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❝ All suffering originates from craving, from attachment, from desire. ❞ — Edgar Allen Poe
AERINA clutched her hands together tightly under the large dining table. It had been many years since she had seen everyone and yet, she did not seem to find delight in the familiarity tonight. Her stomach churned in her belly, sloshing and threatening to spill across the wood top.
"Final tribute. To the health of my nephews, Jace, Luke and Joffery. Each of them handsome, wise," Aemond said with a raise of his glass, his lips pulled in a tight smirk. "strong. "
It was silent. Aerina knew of the meaning behind his words. It was commonplace whispers that her and her brothers belonged to the now deceased Ser Harwin Strong. She had lived with their accusations, their disgust, their hatred.
Her brothers, Lucerys and Jacaerys glowered at Aemond. Anger present in their features as the silence wrapped the room in thick tension. Mother looked as angry, her eyes glued to the one eyed Targaryen.
Sickness pooled in the pit of her belly once again. Aerina had been away for many years but one thing was ever present, people hated bastards.
"Come, let us drain our cups..." Aemond announced, his cup still firm in his grip. "To these three strong boys."
"I dare you to say that again," Jacaerys said harshly. His posture tight with anger as he glowered at the standing Aemond. Aerina let her own gaze fall onto her lap.
"Why?" Aemond said as he and Jacaerys stepped closer to one another. "Twas only a compliment. Do you not think yourself Strong?"
Jace's fist flew before another word could be said. The sound echoed in the silent room.
That sounded painful, Aerina thought as she kept her gaze settled on her hands. She didn't mind violence. She grew up hanging around Ser Harwin and other warrior types. She didn't like watching her brothers fight. She worried for them.
She also worried for Aemond, but she pretended she didn't.
Aegon shoved Luce's face into the table with a loud banging sound, the cutlery shaking slightly at the impact. Aerina felt her lips shift into a frown impulsively but kept her gaze down. She hung out with fighters, but she was not one.
Aerina felt her mother's hand on her shoulder. She stood and followed behind her and her step-father. Luce and Jace were being held back, until Jace got free and was stopped by Daemon.
"Go to your quarters, all of you." Mother said with a sigh, her hands resting on her swollen belly.
Luce and our cousins, Baela and Rhaena moved to leave first. Jace was last. He lingered, his eyes on Aemond. Finally, they all left and were moving to their own rooms.
