-Chapter 25-
-POV Corlys Velaryon-
"You seem far too serene, your worried look has completely evaporated," Rhaenys said, looking at me with a mocking expression.
I smiled and replied, "I don't deny it. I'm happy to have finally set things right."
"Their right place, hmm," she said, smiling.
"It was an injustice and a farce. Everyone knew you were the true…"
"Let's not spoil this moment by dwelling on old grievances, especially when you managed to turn their trump card to our advantage."
I nodded, satisfied, but a question lingered in my mind: 'Should I marry Laena to Aemon?'
"No, Corlys," she said.
I frowned, confused, and Rhaenys added:
"I know you perfectly well, and I am determined to see them together. It's non-negotiable."
I raised my hand, not wanting to taste the wrath of my dragon, and said, "Very well, Laena will be betrothed to Aemon before he leaves for the Vale."
Rhaenys smiled, relieved, and I ran a hand through her dark hair, the only characteristic of her Baratheon heritage.
"I'm lucky to have you."
"I know."
I smiled at her cheeky remark, and just as I was about to kiss her, someone knocked on the door, causing me to stop and frown, while Rhaenys gave a mocking smile, enjoying my frustration.
"Lord, Prince Aemon requests an audience with you."
"I count on you to keep your promise," Rhaenys said, giving me a light kiss on the cheek before heading to the door to welcome her nephew.
I rolled my eyes before composing my expression.
---
-POV MC-
"Princess…"
"Please, no. I am your aunt, so let's forget the formalities between us if you don't mind. In fact, we were just talking about you," Rhaenys Targaryen said.
"Very well, Aunt Rhaenys," I said a bit awkwardly.
"You'll get used to it," she said, inviting me in.
"Lord Corlys," I said, seeing the man who, despite being tanned from his adventures across the Known World, bore no resemblance to the HBO series actor, Steve Toussaint.
He had a noble and graceful posture and total control over his facial expression. Upon seeing me, he nodded and said, "Lord Royce."
I smiled without reacting to him addressing me by my least prestigious title, but Rhaenys intervened and said, "Don't scare Aemon, he's my nephew and perhaps even more in the future."
I raised my eyebrows, surprised, as I hadn't expected it to be this easy, knowing the slight hostility the Sea Snake had towards me.
I took a deep breath and followed Rhaenys, who guided me to a seat. Once I sat down, she did the same, sitting with her husband opposite me.
I hesitated for a moment before finally saying:
"I wanted to talk to you about something before we all return to our lands, and I don't know how to bring it up, so forgive me if I seem rough in my words."
They both nodded calmly, so I said, "I understood that you wouldn't be opposed to an alliance between us. As a Prince of House Targaryen and Lord of Runestone, I know my duty. That's why I hope to prosper the two houses I represent by asking for your daughter's hand."
"For that sole reason?"
"I must admit that, although it is my main reason, I have been pleasantly surprised by her personality, intelligence, and beauty, which she surely inherits from you, Aunt Rhaenys."
She smiled at my compliment without saying anything, and Corlys followed up with another question:
"A marriage with House Velaryon is certainly prestigious for House Royce, of which you are the head, but what advantage would House Velaryon gain from such a union?"
"There would be numerous advantages for you. First, all my children will be Targaryens, which means each of them could be given the chance to claim a dragon once they are of age. Secondly, we could seal an agreement on the excellent quality wool available on my lands. And lastly, you will have the support of the most powerful dragon in the making," I said confidently.
"I have nothing to say against the first two points, although the second is trivial compared to the immense fortune my house enjoys thanks to the many exploits I achieved in my youth, but I find you quite presumptuous about the future size of your dragon," Corlys said, addressing me with a slightly condescending tone.
"Twelve years old, nearly 140 feet, and Urrax grows faster with each passing day. There's nothing more to add," I said, this time in a firmer and sharper tone.
