Sun and Fire ~ Aemond Targaryen

19. I don't Want to See You Today

After the celebration, when most of the guests were getting ready to leave as nightfall approached, the king rose from his seat to make new announcements.

"The wedding will take place in four moons" he proclaimed, giving enough time for all the necessary preparations to be made and for the great houses of Westeros to have time to organize themselves.

Five days before the wedding, tournaments and feasts will be held, as was tradition.

As people began to leave the great hall, complaints and murmurs soon followed. They disdainfully recalled that Princess Rhaenyra's marriage to Ser Laenor had seven days of tournaments, Aegon's to Helaena lasted six, but now Aemond's wedding would only have five. Nonsense, thought Daemma, whose mood had already darkened after her conversation with Lord Larys and the evident displeasure of her cousins, who had not taken her engagement well at all.

The young woman felt exhausted by the day's bustle. Surprised, she watched as the king, in his deplorable state, had endured almost the entire evening. She had been convinced that he would retire early, but he did not. In fact, he seemed to be enjoying the occasion.

As she watched the last guests leave, her eyes briefly landed on her cousins. She noticed that Jace, Luke, Rhaena and Baela were standing together, talking in a small circle. Slowly, they all began to look at her. Despite her nervousness, Daemma tried to offer them a faint smile, which was immediately rejected. The four of them began walking towards the exit without returning the gesture. Jace and Baela appeared visibly angry, while Rhaena and Luke wore expressions of disappointment and some embarrassment.

She had never imagined things would turn out like this. She knew the situation wouldn't please them, but she hadn't expected them to become so enraged with her as if she were the one to blame, as if she had been the one who chose all of this from the very beginning.

While standing there, Daemma's blue eyes turned to Helaena, who, unlike the others, offered her a natural and gentle smile, as if she understood her discomfort. Daemma knew that Helaena always seemed to know more than she let on. She approached to shake her hand for a moment.

"You were the most beautiful at this celebration... everything went perfectly, you deserve to rest" the princess whispered, her soft gaze never leaving Daemma's. Daemma, trying to hide the sadness that was beginning to overwhelm her, lifted the corners of her lips and gently brushed her cousin's hand with her thumb.

"Thank you, Helaena... your words always cheer me up."

"We're getting closer and closer to being sisters" the older woman replied with overflowing enthusiasm, her eyes sparkling with happiness, which stirred a warmth in Daemma's chest. They both laughed softly before enveloping each other in a sincere embrace.

"That's right... although, in some ways, I already see you as a sister" Daemma confessed, resting her chin on her cousin's shoulder, feeling the soft brush of her hair against her face without letting go of the hug for a few seconds.

Helaena was one of the few people who had recently become very close to Daemma. Her sweet and gentle nature captivated the young lady. Just her presence could make Daemma feel truly at ease and forget her problems, even if just for a while.

Daemma walked through the halls, accompanied by her parents and her sister, heading toward Maegor's Holdfast. They all commented on the wonders of the dinner, the beautiful red dress, and the entertaining dance, but what they most remarked on was that, unlike other occasions, this had been a peaceful celebration, something hard to achieve amid the constant family dramas.

While Prince Aegon and Princess Kassaia conversed amicably, Meria threw her usual jokes and negative comments about everything, but for Daemma, her sister's sharp words always brought a smile to her face.