Chapter 10: Obligated

                                    

                                          
YEAR 129 AC
Aegon was found the very next day, hiding in a sept. Aemond and Ser Criston had to drag him back to the castle, no matter how much the first prince was fighting to run away. His coming back, however, didn't bear much fruit, for he locked himself in his chambers, not letting anyone go in: neither servants, nor guards, nor even his family members. The Queen would come and knock on his door every other hour, yet no response ever followed. 
Daena and Aemond were seated in the Lady's chamber, observing the flickering of the fire in the fireplace.
"Does anyone else know of the king's passing?" The Lady asked.
"Other than us and the Green council, no one. No ravens were sent."
"That means Rhaenyra wouldn't know either, doesn't it?" Daena supposed, her eyes focused on the flames.
Aemond only nodded. The Lady knew that Rhaenyra's unawareness certainly bought them some time to officially crown Aegon as king, but at the same time, she realized how much it could backfire. The war was to come, at that point, it was obvious to everyone. The severity of it was still undecided and didn't depend on the Greens alone. 
"Aegon is a fool." Aemond suddenly broke the silence. "Everything is at stake as we're offering him the crown, yet he locks himself in his chambers like a craven he is." 
Daena had the intention to object for a brief moment, yet common sense took over: Aegon's behavior was rather baffling to her as well, though she would never put it as harshly as her brother. 
"As soon as I exposed his hiding spot, he only asked me one thing. Do you want to know what it was?" Aemond continued. "He asked me to let him go so that he can board a ship and leave Westeros never to be found."
Daena suddenly switched her gaze to Aemond, her eyes filled with genuine confusion.
"There is no way he said that... Is there?" She asked, her voice concerned.
"He begged me, Daena. Your brother, whom you cherish so much, begged me to let him abandon us all for his own selfish sake. And you know what? I would've let him do it, if only Ser Criston wasn't there, determined to return him to the Red Keep at mother's command."
Daena was struggling to believe what had just fallen onto her ears. Aegon's pleading, Aemond's response. In a certain way, it all made sense. 
"You want the throne more than Aegon does, don't you? You would've taken over, were you given a chance..."
The second prince looked her in the eyes.
"If they came looking for me, I would let them find me, Daena, and take great pleasure in doing so. I would bear this burden with pride and dignity, unlike..." He stopped there, as someone entered the quarters.
It was a serving girl, who bowed immediately to her highborn masters. 
"You highnesses, King Aegon summons you, Lady Daena, to his chambers. Urgently, he said, my lady."
Daena felt relieved that Aegon had finally come out of hiding, but his immediate summons left her feeling uneasy. Of all the people, why her only? Despite this unease, she stood up, her eyes still locked with Aemond's.
"I'll talk sense into him, no matter if he wants it or not."
The second prince nodded, following Daena with his gaze until she disappeared behind the doors.
* * *
Aegon was sitting on his bed when Daena came in. He looked miserable: his face was swollen and bruised, his lip was bleeding, and his eyes were filled with sorrow. As he heard Daena entering the chambers, his gaze moved to her, his voice sounding a bit hopeful.