CHAPTER NINE
❪ devils tongue ! ❫

The tour around Kings Landing was a lot more extraordinary than Aenemera believed it would be. There was a difference from just being a princess to being married to one of the biggest bachelors of the city — one of the king's sons.

Besides the recent bickering and arguments happening between the newlywed couple, Aenemera was actually quite happy at the moment.

She stood with her guards as she walked the streets and had flowers thrown at her very feet. Many of the residents of Kings Landing cheered for her and shouted compliments about her. It was the most she's ever felt seen.

At first she was intimidated but her mother always told her that the people wanted to be heard. They wanted their problems to be heard and be seen, they never wanted to be ignored.

Aemond followed closely behind with his own set of guards. His usual stance had his arms behind his back but he would occasionally wave to the people and send them smiles while keeping an eye on Aenemera.

The girl had a habit of getting too close to the children to collect flowers. She would pass them off to one of the guards and Aemond found himself smiling on the inside at the sight. There was nothing like a large guard dressed in armor carrying around a basket of flowers that the princess refused to let drop.

When the small tour around kings landing ended and turned into a small feast with games and horseback riding, it was quite similar to a celebration of a name day.

But Viserys wanted a celebration for all of his children to show adoration – especially if it included his Granddaughter.

Aemond was seated with other people including his brother Aegon who was talking most of the time making a fool of himself with his casual drinking habits. Alicent remained by the king's side under a tent sharing each other's food as Helaena and Aenemera walked together.

Mera linked her arm with Helaena and inhaled the spring air through her nose. "Tell me, my dear aunt. What is it like being a married woman to a man that can't last past five cups of wine?"

Helaena giggled into her free hand as both girls glanced towards the boys during their walk. Aemond looked like he was trying to exclude himself from the conversation but Aegon kept pulling him back into his seat.

"He ignores me most of the time," she admitted. "But it isn't so bad."

Aenemera looked at her with a small frown. "But I'm sure it does feel lonely, doesn't it?"

Helaena thought for a moment before turning to Aenemera curiously. "Is it not lonely for you as well?"

The girl raised her eyebrows in wonder as Helaena took a hold of her hands delicately. "We must look after each other during these times. It's not always safe to be alone within one's thoughts."

Aenemera smiled sweetly. "I do appreciate your kind words, I'll remember them when I'm in need of some company."

Helaena's gaze turned behind Aenemera as Aemond suddenly made an appearance. Her spirit lifted higher once her brother greeted the women and her hold on Aenemera slipped. "I must check on our older dear brother now."

Aenemera widened her eyes, silently begging for Helaena to stay by her side but the older girl knew exactly what she was doing. There was a faint smirk resting on her face as she walked away.

Aemond shifted awkwardly in front of Aenemera and the girl folded her hands in front of her dress, turning to the sun in the distance now.

"My prince," she cleared her throat. "Lovely day it has been."

"Quite." He responded, following her gaze towards the distance where few people rode horses with a few guards on watch. "I was afraid you were becoming lonely without my antagonizing."

Aenemera ran her hands down her blue dress and looked at Aemond quickly. "Actually I was enjoying the time I had by myself and your sister. At least she doesn't nag me for hours." She stepped away from his side and started making her way towards the horses.

Aemond slightly grinned as he watched her walk away before joining her near the stable. She turned to face the boy with narrowed eyes as one of the caretakers brought over a horse for her to ride.

"That wasn't an invite, you know."

Aemond collected his own horse and quickly mounted on top of it, adjusting the reins and himself on the seat while he stared down at the princess. "Did I need your permission to enjoy our special occasion?"

"More like a warning sign," she muttered before climbing onto her horse.

Aemond smirked and gave his horse a light kick, guiding the horse away from the stable and towards the woods. Aenemera narrowed her eyes at him once more before quickly following behind.

Few of the guards called out for them to wait, but they were way past the tree line and sights of the feast to catch up to.

When Aenemera reached up to Aemond, who was now riding at a slow pace, she turned to face him with a question. "Since when did you enjoy riding?"

"There's a lot you don't know about me," he replied mysteriously, but it was meant with humor. "See what happens when you always try to distance yourself from your husband?"

Mera rolled her eyes. "You're not exactly my favorite person to be around."

"So much hatred in that heart of yours," he responded with his eyes focused ahead of him. "Remember when we used to have fun as children?"

"Either you hit your head or have a terrible memory my prince, because there was never a moment spent together that I enjoyed."

The couple remained silent for most of the ride Aenemera had the desire to just ride off and leave him alone with the birds, but she didn't want to panic anyone back at the camp into thinking the prince was lost.

But then again, losing him would actually be rather fun, she thought.

"Be honest Aemond, what are you actually doing here?" The princess had to ask now, the silence was beginning to kill her. If they were going to be forced with close proximity, she might as well get some use out of it.

"Can't I enjoy the day with my wife?"

"I hardly call it enjoyable," she muttered under her breath.

Aemond raised an eyebrow at the girl then snapped the reins on the horse to move faster before turning around and forcing her to come to a stop. "You constantly mumble under your breath when you look away from me."

The princess huffed out a sigh through her nose. "Because sometimes it's not worth saying to your face."

