his rose || aegon ii targaryen

Chapter 38

People make their way to the Sept. Crowds of commoners, ready to go and see their new king.

Rhaenys makes her way through them, struggling to stay as close as possible to Ser Eryyk. She grips her cloak tightly to her body, trying to cover her appearance.

Her efforts are in vain. She looks around frantically, trying to get back to the guard. The agitated people pushes her and she is forced to move in the direction of the ancient building.

•••

Aegon sits in the carriage, with his head leaned on the window. His mother is on the other side.

"Have the decency to look grateful." she speaks, "Do you know what has been done to give you this day?"

Aegon does not acknowledge her words, his mind wandering back to Reina. He cannot bring himself to be happy about being King, while knowing that she is not happy about being Queen. Her disappointed face does not leave his mind.

"In an hour, you will be King." his mother's words, somehow, draws his attention.

"And my father never wanted this." he replies, not believing the fact that his father, Viserys, wanted him to be his heir.

"That's not true." Alicent shakes her head, denying his thoughts.

"He had twenty years to name me heir and never did." the boy turns his head towards his mother. "Steadfastly, he upheld Rhaenyra's claim."

"He changed his mind." she replies.

"No," Aegon starts laughing, "No."

The Queen looks away, getting irritated by her son's attitude.

"He could have, but he never did." he smiles at her, "Because he did not like me."

The words hurts, but they are true.

"And yet, with his final breath, he whispered to me that you should take his place on the throne." the woman sighs.

The Prince continues laughing.

His mother opens the box that lays between them. Inside, is the Valyrian steel dagger. The one who once was his father's, the one the King showed to Rhaenyra.

Aegon's eyes begin to get teary as he watches the object, "Do not toy with me, Mother."

"I speak the truth."

He takes the dagger in his hands, looking at every detail. He leans his head back and sighs.

"Listen to me, Aegon." Alicent speaks, her voice is gentle. "Your grandfather, the Hand, will try to impress on you that Rhaenyra should be put to the sword. You must reject this counsel. We must not rule with cruelty and callousness. For all her faults, she is your sister, your father's daughter..."

Her words about his sister or what his grandsire will force him to do matter little to him.

"Do you love me?" his question makes the woman freeze. She looks at her son face, noticing the pain and the tiredness in his eyes. She feels bad for him.

"You imbecile."

•••

Reina watches the buildings and the streets move past their carriage. She is with Helaena and with Aemond, each of them feeling afraid or nervous about the consequences of this coronation.

She sighs and looks down at her round belly, Helaena puts a comforting hand on her shoulder, trying to show her sister that she is not alone. That she still has her.