Aemond waking up with Elyana Rotchamsey tangled in his arms was... something. It was something that he never thought would happen to him. Holding a servant close to his chest? Never thought it possible. A few months ago he would be repulsed at the idea. But now he held her as she slept, and he couldn't help his wondering eye. He wasn't even staring at her body or anything, he was analyzing her face.

Her nose, her lips, the way her chest rose and fell so peacefully. She was perfectly curated, perfectly made. Her breathing was so soft, her face so angelic, she was just beautiful beyond words.

Aemond was so confused with himself. Who was this man holding this woman so lovingly and sweetly? He almost wanted to push her off him, to kick her out of his chambers and never have her come back. He feared this had grown out of his control. He knew his feelings were more than just lustful ones.

But he wasn't going to do that, he wanted her here. He wanted Elyana to wake up in his arms every single morning. The prince took one last look at her and then gently set her off of him, laying her down on the pillow. He sat up and took his satin sheets off him, standing up to get ready for his training.

"Mm, don't go." Elyana mumbled, reaching out to hold his hand gently. Aemond froze in place, turning slightly to look at Elyana who was gazing up at him with tired eyes.

"I have to go into traning." He answered, his voice soft. A softness that was not characteristic of the prince. He almost didn't recognize his voice. "But stay with me... please?" She pleaded, tugging at his hand slightly. Aemond took one small breath and nodded gently.

"Only for a few minutes." He mumbled and got back into bed. She nuzzled into him and Aemond was so shocked at his actions, he almost ran out of the room. What was he becoming? Why was he letting this common maid sleep on his bed, and even cuddle him?

Elyana fell asleep once more and after some minutes, Aemond finally got up and got ready for his training. When he exited his chambers, he was met with his foolish knight. "Prince Aemond." The knight greeted him, and for some reason it irritated Aemond. This cunt had left Elyana in the city by herself.

"Cargyll, you are dismissed for the day. I do not want to see you around my chambers until futher notice." Aemond spoke nonchalantly, not even giving Erryk time to respond as he turned around and waltzed down the hallway.

Before getting to the courtyard, Aemond decided to get Criston Cole to bring a dress and jewels for Elyana to wear when she wakes. He knew the knight of the Kingsguard was loyal to him and his family, and he would do whatever Aemond asked without contest.

But Ser Criston had his questions and contests about what Prince Aemond was asking for him to do. "My prince, if you do not mind my intrusion... Have you taken this maid as your paramour?" Criston asked, a question that made Aemond raise his brow at the knight.

"I do mind your intrusions. Why do you think it appropriate to question my personal endeavors, Cole?" Aemond asked in a bitter tone.

"Of course it is not, my prince. But I care deeply for you... That girl... She's been seeing Erryk Cargyll." Ser Criston lowered his voice. "It's all the servants talk about these days." Aemond's blood boiled at the words.

"Who cares? It's not like he'll be the one to take her maidenhead." Aemond answered smugly, and this made Criston widen his eyes at the bold statement. Aemond really fucking cared and he was going to make sure to nip that little affair in the bud.

"Prince Aemond... should you really dirty yourself with a scummy servant? You are a prince of the blood." Criston spoke and he did have a good point.

It was not logical that Aemond was focusing his energies on a woman he would never marry, but he had passed the line of logic a long time ago.

"And isn't it a little too convenient that she seduces a knight of the Kingsguard and also the Prince? Maybe she just wants to climb back up from where she fell..." Aemond didn't like what Criston was suggesting. Even if he was making another exceptionally good point about Elyana.

"Mm... I do not recall ever asking for your input on my personal matters. When I have an itching for your opinion, I will come find you. Now just go and fulfill your fucking duty. Get her the dress to my chambers." Aemond ordered coldly and turned on his heel.

Fucking cunt trying to tell him what to do with his life. If Aemond wanted to split Elyana in half and take her in every corner of this castle, he was going to do just that. And he cared little for other people's opinions.

Aemond went all the way to the courtyard and trained for about an hour. He easily bested every knight that dared challenged him, and then he decided he was hungry. Aemond decided to head to his mother's chambers, as she had invited him over for breakfast.

When Alicent spotted her son, she was ecstatic. "Sweet boy, how have you been?" Alicent asked as she embraced her youngest son in her arms. Aemond gave her a small smile.

"I am good, mother. Yourself?" He asked his mother as she shrugged her shoulders. "Good. Come sit, you must be starving." Alicent motioned for him to sit at her rounded table. He followed her orders as the servant began bringing out food for the pair.

One of Alicent's ladies caught his eye, as she looked just like Elyana but she was older looking. Aemond's eye trailed after the woman as she moved about the quarters and Alicent took notice.

"Lyanna... come here. Let me introduce you to my youngest son, the Prince Aemond. He is your daughter's master." Alicent told the lady, as she approached the table and gave Aemond a cursty. Aemond eyed Elyana's mother and then gave her a curtly nod. The woman looked rather exhausted and tired, sporting huge eyebags under her eyes.

