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House of The Dragon-A God Amongst Men: Chapter 277: Handwriting II
🕑 Added 2025-06-08 02:44:15 +0000 UTC(Drakken's POV)
"Drakken..." Maegelle walked up to me, reading a letter, "Why did I receive a letter from Daella in Dragonstone, telling me that she regretfully declines the invitation I gave her?"
I was sitting down in my chair, holding Astorias as she slept while I drank some wine, "Oh." I said, "Yea, I had Jocelyn write a letter to Dragonstone, inviting Daella and Aemon to Harrenhal so we could discuss the future of our children."
"Jocelyn....?" Maegelle asked
"And it was actually your words." I said before taking a sip, "They think it's you, that is."
She frowned, "Drakken..." She said, "W-Why.....why would you do that? Do you want Aemon to suffer? Writing to him with Jocelyn's hand?"
"Uh, yea." I said, "That is the point."
She sighed and looked at Astorias, who was snug against my chest, "Where is Saera?" She said, a smile forming on her face, "Look at this one, loving her father's arms."
"I suppose it cannot be helped. I have to alternate between the two, Vaella and Astorias. Otherwise, we'll have nothing but crying girls in the halls of Harrenhal." I said, "Saera was taking a bath, last I checked. I swear, I might not get any work done."
She walked up to me and sat on my lap, "I need to know...." She said softly as she wrapped her arms around my neck, "That you don't plan on doing something horrendous."
"You'll be disappointed." I said, "I intend to make Aemon suffer to the point that his will breaks, to the point where he is over the edge, and that he will do anything to watch me die."
"W-What?" She asked with a surprised look
"He and I." I started, "We will fight to the death. I will make sure that I give him an incentive to do so. But don't worry, I won't hurt his girls. They will have a nice future should they marry our sons."
"Drakken." She said softly
"Maegelle, you know my true nature." I said, "This....? Is a mere distraction.....the me that you see....holding this girl...the one you see holding your girl, that is but a mask. A mask that hides who I truly am. I want bloodshed, I want destruction, I want to kill everything in my path. Solely because they've insulted me.....because they breathe the same air as me. You know that. You knew that the moment you met me. Don't lie to yourself....don't lie to me...."
She looked down, "I know." She said, "And that is why I think....that I am a horrible person...because.....I still fell for you. And if this is a mask, Drakken....I would do everything in my power to keep it on. Because I don't want that mask off in front of my girl....our girl....and of course, this one..."
She looked at Astorias, who was still sleeping, a warm smile on her face. She patted her cheek and leaned down, kissing her forehead.
"I know." I said, "And the mask will stay on. For now."
"Thank you." She said softly
"But..." I said, "There are things that I must do."
"Tormenting your brother is one of them."
********************
(Third Person POV)
[King's Landing]
"Father." Aemon walked up to the King, who was sitting down in his desk, reading a letter, "I am here. I brought the girls too."
"Hm." He said, "Good. Where are they?"
"With Mother. It appears that all of this news of new girls being born has made her a bit more willing to spend time with her granddaughters." Aemon said, "I think that is quite lovely, really."
"Aemon." Jaehaerys said
"Yes?" Aemon asked with a raised eyebrow
"Why am I reading a letter from Harrenhal in Jocelyn's handwriting?" He asked as he looked at him with a serious look, "Addressing me, The King, as Saera.....telling me to make you consider betrothing your girls to Baelon's boys."
Aemon narrowed his eyes, "Drakken...."
"Drakken?" He said as he sat it down
"He's been doing that to me." Aemon said, "He has been persistent, that man. I am sure that my sisters have nothing to do with it. He must have perfectly imitated the handwriting to the dot, using it to try and rouse me. It is not working."
"I see..." Jaehaerys said as he looked down, "And tell me....when he used those....things on us....what did you see?"
Aemon's face went pale, "A-Aenys..."
"Right...." Jaehaerys said, "I kept seeing Daenerys...."
"I know. Mother told me." Aemon said as he looked away
"But...." Jaehaerys said with a serious frown, "You never saw....Jocelyn?"
Aemon looked at him with surprise, "Uh, no..." He said, "W-Why?"
"Hm...." The King said, "I find it odd that he did not use the image of your wife to haunt you.....I mean, your son is one thing....not surprising....but what is surprising is that your wife was not used...especially.....when..."
"When what?" Aemon asked
"You and Daella are quite close now." Jaehaerys said
"And is that a problem?" Aemon frowned, "I.....Father, she is my wife."
"I understand." Jaehaerys said, "And I don't judge."
"So....." Aemon said, "What is your point?"
"It is strange, that is all." Jaehaerys said, "That you didn't deal with that....but of course, I am glad that you did not."
Aemon cleared his throat, "I would like to move from this topic." He said, "What is it that you wanted to speak to me about. Daella told me about tensions in the Keep as of late."
Jaehaerys nodded, "Right, how could I forget?" He said as he stood up, holding the Hand of The King's brooch in his hand, "Here."
He walked around the desk and handed him the brooch. The Heir took it and looked at his father with a bit of surprise.
"W-What?" Aemon said, "Wait....this means....?"
Jaehaerys nodded, "Septon Barth and I have parted ways." He said, "It appears he has grown frustrated with the way I have dealt with things with the Trinity here in the City. He's even threatened to take matters in his own hands regarding with the issue. I warned him about the repercussions. The last thing I want is my own City ablaze because he keeps poking the slumbering dragon that is the Trinity."
"Well...." Aemon said, "He does have a point. And tension with the Faith is at an all-time high, Father."
"I know." Jaehaerys said as he placed his hands behind his back, "And while I respect the Faith, you know that our roots are not from Andal traditions."
Aemon nodded, "That's right." He said, "We are of Valyrian descent."
Jaehaerys looked down and walked past his son, "I overheard Alyssa mention to Baelon that Drakken may be a Lost Valyrian God. Not the first time they've discussed it, from what I heard." He said, "But a Valyrian God....a violent and malicious one that was hidden in the annals of history. There is much knowledge lost....the Doom of Valyria destroyed thousands of years worth of history....but the history that was preserved....mentioned no God like Drakken...."
"You..." Aemon said, "You don't think that is true, right?"
"Not really." Jaehaerys said, "I was raised in the traditions of the Faith. I respect it, as I've already said. But if we are to have the Realm not be drowned in the sea of war and death that Drakken threatens it with, then we must find a way to coexist."
"Coexist? With him?" Aemon frowned
Jaehaerys looked at him, "His behavior here in the capital when Vaella was born made me think." He said, "He doesn't like it......and neither do I....."
"Maybe that is the right choice; to coexist."
