CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT
❪ devils tongue ! ❫

Aenemera grew up wondering if she would ever be fit to be a proper mother and a wife. Although the duty of a wife and a mother are vastly different, they still required the same amount of dedication.

Her life changed within just a few hours of time, where she went from only worrying about her life and Aemonds; to immediately feeling the need to die for her children.

With both pairs of lilac eyes staring back up at her, she felt the true meaning of motherhood and what it felt like to desire the need to protect.

Aenemera had Delaenya situated on her lap with her legs propped upwards and Rhaenerys in her right arm.

She spoke to the twins as if they could understand the words falling from her lips. And although they didn't understand, they stared up at their mother with curiosity and delight.

Aemond was situated beside the princess while gently combing back her long sweat hair to keep it from falling in her face. The prince occasionally smiled down at his children but always kept his focus on Aenemera while she whispered to their children. It was possible that the battle was long forgotten and anyone else in the room turned into a blur as the family huddled together in private.

" — And the gardens you will love," Aenemera spoke. "Flowers and trees everywhere you turn with pebbled pathways that overlooks the sea. You'll find creatures and bugs to explore with your little curiosities."

Delaenya let out a small coo followed by a toothless smile. Aenemera nodded eagerly with a small laughter. "Yes, yes that's right."

The midwives echoed in awe as they watched the princess entertain her children.

"I'm afraid i'll be searching for my three girls forever. Between the gardens and the library, I fear i'll be chasing you three down everyday."

Aenemera looked up at Aemond with a wide smile. "You've never showed any complaints before — "

"And I never will," he promised before pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead.

There was a small commotion coming from outside their chambers and Aenemera instinctively pulled her children closer to her while Aemond quickly stood.

The Maester and Gareth quickly rushed towards the door as the voices got closer.

"Where are they? Where are my children?" Alicent demanded in a fright before the door swung open and she made her presence known.

Everyone visibly relaxed as Aemond was the first to greet his mother. "All is well, do not worry." He held onto her elbows to keep her stable. Terroir and fear was covering her gorgeous features as she stared up at her son. "Aenemera? The babes?"

Aemond smiled and stepped off to the side to reveal his family was alive and well. Alicent sighed in content as she rushed over the princess and cradled her face between her hands. "We were all desperately worried for you." She planted a gentle kiss on the top of her head before turning to look at the twins. "Oh. Oh my — they're absolutely beautiful."

Tears swelled in the queens eyes as she reached down to stroke Delaenya's pointy ear with one finger. "They are alive and well your majesty," maester imputed from across the room. "They are more than what we thought they'd be."

Alicent looked over at Aenemera with slight worry again but the princess reassured her with a smile. "Nothing is missing."

"Our daughters will be written in the books of Targaryen history, mother." Aemond crossed his hands behind his back now as Alicent turned to Delaenya. "May I hold her? What are their names? Which is the oldest?"

Aenemera laughed as she nodded her head. "This here is Rhaenerys." She gestures to the now sleeping babe in her arms. "And this is Delaenya — she is the oldest."

Alicent hesitantly took Delaenya into her arms as a smile stretched wide across her face. "My, aren't you two just the most beautiful."

Aemond now stood behind his mother with a proud smile while gazing down at his daughter. Alicent studied the babes features then gazed over at Rhaenerys. "She looks just like her mother, as does Delaenya resemble her father." She scrunched her nose at the little girl and gently rocked her in her arms.

Aenemera tilted her head back against the pillows with a tired smile lingering on her face.

When the door to the bedchambers opened, Helaena had entered the room with Otto following quietly behind her. Aenemera's smile went as bright as the sun when seeing Helaena, to immediately dropping when she noticed Otto entering the room. She still had a very strong distrust towards the man.

"Brother," Helaena smiled joyfully as she took a stance beside their mother. "You did very well," she directed towards Aenemera. "I dreamt of this day, yes."

"They're very lovely, congratulations to you both." Otto nodded towards Aenemera, in which she responded with a smile quiet smile.

"It would seem Delaenya is enjoying all the attention," Alicent gently laughed.

The babe was too enthralled with everyone looking down and admiring her to be asleep. She let out a small squeal towards the queen, outstretching her arms before rubbing her face.

The family laughed at the small child while Aemond took his seat beside Aenemera again. He couldn't stop himself from continuously planting kisses over her head, her shoulder, and her knuckles. It was the happiest he ever felt in his entire life.

"What do you think, my love?" He whispered.

Aenemera gently stroked Rhaenerys soft cheek with the back of her finger while she slept. "They're beautiful — extraordinary."

"I believe Rhaenery's is going to be the spitting image of her mother."

"I believe so," the princess quietly laughed. "Delaenya seems to already have some fight in her like her father." She nodded towards their oldest daughter who was now in the hands of Helaena, gripping onto her long hair.

Aemond leaned forward and captured her lips with his own while reaching up to cradle her face. "I love you," he whispered gently.

"As do I, my love."

"Excuse me for interrupting," Gareth cleared his throat. "But we've just got word that Vhagar has given birth to two eggs."

Aemond and Aenemera quickly looked at one another in confusion. "Vhagar?" The princess asked just as two dragon masters entered the room with a large crate that held both steaming eggs.

"Are we sure it wasnt Dreamfyre?" The prince asked with his eyebrow raised.

One of the dragon masters shook his head. "We believe Vhagar and Baeselyx have spent their time together."

Aenemera blinked several times before turning her head to Aemond. "Well that does explain several things." The boy muttered something in valyrian, causing the princess to laugh. "This was planned by the Gods."

"I must apologize for your brother," Alicent spoke up. "The king is finishing things with the council due to our long night. He grants you both a high welcome to being parents."

Aemond ignored that comment and moved around the bed to take a look at the eggs situated in a chest. One egg was bright yellow like gold, a shimmer of green that resembles the first. And the other was Black with hints of Purple.

"The gold one — I think would fit best for our dearest Rhaenerys, and the black one for our Delaenya."

Aenemera smiled in agreement, her body happily sinking into the comfort of her bed to witness the family smiling at the babes.

For split moment Aenemera almost forgot about all the fighting — about her brother, her mother — the throne.

But when the thought rushed back to her like a violent wave, a frown formed on her lips until Alicent spoke up in a bright tone.

"We must celebrate — a grand party for the girls and you two's success."

"Mother, Mera needs time — "

Alicent looked at Aemond and smiled reassuringly. "I think it's much needed, my love. Far too long these halls have grown dark and quiet. We need a reason to bring some life back to it."

"I agree," Aenemera chirped. "What could it hurt, yes?"

Aemond met Aenemera's soft stare, the corner of his lips slowly tugging upwards. Aemond had no problem setting boundaries when it came to something he didn't want to do — but for Aenemera he would do anything.

"Very well, we'll bring our closest friends and family. The entire city will be overjoyed to hear about the birth of our daughters — this will be the largest celebration yet."

Aenemera glanced out the window at the mention of bringing friends and family, knowing very well that her own would be excluded and she wouldn't dare ask.

Not only were both queens at war with their hearts and Aenemera holding loyalty to the queens son — her reasoning for coming back to the palace was about to become much clearer. She remembers what her father discussed with her and bribed her with if she came back to Kings Landing — the life she could have if everything fell through.

But a much larger problem was brewing in the shadows that Aenemera wasn't aware of. A different side of the coin being tossed behind her back and it was going to cost her everything, including her life.