Chapter 18

"This cannot be…" Aemond's blood ran cold as he stared at his mother in disbelief. Desperately hoping and praying he misheard his mother's earlier request.

"Please tell me you're not allowing this."

To think again, it wasn't so surprising of Aegon to make such atrocious demands. His depravity knows no limit, everyone knows that. But the fact that their mother and grandsire are complying, now that was certainly mind boggling.

His mother stared at him helplessly. The unbearable pressure of embarrassment and failure weighing down her shoulders. But all Aemond could think was— what kind of a mother was she, to make her own daughter taste such hell. That too, a daughter who is vastly different from the girls of her age.

"Aegon is refusing to back down and your grandsire, when I addressed the matter to him, thinks it to be no big issue. As it isn't an uncommon practice for the bedding to be witnessed by the Septon and Maesters. Therefore addition of few more figures should pose no problem."

"Septons and Maesters verily differs from Aegon's drunken comrades." Aemond interjected, pinching the bridge of his sharp nose.

"I understand that, but Aegon—"

"What about Helaena?" Aemond cut in firmly. Deciding to remind his mother of her own daughter, because it appeared as though she seemed to have forgotten that factor. "Is she not a child born from you? If so, how could you be so cruel to her?"

Alicent flinched. Getting up, she quickly came around and grabbed her son by his arms. In turn he also gently held her by the elbows and pulled her closer.

"Isn't it bad enough that she has to marry that good for nothing drunk. You plan to further destroy her by allowing him to have it in his depraved ways."

"Aemond, you must understand, my hands are tied."

"You are the Queen."

The words were caught in the Queen's throat. That simple yet so powerful statement rendered her speechless. She could no longer bear to hold his scrutinizing gaze. Therefore closing her eyes she pulled away, taking a step backward.

The silence that presided over them now was not one that was comfortable for either of them. The air between them was thick, unnerving. In one word: ominous.

The mere thought of what could and would likely happen on the wedding night had both Aemond and Alicent cringing inwardly. While Aemond did not care for the women of the court dragging Aegon to the bed chambers, but he most certainly did not wish to witness vile grown men of the court drag Helaena. All the while both parties undressing them.

"I acknowledge, what Helaena would have to go through on the night of her wedding is beyond cruel. But it is duty, it is sacrifice. And they hardly ever bring joy. Which is precisely why you must be present with Aemma and Daeron. So that Helaena isn't alone."

"You certainly don't intend on making it easier for her, do you mother?"

"Please, be there for her. Helaena would need you, not only for her peace of mind but also for safety."

"Safety?" Aemond arched an eyebrow.

Sighing, Alicent opened up. Sharing in vivid details of how things unfolded at Rhaenyra's wedding. How such a joyous occasion turned grim in the blink of an eye, leaving a guest mutilated. This time Alicent was extra cautious. She took all measures and kept doing everything in her power to prevent such a dark history from repeating. And so far things seemed to be heading in the right direction… or so she thought.

Unbeknownst to Queen Alicent in that moment, she was speaking to the very person, who this time around would singlehandedly contribute to bloodshed.

A small group of the ladies in waiting and trusted handmaidens led by Queen Alicent and Princess Aemma attended to Princess Helaena.

Amongst them two were preparing the jewelry, another two were working on the dress— one lacing it up while the other was fixing the hem of the bride's dress. And one was putting the finishing touches to the hair. Putting it up in incarcerate braids and accessorizing its embedded rubies.

Helaena looked in the mirror, eyes focused on her mother and sister. Alicent was off to the corner of the room with Aemma, chastising or more accurately trying to chastise the latter for not only daring to bring but also pressing Helaena to wear the red earrings. A maid stood with them awkwardly holding the tray of earrings, while the Queen and Princess went back and forth in trying to forcefully insert their choice. Aemma had found herself forming many opinions as of late, other than her distaste for the colour green. And Alicent could not comprehend since when had she begun to form her distaste for the colour of the house Hightower. Their argument reached a point where Aemma snatched the tray from the maid and brought it to the bride.