"I do hope my daughter has been of good service to the prince." The woman spoke in a meek manner. Oh the girl has been terrible, but great at some other things.

"She has fullfilled her duty in an adequate manner." Aemond answered, and the lady smiled in a reserved manner.

"You know Lyanna, why don't you go and spend time with your girl? She is clearly not busy tending the prince." Alicent jested and this made Aemond angry. Who was his mother to make plans that involved his maid?

"Your grace, are you sure? You are most kind!" Lyanna smiled at the opportunity the Queen had offered. Aemond rolled his eye slightly as Alicent turned to her son. "Where is Elyana?"

Sleeping in my bed last time I saw her. Aemond wanted to respond. But instead he shrugged. "I've not seen her today." He answered nonchalantly.

"I'll go look for her in her quarters. Thank you for the free time, your grace." Lyanna thanked the Queen again and curstsied, hurrying off to find her daughter.

After the woman left, Alicent turned to Aemond and gave him a big sigh. "Poor woman, I have her hanging in my heart. I can not imagine going through all of the things they have gone through." Alicent huffed as Aemond remained stoic.

Aemond was bitter. Was it bad that he wanted his maid to stay in his chambers all day? And now his mother had offered her up to spend the day away from him.

Aemond and his mother ate mostly in silence until Alicent got the bright idea to press Aemond on his betrothal. "You know I arranged for you to have supper with Lady Corryne Lannister this afternoon." Aemond dropped his fork as he heard his mother's words.

"Why?" Was all he asked as he eyed his mother.

"Because she is a pretty girl and the daughter of Tyland Lannister's uncle. A great match for you I believe." Alicent told her son, making him press his lips tightly together. He knew his duty was to marry a high born lady to secure an alliance for his family, but did he want to? Not yet.

He wanted to enjoy living his life without having a daft wife chained to him for the rest of his days. And Aemond thought himself an honorable man, and whenever he took a wife he would never take a mistress. So marriage wasn't in his plans for the upcoming months, not until he had his fun with Elyana.

"I do not wish to entertain Corryne Lannister, mother." Aemond spoke plainly as he propped a cheese on his mouth. Alicent shrugged her shoulder and gave him a stern smile. "The arrangements have been made, dear son." She said sternly.

Aemond seethed in his mind but ultimately did not complain any more. He was a dutiful prince, and he was never one to disobey orders. So if his mother wanted for him to entertain Corryne Lannister for one night, then he begrudgingly would. Just for one night.

He was sure it would be the most dreadful night.

-

Elyana was happy to spend her entire day with her mother. She had woken up and gotten ready in Aemond's chambers, and then she snuck out. She was happy to see that Erryk wasn't at Aemond's door that day, and even happier when her mother had come to find her to tell her she had free time.

"Is he a good man then?" Lyanna asked her daughter as the pair walked the gardens. It was almost night time and after they had eaten supper, they decided to take one last stroll before parting ways to their own duties.

Elyana had just informed her mother of her plans with Erryk Cargyll, and Lyanna was well excited. "He is great mother, he is kind and dutiful. He says he will leave his post in the Kingsguard in about two moons... And then he'll take me to his seat so we can rule together." Elyana told her mother in a hopeful manner.

"Oh Elyana, you have no idea how glad I an that you have. found a match for yourself. Someone to sweep you away from our misery." Lyanna said in a happy tone.

"Mother I will not leave you, I will take you with me! We will both be swept away from here, our wealth and standing will be restored." Elyana told her mother happily. It was all she cared about, to be respected once more.

"Your father must be smiling down upon us with the grace of the Gods! Oh how glad I am" Lyanna mused as she hugged her daughter. This was a blessing.

"Lady Cargyll does have a nice ring to it, does it not?" Elyana jested as her mother and her walked back to the castle. "It certainly does." Lyanna answered her daughter.

After Elyana and her mother parted ways, she decided to head to Aemond's chambers as he had not called upon her on the entire day. She couldn't help the excitement that stirred within her as she approached his chambers. Why was she so excited to see that awful man?

She approached his door only to find Ser Criston standing guard instead of Erryk. Where was Erryk? She hadn't seen him at all after she was lost in the city.

Elyana walked passed Ser Criston and reached for the door, only for the knight to stop her in her tracks. "Prince Aemond is busy, he wishes not to be bothered." Criston spat coldly as Elyana frowned, and then she swore she could hear a giggle through the door. Was there a girl in Aemond's chanbers?

"I-uh... I have to clean." Elyana said as she reached for the wooden door handle once more. Criston gripped her wrist forcefully and pulled it away from the door. "Prince Aemond is busy and accompanied. Go to your chambers, your services are not of use on this day."

Elyana felt a pang of jealousy on her belly as she heard the words. Was he being serious? What did he mean that Aemond was accompanied? Oh fuck this. Without another word, Elyana turned on her heel. She stalked away from Maegor's Holdfast angrily as she seethed at the thought of Aemond entertaining a lady of the court.

