"My lady, the hour grows late. I think we should head back to your chambers now." Catherryn murmured as Alyarra took a breath. The lady looked at her maid and pressed her lips together.

Alyarra was waiting on the Prince Aemond. After her riding session with Aegon the girl had gotten ready for court, putting on a beautiful dress to impress Aemond. She had expected to see him at court but she awaited for him to no avail. The prince never came and the hour grew late yet Alyarra didn't want to leave.

She wondered why he wasn't at court, as surely he was done with visiting the King long ago. Alyarra watched the doors, almost willing him to come in but he never came.

As the members of court left the Great Hall, Alyarra took a breath and looked at Catherryn. "Alright. Let's go back to my chambers. I shall go to sleep." The lady ordered as Catherryn nodded her head in agreement.

The pair walked through the halls of the Red Keep in silence. Alyarra found herself rather upset, as she had awaited for Aemond for hours and he never came to court. She wondered where he was, and what he could have been doing.

Surely he had a good reason, he was probably rather busy with matters of a prince. The court felt rather lonely today as the members of the royal family were no where to be found.

Helaena almost never came to court. Aemond was nowhere to be found, and Aegon told Alyarra he was going to sleep after riding.

Alyarra and Catherryn reached the lady's chambers and instantly she grabbed her diadem off her head and threw it to her side, she was upset. A sigh left her mouth as Catherryn moved to the girl's bath chamber.

"I shall run you a bath, my lady. I am sure it will make you feel better." Catherryn stated as Alyarra nodded her head slightly. The girl sat in her seats waiting for Catherryn to prepare her bath.

Her mind could only drift to Aemond. She felt confused as she had never felt anything like it before. She didn't understand why she cared so much for him, she was not supposed to care for him. As she had told Cregan before coming to the capital, she was only here to experience a big court. She didn't come to find a husband, she hadn't come to King's Landing to become a princess.

Soon enough, the bath was ready and Alyarra moved to her bathing chamber. And with the help of Catherryn, she took off her dress and stepped into the tub of hot water.

The girl sat down slowly on the tub, taking a small breath as her body submerged in the water. Alyarra dropped her head back, dropping her hair into the water. The bath was relaxing and just what she needed.

The girl closed her eyes as she brought her hands to her face, washing it thoroughly. She hummed as the water dripped all over her, it felt quite nice.

The girl's mind would not leave Aemond alone. Even when she tried to think about anything else, he lurked her mind. The vision of him kissing her brought chills all over her body. It made her think unholy thoughts.

The things she would let him do to her... They were not deemed ladylike. Alyarra wanted him, she truly did.

Alyarra stayed in the bath for a good hour or so, not wanting to leave but eventually standing from the tub and stepping out. She wrapped the silk linen around her body and left for her bed chamber. The chamber was empty but on her bed laid her nightgown.

Catherryn had left to sleep but got the gown ready for the girl. Alyarra dropped her towel and grabbed the silky dress, stepping into it. She moved to brush her hair quickly, and after that she slipped into her bed.

The girl drifted off to sleep rather quickly, her mind wondering about the boy she couldn't keep out of her head.

-

The next day Alyarra got ready for her day at court quickly. She had ordered Catherryn to do a beautiful braided hairstyle on her and then got dressed with a stunning green dress, not forgetting the necklace that Aemond had gifted her. She wanted to look her very best for her day at court.

Alyarra and Catherryn then sat in the lady's living quarters as they were served breakfast by the other maids. "How is it going with your knight, Catherryn?" Alyarra asked as the girl blushed a profound red.

"Oh it is wonderful, he speaks of marriage soon. I have written to my father about it and he is ecstatic. The Hornwood's are good people and their seat is a respected one." Catherryn gushed as Alyarra smiled.

"I bet your father must be infinitely proud of you. As am I." Alyarra stated as Catherryn smiled at the noble lady widely.

"My father also asks about you and your wellbeing. He says that the Lord Cregan misses you terribly, although he won't admit it." Catherryn pointed out as a smile crept unto Alyarra's face at the mention of her brother.

"I have been a bad sister. I have yet to raven him, I bet he must be quite upset with me. I guess court has me all too busy. I will compose a raven this very day." Alyarra stated as Catherryn smiled.

"I bet Lord Cregan would very much like that, my lady. You know how fond he is of you." Catherryn said as Alyarra nodded her head. "I adore him. Remind me to compose the raven." Alyarra ordered as Catherryn nodded.

"How has your courting with Prince Aemond been? The two of you seem to grow closer esch passing day. " Catherryn asked Alyarra as she smiled down at her silver plate.

"It's been good. You know he is different than what I expected. He was so cold towards me at first but now... I feel like I see him for who he is." Alyarra answered as Catherryn raised a brow.

"Do you reckon a marriage could happen between the two of you?" Catherryn asked as Alyarra held her breath for a second before answering.

"I wouldn't contest it if it did. The prince is a good and honorable man. I am sure he would make a fine husband." Alyarra answered as Catherryn smiled.

"How glad I am to hear he is unlike his brother." Catherryn said as Alyarra gave her a questioning look. "Whatever do you mean, Catherryn?" Alyarra asked as Catherryn shrugged.

"Oh I don't know. I've heard Princess Helaena's maids talking... The say he is a pain, insufferable they say. He touches them inappropriately and he speaks vulgar in front of them. He is the opposite of his brother, they call him cruel." Catherryn said almost dismissively as Alyrra frowned.

Aegon had never been unkind or cruel to her. He had always been quite funny and never once crossed the line with her. Although she was a noble lady of high standing. She was sure his treatment of her had a lot to do with her being a Stark.

