บท 20: Aegon III
Author's note: I think it's no secret that I'm a sucker for the younger targaryens in the dance, I'm not a greens fan or a blacks fan, I'm the young guys fan. I found Daemon disgusting, Otto a cockroach, Viserys an undecisive prick, Rhaenyra a spoiled bitch, Alicent a greedy one. But the younger targaryen's had better personnalities and stories.
So I want to make a disclaimer, this story is going to match my preferences, we're going to put increasing focus into the Baelon's siblings and nephews until the first climax, where things are gonna get much more active and exciting.
Check out my patreon for 5 advanced chapters and the discord.
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A few hours before Aegon's request
There was a important matter weighing on Aegon's mind, a matter of significant import for his future, namely, his marriage.
When his sister, Helaena was born, his grandsire Otto and his mother Alicent convinced the king to betroth her to him, in recognition and imitation of both King Aegon the Conqueror and King Jaehaerys the Conciliator, to create a parallel between him and his betters.
At the time, they were still under the illusion of making him King, but times change, and Baelon's position as heir and future King is unassailable, so just like their other schemes, this one backfired too, moreso for Aegon than themselves.
Aegon relationship with his father was distant, causing his maternal family to have the greatest effect on his upbringing, and as the eldest progeny borne from a Hightower queen, he was taught as Hightower heirs do, by Maesters and Septons.
What this means for his betrothal is that even though he was taught King Jaehaerys' Doctrine of Exceptionalism, that dictated that Targaryens were unlike other men, and thus do not fall under the Seven's edict of incest as an abomination.
Yet as a perceptive child, he always noticed the crunched noses and frowns directed at him whenever the mention of his marriage to his sister was mentioned, causing him to resent that implication.
When he grew up and learned he intellectually realized that it was folly, Targaryens wed brother and sisters since the days of Valyria, and they were part of the greatest empire of the ages. But even as his mind understands, his heart does not.
His sister was but two years younger than him, and at her age she started to show the signs of a woman, but while he felt attracted to other women of her like, he could not muster even the least emotions of love toward her, not as man and woman, anyway.
But the King declared their betrothal, and so they were to marry as soon as his sister reaches her majority.
Aegon naturally felt both guilty and betrayed, guilty that he could not love his betrothed as his family urged him to do, and betrayed at the unfairness of the world, his father had after all given liberty to his older siblings to choose whomever they wanted, Rhaenyra's marriage with Laenor Velaryon was done only with her agreements, and there are rumors at court that the King is arranging a marriage between him and the Lady Cassandra at the prince's behest.
He doesn't want to marry his sister, but he is forced to do it anyway.
Any other man would confide their feelings to someone trustworthy, their close friends, and if they didn't have some, then their family. But Aegon is too mistrustful, his mother would just slap him away while his grandfather gazes from his high horse, his father is too distant, Rhaenyra too angry, and his younger siblings too young.
So he was left with his brother, Baelon.
Aegon stood in front of the stocky frame of Ser Rodrick, the dutiful guardian stood vigil in from of Baelon's solar as always.
"Ser Rodrick, is my brother free?"
The gentle giant nods with a smile. "It's only he and Lord Robert in, your Grace. You may enter at your leisure."
"Much obliged." Answers Aegon while he enters the room.
Baelon sat in his desk, wearing simple yet luxurious clothes, discussing something with the heavyset man.
"The captains took longer to understand the new order, but they did so eventually, I think all that is left is to resume construction as usual."
The crown prince flips a page form a large book, reading their contents. "We should repay our debt to the Iron Bank by the end of the month, the conquest cost less than we expected." He says. "Have our men build more warehouses, and collaborate with Mysaria in leasing our new land to trustworthy businesses, we want to create as many services in the city before we lower the tariffs even more."
Robert notices his entrance first; he jovially nods at him before turning toward his liege. "Of course, Lord Governor. I shall go back to my duties." He gingerly bows before leaving the room.
Baelon finally glances up from his business, a smile making its way to his face at the sight of his brother. "Aegon! Did you come here for a game of Cyvasse?"
Aegon sits on a chair, shaking his head. "No, I want to speak to you about something." He says. "Something close to the heart."
