A Dance Of Scales And Shadows | Aemond Targaryen x OC

Part 27 - The Wrath of Betrayal

"I am sorry," she heard his voice before realizing Aemond had returned and was now leaning against the doorframe.

"I shouldn't have..." Aika replied, embarrassed because she clearly shouldn't have opened his drawers.

"It's alright; after all, I wrote them all for you," Aemond's voice was calm and steady. "I'm sorry for not sending them back then."

"I thought you simply forgot about me once you bonded with that granny," Aika almost pouted, looking down.

"Jealous because of a dragon, I see," he said playfully, coming closer to her and caressing her shoulders.

"I regret every minute I didn't spend with you and every letter I didn't send," he said, slightly tilting his head to the side, trying to make her look at him. "But I'd prefer you to read these once this whole chaos is settled. Once we live..."

She looked up at him and nodded silently. Once they survive... they should somehow find a way to live, she thought to herself. Aika will soon realize there is only one way out, but there is an order to this story...

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When Alicent tried to sneak back into the Red Keep, she was taken aback to see Aika waiting for her at the entrance to one of the secret passages.

"We should talk," Aika said to her mother as they both made their way to Alicent's chamber.

Once the door closed, Aika approached the burning fireplace and sat near it.

"I just wanted some time to be alone, so I was strolling in the city," Alicent tried to offer an excuse.

"That's your second mistake today, mother," Aika replied coldly.

"Aika?!"

"Lying to me about why you went out alone without informing anyone," Aika's voice now sounded stern. "The first mistake was going to Dragonstone."

Alicent bit her tongue for a moment before sitting in the second armchair across from Aika.

"How could you?"

"How could I not try to save you?" Alicent said, nibbling on her fingers. "You're not like your brothers. You should understand that we're losing this. I can't allow you all to die..."

"Then enlighten me: what magic agreement will save us?" Aika asked.

Alicent spoke after a long silence. "We will surrender the capital without bloodshed."

"Aemond wouldn't agree to that..."

"He will be on his way to Harrenhal as planned during the small council meeting—safe for a while..."

Aika thought for a moment. "What will happen to Aemond after?" She waited for an answer, then asked more, "What about Aegon, mom?"

"He usurped the throne. She can't let Aegon..."

"It was YOU who put him on the throne," Aika stood up, almost throwing the armchair back. "You and Grandfather. You agreed to sacrifice him to save your skin? And, you don't even have anything to say about Aemond, cause you simply decided to let your sons die."

"We all make sacrifices for better day, think of Jaehaera, Heleana and you, you will live.."

"I refuse to be a prisoner and a burden to Aemond," the princess said boldly.

"I don't recognize the girl who brought the white stag's head to the throne room, who would do anything for her own sake," Alicent said, more to herself than to Aika.

"No, mother, I am exactly the girl who did that," Aika replied, storming out of the room, not wanting to hear anything more.