Dragon Princess || Aegon II Targaryen

𝖢𝗁𝖺𝗉𝗍𝖾𝗋 19

Rhaenys knew that sooner or later, her mother would send someone to fetch her. Someone who would take her straight to Alicent's chambers, where she would have to endure another lecture about disrespecting the crown and the shame she had brought upon it.

After all, Rhaenys had disappeared from the festivities to spend the rest of the day sitting and lying on a beach, surrounded by dragons. She sat in the center of a circle formed by Karnax, Hūrazys, and Sunfyre, gazing at the setting sun as it sank into the sea, taking with it all the light from the realm. Her black dress was now covered in so much sand that it had turned white, but she didn't care. The dress didn't matter—the peace she felt did.

And if Alicent scolded her? What of it? It wouldn't be the first time. Let her, trapped in that misery she called duty. Let her stay there, plotting to overthrow Rhaenyra and place Aegon on the throne, despite his lack of interest in ruling the realm. Let her keep lighting candles, pretending that the gods weren't still watching her sins. Let her drown in her sea of hypocrisy.

Meanwhile, Rhaenys would remain where she was, surrounded by those who warmed her heart. She would continue to watch the beautiful view, where the sun lit the world one last time before merging with the sea, visible to all. She would breathe the salty air and see the fearsome, bestial creatures become the gentlest beings under her care.

While the world turned, Rhaenys was simply being herself.

But when Sunfyre lifted his head, Rhaenys followed his gaze and saw her brother approaching, focused on keeping something balanced in his hands. He didn't even look in her direction, and that amused her, prompting her to rise and meet him halfway. Holding up her dress to avoid tripping, she stepped over Hūrazys' tail, waking the young dragon, and walked toward her brother.

Feeling the sand beneath her bare feet, Rhaenys reached Aegon, startling him as she stopped in front of him, nearly causing him to lose his balance. In one hand, he held a small plate with a tart, and in the other, a cup of his favorite wine.

"You've been here all afternoon. I figured you might be hungry," he explained when he noticed her raised eyebrow.

Hearing Aegon's words, Rhaenys felt her heart soften at his thoughtfulness. Yes, Aegon had his flaws, and she knew many considered him cruel, but to her, Aegon would steal the sun from the sky if it meant giving it to her. Seeing him there, offering her the small dessert with a shy smile—so typical of him—made her smile back.

"And since when do you have a soft heart?" she teased, taking the plate and sitting back down on the sand. Aegon smirked at her playful jab and joined her on the ground.

"Since you stole my dragon," he replied, gesturing toward Sunfyre, who had gone back to sleep.

"It's my charm," she said with a grin, biting into the lemon tart without a care for the manners her mother had drilled into her. Aegon laughed.

"I can see that," he responded, taking a sip from the cup that was meant for her. "So, what's the plan? Steal everyone's dragons, mount up, and fly off with them all?" he joked, carefully placing the cup down on the sand and turning to look at his sister.

Rhaenys chuckled softly at her brother's question. It wasn't such a bad idea, after all. Three dragons were already willing to go, and Vhagar wasn't far off. That left only four more. Maybe it was possible. She could free the dragons from the senseless wars their riders insisted on dragging them into and let them live freely. As for herself, Rhaenys could fly far away. Perhaps to Essos, or maybe she'd even discover a new land where she could live in peace.

But no, Rhaenys wouldn't do that. And Aegon's knowledge that she could control all the dragons, only because Hūrazys was hers and Sunfyre seemed fond of her, was entirely misguided.