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It hadn't been long before the morning celebrations and the tourney had ended. Daena had skipped the tourney, which hadn't gone unnoticed by anyone.
Alicent was quick to find her and bring her to her chambers to dress for her wedding. The moment the maids were finished helping her, they left her alone to fix herself as she saw fit.
She took the opportunity to change into boots and grabbed a hooded cloak to wear as a disguise. She rushed to her hidden door, running down the passageways toward an exit she knew wouldn't be guarded.
After all, the only one to know the passageway better than her was Shaera. It was a long maze of traps set in numerous places by Maegor the Cruel during his rule.
As she made it to the end, Daena smiled at the sight of the garden. She ran toward the vines she frequently climbed to get over the castle walls. It was the only section rarely guarded by knights and with everyone celebrating the weddings, most of the guards were protecting the guests.
"What are you doing?" A familiar voice spoke up and Daena turned her head slightly. She was halfway up the vines, only to groan loudly when she found Aemond standing behind her.
"I'm not doing anything," she replied coldly, earning Aemond's amused look.
"Really? Because it looks like you're fleeing our wedding," Aemond replied, much to her annoyance.
Daena jumped off of the vines, her boots clicking against the ground. She turned to Aemond, looking impatient. "What if I am?" She taunted and crossed her arms.
"They will come looking for you," Aemond reminded her but seemed to have no objection to her leaving.
"Let them," She growled, turning to climb up the wall once more, "They'll be met with fire and blood. And if they kill me, so be it. I refuse to be married against my will."
"Yet you had no problem when it was Aegon," Aemond pointed out, earning a small smile from Daena.
"That is different," She replied calmly, forcing herself to stop climbing, "I wanted to marry him. It was my choice."
Aemond seemed to laugh at her response, which earned him a glare. "Because you were taught to love him," He corrected her but noticed how she refused to agree with him, "From the moment you took your first breath, you were told you'd marry Aegon. You were bred for it, in a way. To be his wife. You think you chose it but deep down, you know that is not true. Even Aegon knows it. He sculpted you into what he wanted you to be."