"Mother in her all biased opinion thinks you should wear this." Aemma said pointing to the big green studs. "And I think these would look best." Her finger moved to point out the red teardrop shaped pair. But Helaena's gaze wouldn't move from the gold butterfly shaped earrings.

"I think these are quite nice." The bride finally revealed her choice, eyes signalling at the gold butterfly shaped earrings.

"Great choice sister. It would certainly suit you." A victorious smile graced Aemma's lips as she picked up the chosen pair and put it on the bride.

"These ones look much better on Hel, than the ones we were fighting over, wouldn't you agree mother?"

"Absolutely!" Their mother agreed, coming up next to them and placing a hand on Helaena's shoulder, to which the older daughter flinched. Clearly displaying her discomfort. Something that wasn't there moments ago when her younger sister was touching.

Alicent quickly backed away concealing her hurt feelings and decided to spectate from the distance. It was better that way.

Everyone continued with their assigned task under Aemma's guidance.

Now sitting on the settee Alicent watched in content. A serene smile on her face, even if her eyes had a little tint of trouble in them. It was natural for the mother to worry when she was familiar with the ways of her children. As the day of the wedding got nearer Alicent had frequented her trip to the sept. Praying for Aegon to mature and grow sense enough to be able to look after Helaena.

The day of the wedding was a bright sunny day. A perfect contrast to the somber mood of many associated with it.

Putting on a gold mask to cover the now disfigured part of his face King Viserys made his appearance at the wedding. It was with great difficulty that the frail King had walked his daughter down to aisle. Even if he managed to walk the full length but he was slow and unsteady. Helaena who usually cowers away from touch had to hold onto her father tightly so that he doesn't fall.

Standing with the septon the bride and the groom looked equally miserable. Aegon almost dropped the cloak he was supposed to wrap around his bride. Every pair of eyes witnessing the event could tell that couple had been forced into this union.

The wedding celebration continued in the great hall with almost everyone enjoying the feast. However with the exception of the members of the crown occupying the high table.

The King looked tired and in pain as he sat back at the centre observing his subjects enjoying every bit of the happy occasion. Next to him sat his Queen, smiling politely. But hidden behind that smile was absolute dread and terror. The memory of the last wedding hosted here haunted her till to this day. Even after all these years passed she can still point out the exact spot where late Ser Leanor's paramour Joffrey lay mutilated by Ser Criston. Otto Hightower was beside her, engaging in polite conversation whenever required but mostly observing everything around. Prince Aemond was beside his grandsire. The seat next to him which was meant for his betrothed remained empty as Lady Maris chose to sit with her family. The groom sat on the other side of his father, sipping from his cup, looking uncharacteristically excited, a complete contrast to his earlier appearance, as he was seen sulking at the Sept throughout the ceremony. Irrespective of all that, he was still drunk. His bride beside him kept picking at the remnants of her food, muttering something along the lines of: blood shall be spilled… hand will be lost… beauty be stolen away in the darkness.

The next two seats were taken by Aemma, who was butchering the slice of a papaya with the fork while glaring daggers at Cregan Stark. And Daeron, who was eating to his heart's content.

Just when everything was starting to look good and Alicent finally thought she could relax, out of nowhere appeared… Daemon Targaryen.

He came exactly how he had come last time— unexpected and unannounced.

Under the table Viserys and Alicent held their hands. It was probably the first time Viserys reached out to seek solace from his second wife. Evidently the King was still upset at his younger brother, as he is yet to come to terms with Daemon and Rhaenyra's marriage.

Time seemed to have slowed down as Daemon made his way to the high table. The court watched this highly anticipated moment with a bated breath.

By some miracle the drunken groom now looked completely sober. The ever stoic Aemond Targaryen looked somewhere lost between excited and uncomfortable. Daeron Targaryen was drowning in nervousness. Aemma Targaryen looked like a blushing bride. Only Helaena, the true bride, remained unaffected, watching him get nearer with each step.

