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MAELYS SAT in the garden, a book clutched in her pale hand as the birds above chirped. Reading was a peaceful thing for the young princess and she often found herself with her head in the clouds more than in her own reality.The breeze of great summer flowed lightly against her porcelain skin as her violet eyes skimmed over the lines of text, each word transporting her to worlds far removed from the expectations of her own life. Here, in the solitude of the garden, the burdens of royalty fell away like the petals of the flowers that surrounded her. Each whisper of the wind was a gentle reminder of freedom, a fleeting escape that she desperately cherished.
The sun shone brightly above, dappling her skin with warmth, and the vibrant blooms of roses, daisies, and violets swayed gently in the light. The scents of lavender and honeysuckle filled the air, mingling with the soft, melodic rustling of leaves. It was a perfect day, one that made Maelys wish it would never end. Yet, as she turned a page, a shadow fell over her, casting a momentary chill upon her skin.
Startled, she looked up to find Aemond standing a few feet away, his usual scowl deepening as he crossed his arms over his chest. "What are you doing here all alone, sister? Hiding from your impending doom?"
Maelys felt a pang of annoyance at his words, the reminder of her betrothal looming over her like a dark cloud. "I'm reading, Aemond. I'm not hiding," she replied, attempting to keep her voice steady despite the turmoil within.
He stepped closer, the sun catching the sharp angles of his face, his striking features revealing nothing of the compassion she longed for. "You think a book will save you from marrying Lord Cregan Stark? You are foolish, Maelys."
"Do not speak to me as if I am a child," she retorted, her tone sharper than she intended. "I know what is to come. I am not naive, Aemond."
"Then you should be preparing, not daydreaming," he shot back, a hint of disdain lacing his words. "You should be learning how to be a proper lady, not getting lost in fantasies."
Her heart ached at his harshness. "And what of you? Do you think brooding over your own miseries will somehow change your fate?"
Aemond's expression faltered for a brief moment before hardening again. "This is not about me," he snapped. "You are the one who must face the Stark. You have no idea what you're getting into."
Maelys' heart raced, frustration bubbling within her. "You act as though I am unaware of the consequences of this marriage. It is my duty, Aemond. I must fulfill it for the sake of the realm, for our family."
"And what of your happiness? Do you think a marriage built on duty will bring you joy?" His voice lowered, the anger shifting into something softer. "Do you even know the man you are to wed?"
"No," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "But it does not matter. I have to do this."
He stepped closer, his gaze intense. "It does matter, Maelys. You deserve more than to be a pawn in a game you did not choose to play. You should be able to love freely, not be chained to a Stark's will."
