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CHAPTER ELEVEN
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AS AENORA WALKED IN THE CHAMBER the guard had led her to, she was met with the familiar voice that belong to Lord Corlys Velaryon. Confusion hit her. She immediately wondered why Corlys was here on Dragonstone, when he should be in Kings Landing planning for a wedding. 

Aenora walked around the large column and smiled at the men, "Daemon, Corlys."

Both men stood up from their chairs, Daemon taking his lady-wife hand and kissing it.

"Princess," Corlys said. "I heard the news of your twins boys from Daemon. Congratulations," he  smiled.

"Thank you, Lord Corlys. I suppose I should congratulate you as well. I heard my father and your daughter, Laena, are to be engaged." Aenora said. She still didn't know if it were true or not, which was why said that, to find out.

Corlys became quiet and looked to the ground.

"Or not?" She looked at Daemon, in which he shook his head.

"I am afraid not. King Viserys did not accept my proposal, instead he is marrying Alicent Hightower." Corlys said, anger hinting in his voice.

Corlys's words made Aenora's heart sink and her fists clench. At first she felt sadness because her father was taking another wife. It was too soon in her opinion. Then she felt anger and hatred, anger towards her father and hate for Alicent. Out of all the people in the world he chose the one girl that irritated the entirety of her soul. Gods, she felt terrible, especially for Rhaenyra. He was marrying her best friend, that had to have been hard to hear.

Daemon grabbed a hold of Aenora's hand and held it so that she wouldn't dig her nails into her hands and hurt herself. He rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb in attempt to calm her.

"He's marrying that wretched bitch?" Aenora asked, harshly.

Daemon had to cover his smile with his free hand. He found it quite amusing listening to his wife speak in such a manner. He knew well of Aenora's animosity towards the Hightower girl. He didn't like Alicent either. When Aenora disliked someone or something, Daemon hated that someone or something.

"Yes. Unfortunately, he is, Princess." Corlys answered.

"This has to be Ottos doing," Aenora shook her head.

"Of course it is. If anyones more ambitious than me, its him." Daemon said.

Both Daemon and Aenora thought the same of Otto Hightower. They knew he liked to act as if her were a good and true man, but deep down he only did anything to benefit himself. They also knew Viserys was aware of this but chose to lie to himself.

"But enough about them. I'm sure you're here to speak of something else, Lord Corlys?" Aenora inquired.

Corlys became silent for a moment as he thought.

"House Velaryon's origins reach back to Old Valyria. More ancient even than House Targaryen according to some texts," he looked at Daemon. "But unlike the Targaryens, we were no dragonlords. For centuries, my house had to scratch out an existence from the sea with grit and luck. When I ascended the Drithwood Throne, I knew what I wanted. So I went out and seized it. Unlike every other lord of the realm, I can say that I built my house's high seat with the strength of mine own back. I've always thought of you and I as having been made from the same cloth."

Aenora could not tell where this conversation was going, but Daemon could. Daemon understood the way Corlys must've felt after his proposal was rejected.

"I wasn't aware you had a king for a brother," Daemon said.

"We're both men who have had to cut our own way through the world. We've been passed over too often," Corlys stated.

Aenora felt Daemons hand tighten at Corlys' words. She knew he didn't take that well.

"Did you come here to remind me of my low standing, Lord Corlys, or was there some other reason?" Daemon questioned.

Corlys shifted in his seat. "You've heard of the troubles in the Stepstones?" he asked both Aenora and Daemon.

Aenora furrowed her eyebrows as she looked to Daemon for an answer.

"Some Myrish Prince is feeding Westerosi sailors to the crabs," Daemon replied.

"I have been petitioning that the King send my navy into the territory, but he's denied me." Corlys told them.

Finally, after listening to the mens tones and their words, she figured out why Corlys was there. He was look to them, more to Daemon than her, for help.

"What?" Corlys questioned.

"Being King," Aenora said.

"The crab feeder is backed by power full entities within the Free Cities who wish to see Westeros weekend," Corlys spoke. "And the King's failures have allowed him to accumulate strength. If those shipping lanes fall, my house will be crippled. And I will not have Dirtmark beggar while our King idles himself with feasts, and balls, and tourneys."

Daemon stood by the fireplace, "I will speak of my brother as I wish. You will not."

Unlike Daemon, Aenora didn't care what Corlys had to say about her father. Nothing Corlys said wasn't true, and she'd be sure to tell Daemon that once they were alone.

"Waiting in the Stepstones in a chance for you to prove your worth to any who might yet doubt it. We are the realms second sons, Daemon. Our worth is not given. It must be made."

Daemon stared at Corlys for awhile.

"My wife and I will discuss this and I will let you know in the morning of what I think," Daemon told him as he put his arm out for Aenora.

Before she took Daemons hadn't she hugged Corlys, "It was nice seeing you, Lord Corlys."

"You as well, Princess." Corlys smiled, "Before I leave, if I may, I would like to meet your sons. Rhaemax and Jaelyx, is that right?"

"Yes! Of course," she grinned.

Aenora took Daemons arm and gave one last smile to Corlys before leaving the chamber.

Aenora thought on Corlys had said. He wanted Daemon to go to battle with him in the Stepstones and she didn't know how to feel about it. She didn't want her husband to, of course, what wife would?

"Do you wish to talk of this now or later?" Aenora asked.

Daemon sighed, "I wish to see my sons."

"You're going to go, aren't you?"

Daemon looked at her, giving her the answer without having to speak.

"Then I'm going to go back to King's Landing."

Daemon pulled her into a room, "For what?"

"I need to be there for my sister, our father is going to wed her best friend. I know she is feeling awful," Aenora told him. "And I do not want to be here, alone."

"I don't trust the people that are in King's Landing."

"Neither do I. But I will have Lydia and my knight. I and our children will be fine, my love."

"If that is what you wish, Aenora, but I don't know how long I'll be gone."

Aenora was saddened by the thought of him missing out on Max and Alex's growth. But she knew he wanted to prove himself.

"I know. But we will all be here when you return to us."

Daemon pulled her to kiss him, "I love you, Aenora."

"I love you too, Daemon."

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AUTHORS NOTE:
Damn, I just realized Imma have to do another time jump. I lowkey have an idea on what I want to change but what are your guys' thoughts on a time jump and ideas on what's to come?

also thank you for 90k reads, y'all make me feel special 🥹