Baelon realized the seriousness of his tone and closes the large book with a slap, laying back at his chair in attention. "Go on then, I'm all ears."
"I uh…" Aegon hesitates to speak. "I uh- I wish to break my engagement to Hel."
Baelon's eyebrows lift up, but aside from that no other emotion was expressed. "Is it someone else?" He asks.
Aegon shakes his head. "No!" He answers. "No. It's just… I don't think I can be with her in such a way. I can't bring myself to imagine such a situation."
Baelon hums deeply in contemplation, the silence grates at Aegon's nerves but he knew that it was just what his brother does when he thinks.
Baelon startles his brother with a clap. "Sure, why not?" He answers, much to Aegon's shock. "But first, did you speak with Hel?"
Aegon was much too speechless to elaborate a response, so he just shakes his head again.
"Talk to her first, if she agrees, and only if she agrees." Baelon warns. "You can come at dawn at father's balcony, both he and I will be there, and we should be able to discuss it."
"But…" Aegon says. "But how?"
Baelon shrugs. "You seem to overestimate the taboo that annulling your betrothal would bring, usually such actions are disliked by the nobility because it implies derision from one family to another, but this is a marriage between brother and sister we're talking about, the two sides are the same, so the repercussion of such an action would be less than you'd expect." He explains. "In fact, that opens up two members of the royal family up for other matches; other lords would look favorably on seeing their chances at a royal marriage increase."
Baelon stands up and mentions for Aegon to walk with him.
Both stand at the door, with Baelon's hand firmly over his shoulder. "You go speak with Hel, and if she agrees, I'll handle the rest. Alright?"
"Yes." Aegon stiffly answers.
Baelon playfully taps his back, urging him to leave. "That's my brother! Now go, there isn't much time until sundown, so you better be quick."
Aegon stared dazedly at the ground, to think that an issue that plagued his mind would be resolved with such ease…
When he gathered himself, he walked to his destination with a much lighter air.
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Aegon found his sister at the Godswood, poking at a line of ants, while her maidservant awkwardly stood behind her.
"Your grace! You'll be late to your lessons." She urged.
But Helaena was ever so eccentric, ignoring her words completely.
Aegon sported a polite smile, gingerly holding the servant by the shoulders. "It's alright." He softly says.
The maid slightly startles, dumbfoundedly staring at his face. "Your Grace…"
"You inform the septa that she'll miss her lessons today, I wish to speak with my sister."
The servant obediently bows, heeding his words, while Aegon turns to his sister.
She was still mindlessly staring at the ants, hunched with her chin resting on her knees.
Before Aegon could speak, she interrupts. "Do you see those ants?" She says.
"They march in order, fulfilling their tasks, gathering food and resources for their people." She continues. "They do it because it is their duty, known to them from the moment they were born." Helaena turns to her brother, her gaze seemed so mysterious to his eyes. "Not unlike you and I, is it?"
"Helaena…" Aegon softly let out.
"But unlike I who just followed the wind, you rebelled through anyway you could." She says. "I thought you'd finally resigned yourself to your fate, but that is not quite true is it?" Before he could answer, she continues. "I know why you're here."
"I do not mean you any dishonor!" Aegon tries to deny any negative implication.
"You misunderstand." She says, shaking her head. "I dreamt of it, the culmination of Baelon's actions, his existence straying my fate from the dark future it would lead me to, thank you, Egg."
His sister swiftly stands up and envelops him in a hug. "Thank you for doing this." She says, before running toward her maidservants trail, doubtlessly headed for her lessons.
"That was such a strange conversation." Aegon softly mused to himself. "But I can take this as acceptance, right?"
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And then we come back to the present, Baelon hiding his smirk behind his cup while their father almost dropped his in shock. "What did you say?"
Aegon takes another second to stare at Baelon, who gives him an affirming nod. He takes a deep, calming, breath.
"I wish to annul my engagement to Helaena." He repeats.
Viserys makes to stand. "Why I ought to… " But gets interrupted by Baelon's hand.
The king dumbfoundedly stares at his heir, questioning him with his eyes.
Baelon smiles calmly. "Let's hear him out, that's the least we could do."
