Aemon Targaryen

-Chapter 105-

-POV Viserys Targaryen-

"This will never end," I sighed as I entered my personal chambers.

"Judging by your weary sighs, I imagine the family dinner you organized didn't go as planned," said Lyonel, joking slightly.

I raised my eyebrows and replied with a slight but sad smile to my loyal advisor and friend:

"If only it were just that."

"What happened?" he asked, his expression shifting quickly from amusement to concern.

'My only true friend,' I thought, noticing his sincere and genuine worry.

'Does Aemon see me with the same sincerity?' I wondered.

"Everything happened exactly as you predicted," I said with a slightly mocking tone as I slumped into my chair.

"It gives me no pleasure," he replied seriously.

"I know that perfectly well," I said, not blaming him, as it had only been a hypothesis he had put forward and not some prophecy meant to harm me.

'Not like that of my ancestor,' I thought, once again haunted by the prophecy that had tormented me day and night since Aegon returned from the Vale.

I couldn't help but notice how much he had changed: the seriousness, determination, and discipline he now possessed, which he had completely lacked when he left.

And of course, the question arose in my mind once again:

'What if he is the prince that was promised?'

The moment this question entered my mind, it refused to leave.

Every time I saw my son, it haunted me again and again.

Should I honor the promise I made to my daughter, at the potential cost of the lives of all the men and women in this kingdom?

If he truly was the Prince That Was Promised, then our house had to unite around him to prepare for the looming danger.

But if he wasn't, then I would be robbing my daughter of her birthright, a birthright for which she had already sacrificed, notably by entering a loveless marriage.

"What exactly happened?" Lyonel Strong asked, pulling me from my thoughts and bringing me back to reality.

"What happened?" I repeated, briefly smiling sadly and waving my hand.

"What happened is simple: they all removed the masks they always wear, one after the other," I said, recalling how Otto and Rhaenyra had tried to subtly force Aemon to align with one of their camps to secure their support so young Viserys could receive his egg.

"In what way?" Lyonel asked.

I raised my weary eyebrows and replied: "Otto, true to himself, denied Aemon his prince's birthright."

"Just like in the council," Lyonel said, remembering that Otto had already voiced his refusal to see Aemon's descendants granted such an honor.

"Hmm, just like in the council. It wasn't really a surprise because he had already expressed his reluctance to see another dragon born into my brother's branch," I said, nodding, my gaze lost in the distance as I recalled the scene.

"And then what happened?" Lyonel asked.

I replied in a tired and annoyed tone, weary of reliving the scene: "Aemon lost his temper. He was truly furious. He started by disrespecting him, and then he outright threatened him…"

I paused, remembering the questioning look Aemon had thrown at me before continuing: "He sought my support, but as we had decided beforehand, I didn't give it to him, because it could…"

I didn't finish my sentence and pinched the bridge of my nose, troubled by the way I was speaking about Aemon.

"…Prevent the princess from solidifying her authority," Lyonel finished for me, tacitly reminding me that this was all for her.

"I know, but I feel like I've broken something. I offered Aemon the throne many times, and he always refused. I struggle to believe that he, or even one of his children, could try to steal what belongs to one of mine," I said, finding it difficult to imagine one of Aemon's children taking the crown from one of my descendants.

Lyonel nodded and then said: "I am certain the prince will forgive and understand, unless of course he…"

"Unless he what?" I asked, sensing he was trying to imply something.

"I wouldn't want to speculate on the prince's intentions, but…" he said, pretending to hesitate.

"Out with it," I said, irritated.

"I fear he may simply have been trying to use you, like Otto Hightower before him," he said.

I frowned and replied, narrowing my eyes: "Aemon is loyal to me."

"I don't doubt it. Far be it from me to question his loyalty to Your Majesty. But if he believed the throne should not pass to a female heir, he might try to…"

I interrupted him, irritated: "Be careful what you're insinuating."

"Forgive me if I have offended you," he said, lowering his head.

I said nothing for several seconds, fixing him with narrowed eyes before sighing and feeling an additional weight settle on my shoulders:

"You didn't. I'm just a little sensitive about this subject."

"I understand completely. It's my fault. I should have been more tactful."

I raised a hand to stop him and said: "No!"

He furrowed his brow, confused, and I explained: "I expect honesty from you. I simply see Aemon as…"

"The son you wished you had?" he said, understanding me perfectly.

I looked at my unofficial hand in silence, my acquiescence unspoken, before finally asking:

"I'm tired. I need to be alone."

Lyonel Strong nodded, and I dismissed him with a silent gesture. He bowed humbly before saying:

"Glad to have served you, Your Majesty. I will leave you to rest."

I nodded distractedly and sighed.

Everything was becoming more complicated as the years passed.