Aemon Targaryen

-Chapter 104-

-POV Aemon Targaryen-

I smiled sarcastically and observed all the adults at the table, waiting to see how I would respond to this proposition.

Finally, I declared, "I think you've lost your way."

"We've lost our way?" exclaimed Rhaenyra, raising an eyebrow.

"That's exactly what I just said," I replied, this time without a smile, before adding, "You don't get a say in the distribution of dragon eggs. That's my prerogative..."

"And the king's," she retorted, sitting up slightly.

"But not yours," I continued, emphasizing that she had no authority in this matter.

'I gave her too much power. That might have been a mistake on my part,' I thought, annoyed by Otto Hightower's constant interference and boundless audacity.

Otto attempted to continue, "I am the—"

"You're nothing more than a second son," I cut him off coldly, without raising my voice.

"A servant fortunate enough to sit at this table, who owes his position to a moment of weakness from my uncle after he lost his wife, when you slipped your daughter into his bed."

"Aemon—"

"It's the truth," I said, briefly raising my voice to show I was serious and not allowing Viserys the opportunity to silence me.

'I agreed to pretend you had some semblance of power over me because I held power over you. But since you've decided to become the weak-willed wretch you used to be, surrounded by parasites, sit down and keep quiet,' I thought, deeply offended that Viserys would allow Otto to provoke me while trying to silence me.

"You're nothing but a leech incapable of knowing your place. I'm not afraid of this small semblance of power you flaunt like a common rooster in a henhouse. So, let me give you some advice, Otto, while we can still pretend to be friends," I said, standing up and pointing a finger at him.

"I'm warning you in front of everyone..." I said, drawing a circle in the air before continuing in a low but icy tone, "...If you don't want to wake up in Urrax's mouth, stop opening yours to give me orders, or to tell me what I can or cannot do. That pin you wear so proudly offers you no protection against me."

Everyone was stunned by my outburst.

Seeing that no one had anything to add, I turned my gaze to Aegon, who was furtively watching me from the other end of the table.

"Finish your dinner and meet me in the courtyard with Sunfyre. We leave in an hour. I don't like staying where I'm not welcome."

Leaving the dining room, I frowned.

In truth, I wasn't as angry as I appeared to be.

What irritated me was seeing how quickly the influence I had over Viserys was fading.

'He's now lucid enough to understand the danger that I and my lineage represent for Rhaenyra's reign. That's the only thing that could make him change his mind,' I thought, annoyed. My influence had become too obvious, too visible.

I didn't regret any of my past actions, but I had naively hoped that distance and Larys's grip would blind Viserys.

To him, I had been the embodiment of the son he never had, since he cared so little for his children with Alicent.

But now that I was training his son, according to Larys, Aegon and he had grown much closer, to the point that, despite our bond, he no longer needed me as much, nor my manipulations.

'My sons will have dragons, even if I have to go to war to obtain them.'

If I wanted, I could bribe or even steal the eggs like Daemon.

But I didn't want to carry the reputation of a thief simply because Otto Hightower had decided so.

'I am the prince of Runestone. That name means something, or at least I'm trying to give it some prestige.'

"Prince Aemon."

My thoughts evaporated when I heard someone call me. I saw it was my father-in-law.

I grimaced inwardly, but a polite smile formed on my face as I greeted Laena's father.

'And Viserys Junior's grandfather,' I thought.

"Father-in-law, I think it's high time we set formalities aside," I said, trying to present a lighter image.

'Now that we have a true bond of blood uniting us,' I thought.

The Sea Snake smiled and placed a hand on my shoulder.

"You're right, Aemon, especially now that you and Laena are bound forever."

"We already were," I replied, making it clear that I took my relationship and the sacred bonds of marriage with his daughter very seriously. And it was true.

Over the past year, Laena had perfectly adapted to Runestone.

She was deeply loved by everyone, which cemented our marriage.

We had organized numerous hunts, and the members of my court, both men and women, showed her the respect due to her rank.

The common folk adored her for her generosity.

'Even though I'm the one footing the bill for her popularity,' I thought, remembering her extravagant expenses, like the time she gave coins to all the villagers on our lands at the beginning of the year.

Before her pregnancy, we weren't truly a couple but very good friends, enjoying each other's warmth.

What really solidified us was the birth of our son.

I can't explain it, but the moment I held my son in my arms, I loved him instantly.

It was like a ray of sunshine sweeping away all my fears and doubts, along with the slyness inside me that prevented me from being fully present with Laena.

'I didn't even realize that the last thing holding back the evolution of our relationship was me,' I thought.

"I'm glad to hear it," he said after observing me for a moment. "I've received many letters from Laena, and honestly, I was afraid they were embellished. But Rhaenys's letters reassured me."

I smiled, knowing he feared I might control Laena's letters.

That was also why he sent Rhaenys to 'supervise' her delivery.

I nodded before saying, "I completely understand."

"Very well, I won't beat around the bush. Let's speak frankly. As you've probably heard, I'm at war with the Triarchy again," he said.

I nodded, and he added, "They call themselves pirates, but we both know who they answer to."

"How can I help you?" I asked, preferring to get straight to the point.

Corlys Velaryon stopped before responding, "We need to form an alliance and fight them together."

I thought for a moment, then said, "I've made an agreement with House Hightower."

"And?" asked my father-in-law, attentively.

"And I think I shouldn't have," I admitted, partially acknowledging that I'd made a mistake by trying to play both sides.

"Why?" he asked.

"Because Otto Hightower seems to have his eyes on the Vale and wants Gerold to claim it so that it can pass, through his son, to his future grandson," I explained, having easily understood that rat's plan.

"Hmm, I heard the queen's brother is marrying a Royce," Corlys said, nodding slightly.

"Yes, Perra, my cousin. We're the same age, and I promised her to Bryndon Hightower in exchange for a partnership with House Hightower," I explained.

"Do you regret it?"

I shook my head but wasn't categorical and said, "When I made that deal, I thought I had better cards in my hand."

"The king is too easily influenced," observed Corlys, seemingly understanding that I was losing my grip on Viserys.

"It's my fault. I should never have returned that damned pin to that leech," I admitted.

"I wasn't referring to Otto Hightower," replied my father-in-law.

I frowned, not seeing who else could be negatively influencing Viserys against me.

"Who, then?" I asked.

"Lyonel Strong."