𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐍 𝐎𝐅 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐄 | ʰᵒᵘˢᵉ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈʳᵃᵍᵒⁿ

007. aemond one-eye

Visenya was abruptly wakened by the faint, harrowing sound of a child's screams echoing from outside. Moments later, a cadre of knights burst into Aegon's bedchambers, their urgency palpable as they called, "My prince!" Their eyes widened upon discovering Visenya at Aegon's side, and one of the knights, momentarily taken aback, inquired, "Princess?"

Ignoring the unusual scene from them, the lead knight pressed on, "Princess, your brothers have become involved in a dispute with Prince Aemond."

At that moment, it struck Visenya with sudden clarity that the distressing screams she had heard were indeed Aemond's. Her heart raced with alarm as she sprang from the bed, her voice filled with concern. "What has happened?" she demanded. Without pausing for further details, she swiftly followed the knights, her steps resolute as they led her towards the Hall of Nine.

Visenya entered the Hall with swift and anxious steps. The first sight to confront her was Luke, his visage marred by the crimson stain of a bloodied nose. Her voice, laden with urgency, pierced the charged silence as she demanded, "What in Seven Hells has happened!?" She knelt beside him, tenderly cupping his face as she meticulously examined the injury. "Who is responsible for this?" she inquired, her gaze sweeping across the assembly of lords.

Her attention was soon drawn to Aemond, who peered over the back of the chair on which he sat, while Maester Kelvyn laboured to attend to the boy's wounded eye. "Aemond!" She called out, her voice tinged with alarm as she hastened toward him. Yet, the maester, with practised calm, advised the princess to remain at a distance. Aegon scoffing as he observed her fervent reaction.

Reluctantly, Visenya stepped back, her concern returning to Jace and Luke. She sought to understand the full measure of the conflict. At that moment, her grandsire, King Viserys, addressed the Kingsguard filling the hall. "How could you allow such a thing to happen?" He inquired, his voice calm yet tinged with barely contained anger. "I will have answers."

Harrold spoke up, his tone respectful yet resolute. "The princes were supposed to be abed, my king."
Visenya's gaze fell upon Alicent, who stood by Aemond, her sorrow evident as she observed the distraught mother. "Who had the watch?" Viserys pressed, seeking the truth of the matter.

Criston Cole stepped forward, his voice soft. "The young prince was attacked by his own cousins, your grace." Cole's words were spoken with such quiet sincerity that Visenya nearly found herself believing the weight of his remarks.

Viserys, rising from his seat with a sense of mounting indignation. His voice, once calm, now rose with a steely edge of anger. "You swore oaths to protect and defend my blood!"

"We are deeply sorry, your grace." Westerling voiced.
Before Viserys could respond, Criston Cole interjected, "The Kingsguard have never before been called upon to defend princes from one another, your grace—"

The king cut him off abruptly, closing the distance between them with swift strides. "That is no answer!" His outburst reverberated through the hall, startling Visenya and causing her to look away momentarily. Her gaze shifted back to Alicent.

"It will heal, will it not, Maester?" She asked, her voice trembling with worry for her second-born son.
All eyes turned toward Aemond as Maester Kervyn replied with a measured tone. "The flesh will heal." The maester hesitated, his expression troubled as he prepared to deliver the grievous news. "But the eye is lost, your grace."

Visenya gasped for air, her eyes dropping to the ground as tears filled her eyes. Aemond grunted in pain as the maester continued his work, delicately finishing the stitching of his eye socket.

Alicent stood up and approached Aegon, her voice croaky with suppressed emotion. "Where were you?" she demanded of her eldest son.

"Me?" Aegon replied, only moments before Alicent's hand struck his cheek with a resounding slap.
"Ow! What was that for?" he exclaimed, clutching his face.