(Baelon's POV)
"That stunt of yours was not so well received." Daemon told me as he sat next to me
I frowned, "How so?"
We were in my chambers, it was the eve of my and Helaena's wedding. A week after the Tour we just had, the time was already here, a day before it. Things could get a bit more tense than I would like but with everything going on, I just wanted to focus on tomorrow.
"How so, you ask?" He chuckled, "You wake everyone up and gather them just to demand what their standing was on what you did at Skagos. Then, without warning, Balerion shows up."
I shook my head, "I did not intend for that to happen. The Black Dread is not restrained by anything or anyone." I said, "Our bond is strong, Uncle. Stronger than anything you can imagine. He knew that I was in peril and came quickly."
"The note, huh?" He said, "We will act after the wedding, mark my words."
I nodded, "I know." I said, "The whole reason I did that was to test the waters, feel them out. To see who reacts the way the Lord of The Tides acted on that night. I did not want to accuse anyone of attempting to murder me, I had to act like I didn't know."
Trust nobody.
That's what the note said. Obviously, it could include my Uncle. And while the plan to pretend that I didn't know would work on most of the Lords, it would not work on the Rogue Prince. So obviously, the best course of action I could take should Daemon be against me is make him think that I trust him.
And I do trust him. But i have to expect a knife to my back from anyone. Even him.
"If whoever wanted to have you eliminated made it so you initially didn't bring Balerion, the sight of him would have dissuaded them in taking action." Daemon said, "It was a stroke of luck and a good idea to do that."
"Yea, that's one way of looking at it." I said, "And while I won't act yet, I wanted to see who I should look out for."
He leaned back on his chair, "And?"
"Harwin Strong, Willem Blackwood, Tytos Reyne, and Clement Dondarrion." I said as I looked to the side, "They're the ones who showed a bit of a reaction."
"Breakbones.....and the boy who vied for Rhaenyra's hand..." He said, "Interesting. What is your next move?"
"You'll see.....after the wedding." I said as I lifted my cup of wine, "Like you said."
"What about Rhaenyra?" He asked, "Things are pointed towards her."
"Someone is framing her. I want to know who." I said seriously, "She doesn't seem like she's aware of it."
"How can you be so sure?" He asked me, "All this time, isolated in your home.....away from you. Makes you wonder, no? Then the whole matter of trying to distance herself from you. Rather convenient, no? When things are about to get hairy, she tries to evade the blame. Is it guilt of hers? If she's truly involved."
"She's not involved." I said, "But it could be guilt."
"Oh, is that so?" He asked
"I wanted to see what Lord, what Knight, is doing all of this." I told him, "What gain could they possibly have by taking me out. Obviously, it's Balerion they want. But why? How would it possibly benefit them?"
"Power, obviously." He said
I began to think, trying to think of reasons. I didn't really pay much mind to this because I was still thinking of what Rhaenyra had told me, her guilt about what happened back then.
"I am eliminated, sure....that makes Aegon heir. And if the Blackwoods are going for power....marrying their girl to the future King...." I started before trailing off
"Securing Balerion will solidify their power...." Daemon told me, "As it would with anyone else. It doesn't matter how many dragons oppose them, would it be Vhagar or Caraxes....Balerion is in a league of his own. Nothing can match him...."
"But they want a Targaryen child that could have-" I said before frowning, "The boys...."
"Viserys and Maelor?" Daemon said, "That cannot be...."
"It could make sense...." I said as I stood up, completely processing something I did not think of, "Uncle....what if....No..."
"We have to keep it as a possibility." He told me, "Whoever is truly behind this if it is not Rhaenyra, wants you to suspect her..."
I looked at him, "Whoever has Balerion can secure the Throne." I told him, "Succession won't matter at all, so long as they're Targaryen."
"Even if that's the case, a civil war could break out with your death. It's not like you're not beloved, Baelon. People would declare it as an act of war, no matter what." He said, "Even if Balerion is claimed by some snot-nosed brats, he won't be able to be used because they won't have any experience. And those with experience will take advantage. Vhagar may be ridden by Aemond but he's capable, I know it."
