Chapter 10
He need not have both eyes, his one eye and half the vision was enough to detect the unfamiliar surrounding he had just woken to.
Confused he turned over, the stench of musk and filth circling around him as he did. Upon turning, he was greeted by a woman who lay beside him as naked as the day she was born. She has unruly red hair and hazel eyes. A soft smile made it to her lips as she tried to reach out and fix the patch that was now slightly out of its usual place.
Aemond slapped her hand away as he felt his skin crawl with disgust
"Don't touch me!" He spat at the woman like he just tasted venom at the tip of his tongue.
Even if the woman took offence to his words she did not let it be shown. Instead she threw her head back and laughed before responding in a cocky tone.
"Forgive me my Prince, for I have already touched you…" Boldly she placed a finger to his chest and began trailing down the path of his abdomen… navel… before going down towards the most intimate region of his body. "…for the whole night."
Following the path of her finger Aemond noticed— he too was naked. Panic settled in, draining colour from his face, shame and confusion blurred together as he remembered the events from last night. The awkward fumbling, poor attempts to cower away from the strange touches, lewd moans all around.
He shuddered, remembering the way this whore had ridden him. Fingers carving thin bloody trails down his chest while he bellowed for her. Or the way he had so roughly flipped her after, fisting his hand into her hair and used it to pull her against him as he slammed himself inside her after Aegon had taunted him. Or the satisfied look he had to put on when with each of his thrusts the whore's breasts bounced and Aegon cheered him on.
He felt dirty, absolutely filthy. All he wanted at that moment was to get into a bath scrub himself raw until his skin was bleeding.
"If my Prince so much as desires I can touch him again." The offer made repulsed the prince, making him recoil at once. His action earned another laugh from the woman. "Not to worry, your brother has paid quite generously, enough to sate you for a week. So… what is it that you wish, my Prince?"
Aemond clenched his eye tightly. Disgust coursing through his veins. He did not wish to relive last night's experience.
Thus he asked to be left alone.
To no surprise of his she obliged, and with quick haste she hurried out of the room.
Aegon's disappearance from the Red Keep is now considered a normal occurrence. It has become that way years ago. But Aemond's absence from his chamber in the dead of the night caused the Queen to spend her night sleepless. A constant prayer in her lips, as she frantically paced inside her solar praying for her second son's safe return.
It was before daylight broke that Ser Arryk walked in, both her boys in the Knights each hand.
Seeing that her boys had returned unharmed, Alicent sighed out of relief and at once jumped out of her settee and approached them. It was when she neared them that she noticed the brothers wore a contrasting expression on their respective faces.
Aegon looked irritated. Glaring at Ser Arryk from the corner of his eyes and cursing him under his breath. Clearly he was outraged to be pulled out of wherever or whoever he was pulled out of.
Then, from Aegon as her eyes switched to Aemond, the Queen knew she had more reason to worry. The younger boy refused to meet her gaze. Keeping his focus on his feet. From the angle Alicent could see she read his expression for a look consisting of combination of emotions of being disgusted and embarrassed. Her motherly instincts told her to take him into her arms and comfort him. And she was about to do just that, but…
Aemond took a sharp step back.
The movement of him cowering away from his mother's touch caused a small shift in his tunic, revealing the red mark on the side of his neck.
Alicent could not prevent her eyes from widening and a gasp from escaping her lips. His mother's reaction only added to the unease in the pit of Aemond's stomach. In shame he lowered his head even more if it was possible and quickly tugged his tunic to cover up the mark the whore had left on his neck.
Understanding what has transpired, Alicent looked at Ser Arryk before commanding him to escort Aemond to his chamber.
The knight placed his hand on the younger Prince's shoulder, grabbing him as gently as possible as he ushered the boy to turn. In few great strides Ser Arryk walked them out of the door.
Soon as the two were out of the door and the door closed shut after them, Alicent turned to her eldest. Rage was cracking the surface of her face bringing out its ugly colour for Aegon to finally see. Then, mastering all her strength she gave her eldest a tight slap across his face.
