Your approval is what he wanted.

You were his father, of course he strived for your attention and love the exact same affection you gave rhaenyra but never him to him it was unfair, it would not go on like that for much longer if he said a stay in the matter and he did, so as he was training he ensured you kept an eye on him at all times even if it meant being obnoxiously loud with the swords, coughing everything rhaenyra tried to speak to you which clearly irked rhaenyra as training has soon enough finished and aemond immediately ran up the stairs to get to where you were sat above the training grounds as sadly rhaenyra is there

"Father-! Did you see me?" he asks eagerly, grabbing onto your hand to draw your attention to him and not his older half sister as it's clear the boys got some harboured resentment towards rhaenyra who seems to sigh at her brother's behaviour but she remains quiet understanding he is just a child so she leans back and simply observes as aemond tugs on your arm demandingly

"You saw me didn't you-" he continues to say hurriedly, barely even allowing you to try and respond to soothe his want for your attention, it's like he forgets you have to speak as the once sullen boy is very determined for someone to finally address his achievements and not his flaws