You'll Never Be Alone - Chapter 4
“You call Daenerys our Queen … do you intend to abdicate? To set aside your own claim to the Iron Throne?” Lord Royce wondered.
“I already have. I have no wish to sit the throne, nor do I wish to be King. My aunt -”
“Your aunt destroyed an entire city! Do you mean for us to simply forget that?! While the two of you have been in hiding it is my men who have been wading through the ashes of thousands! Not even the Mad King was so -”
“ENOUGH OF THE MAD KING!” Jon suddenly shouted, and he was livid as Rhaegal roared and shrieked in his nest.
“The Mad King is dead, just as we all would be if not for Her Grace! Had she not come North and fought alongside us, the Night King would still be marching and we would all be mindless soldiers in his army! Instead, Daenerys did what a true queen would do: she rode into battle at her people's side, never stopping until the war was won!”
He snarled and then he was gripping Longclaw tightly as he stated, “Continue to defile and slander her name and the consequences will be most severe, my lord.”
The guards stationed around the throne room tensed as well, ready to defend not only Dany, but himself as their prince.
“What happened in King’s Landing was a tragedy, but do not stand there and tell me Cersei did not contribute to the destruction. You saw the wildfire amongst Drogon’s flames, as did I. It was horrible, but we were at war, my lords, and that war is now over. Neither Her Grace nor myself wish to brush aside the loss of life, and our Queen cares greatly for her people, which is why King’s Landing is to be rebuilt using the coin that was taken from the Golden Company, as well as procuring fresh food and water for the citizens of the city. These things have already begun, have they not?” he demanded.
“They have, my prince.” Lord Wyman answered.
Lord Royce only gave a curt nod.
“Good. Lord Royce, you speak of Her Grace hiding away, but the idea to come to Dragonstone was mine alone. It is out of my love for her that I urge her to remain here, for I know that King’s Landing is not safe for her, nor will it be for quite some time, and there is also the matter of healing from her injuries. I will not risk her life simply to sate you or the people. She is the Queen and she must be protected, and as her Hand and her beloved, I will continue to guide her as best I can.”
