CHAPTER FOUR
❛letters from thee.❜

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EARLY 130 AC ⸻ Kings Landing   ⸻

THE MORNING sky was painted with swirls of reds and pinks against its dawning blue. The sun bounced beautifully against the water that surrounded King's Landing. It was a true sight for sore eyes, at least that's what a weary Helaena Targaryen thought.

"Let us go break our fast, sister." Aemond called out to the petite blonde. Helaena turned around, taking in his usual stern features.

"In the cave, she lies still. Yet in every flicker of light, she whispers tales of ancient might." Aemond was no stranger to Helaena's rambles, yet they reminded him of something . . . someone. Her. "She's tangled in the dragon's lore."

"Sister, we mustn't be tardy." Aemond rushed, reaching out without touching her. Helaena followed in suit before moving closer to meet his eye, "She is what myths adore."

The phrase tangled in Aemond's mind as he followed behind his sister, who now seemed quiet. She is what myths adore? He was one step closer to figuring out Basalia's secret. He would figure her out. He would destroy her.

⸻

As they entered their smaller dining hall, Aemond paid no notice to who was gathered at the table. He took his usual seat beside his brother, who at such an early hour already lost in his cups.

"Brother." Aegon greeted.

"Aegon." Aemond spoke in turn.

"I must wonder how the gardens were yesterday." Aegon spoke tauntingly, a smirk nestled upon his lips.

"Whatever do you mean?" Aemond questioned, a groan stalking behind his words.

"For me, I couldn't have a care in the world about how the petunias are blooming. However," He chuckled, "I would love to see how that pretty brunette blooms."

There was a sharpness in Aemond's movements as he turned to face Aegon. It was now becoming clear to him what Aegon was speaking of. He had spied on him and Lyria in the gardens. What he wasn't expecting, however, was how Aegon's words would pierce him. His stomach clenched, as did his jaw.

"I'd mind your tongue, brother." Was all Aemond spoke.

Aegon snickered with two shakes of his head, "All that aggression over me speaking of a handmaiden?" He nodded his head, "Sounds like you need to wet your cock."

Aemond knew Aegon's taunts all too well, and if he let his words get to him, Aegon would never let it go.

"Why don't you?"

It was as if they were boys again, bickering over petty things.

"I just might."

As Aemond's eye turned to meet his brothers with some sort of rebuttal, three women walked in. Aemond nearly  choked on his spit, covering it with a cough as his eye landed on Lyria. She was dressed in a darker fabric that worked well against her skin tone.

"Aemond." The Lady Basalia greeted, her eyes not caring enough to meet his own.

"Basalia." Aemond groaned in response.

Jahaena took her seat at the table next to Helaena. She had taken a liking to the woman, especially since she reminded her so much of her own cousin. It also felt nice for someone to be genuine towards her, as everyone else at court seemed like they were out to get her.

Before Lyria could take her seat, Alicent clapped her hands together with a shady grin. "Perfect, everyone is here." Lyria chose to ignore that petty comment. Everyone actually wasn't present. The King remained ill in bed. He had been seen less and less around the castle, apparently he was busy battling sickness. It didn't concern the girls much as they assumed he would be nursed back to health quickly.

No one said anything in response, only a small smile from Basalia.

Alicent noticed Aemond's gaze on Lyria, who sat beside Jahaena. With a roll of her eyes, she leaned towards her second son,  "Aemond, why don't you take Basalia for a walk?"

Aemond looked towards his mother, "Mother—"

"Now." Alicent's eyes crinkled as she smiled triumphantly.

Aemond was quick to his feet, offering a hand to Basalia. "Shall we?"

Basalia stood after wiping the corners of her mouth with a napkin. Taking her hand, she gave a reassuring nod to her cousin and friend, who were timid to let her leave. She could have an episode for all they knew.

Ser Leon followed closely behind as they entered the gardens, arm in arm. Aemond turned to him with a smirk, "I think i'm capable of walking my betrothed alone."

Ser Leon paid no mind to Aemond, he only looked towards the brunette.

"It's okay, Ser. I'll be right back." Her smile was shy as redness crept upon her face. She tried to swallow it, not wanting Aemond to notice it. Not that he would care, but she couldn't let her betrothed see her fawn over another man. A knight that he himself appointed to her.

As the peculiar couple walked arm in arm, Aemond spoke up. "How is life in the Riverlands?"

Basalia nodded, her eyes remaining forward. "Wet." She smiled, "It's peaceful, really. I'm surrounded by people I adore. I get to paint whenever I please."

Aemond nodded.

Their words remained simple and uncomplicated. Neither of them cared much for the other. Aemond was only out to use her, and she cared little of titles, only of the common folk she left behind.

⸻

Back inside of the Red Keep sat Jahaena and Lyria, sharing their seats on Lyria's bed.

"And you received this when we arrived?" Jahaena questioned, studying the parchment that was meant to warn them.

Lyria nodded, "I haven't shown Lia, not sure if it would only worsen her condition with stress."

Jahaena nodded, folding the parchment. "Who do you think sent this?"

Lyria shrugged, leaning back into the headboard. For a second, she felt young again. Sitting in the same bed as her friend, trying to decipher a clue. When they were girls, they often read together in Jahaena's bed while Basalia was busy running the Riverlands. It almost calmed her in the midst of the dangerous storm they had just entered.

"It is not known to me. Perhaps they will reveal themselves soon."

"We must tread carefully." Jahaena concluded before heading to the door, "We will reconvene tomorrow, the hour is growing late."

Lyria nodded, "It is." Standing on her feet as well, she smiled as Jahaena said her goodbyes.  Tucking the parchment inside of her skirts, she made her way out of the room as well.

⸻

As she neared Basalia's room, a handmaiden stumbled into her, "My apologies." Before Lyria could assure her that it was fine, the handmaiden slipped a piece of parchment into her hands. Looking rather confused, Lyria noticed that she hadn't seen the handmaiden before.

Trying to keep her composure, Lyria walked inside of Basalia's room, noticing she wasn't here yet.

Opening the parchment to read it, her eyebrows furrowed. Just as she had read the entirety of the message, the door swung open to reveal an annoyed Basalia.

"Perfect, you're here. I must decompress after that dreadful outing." Basalia giggled, she looked over at a serious Lyria, "What is it?"

Lyria began to make her way to her friend, handing her the parchment. "I must abide by this message."

Basalia's eyebrows pulled together, "It's telling you to meet at the hour of the wolf— in the city— on the streets of silk!" Each phrase came out more franfic than the last.

"Who sent this?"

Lyria shrugged, "I'm not sure, but i'm going to find out."

"I'm coming with you." Basalia concluded. "I want no fuss over it. I will not have you out there alone."

"My Lady—"

"I will hear no more of it! Let us find some garments that blend in."

Lyria sighed, arguing no more. There was no point arguing with Basalia. They needed each other now more than ever.

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