𝑽𝑰 𝑬𝑻 𝑨𝑵𝑰𝑴𝑶 - Aegon II Targaryen

THIRTY

30|A CORONATION

Her pacing did not cease until late in the evening as a maid announced the return of her husband. He had been locked in his room until the coronation, ensuring he could not leave again. Laela slipped out her bedroom door, her knight staying closely behind as she stalked through the dark halls.

"Princess Rhaenys." Laela gasped in surprise, not expecting the elder princess to still be in the castle with all the madness surroundeding the place.

"I presume I should call you Queen Laela now." Rhaenys sneered at her, eyes pulled into a deadly glare.

"Please never refer to me as that." She breathed out heavily. "Rhaenyra is the true Queen." Laela glanced around the dark halls. "You must escape now before it's too late. I did not see you. I was never here."

"Thank you." Rhaenys bowed her head politely, sparing her one single sympathetic glance before escaping through the halls.

Laela gave one sharp look to the guards outside her husband's room, watching them both step aside immediately. She stepped inside the room, her eyes finding her husband in a drunken slump in the corner of the room. With a deep sigh, she fell to her knees before him, hands cupping his cheeks, forcing his eyes on hers.

"I don't want to be King." His voice was wavering, eyes watering. He looked scared. He was scared. "Laela."

"I know." She whispered gently, stroking the tears away. "It's okay. It's going to be okay."

"What do I do?" Aegon begged her for answers. "I don't know what to do, Laela. Tell me what to do."

Her head turned, glancing back at the doors that concealed their eyes away from the guards that kept him locked inside. "I don't know, my love. I don't know."

She slipped her arms around his shoulders, pulling him closer till his head rested against her chest. He pulled her on to his lap, burying his face in her thick curls. He breathed her in, grounding himself back to reality.

"It's too late." He mumbled against her throat. "I didn't run. I didn't leave you here. I was taken. I would never leave you. Laela, I love you."

"Come to bed." Laela slowly moved away, standing up straight and offering him a hand. He looked up at her for a moment before placing his palm against hers, fingers curling around her hand.

Aegon looked down at her, hands holding hers, blue eyes on brown, chests moving up and down as they each took deep breaths. In this moment they were two scared children unable to understand the world around them.

___

Her hands shook, tightly grasped behind her back as she avoided the curious stares casted in her direction. A heavy crown rested on her head, reality weighing down on her shoulders. Time ticked by slowly, everyone eagerly waiting for the soon-to-be King.

Helaena stood by her side, casting her occasional glances. She could see the fear draining Laela as the stillness of the room became suffocating. They were both drowning in a situation they had no control of.

Alicent appeared beside them, stood at the bottom of the steps to the throne. She seemed nervous, almost unsure of her decision. But she did not stop the coronation.

"People of King's Landing, today is the saddest of days." Otto Hightower, the late kings Hand, addressed the crowd. "Our beloved king, Viserys the Peaceful, is dead. But it is also the most joyous of days for as his spirit left us, he whispered his final wish: that his firstborn son, Aegon, should succeed him."

The room exploded with life, applause drowning out the displeased mumbles as the city watch split the crowd, creating a walkway straight to the throne.

Laela could only stare. She could see his nerves radiating from him as he slowly walked towards them. He looked around but his stare stayed trained on the ground.

His eyes met hers, looking for support, to know that this was the right decision. But she couldn't give him any. She tried to silently plead with him, beg him not to do this, but all she could do was look away. Helaena slipped her hand into hers, squeezing it for comfort. He kneeled before the throne, a heavy crown placed on his head. Aegon let out a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart. His eyes searched for hers as he stood up, softening as she gave him a gentle smile. A simple reminder: they were in this together till the end.

"All hail His Grace, Aegon, second of his name, King of the Andals and the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Second Kingdom and Protector of the Realm." Aegon slowly turned to the crowd, listening to the cheers and chants of his name. He unsheathed his sword, holding it high above his head as he bathed in the attention.

Stones flew into the crowd, killing hundreds as a dragon sauntered into the room. Aemond pulled Laela and Helaena behind him, a protective arm thrown in front of them. Laela peeked out from behind his shoulder, eyes seeking out Aegons, sighing with relief. He was still alive. For now.

Rhaenys sat atop her dragon, glaring down at the new king. She stepped closer, having every opportunity to destroy them in that moment. Alicent dove forwards, pulling Aegon behind her as she faced the dragon. Then she left.

His eyes met hers, worry and fear drowning them both as they searched for comfort. He ran towards her, pulling her into his arms as she gripped at his coat, refusing to let him go. This was only the beginning. Both knew they could never be safe as long as the crown sat upon his head. Helaenas words rang harshly in their ears.

"There is poison in the water."