-Chapter 68-
-POV Rhaenys Targaryen-
As I watched Laena, smiling, look at her fiancé as he walked forward and took Princess Rhaenyra's hand to lead her to Laenor, I couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.
'As long as those two continue to get along, everything will be fine,' I thought, observing Rhaenyra and Laenor kneeling as Septon Eustace began the ceremony.
'The two most powerful dragonriders in the kingdom, they represent the peace of the realm,' I thought, for as long as Aemon remained on our side, and as long as we continued to cultivate this familial relationship, we would live in peace for decades to come.
'This moment, beyond being the wedding of my two beautiful children, was also the fulfillment of Corlys' dreams,' I thought as I squeezed my husband's hand, who turned his head towards me.
As I was lost in my thoughts, the ceremony progressed, and Septon Eustace asked:
"Does anyone here object to this union? If so, speak now or forever hold your peace."
A few seconds passed, and seeing that no one stepped forward, Aemon moved to remove the cape from his cousin's shoulders so that Laenor could place the cape in the colors of House Velaryon over her.
'In the colors of our house,' I thought, glancing at Corlys, who was smiling, filled with happiness.
"With this kiss, I pledge my love to you and take you as my lord husband," said Rhaenyra, clearly pleased with how things were unfolding.
"With this kiss, I pledge my love to you and take you as my lady wife," said Laenor, his face closed, reciting his lines without error, trying to hide from everyone the fact that he was practically drunk.
"Here, in the sight of gods and men, I solemnly declare that Laenor of House Velaryon and Rhaenyra of House Targaryen are now husband and wife, one flesh, one heart, one soul, now and forever, and cursed be anyone who would come between them," said Septon Eustace, raising his seven-sided crystal to the sky.
'Fortunately, we removed the songs and other rituals, or he wouldn't have been able to bear it,' I thought as I watched how quickly Laenor had pulled away from his fiancée and returned to us.
'He even forgot that he was supposed to carry and remove his sister's cloak.'
Corlys stepped away from me and moved forward to replace Laenor, and the ceremony continued properly.
---
-POV Rhea Royce-
I watched my son and his fiancée exchange their vows, holding back the torrent of tears threatening to fall at any moment.
'It's all happening so fast,' I thought.
I allowed myself to glance away from Aemon for a moment to observe Daemon from the corner of my eye, and to my great surprise, I saw regret.
'Without his damned pride and boundless arrogance, we could have formed a perfect family. It's not for lack of giving him chances to prove he had changed, but nothing came of it.'
'Let's hope you take this opportunity to realize the mistakes you've made and become a better person for your other children.'
'For your only children,' I thought, for I had understood that Daemon would never be Aemon's father in this life. He lost that right the day he left us for his harlot.
'His true harlot,' I thought.
"With this kiss, I pledge my love to you and take you as my lord husband," said Laena, looking very happy with this union.
"With this kiss, I pledge my love to you and take you as my lady wife," said Aemon, smiling just as brightly as his bride.
"Here, in the sight of gods and men, I solemnly declare that Aemon of House Targaryen and Laena of House Velaryon are now husband and wife, one flesh, one heart, one soul, now and forever, and cursed be anyone who would come between them," said Septon Eustace, raising his seven-sided crystal to the sky.
'Yes,' I sighed with happiness. I had been so afraid that something would ruin this moment of peace and joy, but in the end, none of that happened.
'And that's a good thing,' I thought, watching the two hold hands and return to us.
---
-POV Aemon Targaryen-
My mother hugged me tightly, discreetly shedding a few tears that she quickly wiped away afterward, then she hugged Laena, who had just been embraced by both her parents.
"Aemon, I'm so proud of you," said Uncle Viserys, hugging me after having kissed his daughter.
I hugged my uncle and said, "Thank you for organizing this beautiful ceremony; it touches me deeply."
"I couldn't do any less for my favorite nephew," he said, holding me by the shoulders.
"Well, it seems someone is about to become a man," said Daemon as he arrived.
I nodded, keeping the well-practiced smile on my face for the occasion, and replied in the same tone:
"It seems it will happen soon."
"Congratulations... I don't say it often, but I'm incredibly proud of you, my son."
Deep down, I felt sad because I had struggled to accept the fact that I had a new family in this life, and what Daemon had done had completely put me off.
'I will never be your son,' I thought as I hugged him, feeling awkward and sad for him.
'He'll have other children,' I thought before simply replying:
"Thank you."
Once he let go of me, I began receiving congratulations from everyone, along with their gifts.
'I could have done without that, but hey, there are worse things in life,' I thought, smiling warmly and thanking each of the lords and ladies who had come to present me with a wedding gift.