tethered by Fate | Lucerys Velaryon | Aemond Targaryen

◇ seven ◇

◇

After a long while of just sitting and staring out the window, lost in my thoughts, I finally stand. I can’t sit idly anymore—I need to reconnect with my family. Tea with Mother should be the first step.

The wardrobe catches my eye, an obvious choice made by her given the aggressive amount of green. I open it and shuffle through the dresses. Most are green, of course, but I’m surprised to find a few in other colors—gold, pink, lilac, and even a bright orange one.

I pull the orange one out, holding it up to inspect. It’s low-cut with delicate white frills and intricate lacing near the bottom.

“Gods, this is hideous,” I laugh, shoving it back into the wardrobe.

Settling on a deep navy blue dress, I quickly change and fix my hair into something presentable. Once satisfied, I leave the room, only to realize a glaring issue.

I have no idea where I’m going.

Oh well. I shrug to myself and begin wandering through the endless halls, marveling at the tapestries and architecture I barely remember from my childhood. It feels like the Red Keep has grown larger in my absence.

After some time, I stumble upon what looks like a large library. There has to be a maester in there who can point me in the right direction. I push open the heavy wooden doors and step inside. The scent of old books and incense immediately washes over me.

I glance around and spot a figure with his back turned, wearing the familiar robes of a maester. Finally, someone who can help. I make my way toward him but am abruptly cut off by another figure stepping into my path.

I nearly collide with him.

“Oh shi—” I begin, startled, but the words die in my throat as I look up and see Aemond.

“Oh my Gods, Aemond! Don’t pop up like that! You need a bell or something.”

He tilts his head, the corner of his mouth twitching in what might be amusement. “A bell? To warn you of my presence? How thoughtful of you, sister.”

“It’s considerate, actually,” I quip, folding my arms.

His single eye sweeps over me, lingering just a second too long. “You look… radiant in blue,” he says, his voice softer than I expected.

I wave him off, trying to deflect the sudden intensity in his gaze. “Well, I’d hope so. It was either this or an orange monstrosity, and I refuse to let Mother’s sense of fashion dictate my life.”

He doesn’t laugh, as usual, but his lips press into a tight line. “You’re wandering. Lost?”

“Not anymore, thanks to you,” I reply, brushing past him.

But his hand shoots out, gentle yet firm, catching my wrist.

“You shouldn’t roam the Keep alone,” he says, his tone a touch too serious. “This place holds dangers even for family. And you… you’ve been gone too long. It isn’t safe for you to trust it.”

I glance at his hand and then back at him, forcing a laugh. “Aemond, I’m not going to be eaten by a tapestry or kidnapped by a shadow. Let me go before you scare me into locking myself in my chambers for the rest of my stay.”

His grip loosens reluctantly, and he steps back, his expression unreadable. “If you’re looking for Mother, allow me to escort you. It’s no trouble.”

“Really, I can find it on my own—”

“I insist,” he interrupts, his tone brooking no argument.

I sigh, nodding reluctantly. “Lead the way, then.”

As we walk, the silence stretches uncomfortably long. Aemond walks close—too close—his shoulder nearly brushing mine as we navigate the winding halls.

“You’ve changed,” he says suddenly, breaking the silence.

I glance at him, startled. “What do you mean?”

“You’re… different. More poised. More confident,” he replies, his eye flickering over me again in that unnervingly thorough way. “It suits you.”

I can’t tell if it’s a compliment or something else entirely. “Well, nine years away will do that to a person.”

“And yet, I feel as if I know you better now than I did then,” he murmurs, almost to himself.

I laugh awkwardly, trying to lighten the mood. “That’s because you don’t have to share me with Daeron anymore. Remember how he used to hog me all to himself?”

Aemond doesn’t laugh. “Yes. I remember.”

The tone of his voice sends a shiver down my spine, but before I can respond, we arrive