Angst

"Aegon was walking through the dimly lit hallways of the redkeep, easily able to keep his balance as he avoided every object and person in his path."

Aegon watches Maple walk away, feeling a sense of emptiness and longing as he realizes that their love has come to an end. He knows that he has hurt her deeply, and he wishes that he could take it all back.

For the next moon, Aegon drowns himself in wine and women, trying to forget the pain of his lost love. But no matter how hard he tries, he can't shake the memories of Maple from his mind.

In the end, Aegon realizes that he will always love Maple, no matter what. And he resigns himself to a life of duty, with no hope of ever finding true happiness again.

Aegon watches from across the hall as Maple sits beside his younger brother, Aemond, feeling a pang of regret and jealousy as he realizes that he has lost her forever. He knows that he has hurt her deeply in the past, and he wishes that he could take it all back.

But as he watches Maple and Aemond together, he can't help but feel a sense of bitterness and resentment towards his younger brother. Aemond may have won Maple's heart, but Aegon knows that his love for her will never fade.

He takes a sip of wine, feeling the familiar burn in his throat as he tries to drown out the bitter thoughts that swirl inside his head. But no matter how much he drinks, he can't escape the hollow feeling in his chest that reminds him of what he has lost.

Aegon clenches his fists tightly as he watches Maple and Aemond's affectionate exchange, feeling an intense wave of jealousy wash over him. He knows that he has no right to feel this way, but he can't help the way that he feels.

He watches as Aemond gently rubs Maple's stomach, his eyes narrowing in anger and frustration. He knows what that gesture means - Aemond is signaling to the world that he and Maple are bound not just by betrothal, but also by the promise of future children.

And though Aegon knows that he should be happy for his brother, he cannot shake the bitterness that fills his soul. For he knows that the love that he once shared with Maple was far deeper and more meaningful than mere duty.

Aegon's resentment and jealousy towards his younger brother only deepens as he watches Aemond's affection for Maple on full display as they sit opposite him on the high table. His anger boils over as Aemond continues to rest his hand on her belly. He can't stand to watch this public display of affection, and the bitterness he feels threatens to overwhelm him.

Through gritted teeth, Aegon speaks to Aemond, his words laced with venom.

"Quite the display you are putting on, brother," he says, his voice barely above a whisper.

Aegon's words hang in the air between them, and he can see the shock on Maple and Aemond's faces as they turn to face him. But even though he knows that his bitterness is unfair, he can't help but respond through gritted teeth.

"The display of your affection, brother," Aegon says, his voice low and tense with bitterness, his eyes narrow. "Do not play coy with me Aemond. We both know what this about."

Aegon's grip on his goblet tightens as he listens to Aemond, feeling a sense of rage and frustration building inside him. He knows that his younger brother is right - Maple is to be his wife now, and there is nothing that Aegon can do to change that fact.

But even though he knows this, he can't help the bitterness that fills his soul.

"Accept it? How can I accept it when I see you parading her around like a prize you've won."

Aegon's anger and bitterness towards Aemond only deepens as he locks gazes with him, his tension almost palpable in the air.

"Ruin the evening?" Aegon scoffs, his voice full of derision. "It's already been ruined by the fact that I have to watch my own brother steal away the woman I love."

With a scowl, Aegon rises to his feet, his hand still tightly gripping the goblet of wine. "You may have won her hand, Aemond, but you’ll never win her heart. And that, dear brother, is something you’ll have to live with for the rest of your days."

With that final barb, Aegon pushes himself away from the table, his chair scraping loudly against the stone floor as he storms out of the hall, leaving behind a trail of shattered illusions and bitter resentment.

As Maple calls out to him, Aegon turns around, his eyes meeting hers with a mixture of surprise and bitterness.

"What do you want?" He asks, his voice laced with anger.

Aegon's heart flutters as Maple intertwines her hand with his, his grip tightens around hers as he gazes into her eyes with a mix of affection and desperation.

"Unless...we run away." He says, his voice barely above a whisper. "Together. Just the two of us."

He looks up at her hopefully, praying that she'll see the truth in his words.

"We can leave all of this behind. The politics. The power plays. The betrothal. We can be free, Maple. Together."

Aegon's eyes light up with a glimmer of hope as Maple steps closer to him, her soft smile easing some of the tension between them. He can feel her hand on his face, her gentle touch soothing his troubled heart.

"Sunfyre?" He repeats, almost incredulously. "Why, he would come with us, of course. Wouldn't you, boy?"

At these words, the dragon turns its head to gaze balefully at its master, as if to say, "Do I have a choice?"

Aegon laughs softly at the dragon's grumbling, reaching out to stroke its neck affectionately. "Don't worry, old friend. We'll be free soon enough. Just you wait and see."

Aegon lifts his gaze to meet Maple's, his expression serious but determined.

"Of course I am." He admits. "We'll be hunted. My father will never forgive me for defying him. Your family will disown you. But I'm more afraid of what will happen if we don't run away."

His eyes flick to the side, as if remembering something painful. "I can't bear the thought of watching you marry my brother and be trapped in a loveless marriage. I won't stand by and let that happen."

He takes her hand in his again, gently squeezing her fingers. "And who knows, Maple. Maybe we can build something new, better than all of this. Somewhere where we can be happy together."

As Maple wraps her hand around Aegon's neck and kisses him deeply and passionately, he responds in kind, lost in the thrill of the moment. His hands slip around her waist, pulling her close as they share a moment of pure heat and desire.

Breathlessly, they pull apart, their eyes locked in a shared moment of understanding and connection.

"I can't promise it will be easy." Aegon says, his voice sincere. "But I'll fight for you, Maple. Every step of the way."

He leans in to kiss her again, his heart soaring with newfound hope and joy. Together, they turn towards the future, ready to face whatever may come their way.