- ̥۪͙۪˚┊❛ CHAPTER FIFTEEN ❜┊˚ ̥۪͙۪◌
US
❛ do you miss us?
i felt it , you held it ❜

EUDORA AND JACAERYS.

If you told Jace that he would lose Eudora twice in his life to Aemond a few years ago, he would laugh at your comment. But there he sat, opposite sides of the table whilst she sat beside Aemond. Neither of them talked after the incident a few hours ago, Eudora immediately brought back to her chambers to get ready, leaving Jace to wander around to his heart's desire. A few times he did pass her room, but he could only walk away right after, not wanting to cause a scene.

The only person who visited her was the queen, Alicent herself. She watched the Green Queen's movements from the mirror as one of the maids strung up her corset, the other beginning to braid her hair. "What do you want?" asked the Stark, clenching her jaw tightly.

"Only to see you, dearest," said Alicent, approaching Eudora. The queen began to play with her fingers, pushing back the cuticles on her nails. "Eudora, I know you strongly oppose this marriage, but–"

"If you're here to ask me to tolerate such obscene request I'll tell you right now, your Grace, I'm not going to," the Stark bit back. "I wasn't sent here to be groomed into marrying one of your sons. If you think my family would do that to me, then you're wrong– I know that, I know my cousin would never do such thing. There has never lived a Stark who forgot an oath–"

Alicent only sighed at the young girl. "But that's exactly what they did, didn't they? Marry you off to Aemond?" This caused Eudora to go quiet. Nothing about the situation at hand was right, but she couldn't come up with some other clever remark, Eudora could only look down in defeat. "Look, child, as unfortunate as it sounds, our duty lies within the realms of marriages and children– to guide not just for us but for their futures."

The Stark shot a puzzled look towards Alicent. "Lies within the realms of marriages and children? Is my position here in King's Landing to become just another political marriage? Just another lady who's supposed to birth children and nothing else?"

"Eudora–"

"You're telling me all this time I spent learning with your daughter, sword fighting with your sons, looking up to you in my earlier years– that effort would amount to nothing more than a wife?" The room fell silent, the maids stopped working on her appearance and stepped away– trying not to intrude the conversation. "I will– I cannot stand for that," mumbled Eudora, backing away from the queen as her breath started to speed up. "That's– That's not my only purpose."

The queen and the maids watched at the girl clutched the dress she wore, slowly she started to pry it off. Gripping the neckline, trying to rip off the sleeves, anything to remove the traces of the Greens on her– the jewelry from their wealth, the dress, everything. Alicent could only take a few steps towards the Stark. "Eudora, please–"

She reached for the girl, only for Eudora to shun away from the queen. "Don't touch me!" Alicent was taken aback from her words, for a moment she saw her younger self– someone who could only grieve their loss of freedom quietly. But there was nothing she could do about it, Westoros would rather have a head of a dragon before seeing a woman progress in any way– at least that's what Alicent believed to be true. This was the only sense of protection she knew of, but Alicent realized too late that she was willingly giving up Eudora's freedom for a sense of security. Not even the Stark's security, but the security to the crown.

And it was upsetting the Stark. "Change that dress on her, black is for grieving."

—

When she arrived that night, the Stark wore green instead of her usual blue or red. Forced against her protests yet to bring pleasure to the family, Eudora hoped the night would end rather quickly. Jace watched as she squirmed in her seat, adjusting the dress, fixing the sleeves, moving her hair away every now and then. He watched as Aemond would smirk at him, pressing a long kiss on Eudora's cheek. She only turned her head away right after, visibly upset by his actions. The Velaryon tightened his grip around the glass he held, if Aemond was trying to intimidate him, it was working rather well.

"Well Jace, looks like your friend will finally lie with a man," Aegon whispered to Jace with a laugh, taking a sip of his wine. "You do know how the act is done, I assume? Where to put your cock and all that."

Aegon's words only caused Jace to speak quickly. "You can play the jester if you wish, but hold your tongue." More words were exchanged between everyone, Rhaenyra toasting Alicent, and Alicent doing the same. It seemed as if both houses were finally getting along. Aegon decided to take this opportunity to stride by Eudora, pouring himself another glass of wine.

"Know that you will be well satisfied with my brother," Aegon whispered, enough for Jace and Aemond to hear. "Should you have been married my nephew, I would've regret the disappointment you were to suffer from."

