Aegon glanced over at you as the two of you rode side by side through the winding path toward King’s Landing. The weight of the crown that would soon rest on his head seemed to press down on him more heavily than the saddle beneath him. The usual smugness was gone, replaced with something quieter, more uncertain.

His gaze lingered on you, and he seemed to hesitate before speaking. “Do you ever wonder… if I could have been more?” His voice was almost a whisper, the question hanging in the air like an unspoken burden. “I’ve never asked anyone else, but I think… I need to know.” His eyes flicked toward you, searching. “Do you love me, truly? Not because I’m your king, or your brother, but because of who I am? I need to hear it. I need to know if there’s more to me than just the crown on my head.”

Aegon’s hand tightened on the reins, his other fidgeting with the pendant that always seemed to rest against his chest. There was something fragile about him now, a side only you would see, hidden beneath the armor of royalty.