House of The Dragon-The Beauty, The Bold, And The Black Dread

(Baelon's POV)

"Trevor!" I exclaimed as I pushed past a group of people, "Where are you?!" 

"Prince Baelon!" Ser Criston called after me 

I rushed past some trees and saw that Trevor Celtigar was crouched down on the ground, some Maesters right next to him. It looked like he had been throwing up, clutching his throat as he coughed repeatedly. 

"Trevor!" I said as I placed my hand on Blackfyre's handle, "What are you doing?!" 

He looked at me, his face was red, "H-Huh.....?" He said as I felt Criston's hand on my shoulder

"My Prince, you should not stray far!" He said, "The assassins must be nearby!" 

I shook him off me, "Ser Criston, apprehend Lord Trevor." I said, "Now." 

"What?" Criston said

"My Prince!" one of the Maesters said, "Lord Trevor took a single sip of the poisoned wine as well, he spat it out before swallowing, not ingesting the poison! He was nearly killed as well!" 

I scowled, "What?!" 

Trevor was panting heavily, "M-My Prince, what is the matter?" He said, "I merely ran to the side....so my children do not see this?" 

I glanced behind me, seeing the chaos and hearing the shouts in the distance. Lord Corlys was just poisoned to death. Someone switched the wine that was meant for me. But if Trevor was also affected, then that meant there was two cups. 

Who was the other cup meant for? 

"What are you saying, Trevor....?" I said as I scowled, "Do not play dumb with me!" 

"I am afraid I do not know what you are referring to..." Trevor said as he looked at me, "I am confused, My Prince." 

I looked at Criston, "Apprehend him, Ser Criston." 

"My Prince...." He said as he looked at him, "A-Are you certain....?" 

"Baelon!" I heard Daemon call for me

I turned to see him walking up to us, "Uncle." 

"What is going on?" He said as he reached us, "Corlys is dead, what is going on here?!" 

"F-Forgive me, Princes...." Trevor stood up and wobbled on his feet, "I can imagine this is shocking for you....I have no words....I..." 

"You son of a-" I started as I took a step

Criston held me back, "My Prince, calm yourself!" 

"Let go of me!" I said, "This fucking-" 

"Baelon!! Get inside, now!" I heard Father call for me

"My Prince, we have to go." Criston said, "Now." 

Daemon looked at me, "Go." He said, "I'll handle things here." 

He had his hand on Dark Sister's handle, glancing around in alarm. 

"Tch...!" I said before looking at Trevor, "This is not over!" 

**********

"What is the meaning of this, Your Grace?!" Ser Laenor said with tears in his eyes, "Who could have done this?!" 

We were in the Small Council Room, and most of us gathered her as quickly as possible. This was quite possibly the most defended room in the castle, and it was easily accessible from the gardens. There were two entrances and the guards guarded the front one while the second one was barred completely. 

Lord Corlys was dead and right now, Aunt Rhaenys was on the ground, mourning him. She wept as Laena held her, crying as well. Father declared an attack on the Crown, considering Lord Corlys was part of the Family. 

Father looked at him, "We do not know...." He said, "Ser Harold, make sure the Red Keep is shut down, now. I want guards placed on all exits and entrances. My family does not get out without my knowledge." 

Ser Harold nodded, "At once, Your Grace." 

I watched as Otto walked up to us. 

I looked at Laenor who glanced at me, "Ser Laenor..." 

He gave me a scowl, "Do you know anything of this?" He said, "My Father told me that you once had an argument with him." 

I shook my head, "No, of course not!" I said, "I-" 

"Now is not the time for accusations, Ser Laenor." Father told him

"B-But..." Laenor started

"Laenor...." Rhaenys sniffed, her voice shaky, "Enough....Baelon had nothing to do with this...." 

"Then who?!" Laenor said

I sighed, "The wine was meant for me." 

I felt Father and Mother's eyes on me. 

"What?!" Mother exclaimed

"What do you mean?" Father walked up to me, "What do you mean it was meant for me?" 

"Corlys's cup..." I said, "It was mine. Princess, if you recall, the cup was one of the goblets that I usually use, correct?" 

She looked at me, "W-Well, yes....Corlys said you wouldn't mind...." 

I nodded, "I didn't...." I said, "But..I didn't think it would come to this...." 

That was a clear lie. Whoever was protecting me knew something that I had suspected; Corlys was among those that was conspiring with me. Yes, the part of the goblet is true; I saw Corlys walk up to one of the servants and take one of my favorite goblets but I didn't really care. To think that whoever my guardian was would actually switch the poisoned wine. 

But what was strange was that Trevor was also affected. That meant there was two cups. Who was the other one meant for? I didn't understand. 

Everything was so fucking confusing right now. 

I know why I am wanted dead. I know what the the end goal is. I know what the potential plan for this entire thing is. 

What was confusing me was that I didn't know who it was.

"So this was an attempted assassination on my son...." Father said as he clenched his fist, "And in an unfortunate twist of fate.....Lord Corlys ended up the victim.....this....this cannot stand!!" 

Laenor looked at me, "W-what? That makes...." He said, "Why would someone want you dead, Baelon?!" 

I looked at him, "I'll give you a few guesses, Ser Laenor." 

He frowned, taking a few seconds to process what I just said. He then widened his eyes in realization. 

"You cannot be serious...." He said, "B-Balerion?" 

