Yuri_Lover23
patreon
House of The Dragon-For The Queen, Not The Prince: What Could Have Been: Chapter 41
🕑 Added 2025-05-09 16:54:47 +0000 UTC(Aerion's POV)
"Well done, Aerion!" Uncle said as I approached the table where the feast was being prepared, "You have won your first Tourney! What an amazing performance!!"
I was holding Rhaenyra's hand as this happened, we had been called by the King so we can partake in a celebratory feast he had planned should I had won. Considering that I had won with many of the spectators very satisfied, Uncle believes I deserve a feast in my honor.
Not like it matters much to me. I should let him do as he please.
"Than you, Your Grace." I said, "But do not get excited, I probably will not partake in another Joust any time soon."
"Ah, what do you mean?" he chuckled, "That was something else! I enjoyed every bit of that!"
"A Melee, probably." I said, "But not a joust. This was only because the Tourney was held in my daughter's honor. And a message had to be sent, you should know."
He walked over in front of us, "Is that so?" He said with a slight smile, "Well, I got the message rather clearly."
"I am glad." I nodded
I felt Rhaenyra squeezing my hand, "I believe seeing Aerion in action was not something we all had expected, Father." She said, "It was quite exciting."
"Ah, indeed it was." Uncle said, "Especially how he was able to handle Ser Harwin. I believe that it was but a glimpse of what he was truly capable of."
"Hm." I said, "If you say so."
"Ah, sit down, sit down." He gestured over, "Let us wait for the rest of the Royal Family and your mother, Aerion. We shall enjoy the feast together, as a Family! Where is Visenya? Has she been put to sleep?"
"Yes, Father." Rhaenyra said, "She is with Elinda and her wetnurses, she has been pretty active and full of energy."
"Ah, that is good." He said as he walked back to the table, "Come, sit down."
Rhaenyra walked towards the table, pulling me alongside with her. As we sat down, I saw some servants walking around, serving wine and placing more plates of food.
"Your Father was rather disappointed of what I did." Uncle suddenly said, "But it was for the best. I hope you don't have anything against it."
"I cannot do much about that." I said, "You are the King, you have the final say of what happens."
"Right..." He said, "But I heard a little whisper that Ser Harwin was instigated, even slightly by someone. They say that you intended to kill him after dismounting him....."
Rhaenyra cleared her throat, "Father, can we not?"
"No, I intend to find out what this is about quickly." He said
"I do not know." I said truthfully, "I had no intention of the sort. The truth is, I did not expect him to draw his sword."
"Ah, well...." He said, "I believe this is work of your Father.....he sure loves to stir the pot...."
"I see...." I said
"Nevertheless, the final result was something that would be written in songs!" He said with a joyous smile, "And the way you crowned Rhaenyra and kissed her, it was something that everyone would talk about for years."
"Good." I said, "That was the intent. I do not wish for people to speak ill of her. She is the Heir, and not only that, but she is also the mother of my child. I am hers, that is all...."
"Hehe....." He chuckled, "Well.....let us wait for the others to get here...."
As he had someone refill his cup with wine, I felt Rhaenyra's hand on my lap.
I looked at her, she was giving me a smile.
She then ran her hand up to my arm and pulled me into her as she leaned towards my ear, "Tonight."
She said those words quietly, very simply and impactful.
I knew what she meant and I did not think it would come to that.
"Hm..." I said as I straightened up, "Very well."
**************
After the Feast, I had come to Rhaenyra's chambers, only to find out that Visenya had been struggling to sleep. Elinda was there, waiting for us, she had told us that she had been crying and she hoped that perhaps a parental touch would calm her down.
"I am sorry, Princess." Elinda said as she walked up to us, "But she could not calm down....she does not seem ill or anything."
"Oh, my sweetling..." Rhaenyra started, "Here-"
"I'll do it." I said as I stepped forward
"Are you sure, My Lord?" Elinda asked with a frown
I offered my hands, "Yes."
She handed me the babe gently and as I took her in my arms, Visenya's cries slowed down slightly. I simply held her in my arms as I stepped away, looking down at her with a calm expression.
"She has been restless." Elinda said worriedly, "Maybe it is one of those cases that require the parent..."
"Perhaps." I heard Rhaenyra say
"There there....." I said softly to the girl, "You need not cry, Visenya."
She slowed her writhing down as she looked up at me with her curious and innocent eyes, her crying stopping completely. She then rubbed her eyes with her tiny hands as they were filled with drowsiness.
"You just need comfort, that is all." I said as I paced back and forth with her in my arms, "Will you not calm down unless I hold you? I believe this is the start of a spoiled little girl."
She stopped writhing and simply looked up at me, making no noise as her eyes merely scanned me.
I did not know how to feel about this.
It felt so natural.
But in the back of my mind, there was a bit of doubt.
Should I be doing this? Should I be feeling something positive?
I have my daughter in my arms, she is looking up at me. Should I be holding her? Would I not stain her red with the blood on my hands?
Mother tells me to stop thinking like that. It is not a healthy thing to do, she says. And I have to admit, she may be right.
"Look at you...." Rhaenyra said as she walked up to me, patting her head, "My beautiful girl...."
She leaned in and kissed her cheek as she placed her other hand on my arm, rubbing it with her thumb as she looked at me. Her cheeks were blushing, there was a glint of something strange in her eyes. It was as if she was heavily attracted to me at that moment, which is not something I expected.
"What is it?" I asked her
"I like this." She said softly, "This sight. The sight of you being a Father...."
"Hm." I said, "Is that so?"
"Let her fall asleep....." Rhaenyra said as she stepped closer to me, leaning in and kissing my arm before looking at me, "And after that......"
"I want us to be alone."
