Fake dating/relationship au except everyone else is having them fake date- (also Iâm aging everyone up a little bc yes, and the engagements had never been made for Luke and Jace, bear with me lmao)
The Greens and the Blacks still have their beef and this is during the six years when Otto and Alicent are in charge, pre-Lukeâs legitimacy challenge.
Rhaenyra hears word that a banker from Braavos is going to be in Kingâs Landing soon to discuss business with the crown except this isnât just any businessman. Syrio Nestoris is a leading figure within the Iron Bank, one of the wealthiest men in the Free Cities, if not the world-an alliance between the Hightowers and this man would devastate Rhaenyraâs ability to take the throne and such a relationship cannot be allowed to form. So she and Daemon prepare for travel and drag their children along with them to show a united front and if all goes well, perhaps they can secure the allegiance of Nestoris and his coffers instead.
Their dragons land in the capital the next day and due to their position as royalty (and there not being a good enough reason to deny them), Daemon and Rhaenyra are able to gain entry to the meetings with Nestoris, claiming that as the next ruler, to deny Rhaenyra any knowledge of what happens during such business is an insult and detriment to the crown. Syrio looks amused when he hears and gladly encourages the pair to attend under the guise of friendly relations and better business, says he understands the value of including family while looking at his own brother who is also in attendance. Daemon takes particular joy in the frustration on Ottoâs face-the Hand canât be as blatant in his schemes when everyone is in a room together.
Theyâre three days into brokering trading deals and discussing loan rates, when Syrioâs brother, Illyr, decides to open his mouth and cause problems. The man is paler than most of the Bravosi delegation and it makes his dark eyes look almost black and there is a swagger to him that few trust, let alone feel comfortable in, but he has been allowed to wander as he pleases due to his relation to Syrio. Illyr says that better rates can be offered at aâŚâfamily discountâ so to speak and asks demands that Lucerys be included in their deal, says he has seen the boy around the keep, and that he would make a fine addition to the harem of wives and husbands that he has back in Braavos. Daemon is already reaching for Dark Sister, would rather put this foreigner to the blade than entertain the insult to his stepson but Rhaenyra is pulling him back down, diplomacy is still needed, these men too powerful to die in a council meeting in Westeros. The reach of the Iron Bank is long and the crown relies on it too much to break ties through violence. Words are ready on her tongue to defend Luke, explain that he cannot be married off to a strange land, that he is the future Lord of Driftmark but Illyr is waving a hand through the air (and maybe Dark Sister should have a taste of blood today).
Illyr says that taking on Lucerys would be no issue, that anyone looks the boy and can see he desires men, that it would be a mercy to take him back to Braavos, instead of forcing the prince to marry a woman and produce heirs, besidesâŚDriftmark can go to another âVelaryonâ (there is an emphasis on the word that no one but Otto likes)- the Lady Baela, was it? Or perhaps even her sister Rhaena.
It is quiet now in the room and even Syrio has a strange look upon his face as he takes in his older brother. The Bravosi have the upper hand even if only one of them seem eager to press it, clearly Illyr has been getting information from *somewhere*. Rhaenyra has been near outmaneuvered, does not know how to tear Luke away from this manâs interests, is about to set Daemon on him, consequences be damned when Alicent stands.
Alicent had been a young girl once, with dreams of marrying a handsome lord (or at the very least one her own age) before her father made her a queen and she remembers how it felt to be used as a pawn. She loves her children though it is difficult to show it, sheâŚfeels something for her husband though if she had the ability to turn back time, she would in a heartbeat and beg her younger self to never don her motherâs dresses. Alicent had married Aegon and Helaena and the two are the more miserable for itâŚshe cannot let history repeat itself, cannot imagine how a Targaryen would survive so far away from his family, a whole continent away with a man who holds cruelty in his eyes (at least Viserys has been kind or as kind as he could be.)
âI apologize, my good sir, but Prince Lucerys is not free to marry,â Alicent looks to Rhaenyra and begs her old friend to trust her, that she is doing this for them both, âhe is engaged to my son, Aemond, to strengthen our familial bonds, kept quiet as to protect the boysâ privacy. My sonâs bethrothed cannot be simply given away. It would be a dishonor on our name and we are no oathbreakers.â
Illyr and Otto look furious and the meeting is quickly called to an end, they will resume tomorrow and Alicent is already moving out the room, ignores her fatherâs hiss that she remain behind. Alicent takes Rhaenyraâs arms and drags the princess as formally as she can to her chambers before telling the servants to bring both second sons to them at once. Daemon had trailed behind, amusement and displeasure at the dayâs events mixed on his handsome face as he takes a seat on one of the couches places around the Queenâs chambers, hand still wrapped around Dark Sisterâs hilt.
Rhaenyra is pacing now while Alicent gnaws at the tips of her fingers and words do not need to be shared between them, they both know a lie has been committed and now it must be upheld to protect all involved. If the Bravosi find out that Lucerys is being kept from Illyr for no reason at all, the insult will be grave, and negotiations will be at risk of falling through, something that the crown cannot afford, both figuratively and literally.
The princes arrive and though they refuse to even look at one another, the tension in the room keeps them from asking questions, they merely greet their mothers and wait for someone to speak. It is Alicent who does, turns to Aemond though she will not look her son in the eye.
âYou mustâŚyou must stay by Lucerysâ side for as long as your nephew is here,â Aemond stiffens and shoots a glance at where Luke holds Rhaenyraâs hands, the younger also freezing at the words, âthere is a man here who would take him away and I-we cannot let it happen. You must let them think there is an affection between the two of you, that you are to be wed and nothing would dissuade either of you from it. Illyr canât know or even think otherwise. Do you understand?â
Aemond has always been the obedient son, made easy by Aegon and his transgressions, and though the task before isâŚso much to ask, he will not fail now. He kisses his motherâs cheek and answers, âI understand.â