"HOW COULD YOU?!" She screamed at the top of her lungs. Her chest heaved with the weight of her words. The slap and screaming didn't feel enough, she wanted to grab him by the collar and bash his head against the closet wall.
"How could I what?" Aegon asked rubbing his cheek that was burning from the impact of the slap.
"How could you soil your brother's innocence like that? As the older brother it was your duty to set good example, not put him up to engage in filthy activities!"
"I did nothing wrong!" Aegon defended himself. "In fact I did follow the responsibilities of an older brother. I made that twat a man."
Taking a step closer he looked his mother in the eyes. His body trembled with growing anger and sadness that cut like knife slicing through his skin. He tried to do something nice for his idiot brother and this is how their mother repays!
Aegon reached his boiling point, and his rage was now matching her.
"You should be proud of him mother, because I certainly am." He said in cold voice, smirking.
The confusion gracing his mother's face caused Aegon to change his smirk to a manic like smile. This would be fun! He thought, and was ready to cherish every moment if it.
"Allow me to fill you in, for his first time he did a phenomenal job. Although he was initially uncomfortable but by the end he shed those skin of shy and awkwardness and fucked the whore like a true Targaryen man. Sucked her tits, ate her cunt, even took her from the back."
Alicent clenched both her fists so tightly that her knuckles turned white. Understanding that he has successfully managed to get under her skin made Aegon made his grin wider, showing all his yellowish stained teeth.
"As a mother the least you could do is appreciate my effort rather than look at it so lowly." He said before tuning around and walking out.
Leaving his mother with a dread filled face.
Later, after a day has passed Alicent decided to pay Aemond a visit in his chamber. A confinement he hasn't left since.
And just as she had predicted, entering his chamber Alicent found him seated facing the hearth in a praying stance, like he was seeking forgiveness.
"Aemond…?" She called softly, desperation tinging her voice as she approached cautiously. Standing behind him, she placed a hand on his shoulder.
He turned, casting a quick glance at his mother's way before quickly looking away to face the hearth once more.
It was evident that her attempt at comfort had failed but the Queen was not ready to admit defeat. In fact she was determined not to give up. The hand resting on his shoulder moved to his head. But the boy only stiffened, further tension added to his features.
After a long moment of nothing but pin drop silence Alicent backed away, finally realizing there is nothing she can do at this given moment.
She returned again the following night. Brought Helaena with her. They tried to comfort him conjointly.
Unfortunately the end result still remained unsatisfactory. Aemond reacted to his older sister's presence the same way he did in the presence of his mother.
Awkward and embarrassed.
Considering the person Helaena is, she understood her brother's need for time and space. So she decided to leave as quickly as she could. Alicent followed suit. But unlike her daughter, she simply cannot lose herself into a different world. The tension refuses to leave her mind. And it would most certainly stay that way till she finds a solution.
While Alicent was spending her nights sleepless, her youngest, Aemma on the other hand was living the best of her life, in the company of her brother Daeron and their father.
Ever since being told by her mother not to bother Aemond, the little Princess has kept herself steer clear off of her one eyed brother's path. Choosing the King and the youngest Prince as her constant company for now.
As a result most of their time these days are spent in their father's solar. Soon as they finish their respective studies: Aemma's lesson with the Septa and Daeron's training with Ser Criston or his study session with the Maesters, they run to their father. There, they assist him in building the replica of old Valyria. Well it is Daeron who does most parts of the assisting while Aemma simply sits on the older man's lap and commands. On occasion they tour the gardens and other times the father and daughter sit on the balcony and watch Daeron train with Ser Criston.
The youngest Prince is not quite skilled, still practices with a wooden sword. Nonetheless Aemma cheers for him the loudest. She screams so loudly that Viserys fears she may hurt her throat. Out of worry, he gently strokes her head. Similarly, she cries, eyes full of tears whenever the boy loses or yields.
