selcouth | aegon targaryen (ii)

chapter eighteen

10 years ago

"You are not a Targaryen until you have a dragon, brother," Aegon pointed out, his tone tinged with a mixture of teasing and superiority.

Aegon, sitting on the big rock beside his cousin Jace, watched as Aemond and Hyacinth stood together in front of them. Lucerys, still a little kid, played alone with a wooden dragon nearby.

Hyacinth rolled her green eyes at Aegon's remark, a gesture that fueled his frustration. He felt a surge of indignation, wishing he could hurl the wooden dragon at her head in that moment. "Aegon, if you paid more attention to your studies, you would know that not every Targaryen had a dragon," she retorted, her defense of Aemond palpable.

Aemond nodded in agreement with Hyacinth, his determination clear in his eyes. "But I will have one," he declared, his voice tinged with a quiet confidence that belied his youth.

"I am sure you will," Jace laughed.

"Perhaps you'll end up with a dragon made of wood like Lucerys here," Aegon teased, gesturing towards his younger cousin playing with the wooden dragon.

Lucerys looked up at the mention of his name, his face lighting up with a wide grin. "I like my dragon!" he declared proudly, holding up the wooden figure for all to see.

Aemond's expression tightened at the jab, his jaw clenching as he struggled to maintain his composure. "I'll have a real dragon one day, you'll see," he shot back, his tone defiant despite the uncertainty that lingered beneath the surface.

Hyacinth stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on Aemond's shoulder. "Of course you will, Aemond. And when you do, it will be the most magnificent dragon the world has ever seen," she said, her voice brimming with confidence and warmth.

"Why do you always need a girl defending you? It is either mother or Hyacinth." Aegon asked, "If it is not mother, you run to Hyacinth. What will happen to you when mother sends you to the North to marry some hairy woman? Who will defend you? Your wife?"

Aemond's fists clenched at his sides, his temper flaring at the teasing and Jace's laughter, "I don't need anyone to defend me," he snapped, his voice tinged with frustration.

Hyacinth's grip tightened on Aemond's shoulder, her protective instincts kicking in at the sight of his distress. "Aegon, that's enough," she interjected, her tone firm and commanding. "Aemond is more than capable of standing up for himself, and he doesn't need your constant mockery."

Aegon bristled at the reprimand, his pride wounded by Hyacinth's defense of his brother. "I was only joking," he muttered, though the words lacked any semblance of sincerity.

"Well, your jokes have a way of crossing the line, Aegon," she retorted.

Aegon's jaw clenched at the rebuke, a surge of resentment bubbling up within him. He didn't need Hyacinth to lecture him, to defend Aemond against his harmless teasing. But as he glared at her, he couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy at the bond she shared with his brother – a bond that seemed to grow stronger with each passing day.

"You sound just like my mother," Aegon retorted, his tone laced with bitterness.

Hyacinth arched an eyebrow, unperturbed by his remark. "I take that as a compliment," she replied coolly, her gaze steady and unwavering.

"Well, but it isn't," he shot back.

"Is it not? Would you mind if I tell her that?"

"No, I am used to you and Aemond running to my mother every chance you get to complain about me."