Envy

Valonqar

Authors note: This is an au where Aemma died when Rhaenyra was 7. A year after that the king married Alicent when she was 16 and soon after that Aegon was born. This story begins 11 years later. They have not been betrothed yet.

The moon hung low in the night sky, casting its silvery glow over the rooftops of King's Landing as Rhaenyra Targaryen glided through on Syrax. Though she was forbidden she enjoyed flying at night reveling in the freedom that seemed so elusive within the confines of the Red Keep.

As she reached the gates of the Red Keep, Rhaenyra paused, her breath catching in her throat as she listened for any sign of movement. Once the sound of guards chatting and their armors clanking passed she quickly made her move.

Her footsteps echoed softly against the cold stone floors as she made her way through the deserted halls, her senses on high alert. The flickering torches cast dancing shadows along the walls, their dim light casting the castle in an eerie glow.

Just as Rhaenyra neared her chambers, a faint sound reached her ears. A soft, muffled sobbing echoed through the darkness. She froze in place and looked back towards the origin of the noise.

Aegon's chambers.

For a moment, she debated whether to ignore the cries and continue on her way. But then, a pang of guilt washed over her, and with a resigned sigh, Rhaenyra followed the sound of the cries that were growing louder with each step.

Finally, she reached the door to Aegon's chambers pushing open the door and stepping inside, her heart pounding in her chest as she braced herself for what she might find.

Aegon sat huddled on the edge of his bed, his shoulders shaking with tears streaming down his cheeks. He looked up at Rhaenyra with wide, tear-filled eyes, his gaze a mixture of surprise and vulnerability.

Rhaenyra's heart clenched at the sight of her brother's anguish. She wasn't close to her younger brother and could not solely blame it on their age gap. Just looking at Aegon made her uncomfortable. He was a pretty boy but he was also the byproduct of Alicent and her father's marriage and that simple fact made even looking upon him hurt.

Even so, her empathy could not allow her to leave her brother like this, so she moved to his side and wrapped her arms around him in a comforting embrace.

"It's alright, Aegon," she whispered, her voice soft yet filled with warmth. "I'm here now. You're not alone."

Aegon buried his face in her shoulder, his tears soaking the fabric of her gown as he clung to her with desperate intensity. He had always been a crybaby.

"What's wrong valonqar."

"My mother hit me."

"And what did you do to earn your mother's ire?"

"I stole wine."

Rhaenyra chuckled.

"And what is a boy of 11 years doing stealing wine?"

"I don't know." a moment passed before he continued. "Why are you here? Don't you hate me?" he looked up at her visibly confused and she mirrored his expression.

"What?"

"You hate me because I'm father's heir."

"Did your grandfather tell you that?" he didn't respond. "We may not have the same mother but you are my brother Aegon, my flesh and my blood. Nothing can change that. Remember that. I could never hate you Aegon, and I'm deeply sorry if I ever gave you the impression that I did."

After this night she noticed a change in Aegon's behavior. He began to seek after her and speak to her more than he ever had before.

He finally claimed sunfyre. The night after he came to her as she was sneaking out once again. "Fly with me sister." and that they did. They soared above the city at night on top of Syrax and Sunfyre respectively.

Rhaenyra envied her brother or more so the fact that he was born a male. She had since he was a babe. He was father's heir. He didn't have to fear dying while giving birth. He could fuck whomever he wanted without being shamed by anyone. Her mother was ripped apart for the chance that her father could have the son he always wanted. Who the whole realm wanted. The boy the king named heir the second he was born casting her aside. Here he is. The offspring of her father and a girl she loved.

Her little brother.