Dance of the Empire

Chapter 3 Everything

Aemond watched as his older brother Aegon flew circles around him on Sunfyre. Aemond was perched on the back of Vhagar, the largest and most fearsome dragon in the world. They were high above King's Landing on a sunny and windy day. The peasants below were in awe of the dance the dragons were performing.

It had been six years since Aemond had claimed Vhagar, but the thrill and power he felt when riding her still resonated within him. From high above, he overlooked the majestic castles of the Red Keep, feeling as though he could conquer the world. Riding Vhagar was a raw power that commanded fear and respect. There were no rules, no games of thrones, no order of things in the presence of Vhagar. It was just him and his dragon above the sky, above and superior to the rigid and unbending order of King's Landing. Usually, it was a moment of pure bliss and satisfaction, but today, trouble followed.

"Oh brother, I can't believe you need Mother to find you a girl! A Lady Companion, isn't it?" Aegon taunted from afar.
Aemond ignored him and commanded Vhagar to soar higher into the clouds. The strong wind and freezing cold seemed to calm his buried frustration for his own life, but as always, trouble followed.

"Oh Aemond, you know, I heard from some servant that your lady is a Lannister, what is it they called her? The 'Exquisitely Odd Lannister.' A brown-haired and dark-eyed Lannister, I never understood how a woman with such earthly features could be praised so much for her beauty," Aegon continued to taunt him, as he swiftly rode Sunfyre above Aemond.

"Mother's decision was wise," Aemond replied calmly with calculation. "Marrying an elder Lannister daughter will be an important political asset for us."
"Aemond, who said anything about marrying?" Aegon smirked. "Mother invited her to be your Lady Companion. But who can know, maybe she will somehow prefer your brooding nature over-" Aegon pointed at his body insolently, "this."

The younger prince had had enough of Aegon's relentless teasing. He redirected Vhagar down to the Dragonpit with a fierce intensity.
As Vhagar approached the Dragonpit, Aemond laid his sight on a figure dressed in a fine yellow dress, watching in awe as the beast landed before her. It must have been the Lannister girl, he thought. Even from afar, the girl in the golden dress was a sight to behold.

He descended from the dragon and approached her with composure.
"Lady Katherine Lannister, welcome to King's Landing," he greeted her calmly with a polite composure as he observed her. Katherine Lannister, almond-shaped doe-eyes, delicately round pink lips, with entire demeanor exuded a confident curiosity that was underscored by an effortless elegance. As Aemond looked upon her, he found himself momentarily stunned by her beauty, realizing that her reputation as the "Exquisitely Odd Lannister" was well-deserved. But it was her unconcealed awe, curiosity and easiness at the sight of Vhagar that startled him; her dark eyes glimmered at the majestic beast.

"My Prince, it is my pleasure and House Lannister's to be of your company" Katherine slightly bowed at Aemond, her eyes never leaving his.
As Aemond's remaining eye met the young Lannister's, both of their hearts stunned momentarily. As much as her doe-eyes and doll-like features screamed innocence and delicacy, he caught a glimpse of something underneath them untamed, greedy, and even violent, something he recognized all too well, his own.

"Lady Lannister! The dark-haired Lannister in a golden dress, what a sight," Aegon's voice echoed as he dismounted from Sunfyre, "Prince Aegon Targaryen, at your service," smirking, he leaned in and landed a kiss on Katherine's hand.

"The pleasure is mine, my prince," Katherine responded with a hidden giggle, memories of their distant youth slipped into her mind.
Aemond turned his head in annoyance at his brother's pleasantries. He felt a slight sentiment of bitterness and resentment towards the Lannister girl, who appears to be another one falling for his wastrel brother's charms
"You have grown up quite a bit, little warrior," Aegon grinned while scanning her not very subtly.
Aemond raised his brow, "You two know each other?"
"It's a long time ago, Prince Aemond, I once," Katherine chuckled, "saved Prince Aegon from being kicked by a horse on his tenth nameday."
Aemond couldn't help but to burst into an unintended chuckle, "Aegon, is this true? My lady, if I am not mistaken, you are two years younger than me? Five years younger than Aegon?"
Before Katherine could respond, Aegon rolled his eyes, "Yes, Katherine was only five, and even then," he winked at her, "you were angelic."
"I don't remember you being such a flatterer, Prince Aegon, though I do wish for someone who could see right through me," Katherine replied with a hint of mischief, her eyes casually tracing back to Aemond, who watched with a buried irritation as his elder brother continued his flirtatious remarks.

