𝐎𝐅 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐒𝐄𝐀 ── house of the dragon

v | greater than duty

ACT II — CHAPTER V
Gʀᴇᴀᴛᴇʀ Tʜᴀɴ Dᴜᴛʏ

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Myra did not have to wait long for Aemond's letter.

It had been three days since they had returned from Stonedance, and Myra was filled with an intense feeling of shame. Kissing Aemond had been wrong — if anyone would have seen, she would have tarnished her name as well as her mother's. However, given the opportunity to go back and change her actions, she probably would have kissed him again. So, she was left with overwhelming shame.

Myra's shame had taken a negative effect on her mood, and it did not go unnoticed by Rhaenyra. She knew her daughter well enough to know when something was bothering the girl. The problem was figuring out what was the issue.

The second day after they had returned from Stonedance, Myra was working on her studies in the library on her own. This stood out to Rhaenyra, as Myra hated working on her studies, even more so on her own. So, when Rhaenyra got word of her daughter's actions, she went to the library to meet her.

"Did you enjoy the tourney?" Rhaenyra asked, sitting down in the seat across from Myra.

Myra, who was lounging across her chair with an open book in her lap, shrugged, "It went as all tourneys do. Too much senseless violence for me, but Jace, Rhaena, Baela seemed to enjoy themselves, as did Elinda. Lord Massey was quite happy to see her again."

"I never liked tourneys much, either," Rhaenyra agreed, "All it does is show that men are eager to fight."

Myra flipped the page of her book, "I do not understand the eagerness to spill blood."

Rhaenyra folded her hands over her stomach, eyeing Myra closely.

"Jacaerys and the twins told me that you gave Aemond your favor," she stated, "Rhaena was very excited to give every detail."

The Velaryon girl immediately tensed. Rhaenyra did not miss it.

Suddenly, Myra closed her book and sat up in her chair. She rested her hands on top of the book, looking down at them as she spoke.

"Are you angry with me? For giving him my favor?" Myra asked.

Rhaenyra's brow scrunched in confusion, "Of course not. Why would I be?"

"Is the answer to that not obvious?" Myra questioned, finally meeting Rhaenyra's eyes, "All that happened at Driftmark, the wound has never healed for anyone. Jace hates when I speak with him. I assumed you would feel the same."

"I see," Rhaenyra hummed, a small smile growing on her face, "Did you know I once gave my favor to Ser Criston Cole in a tourney?"

Myra's eyes widened in surprise, "Really?"

"Really. I would have been Luke's age at the time," Rhaenyra told her, "Is that what has had you so upset? The idea that I would be mad at you for granting your favor?"

Her daughter sighed and bit her lip, "I just don't want to do something that would make you hate me."

"There is nothing in this world that could make me hate you, my darling," Rhaenyra said immediately, reaching forward and grabbing Myra's hand, "Why would you even think that?"

"You cannot say that when you do not what I could do," Myra replied, blinking back tears, "What if I do something that is so unforgivable that you can't even stand to look at me?"