The three of them began taking their lunch together, inside the King's solar. A mandate for the two little ones directly from their father. Viserys utilized this chance to observe them up close. And what he saw certainly warmed his heart. It took him back in time, reminded him of his time with his wife Aemma. Having experienced true love himself, it did not take Viserys long to recognize the affection his two young children held for each other.
Truth be told, Viserys never thought of any of his sons as a potential prospect for Aemma. But from the looks of it he can tell that she is very fond of her brother Daeron. So if she so fond of him, it means there must be something special about the boy.
And from what he has seen so far, the boy is quite charming, polite, kind and definitely holds a lot of affection for Aemma. He knows how to take care of her and without a doubt will do everything in his power to keep her safe and protected.
Therefore what more could he ask for as a concerned father.
Days have turned to weeks with no noticeable improvement on Aemond's side. He barely leaves his chamber. Takes all his meals privately. The handful of times he has been found outside were either in the library studying with a Maester or at the Sept. Other times he snuck out of his chamber was to take flight on Vhagar. He was yet to show up at the training yard. But the at Queen's request Ser Criston left him alone.
And the times inside his chamber is mostly spent sitting in front of the hearth.
Watching the boy withering from far was becoming increasingly difficult for Alicent. She knew she needed to do something and do something fast! Having that thought pushed to the back of her head, Alicent found herself marching towards her youngest's chamber. Only to find two maids rearranging the Princess's wardrobe. The owner of the room not present.
"Where's the Princess?" The Queen demanded.
The maids shared a knowing look before turning to look at the Queen.
Meanwhile, inside Helaena's chamber:
The sisters were in front the vanity. The older one combing the younger one's hair when a sudden knock on the door interrupted them, followed by quick announcement of the arrival of the Queen.
The aforementioned woman strode in a pace the made her arrival seem urgent. Earning the attention of both the Princesses.
"What must you be doing here?" Their mother demanded of off Aemma. A little surprised to find her in Helaena's room of all places. Last time she checked her two daughters did not share a close relationship where one visited the other's chamber.
"Spending time with Helaena, why?" Came Aemma's instant response before she shared a look of confusion with her older sister.
The joy Alicent should have felt knowing that her two girls were finally starting to get along; did not show on her face. In fact that feeling was numbed, overpowered by the tension in her head about her precious boy. And it was this tension that prompted her to approach her daughters in carefully calculated steps— like a woman with agenda— which she was at that moment.
Taking the comb from Helaena's hand their mother nudged her to step aside. After Helaena moved, she took her spot behind Aemma and began running the comb through the latter's silken straight hair. For a brief moment it took Alicent back in time. It reminded her of Rhaenyra and brought back memories of their shared youth. The simpler times when they were friends before her marriage to Viserys. Till to this day Alicent cherishes those memories. But with time new memories have been made. Memories that haunt her, gives her night terrors. Resulting in those beautiful childhood memories to fade.
Alicent shook herself out of her train of thoughts and focus on the current affairs. This isn't the time to dwell on old memories, when she has a child suffering on the other corner of the Red Keep.
"Have you paid your brother any visit lately?" The question was directed to Aemma only. Alicent tried to sound conversational but the urgency laying beneath the tone failed her.
The Princesses looked at their mother through the mirror. Regardless of the idea Alicent perceived, her eldest daughter was no fool. To Helaena, the purpose of her mother's abrupt appearance became crystal clear soon as she opened her mouth. But Aemma was a different matter. Then again, it was expected. A child so young isn't supposed to see through an adult's scheme.
"He was here with us, but retired for the night not too long ago as he has training early in the morning." Aemma blabbered innocently, thinking, by 'brother' her mother meant Daeron.
The frown of confusion that graced Alicent's face was wiped away soon as she realized which brother her youngest just referred to.
"I was talking about Aemond." She clarified.
