Corruption

Chapter Six

Rhaenyra's POV

If he weren't so horrid, I'd have him trained by now. He's insisted upon his new found soberness all of a sudden. It's driving him mad and we've all had to suffer the consequences. Aemond in particular. He's done nothing but piss me off since the night I almost got him to truly submit to me, so I've avoided him all but entirely. It's rubbed a sore spot between us and our father. I could care less. I refuse to be treated as less than by a drunkard abusive poor excuse of a man. My father has been all but inconsolable, as our wedding is in six days now. All the preparations were rushed and haphazard, as a fortnight was not much time to plan such a wedding. I demanded Syrax be embroidered on my dress and a white stone heart necklace to be made for her. My father bent to my every will for the wedding , except the singular wish of its non-existence.

I cried a lot. Elynda was ever prepared with a hot bath and sweet treats to cheer me up. Aegon never came for his wine he so eagerly begged for. From my knowledge, he continued his harassment of serving girls and ignored my command. When I had hugged him to my bosom that night, he looked so peaceful. So at home. As if, somehow, my wildest desire had come true and the dragon inside him had been tamed to my hand. Yet, his expression soured and he left me once more. I hate him, I've decided. More than I've ever hated anyone. Yet I must marry and bed him. I scowl at the thought and Elynda sighs, tugging my last braid into place. "I know, Princess. Yet we will persevere. I believe he may yet kneel to your hand." She says as she attaches my overskirt lovingly. "I think not, Elynda. He is an evil man." I say with a frown and she pats my side.

"He will have to be your man, my lady." She notes and it's my turn to sigh. "I suppose." I grumble and she smiles, tugging my outfit into place. "Beautiful, as always, your Grace." She says and I take a look in the mirror. I look tired. I twirl for her anyway, and she claps excitedly. "Today is an very good day, my Lady. His Majesty has arranged for you and your betrothed to choose your new room and bed." She says and I groan. No wonder she's been trying to cheer me up for today, it must be spent with him. She ushers me out the door and my escort of guards is already waiting with Aegon. He looks exhausted, dark circles under his sunken eyes and yawning softly. I scowl at him, he scowls back, and we begin our journey without speaking.

The guards trudge along awkwardly as we cast glares back and forth on our way to the new room. It's in a turret of the castle, closer to Father and Alicent's wing. A carpenter has set up shop in the ballroom adjacent to it and excitedly meets us at the door. "Good morrow, my Crown Princess and Prince." He says with a smile. His hands are calloused and thick with the labor of his occupation for decades. "Good morrow, kind ser." I say and motion for him to stand as he bows graciously. Aegon rolls his eyes at the greeting. "Well, let's get on with it then." Aegon says and walks into the room. The carpenter has built miniature forms of bed to choose from with different wood types and canopies.

It dawns on me that I'm choosing my consummation bed. The thought makes me gag. "Do they not appear pleasing to you, Princess..?" The carpenter asks worriedly. I wave a hand sheepishly, dismissing the thought. "They are lovely. I simply had not finished my breakfast, pay me no mind." I say quickly and Aegon huffs, rolling his eyes as he tours the bed options mindlessly. "Thank you, Princess. I'll allow you and betrothed time to contemplate in privacy." He says before leaving the room, our guards take up station outside. Aegon eyes me up and down before tearing his eyes away. I look pointedly at the beds. "Are there any you fancy?" I ask, attempting to sound calm and collected.

"Whichever should be the most comfortable while I ravish you. You may deprive me of enjoyment all you please, but that one shall be unavoidable should you desire an heir." He says with a cocky grin. There's venom in his eyes and I find myself thinking he looks just like his mother when she's upset. Like he's been kicked into a corner with no other choice. "I do not deprive you of enjoyment. Had you ceased your harassment and behaved, I would be feeding you wine from my hand and cradling you to bed on my chest. Yet you did not." I snap back and he throws up his hands. "You want naught but the worst for my future. You poison my mind with your tricks and humiliate me. No longer." He says and turns away from me.

"Yet you speak of bedding me. You cannot yet avoid me forever, Aegon. I have given you chance after chance. Now choose this fucking bed with me so we no longer have to endure each other's presence." I say and he crosses the room to grab my face roughly. "Stop that." He whispers, his face is so close to mine. I can't tell if he's asking or begging. "Stop what?" I breathe out, looking at his lips for just a moment. "Telling me what to do." He snaps, just barely stopping to stare at my lips back. I grab his chin and pull it down. "If you were to do as I say, you'd be happy." I whisper and he backs away from me, as if burnt painfully. I notice the raging tent beneath his belt.  I pick out a dark red wood bed with black blankets and canopy.

"This one? What of this one?" I say quickly, hoping to aid in easing the tension in the air. He stops backing away from me to stare at it in earnest. I see a flash of disgust in his eyes. "That one's fine." He grumbles and I frown. "You don't like it." I say and he huffs. He looks insulted. "Why does it matter what I like?" He says and I groan. "Aegon, do you want to leave or not?" I snap and he looks around exasperatedly. "How about this one?" He says, pointing to another. I'm shocked at his choice. It's a black wood bed with red canopy and black blankets. Dragons are carved into the headboard, gloriously locked in combat. "You truly admire this one..?" I ask, looking over at it, then at him.

For once, his expression doesn't sour or harden. "It reminds me of Sunfyre when she dives." He mumbles and I nod, pointing to the other dragon. "She reminds me of Syrax as well. Perhaps we could request their images." I mumble and he nod in agreement. "I'd like that." He says so softly, I barely heard him, but the idea attached itself to me strongly. I gather my skirts and march outside to the carpenter. He looks startled at my sudden approach, but I greet him with a warm smile. "The black bed with the dragons. And we'd like Syrax and Sunfyre engraved instead." I say and he nods, staring through me as he designs the idea in his head. "A beautiful choice, my lady. I will send for their images at once." He says and I smile. I see my father walk up to us as the carpenter leaves, and he glances through the door to ensure Aegon is still looking at the bed.

"Did you find something you'll enjoy, hatchling?" He asks and I nod. "We're getting Syrax and Sunfyre engraved in it. Father, it's the only choice I feel we've made together in earnest." I whisper and he smiles brightly at me. He puts his hand on my shoulder and squeezes softly. "Blessings, my little hatchling. I hope you both enjoy it for years to come." He says and I look back at Aegon, who's staring at the bed blankly. "I doubt such an outcome." I sigh and he pats my shoulder before releasing me. "He has yet to touch a lady or harass a cupbearer in two days. There may be hope for him yet." He says. I turn to him in shock. "Aegon? In truth?" I question and he nods. I blink slowly in shock but nod. He must be planning something.

Aegon snaps his stare from the bed back to me, and he ravishes the sight of me in such a vulgar way I find myself feeling exposed. I smile and blush, I want to reward this behavior. The honesty of the bed and his good behavior, left more to be desired, but progress was underway I decide.