The sweet and thick scent of Incense caused him to grimace as the Septon droned on and on. He let out a breath and watched the smoke curl lazily upward, where it got trapped beneath the carved stone roof of the Royal Sept.
His gaze shifted to the audience. The Royal Sept was crowded today with nobles that sat shoulder to shoulders filling up the entire rows. Many were from Crownlands but many more were from the Vale. Allies or distant family of House Royce. Their attention focused on him. And her.
In front of him stood Rhea Royce. Wearing a bronze coloured wedding dress. She looked rather beautiful and from what he'd heard of her, she would've made for a good wife.
Had he not been forced into this marriage like this against his will. Had he actually been given the chance to talk to her, to learn more about her, maybe, maybe this could have worked.
But, there was no point in thinking about 'maybes' anymore.
Finally, the Septon's droning voice came to a halt and Aegon started paying attention as the old man turned to face Rhea Royce. "Lady Rhea, will you take this man?"
Rhea Royce gave a nod. "…I'll take this man," she said.
"Prince Aegon," the septon continued, turning to face him, "will you take this woman?"
He stared into Rhea's eyes and his lips pressed into a thin line. He said nothing.
Silence fell into the Royal Sept and the nobles came to a slow, creeping realisation that something had gone off script.
For the first time in the half-hour since they'd met, Rhea Royce's composure cracked. She opened her mouth to speak, then hesitated and fell silent—though her eyes pleaded with him to say the words.
I'm sorry. You don't deserve any of this, Rhea.
The septon cleared his throat, the sound too loud in the silence. "Prince Aegon," he repeated, a touch sharper, "will you take this woman?"
Aegon's jaw tightened. And for a fleeting moment, he considered yielding. Considered taking the easy way out. But then he turned and his gaze fell upon Jaehaerys, whose stern gaze was boring into him. And his father, who seemed to be awaking to the possibility that maybe, just maybe, forcing your children into a marriage was not such a good idea after all.
Aegon exhaled slowly and then spoke up.
"No."