SIX MONTHS LATER
Harlys ensured that her return to the Red Keep had been kept secret, so as her carriage deposited her at the steps, only Ser Darvyn was there to greet her.
"My lady," Darvyn bowed, and Harlys greeted her loyal protector with a smile. "The feast has already begun, but the young prince has been asking about you."
"My nephew better learn his manners. Just because it is his name day does not mean he is entitled to rush me," She commented good naturedly as she looped her arm through Darvyn's and allowed him to lead her into the Keep.
The time away had been exactly what she needed, it seemed. When she had last left King's Landing, she had been thoroughly exhausted and on the brink of devastation. Both her heart and her trust had been shattered, and though the Riverlands was filled with the bad memories of her youth, she had used the time on her own to sort through her thoughts.
So when Lucerys had written to her, requesting her presence at his name day celebration, she had readily agreed.
The sound of music and chatter filled the air, even from the corridor, and it brought a smile to her face. No matter how worried she was for her reception, she knew she had to be there for Luke.
It was what Harwin would have wanted.
When the doors were thrown open, the music died down and each head turned towards her. Nerves fluttered in her stomach, but she folded her arms behind her back and kept her chin high. Of all that she had suffered through, it would not be the court of the Red Keep that cowed her.
"Lady Harlys of House Strong, Lady of Harrenhal, Lady Wife of Prince Aemond Targaryen, Ward of King Viserys, Savior of Queen Rhaenyra, Slayer of Usurpers, the Dragonless Fire-Breather." The page called, and she fought the urge to wince.
Scanning the crowd, she found her nephews at the head table. Harlys saw Luke struggle to contain his amusement at the length of her honorary title, and she shared a quick, knowing grin with him. She should have asked the page to forgo the announcement, or at least take mercy on her.
The dancing, feasting crowd parted for her as she approached the head table. Bowing deeply for the queen, Rhaenyra smiled warmly at her. Perhaps Luke had been unable to keep her arrival a total secret.
King Consort Daemon was seated at the queen's side, but Harlys ignored him beyond a rather cursory bow—she did not forget the fear she felt at the hand of his petty rage. She was saved from having to acknowledge Lady Hand Alicent and her children as Luke and Jace rounded the table they sat at and swept her up in a hug.
As the music started again, Harlys pressed kisses to their cheeks. The months without her nephews had been long, but she had written to them near weekly.
"How are you boys?" Harlys asked, but before they could answer, the sound of a goblet clattering loudly to the ground carried over the music. She only had to glance quickly over her shoulder to realize Aegon had knocked over his wine as he sat at the end of the table beside his brother, already deep in his cups.
Her gaze caught on Aemond's briefly and she felt her heart stutter in her chest. He offered her a small, a nearly imperceivable smile that she was too stunned to return. It had been months since she'd last glimpsed her husband, and yet she still longed for him in the same way.
"I see much has not changed." She muttered, referring to Aegon as she pursed her lips and turned back to her nephews.
"Things here are better, Harlys," Jace assured her, squeezing her hand once before departing in search of Baela. She turned her attention curiously to Luke, who was grinning warmly at his aunt.
YOU ARE READING
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...
