Innocence// AEMOND TARGARYEN ✔️

Chapter Thirty-eight

It was Aemond's name day and he could not care less for it.

He, in all honesty, did not even think anyone even remembered since everyone was too busy making preparations for princess Rhaenyra's arrival which was to happen the very next day.

Things had started to get more and more tense between him and Eirlys.

Of course the princess wouldn't stand for her husband's hatred toward her younger brother but that didn't mean she would ignore him especially on his own name day.

She'd given him his present first thing that morning and no, not the sex.

She'd gotten him a new shield and a new saddle for Vhagar. The one he'd been using was the same one given to him when he'd first started with his riding lessons and she was afraid that someday the old leather might rip or snap and cause him to fall off.

They did avoid talking about the subject of Luke and Vaemond but the tension was there, growing thicker as the day of Rhaenyra's return to court drew closer.

Aemond hoped that he might spend the day with her but his queen mother had called for the princess that afternoon, to help with picking the decor for each of her family's rooms.

No one had bothered to grace him with the attention he'd hoped to receive with it being his name day but no matter, he didn't blame them.

The matter of the Driftmark succession was rather important.

Apart from everyone getting themselves worked up about the hearing, the day was rather glum.

Aemond spent his afternoon and evening alone and then proceeded to brew himself some tea. Perhaps he would c would make up for the time he didn't get to spend with Eirlys when she'd climb into bed with him later during the evening.

His hopes of having a calming cup of tea by himself were crushed when Aegon and Daeron barged into the room, a crazed look adorning their faces. By the looks of it, it seemed as though they'd been running get here.

"Quick!" Daeron panted as he stumbled into his chamber "it's its..she's.."

"It's Lyra" Aegon slurred, the wine taking its effect "her parents.. they're dying"

"He's her parent, idiot" Daeron gave Aegon a nasty look, obviously quiet annoyed that his brother was drunk at this time of the day "if you could keep away from your drinks, especially while we handle this horrible situation"

"Where's Lyra?" Aemond was up on his feet in a matter of seconds, already reaching out to grab his sword "is she alright?"

"I.. I don't know" Daeron was fumbling over his words. He began to pace in front of the doorway "she's- and Eirlys sent for you.."

Aemond pushed past Aegon, who seemed in a bit of a daze.

"Where are they?" He called over his shoulder as his brothers followed after him.

He let Daeron lead as he matched his fast paced steps.

The last time he'd ignored someone calling for him, Eirlys had lost her child and even worse, she blamed herself for it.

A dozen things ran through his mind in that moment and he ignored every single one of them. No, of course nothing had happened to his sweet Lyra, she would be fine.

And if there was so much as a scratch on her, gods help him, he would rip apart the person responsible limb by limb.

The boys led him down a narrow stairway near the west wing of the castle and outside toward the castle grounds.