At an early hour of the morrow, the King called for an audience with the Bold Bronze.
To discuss many terms.
Especially when Ser Criston Cole went out of his way to report that the Bold Bronze stayed in the Princess's quarters overnight.
Oh, the scandal and headache it gave to Viserys... but all the more to make haste of what is to be done.
So, after a sigh at the sight of a nonchalant bronze, he foremost gave his blessing of the match.
And then discussed many details... pertaining to the marriage. The when, where, and how it should be done.
With Viserys pretty much in agreement with what they have planned.
Then again... there was the matter of succession and progeny.
With his grandchildren to grow up as Royces while the firstborn would eventually become Targaryen when he or she takes up the crown.
Which, of course, led Viserys to disagree for some time and talk about the fact that Ronan should have been a Targaryen all along. And a Targaryen from now on.
But alas, that ship had long sailed... and his nephew would rather prefer to remain a Royce. Adamant on it.
However, the young man's true legitimacy and the restoration of Lady Rhea's honor would still be made known... an eventuality that Viserys had long prepared for, all this while.
And as much as it is a shame that such a great Targaryen held onto a not-so-Valyrian first name and a very different last name... the King could only accept it.
Especially with all that has transpired. And the wrongs that have been piled.
Regardless, with this union being a step into the right direction... for the House of the Dragon. And it only entailed the possibility of a third House that can claim dragons.
The Royces, starting with Ronan himself. If he so pleases...
Then his second born and so on, if he and Rhaenyra does have them... for they are still with the blood of the dragon and his grandchildren, are they not?
A decision that was sure to have great ramifications far, wide, and further down the line... but Viserys would rather not think about it.
He's already set a new precedent when he made Rhaenyra his Heir... so another would not be much different.
What's important is that he's brokered peace... and that gave him peace of mind.
Consequently, this led the King to the imposition he wanted to impose... one that had a hidden expectation underlying it.
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"Well, it's not too much of an ask, is it?" Her father could be heard questioning.
"It's fine, Your Grace. It's the least I can do with all that you've shockingly agreed to." Was Ronan's voice, who then said. "Besides, I needed an excuse... and this is just perfect."
Of course, Rhaenyra was already near them to see her father hand out a parchment to Ronan. "Then hand-deliver this to your fath... uhm, well... to Prince Daemon yourself. And make haste when you can... to Dwarfstone."
"Of course and will do." Was what Ronan smilingly assented. Which he sent her way... at the noticing of her presence.
Rhaenyra had no time to smile back, however, as she wondered. "Dwarfstone?"
"I'm sending word and aid to Daemon." The King declared. "With Ronan himself sailing to the Stepstones."
She visibly worried and wondered again. "Did uncle actually make call for help?"
"He would sooner die. But his King does not mean to allow that." Was what said King reasoned.
"Do you not think my decision correct?" He also asked.
"It is no consequence to what I think... as I'm often reminded." Rhaenyra complained. "Just like how I'm belatedly uninformed as it is... while the two of you seem to have colluded upon many things already."
Which made Ronan look away… whistling without sound, perhaps to not make himself too conspicuous...
But the King was not too pleased. "Daemon is thorn enough in my flesh. Will you insist on taking after him? Must everything be a battle with you?"
Which angered her as she reminded. "If you refer to your earlier attempt to marry me off to Casterly Rock..."
"I am sorry, Rhaenyra." Her father interrupted. Pleading that. "I was only trying to help you."
"Will you not be helped?" He asked. "Why must every effort on your behalf be resisted... as if to the death? With your flaunted dalliances with Ronan here being rebellious enough as it is."
"Because you meant to replace me with Alicent Hightower's son!" She angrily argued. "...the boy you always wanted."
"You have him in hands now. Y-You had no further use for me. So you might as well have peddled me for what you can. Like a mountain stronghold or a fleet of ships." Rhaenyra enunciated with tears. "So, I did what I could. Fortunately, I had Ronan convinced somewhat... but even that involved many years of doubt."
Which just led the mentioned to fake whistle even furiously... looking out the window... and not moving much to mayhaps make himself disappear.
Nevertheless, her father said. "You have misjudged me, Rhaenyra."
"All know it." She contested. "That Jason Lannister knew it. Those at that Hunt even seemed sure already. You said it yourself at some point, father. That the lords of the realm gather like vultures to a carcass... hoping to feast on my bones."
Which made the King sigh as he stated that. "It is true that as rulers, we must marry for advantage. To forge alliances and bolster our strength. You have always understood this... and it must be why you've done what you've done."
"I myself was promised to your mother when I was ten-and-seven years of age." He added with melancholy.
"Yes, yes… the Vale had an army to rival the North." Rhaenyra supplemented while complaining that. "I've heard you tell that story to me since I've had ears to. Why tell it again now?"
"The point is that I loved her. She made a man of me. So, I do not seek to replace you, Rhaenyra." The King appeased. "For you are your mother's child. Our child."
"And you've been much alone these last few years. Alone and angry. While I will not live forever. So, I wished that a match with that Lannister might make you contented, happy even." He regretted but then said. "Thankfully... you yourself corrected my mistake. And made your own match. Searched Ronan out. Finding him to be the one that pleases you. Which more than pleases me."
"For it is just like how your mother and I met. And is that not a cause for celebration? Why go on outbursts like this?"
"So, you've accepted the proposal?" Was what Rhaenyra asked out in realization.
Yet, she asked again. "But why send Ronan to the Stepstones?"
"The news of your betrothal was what we meant to surprise you with." Her father responded. "While the matter of the Stepstones is another thing entirely. Of course, it is not meant to send him to his death, for even I don't see your Bold Bronze losing there."
"So, just be happy, Rhaenyra..."
"Marry... and have a family..."
"If you're worried... then just use that to strengthen your own claim..."
"Shore up your succession..."
"Multiply... and mayhaps give me ever-talented grandchildren that I can spoil rotten..."
"On top of that... I swear to you now..."
"On your mother's memory, that you will not be supplanted."
"Especially so, when you have someone like your chosen husband-to-be as support and King-Consort."
Her father appeased and appeased. Which all the more just led Rhaenyra into heavier tears.
But not because of sadness or loneliness.
Just overwhelming relief.
From her father's assurances that she very much needed... and it could even be from the odd thumb-up gesture that Ronan was making from where he stood.