33 - 𝕱𝖗𝖊𝖊𝖉𝖔𝖒

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𓆰𓆪



The throne room had emptied almost instantly after Alicendria's declaration. Courtiers whispered among themselves in hushed, hurried tones, but none dared approach her. She stood at the far end, her posture still straight, her gaze distant yet commanding. The weight of her words lingered like smoke in the air.

Aemond remained behind, alone now with her, the door sealing shut with a dull thud. He leaned against the stone wall, one hand pressed against it, jaw tight, breathing ragged. For the first time in years, the fire in his eye wavered—not from battle, not from the roar of armies—but from the woman he had underestimated all along.

He finally broke the silence, his voice low, raw.
"Alicendria..."

She didn't turn. She didn't need to. Her calm alone was enough to cut through his fury and frustration.

"You were my wife," he said, almost pleading, "my life, my family... and now you—this—"

"I am still your wife," she said softly, her words deliberate, controlled, sharp. "But I will not be your prisoner. Not to infidelity. Not to neglect. Not to a life where my worth is measured by your whims. I am petitioning for annulment, Aemond. Because I will not live this lie any longer."

He pressed a hand to his face, exhaling heavily. Rage, shame, and grief warred inside him. "You don't understand... you can't just—"

"I understand perfectly," she interrupted, her voice quiet, but every syllable a blade. "You chose her. You abandoned me emotionally before you ever touched her. You made your choice long before today. I am only formalizing it."

Aemond's eye glimmered with a storm of regret. "I... I didn't think—"

"You didn't think of me," she said, turning to finally meet his gaze. "You didn't think of our children, or our vows, or the consequences of your actions. And now the court knows the truth. I will not be a victim any longer."

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐫 - 𝐀𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐲𝐞𝐧 ᵉᵈⁱᵗᵉᵈWhere stories live. Discover now