Aemma frowned and Helaena looked uncomfortable as she pulled a loose thread out of her sleeve, stitch by stitch. Slowly her lips parted and she began to murmur incoherent sentences.
"Heart will rot, blood will spill…"
As usual, no one really paid attention to her.
"Oh! Um… you told me not to bother him… so…" Aemma trailed off uneasily. Trying not to say anything that would upset her mother.
"Heart will rot, blood will spill…"
Helaena repeated, raising her voice slightly louder. Good enough to cut through her mother and little sister's conversation. Still, they paid her no heed.
"Aemond is deeply hurt, my love."
"Sapphire will slip through the fingers…"
"What happened to him?"
"He is in need of care, he needs comfort. Will you provide him that?"
How can I take of him? Comfort him? I am no Maester! Aemma thought, as her eyes blinked in confusion.
"…without being seen."
Helaena quieted down at the look her mother threw her way before she took Aemma by the arm and pulled her up from the stool.
"Come, let us go see your brother." But just as they took their first step Helaena grabbed hold of Aemma's free arm, stopping them both.
"Heart will rot. Blood will spill. Sapphire will slip through the fingers without being seen. Heart will rot. Blood will spill. Sapphire will slip through the fingers without being seen."
Frightened, Armma shirked.
"Helaena!" Their mother finally snapped. Her patience wearing thin. "Stop it will you!"
Helaena closed her eyes and bit down on her tongue. Unable to hold her mother's gaze when the latter looked down at her like she's a burden.
"Sorry mother." She released her hold on Aemma's hand and quietly watched their mother guide her little sister out of the door.
Nothing seemed different tonight. Naturally leading Aemond to imagine that this would be a night like any other. But he couldn't be more wrong.
It was almost the hour of ghost when the one eyed Prince returned to the Keep from his routine flight on Vhagar. He retreated straight to his chamber and occupied his usual spot before the hearth with a book in hand, which he intended to finish before the night ends.
The reason he chose this specific spot was because listening to the sound of burning fire filled him with sort of a strange sense of peace.
However that peace was soon disturbed when he felt a finger poking onto his cheek.
Annoyed, he turned with a frightening glare hoping it would scare off and shoo away Aegon. Only to be proven massively wrong! Instead he was met with his little sister, flashing him a toothy grin.
But that didn't mean he was any less annoyed.
"What are you doing here?"
She did not answer. Rather chose to climb onto his lap and sit straddling his thighs. Completely disregarding his unease and discomfort that came with their close proximity.
"Mother said you got hurt, where?"
She took his crescent shaped face between her palms and turned it left and right to search for signs of injuries. In doing so, her face came so close that he could feel her hot breath brush over his face.
Obviously she found nothing!
Yet the search continued…
Aemond clenched his lone eye shut. His body tensed and both hands tightly clasped the arms of the chair.
"Aemma please…" He gulped, unsure of what he even wanted to ask say.
But thank the Gods before the situation could get anymore uncomfortable for him, the door to his chamber opened and someone walked in.
"Should you not be in bed?"
Aemond sighed with relief hearing the familiar voice before he finally found the strength to reopen his eye and face the intruder. To his relief, lady Lyanne had an understanding look pasted on her face. That does not mean she was not criminally observing him.
"I'm busy!" Exclaimed Aemma.
"Doing what?!" Retorted Lady Lyanne with a raised brow.
"Comforting my brother."
Automatically the woman's focus switched over to Aemond. Her experienced eyes began taking note of the details that certainly went past the child's innocent-inexperienced gaze. She noticed how tightly the boy clutched the arms of the chair. His shoulders tensed, jaw clenched. The discomfort was apparent.
Instantly she knew, the Princess has to be pulled out of this.
"You may comfort him in the morning." Lady Lyanne came close enough, and forcefully pulled Aemma off of Aemond's lap. "Come now, let us go, it is too late, beyond your bedtime already. Bid farewell to your brother."
