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CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Fashion was all politics.
Liliyana learned this even before coming to King's Landing. Every piece of clothing she wore, down to the ribbons in her hair, were Lannister colors. Rich scarlet reds and melted shades of gold. And the jewelry! Diamond brooches and ruby rings. Gold bracelets heavy as newborn babes. You represented the House you were born into. And then, once married, you bled your husband's house colors.
Marriage to Aemond Targaryen meant red and black. But, with Queen Alicent Hightower, the Hightower green became a staple, too. Liliyana kept her jewelry green: earrings and rings. Her dresses were red and sometimes gold. And black...especially when the months she had her bleedings.
On the morning of Aegon's coronation, Liliyana was given an emerald green dress with black embroidery. A beautiful piece of art, but Liliyana did not align herself with the Hightowers...she was married to a Targaryen man. Her husband only wore black, and Liliyana wanted to mirror him today.
"Aemond?" she had asked, once he finished braiding her hair. The weight of their conversation still heavy between them. "Have you seen the dress?"
His place by the fire did not move, but he nodded. "I did. Would you like help with it?"
Her blushed cheeks burned. "N-no... Well, I don't know."
Her nervousness worried him and he turned to face her form next to her bed, still in her nightdress. "My love?"
"I was hoping to wear all black, like you. But--"
"Then wear all black, Liliyana," He did not hide his close-lipped smile. "You would be beautiful in whatever you wear. I know this is my brother's day, but you deserve to be happy in how you choose to present yourself to the people."
But Liliyana felt torn. She was not used to speaking her desires out loud. If the Queen noticed her clothes, she'd run the risk of being punished. But her husband did give her the okay to change.
"My mother's wrath will belong to me," he assured. "Along with my grandsire, should he have a word about you." Aemond's tone held an edge that made Liliyana's toes curl.
"Would you like a break?" Aemond asked, no longer able to hide his troubled thoughts. He insisted on carrying Liliyana up to the main floor, but she refused. Her ankle felt better, and she did not want to appear weak in front of his family.
Weaker, in all honesty
Liliyana stifled another groan of pain with a heavy breath. "No, we're almost there. I can do it, Aemond."
"But not while you are in pain. Let me carry you." He held onto the front of her dress with one hand, while his other held her right. The dress Liliyana chose was black with a mesh lining underneath. A silhouette of red satin peeked out from under. She kept her jewelry--a heavy chained necklace and delicate rings--gold, mined from Lannister grounds.
