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CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
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AENORA RUSHED INTO THE THRONE room and through the group of lords, ladies, and other people of importance. She was given looks of disapproval from many of the them because of how she was shoving through them. It was very un-lady like, in their opinion.

The Princess took her place at the head of the crowd. She paid no mind to any of the whispers behind her.

Early this morning she woke up alone. Daemon had disappeared before the sun came up. Therefore, she knew that everyone was gathered because Daemon decided he wanted to make a big deal out of his return. Aenora could only roll her eyes at his childishness.

It wasn't long before more whispers filled the room. Aenora looked to see what caused the sudden irruption.

First her eyes landed on her husband, who wore a crown. Gods, she thought he was stupid in that moment. If she could, she'd walk out from the crowd and smack him upside the head.

Then her eyes landed on her sister, who wasn't even supposed to be in King's Landing. Aenora knew father was going to be utterly frustrated with Rhaenyra.

"What're you doing here, sister?" Aenora whispered to Rhaenyra, though her gaze was focused on her husband.

Aenora watched as Daemon approached the the throne. Though, he didn't get far. A guard stopped him with a sword pointing into the armor her husband wore.

"I could not find suitor." Rhaenyra whispered back.

Aenora rolled sighed. She didn't say anymore to her young sister, she knew the girl would get enough lectures from their father.

Daemon dropped what looked like an axe at the bottom of the stairs. "Add it to the chair." He told Viserys.

The guards pulled back their swords as Daemon took a step back. Viserys only stared at his brother as a guard picked up the weapon.

"You wear a crown. Do you also call yourself 'King'?" Viserys asked. His voice was calm, but the energy was anything but.

"Once we smashed the triarchy, they named me 'King of the Narrow Sea'." Daemon paused for a moment as the people began to whisper. "But I know that there is only one true king, Your Grace." Daemon knelt and bowed his head for Viserys.

"My crown and the Stepstones are yours." Daemon added. He took off the crown, leaving his hair messy.

Viserys smiled, he was pleased.

Aenora was glad this is what her husband chose to do, knowing this could've gone a lot worse. She was sort of expecting it to go worse.

"Well, where is Lord Corlys?" Viserys inquired.

"He sailed home to Driftmark." Daemon answered, still on his knee.

Viserys eyebrows furrowed, "Who holds the Stepstones?"

"The tides, the crabs, and two thousand dead Triarchy corsairs, staked to the sand to warn those who might follow." Daemon spoke.

Viserys walked down the stairs, letting his sword clink against each one. He stopped just a few feet before his brother. He took the wooden crown from Daemon and examined it.

Everyone in the room waited in suspense for the Kings next move. They wondered if the were going to witness him killing his own blood. Others wondered if they Daemon would be banished. Aenora and Rhaenyra simply wanted this to be done with.

"Rise." Viserys said.

Daemon did as he was told and stood. He too wondered what his fate would be. He did not worry too much about it, though. Daemon knew his brother couldn't kill him, not while he is the father of his daughters children. And simply just because he couldn't.

To everyone's surprise, Viserys put his hand on Daemons shoulder and embraced him. Daemon let his head rest on his brothers shoulder.

Everyone began to clap at the sight, including Aenora. She was the most happy. If Daemon were to be banished, she'd follow. She wouldn't necessarily want to, but she would. But if he were to be killed, she'd quite literally burn the city to the ground.

"The realm owes you a great debt, brother." Viserys gave a small smile. "Come."

Aenora and Rhaenyra were quick to follow behind their father and Daemon.

In the gardens, Aenora stood by her husbands side, her arm around his. However, she did not pay attention to what he and Viserys were conversing about. Aenora was too busy watching her three children play with Lydia and Emely.

Though, it wasn't long before little Aeva saw her mother holding onto Daemons arm and ran to her. Aeva stood in front of Aenora with her hands up, asking to be held.

