009.
𝖻𝗅𝖺𝖼𝗄 𝗏𝗂𝖼𝗍𝗈𝗋𝗒

"Those fucking Baratheons!" His grandsire shouted, eyes turning red. "Borros Baratheon has pledged for Rhaenyra!"

Aegon snorts, taking a swing from his goblet. "Why is that not a surprise? Did Aemond not tell you that Lucenys had offered Joffrey to one of his daughters?"

At least he wouldn't have to marry one of the Baratheon girls, especially that fucking Floris.

Aegon looked at his grandsire cruelly. "And have you forgotten that you are no longer my hand? That privilege goes to Ser Criston."

"Ser Criston is a kingsguard not qualified to be a hand to the king—"

"Well, I chose him so you might as well leave now grandsire, as I have no need of you any longer."

Aemond rolled his eyes at his brother. That would certainly not calm his grandsire down.

An argument began to form inside the small council, and Aemond made sure to study his brother while doing so. Aegon was beginning to lose his patience as he was rubbing his head.

As the argument began to grow too tiring, Aegon deemed it enough.

"Shut the fuck up!" He snapped. "Out! All of you!"

The small council member began to leave, afraid of angering the king. Aemond noticed his grandsire looking at Aegon with bitterness, but chose to ignore it. What did his grandsire expect when placing the crown on his eldest grandsons head?

As all the people walked away, it was only him and Aegon left.

Aegon filled his cup to the brim. "I hate this."

Aemond didn't react. "What did you expect? This is war."

His brother didn't answer him. For the first time Aemond could've sworn he saw tears forming in his eyes.

"I never wanted this. I never wanted the crown. I was fine with Rhaenyra being Queen." Aegon breathed out defeated, staring at his cup.

Aemond said nothing, waiting to Aegon to continue.

Aegon let out a humorless chuckle. "I never believed mother when she said father wanted me to succeed him. Not when a day before, he had walked out of his bed for the first time in years just for Rhaenyra"

Aemond clicked his tongue. "Rhaenyra was his favorite."

Aegon snorts. "Don't we know it."

His tone turns dark. "Two of my children are dead and now Borros Baratheon has pledged for Rhaenyra," he sighs while taking another swing of the wine. "Might as well submit to her rule. We are losing."

Aemond hummed. "Perhaps we should take a... more sentimental approach, brother," Aegon raised a brow. "Write to Rhaenyra yourself. Tell her she needs to bend the knee to the true king or else her children's lives could be in danger."

Aegon snorted. "And you think Rhaenyra will bend the knee after having been named heir for over twenty years?"

Aemond shook his head. "No. We might despise Rhaenyra but we both know she loves her children, especially Lucenys."

It was true. All his siblings could see the fond looks their half sister would send her children. Years ago, when they still resided in the red keep, he had witnessed one to many times how she made it a chore to watch Jace train. Their mother never did that.

Yes, Aemond hummed. Rhaenyra would bend the knee if she saw reason.

"In all truth, Rhaenyra is not the issue. Daemon is. He will never let Rhaenyra give up her crown."

"So what do you propose?"

Aemond sighed and stood. "I don't know. Mayhaps as King, you ought to think on it yourself."

At that, he left the chambers.

"Aemond!"

Before he could say anything, Lucenys' hands were around him, bringing him tightly to her. Aemond felt slightly uneasy. He had not been hugged by any other save for Helaena and his mother.

Lucenys blushed and removed her arms around him, and he had to remind himself that she had no mind of what he had done to her.

"I was meaning to ask you uncle, when I might be able to see Arrax?"

Aemond stilled.

"You are not yet healed, niece. It would do well for you to rest for a while." He tried to reason. She was beginning to ask questions and it would not be long before she figures out something.

She frowned, and Aemond took note of how her nose curled up and how her lips slightly pouted. "But I feel fine uncle, I wish to see my dragon."

