Sun and Fire ~ Aemond Targaryen

12. The Prince Who Became the Archmaester

Daemma was sitting on the bed, her back propped up against a pile of pillows that her maids had stacked between her and the headboard. Despite this, she felt a sharp pain each time Rysee pressed an ice pack against the bump on her forehead. Her cuts had been cleaned with ointments and her nostrils were stuffed with cotton. In short, she was a mess and only wished for revenge, one by one.

"I knew it was a bad idea. Was it really a "friendly" duel?" Rysee asked as she continued applying the ice to reduce the swelling on her forehead.

"It was, and the next one will be even more "friendly"" the girl whispered with malice. The pressure on her forehead increased, causing Daemma to close her eyes in pain and groan. Rysee removed the ice and stood up with a look of apprehension.

"I'm sorry, my Lady, but you know better than anyone that this isn't right".

"I won't stop training, Rysee. I've always trained in my life" Daemma murmured with a serene voice, but her maid looked at her sternly.

"I understand, but the Red Keep isn't like your estate in Highgarden..."

"Everyone has warned me. I don't need to hear it from you too" Daemma interrupted with a firm tone that made Rysee lower her gaze, still worried. Daemma's expression softened and she sighed calmly before speaking with understanding.

"I know you've been assigned to look after me... I'm sorry for worrying you".

Their gazes met and stretching out her hand, Daemma motioned for Rysee to come a few steps closer so they could interlace their fingers. They looked at each other for a moment before smiling and Daemma murmured again.

"I promise I'll be more careful, but don't try to forbid me from training".

The woman stroked the back of Daemma's hand with her thumb as she continued to hold it and finally nodded. It was impossible to prevent her from deciding what she wanted and Rysee had known her since almost birth; when she began serving Princess Kassaia, she was barely thirteen and had developed a genuine affection for her lady's children. She had seen them come into the world and only wished to protect them as she had sworn.

Their moment of companionship was interrupted when the massive door swung open abruptly. Both released their hands as they noticed a hurried and distressed Sarai entering, closely followed by Maester Orwyle.

"Maester, thank you for coming" Daemma said with a smile on her lips.

"My Lady, what happened? How did you break your nose?" asked the man, furrowing his brow as he approached. He soon noticed the bump on the young woman's forehead as well but chose not to mention it. He knew he couldn't easily deceive the maester, but Daemma didn't want to admit that she had been training. She didn't want the news to spread quickly. She kept her face as composed as possible and to the maester's surprise, let out a soft laugh that drew the attention of the maids.

"I'm embarrassed to admit it, but I fell down the stairs. It was a real foolishness on my part".

"You fell, my Lady?" repeated the maester, squinting his dark eyes even more and the young woman nodded convincingly.

The man looked at the maids, who remained calm and nodded as if confirming Daemma's version. Though the maester remained skeptical about what had happened, he kept silent and did a good job treating the young woman's nose.

Hours later, Sarai carefully styled Daemma's hair, leaving some strands strategically placed over her forehead to conceal the bump. At that moment, they heard knocking at the door. When Rysee went to check, she reported that it was Princess Helaena who entered with a worried expression, resting a hand on her prominent belly.