- ̥۪͙۪˚┊❛ CHAPTER TEN ❜┊˚ ̥۪͙۪◌
BEGIN AGAIN.
❛ I've been spending the last eight months
Thinking all love ever does
Is break and burn, and end
But on a Wednesday in a cafe
I watched it begin again ❜

"YOU DIDN'T have to call me away so early," muttered Eudora, following behind Aemond. She didn't know where they were going or needed to be, but she hated that she wasn't graced with time to speak to Jace. Aemond knew the former was disappointed, but the situation brought him a sly smile.

"I know," he told her.

She gave Aemond a scoff. "You're so infuriating to be around, did you know that?"

"I know," he answered again.

"Do you always answer with 'I know'?"

"I know- I mean yes."

"This is why we'll never hold a normal conversation." She kept walking behind him, wondering where on earth he was leading her to. Eudora never knew what the switch-up was, why Aemond was so keen on dragging her away from a small conversation. Hell, Aemond never even tried to talk to her for the past few years. The Stark wished someone would save her from this living nightmare, and it seems as if her prayers were answered.

The loud clacking of heels echoed throughout the hall. "Prince Aemond, your mother is calling for you."

"That I know of—"

"Eudora." Hearing her name she looked up, and immediately grinned. Rhaenys Targaryen, The Queen Who Never Was and the mother Eudora always wanted. The Stark made sure to send letters to specific people. One was Jacaerys, next were Baela and Rhaena, third was Lucerys, and last was Rhaenys. The Targaryen princess was someone Eudora turned to for motherly advice. Alicent was too scary for a young child, and her mother found herself too far for Eudora to reach. So Rhaenys was the one she turned to, and she was glad she did. "My, my, have you grown."

"Excuse us but—"

"Young prince you're excused, the Lady Stark and I would stay back for a little chat." Aemond looked fumed, but he dared not to speak back. In one swift motion, he turned his heel and left. This left Rhaenys to waltz up to Eudora happily and embrace her. "You look like a spitting image of your mother."

Eudora grinned at this. "You knew my mother?"

"Everyone in the realm did," Rhaenys answered, pulling away from the embrace but keeping the Stark at arm's length. "How are you, my dear?"

"Better than ever, any news about your husband?"

Rhaenys' smile faltered for a mere second. "He's still unwell– but let's not dwell in such saddening thoughts. I'm so happy to see you, the last I heard from you was when your cousin declared you next in line for Winterfell."

"My letters sort of have been delayed since then... Been pretty busy."

"Nonsense, don't apologize for having to deal with your people." The older woman pinched Eudora on the cheek playfully. "Betrothed to anyone just yet? Or are you giving Lord Stark such a hard time by declining every offer?"

This caused Eudora to roll her eyes playfully at Rhaenys' words. "I just don't find anyone too appealing– both for me or for Winterfell. Everyone was either too old... or too young."

"And what of prince Aemond–"

"No. Feed me to the dragons instead."

"Jacaerys?"

"Why Jacaerys?"

"Why not Jacaerys?"

"Because it's Jacaerys– and besides he probably wouldn't even want to be betrothed to me. He probably is with someone else. And I wish not to marry anyways, right now at least– again, everyone is just unfitting for me. My father was so eager to marry me off to someone but I made a fuss out of it and ran to play with swords. See? Unfit, no can do."

The older woman chuckled. "Jacaerys has turned down an offer, his mother told me–"

"He did?!" She asked abruptly, Rhaenys was taken aback by the young woman's words. "I mean– I mean he did?"

"Is it that shocking?"

"No– pft, not at all."

"Eudora," Rhaenys laughed, linking her arm with Eudora's as they walked. "You remind me of Rhaenyra when she was younger– such a fighting spirit you both have. Never lose that spark."

"Will do," the younger smiled, walking happily alongside Rhaenys as the two continued to catch up on missing time.

-

"And then I accidentally spilled wine on his clothes!" Laughed Eudora, Rhaenys chuckling along. How long has it been? A few hours? They lost track of time. But the two did notice that the sun has gone down. "I'll be heading to my chambers now, Your Grace. It was nice talking to you."

Rhaenys smiled as she caressed Eudora's cheek. "Get some sleep, it's a big day tomorrow."

Eudora nodded, taking a few steps away when she remembered something. "And about Luke... I know it's big to ask but–"

"Dearest," Rhaenys sighed. "I know you're concerned about him, about them ... But at the end of the day..."

"I know... at the end of the day, it isn't my fight either," Eudora smiled sadly, bidding Rhaenys once more before proceeding to her chambers.

The castle felt empty and dark, and heavy rain seemed to pour down onto King's Landing. Rainy days were one of Eudora's favorites, the pitter patters gave her a sense of calm. Nights like these brought peace to the Stark, especially on hectic days. Supposedly she should be the only one roaming the castle at this late hour, but she noticed a second pair of footsteps echoing down the hallway. It terrified her, to say the least. Eudora squinted her eyes for any figure to make out. "Is anyone there?" she asked, her voice traveling down the hall.

No response.

"Hello?"

Still nothing.

"Whoever is there come on out–"

"It's just me," a voice spoke, Jace finally stepping into the light. Eudora gave out a rather loud sigh of relief which caused him to slightly laugh. "Relieved?"

She gave him a nod. "I thought someone broke into the castle– don't do that!"

"Do what?"

"Sneak around, duh."

"Well, why are you out?"

"I was talking to Rhaenys."

Jace shrugged at Eudora. "Okay, that makes sense... Would you like me to walk you to your room? It's the least I could do for giving you a scare– and to make up for our conversation being cut short a while ago."

┊ ➶ ｡˚ frankie speaks ! 　　°
the thing i enjoy the most about writing this fic is that my creative energy just comes during the middle of the night LMAO. heres a new chapter guys ! sorry for the delay ! i'll edit the whole chapter tomorrow so apologies for the bad writing rn :P

(( 🫖 ))