"Most people would find that rude."

"Exactly, you aren't most people. You're the one person who can't catch the hint that I want to be left alone. Now move." Aemond got in the way of her horse again. Annoyance was spreading across his face as she tried to get around them once more. "Aemond, I'm serious!"

"You do realize that the person you're stressing out here the most is my mother." He spoke out defensively. "It's not my own personal opinions I'm worried about. But what my family might think and I'd rather not bring her so much concern."

Aenemera tightened her grasp among the reins and pulled on her horse to take a step backwards. Her glare on Aemond hardened some more as they stood toe to toe now. "That's something you'll have to speak up with her yourself. Lie, promise we are healthy — I do not care."

"Lying isn't exactly in my nature."

She had to laugh at this point. Her body shook from laughter and her eyes widened with surprise. "You're unbelievable."

"What about your grandfather — my father?" He pressed harder. "I'm sure you've taken notice of his health lately. Would you mind at least pretending we're stable for his own sake?"

"Good God's damn, I didn't realize this was such a burden for you."

Aemond moved his horse beside her and had his face mer inches from hers with fire burning behind his eyes. "I have a duty to carry on for my family and the sake of our people. While my brother drowns himself in his own self pity, I have the desire to keep our bloodline from failing. I will not have my father on his deathbed thinking we left it uncontrollable."

Aenemera breathed in heavily now as she shared the same fire sensation behind her eyes. "This is my family you're talking about as well!"

"And where are they now?" He replied with intentions of hurt.

She bit down on her tongue and turned away from the boy, snapping the reins of her horse and sending them both forward at a fast pace. She refused to look back at the boy and no longer cared where she was going to be carried off to.

Aemond closed his eyes when he realized he overstepped her boundaries and silently cursed himself. He began to panic, worried about her being off alone in the woods so he quickly charged after it with one kick.

"Aenemera!"

She ignored his loud calls and kept riding as fast as she could. Some tree branches would smack her in the face as the horse leaped over fallen trees that have grown with age.

She heard his horse coming closer but refused to get herself to stop as they leaped over another fallen tree, only for a medium sized boar come running across the woods. It passed her horse and had the animal standing up on its back legs to defend itself.

The boar squealed and screeched as Aenemera lost her balance from the horse and fell backwards onto the ground.

"Aenemera!" Aemond shouted again but this time he jumped from his horse and pulled out a blade as the horse took off and the boar started charging towards her.

For once she had no protection for herself and she couldn't get up fast enough to defend herself as the boar ran full force. But before it could pierce her in any way by its tusks, Aemond tossed his knife straight at it, the blade piercing through its heart.

One last squeal and the boar was on the ground unmoving. Aemond was at her side in an instant while she continued to calm herself from the shock.

"Where?" He demanded while kneeling beside her and examining her body for injuries.

"I'm fine," she grunted while pushing herself off the ground and getting to her feet.

Aemond reached for his blade and pulled it out with strength. Aenemera watched as he wiped the blood off with his pants as she tried to clean her dress from dirt. "Thanks," she whispered breathlessly.

"No need." He responded before walking back to his horse and bringing it closer. "We'll bring the boar back, no use if it's wasted out here." He grabbed a long rope from inside a pocket sadel and began tying it up to the back of his horse.

Aenemera was slightly surprised by his strength. She wasn't shocked, seeing as he worked out often in combat, but he grew quickly into his height and muscles from the nonstop work.

She cleared her throat and pointed towards the direction her horse left. "I'll go search for her, she's probably in shock — "

"No, it's getting late and they're most likely wondering where we are."

Her shoulders slouched and she so badly wanted to fight him on this decision. She felt bad for the mess that was created and at least wanted to return the horse back to the stable. "But she can't be left alone out here — "

"Aenemera," Aemond gave her a warning look as he finished tying the boar off. "Get on the horse."

"Excuse me – "

He cut her off once more as he swept her up into his arms and placed her onto his horse. She gaped in shock but didn't have time for a natural response as he climbed on after and began leading them back to the camp.

"I'll send someone out to retrieve the horse." He promised. "She's been spooked and needs to be treated with gentle care."

"You don't think I handle things with care?" She peeked at him from over his shoulder with her eyebrow arched.

Aemond glanced at her but remained silent. She rolled her eyes. "Fine, we'll go back and finish for the evening. But I'll need a day of recovery, my head nearly smacked the ground.

"Spoken like a true princess," he chuckled to himself. "Be sure to get some more riding lessons as well."

"Peldio." She spoke with her eyes rolling. ❪ snake ❫

Aemond grinned at her comment but ignored it briefly before taking a short look at her from over his shoulder. He noticed a scratch on her cheek with some dried blood from the tree branches. Guilt settled in his stomach and he cleared his throat. "I apologize for my comment earlier, princess."

"Stop calling me that." She ordered. "You use that term and Its hard to take it seriously."

The boy rolled his eyes but remained calm as he brought them back to camp. "Fine. Iksan vaoreznuni, Aenemera." ❪ im sorry, aenemera ❫

She looked at him from the corner of her eye, no sign of humor lingering on his face. His comment was meant with true intentions of an apology, so she took it. But she would never say that out loud.