HOTD SI: The Bloody Prince (OC x Rhaenyra)(OC x Alicent)

Part 13

Chapter 13

AEMMA ARRYN

Aemma Arryn sat in her room, aware that the Council meeting would soon begin, and today, a rather young and new face would be joining them as well. She had advised Viserys to call Aegon to the meetings to try and get a measure of the boy, and soon enough, that would begin.

And yet today, the councilmen may have to pour their own vines for their cupbearer, who had a punishment to suffer.

"This is preposterous," her dear daughter roared, her face flushed in rage. Her servants and ladies smiled at the display of childishness, while Aemma herself only raised a brow.

"And how is this preposterous?" she asked, and Rhaenyra puffed up her cheeks as she sat down animatedly.

"I did nothing wrong, then why am I being punished?" she asked, and Aemma smiled.

"You did nothing wrong?" and at her accusation, Rhaenyra turned away from her.

"You, my dear..." and at that, she pinched her cheeks.

"...caused a whole ruckus yesterday. You have been skipping your lectures with your septa for two days now, and on top of that, you lied," she said.

"I did no such thing," she replied defiantly, acutely unaware of the political headache she had caused for herself and her father.

"Really?" she asked.

"I asked both you and Father. Both of you gave me permission to go dragonriding...."

"Only after you were done with your lessons," she pointed out, and her smile vanished at that as Rhaenyra began to bicker with her again.

"Please, just spare me. Just this once. After all, isn't there to be a celebration today for cousin Aegon today?" Indeed, there was to be one, and her daughter's innocence both worried and enamored her.

"And you will partake in it after you have made up for your lost lessons," she added sharply as the Septa entered the room. Rhaenyra's face paled as soon as she saw her.

"Please, mother. I beg you," and at that, she jumped towards her feet and began to beg her, yet she hardened her heart and shook her head.

"No, you need to learn your lesson."

"I have. I will not skip a single lesson again," she tried to bribe, but she knew that was a lie.

"Plus, isn't there to be a council meeting today? As father's cupbearer, I have to be there..." and at that, her eyes glinted, and she was about to run off when the Septa cut her off.

"Het back here, Rhaenyra," she called out, and she turned towards her with a helpless and pleading look, and she shook her head.

"Both your father and I agreed that he could manage without his cupbearer for the day," and at that, she motioned for her to go.

"Go and revise your last lesson; the septa will be joining you shortly," and with a defeated sigh, she nodded and walked out of her room as the ladies all chuckled at her behaviour.

She herself turned towards the septa.

"Marlow, do let her go a bit early. She will need time to prepare for the dinner in the night. Once it is time, I will send Alicent to pick her up," she ordered, and the Septa nodded.

"As you say, your grace."

After all, she may be a mischievous little brat, but she was her brat nonetheless, and neither she nor Viserys had the heart to be hard on her.