It's not precisely a matter of taste but let me point out that you're handling the idea quite well.'

'I'm really not,' Daemon muttered but he was determined to stay true to his own rules. He didn't get to have an opinion about his daughter's sex and love life (ugh, to even put such concepts in one thought with Otto bloody Hightower felt rather nauseating) because she was a grown woman and it was not his place. All he could really do was support her, and that was what he was going to do (no matter how hard it might seem sometimes).

'Look, I'm not saying I will- that there will be anything,' Diane said, looking at her father and then Rhaenyra. 'It was just... a thought I figured might be worth sharing.'

'You think he will be... interested?' Rhaenyra asked carefully. Otto Hightower didn't really strike her as a man with an active sex life (not like she had thought about his sex life at all before now) and she wasn't sure whether or not the lust was something that could be used against him.

'Oh, he definitely would be. He might deny it all he wants but the body language gives him away,' Diane smirked, taking a bite of her food. Rhaenyra's face turned thoughtful.

'I think I lost my appetite,' Daemon declared, looking at his half-full plate.

'Sorry,' Diane smiled apologetically. 'But, to be fair, he is not the worst choice to make. At least he doesn't fuck children.'

She did realize it was a pretty low bar but lots of men couldn't stay above it so it was what it was. Otto didn't seem to be visiting brothels or hiring prostitutes to come to him either. Of course, Diane couldn't know for sure but she asked around the Flea Bottom and no one knew anything. Which wasn't precisely unusual but it could turn out to be an interesting fact to dwell on.

'As opposed to who?' Rhaenyra asked.

Diane blinked a few times, then shifted in her seat and said a little bit uncomfortably, 'Well, your father.'

'What?!' Rhaenyra exclaimed in pure shock. Daemon gaped as if it was news to him as well.

Diane kept quiet for a few seconds and then said, 'I've blackmailed Mellos to give me the book that records all the births, deaths, and stuff like that in our family. I was just curious 'cause I didn't know much- what I'm saying is it has the records of all the children your mother lost, Nyra. The first one was born when she was only three and ten and she carried almost to term so...'

'So he bedded her when she was two and ten,' Daemon finished and put his fist to his mouth as if he was on the verge of getting sick.

'Oh Gods,' Rhaenyra muttered, clutching her necklace to ground herself. Her father let the maesters butcher her mother for a son who lived barely a breath then married her best friend and had children with her who he now showed almost no interest in, and now she found out her father bedded her mother when she was a mere child! Why wouldn't he wait?! He wasn't even named to be the Heir to the throne yet, there was no urgency for him to produce heirs!

'I'm sorry, I- how did you not know?' she asked, looking at her father. She could understand why Rhaenyra didn't know and didn't question but her father had to be around there somewhere when this happened.

'I- I don't- I was only a year older than Aemma, I just- I didn't realize- fucking bastard,' Daemon put his fist on the table with such amount of force that made the dishes clutter. He was two and ten when Viserys got married and, truth be told, Daemon didn't give it much thought. He probably didn't even know about Aemma's miscarriages until way later, and even then he just didn't connect the dots. He just couldn't comprehend...

Daemon still remembered Diane at the age of two and ten because for him it was only five years ago. And yes, he gave her the talk about sex and stuff but only because he wanted her to know everything and be able to protect herself from men who would use a young girl's lack of knowledge to their advantage. He couldn't imagine how could Viserys... how could anyone ... a two and ten year old is a child. A child!

'Is it why my mother lost so many babies after?' Rhaenyra quietly asked. She remembered how her mother cried, holding yet another child that she wasn't able to carry to term, and she and other ladies had to console her because her father was - as always - nowhere in sight. 'Because of what he did to her?' she added, looking at Diane with watery eyes.

'I do not know, Nyra,' Diane said sincerely. After all, she was no midwife. She could probably ask Haisa when they were back and King's Landing but what good would it do? 'But it definitely didn't help.'

'Then how could he say he loved her?'

'Unfortunately, a lot of men hurt even the people they are supposed to love. I want to say that he didn't know but...' Diane let out a sigh. 'He was six and ten, he could and should have known better. Frankly, if it happened on Dragonstone, he would have been hanged without a second thought.'