I sighed, "Yea, well Aemond at least is going to marry-"
I stopped, widening my eyes in the realization of something.
"What is it?" He stood up
"Uncle....." I said seriously, "This does not leave this room.....do you understand?"
"I know who it could be."
******
Later that night, I needed to speak to Mother.
I walked up to Ser Criston, who stood guard at Mother's door, "Is she awake?"
"I believe so." Ser Criston said, "One of her maids just exited a few minutes ago, said that she was still bathing."
I nodded, "I will see her then."
He bowed slightly, "As you wish." He said before opening the door
I walked through it and heard as he closed it behind me. I saw that Mother was sitting on her bed, combing her hair. She was wearing her white nightgown as she usually does when she sleeps.
"Baelon?" She asked with surprise, "What is it? It's late."
I walked over to the couch that was next to her and sat down, "I cannot sleep."
She frowned, "Oh, Baelon." She said, "Are you having second thoughts?"
"No. It's not that." I said as I looked up at the ceiling, "There's a lot of things going on in my mind. But I wanted to ask you something."
"What is it?" She asked
"Aemond and Aemma. Who was it? You or father?" I asked
"Your Father." She replied, "After some discussion with Trevor and Rhaenyra, of course. I agreed to it and took the credit, obviously."
"Hm...." I said
"Why?" She asked me
"No reason." I said, "Just wondering. And what are the chances that Aegon is marrying a Blackwood....."
"That surprised me." She said with a chuckle, "But he seems to like her."
I stayed silent, thinking of what I had just learned. It all seemed to convenient, I didn't really think that it was intentional; Aegon and that girl. But Aemond and Aemma, it seemed too much for a mere coincidence.
I let out a sigh but didn't say anything, lost in thought once again. All of this was starting to stress me out.
"Baelon.....?" She said, "What is on your mind, dear?"
"You knew, didn't you?" I asked her
"Knew what?" She said
"How I felt about Rhaenyra." I said, "Before I began to have feelings for Helaena. You knew, right?"
"Baelon...." She started
"Answer me." I told her
I heard her sigh and stand up from the bed, "My dear boy..."
I looked at her, and she walked over to me and sat next to me on the couch, "When you were a boy, all you did was stare at her." She said, "I found it adorable, truly. You were but a child, running about with a bright and healthy smile on your face. Your Sister, despite all the issues and inconveniences she found herself in, took joy in seeing you."
"Hm...." I said as I looked back up
"When you officially claimed Balerion and everyone....and I mean everyone, swarmed to the capital to try and take your favor, you did not care. I saw it in your eyes, you were bored of them. All of the grown women and the young girls that were thrown at you..." She continued, "You didn't have any eyes for them. At that time, you saw your little sister as she was, your little sister. But your elder sister? Oh, Baelon....you complain about the Targaryen customs all you want but your eyes were solely focused on Rhaenyra. You were infatuated with her. That's why you left her wedding to go with Balerion."
I frowned, "No, it was-"
"It was boring, yes. But you were a boy, Baelon. You were not aware of your feelings, as immature as they were." She said softly as she stroked my hair, "You were heartbroken....your elder sister was married and you could not have her. You never said that you wanted her, you didn't have to. I knew. I always knew.. And Rhaenyra, she loves you...deeply, but she sees you as her brother.....that is all...."
"She loves me, huh?" I said, "Are you sure about that?"
"Yes, I am sure." She said with a frown, "What is it?"
"She wouldn't hurt me, right?" I asked her with a serious face
"Never." She said, "Baelon, why are you asking me this? Rhaenyra adores you. You two are full-blooded siblings. The Dragon's Blood runs thick, Baelon. She would never....."
"Hm...." I said, "I.....care for her too..."
"I know you do." She said softly, "Is there something I should know?"
I sighed and stood up, "I love her, Mother. I do." I said, "And I do not wish to hurt her. So I am sorry...."
"I know what I must do."
[A/N: Apologies if things are kinda confusing at the moment with the fast pace and everything. Some things are meant to be confusing, taking you guys for a loop and others are just accidental. I just want to get past the wedding already.
We might get a potential time-skip to take things further.]