-Chapter 140-

-Chapter 140-

-2nd day of the 4th moon of the year 121 AC-

-POV Otto Hightower-

"Father," said Alicent as she entered my office.

I nodded, slightly distracted, then immediately asked her:

"Have you spoken with the King?"

Alicent shook her head, then said, "He did not summon me to his chambers last night."

"That does not bode well," I concluded.

Alicent wanted to reassure me, but in the end, she said nothing and simply nodded.

I was about to say something when the door opened. As I was about to reprimand the person for not announcing themselves, I identified the intruder as the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard.

"The King requests your presence," he said simply in a neutral tone.

'So, it is now,' I thought, observing the King’s Hand pin I was playing with.

I sighed before fastening it once more to my doublet, then stood up, determined to face my dismissal with dignity...

'My second dismissal,' I thought.

---

"Otto," said the King as I entered the council chamber, now devoid of any other presence but ours.

"My King," I said, lowering my head.

For a few moments, a heavy and oppressive silence filled the room before he finally spoke:

"This is the only course of action. I hope you understand my decision."

I clenched my teeth without saying anything and nodded, though I felt a burning anger in my chest.

"Perfect," he said, motioning that I could leave.

We exchanged no further words, and the 'discussion' was brief, but I had seen what I needed to see—I knew that Viserys no longer trusted me.

Otherwise, he would have argued or, at the very least, apologized for his decision.

'He almost seemed indifferent to my dismissal,' I noted, removing my pin and leaving it on the table before exiting the room.

'This is not the first time I have been removed from this seat. I will find a way to return sooner or later,' I thought, growing increasingly hopeful that my grandson would reclaim his birthright.

'The crown our family deserves,' I thought, refusing to admit defeat despite the blow Prince Aemon had just dealt.

---

-POV Aemon Targaryen-

"So, still no news?" asked Jeyne as she spread butter and jam on Baela’s toast.

'She has adapted quite well to family life,' I thought.

Even though I knew the overwhelming ambition that had never left my second wife’s heart, I had done everything to create a bond between all of us that would tie her to our family.

'The mere fact that she considers the twins as her own daughters is a great step forward,' I thought, remembering how she had not wanted another child after Aerys’ birth, yet she had been particularly present in the girls' lives and had even helped Laena, who had softened slightly towards her.

I shook my head, then said as I peeled an apple with a knife for Aerys:

"No news, but I am not worried. It has now been four years since any ship has passed through the straits, despite our peace agreements and the various armistices we have established."

"If only for the catastrophic economic losses the Crown has suffered for four years now, appointing you as Hand of the King will be worth it," said my mother.

I nodded, and then Jeyne asked me:

"Are you ready to reopen access to Essos?"

"I truly intend to make peace," I said, avoiding answering the question in front of the children, as I did not know what they might repeat.

Jeyne smiled without saying anything, as she knew me well enough to understand that I never forgot an affront, but I simply took my time to collect what was owed.

"Your Highness," said Ser Steffon Darklyn at the doors of the room where we were all having breakfast.

I raised an inquisitive eyebrow, and then he said:

"His Majesty requests your presence."

I nodded and continued slicing the apple I had just peeled. But Ser Steffon insisted and said:

"His Majesty is waiting for you."

"I heard you the first time, Ser Steffon, but as you can see, I have many responsibilities," I said before placing the apple slices on the plate.

"What should I tell the King?" Ser Steffon asked, trying to press for a response.

"Absolutely nothing. You will simply wait until I am done," I said, motioning for him to wait by the door.

Laena cast me an amused glance, understanding that I was relishing the moment, but she said nothing and acted as if everything was normal, as did everyone else at the table, completely ignoring the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, who had no choice but to wait powerlessly at the door until we finished our meal.

---

-POV Viserys Targaryen-

Knock… Knock… Knock…

"Enter," I said, already knowing the identity of the person behind the door.

Aemon walked in, his face neutral, revealing nothing, and said:

"Apologies for the wait, we were at the table with the children."

Internally, I frowned at the nonchalance with which he dismissed the fact that I had been waiting for him for nearly an hour, but I ultimately decided to let it go.

'This is not the time for such trivialities. He simply wants to make it clear that he is displeased with me and that he is no longer at my service,' I thought, understanding what he was trying to do.

I waved my hand and then said, pointing to a chair:

"Sit down, we have matters to discuss."

Aemon took a seat, just as relaxed as always, and then I said:

"I had a long discussion with Aegon when he returned last year."

"Hmm," Aemon responded, uninterested in what my son might have told me.

"He told me he had expressed his desire to stay in the Vale," I said, observing Aemon’s reaction.

'Or rather, his complete lack of reaction,' I thought, noting my nephew’s neutral expression.

Aemon simply said:

"I believe I had already mentioned that in one of the letters I sent you."

"You understand that, given the circumstances, I had little reason to have faith in your words," I said.

Aemon simply nodded and said:

"I understand."

A brief silence fell before I broke it by asking my nephew:

"Did you kill Arnold?"

"I did not kill him with my own hands, if that is your question," Aemon said, denying the act but leaving an implicit double meaning in his words.

'I did not do it myself.'

I closed my eyes and then changed the subject, knowing I would not get more answers about the fate of his other uncle:

"Did Otto really orchestrate our confrontation?"

"If only it were just that," Aemon said mockingly, unwilling to elaborate, his gaze never leaving Otto’s pin resting on the table.

"It is yours," I said before adding:

"But you must promise me one thing first."

"What thing?" Aemon asked.

"I want you to promise me that you will do your best," I said, fixing him with a serious look.

Aemon picked up the pin and said, fastening it to his chest:

"I have always done my best for the family. As I have already said, if I had been a bloodthirsty demon, I would have done far worse than simply taking control of the Stepstones."