Alicent's heart began to race as Daemon began ascending the steps of the dais. She looked to her father, finding him already looking at the rogue Prince, a furrow etching between his brows in concentration.

"Daemon." The king was the first to acknowledge.

"Brother." The rogue Prince then addressed the King with a cold calculated smile before sharply turning and making his way toward Helaena.

"Congratulations Princess on your marriage to this spectacular man." Sarcasm heavily dripped from Daemon as he grinned at Aegon for a fleeting moment before refocusing on his bride.

"Your sister sent her best wishes." He added, passing the box to Helaena, which she accepted with a nod of her head and softly mumbling a 'thank you'.

The rogue Prince then looked at his brother again and Viserys signalled him to take the empty chair beside Aemond.

But of course, Daemon had another idea, a better one in fact, which prompted him to strode over to Daeron with that wicked smirk on his lips.

The young prince looked up, his face was giving off so much fear and nervousness that it made him resemble a mouse. And it wouldn't have come as a surprise to anyone even if he had soiled himself on the spot at that very moment.

Their interaction was wordless. Daemon beckoned the boy to get up and the latter was up on his feet instantly. Daemon then moved the same fingers sideways, signalling him to move aside and Daeron did as told without a protest. Earning himself a disappointed scowl from Aemond.

As Daeron moved away and proceeded for the empty seat next to Aemond, Daemon took his place beside Aemma. Soon as that happened, her earlier shy face was now replaced by a rapidly growing confident one.

On the other hand, Aemond's initial urge to murder Daeron soon changed to a very different form of feeling towards Aemma; something he had never felt before.

Growing up Aemond felt many different feelings towards his little sister. Most of it consisted of pure love and adoration, with the occasional rotation of protectiveness, possessiveness, anger, bitterness, respect, hurt and comfort. But it was the first time ever he found himself being jealous of Aemma.

Why did she have to have it all? He found himself bitterly thinking, as he impatiently tapped a finger on the table. Not only she snatched their father's love from them but now she seized the attention of their infamous uncle, which only he deserves. Despite lacking an eye Aemond did everything he possibly could to make himself the Daemon of his generation. Only to receive nothing in the end! Not even a damn recognition!

"Princess." Daemon acknowledged Aemma with a smile. Then leaning closer, he proceeded to whisper flirtatiously. "You've grown quite pretty since we last met."

"And you've aged quite the bit since we last met, uncle." Came her saucy retort. "Oh and I don't permit you to sit next to me; not when you've come empty handed."

Daemon smiled, liking where the conversation was headed.

"Who says I've come empty handed?"

"You just gave the present to my sister and now I see nothing on your hand."

"Oh that! It was Rhaenyra's blessing for the bride. My gift however…" He took hold of her hand. Her small palm fully enveloped by his large calloused palm. "… is only for you."

The half uncovered part of Viserys's face began to show signs of concern, while his heart raced with worry. Justifiably so, he felt uncomfortable seeing his younger brother with reputation to lust after his daughter, once again getting cozy with another one of his daughter— who, not too long ago expressed her absurd wish to be desired by her uncle.

"And what would that be?" Aemma asked grinning, her amethyst eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Simultaneously to everyone's surprise and to surprise of no one, the rogue Prince leaned in and kissed the girl on her cheek. From far it did look like a platonic kiss meant from an uncle to his niece. But those that watched from up-close could see through the sinister intention behind it, because they saw how it wasn't her cheek that he kissed, rather it was the corner of her lips.

"Daemon!" Came the King's warning.

The rogue Prince made eye contact with his brother, still playing with the small hand he had in his grasp before focusing on his niece again like she was the only one that mattered.

"Now that is my queue to leave. Your father no longer welcomes me."

"I can make him change his mind."

"Save that for another time Princess." He said releasing her hand. But he was not yet done touching her, as his hand reached out to cup her face.

"We shall meet again, very soon." He added with a wink. Leaving it up to her to interpret how their next meeting would go.

