(Baelon's POV)
"It appears that despite everything that has happened, things are as quiet as we had hoped for." Father said as we walked alongside the dragonmont, "Occasional protests but nothing that cannot be immediately quelled."
I nodded, "Because of what you chose to do." I said, "It was expected."
He chuckled, "Blame me all you want, that choice prevented a potential war." He said, "It may not happen tomorrow, but it would have happened down the line did I not do something about it."
"That could be true..." I told him, "But it will not change that it was a foolish decision."
"Foolish or not, it was a decision that you cannot do much about now." He told me seriously, "But enough of that, I want to know what is happening with you."
I stopped and looked at him, "What do you mean?"
He placed his hands behind his back, "You must understand one thing, Baelon." He said, "And that is that I am your Father. I see things from afar, the way you act, the way you go about things. And ever since our arrival here, you have been acting rather harsh.....which is unlike you. Have you and Helaena fought over something?"
I crossed my arms and sighed, "It is nothing."
"It is anything but nothing." He said seriously, "That girl does not usually give you that look of contempt. Perhaps it is because she is with child....Women tend to be in foul moods when they carry children. And I do not blame them, there is plenty going on inside there that we men cannot understand. To form a life inside you, it must be a tiring process....."
"Right...." I said
"What did you do or say to her that brought this on?" He asked
"I will let you take a guess." I said, "Well, let me tell give you a hint. It is something I have not done....."
"Oh." He said, "Well, it cannot be helped. My precious girl will have what she wants one way or another."
"Which one?" I asked with a raised eyebrow
He chuckled, "That is a good point." He said, "Listen, Helaena got what she wanted; You. In the end, after the tribulations faced, the doubts had, she ended up with you and is carrying your child. And if she wants you to do something, one way or another, it will end up happening."
"Is that so?" I said, "The thing is, I do not want it."
"What was it that Alicent told me?" He said, "Nobody chooses who they love, son.....Nobody....and sooner or later, you will realize who or what you love."
"I do not understand why she is this way sometimes." I said, "She is too good....she should not be too accepting of this."
"Make no mistake." He said, "Should it be some other woman, she would not be so accepting. She is a dragonrider and while she does not like harming people, if any other woman were to touch her man....well, Helaena would definitely use her mighty weapon, if you can gather what I am saying."
"Right...." I said as my head became hazy, even slightly
"Which brings me to my next topic..." He started, "There is a little rumor going on....one that I do not wish to humor at all...."
"And what may that be? Let me guess, that Rhaenyra and I-" I started before I stopped completely, my head hurting all of the suddenly, "Ah..."
I rubbed my forehead and Father frowned, "Are you alright?" He asked me, "What is it?"
"Nothing." I said as I shook the feeling off, "I do not know, perhaps it is just exhaustion. I have not slept much. What were you saying?"
"A couple of months, you were seen in the streets of the Capital." He said, "Some say you went inside a building and were not seen coming out until a few hours later in the dead of the night. Conflicting reports state that there was some women walking out the building before you did."
"What night?" I asked with a frown, "I do not recall something like that."
He eyed me up and down, "Are you sure?" He said, "You do not have something you wish to tell me?"
I shook my head, "No." I said, "Why?"
"Hm...." He said, "Are you sure? Not many could say they see Prince Baelon in the streets of Fleabottom...This was before the ceremony."
"I...." I said as I tried thinking, yet I could not remember what he was talking about, "No, I do not think I was in Fleabottom...wait, are you saying that I had an affair?"
"That is what the rumors imply." I said
"Ridiculous." I scowled, "I would never."
"I believe you." He said, "I just needed to be sure."
"Hm..." I said as I heard a distant dragon's roar, "What...."
I looked over to the side, seeing that Balerion, who was laying down in the distance, slowly lifted his head up. He let out a deep rumble as he looked up into the sky and I followed his gaze.
I saw Seasmoke flying in the far distance, above the mountains.
"I knew he would be here." Father said, "Are you certain of this?"
I nodded, "Sure, why not?" I said, "Call Aemma over...."
"We will try again."
***********
"Congratulations, Aemma." Father patted her shoulder, "To claim a dragon is a powerful feeling, you have made me proud."
We were in the Painted Table's room, shortly after Aemma had successfully claimed Seasmoke. It turns out that this time, the dragon was not prone to ignoring her. She claimed him without an issue, which was something worth witnessing.
"Thank you, Grandsire..." Aemma said with a bright smile, "I-I cannot believe it....after so long...."
Rhaenyra walked up to her and hugged her, "I am so happy for you, my girl..." She said, "At long last, you are a dragonrider...."
"Nicely done, niece." I said with my arms crossed
I felt Helaena nudge my arm with her elbow and I looked at her; she was gesturing at Rhaenyra, telling me to say something to her.
"What?" I mouthed to her
I noticed that Mother was sitting down in her seat, looking at this without saying much. This was a good moment, but it was not something she could relate to since she was not one with dragon's blood despite mothering several.
Helaena cleared her throat, "I am happy your daughter has finally achieved what she has always wanted, Sister." She said, "In celebration, we should have a feast. Is that not acceptable, Father?"
Father looked at her, "Of course." He said, "Tonight we feast in celebration of this pivotal moment. I wish Aemond were here, this is something exciting, is it not?"
Rhaenyra smiled and nodded, "Yes, thank you Father..." She said as she held Aemma's hand, "And well, if it is not much trouble, that would be a nice thing to do...."
Rhaenyra looked at me for a few moments before clearing her throat and looking away. I then felt Helaena nudge me again, signaling me to say something.
"It is decided then." I said, "We feast tonight. And on the morrow, Aemma...."
"We'll go for a flight."