CHAPTER FOUR
❪ devils tongue ! ❫

"Aunt Laena has passed."

It wasn't too long ago that Rhaenyra had to sit down with her children and bring the news that their family member had passed during childbirth. The younger siblings weren't made aware of the real accident that occured, unlike Aenemera who was very much familiar with the real heart breaking news.

And still, she sat between her brothers with a comforting arm around their shoulders as they sniffled into her arms and the weight of their bodies leaning into her own.

Aenemera had already spent time prior crying to the sudden news, but now that she had adapted to this change, she wanted to remain stable for her siblings. She wanted to be there for her young brothers if they needed someone to share their grief with.

Today Aenemera stood beside her family, supporting her house colors with red and black but today it would be for mourning.

Her father Leanor couldn't take his eyes off the ground, his hands folded out in front of him while Rhaenyra held the boys. Aenemera glanced up at her father in sadness before comfortingly leaning her head against his arm in silence. He didn't move or acknowledge her presence, but she was aware that the gesture could mean more than words.

Laena's casket was pushed out into the war where her soul could be reconnected with the sea, and Aenemera felt her heart tug against her chest.

Dragons now soared above their heads as they took the funeral to another landing outside to gather with friends and family for mourning. There was wine and smaller foods being presented by maids, Lyra was near as well, doing her duty to keep an eye out for the princess in case she needed anything.

But Aenemera kept mostly to herself by the stone railing, watching between her father kneeling by the ocean and Baeselyx floating above her head in peace.

Suddenly Jace was at her side, his smaller frame peering over the white rock before letting out a heavy sigh.

"How are you?" Mera placed a caring hand on his shoulder. Those three words didn't mean much at the time, but he welcomed her comfort by visibly relaxing at her side.

"I'm unsure what to do." He admits.

Aenemera glances around the area and spots their cousins sitting on a small bench, alone and mourning while their grandparents speak with others. Aenemera frowns at the sight then looks at her brother. "You should speak with our cousins. They'd much like to hear a kind word from someone their age," a small smile tugged at her lips.

Rhaenyra appeared at her childrens sides, rubbing their backs comfortably. "Have you two seen your father?"

Aenemera nodded towards the water. "He hasn't moved."

Jace now disappeared from their side, going over to his cousins as Rhaenyra turned to stand in front of her daughter. She placed a hand on her cheek then leaned down to press a gentle kiss at her temple while whispering.

"I'm sure your future husband would like to share a few kind words with you."

Aenemera raised her eyebrows and looked off in the distance where Aemond stood alone. Doubt it.

Her mother was still pushing for them to communicate better and become actual friends for the sake of their future.

Except every moment shared between them was left in an argument.

"Sure," she muttered. But instead of speaking to Aemond, she walked straight towards her uncle. She didn't have a single memory with the man, and seeing as he also lost his wife, she knew he would need some comfort as well.

Rhaenyra visibly fidgeted from where she stood, her eyes trailing after her daughter before connecting them with Alicents in the distance.

Daemon was leaning back against the half rock wall with a cup of wine in one hand and his other weighing close to his side.

Aenemera took in her uncles features from the distance. Some parts of of his face seemed noticeably similar but it wasn't something she could put her finger on. But with his lack of expressions and few choice of words to whomever decides to speak with him, it was clear he was mourning with a heavy heart.

"Uncle Daemon."

It came out more as a question but with a cheerful tone. Aenemera didn't expect to have the best conversation with him, but it was worth the effort to make an introduction.

The older man's eyes drifted down at the young blonde girl. Her straight hair was pinned back and pulled away from her face with two small braids to represent a crown above her head. Her face resembled a lot from Rhaenyra, between the eyebrows and lips, her growing height and face shape; she was practically identical to when Rhaenyra was a child.

"I've heard big news." He skipped over the part of mourning immediately and brought up the news of her recent alliance.

A frown formed on her face. "It's not that big uncle."

His lips curved at the corner briefly before he turned around to face the sea, leaning on his forearms.

Aenemera copied his stance but instead of leaning on her arms, her fingers tapped along the rock.

"Becoming heir to the throne not so striking for a child is it?"

Aenemera glanced quickly over her shoulder to make sure Aemond wasn't somewhere close behind to listen. When she turned back to Daemon, she started using her special tactic to speak about others.

"Gaoman daor jaelagon naejot dīnagon qilōni i'm betrothed naejot." ❪ i do not wish to marry who I'm betrothed to. ❫

Daemon glanced down at the child. "Gaomi daor va moriot emagon se option syt īlva future, dārilaros. Issa sȳrje ao gūrēñagon bisa lesson adhirikydho." ❪ We do not always have the option for our future, princess. It is best you learn this lesson quickly. ❫

Warm tears gathered at the corner of her eyes. Tired and emotional from the loss of family but still trying to gather around the knowledge of her now planned future.

Aenemera felt like she didn't get the proper time to adjust to the news.

He noticed her immediate stressed nature and slowly leaned down so only she would hear him speaking.

"Nyke remember aōha muña issare sepār hae worried isse se beginning. Yn kessa mazverdagon iā sȳz dāria mēre tubis se ēza dōrī issare pirta nūmāzma zirȳla choices gō. Īles paktot nūmāzma bisy." ❪ I remember your mother being just as worried in the beginning. But she will make a fine queen one day and she has never been wrong about her choices before. She was right about this one. ❫

Aenemera shook her head. "Yn muña adores kepa. Nyke can't imagine nykēla spending iā ābrar lēda someone nyke can't share keskydoso lēda lēda." ❪ But mother adores father. I can't imagine myself spending a life with someone I can't share the same with with. ❫

Something in Daemons jaw ticked but he remained silent as the princess babbled her frustration and fear for her future.

"Jaelan naejot sagon adored hae sȳrī." ❪ i want to be adored as well. ❫

Daemon glanced down at the child in silence before placing a comforting arm around her shoulder. She didn't cry, nor did he; they were both similar in that sense where they picked and choose where to release emotions. But when challenged or corrupted, they had a tendency to explode.

❪ dylan ! ❫
sorry for something super small and filler! next chapter is about aemond and losing his eye so I wanted to create an entire chapter on that bit.