Tales Of The Heart [Aemond Targaryen]

CHAPTER FOUR

122 AC~

Two years later

Butterflies are quite the opposite creature of those we are familiar with, yet they are so alike.

They are the smaller and more colorful versions of dragons. Their body is much smaller in contrast to their wings. The wings are filled with all sorts of colors and patterns. They are attractive creatures.

Once I spent hours running after one of them that lost its way to the flowers on my balcony. After spending a good amount of time and disturbing almost everyone in the castle, I caught it. Rhaena helped me find a glass vessel to put it inside. I was the happiest person that day and for the next few days.

I used to watch her fly in the vessel and move around. Day after day as I observed, it never sat still. Its constant moving annoyed me, but my annoyance died when I realized the reason behind its course of action. It wanted freedom. Because she was in a cage.

I caged her.

Like a dragon, it didn't like to be locked up. It wanted to fly in the sky just like a dragon.

I didn't like the feeling of being a captor, it felt cruel. So I let her go. You should let your loved things and people go sometimes. It is good for them and for you, at least sometimes.

That's exactly what I did when my father wanted to marry Princess Rhaenyra.

I knew it would take me time to get used to having a stepmother, that's why I didn't go to Dragonstone with them and stayed back at Driftmark.

Spending the majority of my time in the library has been constant in the past two years, but most of those days I've only stared out the window aimlessly. This time, letting go seemed difficult.

My lack of interest in making conversation has my grandmother worried. She always tries to spend time with me and Baela whenever she can.

The book I currently had on my lap didn't take my undivided attention, I rather find this entire genre of romance weird. But these types of stories give you insight into certain aspects of life. At least that's what mother said.

All I could gather from today's read is that authenticity matters. What type of authenticity? I don't know nor the book told. Maybe I just need to complete it.

A certain flying thing caught my eye. A raven, going away from the castle. As I was trying to predict the direction it was headed, the door of the library opened.

"Sister, am I disturbing you?" Baela entered and stood by the door. "Grandmother wants to see you." I nodded.

I put the book back on its shelf and left with her. That raven must have brought something.

As I passed the hallway, I couldn't help but remember the morning after the funeral of my mother. According to my father, he found me unconscious on the shore which I guessed happened when I exhausted myself by crying at the loss of Vhagar.

That brings me to the boy I talked to. His name is Aemond Targaryen, he was the second son of King Viserys which makes him a prince. Well I yelled at him, I hope he doesn't hold a grudge. I gave him Vhagar, who he claimed that night. But that wasn't the end.

Rhaena and Baela were furious, along with Jacaerys and Lucerys. They all confronted Aemond which led to a fight, resulting in them having some injuries while Luke ripped Aemond's eye with a blade. That further escalated in Princess Rhaenyra and Queen Alicent standing against each other with a blade in Queen's hand and a cut on Princess's forearm.

Which further led to Uncle Laenor's unexpected death and my father's marriage. Interesting course of events, isn't it?

Sitting in front of our Grandmother wasn't ever easy. It feels like she can see through me but I have nothing to hide...not yet.

"A raven arrived from King's Landing." She started.

"I saw that raven's return." My gut didn't felt good at this moment.

"The first son and daughter of the King, Prince Aegon, and Princess Helaena are getting married. It was-"

"But aren't they siblings?" Baela questioned her, looking confused.

"That's why I don't read Targaryen history," I told her while hiding my smile.

"We are to attend the wedding and the festivities." This sentence erased the smile for me.

"We?" I asked.

"A royal wedding! I've always wanted to go to one." Baela clapped her hands together and squealed in excitement.

"What do you mean by we? You are not suggesting that I-" I pointed my finger towards me.

"Yes, I am precisely suggesting that." She said that in a serious tone but a smile rested on her face.

"How can I-" Gatherings. Royal gatherings. And me. Doesn't sound good.

"Maenya, you and Baela are coming with me. That's an order from me as well as your father." She was never strict with me but that doesn't give me a right to go against her orders.

"Will father join us? Isn't the King angry at him?" I remember King not being happy with their marriage.

"How long can a father be upset with her daughter? Both Rhaenyra and Daemon are important as well as loved by him. He has asked both to come to King's Landing." She really adores her cousin. I have always seen her talk about the king with a smile.

"If I ask Father, maybe he'll excuse me from going?" I have some hope.

"Oh right, I didn't tell you about your father's letter. He strictly told me to bring you otherwise he'll fetch you on the dragon back." Well, I had hope. Baela started to laugh.

"He wouldn't?" Would he? I thought to myself.

"Father will, my dear sister." Her laughing doesn't stop. She knows how scared I am of riding a dragon. That fear has always stopped me from claiming one.

"Aiday will help you prepare for the journey. Now Maenya, do not cause any trouble there." Once more erupted my sister's laugh in the room.

"Shut up, Baela. I don't cause any trouble, grandmother." I tried to innocently look at her.

"You do cause trouble. It's just you don't realize." She also chuckled joining Baela. "And especially, stay away from the dragons." She pointed her index finger at me.

"Vhagar will be there," Baela announced as my heart skipped a beat in the hope of seeing my mother's dragon again. "Staying away from dragons includes Vhagar as well." And that broke my heart.