𝔢𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔶𝔱𝔥𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔶𝔬𝔲 𝔴𝔦𝔰𝔥 𝔣𝔬𝔯 - ʜᴏᴛᴅ

VI

❝𝕹𝖔 𝖔𝖓𝖊 𝖉𝖎𝖉. 𝕹𝖔 𝖔𝖓𝖊 𝖜𝖎𝖑𝖑❞

"Rennie!" Aelin exclaimed, watching as her sister was walking beside the Queen, holding her hand. Why was she acting as if Alicent was her mother? Aelin thought annoyed. She walked up to them and, barely curtsying before Alicent, she addressed Aeirwen. "Why are you late again? The tailors are waiting for us. I've been looking for you."

"I've been with the Queen, praying." She answered with a satisfied smile.

Aelin sighed a little and before she could say anything Alicent cut in. "Lady Aelin, I requested Aeirwen's presence."

"Tailors did too." Aelin snapped back, annoyed as if she was not speaking to the Queen.

"Then you should take Aemond and Aegon too. They need new dressing robes as well." Alicent answered, trying not to raise her voice.

"As you wish, my Queen." Aelin answered, forcing a smile. "But Prince Aegon has not been seen in the Keep for long, I'm positive he can find himself new robes in the Flea Bottom."

"My son is in his rooms." The Queen said sternly.

"And I'm-" Aelin started to answer back, but was interrupted by Aeirwen who let go of the Queen's hand.

"Of course, Your Grace." She grabbed Aelin's forearm and led her away from Alicent. "What is wrong with you?"

"With me? What is wrong with you?" Aelin snapped back. "Not only are you late, but you are with the biggest snake of them all."

"Don't speak about the Queen like that." Aeirwen's eyes widened at her sister's words. She knew Aelin did not like the Queen, but to speak about her in such a manner, and in the corridors of the Red Keep... She could not believe her ears. What if someone had overheard them? "Are you really so furious about me being late that you are letting your temper guide your judgement?" She lowered her voice. "What if someone heard you?"

Aelin twisted her arm out of Aeirwen's grip. "No one did. No one will. Now, go fetch your Aemond." Aeirwen stayed motionless, looking at her older sister for a moment. "What?"

"One day, even I will not be able to keep you away from the dungeons, my dearest sister."

In the dark branch of the corridor Larys Strong smiled to himself. No one did. No one will. No one did. No one will. No one did. No one will. No one did. No one will. That's what they all thought, didn't they? Their hubris had no end.

The cripple took a step in the direction of the older sister, when the young Aeirwen disappeared. The sound of his cane hitting the floor scared the girl. "Lady Aelin, I had no wish to startle you." He smiled at her. "Apologies. Simply... The news of your engagement to Lord Tyland had reached me. I want to congratulate you too. As I mentioned to Lord Lannister earlier, what a fine pair you'll be." The smile was a little wider now and Aelin had the urge to take a step back, but she stopped herself. "Mayhaps, I will be fortunate to attend the wedding myself." The cane hit the floor again, despite him standing still and Aelin flinched a bit. She felt uneasy around him and now, despite the argument earlier, longed for her sister's presence. Gods, even Queen Alicent's. Anyone, so she would simply not be alone with the cripple. Would it be possible to kill him the same way his brother had died? Rhaenyra told her how Ser Harwin had died and she thought it a great tragedy. He was never rude to her... And Nyra liked him.