Corruption

Chapter Four

Rhaenyra's POV

I rush back to my room giggling. I hope he can't finish himself and spends the rest of our spare time before the announcement fisting his cock in desperation. Elynda happily dresses me in a formal red gown with an elaborate collar piece. She fusses over braids in my hair and clips the matching jewelry onto me. "You look beautiful, my Princess. Am I to follow you as handmaiden after your marriage as well?" She asks hopefully and I grab her hands, looking into her soft brown eyes seriously. "Elynda, you are to follow me as long as you will please. If it pleases you, follow me to the ends of our lives and deliver my children. I never want to spend life without you by my side." I say earnestly and she nods with a growing smile. "Happily, my lady." She pledges and I smile back. I insist she wear my house symbol on her apron today, a red silk cloth tucked into the bottom of it. She obliges me and made sure to wear her best dress.

We walk to the overhang where my Father awaits us together. I smile and offer him my hand and he takes it and kisses it gently. "You look wonderful, my Princess." He says and I bow. "Anything for you, Father." I say and he kisses my temple. I take the seat to his right as Lord Hand Strong takes the seat to his left. People gather in King Landing's courtyard and I stare at the chair to my right. I wonder where my betrothed is. Surely he will turn up soon. My Father puts his hand over mine reassuringly and I smile at him nervously. I take a deep breath and remind myself I am in power. I am in power over Aegon. He is to do naught but by my command. I will be Queen. I look over the gathering crowd. They seem excited for the announcement and there's already gossip being whispered of who my betrothed shall be. Earning my hand has been the hottest topic in Westeros for months.

Time ages on and Alicent arrives to take a seat amongst us as well. She whispers to her personal guard, casting a glance at me. I frown instantly. I turn to mention it to Father just as Aegon stumbles through the door. "Here to get engaged." He grumbles and plops down in the chair next to me. He stinks of whine. I look at Father in horror, who sighs heavily. "Aegon. You will explain why you arrived to my daughter's betrothal announcement drunk. Now." He says and I glare at Aegon expectantly. "Its my betrothal as well, is it not..? I am simply celebrating." He says then hiccups with a jolt. Tears spring to my eyes. This will be my life. Tethered to a drunkard trying to steal my Throne to ruin my empire.

"I will deal with you later. Behave. At once." My father snapped sharply, which finally seemed to break through to Aegon, who sunk down in his seat and avoided my glare. I held my tears in with deep breaths and strong resolve as my father rose to announce our betrothal. Hearing the words blur together felt like a shackle being placed on my leg, tying me to this awful man for eternity. I try to appear happy for the crowd. Smiling and waving at excited onlookers. He announces my wedding is in a fortnite's time, and cheering erupts from the crowd. He raises our hands to rally them before finally letting us be dismissed. I walk from the overhang crying. Aegon, for some reason, is following me.

"Rhaenyra." He calls, still drunkenly stumbling after me. "Rhaenyra, wait." He says and I spin on my heel. My eyes flash and I toss my hair over my shoulder with attitude. "What, Aegon? What?? Must you continue to torture me?" I snap and he whines like a hurt dog. "C'monn, Nyra. Don't be so cold. No one will warm to me, don't be so cold as my wife as well." He says, stuttering over his words as he reaches for me. I shove his grabby hands away with disgust. "You're vile. You're a vile drunkard nymphomaniac." I snap and he pouts with a whine. "Nyraa~, what did I do?" He says and I feel the rage in my bones explode. I throw up my hands exasperatedly. "What didn't you do? You show up drunk to our betrothal announcement, you try to fuck your way onto my Throne, you were the firstborn son my Mother could never have!" I cry, slapping his face.

He takes the hit gracefully, but his expression darkens. "What would you have me do, Rhaenyra? I can help my birth right no more than you can. I did not wish, magically, to be born a son to some Hightower Queen slut. I did not wish to be thrust in the middle of some political plot. I want only to fuck like a dog and purge myself on wine. If I changed into your perfect husband by our wedding, you would still never forgive me for actions committed by other fucking people!" He snaps and I feel tears slip from my eyes. "If you changed into a better man, I would not only forgive you, I would fuck you day and night for my heir. But you would not." I spit before walking away from him.

He follows me still, yet his drunken stumbling is no match for my swift pace. I get to my chambers and sink into Elynda's arms sobbing. "He arrived to our betrothal announcement drunk as a hound." I cry and she pets my head softly. "There there, Princess. We will navigate this storm together." She says softly, closing the door behind me and sitting on my bed with my head in her lap. There's a knock at my door. I look at her in horror. "He must have followed me here." I sob and she pets my head again softly. "I'll attend to the door, you hush up, my lady." She says swiftly and I nod, sniffling but quieting down as she opens the door. "My King." She bows at once and I sit up, crossing my arms.

"My dearest daughter, I'll endure it's handled, I promise." My Father says as he enters the room. "What use is it? He will never change. Please, have this marriage annulled and free me from him." I beg and he sighs. "Who will you marry then, Rhaenyra?" He asks and I throw up my hands. "I may be alone! At least a while." I plead yet he shakes his head. I turn away from him crossly. "You will marry Aegon. I will ensure he is stripped of wine for some time to force him to think of his actions clearly. You will yet adapt, hatchling." He says, putting a hand on my shoulder. I yank it away and sink into my pillows. He sighs and gets up to leave, nodding at Elynda and whispering something to her softly before he leaves me yet again. I cannot marry this insufferable man.