ELLIPSISM, aemond targaryen

[005] duties of a princess

"THIS ONE HAS 60 rings . . . and two pairs of legs on each."

Alicent snapped out of her own thoughts and looked again at the white-haired girl sitting next to her. Her heart stopped for a brief moment as she realized how similar Helaena looked to the young Rhaenyra, her long hair falling down her back as she bent down to get a better look at the centipede in her hand. As Helaena spoke, however, Alicent calmed down as her daughter's soft voice was not like Rhaenyra's.

No, her daughter was not a reflection of Rhaenyra Targaryen, but that didn't mean Alicent was safe from the past. On the contrary, the past returned to the present in the form of a young girl who could not keep calm and be quiet, just as her mother could not.

Alicent tried many times to avoid this flash of the past, but even then it often happened that she was waiting for her in the corridors or at family dinners, the mischievous blue eyes often narrowed and were cold when they saw Alicent, that look was so similar to the one she got when she married Viserys.

And despite it being terrifying and many times uncomfortable, as if Aemma Velaryon's mission was to torment Alicent for the rest of her life, Alicent couldn't help but enjoy every moment when Aemma laughed in her presence, reviving memories of the quiet afternoons she and her childhood friend spent studying by the tree . . .

"That's 240," Helaena finished, eyes not leaving the centipede in her hands.

Alicent watched her with soft eyes. "Yes, it is."

"It has eyes . . . though . . . I don't believe it can see."

"And why is that so, do you think?" Alicent tilted her head.

Helaena hesitated and glanced uncertainly at her mother. "It is beyond our understanding."

Alicent nodded after a moment. "I suppose you're right. Some things just are."

She reached out and stroked Helaena's arm, causing the princess to gently pull away. Helaena was not used to any touch other than the hugs she received from Aemma, and maybe that's why she was reconciled as a child to the idea that Aemma was the only one from whom she would receive any love.

Alicent pulled her hand away with a hint of hurt in her eyes, but Helaena didn't notice it and looked back at the centipede.

"They're coming," she whispered after a moment. "The kinslayers are coming."

The door opened and a guard entered, but none of them noticed him until he spoke.

"Your Grace."

Alicent and Helaena turned to look at the guard in the chamber holding Aemond with his right hand and Aemma with his left. They looked at him irritatedly and tried to get away from him despite the fact that they had nowhere to escape.

"Aemond," Alicent exhaled and got up from the stairs she was sitting on to come closer.

Aemma managed to free her wrist from his grip, but made no attempt to escape the chamber. The guard then released Aemond's wrist and left them.

Alicent looked at Aemma who was as traditionally dirty from ashes. "What have you two done?"

Helaena looked from Aemma to Aemond. "He did it again."

There was no need to ask what Aemond had done again. "After how many times you've been warned, must I have you confined to your chambers? And why do you include Princess Aemma in your reckless adventures?"

The room was filled with an argument.

"She decided to get involved, I didn't--"

"He said that if I don't go there, then--"