ELLIPSISM, aemond targaryen

[024] in the shadows of the iron throne

WHILE ALICENT SEEMED very uncertain about fulfilling Aemma's wish, she said nothing to stop her. Instead, with Aemma and Cole, she walked closer to her chambers, where she stopped, saying that she needed to make sure Viserys was able to meet his granddaughter.

Therefore, Aemma stood in the corridor for a while and walked from side to side and then with a sigh she went to the terrace near the council meeting room where her mother often took her when she was little.

However, as soon as the servant opened the door, an unpleasant number of curious eyes were fixed on Aemma. She froze for a moment, realizing for the first time how much life on Dragonstone had changed her.

Ever since Rhaenyra escaped with her children from King's Landing, despite Aemma's grief for Helaena, many things have become easier. Especially when it comes to the things she had to do as a princess and a lady. Suddenly, no one was bothered that Aemma wears her hair loose around her head, no one was bothered by the loose style of her dress, no one minded that she was wearing boots. No one was bothered that she didn't walk slowly and elegantly, no one was bothered by the way she talked.

But King's Landing was not Dragonstone.

Aemma looked all the lords in the eyes, as if even giving a silent warning like Rhaenyra Targaryen. She walked onto the terrace confidently, refusing to let them corner her. However, as soon as she turned her back to them, she heard whispering, or rather discreet talking.

Just because I can't see you doesn't mean I can't hear you, idiots, she mentally scoffed.

Without hesitation, she headed to the table on which the glasses and cakes were placed, placing each kind on a plate. Next to her stood an old woman with black hair that had streaks of gray, dressed in a dark pink dress and looking at her disapprovingly.

Aemma raised an eyebrow, she stopped putting the cakes on the plate for a moment. "What?"

The woman pursed her lips at her tone. "When I was your age, I didn't even think of eating so much."

Aemma clicked her tongue, measuring her with her eyes. "And look where that got you."

The woman was almost the same shade of red as an apple and turned on her heels, walking towards the group of women who were looking at Aemma with the same disapproval.

Bored, Aemma turned her attention back to the cakes until someone else stopped next to her.

"Princess Aemma."

Aemma turned her head and smiled slightly. "Lord Caswell."

The man nodded his head at her and then looked out of the corner of his eye at the woman who was whispering something to her friends and they were all glaring at Aemma. "I see you still haven't lost your ability to defeat the enemy with words alone."

"Is that a bad thing?" Aemma asked.

"Not at all," Caswell shook his head with an amused smile. "You know, you are very similar to your mother, both in appearance and character."

Aemma gulped and forced a smile on her face. "I've been told."

While Caswell quietly looked around, Aemma after a moment of waiting started eating again, with a raised eyebrow watching every person who looked at her.

Caswell turned to her. "Your presence is a great relief."

Aemma gave him suspicious look. "Is it?"

Caswell glanced around before leaning closer to her. "Many of us were worried that we would never see the return of the Targaryens to the throne and we would have to accept the rule of the Hightowers."