"Fuck! Not again!" Aegon groaned in frustration as he found himself back in that black void.
"Fuck!" he cursed aloud, annoyance filling his mind. He shouldn't have fallen asleep, not on his second birthday.
But his mother's arms were too comfortable, and he couldn't help but fall asleep.
TSK
Clicking his tongue, he turned around; the three heads loomed over him, their golden eyes glaring at him with rage.
SIGH
Sighing to himself in resignation, Aegon closed his eyes, "I wonder when this will—"
RRROOOAAARRR
...
Aegon's eyes fluttered open, waking up from his sleep, 'Fucking nightmares!' He cursed again inwardly, thinking about those nightmares.
But just then, he shook his head; there are more important matters to attend to.
Looking around, he found himself surrounded by his family.
He was sitting in the lap of a maid, his mother was to his right and his father to the left, while Rhaenyra sat just beside the door, a blank expression on her face. They were in the carriage, riding to the hunt.
'Right….' Aegon sighed once more, 'Ugh, looks like I'll get wrinkles on my face before I even reach ten!'
But Viserys, oblivious to his daughter's mood, smiled at her, "This is nice! All of the family are gathered together!"
Alicent smiled at his words, while Rhaenyra ignored him.
"You should join me in the hunt, Rhaenyra!" he exclaimed, his smile widening.
"No." Her answer was swift, which slightly annoyed the king.
Frowning at her, he muttered, "It is your duty, Rhaenyra. Duty as your princess, you cannot run from it."
This caused Rhaenyra to clench her hands, tightening the grip around the pillow on her lap, "The boars squeal like children when they are dying," she then looked at her father right in the eye, "It's discomforting!"
Just then, before Viserys could react, the carriage bumped as it rode over a pothole, causing everyone to jump slightly into the air.
"Ugh!" Alicent winced in pain, her hands instinctively rounding her belly.
"Are you sure you can travel in such conditions?" Rhaenyra asked, her eyes flickering with worry; she slid closer to her friend, watching her intently.
"Yes, the maesters said it is good for me and the baby to be outside once in a while," Alicent replied, a smile forming on her lips, a little happy that her friend still cared for her.
Aegon too nodded his head inwardly, 'Good, all hope isn't lost; she still cares for her.'
The rest of the ride was smooth, except for the blabbering of Viserys, which Aegon didn't care to listen to, and soon they were about to reach the forest.
'Now what should I do?' Aegon asked inwardly, 'Rhaenyra would start feeling isolated right from this moment,' he then turned to her, 'Leaving her alone would be a problem!'
But then, he shook his head, 'But taking her with me would also be a problem!' He fell into a dilemma.
After all, in her words, absolutely no one here came for her, no one would cheer for her, nor smile for her, and almost all of them wish Aegon to be king!
Soon, the cheers came; all around her were the sounds of claps and cheers. She bit her lip, her hand trembling slightly as she tightly gripped the pillow.
They weren't there for her; they wouldn't want to support her; no one would!
Her vision narrowed, her aunt's words flashing in her mind, "The men of this realm would rather burn it than let a woman rule it!"
Whom should she hate? The king? No, he made her his heir.
The Queen? She was forced to marry the King.
Aegon? He's just a two year old.
Then who?
No one is responsible for this hatred, yet it's burning her heart, swallowing everything whole.
Viserys got out of the carriage, not caring to look at her daughter, followed by Alicent and then Aegon, who stared at her.
'I'll come to you later… I cannot keep you alone for long!' he muttered inwardly.
THUD
Soon, the carriage door closed, and Rhaenyra just stared into space, her heart banging at the cheers outside as she clenched her fists tightly.
"This is frustrating!"
…..
Rhaenyra soon walked into the main tent; she calmed down after a few minutes, pushing her emotions to the back of her mind. She had to come to the feast; it was her duty to.
Her eyes soon wandered around; Viserys was talking to some lords, laughing as he did so, must be enjoying the feast.
Alicent was talking to some ladies, sitting down in the middle as the old ladies ate her ears with gossip.
And Aegon… wait, where's Aegon?
Rhaenyra frowned as she searched for her brother, but she couldn't find him anywhere?
'Is he asleep?' she mused, considering the possibility as he's still young.
But then,
"Huh?" she mumbled aloud as she looked down, feeling a tug at the ends of her coat.
There he was, standing beside her with his arms wide and a smile on his face, "Sister, lift!"
Rhaenyra looked at him, dumbfounded for a moment before anger and hatred pushed forward at blinding speeds.
This was him! The source of her problems and the one denying her rights and trying to steal it!
If only he could disappear—
'No!' Rhaenyra exclaimed inwardly, shaking her head, 'He's innocent!'
Her face twisted in disgust at her own thoughts, but she soon suppressed her emotions and lifted him off the ground, carrying him in her arms.
And just then a few maids rushed toward their side, sighing in relief after spotting him, "We are sorry, Your Highness!" the maids exclaimed, bowing to her.
"It's fine, I will carry him," Rhaenyra replied, causing Aegon to giggle and hug her by the neck.
Soon, she could feel the gazes of everyone present on her. Viserys and Alicent were observing this with a smile while some ladies whispered to each other, stealing glances at them.
Their gazes stayed on them for a few moments before everyone resumed what they were doing.
'Hmm, I should do these public displays more often,' Aegon mumbled inwardly, leaning his head on her shoulder.
But just as he opened his mouth to say something to his sister, a brazen, cocky voice came from behind them.
"I don't think I have introduced myself, but I am Jason Lannister. It's truly nice to meet you, princess."