These Violent Delights Have Violent Ends ~ House of the Dragon, Targaryen fic

Chapter 32 - Balerax

AN: Poor Aemond is so broken. Between growing up with Alicent, Otto and all the backstabbers in the capitol. He just needs someone to help him.

Chapter 32: Balerax

**edited 4/3/2025

It was Ser Rickard who pushed open the doors with haste before his hand went to the hilt of his blade. Ser Steffon positioned himself so he was between Maela and whatever possible danger could be within. However, all that they found was Aemond with his back to them, his hand on the mantle as he stared down into the fire of the hearth. Behind him the small table and the couch were covered in glass shards, it appeared Aemond had thrown something in a fit of rage.

Ser Rickard released his grip on the pummel of his sword and she saw all the tension leave his body. A dead giveaway he was accustomed to this.

"How often does this happen?" she whispered leaning closer to him. In her time residing in the Red Keep she hadn't seen nor heard of such an incident involving Aemond. But then again, he was a Targaryen.

"Not as often as it used to my lady." He replied just as softly. She nodded then carefully stepped away from the knights and closer to her betrothed.

"Aemond –"

"I do not wish to talk about it." He snapped still staring into the flames and she recoiled like he had struck her. Aemond had never used a tone like that with her before. In front of her and aimed at others, but never directed at her. Nodding to herself, and knowing she had an audience, she backed away.

"Ser Steffon if you could escort me to my chambers?"

"Of course, my lady."

Dutifully the knight did as he was told as Ser Rickard closed the door to Aemond's rooms behind her. They reached her own apartments in silence and Maela bid her protector goodnight before closing the door. She locked it from the inside before moving to her wardrobe and fetching her night shift. She dressed in silence, her mind wracking itself for a solution. For it felt so innately wrong to leave Aemond in such a state on his own.

Then an idea struck her.

She turned to the secret entrance by the bed, part of her mind wondered how often the rooms former occupant Princess Rhaenyra had done the same as Maela was doing now. She pushed open the spot in the wallpaper and the panel gave way. This she had done often, but never before had she gone to Aemond's rooms. She knew where Helaena's were, how to get to the Small Council chamber, the hall that ran along the throne room, and half a dozen other places. But she had never gone to Aemond's chamber. It felt too far across the line, invading his privacy. Aemond had never done anything to deserve her spying on him so the thought never crossed her mind. However, because she knew where Helaena's rooms were, it was an easy process of elimination to determine what turns would take her to Aemond's, as the royal family had their own wing. She brought a candle with her to light the way and the chill of the tunnel kept her steps quick but light.

There was a staircase downward from her rooms and a long pathway that curved toward more royal apartments. Another set of steps to her left, though shorter, led to Helaena's but Maela ignored those. Passing them by there was a door but that appeared to be Aegon's. To her right was a much higher climb and knowing where Aemond's chambers were it made sense she would have to go that high to reach his doorway.

She held the candle away from her so her deep breaths would not accidentally extinguish the wick while her other hand held up the skirt of her shift. When she reached the door at the top of the steps she turned and placed the candle a few stairs behind her, she would need it when she made the trip back to her own apartments. Also, without the flame she could better see the light coming in through the cracks around the door.