Aegon sat indolently in the cushioned chair provided in his grandsire's quarters. He exaggerated a sigh of ennui and rolled his eyes. He'd been sitting here for at least an hour and was barely soaking in the endless lectures coming from Otto Hightower. Claims, birthrights, sons before daughters ... None of this mattered to Aegon at all. There were only two things that truly held his interest; Rhaenyra, and wine. He was determined to get either one by the end of the day.

Otto Hightower felt mirthful when hearing the news of Aegon and Rhaenyra's betrothal a day ago. Yet there was something deep inside the man's essence that still felt unsatisfied, discontented. He needed more. In order for his house to truly prevail, more had to be done.

He had been staring intently at the burning fire place before him while delving in the details of destinies and dynasties. He spared a glance at his grandson, who stiffened up in his seat.

"You may've been wrongfully robbed of your rights as a son, but the Gods were merciful enough to bestow upon an offer of consolation. To me this is a sign that you were truly meant to be tied to the throne." Otto was saying.

"The throne will belong to my sister." Aegon found himself correcting. He caught a flicker in his grandsire's sharp eyes. His body locked-up, believing he had just said the completely wrong thing. Otto was silent when carefully approaching his sitting grandson, hands casually behind his back.

Aegon swallowed hard while his lavender eyes trained on his grandfather. He gripped his chair in mild fear, trying to read the older man, but Otto had decades of experience in controlling his expressions in order to hide his true sentiments.

"You have my protection," Rhaenyra's softhearted words echoed in Aegon's mind. He wanted to feel reassured, but right now his older sister wasn't here to defend him. He felt as helpless as ever.

"Yes, it would seem so..." Otto surprisingly agreed, "Due to the incompetence of a conflicted, weak King."

"That's my Father you're speaking about," so mind your tongue, Aegon failed to say when feeling an ember of audaciousness singe his nerves. An icy glare instantly killed the flame sparking inside the Prince. To his next surprise, an impressed smirk took over Otto's features.

"You're already displaying the characteristics of a strong Monarch," Otto complemented before moving away. There was a tone in his voice that seemed deceptive. "With that strength you just may be able to win your fair claim and influence over the Realm."

"I don't want to." Aegon said too quietly for his grandsire to hear. He didn't comprehend the significant responsibilities of a King, and he wasn't ready to start learning. He barely even made the effort to learn his Valyrian mother-tongue.

King consort or not, Aegon had always planned to fulfill the 'destiny' he had chosen for himself ever since his thirteenth Name Day; to drink and enjoy the pleasures of the flesh. He had accomplished both and that wasn't about to change. Having the right to enjoy his sister's beautiful body was better than any gift or reward he could ever receive in life, and he wasn't going to take it for granted. Rhaenyra would be a much better ruler than Aegon could ever hope to be. He knew this. And he had no issues with letting her take the reins of the Realm while he simply performed his husbandly duties whenever he desired.

He just didn't know why so many were expecting him to turn on his future Queen and undermine her ruling. What else could his grandfather expect from him, he wondered? He had been officially betrothed to the Heiress. His blood would eventually be on the Iron Throne. Wasn't that good enough for Otto?

"But that can't happen if you and your sister share the bonds of enemies," Otto went on again. Aegon picked his head up in slight confusion.

"What are you meaning?" he asked honestly. At first Otto didn't respond. He calmly poured himself a drink of blood-red wine and took a careful sip.

"Go to her." Otto then suggested. It confused Aegon even more, but he eventually nodded. He had planned on visiting his sister anyway. He stood up and stretched the discomfort out of his stiff, sore body.

"And may I suggest that you offer her your...affections." Otto added before the Prince could leave the room.