[ act i - lies kept ]

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐄

episode eight || the lord of the tides

— "THOUGH IT IS THE great hope of this court that Lord Corlys Velaryon survive his wounds, we gather here with the grim task of dealing with the succession of Driftmark. As Hand, I speak with the King's voice on this and all other matters."

Delia suppressed an eye roll as she stood between Aemond and Helaena, hands clasped before her with her family on one side of the throne room with Rhaenyra and her children mirroring them.

Otto shuffled, quite pleased to be warming the Iron Throne as his eyes landed on Vaemond, "The crown will now hear the petitions. Ser Vaemond of House Velaryon."

Delia watched the male tread to the center, gazing up at her grandsire before turning to meet her mothers gaze, "My Queen." The male bowed his head before settling his attention back on Otto, "My Lord Hand."

Vaemond straightened up, "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."

The red headed princess bit back a yawn while turning her eyes to the opposing side of the room, her gaze landing on Jacaerys— taking note of the annoyance caressing his features from what Vaemond Velaryon was spewing.

"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."

Delia toyed with the cuff of her sleeves, her boredom visible in her eyes, deeply wishing the trail could end.

The princess' head perked up as Rhaenyra suddenly chimed up, her patience running thin as it always did when it came to her children, "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." The heir turned her head to gaze at the male, "No, you only speak for yourself and for your own ambition."

Queen Alicent spoke up, cutting the princess off before she could continue, "You will have chance to make your own petition, Princess Rhaenyra. Do Ser Vaemond the courtesy of allowing his to be heard."

Delia raised her brows, perhaps the evening wouldn't be as dull as the girl had thought. Rhaenyra gave her once a friend a long look before pulling her gaze to look ahead once more.

Though, Vaemond Velaryon was quick to turn towards the eldest princess, "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."

Delia let out a soft scoff before shuffling on her feet. Jacaerys clenched his jaw rather tightly at the male intensely looking at his mother. His eyes pulled away from Vaemond to glance at Delia who stood at the other end of the room. The prince's harsh eyes softened a bit, watching the red head toy with her sleeves.

Daemon glanced down at Jace to see his eyes glimmering slightly. He turned to see where his eyes rested and caught sight of Alicent's youngest daughter. Daemon nudged his wife's son softly, regaining his attention as Jacaerys' cleared his throat quietly.

"This is about the future and survival of my house, not yours." Vaemond turned to glance between Otto Hightower and Alicent, "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."

Otto suppressed a grin as he spoke, "Thank you, Ser Vaemond." The Hand turned to gaze at Viserys' eldest child while Vaemond stepped away from the center with a prideful look aimed at Rhaenyra and her children, "Princess Rhaenyra, you may now speak for your son, Lucerys Velaryon."

Rhaenyra inhaled sharply, licking her lips as she moved to stand before the Iron Throne, "If I am to grace this farce with some answer, I will start by reminding the court that nearly 20 years ago, in this very—" The princess had started but could not finish as the doors to the Throne room sprung open, two Knights escorting King Viserys into the court.

Delia's eyes widened slightly upon the sight of the male, lips parting as her hands fell to her sides.

"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."

Silence fell over everyone as all eyes watched the King slowly pace through the room, taking the throne one last time to defend his daughter, his named heir. Otto stepped down from the throne, lips parted in utter shock in merely seeing the King walk.

Delia spared a look towards Vaemond gaped at the male walking towards his rightful seat. The tides had turned indeed.

Delia watched her father reach the iron throne, breathing heavily as he glanced over at Otto who stood at his side, "I will sit the throne today."

His Hand nodded, the only thing he could do in response, "Your Grace." Viserys' panted rapidly, his grip on his cane trembling to which a Knight rushed to his aid only for him to be ushered away, "I will be fine."

As the King descended up the steps his crown slipped from his head, clattering on the ground that echoed through the room. Delia parted her lips as she watched Daemon approach his brother, picking up the King's crown before extending him arm to help his older sibling.

Viserys groaned in slight pain as he allowed himself to be aided, finally making it to throne as he plopped onto the seat, chest heaving with heavy breaths leaving his lips. Daemon placed the crown of Jaehaerys on Viserys before taking his place with his wife and her children.

Delia watched her grandsire join her mothers side, a slight bitter look caressing his features as King Viserys began to speak, "I must... admit... my confusion. I do not understand why petitions are being heard over a settled succession."

Delia hid her joyed expression as Vaemond's face completely fell, this would not be the trial he'd thought to win.

"The only one present... who might offer keener insight into Lord Corlys's wishes is the Princess Rhaenys."

Delia shifted her attention over to the Queen who never was, watching her tip her head up slightly to respond, "Indeed, Your Grace."

Rhaenys stepped to the center, hands clasped before her, "It was ever my husband's will that Driftmark pass through Ser Laenor to his true born son... Lucerys Velaryon. His mind never changed. Nor did my support of him."