Daemon let out a strangled chuckle, 'It explains why he never liked visiting Dragonstone all that much.'

They sat in silence for a while, Daemon and Rhaenyra busy processing the new information. After a few minutes, Diane broke the silence. 'I'm sorry I brought this up. I didn't mean to ruin the mood,' she said. After all, Daemon and Rhaenyra seemed so happy and carefree when they arrived at Dragonstone.

'No, Diane, do not apologize,' Rhaenyra rushed to say, reaching out to take Diane's hand. 'I think- I think I needed to know that. If anything, it makes it easier for me easier to resent him,' she let out a slightly nervous chuckle. She had never truly forgiven Viserys for butchering her mother and she had felt somewhat guilty about it but now, after finding out that his crimes didn't stop there, Rhaenyra even felt weirdly relieved and way more justified. 'I believe Daemon feels the same,' she looked at her husband, who was looking down with his hand rubbing his forehead. 'Daemon?' she prompted. Rhaenyra didn't want Diane to feel bad. After all, she did nothing wrong.

'Hm? Oh, yes,' the prince blinked and then nodded, looking at his daughter. 'I'm glad you told us. I just- I never thought about it like that and now that I thought about it I can't unthink it,' Daemon pinched his nose with a sigh. Not like he wouldn't have been able to do anything if he had been more observant back then but he still felt bad for not even realizing what Viserys did for so many years. Poor Aemma. 'It was so much easier to love my brother from afar without knowing much about him as a person.'

'Yeah,' Rhaenyra breathed out. 'I don't think I will ever be able to look at him the same.'

'Well, you must,' Diane said, making the princess look at her. 'I can't even begin to imagine how hard it might be but you can't let him know. Or anyone in court, especially Alicent or Otto. The same goes for you, father,' she glanced at Daemon. 'However you feel about him, you put it aside and you pretend. Because the greens are like vultures. If anyone catches the wind there is a rift between the King and his heir, it will make our lives thrice harder.'

'I want to punch him in the face,' Daemon said and it seemed like he didn't really intend to voice that thought, it just kind of slipped. He wasn't precisely very close with Aemma but he always had a soft spot for her, and he had an urge to avenge her at least somehow. 'I won't but I really wish I could,' he rushed to add when he saw the look that Diane was giving him. Gods, she was scary if she wanted to be.

'That I understand,' Diane smiled a little.

'So... we have to just suck it up and keep pretending, I suppose?' Rhaenyra said with a sigh. She didn't like it either but Diane had a point and Rhaenyra wouldn't let Viserys' past actions ruin her future as the Queen.

Diane chuckled, 'Yes. Welcome to Westeros' politics.'

***

The next day the three of them flew back to King's Landing. Both Daemon and Rhaenyra didn't seem really keen on meeting Viserys just yet but there was no reason to postpone the inevitable.

The King was very happy to see his daughter and brother return safely home, and Rhaenyra and Daemon did a good job of pretending the feeling was mutual. Diane could see their discomfort in a way they didn't let the hugs with Viserys last longer than was strictly necessary and how close Daemon and Rhaenyra stood to each other but kept a slight distance from the King, but Diane concluded there was nothing to worry about. After all, no one was looking quite that closely, and even if someone did, they probably wouldn't be able to pick up on the difference anyway.

Viserys deemed the grand return of his daughter and his brother was worth the celebration and insisted on the family dinner. Well, at least the food promised to be good.

All in all, the evening went rather well. Alicent was giving Diane nasty looks, even more so when Viserys actively engaged in a conversation with her, but that was nothing Diane wasn't used to. Otto - who was, of course, invited because he was technically Viserys' father-in-law and so considered family - felt rather uncomfortable throughout the whole dinner because Daemon kept looking at him in a way that made Otto think he should sleep that night with one eye open if he wanted to see the sunrise. Otto wasn't precisely sure what brought that on but he got the feeling that it was somehow justified.

To be fair to Daemon, he wasn't precisely hating Otto more than usual (which was with all his heart on a normal day), but he couldn't actively hate on Viserys at the moment and all this anger had to go somewhere, so this Hightower cunt seemed like the most suitable target.

