The Art of Chaos

Chapter 12

Helaena tells Aemond some truths he was not ready to hear. Rhaenyra tries to get through to Aemond. I hope you guys like it 🥰

2 days later.

"They are different." Aemond pretended not to hear his sister, but Helaena did not seem to be paying attention to him either. "They love one another, even where there is anger there is not mocking or hatred."

"They are a family." That was what came to mind every time he saw the Targaryens in this world, a family, people who loved each other unconditionally. Every time he saw them he felt jealous and it felt like something had been taken from him. He had grown up knowing there were many things missing, but now he could see what they were. It was hard to ignore something when it was right in front of his face. "Have you ever wondered what our lives would be like had we not grown up with people only wanting to use us?"

"You mean if we had a mother who saw us as more than her weapons to destroy Rhaenyra?" Even while Aegon would say that Helaena was a fool, Aemond had always known that his sister was very smart, she just got lost in her head sometimes. "I think we would be like the other version of us in this world. The Helaena of this world is happy and confident, she is not lost in her head all the time and she does not appear to be fearful. Then there is Aegon, who is happy, not drunk all the time, and loves his wife and children. Then there is the other you." Her words made him look at her andthis time he found she was looking directly at him. It felt like she was looking into his soul. "The Aemond of this world is sure of himself, brave, unafraid. He does not allow others' opinions of him to interfere with his actions. He does not react out of anger, but thinks things through."

It was amusing to see her speaking so clearly and without fear. "Are you saying I am rash?"

"Unlike other people, I can see you Aemond." The way she was staring at him made him a bit uncomfortable, but he allowed her to speak. "I know all the hatred you held for Lucerys, all the anger you felt for what he did to you. I also know the fear you felt the moment you lost control of Vhagar and how terrified you were when you saw her tear through Lucerys and his dragon. I know you regret what happened, and yet you refused to apologize. You made it seem to our mother and grandsire like you meant to kill him when we both know that is not true."

Aemond had known for a while that his sister knew more and saw more than she let on, but it was disconcerting to see how much she knew about him. "What do you think our mother and grandsire would have said had I returned to Kings Landing apologizing and telling them how sorry I was for what happened?"

"They would have been angry, even angrier than they were, and thought you weak." He knew his sister would understand, even if she did not approve of his methods. Helaena was thoughtful for a moment, and he was about to ask her what was wrong when she spoke. "You should not trust Criston Cole so much."

Aemond frowned, not sure why his sister had changed topics so suddenly. "Why are you saying that? Criston has always been on our side."

"No, he has not. For years he used to be in love with Rhaenyra, and he turned his back on her when she refused to run away with him. He then became our mother's lackey, before setting his eyes on her. He used you and Aegon to hurt Rhaenyra and her children. What do you think will happen if our mother ever takes away her affections? Criston will not hesitate to turn against us."

Aemond still felt like he was missing something, an important fact that was not being made clear to him. "What affections? I do not think I understand what you mean."

"The night Jaehaerys was killed Criston was not at his post." Aemond was aware of it, but he had never asked why. He stayed quiet, waiting for his sister to tell him what she knew. "He was in our mother's chambers, fucking her and it was not the first time. They have been together for a long time."