Aemon Targaryen

-Chapter 86-

-POV Laena Velaryon-

Sitting on the chair to the left of Aemon, who occupied the central seat, I observed all the people gathered for the dinner with curiosity.

'This is a very different atmosphere from what we have at Driftmark,' I thought, as all the members of House Royce present at Runestone were seated at the table, waiting for the meal to be served.

'Some aren't even members of this house,' I thought, recognizing the maester of Runestone, the steward, and a few faces that were unfamiliar to me.

Aemon stood up and tapped a small spoon against his goblet to catch everyone's attention:

"It's only been a week since we were all last together, but it felt like nearly a decade."

Though my ears were listening attentively to my husband, my eyes were scanning the slightest actions of the people around the table.

Everyone seated smiled, flattered by Aemon's words. He didn't stop there and added, "It's been several years now since I decided to organize these evening dinners that allow us all to gather, and I've never regretted it… until recently."

The smiles froze, waiting for the next part of Aemon's speech, but they quickly relaxed when he added, "I've missed you all so much it was almost unbearable."

Genuine laughter broke out, and some of the older people at the table raised a goblet toward my husband, who responded by raising his own.

"Everyone gathered at this table is a member of our family, House Royce."

Light cheers came from the members of House Royce, while the younger ones merely clapped quietly.

'The hierarchy is very much marked in this house,' I thought, watching Rogar Stone, a young bastard not even part of this house, cheer and applaud Aemon without restraint, while the young Royces sat calmly beside their fathers, despite being true members of House Royce.

"Some may not share our blood, but they are part of my family—the family I chose to have and the family I am proud of," he said before sitting back down.

I wanted to ask him a question, but an older man stood up and said:

"I would like to propose a toast."

Everyone stopped drinking, and a sort of uncomfortable atmosphere settled in. The old man remained unfazed by the attention or the subtle shift in the mood and said in a booming voice:

"Let us toast to our Lord, Prince Aemon Targaryen, the Bronze Dragon."

Everyone applauded the man, who sat down, and the atmosphere significantly lightened. Smiles returned, and some even looked more relieved than at the beginning of the banquet.

"What just happened?" I quietly asked Aemon, in a voice only he and I could hear.

"My great-uncle has finally renounced his 'claim' to Runestone," said Aemon, looking happier than at the start of the banquet.

"I didn't know you had a great-uncle," I said, surprised that I had never heard of him.

Aemon made a small gesture with his head, then said, "My great-uncle Yohn is not very fond of socializing; he's a true man of the Vale, as hard as stone. His recognition, however, is a very good thing because it closes the door to any possible conflict between me and his branch."

"Who belongs to his branch?" I asked, observing the people around us.

"Gerold," he said, frowning for a second.

"And is that a problem?" I asked, because I had met Gerold Royce, and he seemed like a good person.

"He's a Royce, and he wants Runestone to return to a Royce. He's afraid I'll destroy the legacy of our house," he said, looking annoyed.

"Is Yohn Royce his father?" I asked.

"Yes, he's also the father of Uncle Gunthor and Uncle Daman," Aemon said.

'So Gunthor and Gerold are brothers,' I realized, understanding the connections between them better.

"Who is Daman?" I asked, hearing this name for the first time.

"The father of my cousin William. He died a few years ago during an attack by a mountain clan," Aemon said.

I noticed a hint of sadness from him when he spoke about his uncle's death, but he didn't dwell on it for long and changed the subject. He asked me, looking at his two wards who were quietly eating while carefully observing those around them: "How are they?"

"If you're asking about the ride, apart from a little fatigue, they're fine. But I feel like they're not adjusting well to the new environment. They've been very quiet; the only thing they both asked me was where you were," I said.

'Of course, since their parents entrusted them to him.'

"They're afraid of this new environment where everything is unfamiliar. You should spend more time with them, at least until they get used to being around someone else," I said to my husband.

Aemon nodded, then said, "I'll make sure to free up some time."

I nodded, pleased that he listened to my suggestions, and then listened as Aemon asked his mother: "I've heard that you placed Jeyne under the care of Ser Willem?"

Aemon's mother didn't react and simply asked, "Is there a problem with that?"

"I don't trust him, not enough to entrust him with the care of Jeyne Arryn," Aemon said.

"Not enough to entrust him with anything," the regent of Runestone said in a slightly bitter tone.

Aemon raised an eyebrow, displeased, and said, "I know very well why you're doing this, Mother, but my decision is made. He is not part of our family, and I don't trust him."

"I am the regent, I have the right to designate whoever—"

"Mother, don't force me to get rid of him, I won't hesitate," Aemon said in a firm tone, which instantly silenced his mother, the regent of Runestone.