The Sound of Storms ▻ House of the Dragon

CHAPTER TEN

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    Isidore snatched the letter from her brother's hand and strode back towards the Keep. Calyx was at his sister's heels, looking over her shoulder as she broke the seal and pulled open the letter. The parchment had been neatly rolled up and now was stretched out as Isidore read through the penned ink,

    To Their Highnesses, Princess Isidore and Prince Calyx,

    I am writing to you to bring you news about the Peaks. I have had an official investigation headed by General Aneara Perren and her team. I have confidence in their investigation and will inform you of their findings when your mother and I make for King's Landing on the Morrow. Until that time, I know you both will be busy with wedding preparations, and wish to not keep you from your obligations for long.

    His Royal Highness, King Adus Dalgares of the Grey Peaks and Master of the Four Winds

    "What is it?" Calyx inquired, plucking the paper from his sister's hands.

    "Father has launched an investigation, and he will tell us their findings when they arrive on the morrow,"

    Calyx looked up from the letter, "That's good news, is it not?"

    Isidore let out a dejected sigh, "Hardly,"

    "How so?"

    "Father has written nothing of the findings,"

    "Which means it's likely nothing of dire importance. He would write so otherwise,"

    Isidore gnawed on the inside of her cheek, "I pray you are right,"

    Calyx folded up the letter and placed it in his pocket. Taking his older sister by the shoulders, he guided her into the Keep.

    "Worry not about it; you have a wedding to prepare for,"

    Isidore let her brother guide her into the grand castle and pushed down the growing pit that festered in her chest. She had one battle to complete first before she could begin the next.

***

    The next day found Isidore at her desk when Queen Alicent's handmaiden came with a summons from Her Grace. The tailor had nearly finished the wedding dress and had asked for a final fitting to be done before the big day. Being led down the halls of the Keep, Isidore was shown to one of the parlor doors. The hallways were warmly lit, and the hallways surprisingly busy, as servants had already begun preparing for the ceremony. A young woman carried a bouquet of white and silvery colored flowers on green stems.

    Isidore found her mind drifting to Aemond. He had been strangely absent, only having seen him at dinners where sat shoulder to shoulder in silence with the rest of his family. Isidore's mind ran wild with possibilities; had he fled on Vhagar? Was he pleading with his mother for another option? The princess had little trust left in the intentions of men, especially when it came to suitors. Shuddering, Isidore pushed the thoughts from her mind.

    Talia, Isidore had learned the handmaiden's name, bowed her head before leaving the princess. Isidore knocked gently on the door, and when there was no answer, she pushed it open.

    The parlor was empty, curtains were drawn closed, and candles were lit along several gilded candelabras. The orange glow lit up the room. A try-folding fabric screen was upright beside the stone fireplace. Beside the screen, a full-length mirror rested against the wall. Hooked onto the top of the screen was a garment bag laced together at the front. Undoing the top laces, she pulled the garment bag open, the ivory fabric of her dress peeking out, and the heavy canvas mantle lay on top. Isidore ran her fingers over the detailed embroidery. At the ceremony, the mantle would be worn by Aemond until he presented it to her. A ritual in place of the trading of cloaks from the Faith of the Seven's ceremony.