The Mouth of the Dragon, The Eyes of the Lamb

Chapter 12

Lucela sank into the tub with a groan. She stank of dragon and was, quite frankly, tired from riding, walking, then riding again. She knew she needed to start getting ready for this masquerade ball, but Lucela didn't want to leave the warmth of the water. Her mind drifted back to her odd conversation with Helaena.

Why didn't she trust Aemond? And what was she convinced that he had planned? Helaena had seemed genuinely concerned over her wellbeing around Aemond, and that alone was concerning enough. Perhaps she had been right in her original assumption and this was a trap of some sort. Had Aemond truly turned that conniving?

"You've got to get out, Luce." Lucela jumped slightly and looked up at her mother. Rhaenyra was staring down at her with a small grin and a towel in her hands. "Come on, we've all got to get ready for this dreadful evening."

"What colors are you wearing?" Lucela asked as she grabbed the towel from her mother and stood. She accepted Rhaenyra's offered hand with a grateful smile and wrapped the towel around her body.

"Black."

Lucela smirked and nodded before towel drying her hair quickly with a towel that Margery handed to her from behind Rhaenyra. Realistically, Lucela knew that she should wear one of her black gowns to show her support of her family. After Driftmark, Daemon had gone to referring the split sides of the family as the Blacks and the Greens.

"And your hair, Mother? Are you leaving it down or putting it up?"

Rhaenyra pursed her lips as she thought about the question. "I'll probably fix it similar to how I always do. I feel I would favor Alicent too much if I pull it back."

Lucela snorted and shook her head. "That would be an honor for our dear Queen."

Rhaenyra cast her daughter a glance, and Lucela stopped her chuckling. Her mother still had conflicting emotions when it came to her previous childhood friend. Lucela respected that because she understood it. Even now, she didn't want anyone to talk ill of Aemond in her presence.

"I'll leave you to get ready, Luce. I'll see you shortly." With a small smile, Rhaenyra left the room.

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Aemond sat in his chambers drawing furiously. He had been out of sorts since Helaena took him to the balcony, and he wasn't sure why. He had fled before Lucela left the carriage. The flames in the fireplace flickered behind him from where he sat on the floor.

"Aemond?"

Aemond closed his eye and sighed. When he opened it again, Helaena was standing in front of him. She was already dressed for the ball tonight. Her blond hair was pulled back in a low braided bun, and she was wearing an ice blue gown with golden filigree.

"Yes, Helaena?"

Helaena frowned at the tone of his voice but sat beside him on the ground anyway. He quickly slammed his book shut so she couldn't see his drawings, and that made her frown deepen. What was he hiding in there?

"Are you angry at me?"

Aemond sighed and looked at his older sister. They had always been close, and the loss of Lucela had brought them even closer. Her violet eyes were shining with tears as she looked at him. She hated it when Aemond was angry; he had a horrible temper.

"Why would I be angry with you?"

"That's a yes," Helaena laughed without humor. Aemond furrowed his brow as he looked at his sister. "You always answer my question with a question when it's something you don't want to admit. Is it because I dragged you to the balcony?"