A rich lunch was laid out on the table.
Aegon refused the maid's help.
He cut a slice of bread himself, placed a steak on it—crispy on the outside, tender within—added a fried egg, and finally spread a layer of honeyed jam.
He took a large bite. The juicy steak burst across his tongue, carrying the rich scent of egg.
The sweet-and-sour jam blended perfectly with the meat, fragrant without being greasy.
Aegon let out a satisfied hum.
There was no internet here, none of the countless amusements of later ages. Enjoying good food had become one of his main pleasures. Apart from that, there was flying on a dragon—or watching dancers perform.
After finishing the last bite, Aegon looked at Alicent.
"I plan to go to Dragonstone. I'll fly there after eating and stay for a few days. I'll ask Father for permission."
"What are you going to Dragonstone for?" Alicent frowned slightly.
"Just something small. Don't worry—there's no danger."
Aegon lifted his cup, took a sip of milk, then added, "Ser Arryk, please go ahead by ship. I'll follow shortly."
Ser Arryk nodded, asked no questions, and rose to leave at once.
Alicent sighed inwardly.
Aegon had always been clever and mature beyond his years. When he was younger, he shared everything with her. Now, he no longer even told her what he was planning.
"Be careful," she said at last.
Thousands of words were reduced to those two.
"Oh, and remember to see Helaena and Aemond before you go," Alicent added.
Aegon nodded and headed toward the bedchambers.
The moment he entered, a small figure darted out from beneath the table and threw herself into his arms.
"Did you miss me, my sweet little Helaena?" Aegon laughed.
Helaena, only five, said nothing. She clung to him tightly, burying her head against his chest.
"What's wrong?" Aegon asked softly, patting her back. "Did you have another bad dream?"
Helaena shook her head but still refused to let go.
Just then, four-year-old Aemond raised his hands eagerly."I did! I missed Brother!"
Aegon waved him over.
When Aemond shuffled close, Aegon rubbed his head hard, making the boy grin.
In the original history, Aegon would marry Helaena.
Yet even after marriage, he never restrained himself, keeping mistresses everywhere.
Aemond, meanwhile, would not claim a dragon until 120 AC.
Worse still, during those years, Aegon not only failed to protect Aemond but even joined Rhaenyra's sons in mocking and humiliating him.
Only in 120 AC did Aemond tame Vhagar—the strongest dragon of that age.
Even then, Aegon continued to look down on him.
It was not until the civil war began that the original Aegon finally set aside his contempt.
This Aegon would never make such mistakes.
Even without knowing the future, he would never allow outsiders to bully Aemond. That was a matter of principle.
"Brother," Aemond said quietly, "my dragon egg still hasn't hatched. Rhaenyra said it's dead—that I'll never have a dragon."
She had said it that morning, and Aemond complained the moment he saw Aegon.
Aegon's eyes darkened. His smile vanished.
"There's a fifty-percent chance a dragon egg won't hatch," he said calmly. "That has nothing to do with you. Do you want a dragon?"
Aemond froze for a moment, then nodded firmly.
"I do. But Mother won't let me go to the Dragonpit. And she won't let me go to Dragonmount on Dragonstone either."
"I'm going to Dragonmount later," Aegon said quietly. "There's a gentle female dragon there—very big, very strong."
"I want to go!" Aemond said at once.
"Wait here," Aegon said. "I'll ask Father first."
Aegon found Viserys assembling a model of the Valyrian Freehold.
"Father, I need to go to Dragonstone," he said directly.
When Aegon was five, he had flown a dragon all the way to the Wall, nearly frightening Viserys and Alicent to death.
Since then, Viserys had ordered the Dragonkeepers not to allow Aegon to ride without permission.
Viserys frowned and set the model aside.
"What do you want at Dragonstone?" he asked. "Your sister is marrying next month. You're not allowed to run off."
Aegon's mouth twitched.
"I'll only stay a few days. Half a month at most."
"What's so interesting about Dragonstone?" Viserys snorted. "Nothing but bare rock. You just want to fly off and cause trouble again. You're not going."
Viserys looked as though he had seen straight through him.
Last time, Aegon had said the same thing—then secretly flew to the Wall and nearly scared him to death.
Beyond the Wall lay unknown darkness.
Aegon the Conqueror, founder of House Targaryen, had left behind the prophecy known as A Song of Ice and Fire.
He dreamed of winter and shadow sweeping down from the North, destroying the world.
Because of that dream, Aegon the Conqueror united Westeros—ending endless wars so the realm could face that threat together.
This prophecy was passed only from king to heir.
Viserys had told Rhaenyra, hoping she would understand the burden she must carry.
But Aegon was not the heir.
So Viserys could say nothing—only forbid him from ever going near the Wall.
-------------------------------------------------------
For Advanced chapters Visit :: patreon.com/Kaguyahime20