Rhaenyra's face flushed with welcomed surprise, relief surging through her to hear her sons claim was being supported.

Delia's eyes met Jace's, a smile growing on her lips as a tender glint caressed the boys eyes. The red head reluctantly pulled her attention from him to rest upon Rhaenys once more as she continued, "As a matter of fact, the Princess Rhaenyra has just informed me of her desire to marry her son Jace to Lord Corlys' granddaughter, Baela. A proposal to which I heartily agree."

Delia felt her stomach sink, dread filling her as Rhaenys' words echoed through her mind. The princess blinked, Jace had been betrothed. Had he known? Had he known he was promised to another and still encouraged her feelings for him? Delia silently prayed to the gods that hadn't been the case, yet the thought lingered in her mind.

Jace's lips parted, glancing at his mother who nodded slightly. The prince struggled to stay in his place as he took the news, having been the first he'd heard of it.

Jacaerys immediately sought out Delia, his heart crumbling at the mere look on her face. Jace's eyes stayed on hers until she finally looked towards him, her eyes slightly glossed making his chest tighten.

The prince wished he could cross the room and explain, give his all in attempts to comfort her, but he couldn't. Jace watched her gaze harden ever so slightly, a muscle in her jaw clenching before ripping her eyes away from him to look at King Viserys.

"Well... the matter is settled. Again."

Delia folded her hands before her, tipping her chin up as she refused to dwell on the announcement made. She knew it was bound to happen, either her or Jace being wed off to another. After all it would always be their duty.

"I hereby reaffirm Prince Lucerys of House Velaryon as heir to Driftmark, the Driftwood Throne, and the next Lord of the Tides."

Rhaenys stepped away, taking her place beside her granddaughter, Baela who smiled at her. Vaemond grit his teeth, a new found anger flaring up within, "You break law... and centuries of tradition to install your daughter as heir." The Velaryon male slowly made his way towards the center of the room once more.

"Yet you dare tell me... who deserves to inherit the name Velaryon. No. I will not allow it." He spat out, his tone laced with poison as all in the room heard.

Viserys' narrowed his eyes at the man, his head tilting in response, "Allow it? Do not forget yourself, Vaemond."

Delia watched Vaemond begin to tremble as his anger was slipping from his grasp, placing him in a dangerous situation as he turned to point at Lucerys, "That is no true Velaryon, and certainly no nephew of mine."

Rhaenyra glanced back at her second born son, "Go to your chambers." The mother placed her attention back onto the male, "You have said enough."

The King's chest heaved as his voice loudly stated, "Lucerys is my true-born grandson. And you... are no more than the second son of Driftmark."

Delia slowly turned her head towards Vaemond, who no longer bothered holding his tongue, "You... may run your house as you see fit, but you will not decide the future of mine. My house survived the Doom and a thousand tribulations besides." The male turned towards Rhaenyra and her family, "And gods be damned... I will not see it ended on the account of this—"

Vaemond stopped himself, knowing very well how his fate could end if he dared spoke it. Until Daemon softly taunted him, daring the male, "Say it."

"Her children... are bastards!"

Delia quirked up a brow at his rather loud shout, not understanding why he felt the need to let all of Westeros hear him.

Vaemoond grinned widely, his rationality leaving him defenseless, "And she is a whore." Soft gasps rippled through the court as Viserys' hobbled onto his feet before pulling out his dagger, "I will have your tongue for that."

Delia tipped her brows up as Vaemond's head was suddenly sliced clean off, his body going limp as it hit the ground with a heavy thud. Helaena sharply turned her body towards her younger sister who placed a comforting hand on her back.

Aemond instinctively shot his arm out before his two sisters, his eye on Daemon who looked at the dead figure, "He can keep his tongue."

Otto was quick to shout an order, "Disarm him." All four Knights pulled their swords defensively as Daemon stepped away, wiping his sword clean as he did so, "No need." his bored tone rang through the room.

Delia glanced down at the arm extended before her and quirked a brow up at her older brother. Aemond quickly realized and pulled his arm back, remaining unbothered.

Viserys groaned in pain before slumping back onto the throne as all sense of strength slipped away from the weakened King. Alicent was quick to rush to his aid as Rhaenyra followed after.

"Call the maesters."

The court of people began to disperse as the King was escorted out. Jacaerys immediately searched out Delia, needing to speak with her when he caught a glimpse of her bright red hair. He met her eyes but just as he did the princess moved quickly, exiting the room and Jace didn't waste a single moment in following after her.

For as long as he could remember, Delia had been all he wanted. The prince had thought he'd have time to persuade his mother into offering a marriage between himself and Lia, but he hadn't been fast enough.

A mistake he'd forever regret.

AUTHORS NOTE,
i will be making rhaena and baela good friends with delia and i didn't betroth lucerys bc of another reason we will shortly get into but i hope you loves are enjoying the story :)