You feel embarrassed by the whole interaction. Storming off yesterday surely didn’t make him think of you any less like a child but that embarrassment quickly turns to anger. He’s the one who acted rudely and you fancy him no longer. There’s hardly any way you could’ve loved him anyhow. You can’t love someone you don’t even know. You’ve changed in five years but so has he; a letter once a month isn’t enough to understand someone.
You change into your dress for the day, hoping you won’t have to interact with your uncle. If he doesn’t think you’re a woman now, then he’ll surely understand when he sees your gown. It’s respectable enough but clearly shows your curves as well. You look like a true lady in it, a true desirable lady. Not that you want to be desired by him… you perhaps just want to be seen by him…
You walk down the halls with your handmaidens and right past him. You wait… wait for him to call your name… and nothing. Nothing? He doesn’t call out for you, he doesn’t want to speak to you. Did he even look at you?
But he did. You never saw as his gaze followed when you walked past. He thought you looked ravishing but he also wanted to give you your space.
Perhaps I just made myself look even more childish. You shouldn’t care what he thinks. If he believes you’re a child then that’s that. Changing how you are to appeal to him is pathetic. A woman like you can get any man she wants. You don’t need your pretentious uncle.
“Ser, Brandon.” You greet the young knight, a handsome man who’s worthy of your attention. “How do you fare today?”
“Much better now that I am in such company, princess.” He replies with a pleasing smile. “Perhaps I could take you for a turn about the gardens?”
He doesn’t waste any time. You think to yourself. Ser Brandon may be a knight but he is also a second son. Even the possibility of a betrothal to a princess is much more than a second son could ever ask for. Just your conversation is a prize to him. Though, he doesn’t act like it.
“I would like that very much. I haven’t yet had a chance to be in the sun today.” You say politely.
“Yes, I think the weather must be far too cold for the liking of a dragon-rider.” You take his arm as he speaks to you. When you walk past Aemond this time, you don’t even check to see if he’s watching.
But he is most definitely watching, and thinking about why his rūs mandianna is spending her time with a wretched rake like the Tyrell boy. The cunt is barely out of his teens and he’s probably fucked enough women for his cock to fall off. He is no company for a princess, especially not you.
You have fun with Brandon anyways. He is flirtatious and charming and you make plans to have luncheon with him the next day. You think about your time spent with him as you make your way down to the library that evening. It may be late, but it’s most definitely not unheard of for you to be selecting a book at such a time. The guards have become accustomed to your presence; you just can’t find anything more relaxing than having the massive library of the Red Keep all to yourself.
Though tonight, you do not have it all to yourself. Aemond is there, looking like the epitome of Valyrian beauty standing at one of the bookshelves. You’ve always thought that he must have been pulled from the gods’ design and been placed in this world just to be desired. No man should be so tempting as he is.
“I would advise you to be more careful with your company.” He murmurs without looking away from the shelf.
“I don’t recall requesting your advice.” You snap before composing yourself. You didn’t even realize that he saw you.
“You ought to watch your tongue, mandianna. You are, of course, a woman grown but I am still your elder. Myself and my advice should be respected by you, and I know about the ways of men.” He looks at you now.
“I apologize.” You say unseriously, frustrated that you immediately understand that he is speaking of Ser Brandon and does not hold him in high esteem. “I do find that I have difficulty accepting counsel when it is unsolicited, kepus.” You bite back with a restrained level of snark and the corner of his lip quirks up. “Do you find my irritation amusing?” You ask, annoyed by his smile.
“No, I appreciate your boldness. You aren’t as reserved as you once were.” He says genuinely.
“I thought a man as pious as you would believe women should be meek.”
“Do you wish that I wanted you to be subservient?” He is completely facing you now, any books on the shelves long forgotten.
You roll your eyes. “No.”
“Hmm…” His smirk must be from amusement now. “I do not want that from you.”
“That is interesting when you were just commanding my respect only moments ago.”
“I wish for you to honour me and my wisdom, not to submit.” He steps a little closer to you and you step to the side. You watch how his body follows to face you.
“Your age does not mean you hold so much wisdom over me.” You say defiantly.
“Doesn’t it?… naughty rūs.” He tuts under his breath and your cheeks burn at the teasing words.
“Don’t call me that.” He steps forward.
“Why? Just because you are grown now doesn’t mean you don’t have things to learn.” He gets closer and your back hits the bookshelf as you try to move away.
“Do you wish to teach me things or do you enjoy the idea of caging a free bird?” He’s so close to you now that you have to tilt your head up to look him in the eye.
“I would never desire to cage a woman like you.” His hands come up beside each side of your head, caging you in in a different way.
“Well, I currently feel very confined.” You murmur quietly. There’s no need for anything above a whisper when he can practically taste your words.
“Not confined… enveloped.” He breathes back.
“I won’t fall fancy to your flowery words.”
“I’m not trying to trick you.” His mouth moves close so he can whisper in your ear before his lips brush gently against it.
“Aemond…” You breathe out in surprise.
“You have changed so much these past years.” And it means something entirely different when he says it now.
“You have as well.” Is all you can say to reply.
“You have become so…” He tilts his head to the side so his lips are a centimetre away from yours. “Alluring.”
You think he may kiss you. You think you may also want him to kiss you. It would be so so easy; it could be so quick… if it weren’t for the sound of the library door opening. Aemond is quick to move away so it doesn’t even look like he was seconds away from ravishing you. You, on the other hand, are flushed and breathing heavily. Luckily, the old lord that enters doesn’t even look your way as he goes right to find his intended scroll.
Aemond looks back at you. “You might meet me here again tomorrow evening?” He seems to ask but cuts off any possible answer from you by speaking again. “It would please me greatly, mandianna.”
And with that, he’s gone.
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Five long years: @ewanmitchellconnoisseur @moonlightfoxx @toodlesxcuddles @dixie-elocin @cloudroomblog @scarletbedlam @qyburnsghost @urbanleftovers @lothiriel9 @katzarantos @leia-isabell @thestarlithideout
Just a little fe three houses comic I made inspired by the song Five Long Years by Colin James. When I listended to it after finding out about the timeskip and playing the game I had to make this.
