𝕷𝖆𝖐𝖊 𝖔𝖋 𝕱𝖎𝖗𝖊 ( house of the dragon )

aemon vii

Since Aemma's death, Viserys and Aemon had found a bond in their shared grief, though they expressed it differently.

The two of them had been walking through the gardens on the coast in silence, avoiding any talk of family matters.

"How is your training coming along?" the King asked as they looked around, deliberately steering clear of personal topics.

"Which one?" Aemon chuckled. He had participated in so many training sessions that Aemma had wanted him to take part in.

"How many are you involved in?" Viserys seemed surprised that Aemon had to ask. Aemma had been focused on furthering Aemon's education; Viserys merely funded it.

"Well, I'm learning swordsmanship with Ser Steffon, High Valyrian and Valyrian history with Maester Orwyle, and the Queen had me studying how the city runs with Lord Lyonel." Aemon said they were all beneficial to his future as both a warrior and scholar. He had once indulged her, but now that she had passed, he continued learning to honor her.

"Maester Orwyle's High Valyrian is spotty," Viserys smiled as he looked at Aemon.

"I'm aware. Daemon was helping as well." The mention of Daemon shifted the conversation from jest to somber. Aemon felt the need to finish his thought. "You know, with the more technical aspects. Maester Orwyle can only read from a dictionary at best; he's not good at actual conversation—"

"Have you heard from my brother?" Viserys interrupted. "I know you two are close."

"Uh..." Aemon saw the hopeful look on Viserys's face. "No, Your Grace, I have not."

"Have you heard anything about him, perhaps from the City Watch members?"

"No, I'm afraid I'm not too close with any of the City Watch members. I only know he's on Dragonstone, but you knew that." Aemon noticed the defeat on his cousin's face.

"Hmm..." As they kept walking, Aemon spotted two figures in the distance—Lord Corlys and Princess Rhaenys.

"What are they doing here?" Aemon's tone was less than pleasant as they approached.

"They probably wish to speak to me."

"Why?"

"Lord Corlys and I had a bit of a disagreement about the pirates in the Stepstones," Viserys explained. "You should be calm around them. They are our allies and family."

"She doesn't like me." Aemon looked at the Princess, still far enough away that they couldn't hear him.

"It's not that she doesn't like you; she just doesn't—" Viserys struggled to find the right words. Aemon scoffed and turned around, leaning against the wall where they had stopped.

"She doesn't like me; she never has."

"You don't know that. She has never told you that."

"She doesn't need to. Her actions speak for themselves."

"Aemon..." Viserys's tone was a warning, but Aemon continued.

"I'm named after her father. Uncle Aemon cared for me while my mother withered and he treated me like a son. That's why she resents me—I was the son Aemon never had. Aunt Jocelyn loved me the same."

"You're right; our uncle did care for you like his own son." Viserys placed a hand on Aemon's shoulder. "But Rhaenys is a princess—"

"And I am a bastard. I'm very aware of that," Aemon interrupted, growing angrier with each word.

"No. Rhaenys is a princess scorned by this family for not becoming Queen. She dislikes all of us." Viserys turned to face the approaching couple, his voice a whisper. "You are also our uncle's very image."