[A Couple of Weeks Later]
(Baelon's POV)
"Wake up." I heard Mother call me
I opened my eyes, staring right at her who stood over my bed, "This is quite the norm at this point, no?" I said as I rubbed my eyes, "What is it?"
She crossed her arms, "You're late."
I frowned, "For what?"
She gave me a scowl, "Do not tell me you have forgotten...." She said, "Our Tour!"
I blinked, "The Tour?" I said, "Oh, the one where the Lords of the Realm congratulate us on the wedding? Mine and Helaena's?"
She nodded, "Yes." She said, "The wheelhouse is ready, get dressed. Everyone is waiting on you."
"Is this really necessary, though?" I asked, "I just want to spend the day inside the keep, relaxing."
"You promised your father you would keep appearances." She said as she tossed a shirt at my face, "Do not go back on your word."
"Ugh...." I groaned, "All this talk....."
"It could be good to see how they would react to you now that you leveled Skagos." She said, "Come, hurry. I have a meal prepared for you on the wheelhouse. Do not keep us waiting any longer!"
I sighed and sat up, holding the shirt on my hand as I watched her walk away.
"For crying out loud....." I said as I looked down, "This is going to be boring...."
**********
"My love." I said as I entered the wheelhouse, "You look lovely."
I sat next to her and kissed her on the cheek as she was holding a small bug on her hand.
"As do you." She said with a slight smile
"Eat." Mother said, "You get grouchy when you are hungry and socializing with Lords."
She patted a platter of food that was next to her.
I sighed and reached over and grabbed a piece of bread and some cheese, "How long is this going to take? We're only going to Duskendale today, no?" I asked
"We'll head to the Riverlands and The Vale." She said, "It will take some time. Your Father will join us in Harrenhal. Some business with House Strong."
"Hm." I said, "Strong, eh? Interesting."
I took a bite off the bread and glanced at Helaena, who was looking at the bug in her hand. She was entranced by it, her mind had probably wandered and was not focused on us.
"Your wedding is nearly upon us." Mother said, "This Tour's purpose is to make sure that these Lords will attend and will provide appropriate gifts. They may not have gotten either of you for themselves, but at least their attendance will solidify frienships. I want you to behave, Baelon. This is very important. Especially after what you've done.."
"Politics bore me." I said
"When you become King, you either need to be politically astute or have a worthy Hand that guides you." She told me with a serious expression, "You have a lot of time to be prepared, your Father hopes he will teach you a thing or two."
"Father? Sure, I hope he teaches me something." I said with a chuckle, "A joke, a joke. He's a good King. The thing is, there is a lot of issues in the Realm, Mother. Issues I intend to resolve. And when I do, depending on how they react to it, it could be violent. The only way to instill Order in a time like this is to show them that we are not weak."
She sighed, "If that's what you think."
"No, it's what I know." I said, "Skagos is one thing. But there are many problems deeply rooted below the surface. Problems I intend to eliminate. Not with bloodshed but with the reminder that I am not someone to be underestimated."
"Behave." She said
"I will." I leaned back
"Your Sister may not show it, but she's really excited for the Wedding." She said, "Aren't you, my sweet girl?"
Helaena looked up and smiled sweetly, "Of course." She said, "I cannot wait."
Her smile nearly made me blush and I had to look away, "Y-Yea..." I said
"We've discussed some things with your Sister, Baelon." Mother continued, "She was quite reasonable."
I frowned, "I already said that-"
"She's not going to stay. Her decision." She cut me off, "I was quite surprised when she started off our meeting with that. So was your Father. We were going to work something out with her. I even suggested the construction of another castle on the Island, near the Dragonmont for her dragons. But she refused."
I blinked, "Why would she do that?"
"I do not know." She said
I looked to the side, "Hm....."
"It will be lonely without her...." Helaena said, "Baelon...."
"I know...." I said, "Just the two of us.....it is going to be quite empty...."
"Nevertheless, you can speak to her about it." Mother told me, "We'll see her at Harrenhal as well."
"Is that so?" I said with a frown
****************
[Duskendale]
"Tours are boring." Uncle Daemon said as I approached him, "Lots of bootlicking in them...."
We had just reached Duskendale and after I got out of the wheelhouse, I saw that Uncle Daemon and his Family were here as well. It was not just him, but House Velaryon as well. I saw both Meleys and Silverwing in the distance, sitting on a hill. Caraxes was probably somewhere by himself, relaxing as always.
I chuckled, "You got dragged to this as well?" I asked as I reached him, "What a surprise."
"Ah..." He said as he gestured me to the side, "You know how these women are with appearances. We need to talk."
As we walked to the side, away from the rest of the crowd, I looked around and made sure nobody followed or was listening.
"What is it?" I asked him
He sighed and glanced to the side, making sure nobody was around, "We have a problem." He said, "It's about your sister."
I frowned, "Rhaenyra?"
He nodded, "It is not confirmed or anything." He said, "But those names mentioned by Corlys the other day, my sources have linked them to her."
"What, no." I said, "That cannot be. It must be a mistake."
"It should be." Daemon said seriously, "I've asked her myself, confronted her at Dragonstone. This is some serious shit, Baelon. A conspiracy to try to get rid of the King and the Heir is the highest of crimes."
"What did she say?" I asked him
"She denied any knowledge or involvement. Viserys does not know. It is just the two of us." He said, "Listen, Baelon. I do not like the sounds of this. Skagos is one thing. Most Lords received the clear message you sent, they know their place. But those that don't....I do not like it."
I sighed, "You got to be joking..." I said as I looked down, "Is it possible that someone is trying to frame her?"
"It's possible." He said, "But I just do not know. Rhaenyra has not been herself the past few years. If someone is trying to make my niece the Villain, I will rip them limb by limb and feed them to the dragons. Baelon, something must be done about this."
I nodded, "Agreed." I said, "Only the two of us know?"
"Yes." He said
"Let's keep it that way." I said, "This Tour could be beneficial for us. Let us keep appearances."
"We'll find out the truth."