The Prince and the Falcon | Aegon II Targaryen

07

Before supper, Lady Arryn came to speak to Leysa in her rooms. Just as she was done getting dressed, there had been a knock on her door. She had settled in right after they finished tea and Leysa luncheoned in her room, falling asleep right after from the fatigue of the trip. Mya had woken her up to get her ready for supper.

"A moment, Mya," Lady Arryn told her maid when she entered. Mya bowed and promptly left the room, closing the door behind her. Leysa didn't rise to greet Lady Arryn and watched from the mirror as Lady Arryn crossed over to her.

Leysa picked up the brush on top of the vanity. Mya had braided her hair and gathered them at the top, letting the rest fall down her back. Leysa also had picked a modest light pink and purple dress from the mountains of blues they had brought from the Eyrie. Mya had looked at the dress in hesitation, clearly not agreeing with her choice, but still followed her orders and helped her put it on.

"That's a pretty dress," Lady Arryn commented. She stopped and stood behind Leysa, meeting her eyes through the mirror. Jeyne wasn't much older than the queen herself while she could still see the blossoms of youth in her, Leysa had noticed through time the lines and shadows that had started to set on her face. They said that the queen had kept her looks even after all her pregnancies. Jeyne never carried a child, and Leysa knew that even now, she would still receive proposals for her hand. She also knew Jeyne always refuses. 

She had been young when she took the title and house seat of Arryn. There had been many suitors for her hand then, but she never chose a husband. Jeyne didn't need a husband to become Lady of the Eyrie, so why was she being forced to wed the prince?

Jeyne was dressed in their house's colors, and only after peering longer at her from her reflection, she noticed falcons had been embroidered at the hem of her neckline and sleeves. 

"It is," Leysa agreed. "Are you not surprised I'm not wearing Arryn's colors?"

Jeyne moved closed and softly pried the brush from her fingers. She started brushing Leysa's hair. "You can wear whichever color you want, Leysa. You aren't only permitted to wear your house's colors."

"Would I still be permitted to wear them after I marry the prince? Or would I be stuck wearing blacks and reds?"

It had been so long since Jeyne had brushed her hair. She did remember her doing it for her though, when she was younger. She would come to her rooms and read to her. When she was older Jeyne would ask her to read while she brushed her hair, just before she blew out the candles for her. The memories were a little hazy now but they were there. But as she grew and Jeyne became more and more Lady Arryn to her, the nightly hair brushing also happened less often until it stopped altogether.

Jeyne sighed heavily. "I know you are still cross with me, Leysa."

"I suppose I had to make it less obvious."

Jeyne shook her head in exasperation, even when she grinned. "I still blame myself for not punishing you enough for that tongue of yours."

Leysa tried not to look too smug. It shouldn't be something to be proud of, and on many occasions she had held her tongue. She was used to it. But when she used it, she will use it like a weapon.

"I know it may entirely be my fault. I have raised you without being aware of how you perceive me." Jeyne stopped brushing her hair. "I admit the realization didn't come to me by myself."

"Did you get an earful from Lady Jessamyn?"

Jeyne pursed her mouth, not willing to answer but Leysa knew it nonetheless. Jeyne may want the best for her but Jessamyn would always be on her side.