Tales Of The Heart [Aemond Targaryen]

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

 If it rains on you,
The drops will fall on me.
〰

Opening the door just a crack, I peered through for any sign of getting caught. Glancing back at my bed, I saw Aiday still deeply asleep, nestled in the warmth of my sheets, the milk of poppy keeping her in a dreamless slumber.

I peeked through the door again to be sure the coast was clear. Inhaling deeply, I adjusted the hood of my cloak and stepped outside.

I moved towards the staircase at a measured pace, not too slow, not too fast. Thankfully, my shoes made no sound, avoiding any echoes that might betray me in the quiet hallways.

Over the past two years, I had memorized the positions and routines of every knight on night duty. I knew exactly when to turn or halt to avoid detection.

But it wasn't these knights I was most cautious of. The doors to my freedom were tantalizingly closed at the end of the hall. Hiding behind a pillar, I waited for the knights guarding the gate to leave their posts.

Taking small, steady breaths, I tried to calm my racing heart. Under Daemon Targaryen's watchful gaze, sneaking out felt like both the right and the wrong choice.

I watched the knights as they moved away. "Just a little more," I whispered to myself, a sensation making the hair on my neck stand and my eyes widen before they returned to normal.

A frustrated sigh escaped me. "Ser Arlan," I called.

"Princess," came the same attentive voice.

I turned to find him calmly leaning against the wall not far away, his amused eyes saying what he couldn't speak aloud.

Caught you.

He was dressed simply in a white shirt and what looked like combat pants, his sword hanging casually at his waist, his arms folded across his chest.

"No need to trouble yourself during your sleeping hours, Ser. I'm merely going to the library." I joined my hands in front of me, adjusting my hood slightly so my eyes were visible.

His mouth twitched slightly, barely concealing his smirk. "I think your shoulder injury might have affected your head as well, Your Grace. You just passed the library on your way here." He gestured to where I had indeed passed the library. "I am concerned for you, Your Grace."

That was pure mockery. I could see it—this steel rod of a man never missed an opportunity to mock me.

"Perhaps I didn't see it," I replied, determined to stand my ground as much as he was.

His expression shifted to something resembling worry, though coming from him, it seemed insincere. "Shall I send for a maester?" He straightened, leaving the support of the wall, one hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

"No need, Ser Arlan. I am perfectly fine." I smiled. "I'll just return to my bedchamber." Desperate to be rid of him, I could think of no other excuse.

"I'll take you—"

"No need," I interrupted, the words spilling out more quickly than I intended.

"I insist." He extended his arm for me to take.

He wouldn't leave until I was safely behind my chamber door. Reluctantly, I placed my hand on his arm as he led the way.

We walked in silence for a while, but I couldn't hold my tongue any longer. "You know I'll leave the chamber once you return to your quarters."

"I know." A genuine smile curved his lips. "Do not worry, Princess. I'll find you again. Just as I have been doing for the past twenty-three nights." He liked to remind me of the number of times I had tried and failed to sneak out, a daily reminder of my failures.