Chapter Text
Aegon jolted awake. His breathing was very heavy and his hands were shaking. Seven hells, he thought that he died from that stupid wine.. maybe he truly did. But then why is he still alive? He looked at his hands carefully. The more he looked the more he realised that they're not quite his — or, rather, they are his, just back when he was younger. He decided to look around his room. He recognised it — it's the same room he used as a prince at Kings Landing. He stood up and went to the mirror. Looking at the reflection of his naked body, he didn't really recognise it, but he knew. It's him. He's thirteen. His hair is long, his body is lean, not fat, he's shorter.
For a mere second, there was a spark inside of him: a beautiful desire to do things differently, to take his destiny in his hands, to become a proper prince and to take what's rightfully his-
And this is where the spark disappeared as quickly as it came into existence. He doesn't want to. Or maybe he does, but he just can't force his brain to even think about it. He doesn't want the throne, couldn't care less no matter how hard he tried. The memories of the pain brought to him by the war hurt, hurt so much his legs begin to tremble. T̶h̶e̶ ̶s̶a̶m̶e̶ ̶l̶e̶g̶s̶ ̶h̶e̶ ̶l̶o̶s̶t̶.̶ He shakily backed away from the mirror until he tripped over his bed and fell on it.
*Quiet sobs*
Yes, he was crying. He covered his eyes with his hand and just ugly cried. He's not even ashamed, or sorry, or whatever else he was supposed to feel. He really wants to just die- no. No, he doesn't want to die. Absolutely not. He just.. he only wishes that he didn't exist in the first place, was never born, or born stillborn or lost during pregnancy- Anything. Anything at all, as long as everything just stopped.
But it's not going to.
Unless, however- what a strange thought. He really thought that he can just crawl to his sister and let her decide whatever the fuck she wanted to do with him. If she has his head on the spike, so be it. If she puts a blade to his throat, so be it. As long as he doesn't have to take responsibility for his and his relatives fates.
«Would it be ok to do this right now? It's the middle of the night..» Was the last thing he thought about before falling asleep.
***
He was awaken by so familiar and so annoying shaking of his mother. She grabbed him by his shoulders. She was screaming something but his brain was still half asleep and he couldn't understand her. Soon enough he managed to open his eyes. The first thing that greeted him was Alicent's face full of fury, rage, sadness and almost tears.
"Aegon!" She screamed. "How can you do all of this?! Why can't you be a proper son at least for one goddamn day of your life?! I can't believe you sneaked out somewhere again- and not only that, you didn't even cover yourself up properly and a servant came to witness you all over your bed!"
«So, she thinks I got drunk» he thought, kind of wanting to correct her, but ultimately deciding there's no point.
"Mom." He suddenly said, his voice hoarse. His desperate, defeated tone made Alicent's screaming stop and she looked at him with slightly bewildered eyes. "I'm going to do something crazy today. Something so ridiculous that even if I don't get executed you'll kill me yourself." He said, his eyes down at the floor.
"What do you mean, boy? Wha-" Before she can continue he interrupted her: "But please understand that it's the only way I can save you and my siblings. Please." What a lie. He doesn't give a crap about his siblings anymore, nor her.
Alicent didn't answer. Her heart told her that something is extremely wrong, that this isn't going to go well, that something will happen. But she swallowed all her worries, convincing herself that her son was just hungover. She'd rather believe that than think for the entire day of what the rascal is planning to do.
Her anxiety forced her to leave. "Get dressed and attend your lessons." Was the only thing she said as the door closed behind her. Aegon sighed deeply. Lessons? What a joke. His actions are about to cause such a big uproar that there's a huge chance there will be no more lessons for a long while.
But he really needs to get dressed though. He can't just leave naked, unfortunately. And so, after a few minutes of internal struggle he finally managed to stand up and get dressed. But then he took off his clothes. If he wishes to give himself a little more chances of survival, or at least quick and painless death, he has to make a statement. So he dressed in black and red clothes with golden embroidery, then took a green cape and put it over his shoulders. «This should be enough to make myself clear.» he thought.
He left his chambers and looked for a servant. When he finally found one, the girl was startled and nervous. She was probably aware of what kind of a drunk head he was. But it didn't matter. All he wanted was a location of his older sister.
"The heiress is in the meeting room, prince Aegon. It appears something very urgent happened so she called for the meeting of all big lords and your father." The girl told him.
«Huh? I don't remember anything like that happening. Well, doesn't matter, it will be even better if so many people witness it.» He decided through his suspicions and went to the place where all important decisions were made.
He barged into the room, guards didn't dare stop him. All eyes turned to him, and he had to swallow the lump in his throat that appeared due to the sheer pressure. «Now or never» he thought to himself and looked directly at his sister.
"Father, sister. Lords." He greeted everyone in the room. "I'm sorry to interrupt you, but I want to do something very important. I assure you it will take just a moment." Before anyone could say anything he walked towards Rhaenyra, who looked at him with shok and suspicion, almost disdain.
And he dropped to his knees right in front of everyone. Not the dignified way of kneeling, but a defeated lord, enslaved and brought to the conqueror's feet type of kneeling. The room filled with shocked gasps. His father almost opened his mouth to say something, but Aegon already began his speech.
"Sister. You are the true heir to the Iron Throne. Everyone knows this, but not everyone believes this. So far, ever since I was three years of age, my mother, queen consort Alicent and my grandfather, king's hand, Otto Hightower, have been telling me every chance they got that you're a whore, that you don't deserve to sit the throne, that if I let you claim what's yours I'll wake up with a blade at my throat. They both have been convincing me that the sheer fact that I exist is a danger for your rule. I must admit, I agree with them. Thus, I publicly, for everyone to witness, announce that I have no desire for the throne, and I refuse to be a threat to you."
At that moment he undid the fastening on his cape and let it fall.
"I'll understand if you'll send me away or get me to join the sept when you get crowned. I'll also understand if you'd rather have me executed. As long as my brothers, sister and mother can be safe under your rule my fate doesn't matter."
The room was filled with dead silence. One could hear a needle drop to the floor. During his speech Otto wanted to say something a few times but was immediately stopped by current lord of the Strong household, bless his heart. Aegon dared not look up and see the faces of the most important people in the realm. He would bet an eye they were utterly shook. Not only did he publicly reveal a scheme that can be easily considered a betrayal of the crown, he also showed every lord in the room that even if they believe him to be true heir, he's not gonna be.