-Chapter 64-
-POV Viserys Targaryen-
I watched Corlys Velaryon stand up and say, frustrated:
"If we're finished, I have more important matters to attend to."
"I'm sorry to hear that, but I'll need to inconvenience you a little longer, Lord Corlys."
The Sea Snake, already heading for the door, stopped and raised an eyebrow in Aemon's direction.
Aemon said unhurriedly, "I have several other matters I'd like to discuss with this council, including a law that, in my opinion, would greatly improve the kingdom's treasury."
'This is it. Aemon is finally going to deal the final blow to Corlys Velaryon,' I thought, waiting to see his reaction.
"What is it about?" I asked, feigning slight curiosity.
"The taxation of luxury goods coming from or traded with Essos, passing through the Narrow Sea," Aemon replied.
Secretly watching Corlys Velaryon from the corner of my eye, I noticed how he widened his eyes upon hearing Aemon's words.
"This would help replenish the kingdom's coffers," said Jasper Wylde, nodding in agreement with Aemon's proposal.
'One of Alicent's supporters,' I thought, recalling his name from the list Larys had given me.
Sensing my hesitation and the silence of the other council members, the Sea Snake spoke up:
"You're all going to accept this without question, despite the obvious truth?"
"What obvious truth?" I asked, feigning ignorance.
"This is an attack solely aimed at my House, orchestrated by Daemon. Just look at who made the proposal, and you'll see it clearly."
'He's rather sharp,' I thought, surprised that he had made the connection so quickly.
"Very well, given that I'm Daemon Targaryen's son, my opinion doesn't carry much weight. But I imagine my cousin's opinion won't have the same effect, as she's the king's daughter, your future daughter-in-law, and your future queen," said Aemon, asking a question he clearly didn't expect an answer to. He then turned to Rhaenyra and asked:
"What do you think, dear cousin? You're the most impartial, and you'll only act in the interest of the throne."
'It's time for you to take responsibility, my daughter,' I thought, narrowing my eyes slightly, curious to see if she would go through with it and side with Daemon against me.
Secretly, I hoped she would retract.
Not to spare the Sea Snake's treasury, but simply because she might feel remorse in allying with my cursed brother to force me into granting him more power.
"Taxes would be welcome. They would allow Prince Daemon to build defenses and a fleet capable of protecting the kingdom should the Triarchy continue to fight for control of the Narrow Sea," she said, cleverly answering the question.
Aemon raised his arms as if to say, 'See, it wasn't me who said it,' and everyone nodded, including me.
'I feel sick accepting Daemon's blackmail, but if it allows my family to find peace, so be it.'
"Tell me I'm dreaming," said the Sea Snake, shaking his head in disbelief.
"No, you're not dreaming. Some people still care about the kingdom's welfare and use the power they have for its prosperity, rather than draining its lifeblood for their personal projects, vanity, or ambition, like insatiable leeches," Aemon responded.
---
-Flashback begins-
"The idea is simple: they think you're weak and easily influenced, so we won't correct them."
I frowned, not understanding how this would help us win in the short or long term.
Aemon continued, "We'll use this false image they've created of you to mislead them. They'll think I'm the problem, the greatest threat, without ever realizing you're the one pulling all the strings behind the scenes."
"What exactly are you going to do?" I asked, eyebrows furrowed, sensing deep down that I was going to hate the next part of his plan.
"I'm going to meet everyone's expectations," he said simply.
"How?" I asked, waiting for more details.
"I'm truly going to meet everyone's expectations. Rhaenyra wants her throne secured, so I'll do it. I'll defend her position as heir loudly and firmly, hammering into the minds of the nobility that the doctrine of exceptionalism frees us from the rules of the common folk," Aemon explained.
"Not everyone will agree with you," I told my nephew.
"Those who don't will either face my blade or Urrax's fire. But in both cases, they'll need the courage to confront me first," he said, determined.
'He's really serious,' I thought as I watched him.
"And what about the rumors, my Prince?" asked Larys.
"I'll rely on you to bring them to me so I can threaten those who spread them," Aemon said.
'He should have been born from Aemma's womb.'
"Then, although it disgusts me, I'll have to give in to Daemon's blackmail. This will worsen the false image they have of you and lead them to underestimate you even more..."
I nodded, understanding it was necessary, though frustrated at not being able to put Daemon in his place.
"Then I'll ensure that Harwin Strong and his father are removed from your council and replaced by Bryndon Hightower and his father."
"Wait, let me stop you right there. We never discussed that," I said, quickly returning to my senses.
"That's the Queen's condition," Aemon replied, before adding, "Without agreeing to her request, we won't be able to balance the forces in the kingdom or control the direction and intensity of the flames that will burn."
"I won't bring Otto Hightower back to my court. That viper will do everything in his power to usurp Rhaenyra," I said, categorically.
"I won't let him, and neither will you. But don't fool yourself; we can't rule out the possibility that someone noble or not might slip some poison into Lyonel Strong's cup to curry favor with the Queen, leaving you with little to no choice," Aemon explained.
"They wouldn't go that far," I said, surprised by his hypothesis.
"They're trying to usurp a succession established for nearly a decade. They'll use every means available, mark my words," Aemon said, half-mocking, half-disgusted by the methods all these leeches would employ.
"How did we get to this point? With Otto back, he'll undoubtedly have a negative influence on Aegon," I said, running a hand over my face while sighing heavily.
"You give your advisers too much leeway. Don't forget, my uncle, that we're only your advisers. You are the king. You must be the one to decide in the end... not to mention that I've already planned everything," Aemon said with a slight smirk.
"How so?"
"One of the conditions I imposed on Alicent was that Aegon be placed as a ward at Runestone. I'll raise him as my brother and make him a good man, you have my word," he said.
I smiled sadly at the thought that I would have to part with my eldest son for a long period, and I replied, knowing it was for the best, "You really do think of everything."
Aemon said nothing more and continued his explanation, "Alicent will likely come to see you after that. She'll want to convince you to make Aegon my ward. Make sure she believes the idea came from her. Don't hesitate to pretend you don't like the idea."
"That's a good plan, but if I give you too many privileges, they'll suspect something," I said, worried that by granting Aemon too much freedom, these leeches would realize we were in cahoots.
"Hmm, you're right. We'll make them believe that you love me too much to punish me, but not so much that you're unable to reprimand me when I cross the line. Don't hesitate," Aemon replied.
-End of flashback-
'Even though we discussed this beforehand, he's going a little too far this time. I guess it's time for me to step in,' I thought, deciding to intervene before things got out of hand.