Yuri_Lover23
patreon
House of The Dragon-For The Queen, Not The Prince: What Could Have Been: Chapter 25
🕑 Added 2025-04-14 21:58:14 +0000 UTC(Aerion's POV)
"Lord Aerion!" I heard one of my cousins call out, "Your Father is here!"
I frowned, "Hm?" I said, "Is he?"
He stepped to the side and I watched as Father walked past him and made his way towards me, a slight smirk on his face.
I then heard the distant roar of Caraxes, mixed with the responding roars of Syrax and Vermithor. I was not expecting him today. Rhaenyra and I were about to prepare to leave Runestone and head to Dragonstone. I was simply helping out my cousins in the main hall, getting a table ready so a departing banquet could be held.
"Aerion." He said as he reached me
"Father." I said, "I am surprised you are here."
He raised an eyebrow, "I could not tell." He said, "You do not write, you do not fly over to visit me....why must I find out through a letter from your Mother than you are to be a father?"
"It must have slipped my mind." I said as I slowly set down a cup on the table, "I am sorry."
"Slipped your mind?" He said with a chuckle, "Is that so?"
"Yes." I said
"Oh, Aerion." he said, "I am happy for you, truly."
"You are to be a grandfather." I said, "As is His Grace.....how does that make you feel? Do you feel old, Father?"
"Oh please." He scoffed, "I do not need to feel old to know that I am old."
"Hm." I said
"Where is Rhaenyra?" He asked me, "I wish to congratulate her personally."
"She is with Mother." I told him, "And I would appreciate it if you give her space."
"What?" He asked me
"Do not act a fool, Father." I said, "All those years of harassing her, do you truly think she will easily forgive you?"
"Listen, all of that was for a goo-" He started
"A good reason, yes...you have constantly said that." I told him, "But....you were wrong. She was a maiden, she stayed faithful to her vows, she did not insult me....and now, I am her husband...and as her husband, I am asking you....politely, to give her space."
"Fine." He said as he crossed his arms
"On the subject of children." I said as I straightened up and looked at him, "You refused Mother?"
He looked at me, "What of it?"
"Why?" I asked, "She is your wife. She desires a child, another one."
"You are enough." He said
"And what does that mean, Father?" I said, "I am enough...?"
He chuckled and patted my shoulder, "I do not need any more children when I have you." He said with a smile, "You are strong, Aerion....a fine Knight....and you are to continue my line with Rhaenyra....what more could I want?"
"For someone who constantly speaks about how he desires the Targaryen Family to be restored to how they used to be, you sure hold yourself back in producing children." I said, "Unless....."
"No." He said with a chuckle, "I do not have bastards, I am positive. I know that I have insulted your Mother that way but I will not go that far."
"Hm...." I said with a serious scowl
"Do not look at me like that, son." He said, "Enough of me, we should celebrate the fact you are to become a Father. How about you and I go hunting tonight?"
"I cannot." I said as I had my arms crossed, "Rhaenyra and I need to prepare to leave. This banquet is the departure feast. We need to rest later tonight since we leave on the morrow."
"Well..." He said, "I suppose that is fine...."
I nodded, "You are welcomed to stay for the food." I told him, "The Lady of Runestone needs her husband by her side."
"Ah, I do not think she will want me here." Daemon said
"Daemon!" I heard Mother's voice call out
We both turned to see her walking up to us with a serious look on her face.
"Wife." Father said with a nod
"What are you doing here?" She said, "I told you to wait until they reached Dragonstone so you do not waste time flying all over the place. They are leaving on the morrow, Daemon."
"I wanted to see my son." Father told her, "Is that so wrong?"
"No, but...." Mother sighed, "Nevermind.....will you stay for the feast, then?"
"Are you certain you want me here?" Father asked her
"I do not mind." She said, "As long as you do not cause any problems...and do not anger Aerion by reminding him of what happened in the Stepstones."
"Well....I did not, but since you mentioned it..." Father started, "Do not blame me if he gets upset."
"Hm....." I said as I began to walk away, "I will go check on Rhaenyra."
"See you later tonight."
*****************
"It is a bit strange that after all this time, Daemon will be in a positive mood when it comes to me." Rhaenyra said as we both sat in her bed, "
"Hm..." I said, "He has always been like this, you should know."
"Yes." She chuckled, "My Uncle has always been a moody man."
"I do not disagree with that." I said, "But he is still my Father. No matter what he has done, I cannot ignore the fact that he has been a good one...."
She grabbed my hand, "I know he has...." She said softly, "It is surprising how good he has been to you despite not doing his duty properly as a husband."
I nodded, "I understand that sentiment."
"Tell me..." She said as she ran her hand on my arm, "Will you be like him?"
I looked at her, "What do you mean?"
"Will you ignore your duties as a husband like he does?" She asked as she pressed herself closer to me
"No." I said simply
She chuckled and leaned in, kissing me on the cheek, "So you say." She said as she patted my cheek, "I....hm....this feels strange, does it not?"
"Not necessarily." I told her, "Why would it? You are my wife...."
"Y-Yes....well, our ages-" She started
"Should not matter." I cut her off, "We are married."
"Right..." She said with a smile and tucked her hair behind her ear, "I am sorry....I do not know how to act....I may be older than you....but....I feel like a little girl....."
"Hm." I said, "You need not worry."
She looked at me, "I am nervous, Aerion." She said softly, "I am nervous.....I am with child, I am bearing your child.....whether it is a son or a daughter, I know not.....but I am nervous...."
I placed my hand on her lap, "There is nothing to be nervous about." I told her, "You will be fine. The child will be fine. We will be fine. I am here for you, Rhaenyra....I made a vow."
"Hm..." She smiled, "Thank you...."
"There is no need." I said, "Duty....hm......while I think of it like that....it is much more than that. I always cared for you.."
"And I always cared for you." She said, "I....it is just so much sometimes."
"I know." I said, "But we will get through this...."
"Together."
