(Aerion's POV)
[King's Landing, Some Weeks Later]
"Are you ready for the Tourney?" Father asked as he walked up to me, "This is something serious. Show these fools what you're made of. And if they disrespect you, cut them down, do not be afraid of that."
We were in the courtyard of the Red Keep, I had just gotten here after seeing Rhaenyra off inside. She was greeted by her Father and along with Visenya, she was led inside. I hope she gets some rest; travelling with a babe can be tiring.
Mother had met up with us along with my kin, they were settling in. She had approached Father and I when she spotted us.
"Daemon." Mother said, "He will get it over with, do not fill his head with any more ideas."
Father scoffed, "He is a Targaryen, he should not let anyone think they can walk all over him." He said, "This Tourney is being held in his daughter's honor, my granddaughter, he should defend her dignity fiercely."
"It's a joust." I said seriously, "I will simply dismount the fools that dare oppose me and go on with my day."
"You should take this more seriously." He said, "Jousts are gatherings of many eyes. If you don't take it seriously, they will start to talk. I assure you, son, that there could be others that will treat this as a real battle and do their best to defeat you. And when they do, what do you think will happen? Humiliation."
"If this were a real battle...." I started, "They will not live to see another day. You think too much of the consequences. I will not lose, not to anyone."
Mother sighed, "You know he inherited your stubbornness, Daemon." She said, "You will not change his mind."
"Hmph." He said, "Have it your way."
I felt Mother pat my arm, "Are you tired, Aerion?" She asked, "You should go inside and rest."
"I am fine." I said
"Go to your wife." Father said, "You do not want to leave her alone in this place."
"Daemon." Mother started
"I am serious." He said, "Especially when she's busy caring for a babe."
"Do not start." Mother told him
"What are you talking about?" I frowned
"He is being paranoid, it is all." Mother said, "Rhaenyra should be fine, but do go and spend time with her. The Lords of the Court expect that of you."
"Hm...." I said, "Fine."
"I will go."
**************
"Ah, Aerion!" Uncle said as he was holding Visenya in his arms, "Come, we were just talking about you."
I had walked into the main hall, where some lords had gathered. Rhaenyra was there, standing next to her Father as she had her hands in front of her, smiling slightly while the King was showing off his granddaughter.
"Your Grace, forgive me for making you wait." I said as I walked up to them, "My Father had some words to say to me."
"Oh, is it about the Tourney?" Lord Caswell asked as he was standing to the side, "Will you participate, Lord Aerion?"
I nodded, "Yes."
"That is quite something." Lord Lyonel Strong said, "For Lord Aerion to participate in such matters, it is unheard of."
"Hm...." I said as I glanced at him
Lord Tyland Lannister cleared his throat, "I wish to congratulate you on your first child, Lord Aerion." He said with a smile, "A daughter. I hope she continues your line."
"Thank you, Lord Tyland." I said as I stood next to Rhaenyra, feeling her grab my hand as she awkwardly stood there
"Ah yes.....a special line, indeed." Uncle said with a chuckle
"Who knows....." a voice said, "Maybe she will do so through me, haha...!"
I felt my face harden as I turned to see who said that. I saw that next to Lord Caswell, Lord Manderly was standing with a smirk on his face.
"Pardon me?" Uncle said with a raised eyebrow
"A jest, Your Grace, a jest." He chuckled
I took a step forward, "You..." I said
"Aerion." Rhaenyra gripped my hand, "Easy."
I gave Lord Manderly a serious stare, something that unsettled him as he became flustered.
"Now, now, Lord Aerion." he cleared his throat, "You should know, that we here have served the Realm far before you were born, so we-"
"I suggest you keep your mouth shut." I said seriously, "Because His Grace, The King, stands before us, I will not draw my blade and plunge it through your chest. Do not ever make ridiculous and inappropriate jokes about my daughter in front of my Wife. Do you understand?"
His face went pale, "H-How da-"
"Enough." Uncle said seriously
I heard Ser Harrold take a step; he was standing vigilant near a wall.
"Aerion, stand down." Uncle told me, "Lord Manderly, you should take your leave."
"Of course...." He said with a slight bow and scurried off
After he left, the other Lords merely sighed and looked away, shaking their heads in disapproval.
"What a fool...." I heard Lord Tyland mutter
Uncle sighed and turned around, handing Visenya to Rhaenyra, "You should not make threats to other Lords, Aerion." He said, "You do not know what reaction you could incite that way."
"You heard what he said, Your Grace." I said, "I will not stand for such insults."
"I understand, my boy." He said, "I am not against what you did, just be careful."
"Saying that in front of my Wife, your Daughter and Heir, is but a grave offense." I said seriously, "I will not have that. I do not care if I am but a young man in front of all of your eyes, I am a Knight, I am her Husband. I will defend her honor and that of my daughter's!"
"It is fine, Aerion." Rhaenyra said, "Let us go to our chambers."
"Did something happen, Your Grace?" I heard a voice call out
I turned to see Otto Hightower walking up to us, a neutral look on his face.
"Otto." Uncle said, "No, everything is fine. Where have you been?"
"An issue with Prince Aegon, Your Grace." Otto said, "He fell down some stairs and has been throwing a tantrum since then. I have calmed him down. The Queen was busy with Prince Aemond, after all."
"Ah, those sons of mine." Uncle said with a sigh, "Oh well, what can you do?"
Otto looked at me, "Lord Aerion, Princess." He said, "Congratulations on your first child. It is a shame that neither I nor Her Grace could go and visit the Princess Visenya at Dragonstone. I hope you can forgive us."
"It is well, Ser Otto." Rhaenyra said, "Right, Aerion?"
I nodded, "Right." I said, "If you excuse us, Your Grace, we are about to head over to our chambers."
"Of course." Uncle said, "Go ahead and rest."
"A Tourney is upon us."