-Chapter 65-
-POV Aemon Targaryen-
"AEMON!!!" shouted my uncle, surprising everyone, including me, even though I knew he was going to do it at some point.
"I forbid you from speaking to a member of this council in that manner," said Uncle Viserys, his gaze dark.
"Forgive me, Uncle Viserys," I said, lowering my eyes slightly.
Pretending to be satisfied, Uncle Viserys said, "I brought you here to let you discover this place because I know you'll very likely sit here one day, but no one has the right to disrespect another member of this council in such a way."
"Very well," I said, nodding my head.
"And even less so when you're not even a sitting member of this council," added Corlys Velaryon.
I tightened my face, not because I was angry about what he had said, but because I was on the verge of bursting out laughing.
'I could kiss him right now,' I thought.
"Regarding that," said Viserys, preparing to switch to plan B in case anyone tried to use that argument to discredit me.
Everyone turned toward him, wondering what the king was going to announce, and even though I knew what he was going to say, I was as attentive as the others.
"I wanted to announce it once this council meeting was over, to my nephew first, but I may as well do it now; after all, it doesn't change much…"
The king took a moment before continuing, saying:
"I've decided to add a seat to this council, a seat that will honor the dragon rider who has managed to tame the most powerful dragon of his generation."
"You're surely referring to my daughter Laena, who rides Vhagar," said Corlys Velaryon, already understanding that he was about to name me but unwilling to accept it.
The king shook his head and said, "In my opinion, the one who most deserves this title is none other than Aemon. Urrax will undoubtedly become the greatest dragon of this century, and it doesn't make much difference since your daughter is engaged to my nephew, right?"
"By that reasoning, it wouldn't make much difference if Laenor were named king since, after all, Princess Rhaenyra would be his wife," retorted the Sea Snake, exasperated, in a mocking tone.
'Idiot,' I thought.
I smiled and clapped loudly, saying, "And here you are, once again diverting the topic for your personal gain."
"I…"
"Princess Rhaenyra is the legitimate heir to the Iron Throne, no matter what you say."
"I…"
"Your son isn't even a Targaryen. You should be groveling at the feet of the Conciliator's altar for his magnanimity. A viper as swollen with pride as you wouldn't have lasted long if I were in his place, and I would add that if you dare to question my cousin's throne legitimacy again, you will address your grievances to Urrax," I said, not giving the red-faced lord a chance to respond.
"You're going to let him speak to me like that?" Corlys asked Viserys, who said nothing this time and responded to the Sea Snake with only silence.
"You have overstepped your bounds, Lord Corlys," said Lyonel Strong in a slightly condescending tone.
Realizing he was alone against everyone, and that neither Rhaenyra's supporters nor the Queen's would help him, Corlys Velaryon headed for the door.
"Do as you please, but I will not sit here and listen to this nonsense," he said before leaving, deciding he had heard enough for the day.
'Good riddance; that'll teach you to try to make me your puppet,' I thought as I watched the snake pass by me, casting me a venomous look.
"Very well, the meeting is over. You may all leave except Aemon and Lyonel; I need to speak with you privately," said the King.
Everyone stood and bowed before leaving the room, leaving the three of us alone.
I didn't miss Rhaenyra's grateful glance as she walked past me, and I gave her a slight nod in return, a sign she acknowledged before leaving and closing the doors, leaving only my uncle, the Hand, and me.
'Let's hope she remembers this in a few hours,' I thought.
The Hand waited for my uncle to speak, but I noticed the look of distress he cast at me, and I barely resisted the urge to roll my eyes at his weakness.
I stood up and walked around the table to sit to my uncle's left, facing the Hand, who looked at me, puzzled, before I began:
"What we're about to tell you isn't easy, but as a loyal subject of the crown, I imagine you understand that His Majesty had no choice and has chosen to spare you as best he can."
The Hand said nothing, waiting anxiously to hear what was coming, and I continued:
"You will officially resign from your post as Hand of the King, and Ser Harwin will be relieved of his duties. This will need to happen before the entire court."
Lyonel Strong furrowed his brow in surprise and turned to the king, who refused to meet his Hand's gaze. He tried to speak, but I continued:
"Although you'll be dismissed as Hand, you will soon be reinstated as Master of Laws, and your son will be reinstated as captain in the City Watch."
"Why?" he asked simply.
I sighed before responding, "You were the Master of Laws, and you know perfectly well that your son crossed a line that would normally warrant a capital punishment, not to mention what it triggered afterward. The Queen is using this to demonstrate the supposed cruelty of the princess."
I paused for a few seconds before continuing, "Queen Alicent wants the heir to be changed, but I've made a commitment to my uncle and my cousin. I will defend her rights, but as long as we can avoid a war like none we've ever seen…"
I didn't finish my sentence, but Lyonel Strong nodded, fully understanding the stakes:
"Who will replace me? I imagine it will be Queen's supporters."
"If it were only that," said Uncle Viserys.
I continued, "Otto will be the new official Hand, and his son Bryndon will replace yours as Commander of the Gold Cloaks."
"Official?!?" asked Lyonel Strong, appearing confused.
Viserys furrowed his brow and said, trying to reassure his Hand, "Though I must appease the insatiable greed of these leeches, your place is by my side, and that will not change. You will remain my chief advisor no matter what."
"I understand your position, and I thank you for your trust. I will continue to honor it by advising you as justly as possible, as long as you find my counsel valuable," said Lyonel Strong.
'That was rather simple,' I noted, expecting some anger, resentment, or even wounded pride, but none of that.
Lyonel Strong seemed to genuinely understand and accept the king's decision.
'To my great surprise.'
"Very well," said Viserys before adding, "And before I release you, I want you to be the first to know that I've decided to appoint your son as Master of Whisperers. It's a title that hasn't been used in a long time, but this will allow you to stay informed about everything happening in the council while my wife's heart softens."
"Thank you," said Lyonel Strong, this time smiling, looking genuinely pleased.
'Either he's a complete fool, an exceptional actor, or simply a fiercely loyal lord.'
'I never thought it was truly possible to remain so purely loyal despite all the advantages and power he held as Hand of the King,' I thought.
'Proof that I was wrong,' I told myself, watching the back of the now nearly former Hand of the King.