Thinking about Dyanna, one of your daughters with Aerion, complaining and lamenting that a boy she likes isn't courting her. So you, a little tired of listening to her, tell her that if it bothers her so much, she should be the one to court the boy. Dyanna is like, "Why would I do that? Father courted you, boys are supposed to court girls." And you're like, "Yes, your father did, but boys don't always have to be the ones to make the first move. Sometimes they're a little silly, and you have to make the first move."
Then, of course, Dyanna asks, "Have you ever tried to court anyone, Mother?" drawing the attention of her siblings, but especially her father.
"Yes, a hedge knight ," you say simply, without looking up from your embroidery. Not because you're embarrassed or uncomfortable with the memory, but because, for you, this is just trivial talk. After years of marriage to Aerion and sharing a life raising their children, the brief little crush you had on Duncan the Tall was now just a memory.
"A hedge knight?" Aerion repeated, frowning, already thinking that the next time Aegon and his knight came to visit, he'd find a way to fight that damned giant.
"Papa looks like he swallowed a lemon," teased Aerea, another of his daughters. "That's a shame, Mama. I would have liked to have a knight for a father," she added, simply because she loved a bit of chaos.
Aerion felt as if someone had punched him in the gut, knocking the wind out of him. Aerea laughed until he said, "Oh yeah? Then I won't be teaching you how to use your sword anymore. In fact, I'll take it away until further notice."
You heard Aerea quickly apologize before launching into an argument with Aerion. Your husband is an idiot, and with your kids around, there's never any peace and quiet. But you wouldn't trade it for anything.
