"My lady, the king is wondering where you are."
Harlys lifted her gaze from the crackling fire in the hearth, the book in her lap long forgotten. She had retreated to her rooms the moment Vaemond's petition had ended, and though she knew the king had called dinner for his family, she had not seen any Hightower nor Targaryen or Velaryon since she left the throne room.
"The king, Corinne?" Harlys clarified. It had been so long since Viserys himself had issued her summonance.
"Yes, my lady. He ordered a seat for you at the table amongst his family."
Harlys rose immediately, tossing her book aside. If the king was requesting her, then he must already be in the chamber where they were to have dinner. There was no time, then, for her to change. It was clear that the king would only last so long out of his rooms, and she wished to see her patron in good spirits and out of bed.
Darvyn trailing her, Harlys left her rooms and ignored Corinne's fussing over the state of her hair.
Alicent's voice hit Harlys' ears first, a pretty speech so clearly dedicated to her old friend Rhaenyra, most likely at the behest of the king. She loitered by the entrance, waiting until Alicent had finished speaking and retook her seat before entering the room.
"Apologies for my tardiness, my king." Harlys announced her arrival before the page could, striding into the room and approaching Viserys where he sat between his wife and his daughter.
"Not necessary, dear child." Viserys spoke, his voice worryingly weak. But Harlys let none of her apprehension show on her face as she pressed a kiss to the king's hand before retreating to the only open seat beside Helaena.
A corner seat, with Aemond on her left. Ignoring him, she sent a friendly smile down the opposite end of the table to the princes Jace and Luke, as well as to Baela and Rhaena. Aemond kicked her leg under the table, and she shot him a harsh glare. As expected, she was met with his typical smirk.
"Beware the beast beneath the boards." Helaena spoke to no one in particular and Harlys turned quickly to face her. But, as usual, the Targaryen princess was lost to the world in her mind; Harlys wasn't sure the girl truly knew what she had even said.
On the other side of Helaena, Aegon was speaking to Jace, or rather, about Jace to Baela. The music in the room was too loud for Harlys to make out what was being said, but knowing Aegon, she was certain it was something lewd.
And it got a reaction from Jace.
The prince stood quickly as if to fight his uncle, but with a reprimanding look from his mother, he picked up his goblet as if to make a speech. Harlys glanced quickly at Aemond; he was enjoying this.
"To Prince Aegon and Prince Aemond." Jace began. "We have not seen each other in years, but I have such fond memories of our shared youth."
Her gaze, as it so often traitorously did, slipped to Aemond as Jace finished his speech and returned to his seat. His remaining eye was fixed on his nephew with a stare so punishing she far from envied the boy. It was hard for her to imagine that the boys grew up together, though she had heard tales of the trouble brought on by Aegon's influence over Jace and Luke. Had heard of how often Aemond, dragonless until he was eleven, had been the target of so much taunting.
She wondered if there was a nobleman in Westeros that had a happy youth. She certainly hadn't during her time in Harrenhal—not even taking into account the fire that stole so much from her.
But what had it been like for young Aemond, fighting for scraps of attention from a mother set on the downfall of her oldest friend? Suddenly, her appetite had disappeared.
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Haven't I Given Enough? (Always The Fool) - Aemond Targaryen
Fanfiction"Careful, Aemond. I might think you care about me." "Be certain that is not the case." His response was quick, and though it was the expected one, she could not help the sting of something unfamiliar that arced through her. "I only caution because I...
