He didn’t just do this on a whim, in fact the moment he was born and found out he was a Bastard, he had already began orchestrating how he will become even more powerful then the Lord of Driftmark himself one day.
Sometimes it wasn’t always the lords who ruled, often times it would be someone behind the shadows who directed their movements for their benefits, and that was his mantra, why sit and sulk about not being heir?
He has already proven that nobody but him deserves it, so there’s nothing more he can do.
Instead he opted to leveraging his influence in Corlys court so that when this happened one day, he would have amassed the support of all the lords, and ultimately they will listen to him while pretending to actually head the heir.
He would rule from the shadows, for him titles weren’t necessarily, as much as he wanted it, there was nothing more to do, the other option was to straight up assassinate all of Corlys sons, then he will have no choice but to appoint him.
But that would be foolish, and Aethon was no fool.
Anyone with a brain would easily deduct that their undoing in the hour of the wolf will purely be responsible to Aethon.
Everyone knows he too is chasing the title of heir, and Corlys wouldn’t kill his own children, which leaves only one suspect, him.
So assassination was out of the question.
Instead by accumulating the support of all the lords, deep down Ser Laenor Velaryon while accept that they mostly listen to him because of his influence, so therefore laenor will come to him for help to persuade the lords if he wants anything down.
When that time comes he will play laenor like a harp in his grasp.
For now he has to gain as much power, influence and connections as possible.
Surely his plan may have flaws and inconsistencies, but as time goes he will adjust accordingly.
As for Corlys, in order to make sure laenor truly inherits driftmark so he can manipulate him, he will have to deal with that old man soon.
For now he has his usefulness.
Anyway, back to the insurance empire he’s creating, it was more important because many lesser lords within House Velaryon’s domain now owed their prosperity to his ideas, and they will one day acknowledge this by fire or force.
They would remember who filled their coffers when doubt comes at play.
The only thing missing was a way to take away what they have while justifying it, this was an extra measure for their obedience to him.
Corlys was still speaking saying “…and I hope you understand that this decision was not made lightly.”
Aethon blinked as his attention returned.
He looked at his father then at Rhaenys as they waited for him to say anything.
To my half brother for his succession Lord Corlys.
I believe you’ve made the correct decision.”
Rhaenys stared in disbelief hearing this, she was already ready to refute any protest Aethon brought forth, in fact she had already prepared an argument to defuse Aethon swiftly for taking his title, this was not expected to say the least, Corlys stared even longer saying “..What?”
Aethon continued calmly while clasping his hands with a smile saying “Tradition exists for a reason father.
I would hardly ask you to overturn generations of custom for my sake.
I shall continue serving House Velaryon exactly as I have before, faithfully.”
He rose from his chair as soon as he was done speaking and bowed slightly before saying “If there is nothing further…May I take my leave?”
There was no bitterness in his tone or resentment for them or anyone, in fact he had a neutral expression on his voice, to smile would obviously be deemed a fake smile in this situation, so he remained expressionless without saying anything accusatory or having any visible disappointment whatsoever.
Corlys opened his mouth to say something but nothing came out, the outcome had simply made him abit lost for words.
He had prepared for anger and perhaps disappointment or even a heated argument.
But this instead happened, so he struggled to say much only to utter while clearing his throat “…Y-Yes, you are dismissed…son.”
Aethon inclined his head once more before turning toward the door.
Within moments after that awkward conversation he was gone beyond the large doors of to whatever he deemed more important.
Corlys continued staring at the closed door long after it had shut saying “…He’s planning something.”
Rhaenys frowned when she heard this, she too wasn’t foolish enough to believe Aethons fake acceptance of reality so this made them say “You believe so?”
Corlys rose from his chair and began pacing saying “I know that boy.
Aethon spent years making himself indispensable.
Every improvement this house has enjoyed bears his fingerprints.
He sacrificed sleep, buried himself in ledgers, argued with merchants twice his age, and transformed our fortunes by tripling it.”
He stopped beside the window in contemplation while saying “And after all that…
Rhaenys slowly folded her arms quickly admitting “I thought the same too actually, it saddens me that he takes us for fools…”
“Rhaenys your missing the point, he didn’t argue, demand an explanation.
He didn’t even ask why.
I’ve watched that boy since the day he was born and I tell you now when Aethon truly accepts something…
he asks questions about it.”
“Only the gods may now what he’s up to Husband, let us rest now and watch him closely, I dont think he’s willing to submit without a fight.”
Aethon, meanwhile, had no intention of returning to the castle.
His feet carried him toward the dragon pit without hesitation as the familiar warmth greeted him before he even stepped inside.
The air shimmered from lingering heat, and the scent of ash and scorched stone clung to every surface.
At the center of the cavern lay a unique dragon.
Its immense body rested upon the blackened floor, each slow breath causing the ground itself to seem alive.
Brown-gold scales glimmered beneath shafts of sunlight pouring through openings high above, while darker ridges ran along its spine like overlapping plates of burnished steel.
He had grown enormously over the years.
Already larger than many dragons kept by House Targaryen.
Yet he was still not the largest, atleast not yet.
Smaug slept peacefully, one massive foreleg curled beneath his chest, his long tail coiled around a small mound of gold, silver goblets, jeweled necklaces, and polished shields he’d stubbornly claimed as his own despite Aethon’s repeated attempts to explain that stealing from Driftmark’s treasury was generally frowned upon.
Aethon stopped a short distance away as the carefully maintained smile disappeared from his face, he looked at the sleeping dragon saying “…Looks like it’s just you and me now.”
~~~~~~~
AN: