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“Has it been worth it, so far?” asked septa Rhaella.
“Yes,” queen Aerea replied, toying with her crown, her gaze lowered. The queen visited at least once a year, though the visits always ended in coldness or quarrels. Rhaella was relieved every time Aerea left Oldtown. She loved the city and lived in fear that Aerea would destroy it on a whim.
“How's your husband?”
“Prince Aemon is fine. He recently... Agreed to perform his duties.”
“And does the queen's life please you? Did you truly want it so much?”
“We've discussed it a hundred times. It was my right!” Aerea snarled. “Our right, sister. Given by our father.”
It wasn't. Neither of them was able to remember their father's face. Every time Rhaella thought of prince Aegon Targaryen, all she could see was king Maegor seated on the Iron Throne. Maegor and queen Tyanna, the sweet-talking woman with black hair who brought them to court, and their mother weeping, dressed as a bride...
Did it make sense to claim a right given by someone you never knew?
Septa Rhaella stared at her twin, and not for the first time, regretted the day she had agreed to trade her life for hers. Not because she didn't love her quiet life as a septa, but because if she were still Aerea, none of this would have happened. Uncle Jaehaerys would still be alive, he would be king. Aunt Alysanne would still be alive, she would be queen. They would have many children beyond poor Daenerys and Aemon. And the Seven Kingdoms wouldn't live in fear of Aerea and the dragon Balerion.
She thought of all of Aerea's crimes: kinslaying, the lords fed to Balerion, the fire that engulfed cities and castles, what happened to princess Daenerys, forcing prince Aemon to marry the murderer of his parents...
Her twin had been wild and wilful, everyone knew that, so different from her, shy and gentle-spirited. But when they were twelve, Aerea had tamed Balerion and disappeared for a year. She had never told anyone where she had been in those months of absence, not to her, not to their mother. But when she returned, she was different.
Absolutely horrifying.
Aerea the Monstrous, that's what they called her. Aerea the Evil.
Aerea the Cruel.
“You truly are Maegor's heir,” septa Rhaella spat, with uncharacteristic hate.