CHAPTER TWENTY NINE
❪ devils tongue ! ❫

"All of the other handmaidens compliment you, they really do. They acknowledge your hard work and truthfully I would recommend you to just about anyone."

"That's very kind of you, thank you."

Aenemera's eyes flickered back and forth between Lyra, who was currently gushing from the continuous compliments, and one of Helaena's ladies in waiting who joined the girls for tea.

The princess kept most of her focus on the book settled in her lap, only chiming in on topics that were partly interesting or involved her peace of mind.

Helaena's lady in waiting, Erika, was a little less interesting for Aenemera's taste.

She gave off a superior complex vibe to the princess. The kind that says, im the lady in waiting for the new queen of kings landing so I have a better opportunity than most. She couldn't stand women that had their noses so far up in the sky. They immediately thought they were better than everyone.

And so far — she was currently sucking up to Lyra, who was mentionably Aenemera's greatest friend and handmaiden. Even though the princess visibly could tell that Erika didn't hold to those kind words behind those piercing eyes.

At this point Aenemera was only staying for Helaena.

If she had any idea that her self centered ladies in waiting would be joining, she would try to reschedule. But Helaena's innocent nature didn't easily pick up on the ignorant social cues around the castle.

Aenemera always had to be there to protect her during these times, just to make sure no one took her innocence for granted.

"I heard Aemond would be traveling again."

Oh now Aenemera was eagerly interested in the newest topic at the table. But she didn't want to make it obvious as she kept her glare on the pages but her ears perked up curiously.

"Yeah, the prince will be gone for a few days." One of the women sighed sadly.

Aenemera took a mental note on how she dropped her head into her hand looking visibly depressed by it. She narrowed her eyes harder at the page but no longer could find the urge to read.

"I'll miss seeing him around," Erika sighed gently. "Watching him walk around all mysterious and quiet — "

"Oh oh! One time we passed each other in the halls and he bowed to me. I could've sworn he smiled, you know — the kind of smile that hints at — "

Aenemera slammed her book shut and lowered it to her lap. She pressed her lips into a firm line as her forehead creased. "Speaking of my dear husband, ladies?"

Erika tilted her head back while fanning herself quietly, as if she was soaking up the sun. "Oh you know what we mean princess. You can't deny that you won the lottery with that one."

The other lady in waiting, Marie, giggled into the palm of her hand as an act of agreement.

Aenemera's eye began to twitch and Lyra started a conversation with Helaena quickly so the queen's inner thoughts weren't disrupted by gossip. But also because she was fully aware that Aenemera was about to flip the entire table.

"If I knew what you mean — which I think I do, it would be that you're longing after a man who is already wed and has no interest on claiming any bimbo as his Second Lady to keep his bed chambers warm."

Erika snapped her head back to look at Aenemera in shock, stilling her fan from moving in her grasp.

" — and to actively pine over a married man when his pregnant wife is sitting right across from you has to be as dirty as the lower city scums." Aenemera moved her chair backwards and dropped the book on the table with a loud bang, making the tea cups shake. "Say what you please behind my back but do refrain from opening your legs in front of me about the man I love or else I'll happily burn you alive, yes?"

She plastered a forced smile on her face, leaving no chance for the ladies to respond as she gathered her things and stormed away with Gareth traveling close behind.

Erika slowly turned to Marie with a scuff and whispered under her breath. "Was she not busy hating her own husband just a few days ago? She can't even stand to be in a room with him without looking like she's in pain."

Marie nodded her head in agreement.

Lyra's lip curled upwards furiously as she jumped from her own chair. "It's best to keep your mouths shut ladies — you're lucky the queen is gentle, or else I'll have no problem reporting you to the king himself. Anyone that messes with his family is an act of treason."

Helaena gazed up at Lyra confusingly as the handmaiden gently guided her from her chair and away from her own book that she was busy reading.

Lyra guided Helaena away to stroll around the gardens while the two ladies in waiting sat there dumbfounded, immediately regretting from ever opening their mouths.

Inside the castle, Aenemera managed to slip away from Gareth after he was getting called to attend a meeting very briefly.

Her travels through the hall brought her subconsciously closer to Aemonds bed chambers — the place she caught herself going to multiple times before the accident.

When she caught wind of Aemonds chambers and so badly wanted to visit him before he left for his journey, she overheard a woman inside with a small proper voice.

Aenemera selfishly backed her way against the wall to listen into the conversation — but truthfully all she wanted to hear was his voice.

"Would you like me to come along, my prince?"

"That's not needed."

"I fear that my boredom will catch on if I stay here by myself — the other ladies aren't quite easily approachable."

"You'll have more boredom on a ship full of men. Your help is not needed on there, I can take care of myself, but I do acknowledge your eagerness."

Aenemera furrowed her eyebrows with worry and jealousy tangling inside her chest. She wanted to charge into the room and ask what they were speaking about or why they even spoke with such closeness in their voices.

What exactly has she missed these past few days?

"Your presence will be missed, my prince."

Aemond hummed in response and there was deep muffling that followed from inside the room.

Aenemera reached for the knob of the door until Lyra suddenly came up and snatched her elbow, carefully rushing her away from the princes chambers.

The princess narrowed her eyes at her handmaiden, forcefully pulling her arm away but Lyra guided her down the next hall with a panicked look.

"Lyra you do not need to put your hands on me — "

"I'm so sorry," she begged kindly then holding her hands up in defense. "It was an act out of fear, i apologize greatly. But I must speak with you."

Aenemera sighed heavily and adjusted the sleeves of her dress with a small nod.

Lyra frowned at the princess then reached for hands in reassurance. "He's trying so hard to apologize to you," she blurted sadly. "He can't find the correct words to speak but his heart — his eyes — "

"Lyra," Aenemera warned the girl.

The handmaiden bowed her head but then light shook it as she spoke desperately to the princess. "Queen Helaena is visibly depressed by your sadden marriage. She wishes you both could come together again."

"Lyra, do not use Helaena against me." Aenemera pulled her hands from the girls grasp, backing away cautiously.

The topic of Luke was still fresh. It was like adding salt to a wound and the heat never settling.

"I'm not," the girl whispered with worried. "But it is not good to go through pregnancy under stress. You need him — he needs you. It's incredibly painful to watch you both live your lives without each other."

Lyra folded her hands together and brought it to her lips, a sign of begging for no punishment to follow with her stepping out of line.

Aenemera slowly shook her head before lowering it. Her hands grew crisp and warm as she clutched at the skirt of her gown.

Seeing Aemond's face was painful enough. Because every time she looked at him, she saw the same look he had on his face after what Vhagar had done.

"He's done riding for awhile," Lyra managed to whisper out behind her hand.

Aenemera lifted her gaze towards the girl, her eyes glossed over with tears as she could see the desperation in Lyra's eyes.

No one has ever begged her before or showed any interest to her relationship. But Lyra had been there since the beginning — she watched them both go from enemies to passionate lovers to strangers, and it broke her own heart.

He's not riding Vhagar, Aenemera thought to herself.

Aemond Targaryen felt intense amount of guilt for the pain he caused the one person he never intended to bring harm to.