Sun and Fire ~ Aemond Targaryen

03. This is NOT a date.

"Was it necessary to use the ring I gave you to blackmail me?" asked Aemond with a mocking smile, as they sat on the grass, backed by the shade of a sturdy tree shielding them from the sun. That day, Lady Daemma wore a simple black dress with plain sleeves embroidered in red, black boots, her hair partially gathered in a bun, golden earrings, and a matching bracelet, in addition to the aforementioned ring newly placed on her finger.

"I didn't know the ring had the power to blackmail you. If you didn't want to come, you didn't have to... after all, it wouldn't be the first time you've stood me up," she replied sarcastically, enjoying the surprise on Aemond's face.

"I've never stood you up."

The prince looked at her, not fully understanding her words. He didn't recall leaving her abandoned before. As Daemma toyed with the ring on her finger, she chuckled at Aemond's perplexed expression.

"You did... the last time I invited you and you didn't show up."

"I never said I would."

"But you didn't deny it either."

Aemond rolled his eyes and shook his head challengingly.

"Then why didn't you get back at me? You could've stood me up right here."

Daemma stopped playing with the ring and looked up at her cousin, responding sarcastically.

"Don't worry, Aemond... I have a much better revenge planned."

"Oh, really?"

A brief silence fell between them. They exchanged knowing smiles, trying to disguise their amusement. Daemma stood up to retrieve a sack she had brought with her, pulling out several fruits which she offered to Aemond, who accepted them with seriousness.

"I guess you haven't had breakfast. It'll be a long day, so you better eat something."

"Some things never change... you're like a rabbit. Don't you eat anything besides fruits and vegetables?"

Daemma sat back down beside him with the sack by her side, biting into a green apple as she responded, not rising to the bait.

"It's all I brought. If you want something else, find it yourself."

"I came prepared for this. Let me show you what a real breakfast looks like." Aemond handed the fruits back to Daemma and stood up to reach for a bag he had brought with him.

Daemma tried to maintain a stoic demeanor as she bit into her apple, but her curious eyes betrayed her. Meanwhile, Prince Aemond opened the bag and inspected its contents, pulling out a bowl containing something Daemma hadn't seen in a long time: cookies.

"I asked the cook to make honey, oat, and strawberry cookies... I know you like them," Aemond announced with a smile.

Surprise lit up Daemma's eyes as she saw the cookies. It had been years since she had tasted ones like these, and she couldn't hide her amazement. Aemond noticed her reaction and deliberately began to eat one of the cookies with exaggerated enjoyment to tease her.

"They're delicious... too bad I only ordered a few for myself," he joked.

"Who's asking?" Daemma retorted sharply, determined to chew her apple without losing focus. Although she felt her gaze drifting towards Aemond's cookies, she reaffirmed to herself, "Fruit is healthy... those sweet things will make you fat."

"You're absolutely right," Aemond replied with a chuckle, thoroughly enjoying the cookies. Daemma's expression gradually hardened.

"Damn you..." she muttered with her mouth full, avoiding eye contact with her cousin. He pretended not to have heard.