But this time, Aeva didn't give the glare of jealousy to her father, she only stared. She examined the man who Aenora calls her father. Aeva touched Daemons face out of curiosity.
She touched his cheek, then his nose, then his other cheek.

Aenora and Daemon share a look, both confused.

Daemon brought his hand up to her. I'm which, the little girl gladly took and examined as well. She ran her little fingers along his larger ones and traced his veins. Aeva looked at his rings intensely, then at her mothers rings.

Aenora watched her daughter do this, just as Rhaenyra, Viserys, and Alicent did. She knew what her daughter was trying to do, she was trying to figure him out. Aeva often did this, touch things to figure them out.

Aeva smiled when she realized Daemon and Aenora wore matching rings. For whatever reason, this brought a sense of comfort to the child.

Looking at her mother once last time, like she was asking for permission. Aenora gave Aeva a small nod. And with that, Aeva reached for Daemon. Aenora passed Aeva to Daemon, who gladly accepted the small girl into his arms. Aeva looked at her father before, smiling, before laying her head on his shoulder. Aeva gave her mother a devious smile.

"You're hers now." Aenora stated, with a smile creeping onto her lips.

In that moment, Daemon felt pure happiness. He decided then that he would give his daughter whatever she desired, just as he would her mother.

Eventually, Aeva fell asleep in Daemons arms. She felt safe and comfortable.

Aenora didn't know she could fall in love with a sight, but she did. Seeing her daughter accept her father was absolutely beautiful to her.

As the conversation went on, Daemon kept nudging Aenora, showing her that Aeva was asleep while he was holding her. He was very clearly enjoying this moment. Aenora wasn't sure he'd ever put her down now.

Aenora was watching her sons play when she saw Rhaenyra walk away from the corner of her eye. She had heard Alicent say something about the newly gifted tapestries but couldn't recall anything before of after that.

She was almost sure it was her father who had said something to her. She thought this because Viserys had been acting very passive since Rhaenyra had walked up to them. Aenora knew he was frustrated because of the whole marriage deal, but she didn't understand why he was so cold to her.

"I do hope you've thought deeply about who she is to marry. I mean, whoever it is will be the King Consort, father." Aenora paused. "Unless you are trying to supplant her as heir."

Daemon gave Aenora a look.

"Aenora, you know that is not my intention." Viserys said as one of the cupbearers filled his cup once again.

"I do hope not. But I don't think that's how your hand sees it. Come along, Daemon, it is time for the childrens naps." Aenora began to walk towards her sons.

Aenora gathered her two boys and made her way back into the castle, with Daemon, Lydia, and Emely following beside her.

Aenora was not angry, only frustrated. She was frustrated with her father and his incompetence to see his Hands ambition.

As Daemon and Aenora sat in their childrens chambers as they slept, they were both thinking.

"I like that you are bold enough to say how you feel, darling, I do. But, you must remember your father is still the King." Daemon told his wife. He did not want her getting in-trouble the way he did.

"He is a blindman by choice and it gets more irritating by the day." Aenora stated. "And I fear Rhaenyra is going to suffer the consequences for it."

"If only you were the heir." Daemon sighed, causing Aenora to give him an annoyed look.

"Well, it's too late now. Rhaenyra will be the Queen." Aenora said.

Daemon only shrugged. He knew she'd make a better ruler than Viserys, especially with him at her side. No one would dare question them. She had the loyalty of the people, while he had the loyalty of the guards. They were also both very intelligent in different aspects.

He also knew she had a stronger claim to that damned throne for many reasons; being the first born, being a mother of two twin sons, and being married to the prince. If only she chose herself to be heir.

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AUTHORS NOTE
I have come to the realization y'all really like this book compared to my other one LOL. Tbh me too, we'll until later. But y'all may be getting another chapter later. Idk.
I haven't asked this in awhile so, what're some things you guys wanna see in the book? New characters? Plot twists? Just any ideas? Also how we liking to new cover? & I found an adult fc for later in the book, now I have to find older face claims for the kids.
Anyways, thoughts?