The Dragon King's Lioness (Cersei Lannister X Male Oc)

Part 1

The 8th day of the 1st moon of 267 AC

After that day in the courtyard, where Aerys announced that the brothers would be training with Ser Barristan and Ser Gerold Hightower, Aerion was the only one among the two brothers taking their lessons very seriously.

During his afternoon lessons with Maester Pycelle, Aerion immersed himself in the intellectual pursuits that Pycelle deemed crucial for a prince. Despite his youthful energy, Aerion had learned to sit still in the Maester's chamber, poring over scrolls and listening to Pycelle's deep, authoritative voice as he spoke of history, politics, and the natural world's mysteries.

"Your mind, young prince, is just as important as your sword arm," Pycelle often said, peering at Aerion. "A wise knight wins battles with strategy, not just strength."

In that year, Pycelle had taught Aerion the foundational knowledge expected of all royals, beginning with the history of the Targaryens—a subject that captivated the young prince. Pycelle described Aegon the Conqueror's unification of the Seven Kingdoms with his dragons and told vivid tales of Aerion's ancestors: bold kings, wise queens, and a few deranged rulers whose names were better left whispered. Among all these stories, the tales of the Doom of Valyria and the ancient power of the Freehold, whose magic once rivaled the gods, truly fascinated Aerion.

"Why did Valyria fall if they were so powerful?" Aerion had asked, his violet eyes wide with curiosity.

Pycelle's voice had turned somber. "Many believe that pride and greed consumed them. They overreached, and in doing so, they brought fire and ruin upon themselves. It is a lesson, my prince, that power without wisdom often leads to destruction."

Aerion had nodded, committing the lesson to heart. But Pycelle's teachings didn't stop at history. Over the past year, the Grand Maester had introduced him to mathematics—numbers, weights, and measures—a subject Aerion found less exciting, yet he recognized its essential importance. Pycelle guided Aerion through solving simple problems and calculating sums, often emphasizing that a prince who could effectively manage his treasury and plan an army's logistics was invaluable.

"You must learn to keep track of not just gold but provisions for war," Pycelle would say. "An army that starves will never win a battle."

But what Aerion found truly fascinating were the lessons in diplomacy. Pycelle had shown him maps of the Seven Kingdoms, pointing out the different regions and explaining the complex web of alliances, loyalties, and rivalries that stretched across Westeros. He had explained how the noble houses—Stark, Lannister, Baratheon, Martell, and Tyrell—interacted with one another and how the slightest insult could spark conflict.

"A prince must always consider his words carefully," Pycelle cautioned. "A careless remark can wound as deeply as any sword. My young prince, diplomacy is a weapon that can win battles without bloodshed."

Aerion had absorbed these lessons eagerly, though at times the intricacies of court politics were difficult for his young mind to grasp. Pycelle also taught him the realm's laws, covering inheritance customs and the rights of lords and commoners. He explained why a king's justice must be fair, even if it sometimes seemed harsh.

"The people must see their ruler as just," Pycelle had told him. "For without their trust, a crown is no more than a piece of metal."

Perhaps the most unusual of Pycelle's lessons were those on herbs and remedies—a topic the Maester himself relished. He had taken Aerion to the Maester's chambers, showing him the vast collection of medicinal plants and potions. Pycelle had taught him the properties of healing herbs like feverfew, milk of the poppy, and moon tea, explaining how the Maesters used them to heal the wounded and sick. While Aerion found these lessons intriguing, the bitter smells of the concoctions often turned his stomach.