(Aerion's POV)
I walked over to Mother who was standing under the gondola in the Secret Gardens, "You are here." I said as I reached her, "I figured you would have left by now."
She looked at me with a smile, "No, not yet."
I stood next to her and placed my hands behind my back, "Hm." I said, "I take it you understand that Father was the one who whispered to Ser Harwin, telling him that I wanted to kill him. That is why Breakbones tried to fight back."
"I am aware of that." she said, "Your Father will not change in regard to that. Honor, that is something that he bends to get what he wants."
"If he has it." I said
"You did the right thing." She told me, "You spared him. I understand that you would have killed him without regret, he did draw his blade on you....but you respected the King's choice, you did not want to mark this important day with the blood of a Lord that will spark a blood feud."
I nodded, "Right...."
"Would you have done it?" She asked me seriously
"To me....." I started, "He is just another man. He can feel how he wants to feel, it will not change a thing. I told Rhaenyra if he tries to get in between us, the gods will decide his fate. If they want him to die by my blade, so be it. But I will not do it so dishonorably, I will give him a fighting chance....as much as I can. Inevitably, he will lose his life if he tries anything."
"I want to speak to your Father." She said suddenly, "I am serious about the matter; to try again."
I looked at her, "I see." I said, "If he says no?"
"I will be persistent." She said with a forced smile, "Like how I was when I conceived the two of you."
"Hm." I said as I looked down, "Very well."
"I...." She said, "I've noticed that Rhaenyra has been giving you a certain look sometimes."
I nodded, "I have also noticed that same look." I said, "One of desire and lust."
"You see it like that, I see it like one of love." She chuckled, "I am glad the two of you are growing close. It should be that way, after all. You both have a daughter, your marriage should be significantly better than mine."
"Do not say it like that." I frowned
"It's true." She said as she patted my arm, "Aerion...I....."
"What is it?" I asked
She gave me a sad smile, "Nothing..." She said as she looked away, "It's just me repeating myself."
"You can do so." I said
"I am proud of you." She said, "That is all."
"I know." I said, "That's all I care about."
She looked down, "I miss her." She said softly, "Every day, Aerion."
"I do too." I said as I placed my hand on the handle of my sword, "I understand."
"Well, enough of that." She said, "Before I take my leave back to Runestone, I wish to spend time with my granddaughter, if that is okay with you."
I nodded, "Of course." I said, "You have every right to do so."
She pulled me in for a kiss on the cheek, "You are my perfect little boy." She said,
"Don't change."
*********************
I walked up to Father, who sat on a rock at the beach of the Blackwater, "I was looking for you." I said as I reached him, "We have much to discuss."
He glanced at me, "What is it?"
"Let's make this first part quick." I said while crossing my arms, "Why did you send that whisper to Harwin Strong?"
He chuckled, "Ah, I thought it would be funny."
"You should not do things so recklessly." I said, "He could have died."
"That is what I want." He said seriously, "I want him dead. Don't you?"
"I really don't care if he lives or dies." I said, "His existence is insignificant to me, Father. But you tried to stain my daughter's Tourney with blood, that is not something I would be fond of."
"When would I get a chance like that?" He said as he shrugged
"Do you not care about what that would mean?" I asked with a frown, "She is your granddaughter. The Tourney was held in her honor as a friendly joust. There was no need for bloodshed. Did you truly want to insult her?"
He looked at me, "Careful."
"I speak to you not as your son, but as her Father." I said, "I am serious."
"Why would I want to insult my own blood?" He asked
"You have done so many times." I said, "How many times have you insulted Uncle? Was that not the reason he betrothed me to Rhaenyra in the first place?"
He looked at me with a warning scowl, "You don't know what happened."
"Enlighten me." I said with a serious look on my face
"Hmph..." He looked away, "I do not need to explain anything."
"Right...." I said as I took a step forward, "Well, don't. I do not care what brought our betrothal to be. But I do want to know this...where were you when my sister was alive...for those months, you were nowhere to be seen."
He looked at me, "What are you getting at?"
"The ending of the War in the Stepstones had me thinking....." I said, "Over the past couple of months, I have been wondering one thing...."
He didn't say anything, simply looked at me with a serious look on his face.
"Were you with her?" I continued, "With that woman?"
He looked away, "That is no business of yours."
"She was my sister." I said firmly, "I am afraid it was my business. It does make sense, that not even your own daughter would make you fly over to Runestone for the months she lived.....I was young, yes....but I remember....I remember how sad mother was with every week that passed, that the Father of her girl never arrived to see her."
"Aerion....." He said
"Just tell me the truth, I think I deserve to know." I said, "She does not show it but Mother bears an unimaginable pain every single day, thinking of her child. And I know you do too.....and that guilt.....could it be because of her? Of that woman?"
He didn't say anything, merely clenching fist as he looked at the sea in front of us.
"Don't say anything." I said as I turned around, "I will ask her instead. See if she has anything to say."
"She has nothing to do with anything, Aerion." He spoke up, "I suggest you don't try anything drastic."
I glanced at him, "Asking questions is not drastic."
"What brings these questions forth, Aerion?" He asked, "Why do you constantly bring Rhaena up to me?"
"She is my sister." I said
"I know that." He said, "And you don't have to bring her up every time. You don't have to remind me of the fact I never met my own daughter.....that she died before I could even see her. You don't have to say anything, naming your sword after her is enough of a reminder!"
"I honor her, that is all." I said,
"I would prefer it if you do the same."