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CHAPTER FORTY ONE
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AENORA STOOD NEXT TO RHAENYRA and beside her was Daemon. Both Aenora and Rhaenyras children stood behind them, aside from Jacaerys who stood next to his mother.

The sight of Aenora, Daemon, and Rhaenyra standing together as a whole was intimidating. A three headed dragon, one could say.

Otto stood in front of the Iron Throne and his daughter and her children in front of the stairs.

Aenora looked at her other three siblings, all dressed in green. Aegon was so obviously drunk, Helaena looked rather confused, and Aemond was staring at Aeva. Nora didn't even have to look, she knew Aeva was looking right back at him.

"Though it is the great hope of the court that Lord Corlys Velaryon survives his wounds,  we father here with a grim task of dealing with the succession of Driftmark." Ottos voice echoed throughout the room. "As Hand, I speak with the King's voice on this and all other matters. The crown will now hear the petitions. Ser Vaemond of House Velaryon."

Vaemond stepped forward before speaking, "My Queen. My Lord Hand. The history of our noble houses extends beyond the Seven Kingdoms to the days of Old Valyria. For as long as House Targaryen has ruled the skies, House Velaryon has ruled the seas. When the doom fell on Valyria, our houses became the last of their kind.  Our forebearers came to this new land, knowing that were they to fail, it would mean the end to their bloodlines and their name. I have spent my entire life on Driftmark defending my brother's seat. I am Lord Corlys's closest kin, his own blood. The true, unimpeachable blood of House Velaryon runs through my veins," before Vaemond could finish he was interrupted by Rhaenyra.

"As it does in my sons, the offspring of Laenor Velaryon. If you cared so much about your house's blood, Ser Vaemond, you would not be so bold as to supplant its rightful heir. No, you only speak for yourself and your own ambition." Rhaenyra stated.

"You will have the chance to make your own petition, Princess Rhaenyra. Do Ser Vaemond the courtesy of allowing his to be heard." Alicent said.

Aenora watched as Vaemond turned to her sister with a grin plastered on his face. All of this was so unnecessary, in her opinion at least.

"What do you know of Velaryon blood, Princess? I could cut my veins and show it to you and you still wouldn't recognize it. This is about the future and survival of my house, not yours." Vaemond turned back to Otto, but not before sending a glare towards Jacaerys.

"My Queen, my Lord Hand. This is a matter of blood, not ambition. I place the continuation of the survival of my house and my line above all. I humbly put myself before you as my brother's successor... the Lord of Driftmark and Lord of the Tides." Ser Vaemond finished.

Aenora shook looked to the ground and shook her head. Was he in the wrong? No. But Vaemond was using the fact that Otto spoke for Viserys to his advantage, and Aenora didn't like that.

"Thank you, Ser Vaemond." Otto said.

Once again, Vaemond shot the Rhaenyra and her son a certain look before stepping back.

"Princess Rhaenyra, you may now speak for your son, Jacaerys Velaryon." Otto told the young princess.

Aenora motioned for Jace to stand next to her, as Rhaenyra stepped forward.

"If I am to grace this farce with some answer," Rhaenyra began, but was interrupted by the throne rooms doors opening.

Everyone turned to face the door, and they were all shocked when they saw King Viserys.

Aenora let out a breath of relief.

He heard her.

"King Viserys of House Targaryen, the First of His Name, King of the Andals, and the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm." One of Viserys's guards announced.

Viserys walked down the makeshift path of people. Anyone with eyes could see his determination to get to his throne.

He stopped for a moment, to look at both of his daughters.

Rhaenyra held a confused and concerned look, while Aenora smiled at him.

Aenora bowed her head, as if saying 'thank you'.

The King continued to walk towards the throne, out of breath and weak. When he reached the bottom of the stairs, he looked to Otto.

Viserys said, "I will sit the throne today."

"Your Grace," Otto gave a nod.

Viserys struggled to take the first step, leaning against his cain. When his guard tried to help him he shoo'ed the man away.

Using all of the strength, Viserys made it up a few of the stairs. Until his crown fell, and he couldn't walk alone anymore.

Everyone watched, determined to see if he'd make it to the throne.

Without question, Daemon went to his brother's side. He picked up the fallen crown and helped Viserys to the throne. He placed the gold crown back onto Viserys's head.

