The Prince and His Flower

S I X T Y - E I G H T

Alicent crushed Daeron into a hug, smiling at her youngest child.

"You have grown so much, I think you rival Aemond now." She smiled, taking a small step back to examine him. 

"It's simple, Mother; whatever he does, I believe I can do better," Daeron smirked at Aemond, who resisted the urge to roll his eye. Daeron walked to Aegon next, the two of them clapping each other on the back.

"It's good to have you back, brother." Aegon smiled. He had missed his younger brother more than he cared to admit. 

"It's good to be back, despite the reasoning." Daeron glanced to his grandsire. He personally would have been perfectly fine if Rhaenyra had taken the throne, but apparently, Otto had other plans, and those plans thrust them into war.

"I believe I am still taller, brother." Aemond smiled as he straightened his back. "Not for long, it seems." Daeron nearly matched Aemond in height, which secretly annoyed him but he would never speak it aloud.

"I'm glad you can see that." Daeron chuckled before hugging his brother. He looked to Helaena, who stood slightly farther back, Jaehaera and Maelor clinging to her skirts. 

Helaena quickly approached him and threw her arms around his neck, holding her little brother tightly.

"I missed you." She whispered. 

"I missed you more." He squeezed Helaena before pulling away and dropping to one knee before the children. "Who is that gorgeous princess right there?" He asked, pointing to Jaehaera. She had become a quiet, reserved girl after what happened, but she still smiled and threw her arms around Daeron. 

"Daeron!" Maelor called out, joining his sister as they hugged. 

Aemma looked to Aemond and joined him by his side, grabbing his hand and interlacing their fingers. He leaned down and kissed her cheek before smiling softly at her.

"I trust you and Daeron shared a lovely reunion?" He asked. 

"We did. I was glad to see him." Aemma leaned her head on Aemond's arm.

"That makes me happy to hear." Aemond glanced at Aegon, who regarded his and Aemma's interaction with a pained look before looking away. 

"I apologize for cutting this short, but I fear I need some rest." Daeron stood, running his hand through his hair. "I shall join you all for dinner." He smiled before departing.

"Aemma," Otto called out. "Would you walk with me?" He was not asking her, and everyone could sense it. Aemma hesitated before releasing Aemond's hand and accepting Otto's extended arm, leaving the family behind as they strolled.

"It's raining." Aemma pointed out as Otto led them to the gardens.

"A little rain has never hurt." He led Aemma outside; it was raining heavily now, and Aemma squeezed her eyes shut as she remembered the way it had rained at Storm's End. "Are you alright?" He asked.

"Yes." Aemma swallowed, forcing herself to put one foot in front of the other as she tried to ignore the fear that began to rise within her.

"You have done us a great service with your contribution to the Battle of the Burning Mill." Otto paused. "Despite Prince Daemon's ambush at Stone Hedge." 

"I should have been there." Aemma frowned. 

"No, it is a good thing you two didn't encounter each other; the Rogue Prince is a brutal, merciless man. Who knows what he would have done?" Otto glanced to Aemma, who was lost in thought. He was grateful for the rain; it blocked out most of their conversation. The guard that followed them a few paces back would not know what is being said.