A Song of Ice and Fire | Aegon Targaryen

Ch 31: A Dinner Disaster

"Holding on, the days drag on, stupid girl, I should have known, I should have known"

Hours later we were all gathered in the supper hall for a dinner my grandfather wished to have. I looked to my left as Valaena sat beside me. If looks could kill I would already be dead. She hadn't said a single word to me as I attempted to make some sort of peace, at least for the night. 

"It has been sometime, cousin" I said.

"It has indeed" she snapped.

The doors opened as we all stood up. Knights of the Kingsguard brought my grandfather in, setting him in between Alicent and Rhaenyra. Aegon sat on the other side of me, placing his hand on my thigh, giving it a quick squeeze before letting it go.

"How good it is.. to see you all tonight.. together" my grandfather said.

"Prayer before we begin?" Alicent said.

"Yes" he sighed.

"May the Mother smile down on this gathering with love, May the Smith mend the bonds that have been broken for far too long. And to Vaemond Velaryon, may the gods give him rest" she said.

"This is an occasion for celebration, it seems" he said. "My grandsons, Jace and Luc, will marry their cousins, Baela and Rhaena, further strengthening the bond between our houses. A toast to the young Princes.. and their betrothed."

"Hear, hear!" Daemon said.

"Well done, Jace. You'll finally get to lie with a woman" Aegon whispered to Jacaerys.

"I have.. with your woman" Jacaerys whispered back. "Though it seems you have forgotten."

I put my hand on his arm as he turned to me.

"Leave it be" I said.

I moved my hand down to his as he yanked his hand away.

"Let us toast as well Prince Jacaerys... the future Lord of the Tides" the King said.

I took a sip of my wine as Aegon put his cup down to turn completely to Jacaerys.

"Remember last time I saw you with my wife?" He asked. "I can do it all again.. just say the word."

"Aegon!" I snapped.

He nodded his head, turning his body back. I put my hand on his cheek, moving his hair out of his face. He suddenly calmed down, putting his hand over mine before kissing my palm.

"Leave him be, my love" I whispered.

We both looked at the King as he stood up.

"It both gladdens my heart and fills me with sorrow to see these faces around the table. The faces most dear to me in all the world.. yet grown so distant from each other.. in the years past" he said. "And of course the ones who were take from us too soon."

I looked at Valaena, my heart suddenly dropping. We were once close and it all changed when her brother put a blade to Vaella's cheek and everything began falling from then on. She then turned to me as I put my hand over hers.

"There's not enough words to explain how sorry I am for that night" I whispered. "I did not mean for it to turn out that way."

In truth I did not want Jacaerys to die, and I really didn't want her to either. She let out a deep breath as we both looked at our grandfather as he took his face mask off.

"My own face... is no longer a handsome one.. if indeed it ever was" he said. "But tonight.. I wish you to see me as I am.. not just a King but your father. Your brother. Your husband... and your grandsire. Who may not, it seems.. walk for much longer among you."