wicked games | aemond targaryen

𝚝𝚠𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚢-𝚘𝚗𝚎

VAELANA HUMMED SOFTLY to herself as she brushed through her hair, her thoughts filled with what would happen the following day. She hated to admit, even to herself, how nervous she was. Vaemond Velaryon would make his case to the crown, and her family would make theirs. With the greens currently occupying the crown while her uncle was sick, Valaena knew the odds were not in their favor.

A knock on the door made her pause, heart skipping in her chest as to why someone would come knocking so late at night.

"Come in," she called out as she set the brush down, turning around in her chair as her chamber doors swung open.

She relaxed when her brothers entered the room, erasing any fear that something was wrong. Lucerys shuffled in rather sheepishly with their younger brother clinging tightly to his side.

"What are you two doing here?" Valaena asked, standing up from her chair to greet them as the doors shut behind them. "You should both be asleep."

"Joffrey's having trouble sleeping," Lucerys told her. "I thought you might be able to help."

"Is that so?" Valaena raised an eyebrow at the obvious lie but held her tongue. "Well, we can't have that now, can we?"

"Come on now," Valaena reached down and scooped up Joffrey in her arms with ease, heading towards her bed.

She settled Joffrey under the covers, hiding her amusement when he released a long yawn and his eyelids began to droop. She slipped under the covers beside him, wrapping her arm around him as he began to lull himself to sleep before glancing up to where Lucerys stood in the middle of her room.

"You too, Luke," Valaena waved her hand, watching the relief cross his face as he shuffled over to the bed.

Lucerys crawled on top of the covers, settling on the other side of her as she wrapped her other arm around him. She let out a quiet breath at the worried look behind his eyes, shifting as she reached up with one hand to weave her fingers through his hair.

"Tell me what's really bothering you," Valaena asked him softly, watching his hesitation as he bit his lower lip nervously.

"I'm worried about tomorrow," he admitted, casting his eyes down as if it was something shameful.

"You've got nothing to worry about," Valeana reassured him, reaching down to cup his face gently in her hands as she tilted his chin up so he would meet her gaze. "You're the true heir to Driftmark."

Lucerys nodded, although it was obvious his worries were far from eased.

"Tell you what," Valaena whispered, leaning in close as if sharing a secret. "After the petition tomorrow, we'll sneak down to the kitchens and eat some rather delicious lemon tarts."

"Before dinner?" Lucerys smiled at the thought, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Before dinner," Valaena confirmed with a soft chuckle, reaching up to tap his nose playfully. "And no one will ever know."

"Not even mother?" he questioned with a raised eyebrow.

"What, are you crazy?" Valaena gasped in fake shock, prompting a giggle to escape his lips. "Especially not Rhaenrya."

"Thanks, Val," Lucerys whispered, so quiet that she barely heard him. Valaena nodded, pressing a kiss to the top of his head as he buried himself deeper into her side.

"Try to rest, Luke," she murmured, brushing a hand over his curls as she tried to put her own mind at ease.

She could sense him beginning to doze off when another knock sounded at the door. Valaena barely had time to open her mouth when the doors opened, leaving her surprised before another familiar mop of brown hair entered her room.