"But—" Aemma's attempt to protest was immediately shushed down. As lady Lyanne spoke above her, making sure the words died before slipping past the latter's lips.
"It is way past your bedtime Princess!" Said the older woman, as she took Aemma by the arm and made their way towards the door.
Just before they were about to slip out through the door Aemma turned and waved at Aemond. There was a smile on her face, a very beautiful dimpled smile that made the knot inside his chest tighten. He could not look away from her. So all he did was watch her with a heart that was heavy with the weight of shame and guilt.
If the circumstances were normal Aemond would have been furious by this outcome and would have made sure lady Lyanne received fair share of punishment. Let it be known that no one should dare take Aemma from him. Matters not even if it was the woman who practically raised her!
However, under the current circumstances Aemond could not have been happier to be left alone.
"Going forward, you must not visit Prince Aemond so late at night." Lady Lyanne warned, tucking Aemma under the covers.
"Why? I visit Daeron all the time at night." The girl of seven years of age argued, pouting, not understanding why her nursemaid suddenly appeared so tense.
"That is different!"
"How so?!"
The nursemaid sat down at the edge of the bed sighing tiredly, as she could already predict the difficulty that lay ahead. She put a hand on the Princess's head, her fingers gently massaging the little girl's scalp. This certainly isn't going to be an easy explanation. As she cannot elaborate her concerns to a child, and even if she does, a child so young would not be able to comprehend such things.
Still she tried. Omitting out as much detail as she possibly could.
"You see Princess, unlike yourself and Prince Daeron, Prince Aemond is no more a child. He has stepped onto the first stage of manhood just like Prince Aegon has couple years ago."
Aemma made a face. "But Aemond is nothing like Aegon!"
"It is too early to call for predictions like that."
"What does that supposed to mean?"
Throwing her head back lady Lyanne took a deep breath before she began her long explanation. It was also partially to avoid the girl's curious eyes.
"Prince Aemond is going through the period of transition. He stands at the stage of life where he must leave behind his boyhood to embark on the journey to adulthood. And this journey is no easy one. There is confusion and uncertainty laced with every step. It would be a while until his mind and body fully adjust themselves. So the best thing you can do for him as his sister is give him the time, space and privacy that he urgently needs."
Aemma blinked, confused. Whatever her nursemaid just told her completely contradicted with what her mother had said earlier. Lady Lyanne advised her to stay away from Aemond as giving him time and space is the best thing she can do for him. Whereas her mother told her the complete opposite. She insisted for Aemma to be around Aemond as much as possible. She even suggested to ensure physical contact.
"…Princess?" Lyanne called, gently tapping on Aemma's chin, after noticing how deep lost the young girl of seven years was. Certainly an unfamiliar trait from her. "Have you understood me or need I say more."
"No need, I understand now." Aemma muttered below her breath. Avoiding the woman's gaze. Hoping she wouldn't catch onto her lie.
Truth is, now the young Princess was not so sure to whom to exactly listen…
Her mother? Or Her nursemaid?
After lady Lyanne left, Aemma thought about it again and again till sleep took over. However right before surrendering to slumber her mind was able to reach a conclusion. Which is why the following night she was found in his chamber yet again.
Aemond shot his eye open at the feeling of a small arm slithering around his torso. A leg already curled over his hip. Judging by how tiny the foot was, he already knew who it was.
Turning he faced a grinning Aemma. Smiling at him, showing her beautiful set of white teeth and the two large dimples at the each corner of her lips. The scent of jasmine emanating from her skin and hair soothed him.
"Smile! Smile Aemond." Using two fingers she tried to part his sealed off lips.
Ultimately his lips did part, but not to smile.
"You shouldn't be here!" He told her, removing her fingers from his mouth and cupping her small face with his same hand.
"Why?"
"I'm filthy." He said after a long pause of silence.
