𝐀 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬

Aemond Targaryen

As a second born son, he had to exceed expectations.

Nothing was handed to him on a silver platter. Aemond listened, studied, and trained. Day in and day out. He may have been born with the title ‘Prince’ and he would grow up to be worthy of it.

Unlike Aegon, who was currently getting a scolding from their mother.

Queen Alicent had been anxious all day. Aemond assumed it had something to do with Rhaenyra’s condition. –Not that he cared. He knew Aerea would. –Now, Aegon was feeling the brute force of his mother’s emotional turmoil.

“Why do you continue to do this?” She shouted and slapped him. Aegon winced, his head pounding from the words she yelled and the wine he drank an hour ago. “You drink and whore. You live your days as if they aren’t numbered! Right now, your sister has given birth to another bas-”

She stopped. Her little rant would have shocked the second prince if he had not heard it so many times.

Softly, Alicent held her eldest son’s face in her hands. “If Rhaenyra comes into power, your very life could be forfeit. Aemond’s as well. She could move to cut off any challenge to her succession."

“Then I won’t challen–”

“You are the challenge, Aegon!” She yelled, trying to get him to understand. “You are the challenge! Simply by living and breathing!” Aegon looked scared, annoyed, and tired.

“You are the King’s firstborn son. And what they know, what everyone in the realm knows, is that one day you will be our King.”

Alicent finished her tirade and took a deep breath. Just as she did, Ser Criston stepped into the room. “My queen.” He greeted her with a bow. “The small council meeting will begin soon.”

Alicent and Ser Criston left Aemond’s room. Aegon made his way out shortly after his mother, mumbling about wine and it left the second prince to think.

His mother’s words replayed in his head. “ ...is that one day, you will be our king.”

The realm would be destined for doom if the crown fell to Aegon. Even if Viserys and Rhaenyra died, Aerea would be the heir. Usurping the throne would be the only way for Aegon to be king and that is a declaration of war.

Which left Aemond to wonder. Who should get the crown? His brother, the drunken fool who's never shown any interest in his birthright? His sister, the whore who commits treason daily and neglects her duty?

No. In his mind, with time and experience, Aerea would be the greatest monarch who ever lived. Aemond would be her knight. Take up a white cloak, as there were not many options for a second son, and swear himself to Aerea’s queensguard. Or he would be her husb–

No, he could never.

In the carriage, on the way to the Dragonpit. Aemond could only think about why. Why did he not have a dragon? He learned everything he could about his family’s history and heritage. He knew all the dragon commands and he spoke High Valyrian better than most. –Not better than Aerea– Why did the bastards’ eggs hatch? Why wasn’t he deemed worthy?

The lessons were tedious as always. Aegon was bored. Jace was nervous. Luke was annoying. And he had to do this three days a week.

Just after Vermax finished eating his goat, Aegon walked up to Aemond and put his hands on his shoulder. “Aemond, we have a surprise for you.”

“What is it?” Aemond was wary of accepting anything from his brother, let alone the bastards.

“Something very special!” was the only reply he got from Luke, as the boy ran deeper into the pits.