Both Jace and Eudora slammed their fists onto the table, standing up in frustration. "Jace," whispered Baela, but the pair was busy locking eyes.

"I shall go first," said Jace, giving the Stark the signal to sit back down. Aemond kept a watchful eye on his nephew, slowly standing up. He watched as the Velaryon gave a gentle punch to Aegon, then raised his cup for a toast. "To Prince Aegon and Prince Aemond. We have not seen each other in years, but I have fond memories of our shared youth. And as men, I hope we may yet be friends and allies. To you and your family's good health, dear uncles," he then sarcastically toasted, then drank before sitting back down.

"I would first like to toast the Queen herself," then began Eudora, immediately springing up from her seat. "For treating me like no mother ever would." Alicent wasn't too sure if this was supposed to be a compliment or an insult. "To my husband–to–be, may your days be bothered and your nights restless around me... And to Rhaenyra's family, for traveling all this way to join us. I wish nothing but the best for you, your husband, and your children." The one eyed prince took this opportunity to pull Eudora back down onto her seat, obviously irritated by the girl.

Daemon tried to hold back a laugh, whilst the queen cleared her throat. "Those are... very thoughtful words, Eudora." Helaena then gave her toast, which prompted Viserys to ask for some music. The Stark watched as the Velaryon excused himself, making his way over to Helaena and offering her a dance. It was a sweet scene, a what could've been had Alicent wed her daughter to Jace. Eudora smiled at the kind hearted gesture, until she felt a pat on her shoulder.

"Would you care for a dance?" Luke asked her, she could only laugh before accepting her offer. He led her to where Jace and Helaena were, and just like that all four of them happily danced and swayed to their heart's content. Spinning around in their new clothes, laughing when someone took a misstep, the four were just children enjoying the moment, not children dabbling in their parents' problems. Viserys smiled, watching his wife laugh, his daughter chatter, for one night the family was finally at peace. It was what Viserys wanted all this time, and that one wish was finally granted even if it was for a moment. It was like the family truly was one.

The king then started groaning, his wife ordering the guards to take him away to his chambers for some rest. The four took a moment to acknowledge the king, before they continued. As if what Eudora said a moment ago did not anger Aemond, this did. Seeing her dance with the child who was responsible for his eye was his last straw. The prince slammed his fist onto the table, taking his glass and raising it up high. "Final tribute," he said, catching everyone's attention. "To the health of my nephews: Jace, Luke, and Joffrey. Each of them handsome, wise... Strong."

"Aemond–"

"Come," he cut Alicent off to continue talking. "Let us drain our cups to these three strong boys."

Eudora watched as Jace clenched his fist. "I dare you to say that again," the Velaryon said.

"Why? 'Twas only a compliment. Do you not think yourself Strong?"

His fist came in contact with Aemond's not a moment to soon. Then Luke's head slammed on the table due to Aegon. "That is enough!" Alicent hollered, but her son was busy pushing Jace to the ground. Before Eudora could pull anything impulsive, Helaena held on tight to the Stark's arm.

"It is not worth it," Helaena whispered as the guards tried to hold back the Velaryon boys.

"Go to your quarters," said Rhaenyra. "All of you go, now." Quickly her children followed her words, Jace holding a glance at Eudora before leaving the room. Helaena's arms were still wrapped around Eudora's arms, still in some fright of the scene that just took place.

"I'll see you in the morning alright?" Eudora whispered to Helaena before excusing herself from the people who remained inside. The walk to her room was rather quiet and calming, something that Eudora really needed. The whole day was just one bad moment to another, a few seconds of silence is what she needed to end off the day.

Her train of thought was cut off as soon as she felt someone drag her to an empty hallway. Eudora tried to scream until she looked at who did such thing, to her relief it was only the Velaryon prince. "Jace, you scared me."

"I'm sorry about that," he told her whilst taking a look around to make sure they were in the clear. "First, Eudora, I want to apologize about tonight– everything that happened with your hus–"

"He's not my husband, nor am I bethroed to him, not until I hear the words from Cregan himself."

The prince nodded. "And I'm not sure as to whether or not you overheard my mother, but we're leaving tonight."

Eudora furrowed her eyebrows. "So?"

"Come with us," he answered, holding her hands. "To Dragonstone."

(( 🫖 ))