ELLIPSISM, aemond targaryen

[002] fencing lessons

ALTHOUGH PRINCESS AEMMA had no talent for sewing, dancing, or singing, she could proudly state that her talent for getting hurt was greater than all of her brothers' talents combined. After she came to her chamber to change her clothes and treat her wounds, she spent her afternoon with septa and she was sewing , during which she more often managed to hit her fingers with the needle than the fabric.

That's why when she went back to the chambers where her family lived, she entertained herself by observing her fingers, which she pressed regularly and watched with fascination as blood flowed from them. Along the way, she managed to run into several servants and other people, including Ser Criston Cole who clearly didn't care that he was talking to the princess as he scolded her.

Aemma finally reached the chamber and when she opened the door, Rhaenyra Targaryen tore her eyes from the papers she was reading and looked at her with a smile on her face.

"Aemma," she said kindly and Aemma came to her mother and accepted the hand she extended to her as she sat down next to her. "How was your day?"

"Painful," Aemma replied honestly and Rhaenyra tilted her head with a stern expression despite the amusement in her eyes. "What about yours?"

Rhaenyra still held her daughter with one hand as she placed the other on her stomach and stroked it. "The baby should be born soon, but I have to admit that it is exhausting."

"I told you that three children are enough," Aemma replied, looking at her mother's stomach.

"Wouldn't you like to have a sister?" Rhaenyra asked her quietly.

"A sister would be nice," Aemma acknowledged uncertainly. "She could play with me and Helaena. But it will be a boy."

"How do you know that?"

Aemma shrugged. "I just know."

Rhaenyra shook her head with a smile.

"Still . . . it would be nice to have a little sister Visenya," Aemma murmured.

"In that case, I will not stop trying until I give you your desired sister," Rhaenyra laughed quietly.

Aemma grimaced. "Of course, and until that happens, I will have five more brothers that Aegon will spoil and they will get on my nerves and bother me. Great."

Rhaenyra smiled at first, but then suddenly looked confused. "Bother you?"

Aemma looked away nervously, her attention only coming to Rhaenyra as she gently squeezed her hand.

"You know you can talk to me about anything, Aemma," Rhaenyra's eyes were soft.

"Aegon says that I will never find a husband because I am . . .  the way I am," Aemma finally admitted and nodded her head to her old white dress that the maids had not cleaned yet.

Rhaenyra looked at the dress and shook her head. "Don't listen to him. Aemma, you are intelligent, brave and beautiful young lady and any man would be grateful to have the honor of becoming your husband."

However, the princess's worries still did not disappear. "What if my future husband doesn't want me to ride on my dragon?"

"I am sure he won't have a problem with that," Rhaenyra said and she stroked her daughter's hand with her thumb. "Aemma, we are talking about possibilities that are in the distant future. Many moons will pass before you can even think about marriage."

Aemma nodded. "Yes. You are right, mother."

"Then don't worry about it anymore," Rhaenyra finished and stood up slowly. "You should go and get ready for dinner."