"We have not stayed in the Red Keep since my father's funeral." Not him, no. Laenor Velaryon is who he means, and even to ghosts, admitting the truth they would know is too difficult, particularly in these times. Akin to admitting that they do not have the right to rule, that his mother's choices invalidated their inheritance, when his future claim came from her place in the succession, not his father's. "Almost ten years ago." There was no need to sugarcoat things for a hallucination or a ghost - the truth of life was already harsh enough.
"It was Viserys' way of punishing us, for a fight gone too far." Maiming Aemond had never been their intention, only protecting their youngest brother at the time, but their actions needed consequences. And now that the war had broken out, and his mother's throne usurped, he can finally see the fruition of that punishment. Had they been in the Red Keep when his grandsire had passed, there would have been time to act. Instead, they had been ignorant on Dragonstone, only informed via raven, a generic missive sent to the great houses of all of the realm, a slap in the face, over a week after the death of the late-King.
"I am here to speak with Daemon. He is meant to be raising an army in the Riverlands, and he is refusing to answer any ravens." A pain, his step-father, at times. His hands are gripped in fists at his side, irritated by having to make the journey, and nauseous at the sight of Harwin Strong standing before him. The resemblance comes forth much more powerfully now that he is older, and only makes him resentful, though he cannot feel that towards his mother now. He must be seen as her staunchest supporter, never wavering. He has the appearance of his mother in many ways, but it is almost like looking into a mirror when presented with the man long since dead. "And then I will leave."