She had no entitlement to feel jealous, because they weren't a thing but she couldn't help the bubbling anger. Fuck him. Who cares what he did in his free time? Well she did, if she didn't then she wouldn't feel so angry.

What was the matter with him? First he acted all possesive and jealous and now he was entertaining some other person? What a sick and twisted man. She hated him. She would never crumble again beneath him. She would never entertain Aemond again, ever. She was done with him. Erryk didn't deserve infidelity.

"My lady!" She was pulled out of her toxic thoughts whenever she heard Erryk call for her through a corridor of the Keep. It was like she willed Erryk to appear. She turned to see him standing with a group of knights, and then he was rushing over to her. A mood lifter.

"Oh hey." She answered. She tried to conpose herself but her mind kept tugging back at the stupid giggle she heard in Aemond's chamber.

"Fuck, Elyana! I was so fucking worried." Erryk engulfed her in an intoxicanting hug. She couldn't help the small smile that crawled into her face as she leaned into his hug.

"I am so sorry... I don't know what happened. One minute I was holding you and the next I had lost you." Erryk mused as he pulled away, worry very evident on his face.

"It's okay... It happens." She told him with a reassuring smile. Whatever jealousy Aemond had made her feel was long gone with Erryk standing before her.

"How did you get to the Keep? We were out looking for you all night. I thought I really lost you." Erryk spoke softly as his hands fell to grab hers. She smiled at his tenderness and sighed.

"A knight of the City Watch found me, and he brought me back unscathed. You have nothing to worry about." Elyana lied because she really didn't want Erryk to know that she and Aemond were closer than they were supposed to be.

"What was his name? I should get some gold into his hand for bringing you to safety." Erryk questioned as Elyana shook her head off dismissively. "I don't know... It's fine really."

"You know I spent all night out there looking for you. When I got back to the Keep I went to my post only for Prince Aemond to dismiss me. Then Arryk told me he saw you with your mother." Erryk told her as the pair walked alongside one another.

She felt bad. He spent all night looking for her, only for her to be sleeping in Prince Aemond's bed. Elyana made up her mind, she wasn't going to give in to temptation again. After today, she would just be a dutiful maid. Nothing more.

"Everything turned out, that is what matters." Elyana smiled at him, stopping in her tracks. Elyana looked up at the man before her and sighed.

This was who she should focus on, not some arrogant prick prince. Erryk was good, kind, and he was willing to give up his titles for her. He was the safe and good option. The only viable option.

The pair had walked to an isolated corridor and now only the two of them stood alone. Elyana looked up at Erryk, giving him a soft smile. She moved her hand to the back of his neck and pulled him in softly, placing a gentle and soft kiss on his lips. And the knight was not shy to kiss back. Erryk was gentle in the way he held and kissed Elyana. He was so different than Aemond.

She couldn't help her mind whenever it wondered to Aemond's aggressive and dominant kisses. She couldn't stop thinking about the way he bit her lips or how he devoured her.

Elyana pushed into Erryk harder, trying to get a reaction from him but he chuckled into the kiss and kept on his soft and gentle pace. "We can go to your chambers..." Elyana suggested, making Erryk pull away and give her a raise of his brow.

"We can..." He answered, guided by the lust he felt for the girl. He gave her one peck and then led her down the corridors of the Red Keep to White Sword Tower.

Elyana wasn't sure why she suggested to go to Erryk's chambers. Maybe she just wanted to forget about Aemond. Maybe she thought this would help her forget the way he kissed her or the way he made her feel. Maybe this would make her forget the way it felt to sleep cuddled into the prince.

The pair burst through White Sword Tower, each of them eager to get to Erryk's rooms. When they entered, Elyana basically jumped him. This was unlike her, but she needed the distraction.

Erryk's armor was little by little getting tugged off his body until he was only wearing his linen white shirt. Elyana was lost in kisses and on the feeling of it all, but she was pulled back to earth when she felt Erryk's hand working the strings of her dress. Did she want this? She should, right? But somehow it didn't feel... right.

Elyana pulled away slightly, looking up at Erryk with a certain look to her eyes. "Are you okay?" He asked as he leaned down to kiss her again, only for her to pull slightly away. "I-I... can we just... talk?" She asked meekly.

Erryk frowned slightly but composed himself rather quickly, pulling away from her and giving her a small smile. "Of course love, we can do whatever you want. Here, let me pull some chairs to the balcony... The moon is nice." Erryk said kindly as he moved about his room.

She didn't deserve him, and he didn't deserve a girl who had another on her mind.

-

Author's note:

Oh poor Erryk he is just so good. I love him so much. Aemond's darker side will def show in the next chapters... just a reminder thattttt they are not and will never be healthy. And to an extent, this girl will feel stockholm syndrome towards him.

Aside from my warnings, you guys the support I've gotten on this story has been so crazy!

Thank you all soooo much. Your support means the world to me.