PYROPHILIA ▸ Aegon the Conqueror

chapter viii.

CHAPTER VIII

IT HAD BEEN a couple days after Lyarra's breakout, when Rhaenys came to see her. Lyarra had tried to steer away from her with the excuse of feeling unwell, but Rhaenys was Rhaenys and she couldn't wait longer. When she came through the door announced, Lyarra's eyes went wide. She had expected her visit soon enough, but it scared her that that moment was already there.

In all truth, she didn't know what to tell her. Could she really speak the truth? Could she really tell her about what had happened with Aegon? She already knew the answer to all of those questions, but that made it even harder. If there was one thing more difficult than telling Rhaenys the truth was lying to her.

"Your Grace." Lyarra curtsied and Rhaenys narrowed her eyes in confusion. There weren't many times Lyarra referred to her in such a formal way.

"Do you wish to tell me what is wrong?" Rhaenys spoke firmly, keeping her expression blank. It was weird to see Rhaenys so serious that for a second Lyarra felt guilty for depriving her of her joyful mood.

"Nothing." Lyarra lied, but Rhaenys didn't seem to believe her. Sometimes even Lyarra would forget how easy it was for her to see through everyone's lies. Rhaenys waved her hand to dismiss Lyarra's handmaiden and she followed her Queen's orders immediately.

"Would it be obvious if I said I don't believe you?" She moved closer to Lyarra and she felt as if a sweat started running down her forehead. Was she really so easy to read? But then again, Elric always told her what an awful liar she was.

"It would be more like you." Lyarra said trying to lighten the mood but Rhaenys was unwilling for any of that. She took another step closer.

"Speak." She exclaimed firmly. It was more of a command than a suggestion. Lyarra let out a heavy breath.

"The longer I wait for a marriage, the faster my family is in need of one, especially considering our new state. We are no longer Kings, we need alliances."

"You are allied with the North." Lyarra already knew that. You are allied with us."

"Yes, but that alliance stands with your word. What if your children decide otherwise? We need real allies, those that are only built through marriage. The North is not as strong as it was and lower Lords have no power, not in the way they did. That's why I am here, Rhaenys."

That wasn't exactly a lie, just not the full truth. Her family was really in need of an alliance. Benjen had let that slip when they were back in Winterfell and even though her family tried to hide that from her, Lyarra knew how much they needed it. Perhaps that was one of the reasons why she had jumped to that decision.

Rhaenys didn't speak for a minute. She moved even closer, keeping her eyes to the floor. Time seemed to pass slower as she waited for her to respond.

"Is that all?" She finally said.

"Yes." She lied again, hoping that would be the last time. Rhaenys nodded her head. "Is everything ready for the feast?" She changed the subject.

"Yes. We are expecting guests to start arriving from tomorrow. I hear Lord Tyrell will be from the first ones." She answered. "He has a good reason for it." She bumped on Lyarra's shoulder, a way to comfort her and lift the mood.

It was great to see Rhaenys find herself again, almost relieving. Rhaenys had that effect on others, creating happiness where it cannot be found.

"So, have you decided on what to wear?" Rhaenys gave her a smirk.