Viserys stares back and forth between Aegon and Baelon, before sighing and sitting back on his chair. "Speak, Aegon, so we can end this farce." He says.
Aegon gulps, feeling cold sweat creeps on his back, before speaking his mind.
"I'm not claiming I should have a say in who I should marry, when I heard rumors of Bael's betrothals I started thinking about mine, and I realized it's not so much the prospect of marriage that discomforts me, rather it is the prospect of marrying Helaena."
"And what is wrong with her?!" Viserys barks out. "You think she's unworthy of your hand?"
"She is my sister!" He shouts back. "I love her, as family do, but not as a woman, never as a woman!"
Viserys face palms, letting out another sigh. "You are Targaryen, we do not care about such things!" He says.
"But I deserve to be happy! Why do I have to marry someone I don't desire, while you allow Rhaenyra and Baelon to do so?!" Aegon's face reddens from anger, letting out words that he hid deep within his heart. "Am I not your son?! Do I, Helaena, Aemond, and Daeron not share your blood?!"
"I am not asking to marry whoever I want, I just wish it to not be mine own sister!" Aegon says. "It is the only thing I ever ask of you."
Viserys looks taken aback by his son's singular belligerence, his children of Alicent were always demure in front of his authority, never directly asking for anything. Aegon in particular may have been a drunkard and a disappointment, yet it is the first time he directly asked something from his father, let alone raises his voice at him.
The emotion on his son's face tugged at his emotional strings, so Viserys sought to gently let him down.
"Look, son." He says. "Annulling the engagement would shame your sister; the dishonor would chase away all suitors to her hand."
"That is untrue, father." Interjects Baelon. "Everyone knows Helaena to be chaste; the one to be dishonored would technically be Aegon, considering his history as wastrel."
The king glares at his other son. "You did this." He claims.
Baelon just shrugs. "This was all Aegon's doing, but I don't think it's such a big deal."
Aegon wisely keeps his mouth shut, letting his brother carry the conversation.
Viserys grit his teeth. "You would have me annul the engagement of my own children? What reason would I give the people? What sort of image would it present to the court."
Baelon just laughs. "They'd be too busy trying to secure their hands!" He says. "Who would even care?! The only people concerned are Aegon, Helaena, you and their mother. There is no need to explain the reason, just let people make up their own minds."
"That would work for Aegon, but Helaena is a woman, whoever she marries would receive a dragon, which is a dangerous precedent."
"The Velaryons are a thing father, that precedent was already created by your grandsire, the only thing House Targaryen could do now is use it as leverage to secure our legitimacy." Baelon rebukes. "Lords are willing to pay a fortune to secure a marriage with Aegon, how much do you think they'd pay for Helaena's? A female Targaryen's hand is going to be the most coveted." He shrugs. "Worst case scenario, we either match her up with Lucerys or some second son who will take the name Targaryen, keeping dragons firmly under our banner."
"Plus, Aegon is right; don't you think your children deserve a chance in happiness? Will you truly live with yourself, knowing that you left your son and daughter in an unhappy marriage? Do you not wish for them the joy that you experienced, the one that brought us into the world?"
Viserys' face falls into deep thought, his son's arguments were poised to strike at his weak points, assuring the peace of the realm, and securing his family's happiness, those are the two things that defined Viserys Targaryen's life.
After what felt like ages to Aegon, the King finally comes to a decision.
"And is Helaena agreeable to this arrangement?" At Aegon's frantic nod, he looks to Baelon. "Alicent will need to be convinced; she's the one who pushed for the betrothal in the first place."
Baelon shrugs him off. "Just speak with Otto, he'll agree, and even convince his daughter to go with it." He says. "You're the hardest one to persuade, father."
Indeed, since Otto and Alicent's scheme to liken Aegon to his namesake failed, the Hand would favor an annulment since it would give him a chance to secure favorable matches for the brother and sister, they are half Hightower after all.
To that calculating man, it would be more useful to use their hands as bargaining chips instead of just marrying them to each other. And Alicent is nothing but obedient to her own father, ever moresos since her metaphorical lever, Larys Strong, was ousted from Westeros.
Aegon couldn't sleep that night, all too happy about the prospects of a freer life.
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