Enough, Aemond declared to himself. The eldest daughter of the Lannisters, the beauty of Casterly Rock, was to be his. She was a key to a glorious future, with the potential of a powerful alliance and the prospect of a rare beauty by his side. He will not let his brother take what was rightfully his, not this time.
Without missing a beat, Aemond stepped forward with a composed smile and placed a hand on Katherine's arm. "My lady, if you would permit me, let me introduce you to the gardens of the Red Keep."

"I'd be delighted, My Prince," she clung onto his arm with a smile.
"Oh well, I'll leave you to it," Aegon shrugged and whispered in Aemond's ears, "Good luck, little brother. Don't forget your lesson from three years ago, you're going to need it."
Aemond glared at him ferociously as he walked away. As Katherine tightened her grip on his arm suddenly brought him back to reality, Aemond subconsciously gripped onto her hands.

For a moment, they gazed at each other silently, as if the rest of the world did not exist. [It was like their touch transmitted some sort of message beyond the world's comprehension. Aemond knew the young lady felt and understood his rage. She didn't have to say it. It was like she had been in his place, lived through and buried an anger like his.
With a tacit understanding, they walked towards the garden silently. Katherine's grip on his arm did not loosen, and Aemond did not want it to. The warmth of her skin seemed to calm his racing heartbeat caused by both fury and fluster.

However, Aegon's words still clung to him like a dagger. Remember your lesson. His older brother had dragged him to a brothel three years ago, when he was merely a thirteen-year-old. The disgust and shame of that night still taunted him. The implication of his words was clear. How could Aegon dare pronounce it in front of the young Lannister, Aemond's potential betrothed, as if she was one of harlots on the Silk Street?

With that, Aemond broke the silence, gazing into Katherine's eyes with a fierce intensity, "My lady, I apologize for my brother's behaviour. It was inexcusable and I promise you that such a thing will never happen again in my presence."

"No need to apologize, Prince Aemond, after all, you are not your brother's keeper," she tilted her head with a courtese smile.

"I see what they say in court is true, Lady Katherine," said Aemond, "You are a true beauty with a wit."

"You have heard about me?" Katherine raised her brows in mock surpris. In truth, she enjoyed feigning having no sense of the world, luring those around her to let down their guard without realizing that she was the master of the game.

Aemond's lips twisted into a calculating smile, "Of course, the dark-haired 'Exquisitely Odd Lannister' who enchanted both my mother," he paused and drew out each of the words, "and Princess Rhaenyra."

Katherine's breaths subtly quickened as she heard Rhaenyra's name. He was testing her allegiance, as well as House Lannister's, but she had her own trick. How to respond to a contentious remark? Throw it back.

"And what have you heard about yourself, My Prince."

Aemond's courteous facade startled for momentarily, sensing the faint change of power-dynamics between them. He had been the one testing the waters of her allegiance, and now she was making him prove his worth. It was no doubt that the young woman had heard, if not already had her judgement about him, but she wanted him to say the words. Katherine Lannister, you are truly something, he thought, gazing at her innocent expression.

"I've heard many things, Lady Katherine. Some true, some false. But you seem like someone who can handle the truth."

Katherine met his eye with an assertively charming expression, contrasting her earlier pretense of reserved innocence, "Try me, Prince Aemond."

Aemond's lips twisted in a wry smile. "They call me the dangerous one-eyed prince, the reckless one who rides the largest dragon in the world. They say I'm brooding and obsessive, that I've isolated myself from everyone since losing my eye."

Katherine felt a thrill at Aemond's words. Anyone who can handle worldly judgement without embarrassment and fear must possess immense inner strength. "And do you think that's true?"

Aemond's gaze was intense, and Katherine felt her heart quicken in response. "Some of it, perhaps. But I'm also someone who knows what he wants, and won't let anything stand in his way."
A surge of admiration for the prince's spirit rose in Katherine's chest. "And what is it that you want, Prince Aemond?"
Aemond's answer was simple, yet sending a shiver down Katherine's spine. "Everything."