Frowning, she took clumps of his hair and checked for grease, which wasn't there. Then scooting closer smelled him. He smelled of sandalwood and spices. Clear indication he bathed before bed. So what was he talking about? How can he be filthy? The only one filthy amongst them siblings is Aegon. He doesn't bathe for days, sometimes weeks. His already unruly hair becomes so oily that its strand's stick to his scalp. Not to mention the odd body oder and the awful breath. Aemma pities the serving girls that bathe him. The smell they have to endure.
"You're not filthy, Aegon is…"
Her words brought him some form of sustenance and provided him the courage to lean closer.
And yet, a simple "Hm…" was all he was able to say before giving his sister the floor to continue speaking. Which she utilized to rant about Septa Lira.
Although everything that was coming out of Aemma's mouth was bunch of nonsense and useless, still, Aemond did not interrupt her. Listening to her gibberish felt strangely soothing. He loved his sisters very much and for them he could and would do anything! Of course this love did not extend to his brothers. Because if it were either of them here speaking bunch of nonsense, they would have been kicked out long ago.
As dawn broke, the sun's rays streamed in through the large window, Lady Lyanne entered the youngest Princess's chamber to awake her.
Following her usual routine one by one she pulled the curtains and drapes open letting the soft morning sunlight to illuminate the dark chamber. While doing that, she called the Princess couple times, expecting her silver head to pop out from under the blanket any moment.
Except… that did not happen.
Nor was there any movement.
With a quick glance over the shoulder Lyanne observed before she swiftly fastened the gathered drapes and curtains to the wall and rushed to bed. Using her best strength she pulled the covers only to have her eyes go wide as saucer.
There was no Aemma on the bed!
In her place lay some pillows!
Which had sent the nursemaid's heart pounding with rage.
Dropping everything that instant Lady Lyanne rushed out of the door. Her pace picked up so much that the distance from Aemma's chamber to Aemond's did not feel that long.
Nearing her destination, the older woman noticed that the door to the Prince's chamber was left ajar and instead of the Kingsguard, it was Ser Criston Cole standing on his place. A look was exchanged between the Queen's sworn knight and the youngest Princess's nursemaid. Although they hardly ever interacted, the two were familiar with each other.
Her fingers curl onto the handle but she stopped herself from pulling the door open after noticing the presence of the Queen inside — tucking her children under the covers and pressing a kiss to each of their head.
Lyanne felt her temper flare, but she willed it down. Willed herself to be calm. But it was easier said than done. At this point nothing surprised the older woman anymore.
From the corner of his eyes Ser Criston observed Lady Lyanne clenching her jaws, he made no mention of it.
When coming out of her son's chamber Alicent Hightower did not expect to be faced with her youngest's nursemaid; who stood just outside the door, wearing an utterly dissatisfied look on her face. Her gaze so intense that it could easily dig a whole through onto the Queen's skull.
Did the look on lady Lyanne's face surprise the Queen? Not quite. As by now she had sort of gotten used to it. However it always surprised Alicent to think how bold this woman had gotten over time. After all not everyone is courageous enough to glare dagger at the Queen of the seven Kingdoms.
And yet here they were… in a situation where a nursemaid has the audacity to glare at the Queen without remorse. Then again why shouldn't one grasp the vantage, when the King himself had given her so much privilege for being the most favourite lady-in-waiting to the late Queen Aemma Arryn.
Alicent took a deep breath to calm her rising temper down. The older woman wanted to talk, Alicent understood that as much. There could be no harm in that, she reasoned, before quickly dismissing Ser Criston.
Thus with the departure of Cole came the awkward silence. Tension was at an all-time high between the two women. Alicent stared down lady Lyanne, who remained strong with a blank unreadable mask of her own.
It was as if the first to speak would be the first to yield. And neither women were ready to do that. But soon it reached a point where the silence had to be broken. The Queen and her daughter's nurse maid cannot stand on the hallway and stare-down each other for the entire day.
So one of them spoke, and the one to yield first was none other than the Queen herself.
"The children slept late last night. I'm sure it would not hurt to grant them few more hours of rest for the day, right lady Lyanne."
