House of The Dragon-A God Amongst Men-Chapter 399: The Heirs

(Third Person POV)

"They’ve been going at it for more than ten minutes now." Baelon said with an annoyed scowl, "That Daemon of mine, so full of lip...and Rhaenys can match it and even surpass it....."

Aemon looked at him, "Brother, I told you to scold Rhaenys if you need to." He said, "You know I don’t like it when my daughters and your sons fight with each other."

They were in the courtyard, Aemon had arrived to see what the commotion was. He arrived to see Rhaenys yelling at Daemon who was being held back by Viserys, shouting back at her as he wailed his arms about. Rhaenys had an angry look on her face, her cheeks were red from being angry about whatever Daemon said.

"And that is why my Father is next in line after your Father!" Daemon shouted

"Daemon!" Viserys said, "Don’t say that!"

"It’s true!!" Daemon shouted

"Shut your mouth, you little brat!!" Rhaenys shouted, "You’re nothing but a spoiled little boy who still cries for his mother when you soil the bed!!"

"Shut up, you ugly wench!" Daemon said

Baelon scowled at Daemon, "Don’t make me call your Mother." He said, "She’s going to spank you again for saying such absurdities to your cousin, who by the way, is betrothed to your sister!"

Aemon looked at Baelon, "You know you can tell Rhaenys something too." He said, "She knows better than to give in. There is no reason for me to come all the way in here."

"Ah, but you know I can’t scold my precious niece!" Baelon said, "I mean, she could get petty and could give me the cold shoulder, you know how she gets! She’s done it before, that’s why I want you to handle it!"

Aemon sighed, "Rhaenys, dear....." He said, "What is the matter? Why are you insulting your cousin, who is younger than you? I already told you to ignore his remarks."

"I cannot ignore them!" Rhaenys exclaimed, "He’s such a vile little creature! Someone should plunge his head in boiling water!"

"Oookay...." Aemon sighed, "That is quite harsh, he doesn’t deserve to be told that."

"He told me I was not your Heir!" Rhaenys said, "That it was Uncle who is in line for the throne! He told me that it was Uncle Baelon and then Viserys and then him! He called me an useless girl who will never inherit anything!"

Baelon walked up to Viserys who was holding Daemon, "Daemon, you little....." He said, "How many times have I told you not to say anything of that manner!"

"It’s true!" Daemon shouted

"Calm down, dammit...." Viserys said with an annoyed scowl, "You’re wearing my patience thin....."

Aemon sighed, "You should ignore him." He said, "He doesn’t know much. He is young, look at him."

"Yes....but...." Rhaenys said as she panted, "I....Father, he insulted Aenys."

Aemon frowned, "What?"

Baelon scowled, "What did you say?"

"He said that if Aenys wasn’t weak, we shouldn’t be in this position." Rhaenys said as she looked down, sniffing, "And that is why.....M-Mother.....is...."

"Daemon, for fuck’s sake!!!" Baelon grabbed him by the arm, "How dare you say something like that!!"

Baelon got on one knee and bent the boy over as Daemon was trying to flail himself free, "Ahh!" Daemon shouted, "Nooo!! I’m telling mother!!"

Baelon spanked him a couple of times, "Shut your mouth, boy!!" He shouted, "I am going to punish you by keeping you in your chambers for an entire week, dammit!! And your mother won’t save you from this!!"

Aemon looked at him, "Baelon, I think you’re overdoing it." He said, "No need in hitting him any more."

Baelon gave him a final spank, "He shouldn’t say that...." He said with an angry scowl, "I’m ashamed at the moment, brother. I apologize on his behalf."

"We shouldn’t fight amongst each other." Aemon said seriously, "We are family. Right now, as of this moment, all we have is each other. Girls....boys.....our lines will soon be merged, whether we like it or not. We should get along.."

He was looking at his daughters, who were standing besides him. Rhaella was standing behind Rhaenys, holding her sister’s hand.

"Right...." Rhaenys said as she looked down

Viserys spoke up, "Who’s that?"

Baelon looked at him, "Who?" He asked as he saw Viserys pointing past him, "What?"

They all turned to see Riktor sitting down on some crates that were leaning against a wall, his feet dangling down as he slouched forward, staring right at them. It was a bit of a surprising sight, which also unsettled them considered that he had a serious look on his face.

"Riktor Drakkengard..." Baelon said as he stood up while Daemon plopped onto his stomach

Aemon cleared his throat, "Lord Riktor." He said, "What brings you here?"

Riktor shrugged, "Nothing really."

"Is that so?" Aemon said, "Do you happen to be lost? I can-"

"I can find my own way." Riktor said as he dropped down to the ground, patting his shoulder, "I could not help but overhear the argument."

Baelon looked at him, "This....." He said, "Is a Family matter.....there is nothing you should concern yourself about."

Riktor pointed at Rhaenys, "That one." He said, "She is Aemon’s Heir."

Aemon looked at Rhaenys and then back at Riktor, "Pardon?"

"You are the Heir to the Throne, meaning that any of your children should succeed you." Riktor said, "That is how succession works, does it not?"

"No." Daemon said, "It is the next living male-"

"Shut up." Baelon cut him off, "Listen, Lord Riktor....I do not know how your Father handles succession in your House, but the customs of the Realm dictate that-"

"Other Houses pass down the seat to female members should they be eldest." Riktor cut him off, "I was told by Mother, by Ser Jon, and even by Sylas’s grandfather."

"Lord Lannister...." Aemon muttered, "And what might you mean? That my Rhaenys should succeed you?"

"It is only right. It is only fair. How could your late son be your heir when he was alive but when he died, Rhaenys and Rhaella are passed over?" Riktor crossed his arms, "It makes little to no sense."

"You don’t know any-" Daemon started before being smacked on the head by his father

"You are the Heir of House Drakkengard, are you not?" Baelon asked, "Should you die and you only leave daughters, would they succeed you?"

"No." Riktor said seriously, "But we are different. Our House is separate from everything else."

"How so?" Aemon asked

"I am the Firstborn, yes." Riktor said, "Father says that I was fortunate to be the first...that is how I got my position. But to keep said position, that is a different story. House Drakkengard does not handle succession with order of birth, that is foolish...says my Father."

"Could you tell me how your House is going to handle these things?" Aemon crossed his arms, "I am quite intrigued, if I am being honest."

"Only the strongest can lead House Drakkengard." Riktor said, "And right now, My Father is that individual. However.....when he decides to stop taking responsibility, I am next. And when that happens, I am to maintain my seat by proving to not just my family, but to the whole realm.....that I am the only one fit to lead our House."

"So young....." Baelon said, "And so serious.....so full of duty..."

"Rhaenys Targaryen....." Riktor said, "I think she’d be a fine Queen, should she be next. But if I am being honest, I don’t think you’d be alive by the time she does ascend."

"What does that mean?" Aemon narrowed his eyes

"I don’t mean it in a bad way." Riktor shrugged, "The Old Man is cursed to live until my Father decides. And you two.....maybe its the same. So by the time that the Old Man expires, you two might already be dead....and then Rhaenys might be queen..."

"Just what are you talking about?" Baelon scowled

"Don’t worry." Riktor said as he turned around and began to walk away, "When that happens, I’d be old enough for you to try to fight."

"See how that will turn out."

This chapter is updat𝙚d by f(r)eew𝒆bn(o)vel.com