I had to establish my position, otherwise, I would be trampled sooner or later under the pretext of being his son-in-law. I am in no way his puppet, not a small pawn on his chessboard that he moves at will. I was a player in this great game that is the Game of Thrones, and I would not humiliate myself to please him.
'Though I should not disrespect a man as powerful as he, who, while not a dragonlord, currently controls three,' I thought, staring fearlessly at the most powerful lord in the realm.
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-Chapter 26-
Facing Prince Aemon, rider of Urrax and not Lord of Runestone, was very different.
As Lord of Runestone, he exuded something unique, a peaceful, pacific, and amiable temperament, far from the current dragonrider brimming with confidence and arrogance before the most powerful lord in the realm.
Some might even say that I am the most powerful man, even above our king, His Grace Viserys Targaryen, First of His Name, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men.
'Certainly the only thing he inherited from Daemon besides his blood,' I thought, disdainfully recalling the dog without pride that Daemon was, who preferred to wag his tail before his brother rather than keep his crown and exploit it properly.
'For I have a wife and two magnificent children who have proven to be blessings from the gods, whoever they are, and protective talismans like no other,' I thought, allowing a smile to appear on my stoic face.
I inclined my head slightly in recognition and said:
"I apologize if I have shown you any disrespect, my prince."
"There is nothing to forgive. Whatever my name and the vague title it bestows upon my birth, the respect I receive will come from my actions, and it so happens that I am quite young and inexperienced."
I nodded, surprised by his magnanimity despite all the power he had wielded since birth, and said:
"I judged you too quickly, but it seems that even if the scales of your armor are made of bronze, I am indeed facing a dragon."
"I must admit that I am in the same position as you. Never would I have thought that a man such as yourself, so powerful and respected, would be capable of admitting a mistake so easily and even less of showing such humility by bowing his head and asking for forgiveness," said the young prince, who already looked like a young adult.
'Never would I have believed, without knowing him, that he is only twelve years old. He looks sixteen or even seventeen,' I thought, extending my hand to the young man who quickly shook it, the atmosphere now relaxed enough for us to speak more calmly about my daughter's hand.
"I am pleased to see that we have all been able to move past our common prejudices to become the family we are meant to be," said my wife, linking her arm with mine.
Prince Aemon nodded and said: "I never had the chance to tell you in person, but I want to say that I am sorry for having inadvertently participated in your deposition."
"I wasn't…"
"It was theft, and everyone knows it. I'm not saying this because I am dissatisfied with my uncle or my position, or to flatter you, but because I believe it. You would have surely made an excellent queen, perhaps that's why they didn't choose you. You would have been too good for this kingdom where interests outweigh family ties," said the Prince, and I don't know why, but I instinctively knew he was telling the truth. His gaze and his calm, unshakeable tone convinced me of this.
Rhaenys smiled, and I, who knew her well, could detect her true mood: she was happy and even slightly moved.
'She has always considered him as a member of our family because of the promise she made to the late Queen Alysanne.'
'I feared that the old queen had idealized her grandson by transferring all the love she felt for her son Aemon onto her great-grandson, but it seems that this is not the case and that she had a unique vision capable of piercing the barriers of time. Given the right time, the kingdom will witness the birth of a miracle.'
'Or a monster for his enemies,' I thought, trying to overlay the servile image I had seen of Aemon at the tournament with that of the indomitable and confident Prince before me.
"Darling," said Rhaenys, bringing me out of my thoughts.
"Yes?" I asked, bewildered as I had lost track of the conversation.
"We were waiting to hear your decision," said Rhaenys.
I observed the young man before me one last time, then sighed:
"If my daughter is happy with this union and desires it, I will not oppose her wishes."
The smile of relief that spread across his face was genuine, but I couldn't help but feel a small pang deep inside as I handed my daughter over to a man like him.
'A man like me, capable of selling his own children to climb the ladder of power,' I thought.
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