CHAPTER TWO
❛all too well. ❜

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EARLY 130 AC ⸻ Kings Landing   ⸻

"A HANDMAIDEN?" Queen Alicent scoffed, a look of disgust written clear on her face.

"It appears that Lady Basalia demanded such." Aemond concluded, sitting back further into his chair. His leg quickly came up to rest atop his thigh.

When the servants had shown them to their private quarters, they had only prepared rooms for Basalia and Jahaena. Lyria was to stay with the rest of them on the royal floor.

"She's an enigma— that Basalia." Aemond continued on, his mother still openly disgusted. Twirling his knife between his fingers, he remained deep in thought. He had been no stranger to the obvious rumors surrounding his betrothed, but he wasn't sure of what to make of it. Some declare madness, others believe she is some sort of a seer. Whatever it was, Aemond was not far behind in the truths disastrous wake.

"She is soon to be your Lady wife." Aemond's eyebrow cocked in interest towards his mother, turning slightly to face her.

Alicent held her ground, "The whispers surrounding her are . . . " Her eyes fell to the stone floors that held a coldness she knew all too well. "Whatever it may be," Deciding to refrain from entertaining such illusions about a girl she had never gotten to know, she continued on. "We need her."

Aemond's tongue clicked against his teeth, removing his eyes from his mother as annoyance crept in. Ever since the day he was brought into this world, he never held a decision in anything. Aemond had no say in what he wore, what he did, not even the wife he took. The man wasn't even sure if he could prefer a certain color on his own. Alas, his mother was right in a sense. They needed her, but only for what she has.

Alicent was never a loving mother, or even a good one. However, she was a mother. She still had certain instincts.

"I know you're upset." She pleaded, heels clicking against the stone flooring as she laid her hand on Aemond's broad shoulder, "That is a mere burden of the Targaryen name." A burden that she herself knew all too well.

⸻

The note that Lyria had received had been a burden too heavy on Lyria's mind. She knew it was true: the games had begun. Their role in that, however, Lyria wasn't quite sure of yet. It would soon be revealed.

Clasping the finishing touch of Basalia's outfit to her neck, Lyria smiled, stepping back to take her Lady in.

Basalia turned, revealing her outfit with a shy smile. Lyria had the best taste of fashion of all the Riverlands. She was dressed in a long champagne gown with gold accents. Hidden amongst the red swirls that popped against the gold were small jewels.

"You are a portrait of beauty, my Lady." Lyria smiled.

"You flatter me." Basalia concluded, taking Lyria's hands in her own. "Now I must address a rather uncomfortable topic."

Lyria switched the weight anxiously on one leg to the other, squeezing Basalia's clammy hands.

Not entirely sure where to start, Basalia just began speaking, hoping the correct words found her along the way. "I understand that I may never leave this place... but I don't want this for you. Perhaps you return with Jahaena, be her—"

"I will hear none of that Lia." Lyria cut her off, shaking her head as she used their childhood nickname. "My place is with you, wherever that may lead me. Now, and forevermore."

Basalia smiled her usual soft one, leaning her forehead against Lyria's own. "You are too good to me."

Lyria's nose scrunched with a giggle, "If we wait anymore, Jahaena might have our heads."

Basalia giggled in turn, letting Lyria's hands go as she made her way to the hallway where Jahaena had been waiting for quite awhile.

"It is known that being late to the Kings welcome feast is rude." Jahaena sighed, turning to head towards the great hall. She gave no time for explanations or excuses, not that either woman had a good one.

Lyria and Basalia shared a look as they stomached their giggles, following in Jahaena's frantic wake.

⸻

The King's welcoming feast was always adored by many. The ginormous wood tables were stocked with all sorts of tremendous foods, and the servants continued to supply more to their aching bellies. It was incredibly loud as the hall held more than fifty joyous people. Laugher
and a bustling sound immediately pierced Basalia's eardrums, making her flinch slightly.

Basalia entered with Lyria and Jahaena on either side, following her as if they were presenting her. Those who were invited immediately began making hushed whispers, their eyes practically burning holes in Basalia. This was her: Bloody Basalia— The Mad Lady in all of her glory. Knowing that she was their topic of choice ate at her, but still, she held her head tall.

Towards the front of the hall was a long horizontal table that held the Royals. The King sat in the middle with his sons on his left, Helaena beside Aegon, and two empty seats beside Aemond. On his right was the Queen consort.

Aemond rose slowly, preparing to meet his blushing bride for the second time. Basalia cleared her throat as she curtsied to the King, "I take great pleasure in thanking you for such a grand invitation, my King."

Viserys nodded with a sloppy grin, grease from chicken glistening against his lips, "The pleasure is all mine, Lady Basalia. This will hold no ranking against your wedding feast, which is already scheduled."

Jahaena's eyes twitched as she wasn't made aware of such a date. They had just arrived. Why were they rushing to name a date?

Lyria's clouded mind took in no more of the conversation. She simply followed Basalia as she greeted Aemond.
"There's only two chairs, my prince. I am afraid there are more than two of us."

Aemond's eyes fell upon Lyria, who stood proudly beside her Lady. "My mistake." With a smirk, he directed a servant to bring forth another chair, letting Basalia and Jahaena sit.

Aemond snatched the wooden chair from the servant, placing it beside Jahaena while glancing at Lyria.

"Lyria, is it?" Aemond sparked conversation, his eye searching inside of Lyria's own.

"It is, my prince." Lyria answered, stalking his every move. She knew that this was more a snake pit than a dragon pit as of late.

"Ahh." Aemond answered, pulling the chair out to let her sit.

"Aemond." Alicent warned, watching the interaction between his son and his betrotheds handmaiden.

Aemond paid no mind to his mother, as he usually didn't. He only turned once his father stood up, grabbing his cup.

Lyria quickly leaned over towards Jahaena, "I have troubling news that I must speak to you about immed—"

"We welcome Lady Basalia, and we thank her for being present with us." Viserys boasted, as everyone raised their cups. "These are trying times yet I seek hope for the future." As the cheers died down, Viserys continued on, "I must warn whoever speaks against Basalia—"

Lyria nearly choked, eyes darting towards Jahaena before they looked at Basalia who only sat as proper as she ever did. As still as she ever did. Eyes as clouded as they always were. Little did they know that she was dying on the inside.

"They will be dealt with by my hand. She is to be a Targaryen princess within a fortnight!"

As the King let the date be known, Basalia felt her heart quicken as roaring cheers erupted amongst her. She always knew that she would have no say in who her husband would be, but she had no idea it would be Aemond One Eye. A true dragon— but also a true viper.

Aemond smirked as he watched what he believed to be fear take over Basalia's small frame as she shook.

Jahaena looked at Lyria, "Was this brought to your attention?"

Before Lyria could reply, Basalia caught their attention.

"The beast will wither away as the wrong one rises." She began to repeat, her words quickening as they continued to be repeated.

Lyria immediately jumped from her seat as Aemond turned towards Basalia, watching her closely. She sat still, staring off at nothing as she rambled. Her eyes were clouded as single tear drops took their turns.

Jahaena let Lyria grab Basalia as she went to explain their leaving to the King and Queen. She assured them that they would return after they helped Basalia. She made them believe some excuse as Basalia wasn't in their direct line of sight regardless. Viserys shrugged it off as his drunkenness engulfed him.

"We'll return shortly." Lyria assured Aemond, scrambling to leave as Aemond wouldn't have them. Knowing he had no true way of getting them to stay so he can study Basalia and learn more about her, an idea came to him suddenly. Smirking, Aemond left them with no option.

"You can leave after I present Basalia with my welcome gift."

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