Work Text:
The bells were silent, but the air held that heaviness that precedes bad news.
Alicent Hightower was still seated, holding a cup of water with both hands, when her father crossed the threshold without announcing himself.
"It has been confirmed," Otto said in his usual tone— emotionless, without unnecessary pauses. "Helaena is with child."
Alicent closed her eyes.
"I know. The maesters confirmed it to me this morning. She...barely understands it herself."
"She doesn't need to understand it. Only to fulfill her role."
Otto turned toward the window. The view looked out onto the inner courtyards, where Aegon, oblivious or perhaps uninterested, was amusing himself by pouring wine over a servant's head while laughing with a few squires.
"He has already sired an heir. That is enough."
Alicent frowned.
"Enough for what?"
Otto did not turn around.
"To send him away."
The decision was delivered as if it were a strategy.
"Oldtown has everything Aegon needs," Otto explained. "Instruction. Discipline. Distance from the pleasures and distractions of court."
"And Gwayne?" Alicent asked.
"He will keep him under watch. He will correct him. He will tame him."
"And his wife? His unborn child?"
Otto fixed his eyes on her, unmoved.
"Aegon doesn't need affection, Alicent. He needs a purpose."
When they finally told him, Aegon was asleep on his mattress, shirt unbuttoned and reeking of cheap wine. They woke him with an elbow to the ribs.
"Shit... what is this?" he muttered when he saw his grandfather standing beside his mother, wearing his usual mask of complete disappointment. He was used to it. "Let me guess, another lecture on decency? Or did you just want to check if I’m still breathing? Sorry to disappoint you— or maybe not— but I’m still alive."
Alicent didn’t flinch.
"Aegon. This is serious."
Otto stepped forward, hands clasped behind his back, as always— rigid, composed.
"Given the gravity of the matter, I would expect at least a minimum of attention from you. Is that possible?"
He didn’t answer.
"You’re going to Oldtown. You’ll spend some time under your uncle Gwayne’s tutelage."
Aegon blinked— drunk, but not stupid.
"Oh, really? And what did I do now? Or is this because I did exactly what you wanted?" he snapped. "I put a child in my sister and now you can send me to the fucking ends of the earth with a clear conscience?"
Alicent swallowed hard, unlike Otto, who remained motionless.
"It’s not a punishment. Think of it as an opportunity," Otto said, almost disdainfully.
Aegon gave a bitter smile.
"And what if I say no?"
"You won’t say no."
Aegon stood up, swaying slightly.
"And Helaena? Aren’t I supposed to stay by her side? Be a good husband, a father? Not that I care, but... that’s what you wanted, isn’t it?"
Otto responded with his usual coldness.
"You’ve fulfilled your duty. What matters now is that you learn to rule. And you won’t learn that here, among whores and wine."
The boy fell silent. Then he laughed. A hollow laugh that died as quickly as it came.
"Then hurry, grandfather. Before I get so drunk I can’t get on the damn ship."