Aemond shook his head, turning her back to the bed. He shared a look with the kingsguard stationed outside her rooms.

"It is settled that you should stay and rest. No arguments." His tone was clear, and he hoped Lucenys would quit argue.

She rolled her eyes and dramatically fell to the covers on her bed. "I am bored, uncle. I wish to do something."

Aemond raised a brow but said nothing.

"Where is Helaena? And her children? They have not been visiting for a while. I had hoped to see them as you won't let me out of these rooms."

He felt his chest tighten. Helaena had gone mad, he himself witnessed it. Last time he had tried to see her, she had raged at him unlike anything he had seen. Helaena was supposed to be the gentle one, but she blamed him for her children's death.

A part of him blames himself as well. Had he not taken Lucenys, the blacks would not be so prone to act such a way. Daemon had sent the assassins. And while Aemond could forgive his half sister, he would certainly kill his uncle.

"She is indisposed." he replied simply.

Lucenys furred her brows. "But she would have come here and told me herself. I know she would."

He contemplated telling her in truth. Aemond knew how it felt being left out in the dark, yet when he took in Lucenys' small form, pouting lips and doe eyes, he felt a pull towards her, to keep her from harms way. He knew telling her of Jaehaerys and Jaehaera's death would make her heartbroken, for it was them who kept her company all those days inside these chambers.

"Jaehaerys and Jaehaera are dead."

Silence.

Aemond stared at Lucenys, watching as her mouth formed at tight line, her brows furred and her doe like eyes began watering.

"What?" She managed to whisper out, rising from the bed.

Aemond sighed. "An assassin. Sent to kill them."

Lucenys felt her heart beat fasten. Those poor children. "But— I just saw them mere days ago," her eyes held his gaze. "Helaena? Gods, how is she? I can't fantom how she must feel."

He said nothing, standing like a statue. They are dead because of you, his mind screamed at him. Daemon sent them because you took her and killed her dragon.

Dragonslayer.

He closed his eye, trying to close off the thoughts.

"Aemond?" He heard Lucenys' voice call out carefully.

He opened his eye and stared for a moment before leaving her chambers.

Dragonslayer.

Aegon was not drunk, but once again he wished he was. Simply thinking about what was going on brought him a powerful headache.

Simly put, he did not wish to think about her.

About Rhaenyra. She was perfect, and always would be.

He hated her.

He hated that even though his father had killed her mother in order to get a son, still despised him more. His father had always wanted a son, everyone had told him so. His grandsire and mother had told him countless of times how the king cheered with joy when they announced he was a boy. Yet he never felt that love. That love only radiated to Rhaenyra. Whatever she did; his father would always love his first daughter more than him or his siblings. Even when Rhaenyra gave birth to three bastards, she was still the apple of his eye.

Aegon envied her. He wanted what she had.

Aemond's words mirrored in his mind. We might despise Rhaenyra but we both know she loves her children.

Aegon could always see how gentle and loving she was to her children. He had once even compared it to his mother. His mother never showed him the same love Rhaenyra showed her children.

Aegon contemplated his brother's words. Speak to her.
Aegon brings fourth a parchment and ink. His hand shook as he began to write. He could only hope Rhaenyra would agree to meet him.

Rhaenyra,

before I write more I urge you to read this letter by yourself, without prying eyes present. Whatever we might feel for each other, we must acknowledge the fact that we can stop a war that will take thousands of innocent lives. Lucenys is alive and well, but she has lost her memories of what occurred in Storm's End.

Let us speak, sister. Let us make an agreement that will satisfy us both. My mother told me our father named me heir before he passed. I do not know whether I believe her words or not, but I cannot do anything about it now. I have lost two children by this war that could have been avoided. Lucenys was at the blink of death. Let us not kill each other any longer.

Let us meet, so we might speak undetected. I hope you will meet me, Rhaenyra.

Signed by King Aegon II Targaryen. King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm.

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note; this chapter will be edited.