As Aemma meditated on what to expect in their next meeting, her uncle rose before he sharply turned, spine erect as he walked away. Exuding an aura as if he was the King of the seven Kingdoms, not the corpse with a crown on atop the head and a gold plated mask covering half his rotten face.

Everyone on the high table was left shell shocked as the stared at Daemon Targaryen's retreating figure. Only Aemma's eyes expressed flourishing excitement despite having her face flushing a deep shade of pink. Her very aura was now emanating a whole new level of confidence. There was no turning back for her, no more room for self doubt. After all she finally had the validation she was looking for.

With Daemon Targaryen's dramatic exit came the dreaded call for the bedding ceremony.

"My lords and ladies! It is time for the bedding ceremony!" Somebody bellowed from the crowd.

"It is indeed!" Added another person in the same tone. Followed by which came the obnoxious uproar and blaring from the lot of them.

Aegon stood holding the cup. Confidence was oozing from him as he stepped down the dais. Noticing that Helaena did not stand yet, Queen Alicent quickly stood only to step closer to the bride and help her up. With her head hung low, Helaena stood meekly and followed Aegon.

A swarm of women -mostly consisting of the young ladies of the court- approached Aegon. They surrounded him, all giggling and laughing. Some proceeded to tug on his clothes undoing it bit by bit. Aegon took full advantage of the opportunity in hand by reaching out and groping some of these ladies, sharing kisses with a couples of them as they drove him out of the great hall.

The men were far more predatory and animalistic in their approach towards the already frightened bride. They showed no mercy even when in a state of panic Helaena took few steps back. One grabbed her harshly, another pulled her and suddenly Helaena found herself surrounded by a lot of men all of whom were shoving, touching, grabbing her, all the while ignoring her tears of distress as they carried her out of the great hall; heading the same direction where the ladies had taken Aegon.

Finally as the great hall grew quiet Aemond stood, collecting his younger siblings and his betrothed and her sisters, he led them all to where the rowdy crowd was headed.

The marital chamber was overly crowded.

When Aemond entered with the small group that he led, there was hardly any place to stand.

Amongst those gathered, stood a septon and a maester both of whom were struggling to keep their position despite being the main figures as witness. The rest consisted of Aegon's friends, all of whom Aemond knew were as depraved and as perverted as his older brother.

Worried, his singular eye immediately sought out Helaena. Simultaneously his hand reached for Aemma. Taking her wrist in vice like grip he pulled her to his good side. He could sense Maris's rage from his side, but couldn't bring himself to be bothered by it. His mind was still clouded by unresolved rage from earlier. The fact that he could do nothing but watch his uncle shamelessly put on a show with someone younger than his own daughters made his blood boil. And now there's Aegon, finding new ways to break the already broken Helaena.

Relief came upon his face after finding Helaena already on the bed. Her ladies in waiting left, having finished their job. But that relief only lasted for a short time. It dissipated the moment Aegon joined her, completely naked, with his peers cheering all sorts of profanities and vulgarity in the background.

"Look at her! That's one shy girl." Shouted one.

"Never seen a cock before ye girl?" Jabbed another.

"The size of his cock frightened her." Added another.

The comments kept getting vulgar and filthy. Aemond's hands were practically itching to reach for his dagger. He wanted to stab until the light of the life left out of the eyes of every single one of those bastards that threw a crude comment towards Helaena.

Never! He thought. Never would he put Aemma through such atrocity in their wedding night. Tradition and customs be damned! Not even the septon or maester would be granted the privilege to witness their consummation. In her most vulnerable state Aemma would only be for his eye to feast, for he would be her husband—

Aemond's reverie met an abrupt end when a girl resembling his younger sister from head to toe entered his peripheral vision. Not quite understanding how such was possible granted Aemma was still next to him, he focused… just when the one-eyed Prince thought it could not get any worse, realization drawn on him— the girl on the other side, closer to the marital bed, was indeed Aemma!

Fear shook Aemond to the core.

