Chapter 26

"Aerion your too cautious and more importantly we both know I won't do that, yes I have wavered but I have promised Rhaenyra that she would be the heir to the Iron throne in Aemma's name, so just say what you really want me to do " Viserys said seriously.

"Okay, then let's start with a few," Aerion said as he started explaining.

"One, give Rhaenyra the authority she should have as heir. Her opinion should be considered, her authority should matter and should be established as second to the crown and make sure it is to be acknowledged by everyone, especially Otto."

"Two, you should come to terms with the fact that Rhaenyra's marriage can't just be a political one but also one she would be interested in," Aerion said, looking at Viserys.

"I agree with the first one, but I do not understand what you mean by her interest in marriage," Viserys asked.

Aerion, knowing the future and his sister clearly, said with confidence, "I heard you sent Rhaenyra for a tour across Westeros for her to find her match, but I'm sorry to say that it was a wasted journey and she will come back with no results. If, as I guessed, she does come back with no results, at least consider these two people before any other, father."

Hearing Aerion's words, Viserys wasn't worried as he had full confidence that his daughter would at least find one person out there of her interest.

"Aerion not just anyone can marry Rhaenyra, Even though the lords have sworn loyalty to her she needs strength if she wishes to sit on that throne." Viserys adviced.

"Strength! ,... Strength is the last thing we need father ?, we have dragon's! Creatures of mass destruction and magical capabilities." he said as he looked at his father in the eye.

" Face it, you're afraid that Rhaenyra just like her aunt would be rejected putting all effort to mothi, but what you have forgotten is the fact the lords or council have no say in the affairs of the royal family.

It was my great Grandfather's mistake and your weakness that gave them that impression that they had" Aerion said with some anger.

Hearing his son's word Viserys knew it was the truth, before him, there has been no Targaryen king chosen by the lords of the realm and like his great Grandfather Jaehaerys I, he was also following the same footsteps and he knew it was his weakness that made him subconsciously think that he needed the lords approval to name his daughter heir.

His son wasn't the first one to point this out before Aerion his brother Deamon had also pointed it out to him.

Viserys sighed as he decided to hear his son as he found his son's view on many things superior to himself. "Say it, who is it that you found a perfect match for your sister?"

"It's not a perfect match, father. One respects Rhaenyra, and the other while having lust for the throne at least cares for her," Aerion said.

"My first choice would be Harwin Strong, a great warrior, knight, and maybe not the brightest intellectually but very strong in case of his physical strength. His House would be a good match for my sister and to strengthen her foundation to fixate her claim to the throne as you wish," Aerion said.

Viserys nodded after hearing his son's words and was quite interested now. "Lord Lyonel is also a loyal subordinate who has given many honest advice for the realm. So who is your second candidate?"

"You know him, father. You have seen him grow up. It's none other than my uncle, your brother..." Aerion's words hung in the air, but before he could finish, Viserys interjected with a name, his voice echoing with anger, "Daemon!"

"Aerion, I agree Harwin Strong would be a suitable candidate for your sister, but Daemon... you are completely mistaken. He wouldn't care for Rhaenyra; he just wants the throne," Viserys retorted, his voice laced with anger.

"I disagree, father," Aerion responded calmly, "Yes, Uncle Daemon is ambitious, also yes he is definitely dangerous, unpredictable, and lusts for the throne more than anything. But there is one thing, father, he cares for you, for me, and for Rhaenyra. All his life, all his pranks and antics were only for your attention."

Aerion paused, looking directly into his father's eyes, "And please put away your prejudice of uncle Daemon, father. I can assure you with my life that there isn't a better choice for Rhaenyra's marriage and for her to consolidate her claim to the throne other than Daemon or Harwin strong."

"And your words are funny, father. It isn't just Uncle Daemon who lusts after the throne. Everyone who proposed or asked for Rhaenyra's hand in marriage did so for the throne or dragon riding descendants."

Aerion's words left Viserys unable to refute. He sat back in annoyance, but he didn't give up. "There is a more suitable candidate for your sister, one much closer to us, Laenor Velaryon your cousin," Viserys said, trying to regain control of the conversation.

"Oh please, father, almost everyone close to him knows the fact he is more interested in men and almost has no interest in women," Aerion immediately refuted, his words cutting through the tension in the room.

"Aerion, Laenor is still young. But once he comes into contact with a woman's allure, he will never look at men again," Viserys asserted confidently. He had seen many men who had different tastes when they were young, but once they tasted a woman, they were full-time in some whorehouse."

"Maybe you're right, but when you're trying to attempt something that even my great-grandfather Jaehaerys I Targaryen, who was praised as the greatest Targaryen King, dared not to do, taking such a rash decision is foolish. Father, you presume Laenor to change, but what if he didn't? And what happens when he fails to give her a child?" Aerion questioned, his voice steady.

Viserys was completely silent, but before he could think, Aerion provided the answer, "An already desperate and insecure Rhaenyra who would most likely be forced into a situation where she had to start an affair to increase her sides numbers, giving birth to bastards like me who have no right to the throne and destroy what little chance she has for the Iron Throne."

Hearing Aerion's words, Viserys was stunned, "Aerion, you're not..."