House of The Dragon-The Beauty, The Bold, And The Black Dread

(Baelon's POV)

"Prince Baelon..." Lord Tyland approached me, "Do you not think that doing what you did last night was a bit too much?" 

I looked at him, "No." 

He looked around him, "You know the kind of man Lord Corlys is." He said, "You are aware, yes? He will take this to heart." 

"Let him." I said with a shrug, "I have many worries, he's the least of them." 

"Well, you did bring a good point in your argument." He said, "There are many that are getting too comfortable. With all respect to your Father and his peaceful reign, but like Lord Corlys, many are biting more than they could chew." 

I raised an eyebrow, "Is that so?" I said, "Are you certain your Brother is not one of them?" 

"Gods, I hope not." He said, "Jason has not mentioned anything about you over the past few years. He's loyal and keeps to himself, you know that." 

"You Lannisters could be pompous pricks, I know that." I said as I turned around, "Except you, you seem to be fine." 

I continued to walk as he followed me, I was making my way down the hall when he had approached me. I had woken up about two hours ago and after I had met with Helaena and had breakfast with her, I was going to have a serious discussion with my Father about the names given to me by Lord Corlys. 

"The thing is." Tyland said, "There are certain issues. And it may or may not involve your sister." 

I stopped and looked at him, "What?" 

"Her husband." He said, "Princess Rhaenyra's husband, Lord Trevor Celtigar...." 

"What about him?" I asked

He looked around, making sure was not listening, "Well the thing is...." He said, "It appeared that the reason he's spending so much time at sea was because Lord Corlys abused the 'debt' he owed Laenor. He wishes to keep Rhaenyra isolated....well, in an attempt to sway her to his side. But again, Lord Corlys is being swayed as well. This whole situation is convoluted, My Prince." 

I frowned, "Why have you not come to me about this earlier?" 

"Forgive me." He said, "But prior to the attack on Skagos, I really did not believe you were a major player in the game that is Politics, My Prince. And while your tactics differ from your typical diplomat, they could be effective. Well not effective on those who intended to settle down, but those who watched." 

"Celtigar...." I said, "I always wondered what their standing in this ordeal was.....they are one of the few Valyrian Houses that survived the Doom...hm....." 

"Look, I am not here to judge any choices your Sister has made when it comes to marriages. Considering that she's refused many offers from Houses in Higher positions but since your birth, she has been in a more comfortable position to choose her consort." He said, "But, that is all I have for you, My Prince. The issue lies in someone trying to get to Lord Trevor and in turn, your Sister." 

"Tch..." I said, "There is always someone trying to create some discord...." 

"I have to take my leave, My Prince." Lord Tyland said, "Just know that I am at your service should you need me. I serve the Crown and your Family....always..." 

"Thank you, Lord Tyland." I nodded, "You can go." 

****************

"Before you were born, there was the issue of finding a proper suitor for Rhaenyra." Father said as I sat in front of him, "She was my only child, the Princess of The Seven Kingdoms, and the Realm's Delight. Hightower, Tyrell, Baratheon, Tully, Arryn, Royce, Stark, Blackwood, Bracken, Redwyne, Dondarrion, Lannister, and Velaryon. All of those houses swarmed the Court with their constant advances and marriage proposals." 

I frowned, "Stark?" I said, "You're serious?" 

"You'd be surprised how badly Lord Stark wanted to have a Targaryen Princess." He said as he sighed, "Rhaenyra denied them all. She was more defiant than you are, my boy." 

I nodded, "I see..." I said

"It all stems down to her refusals, my refusals." He told me, "All these sour fools, constantly whispering behind my back." 

I raised an eyebrow, "So you're aware?" 

"Of course I am aware." He said, "But what was I going to do about it? Place heads on pikes? There was no point. They were meaningless threats. Believe it or not, your Uncle's chaos is what kept them in place, despite how badly he and Otto got along." 

"So Rhaenyra was offered all these prestigious Lords yet she chose Celtigar." I said, "A Princess from a Dragonlord Family marrying a mere man from a lower Valyrian house. What was it that you told Otto one time? Royalty does not marry their servants or something like that? Is that why he never offered Ser Gwayne?" 

"Something like that." He said, "When you were born and Balerion reinvigorated, everything changed. You became Heir, Daemon lost his status, and Rhaenyra lost attention. And Balerion's vigor was a sign...a sign that someone would soon claim him. And many, including myself, believed you were the one who would claim him. So...Rhaenyra, being Rhaenyra, decided to take advantage of the situation and decided to look for her own suitor and accept the change of circumstances.....my marriage with Alicent, her close friend, and having more children."

I leaned back, "So....She found Trevor." 

"Trevor is a good kid." He looked at me, "He treated Rhaenyra well and fathered my grandchildren. I always appreciated it. While I was hesitant at first, Rhaenyra convinced me that she truly loved the boy. So I allowed it. But despite their son being married to my daughter, Lord Celtigar not once felt mightier than usual. They maintained humility and are true servants of the Crown." 

"Corlys Velaryon ought to learn a thing or two." I muttered

"They have their merits." He told me, "They wield the mightiest fleet in Westeros. Something I do not wish to go against should you anger the man." 

"What are ships to me?" I asked, "Be honest." 

He sighed, "We might have had our disagreements recently, Baelon, but I want you to know that I only wish the best for you." He said, "If you want to seek these....snakes....do it after you deal with Skagos. Only then will I accept your unruly attitude." 

"I do things for the sake of the Realm." I said, "I may be a Prince, but I serve my people." 

"You have their love." He said, "Which is why I am considering your request." 

I blinked, "What?" 

He stood up, "Blackfyre." 

"What?" I repeated

"Prove to me that you're more than worthy of your position; Heir to the Throne and Balerion's Rider." He said with a serious expression, "Then we will speak about the future you have." 

I stood up and nodded, "Yea...." I said, "I will do what I must." 

He returned the nod, "You are my son." He said, "And you are meant for great things. I believe I should stop thinking of you as a small boy.....the little boy whom I constantly worried for when he got sick is no more.....what remains is the Man who I shall entrust my legacy to...." 

I walked up to him, "I will make you proud, Father..." 

He gave me a slight smile, "No, son..." He said, 

"You already have."