"That is terrible. I wonder if he is cruel to Helaena." Alyarra huffed as Catherryn leaned into the girl. "I heard he treats her terribly." Catherryn said in a whisper tone. Alyarra made a face of distain and sighed. She felt bad for Helaena. She was a good girl with a kind heart.

The pair finished their breakfast and soon enough the two of them headed down to join the court.

As they entered the Great Hall, Catherryn was whisked away by some of the other ladies. It seemed as Catherryn had made other friends at court. Alyarra wondered why none of the other ladies wanted to speak to her, as she had tried to join conversations at different times but they would ignore her.

Alyarra stood by a corner as suddenly the royal family came into the Great Hall. A small smile crept unto Alyarra's face as she spotted Aemond. The lady moved towards the family as the Queen Alicent smiled at the girl.

"Lady Alyarra, how good it is to see you. You look beautiful." Alicent told the girl as Alyarra smiled widely at the queen.

"Thank you, your grace. You are the kindest to me." Alyarra answered as the Queen gave her a nod and moved along the court. Alyarra looked at Aemond, expecting him to come and speak with her but to her surprise; The prince acted as if she wasn't even there.

Alyarra frowned as her eyes followed him, he walked away from her and followed his mother through court. Completely ignoring her existence. "Lady Alyarra. You look dashing today." Aegon had suddenly approached the princess.

Alyarra gave him a small smile as she curtsied at him, making him roll his eyes. "You know you don't have to curtsy for me." Aegon said as Alyarra sighed.

"It is custom, my prince." Alyarra answered as Aegon shrugged his shoulders. He got close to Alyarra's ear and huffed.

"Frankly Lady Stark, I could not give a shit about customs." Aegon whispered as Alyarra could not help the loud laugh that escaped her lips. It was hilarious to her that a prince would speak of such manners. Alyarra pursed her lips trying not to laugh as Aegon smiled at her slightly.

Across the room stood Aemond watching Alyarra laugh at whatever Aegon was telling her. The anger sliced through him like a sword. He never understood why he always seemed to find her and Aegon together.

Aemond stared daggers at the pair, the feelings of jealousy inside his body ever so present. He thought the Lady Alyarra and him had made progress, he thought she was fond of him. But whenever he saw her with Aegon, he doubted everything.

"Two dragons and a wolf. The wolf won't survive." Helaena whispered suddenly as Aemond turned to look at his sister.

"Whatever are you going on about, Helaena?" Aemond spat as the princess looked up at him and then her eyes found Aegon and Alyarra engaged in conversation.

"It bothers you." Helaena whispered as a stoic expression appeared on Aemond's face. He looked at Helaena and shrugged, not showing any type of emotion.

"Why would that bother me, sister? If anything you should be bothered. That is your husband." Aemond pointed out, although he knew Helaena could probably care less about what Aegon did.

"I am not bothered by what our brother does, not at all." Helaena stated softly, making Aemond look at her face to see if she was lying or not.

"I think that Aegon really fancies the Lady Alyarra. All he does these days is shower her with his attentions. He thinks I do not notice but whenever free he searches for her." Helaena spoke as the stoic expression remained on Aemond's face.

"Good for him, maybe the both of you can be sister wives." Aemond spat as Helaena eyed him and took a small breath.

"I don't reckon you would allow that at all. I know you fancy her too, brother. Who wouldn't fancy the Lady Stark? She is a fine lady." Helaena said easily and before he could answer she was off speaking with their grandsire, Otto.

Aemond pressed his lips together as he shifted his eyes to the pair once again. Aegon seemed like quite the court jester around Alyarra. He almost never joined court, and he almost never jested but whenever Alyarra was around he suddenly appeared as the funniest man around.

"If your eyes could speak, my prince..." Aemond turned to his side to look at Ser Criston Cole. The knight gave the prince a look as his eyes found the pair Aemond was intensely staring at.

"What would they say, Cole?" Aemond questioned as the knight raised a brow and eyed the prince over.

"That you wish your brother beheaded. The eyes you stare at him with are not kind." Cole stated as Aemond hummed. Aemond turned slightly towards Criston and slightly glared at him.

"You seem rather interested in the Lady Stark these days. May I know why?" Aemond asked as Cole looked a bit taken aback by the words leaving the prince's mouth.

"I am merely looking out for yourself and your brother." Criston stated sharply as Aemond frowned slightly.

"Whatever do you mean?" Aemond asked as Criston shifted his weight on his feet and leaned into the prince, as if he was going to tell a secret.

"I've heard Northern women are vicious vixens, and the Lady Alyarra is a Stark. The Starks are powerful in the North but they never seemed interested in what goes on over here... But then suddenly they send her over? If anything it seems like a feeble attempt by Cregan Stark to steal the throne." Criston spoke as Aemond looked at him, a face of surprise on his face.

"What are you implying, Cole?" Aemond asked as Cole shrugged slightly.

"I believe she plans on seducing the both of you to get ahead." Criston responded simply as Aemond eyed him. Cole shrugged his shoulders and walked away from the prince as if nothing.

The Lady Alyarra was not capable. Aemond thought. She is a good lady. But then again, she seemed awfully interested in Aegon. Ever since her very first days she had been kind to his brother and would entertain him.

Could it be true? Or was Criston Cole just trying to fuck with Aemond?

-

Hey guys! Thank you for all of the votes on my story it means the world to me! Also I started a TikTok account where I will post edits of my fanfics. The account is: @purplewriter_x

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