Throughout the Dance of Dragons - House of Dragon

Part XII - Closer

Going to the library in the evening to read was becoming a new habit for Aemond. He would tell himself that it was because it was much more convenient. He would not need to bring books back to his chamber and then return them. He would not admit that his readings in the library was because he quite enjoyed meeting there a certain white haired woman.

Ever since their first encounter in the library it had become a meeting place for them. As more and more time passed it became so that they met there not out of pure coincidence or luck but because they both knew that they will meet, it was a silent agreement between them. Sometimes they would have small talk, sometimes they would sit in silence, sometimes one or the other would get angry and leave. Either way he had to admit that the evenings she would not come at all were the worst. He would find himself questioning why she did not come rather than reading his history or philosophy books. Because he always showed up, there was not an evening missed by him.

For Daenaera her evening walks to the library were not only because it was a safe space for her peace of mind. It was also a silent and enjoyable time with Aemond. Where she could catch at least a small glimpse of him and his character when they were not spied on by eyes of the queen, the hand or whisperers. It was their time. She would tell herself that she had been interested in getting to know him just because she was to be wed to him. But deep down she would know that she felt peaceful with him. The evenings with him were safe and the best part of the day for her. She hated to admit it but time with Aemond in the library was usually calm and made her forget the yearning she had to go back to Dragonstone. Even in his silent moments he made her feel more at home with him.

She would not admit that this feeling she felt around him was one of her own heart desires. She blamed it on the bond their dragons had.

He enjoyed glancing at her when she read. She would tilt her head and smile at the poems which were sweet, she would furrow her eyebrows and scrunch her nose once if she disliked something, usually it would happen when she choose reading medical books. She would crunch over and intently lead her finger under each sentence when she read about herbs and how to make medicine. He would notice every single movement she made and it entertained him. At first he could not understand why that girl was so interesting but as moons passed he understood himself not just intrigued by her but as well slightly enamored.

She annoyed him to the extent where he would want to break her neck, she would never give up a fight and he loved and hated it at the same time. He enjoyed banters with her, he enjoyed having her laugh, he enjoyed when she would tell some story about her days at Dragonstone even though he never asked her to. He enjoyed seeing her giggling with his sister. Before Daenaera returned to Kings Landing his sister had rarely talked. He knew it was because of Aegon, he knew that his good for nothing brother traumatized the already weird sister. But she was his sister and Aemond loved her dearly as did he her children. So when he saw a few times how Helaena started smiling because of something Daenaera said it sent a warm feeling to his heart. He was grateful that was all he would tell himself at those moments.

But days passed and all arguments he had regarding why would his heart flutter when she smiled or laughed, why his muscles would tense at her proximity, why he dreamt of her in the most inappropriate ways were gone. As Aemond had to take in the indisputable truth - he was indeed enamored.

He wanted to keep his distance from her but then he would find himself still in her presence. She was like a ghost as whatever turn he made it seemed she was always there. He did not know how to act with his feelings and the fact that she was oblivious to them did not make it easier.