House of Ashes | Aemond Targaryen

Nine

Chapter Nine

Once the carriage came to a halt in front of the Red Keep, Aemond opened the door and stepped out, offering his hand to Vaiana. Vaiana glanced at him, taking his hand and stepping out of the carriage.

"Thank you," she managed to say, her voice shaky. Then she awkwardly looked around and then looked back at Aemond, his face made her smile.

"What is it?" He asked, tilting his head curiously.

Vaiana chuckled softly, looking at Aemond with amusement. "You've become quite handsome, Aemond," she said, before walking past him towards the entrance of the castle, leaving him somewhat taken aback by the unexpected compliment.

Vaiana could feel his eyes on her as she turned and started briskly walking towards the entrance of the Red Keep.

As soon as she stepped inside, she started to rush through the corridors, her mind swirling with the tumultuous encounter with Aemond and Larys.

Just as she reached her chamber, she pushed open the door, hoping for a moment of solace. To her surprise, Edmure sat inside, absorbed in a book. He looked up, a warm smile lighting up his face at the sight of her.

"Vaiana," he greeted, setting the book down gently. "You're back early. Was everything well?"

Vaiana's expression was clouded, disappointment and frustration evident in her eyes. She glanced around their chamber, her thoughts still scattered from the earlier encounter.

Edmure noticed her demeanor immediately. Concern etched his features as he stood and approached her, holding out a small, delicate flower in his hand as he put it in her hand. "Look, Vaiana," he said gently, his voice tinged with excitement. "I found this foxglove during my walk. It's fascinating."

Vaiana's gaze flickered to the herb, but her mind was elsewhere. She was still grappling with the emotional aftermath of her encounter with Aemond and the unsettling conversation with Larys.

Edmure's brow furrowed in concern. "Vaiana," he began cautiously, "is something bothering you?"

She turned to him abruptly, her tone sharper than she intended. "Where have you been, Edmure?"

Edmure's expression fell, surprised by her harsh tone. He took a step closer, trying to soothe her with his gentle demeanor. "I was just taking a stroll through the gardens," he explained softly. "I stumbled upon this flower and thought you might find it intriguing."

A familiar scent reached Vaiana's senses, triggering a visceral reaction that cut through her like a knife. She took a sharp breath, the realization hitting her with painful clarity. "That scent," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, "it's the same as the one from the brothel."

Edmure's eyes widened in shock. Hurt and anger flashed across his face, quickly masked by a deep, sorrowful disappointment. "Vaiana," he began, his voice strained with wounded pride, "A brothel?"

She cut him off, her emotions boiling over as tears welled in her eyes. "Larys spoke of your visits," she accused, her voice cracking with sorrow and betrayal. "To brothels."

Edmure recoiled, his expression hardening with hurt and disbelief. "You trust Lord Larys's words," he stated bitterly, his voice heavy with frustration and disappointment. "Over mine."

"I needed you to come and scold me for going to the Dragonpit unattended but I find Aemond doing that instead of my own husband," she pleaded, her voice breaking. "I feel so alone, Edmure. You immerse yourself in herbs and the whims of lords, leaving me to navigate this city's intrigues on my own. And now I keep hearing your visits to brothels. I needed your support, your presence. I needed to feel like your priority, not an afterthought." Her words echoed in the chamber, heavy with the weight of her loneliness and longing for the husband she felt slipping away.