"The attack on Skagos must have given the wrong message." Father said as he looked around the room, "And to think that Baelon actually asked the Lords if there was a problem." 

I crossed my arms, "This is not good." 

"Of course it isn't!" Mother said, "Viserys! On their wedding day? They tried to kill my boy at his wedding?!" 

Father looked at her, "Calm down." He said, "We will bring the culprit to justice." 

"No, I cannot calm down, Viserys!" She yelled, "This is not just an attack on our son. This is an attack at us! The Crown! You must not allow this!!" 

"I won't!" Father said firmly, "I will have the head of whoever is behind this!!" 

I walked over to the table where Helaena sat, hugging her knees and looking at the table, a bit shaken up. 

"Hey....." I said softly and placing my hand on her shoulder, "A-Are you okay?" 

She looked at me, "I was so happy...." She said with tears in her eyes, "I was actually having a great time...." 

I had no words. 

I didn't think it would come to this. It must have been a horrible sight, seeing a man dying from poisoning, struggling to breathe as blood poured from his mouth and eyes. 

I hugged her, "I'm so sorry...." I said as I kissed her head, "I'm sorry..." 

The doors opened and I saw Daemon walk in, "We have him." He said, "Someone that was not in the Feast, he had been talking with a servant who was not among the staff, Your Grace." 

"Who is it?" Father said

"Willem Blackwood." Daemon said as he looked at me, "Nephew....." 

I nodded and looked at Father, "Father...." I said

He gave me a nod, "Go." He said

I kissed Helaena on the cheek, "I'm sorry, love." I said, "I have to go." 

***********

"This is but a conspiracy...." Daemon said as we both stood in front of the cell, "On your fucking wedding, Baelon....." 

I nodded as I looked at Willem Blackwood, who was kneeling down inside the cell, "On my fucking wedding, Uncle..." I said with a serious face, "But I do not think he's truly responsible for the entire thing....he's but a pawn." 

"The ringleader is still out there." Daemon said, "Do you think Corlys was involved? Whoever switched the drinks targeted him specifically." 

"Who knows...." I said, "I wonder if House Blackwood will answer for this one's crime..." 

"I'll personally speak to them...." Daemon said, "Caraxes has been in the mood to burn lately." 

Willem had his head hung down, I noticed that blood dripped to the floor, he must have been beaten badly. They had found him speaking to one of the servants and was spotted holding a vial that Maester Orwyle confirmed was poison just like the one in the wine. 

All evidence pointed at Willem Blackwood as the man behind my attempted assassination. And it could make sense, to an extent. His cousin is marrying my brother and eliminating me would make Aegon the Heir and also free up Balerion as a mount. But that would mean that they could be trying to make Aegon's child claim Balerion so that in the long-run, they would have power. But.....why wait? Why not just take Father and me out and push Aegon up? 

That's the part that made no sense. 

Unless this was all a diversion and the real plan was something else. Something I have not thought of. 

Trevor Celtigar...he reeked.....

I banged on the cell door, "Look at me." I said seriously

Willem slowly looked up and spat on the ground, "What?" He said, his voice coarse

"Who are you conspiring with?" I asked, "This entire stunt, to kill me....." 

"I am not going to say...." He said

"I never thought someone like you would stoop so low." I said with a scowl, "Willem Blackwood.....is your Lord behind this?" 

"No." He said, "I acted alone." 

"Why?" I asked

"I won't speak." he said before spitting on the ground again

"It's a shame....." a voice said which made both Uncle and I jump slightly, "I am going to have to act." 

We turned around and from the shadows, Larys Strong limped towards us. 

Daemon placed his hand on the handle of his sword, "Easy." He said, "What are you doing here, Larys?" 

He raised his free hand, "I come in peace, My Princes..." He said with a slight smile, "It is I who you should be grateful for, My Prince." 

I frowned, "Wait....You....?" 

"And him." He nodded to his side

I looked over to see an old man come out around the corner of the dungeon we were in. 

"U-Uhm..." the old man said as he bowed slightly, "M-My Princes.....I am Simon Strong....Lord Lyonel's Uncle...." 

I looked at them, "W-What the hell is going on?" 

"Beats me." Daemon said, "What is the meaning of this?" 

"It is quite a long story." Larys limped towards me, "All I know is that I saved your life, Prince Baelon. The only thing I ask in return is to keep my actions a secret. Poisoning a Lord is still a great crime." 

"T-That part wasn't my doing." Simon Strong said, "The thing is, I caught a whiff of treason in Harren's Castle a few months back.....m-my nephew, Harwin, was speaking to this young man here and discussing your fate, My Prince." 

"Harwin Strong, huh?" Daemon looked at me, "What do you think?" 

"Makes sense. He's one of those who acted strange back at Harrenhal." I said

"I can make this one talk." Larys Strong said, "My Brother left the city in a hurry. Know this, My Prince, my Father had nothing to do with this. I can assure you of that." 

I looked at Willem who was still kneeling down, "Fine." I said, "Come to me when you're done." 

"Are you sure, Baelon?" Daemon asked

"By the way." Larys said, "There were two cups. One was intended for you, Prince Daemon. It appears that Corlys Velaryon wanted you gone as well, to free his daughter up. My guess is that once Caraxes was riderless, your daughter could have claimed him. And your wife would be widowed, with Targaryen blood in her, and would have been married to someone else.....and well...." 

Daemon scowled, "That....." He said

"Uncle." I said seriously, "Let's go." 

"We have much to do."