A Dance Of Scales And Shadows | Aemond Targaryen x OC

Part 16 - The Bleak Morning

Aika woke up in Aemond's embrace, feeling lighter than ever. As she shifted slightly, it woke Aemond from his sleep as well. They both looked at each other and exchanged smiles.

"It's time to get up," Aika noted.

"No, I want to stay like this longer," said Aemond, trying not to lose his hold on Aika.

Loud footsteps and chatter echoed from the corridors, which was unusual to Aika. She wanted to stay in bed longer, just like Aemond, but her intuition urged her to do otherwise.

Aemond sat on the bed as Aika headed towards the door. She slightly opened it and peeked outside. Servants moved through the corridor in the most chaotic way possible.

"Hey, good morning. Did something happen?" she asked politely to the servant who locked eyes with her.

"Yes, Princess," one of them replied, "Prince Jaehaerys Targaryen was murdered last night in his cradle."

Both Aemond's and Aika's expressions went blank.

"That can't be—"

"I saw the body, Princess. The assassin cut off his head and stole it. It was..." The servant continued speaking, but Aika didn't listen. She excused herself, closed the door, and sank to the floor, holding her trembling legs.

Aemond approached her. "Hey, hey, she could be lying. I'll go and check, alright?" and he rushed out.

Aika somehow knew it wasn't an exaggeration and soon after she received the news from the queen herself.

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After visiting Heleana, who was not only speechless but deep in grief, Aika headed to the small council. Someone had caught one of the assassins when he tried to flee with the prince's head in a sack.

Aegon was furious and in deep pain. She had never seen him like this.

"We know who is at fault," he shouted.

"The assassin confessed he was sent by Daemon Targaryen, as revenge for Lucerys' death," said Lord Jasper Wylde, the Master of Laws.

"They probably searched for Aemond first," suggested Otto.

Aemond already knew they had entered his room due to the missing coins he had left on his table.

"Where were you during the night?" Aegon asked Aemond.

"I didn't sleep in my room," said Aemond.

"I know I sent for you the moment this happened. So where were you?" he asked again.

Aemond glanced at Aika for a second, which both Aegon and Otto noticed.

"This is not the issue we should be arguing about," said Alicent.

Next came Otto's dreadful suggestion to parade the prince's body through the streets, which Aegon opposed. His voice was filled with anger and pain, but despite his aversion to the plan, the Hand of the King insisted, with the Queen siding with him.

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After the funerals, Aika went once again to see Heleana. She wasn't herself; her under-eyes were darkened, she clutched Jaehaerys's toy in one hand, and remained silent.

"Don't keep it to yourself; you are allowed to grieve," Aika said, sitting right next to her.

She loved Heleana, though they rarely talked about anything.

"What about you?" The question startled Aika. "You also lost... Starlight..."

"It's not the same," replied Aika, though she knew her sister understood that.

"It's not, because you will get the one who sleeps beneath," said Heleana.

That wasn't something Aika understood or expected to hear, but then again, most of the things Heleana said were cryptic.