Aemon Targaryen

-Chapter 166-

-POV Aemon Targaryen-

"I will not go back on my decision," I said, watching through the window as our children trained in the distance under Gunthor's precious guidance.

'He trains them better than the young ones. He has more experience. Unfortunately, he has less time than they do,' I thought, since I constantly needed him at my side.

Even though everyone knew I was a man to be feared and that I commanded respect, being accompanied by Gunthor and the most seasoned knights who made up my personal guard always added an extra weight to my presence among the nobles.

Jeyne, noticing I was only half-listening, sighed in annoyance before speaking in a tone that clearly conveyed her displeasure:

"Do you realize that all the majesty we imposed during that trial is falling apart because of your little obsession with your new fool?"

I smiled without saying a word, perfectly aware of Ulf's antics at court and of the fact that he had become the subject of many jokes.

But not because he was truly a problem—simply because he didn't belong, and everyone found amusement in that.

'At least, not yet' I thought, not having forgotten the reason I had chosen to make Ulf one of my sworn knights, even granting him land on my own domain.

It was completely by chance that he had managed to catch Willem's attention.

And when I asked for the source of the information to properly reward the person, hoping to make him an example of success for common folk, I realized that the silver-haired drunkard might be Ulf.

'And I was right to think so,' I told myself.

Very quickly, I imagined a perfect way for him to help me resolve a problem that had been bothering me for a long time.

'Silverwing'

Knock... Knock... Knock...

'Finally' I thought, uncrossing my arms and turning around, walking past Jeyne who sighed once more, annoyed at seeing me ignore yet another of her many warnings about Ulf.

'She cannot understand,' I thought.

And to be completely honest, I wasn't ready to reveal the plan just yet—not until I was sure it would work, and sure that I could make Ulf into a loyal dragonrider, but more importantly... a worthy one.

"My Prince," said Mark as he entered. The mischievous boy had grown quite a bit.

'He is now deadly with most bladed weapons. He still needs to build up strength to properly wield blunt ones, but he'll eventually become an excellent... butcher,' I thought, amused by my own inner joke.

I nodded and said to the talented young man, "Thank you."

He was about to turn and leave, but I noticed him hesitate. I motioned for him to come closer, and he quickly whispered in my ear: "The young lady of House Costayne has given her favor to Ulf."

I looked away from Mark and down to Ulf's arm, where he was doing his best not to squirm under my gaze—especially as my expression turned cold all of a sudden.

'She's got some nerve,' I thought, finally shaking my head before smiling faintly. 

Then I waved to Mark that he could leave.

"You see? He'll only cause you more and more trouble in the future," said Jeyne, no longer even pretending to be polite in front of Ulf, treating him like nothing.

I didn't reprimand Jeyne for insulting one of my bannerlords in front of me, because I understood her frustration.

'Even if I should have. But that won't fix the situation,' I thought.

'And it can't hurt. If the Costaynes want to be used as puppets by the Queen, they can pay the price,' I thought.

"Sit down, Ulf," I said, pointing to a chair across from me.

Laena was already seated in another, quieter than Jeyne but no less in agreement.

'She looks like she wants to rip him apart,' I thought as I watched the way Laena stared him down, which made him even more uncomfortable. He looked down, not daring to meet the eyes of either of my wives—even though they were the most beautiful women in the realm.

'At least to me,' I admitted inwardly, knowing full well I wasn't being objective.

"How are you?" I asked Ulf.

He seemed surprised by the question and took a few seconds to answer before saying:

"Very well, my Prince."

"Aren't you going to ask how I'm doing?" I asked playfully, trying to lighten the mood—but seeing his eyes widen as if he'd committed a mortal sin confirmed to me that, for now, he was a hopeless case.

"I..."

I raised my hand to interrupt him, then said, "It was nothing more than a jest."

He let out a big sigh, and I followed up with another question: "Are you enjoying your time here?"

He nodded quickly and said, "It's the best place I've ever seen or lived in."

I smiled and said, "And you'll stay here for a long time—if you do everything required of you. Have you made any acquaintances at court?"

"Not really," he said, avoiding my eyes, no doubt remembering his hallway encounter with the young Elyna Costayne.

I smiled gently before sitting across from him and then said, without changing my tone:

"Mark told me about this lady, Elyna Costayne."

I paused a few seconds to glance at the green favor he was wearing, then said:

"Is that her favor you're wearing?"

He nodded softly, and I said: "Did you know the colors of House Costayne are mainly yellow and black?"

He frowned, confused, before looking down at the ribbon tied around his arm.

"Do you know what the Queen's personal colors are?" I asked again, not really expecting an answer—hoping to get him to start using his head instead of his cock.

To my surprise, he replied softly, in a cautious tone: "Green."

I nodded, then said:

"The colors you're wearing aren't Elyna Costayne's. They're the Queen's... A Queen whose father I executed, a Queen who wants her son to be the next King. So what will the other lords think, seeing one of my own bannerlords walking around with the Queen's colors tied to his arm? Colors I banned for the sake of the realm's peace."

Ulf didn't respond, awaiting his sentence.

I stood up and said:

"I gave you time to settle into court, and I understand you've had a few struggles. That's normal. Many envy and resent you, so they'll do anything to bring you down—or to use you against me."

"Why? Why would they be jealous of me? They're nobles."

I saw Jeyne shake her head and roll her eyes at his almost childish ignorance. I said patiently:

"Because you're under my protection. Because I made you one of my bannerlords. Because you've earned my friendship. Because you represent me."

"I'm deeply honored, Your..."

"Spare me the empty flattery. You've earned this friendship, but it is not yours by right," I said more harshly, for I didn't want a bootlicker—I wanted a loyal dragon knight who could be useful.

And for that, I didn't need flattery.

I needed results.

Ulf nodded like a woodpecker, his forced smile vanishing instantly.

"You will have to stop getting drunk at every royal banquet. You will have to learn to read, and also to write. You will have to educate yourself and forget the ignorant drunkard you were before meeting me. You will have to learn to fight. But above all—you will have to learn how to behave properly in public," I said solemnly.

Ulf nodded even more vigorously, though I could tell that everything I had just listed were things he would never have chosen to do, to learn, or to give up—had he been given the choice.

But I wasn't giving him a choice. And he didn't have one either.

These past few days, I had given him the best treatment possible.

If he were to disappoint me, if he failed to meet the expectations I set, he'd soon return to rot in the gutters of the capital.

'It's only a matter of seconds,' I thought, knowing many young ladies from minor Vale houses who were ready to bring public charges against Ulf in court for rape.

'The judgment will be swift.'

"We're done. You may leave. I'll send an escort to deliver the rest of my instructions," I said, gesturing toward the door.

Ulf stood, visibly relieved, and bowed deeply before saying: "I'll do my best. I will not disappoint you, Your Grace."

'You better not,' I thought silently, contenting myself with a nod in reply.