The Prince and His Flower

T W E N T Y - O N E

Aemma stared out of the bay window as she watched the ships travel in and out of the Blackwater.  It had been six moons since she returned to Kings Landing, and she still felt her heartache at the thought of her father. 

"Aemma, I believe it is time for you to join your family for breakfast," Mya said as she entered Aemma's chambers. 

"Thank you, Mya." Aemma offered the girl a smile, but it did not reach her eyes. Aemma ran her gloved hand over her eyes as she yawned. Sleep did not come easy for her, and she spent many a night traversing through the secret passageways that Aegon showed her.

Aemma walked the halls quietly, the only sound breaking the silence was Ser Erryk's armor.

"Is it uncomfortable?" Aemma asked.

"Is what uncomfortable?" Ser Erryk asked in response. He had grown somewhat comfortable in her presence, and she was glad it was Erryk that accompanied her everywhere, not his brother. He had the ever-so-honorable task of protecting Aegon, who more often than not, snuck out of the castle.

"The armor. It sounds rather uncomfortable." Aemma said.

"At times, but I believe it is good to be uncomfortable, it keeps you alert." Ser Erryk said. Aemma frowned. Ser Erryk was a dutiful man, but Aemma had never seen him break his post. When did he eat or sleep? Perhaps late into the night, another guard switches with him.

The rest of the walk was in silence. Ser Erryk opened the door for Aemma, then retreated to the corner, where he would remain for the rest of the meal.

"Aemma, I am glad to see you." Helaena smiled as she ate another mouthful of toast covered in jam. 

"Helaena, don't talk with your mouth full." Alicent smoothed back invisible hairs and smiled at Aemma. "It is nice to see you joining us Aemma." 

Aemma took her seat in between Aegon and Aemond. 

"Good morning uncle, although it doesn't appear to look like one." Aemma wrinkled her nose as she smelled the stench of alcohol off of him.

"Do not speak so loudly." Aegon groaned as he covered his ears with his hands and laid his forehead on the table.

"He drank his weight in wine last night." Aemond chuckled.

"Hm." Aemma ignored him and grabbed a piece of toast, slathering it in jam as she placed it on her plate. Aemond frowned, it had been six months and Aemma ignored him entirely. He began ripping up the toast in front of him until it was all but destroyed.

"You are wasteful." Aemond's heart could have jumped out of his chest as he heard Aemma's words. She was speaking, and to him, no less. Aemond would throw all of the food on the floor, if only it meant Aemma would say another word.

"You wound me." Aemond feigned a knife to his chest as he glanced at Aemma, but she simply continued eating. He looked pointedly at her gloved hands, and he wished she would take them off. He would be a hypocrite to ask her to remove them, seeing as he constantly wore his eyepatch. 

"Would you care to accompany me for a flight, uncle? Or are you too sick from your precious wine?" Aemma asked as she brought her cup of water to her lips. 

"I am never too ill to take flight." Aegon boasted proudly, well, as proudly as anyone can from his position.

"Why not fly with me? At least I will not expel my breakfast whilst in the air." Aemond said as he brought a piece of toast to his mouth.

"You have jam on your shirt." Aemma said as she tucked her hair behind her ear. Aegon chuckled as Aemond looked down and hurriedly wiped off the jam.

"Could I join you?" Helaena spoke up.