Aegon looked at Varys and raised an eyebrow.
The scene felt familiar.
Only moments earlier, outside the gates of the Eyrie, Littlefinger had fawned over him with exactly the same manner and tone as the Spider before him.
Aegon said nothing. He simply watched Varys, waiting for him to continue.
Varys straightened, a look of compassion on his face, and sighed. "Your Highness, before your arrival, something deeply saddening happened in the castle."
"The young king, Tommen Baratheon, has passed away."
"The poor child was born into misery, raised amid schemes and intrigue, and spent every day in fear. I took pity on him and asked Old Nan to prepare a cup of honeyed water and bring it to him, hoping only to let him taste a moment of the sweetness a child deserves."
"Sadly, he stopped breathing before he could finish it."
"Fortunately, he passed peacefully, without the slightest pain. To be born into that family, to bear that name, was itself a misfortune for him. Now he is free."
Littlefinger stood to one side with a smile on his face, though it had grown somewhat stiff.
Inwardly, he seethed.
Varys had beaten him to it, offering Tommen-the bargaining chip Littlefinger had counted on-to Aegon Targaryen as proof of his allegiance.
And he had gone further still, killing the boy outright.
Littlefinger's carefully prepared plan to "offer up Tommen" had gone completely to ruin.
His mind raced. He had to find another bargaining chip at once. He could not let Varys claim the entire advantage.
His hand unconsciously moved to his chest.
There lay a Valyrian steel dagger.
He carried it everywhere. It was said to have been passed down through generations of House Targaryen, and Aegon the Conqueror was said to have inscribed his dreams upon it.
He