In panic he snapped his head, to where Aemma should have been -right by his side- and found the spot now occupied by Maris Baratheon. Who by the way was doing everything to avoid his ferocious gaze.

If looks could kill, Maris Baratheon would definitely have been cold in her grave by now.

His mind continued to race with thoughts and vivid imagination of images of how he could dissect his betrothed. A storm of conflicting emotions surging within him. But outwardly he remained calm, his expression unreadable.

Aemond mainly blamed it on his own carelessness. He should have been more alert, not let himself be lost in feeble imagination. Still a small part of him childishly blames Maris. She should have at least made an effort to stop Aemma or at least alerted him; instead of jumping to seize her place at the first presented opportunity like an egocentric cunt!

Aemond clenched his fist. He could feel the thoughts swirling in him, igniting the already raging inferno that he was struggling to keep at bay. And it took a worst turn when like a moth to a flame, one of Aegon's drunken friend approached Aemma and strike up a conversation.

His eye narrowed, instantly recognizing the person. Warryn Beesbury— one of the grandson of his father's masters of coin, Lord Lyman Beesbury. The sick bastard has been eye fucking Aemma the entire evening not even remotely caring about the fact that she's still a little girl who is yet to be out of her childhood. This same bastard also grabbed Helaena and pulled her into the sea of the wretched men that carried her into this chamber.

Warryn Beesbury tactfully put an arm around Aemma's shoulder and pulled her closer.

And the calm facade which Aemond had been struggling to hold for so long, begun to crumble.

Once again Daeron proved himself to be useless in such situations when all he did was standby idly and watch instead of putting himself between Aemma and the bastard. In his defence, the young boy seemed hesitant, considering the person in question is a close friend of Aegon. But he was eyeing them wearily nonetheless.

For Aemond though, it was not enough! Not even remotely close! Daeron should be doing more than just carefully assessing.

That Beesbury brought Aemma's hand to his lips, and yet Daeron was still observing.

The calm facade completely crumbled. Aemond could no longer hold back. The floor groaned under his purposeful strides.

Somebody from the crowd called him; but Aemond couldn't be bothered.

Within moments Aemma felt a hard shove that pushed to the side. Daeron caught her quickly before she could hit the ground. Warryn Beesbury on the other hand had been knocked to the ground with a hefty blow to his jaw from Aemond.

A loud gasp could be heard from all across the chamber. The newly married couple who were supposed to start their consummation, were watching. Aegon with his jaw hanging and Helaena strangely seeking comfort behind him.

Aemond had gotten on top of Warryn, gripping onto the collar of his doublet pushing him further onto the floor. Floris Baratheon was the first to let out a horrified scream. Soon one of her other sister followed.

"My Prince!" The septon called.

"Prince Aemond! Please stop you will kill him." The measter tried to intervene, to his best ability he and another young man tried to pull Aemond off of Werryn. But could not even get him to bend.

"Just leave it brother! He meant no harm!" Aegon shouted from the bed. Shielding Helaena with his body.

Daeron pushed Aemma up onto the bed and Aegon acted quick to pull her up. Then pulled Daeron as well. Now all his younger siblings were sheltering behind Aegon and it gave him a sense of pride, made him feel important.

When the door burst open, ran in lord commander Harold Westerling, Ser Criston Cole and Ser Arryk.

Criston and Arryk ran to stop the brawl. Helaena curled up closing her ears and clenching her eyes— like she already knew what was coming.

Right then Aemond pulled out his dagger and before anyone could take their next breath, chopped off Werryn Beesbury's left hand.

"Gods be good!" The lord commander gasped. His tone held the same horror it did back in Driftmark when he found Prince Aemond on the ground bleeding from his eye.

Blood splattered everywhere. Werryn's agonizing scream could be heard from every corner of the red keep. But Aemond felt no remorse, no regret, because it was the same hand with which the bastard touched Aemma. The same hand with which he grabbed Helaena. So Aemond made sure it was gone for good!

Consequences be damned!

A.N: Thank you all for reading. Hope you enjoyed.