Daemon made his way back to his wife's side, and Rhaenyra stepped back with her hand on her stomach.

"I must... admit... my confusion." Viserys spike in between breaths. "I do not understand why petitions are being heard over a settled succession. The only one present who might offer a keener insight into Lord Corlys's wishes is the Princess Rhaenys."

"Indeed. Your Grace." Rhaenys lifted her head before moving to stand before Viserys.

Vaemond watched Rhaenys's every movement, annoyance clear on his face.

"It was ever my husbands will that Driftmark pass through Ser Laenor to his trueborn son... Jacaerys Velaryon. His mind never changed. Nor did my support of him. As a matter of fact, the Princess Rhaenyra has just informed me of her desire to marry her son Jace to Lord Corlys's granddaughter, Rhaena. A proposal to which I heartily agree, as I have with the Princess Aenoras request to betroth her son Max to Baela." Rhaenys told Viserys.

Shocked expressions could be seen from all sides of the room. Both Baela and Rhaena happily smiled. But, Vaemonds face turned sour. And Alicents contorted with disgust.

"Well... the matter is settled. Again. I hearby reaffirm Prince Jacaerys of House Velaryon as heir to Driftmark, the Driftwood Throne, and the next Lord of the Tides." Viserys stated, firmly.

"You break law... and centuries of tradition to install your daughter as heir. Yet you dare tell me... who deserves to inherit the name Velaryon.  No. I will not allow it." Vaemond spoke with anger laced into his words.

"It seems you have no choice, Ser Vaemond. And it might do you well to be reminded that you are speaking to a King," Aenora said, causing the man to turn and stare at her.

He stared for a long time before shifting his gaze to Jace.

"That is no true Velaryon, and certainly no nephew of mine." Vaemond exclaimed.

"Go to your chambers," Rhaenyra said to her son. "You have said enough."

Jacaerys remains at his mother side, wanting to see what would become of this.

"Jacaerys is my true-born grandson. And you, are no more than the second son of Driftmark." Viserys told Vaemond, calmly.

"You... may run your house as you see fit... but you will not decide the future of mine." Vaemond spike in a harsh tone, "My house survived the Doom, and a thousand tribulations besides. And gods be damned... I will not see it ended on the account of this—"

Vaemond seemed to bite his tongue.

"Go on, say it." Aenora challenged.

Vaemond turned to look at Aenora, causing Daemon and her three sons to step closer to her.

"Her children... are bastards!" he yelled at her.

Rhaemax, Daemian, and Jaelyx looked to their mother, practically begging her to let them kill Vaemond. But, Aenora payed them no mind as she watched Vaemond turn back to her father.

"And she is... a whore." Vaemond said, causing gasps to erupt from behind him.

Aenora turned to Daemon and gave him a nod.

Viserys stood from his throne, "I... will have your tongue for that."

Before Viserys could do anything else, a sword sliced through Ser Vaemond Velaryons head, leaving only the tongue and anything below it.

"He can keep his tongue," Daemon smirked down at the butchered man.

"Disarm him!" Otto yelled.

Guards from all angles pulled their swords from their sides.

"No need." Daemon said, wiping off his sword and placing it back at his side.

Daemons sons did not show any emotion, or surprise. Neither did his daughters. In fact, Daemon taught his three sons and Rhaenys to do the exact same thing if need be. Aeva and Daena were simply just used to it.

Everyone else, though, had mixed emotions about what he had just done.

The attention towards Vaemonds half-headless body was soon moved to Viserys, who fall back into the throne and groaned in sudden pain.

"Call the maesters!" Alicent rushed to his side.

"Father?" Rhaenyra walked towards him.

Aenora said nothing and looked away. Not because she did not feel bad or scared, but because she did not want to cry.

Aenora watched her father get carried out of the throne room, then watched everyone else exit. Daemon stood behind her.

"How long do you think?" Aenora asked in a whispered tone, still staring at the door.

"For what?" Daemon inquired.

Aenora turned to him, placing her hands on his chest. "Before he's gone," she replied.

Daemon didn't answer, instead he embraced her.

They both knew it wouldn't be long. Maybe a day, maybe a week, but definitely no longer than a month.

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AUTHORS NOTE
omggg THE chapter is coming, omg omg are you guys ready. i'm about to break your guy's hearts. AHHH i don't think y'all are ready. i'm not even ready.

anyways, goodnight sweet loves <3