"Pardon me my bluntness my Queen, but from what I understand neither your husband the King, nor your father the Lord Hand, would be pleased to learn of this inappropriate act you have been conducting behind their back."
Just like that, the previous tension between them grew hundredfold.
"What inappropriate act are you referring to? ...Please explain."
"The Princess should not be sharing the bed with her brother. And the fact that you are encouraging it, will certainly not go down well with—"
"Need I remind you lady Lyanne, that I am their mother and they are my children. I hold nothing but best of interest and good intent for both of them."
"Mayhaps for the boy. But certainly not for the girl." Lyanne chuckled, her voice laced with taunt.
Alicent kept silent, her nails slightly dug into the skin of her palm as her fists clenched in frustration.
"Otherwise, what kind of a mother would make her daughter share the bed of a lad who had recently lain with a whore."
"My son went through hell! It is after weeks that I have finally seen him sleep peacefully. And you suggest I snatch away the only person on whose company he has found comfort?"
"As a responsible mother, you should know better to not leave your young vulnerable daughter on the bed of a boy who has just recently discovered depraved pleasure. It is far too dangerous to leave them unsupervised and unchaperoned. As no one knows how his body may react to accidental touches— which is bound to happen when they're laying together. In addition to that Aemma is a child who knows no better."
"Aemond would never hurt his little sister. He isn't anything like his older brother. He hasn't gone astray!"
"He is yet to prove himself."
Alicent felt sick somehow, felt silly as she didn't even realize it could be a possibility. For fingers to be pointed at Aemond, his good character be questioned, even when the fault didn't lie with him at all.
"You do not know him as much as I do. And I know he is nothing like my eldest. The boy goes to the Sept regularly. Whatever may have taken place that night was that imbecile's doing. So stop blaming the innocent boy over something he had no control over."
"Tell me my Queen, are you indeed so naive or do you take me for a fool. Because you seem to have forgotten that I have lived a life far longer than yours. Therefore these conniving tricks wouldn't work on me."
"Your throwing vile accusations at your Queen, lady Lyanne. I would advise you to not forget your place."
The warning Alicent gave had no effect on the older woman. In fact the latter kept her amused smile and glistening eye for a while before regaining some seriousness and glancing around, as to assure that they were still alone.
"My Queen, while I may not know what you have up your sleeves for those two. But let me warn you — Aemma's father still lives. If as much as a hand is laid on her the King's wrath will not just end with Prince Aemond. The boy's mother shall be held equally or if not more accountable."
The two women had opposite reaction to their faces. While one paled in defeat the other had a victorious smirk on her lips.
"You seem to have made your point clear. Thank you for making me realize my mistake."
Alicent had her back stuck against the wall. Being well aware that if lady Lyanne complains to the King situation will certainly take a downward spiral, especially for Aemond. Which means this woman must be handled differently.
"Anyhow, now that I do see your point…" Alicent said taking a step towards lady Lyanne. Carefully she took hold of the woman's hands and brought it to her chest. "I would like to assign you the duty to keep an eye on Aemond and Aemma. To watch over them, to supervise them."
Without putting the littlest thought into it lady Lyanne accepted the offer. After all the little girl was all she cared for.
So she did accept the offer.
Thus spending the next few days observing Aemma as she took care of Aemond. And observing Aemond as he grew dangerously attached to Aemma.
A.N: Thank you for reading. Hope you enjoyed. First off this chapter is not edited or revised at all. So if you notice any errors or think a revision is needed please let me know I'll get that done.
Second- the reason I did the chapter this because I wanted to sort put some light on the after effects of the brothel part. Given the nature of Aemond it shouldn't have been easy to deal with the aftermath. Given his eye situation a lot of insecurity must have been felt. So I tried to shed some light on that. Although I am not sure, but I may change some things later. If not add them to the next chapter.
Anyhow, hopefully you all enjoyed the chapter. See you guys in next update.