Rhaenyra seemed to be coping better than him. She conversed with Viserys and Alicent, smiling the whole time, and didn't give away her discomfort (or most likely rage) at all. She did squeeze Daemon's hand under the table from time to time though with such force that the prince wouldn't be surprised if she drew blood with her surprisingly sharp nails. But it was fine. As long as it worked for Rhaenyra, Daemon wasn't against bleeding a little.

'Oh, I almost forgot!' Viserys suddenly said and immediately waved for one of the servants to come closer. 'I have a present for you, my dear,' he smiled at Rhaenyra, taking the wooden box that the servant gave him and handing it to his daughter.

Rhaenyra carefully opened it, looking rather curious. There was a black and red sphere inside of it. The type of sphere that everyone who was on the Small Council had.

'You are a married woman now, Rhaenyra. And I believe it is time for you to actively take on the duties and responsibilities as an heir to the Iron Throne,' Viserys said. 'I would like you to join us at the next Small Council meeting.'

Rhaenyra wanted to point out that she would have loved to take on her duties as an heir way sooner and it was Viserys who had been putting a spoke in her wheel just as much as Otto Hightower did, but instead, she smiled and said, 'Thank you, father. That would be an honor.'

Daemon squeezed Rhaenyra's leg under the table. It was rather wonderful news. With both of them at the Small Council, it would be much easier to balance out Cunttower's influence who apparently thought the same thing because the displeasure was evident on his face. But Otto knew better than to say anything in situations like this. He glanced at Diane who held his eye contact rather triumphantly and had to look away first because the way she was taking a bite of her meal made Otto think unwelcome thoughts that were completely unrelated to politics.

The dinner went on and as soon as Rhaenyra met Diane's gaze, she mouthed, "Thank you." After all, it was rather obvious that giving her a seat at the Small Council wasn't Viserys' genius idea. Diane smiled and mouthed back, "Always."

***

'You did look rather grim by the end of dinner,' Diane's voice sounded, forcing Otto to stop mid-stride. It was getting rather late and he was on his way back to the Tower of Hand. The corridor was empty and dimly lit, and Otto found it rather unsettling that he hadn't heard her following him. Moreover, he could have sworn she hadn't followed him because she had left with Rhaenyra and Daemon way before he did.

'As if I'm usually a picture of joy,' Otto said, looking straight ahead and not turning to face her for some reason.

Diane let out a laugh and approached him, even though he didn't hear her footsteps. How could someone be so loud and so quiet at the same time?

'You came to gloat, didn't you?' Otto added because it felt rather logical. After all, Rhaenyra getting a seat at the Small Council as an heir was definitely his loss and Diane's gain. There was no doubt right now who won this particular battle.

'Gloat? Me? Why would I? If anything, I believe you should be delighted...' Diane continued, and Otto decided that it was rather silly of him to refuse to face her. But when she looked him in the eyes, he felt like an open book, and it wasn't good if he wanted to win in their little game. So facing away from her gave Otto a false sense of security. '...that the King takes his daughter and his heir seriously.'

Before Otto could find the courage to turn and actually face Diane, her hands gripped his shoulders. She came way closer to him than he had realized, and before he could say anything, her breath tickled his ear. 'After all, it was your idea to name her heir,' Diane whispered, and at this precise moment, Otto didn't question how she knew that. He swallowed. 'I believe I shall thank you for that, Lord Hand. If you had just kept quiet and waited, the throne would have gone to the King's firstborn son and that would have been the end of it. But you wanted to cover all your bases, didn't you? I admit, your forethought is something I admire,' Diane leaned on him, and Otto could feel her whole body pressing against his back. 'But it came back to bite you in the ass, didn't it?' she chuckled, and wasn't that a lovely sound? 'You got the idea out there, and I shall make sure it blossoms. After all, it will be rather ironic to see you lose because of your own actions.'

And with that, she was gone. Otto wasn't entirely sure how it was possible but in a second her hands let go of his shoulders, the press of her body disappeared from his back, her breath stopped tickling his ear, and when he turned around the corridor was completely empty as if Diane was never there.

If not for the lingering smell of lavender, Otto would have thought he imagined it.