Dragon Princess || Aegon II Targaryen

𝖢𝗁𝖺𝗉𝗍𝖾𝗋 13

If he was truthful, Aemond didn't understand why he deserved this. The disdain. The neglect. The humiliation. The lack of love.

Perhaps the day Aemond was born was the only time he had ever received the attention and affection of someone. The day was rainy when the world was introduced to a new prince, and only moments later, his sister stole all the attention by bringing with her the bluest sky and the brightest sun King's Landing had ever seen.

It was sad, really.

It was sad how much effort he put in and received nothing in return.

He tried to be the son that Aegon never was. A son who respected his mother's and grandfather's commands, given that his father cared little. A son who did not dishonor the family. A Valyrian-blooded son who pronounced every word as perfectly as possible. A son who hated exactly the same people his mother hated.

He strove to be the best swordsman, to make Ser Criston Cole proud and see his time rewarded.

He worked to become the most cultured person to have ever walked the Red Keep halls.

He strove to learn everything about the houses of the realm, the alliances, the lineages, the enmities, the regions, the strategies—everything to become indispensable.

Aemond worked harder than anyone at everything... and still had nothing that others seemed to acquire effortlessly.

He lacked his parents' love. He lacked his brother's respect. He didn't have a dragon. He had none of the things he worked so arduously to obtain. And, as if that wasn't frustrating enough, he was made a fool by his older brother, who persistently humiliated him in front of anyone willing to watch, without any consequence.

As if he were nothing. As if he had no feelings. As if he were not their equal. As if those who laughed at him were not beneath Aemond. A bunch of bastards.

And Aegon... Not even the Gods could measure how much he hated his brother. How much Aemond wished to make him disappear. He wanted to pierce him with his sword. He wanted to burn him with dragonfire. He wanted to drown him far from King's Landing, just to ensure that no one would ever find him. He wanted to feed him to a pig.

Aemond spent his days and nights plotting how to ruin Aegon's life. How to destroy him, both physically and mentally. How to torment him while leaving him alive. And he had finally found the perfect plan... If only his parents and grandfather hadn't ruined it.

It was perfect. Aegon would marry Helaena, having no choice in the matter, and Aemond would take Rhaenys. And Aegon wouldn't be able to do a thing about it. It was all Aemond could think about since he had noticed his brother's growing closeness and behavior towards Rhaenys.

He didn't even seem like the same person around Rhaenys. Aegon restrained himself from saying or doing half of the barbaric things he was capable of. Not with Aemond, nor with anyone else. He treated Rhaenys as if she were his queen, his sunshine, his very Valyrian fire. Aegon's care and affection for Rhaenys was evident, and surprising to everyone.

And Aemond knew well how Aegon would suffer the day Rhaenys became his. The day Alicent and Viserys betrothed her to him. The day she would walk up the steps of the Sept to marry him. The night Aegon would stare into nothingness while Aemond would be bedding Rhaenys. The day Rhaenys would appear, bearing his child. And the best part was that Aemond wouldn't even need to like Rhaenys or respect her. She would be nothing more than a tool of torture Aemond would use to indirectly torment Aegon. This idea was becoming an obsession for him.

Until those idiots in command decided to give her to Cregan Stark. Until those idiots started ruining his plans once more.

And now, there they were... Aegon and Rhaenys, flying on their dragons, free of any worries, smiling and happy. And Aemond's heart grew colder with every passing day, waiting for the moment he could act.