❝ you hear correctly, father, ❞ daemon inclined his head slightly, goblet lifting in a mirrored motion. ❝ to my good fortune, and to the competitors that will at least make it interesting. ❞ it was a fine line to walk, in front of his father no less, between confident and cocky. especially when it wasn’t just a small tourney, but the eyes of every noble in westeros watching him very carefully. sometimes it scared him, how in tune his thoughts were with the king. ❝ of course i do, i have no intention of disappointing you or the realm. it would be shame to do so with such fine celebrations in my honor, ❞ the promise not to be an embarrassment feels pretty heavy, unspoken. drinking long from his glass, he met his father’s unwavering gaze. ❝ she is to be my wife, i wouldn’t dare offend her so by seeking favor elsewhere. i hope to set a good precedent for our marriage. ❞
❝ rightfully so . you honour the crown well . i’ll ask that you make an attempt to press some of your gallantry onto rhaegar . he is in dire need of it . ❞ his gaze only deepens as his son meets it , and he accepts the words with a short laugh - golden goblet placed down . ❝ but , ah . i never chose thy mother . ❞ he utters , though in hushed tones that - were his son not by his side - he may not have heard . ❝ though she was never all that surprised - less so with each lady i suspect . i have my regrets , but that was never one . ❞ the eyes of a thousand kings before him turn back to face the tournament , smile slipping some . he wonders , on occasion , if visenya had ever cared . for their marriage was that in name only in the times between their bed sharing . golden rings clang quietly against his goblet as his fingers drum at it , his attention all but stolen away by the tournament once more . ❝ but then , you’d been in the world then , my son . she’d long done what was expected of her . you might do the same , once the pair of you have done your duty to the kingdoms . ❞