VALAENA IGNORED THE knowing look Ser Donnel sent her way as she left her room that morning. She had no doubt he knew where she'd been the night before. He always knew.

He may not have uncovered the secret passageways as she had, but it was only a matter of time before he caught her sneaking out. She would be annoyed when he finally joined her when she snuck out to Flea Bottom, but she was grateful he had yet to rat her out to her father.

Sometimes she wondered if Ser Donnel held more loyalty for her than her father.

Ser Donnel remained silent, remaining his usual six paces behind her as she made her way down the corridor. The Red Keep was just beginning to stir, the early morning stillness slowly giving way to movement and sound.

By the time she stepped into the courtyard, the sun had begun to pierce through the low clouds as it cast a pale gold light across the stone. The courtyard was abuzz with the early morning deliveries to the castle, casks of wine and crates of fish still slick with seawater. It was the smaller box set beside the fountain that caught her eye, the reason for waking so early even after such a late night out.

A grin made its way onto her face as she quickened her pace, Ser Donnel following loyally behind her. The moment she reached the box, she reached in and gently picked up one of the peaches nestled on top, turning it over in her hand.

Even out of season, they had been delivered, Just as she'd asked.

She brought it to her lips, letting the soft fuzz brush against her skin as she inhaled its sweet scent. Valaena took a small bite, the juice running down her hand as she closed her eyes to enjoy the sensation. The fruit was warm, despite the chill in the air. Bright and familiar in a place that she rarely felt either.

She wiped her hand on her sleeve as she turned, grabbing another peach from the box and holding it out towards her knight without a word.

"Don't act like it's poison," she teased when he didn't take it, watching his mouth twitch before turning back to an emotionless void.

"No thank you, my lady," Ser Donnel bowed his head respectfully.

"Your loss," Valaena shrugged as she placed the peach back into the box, taking another bit of her peach as she leaned her head back to allow the sun to hit her face. She imagined she was back at Dragonstone instead of there, where enemies lay around every corner to threaten her family.

"Still not going to ask where I went last night?" she asked as she opened her eyes and dropped her head back down to her knight.

"I figured if you didn't want me to know, then there's no use trying to pry it out of you," Ser Donnel shook his head. "Gods knows I've tried."

"I think that's the smartest thing you've ever said, Ser Donnel," Valaena grinned at him, unoffended when he didn't return the gesture. "Come, maybe we can find one of my brothers to annoy today."

"Whatever you wish, my lady," Ser Donnel replied as he straightened, ready to follow her throughout the Red Keep.

Valaena turned back toward the box, placing her half-eaten peach gently on top before bending down to lift it into her arms. It was heavier than she expected, but she adjusted her grip as she held it against her stomach.

"Allow me," Ser Donnel stepped forward to help.

"No," she said quickly, pulling away from him slightly. "I asked for them. I'll carry them."

My lady-"

"I'm quite capable of carrying a box of peaches," Valaena interrupted as she lifted her chin high.

He hesitated, clearly wanting to fight back before deciding to step back with a nod. He knew better than to try and argue with a stubborn Targaryen.

"Good," Valaena nodded as she turned to walk away from the courtyard. "Besides, I don't trust you not to sneak a bite when I'm not looking."

Ser Donnel didn't respond, but she didn't need to turn around to know there was a sliver of amusement on his face. He was tough to crack, but she could always tell when she managed to chip into his stony demeanor.

Valaena rounded the corner and collided with something hard. She stumbled back as several peaches tumbled from the crate in her arms, thudding softly against the stone floor and rolling in different directions. She barely caught her footing when a gloved hand shot out, steadying her by the elbow.

Her gaze snapped up, ready to thank whoever caught her when her eyes clashed with a familiar violet eye. A scowl made its way onto her face as he pulled his hand back, clearly just as surprised to see her.

"Careful," he replied with a raised eyebrow. "It would be a shame if the rest of your peaches ended up smashed on the floor."

"It would be a shame if you ended up smashed on the floor," Valaena muttered in Valyrian, turning back to her native language as she felt her knight stir behind her, "Stand back, Ser Donnel."

Aemond glanced behind her at the knight, who seemed ready to pounce at a moment's notice before glancing back at Valaena.

"Charming as ever," Aemond teased, a smirk dancing across his lips while Valaena tried to hide her surprise. She hadn't been aware Aemond was so fluent in Valyrian.

"Don't you have someone else to torment this early in the morning?" Valaena questioned, deciding the test his fluency.

Aemond seemed all too aware of what she was doing, the corner of his mouth twitching with restrained amusement as he hummed low in his throat. Then he took a deliberate step forward, closing the distance between them with the kind of calm confidence that set her on edge.

Valaena gripped the box tighter, suddenly grateful for the only thing that served as a barrier between her and her cousin. She wasn't sure how, but he always managed to look at her like he could see straight through her.

"Maybe I just like tormenting you," Aemond said smoothly, his voice just above a whisper as Valaena released a scoff at his words.

"Then find a new hobby, preferably one that doesn't involve me," Valaena rolled her eyes as she adjusted her grip on the box, her arms growing tired from holding them for so long. "I hear jumping off a cliff is very rewarding this time of year."

"Then who would torment you in my absence?" Aemond shot back with a smirk.

"Someone else with too much time and not enough sense," she snapped, her words sharp and aimed to insult him.

"Court is dull and boring," Aemond seemed unbothered by her words. "You're the only one to bite back."

"Come any closer and you'll find out just how much I bite," Valaena threatened, but Aemond refused to back down. If anything, he only seemed more intrigued.

"Yes, you certainly showed that last night," he replied with a chuckle. "I assume it was Daemon who trained you."

Valaena opened her mouth, a sharp reply already forming on her tongue before Ser Donnel cleared his throat behind her. Loudly.

She glanced over her shoulder, forgetting that her knight was waiting behind her. Ser Donnel appeared confused, clearly unaware of what they were discussing in Valyrian and whether he should intervene.

"Ah," Aemond said with a knowing nod, stepping back just enough to give her space again. "I suppose that's my cue to leave."

Before she could stop him, he reached forward with infuriating ease and snatched thanher half-eaten peach from the box she still held.

"Thanks for breakfast, cousin," Aemond added, tossing the fruit once in his hand before turning on his heel.

"Why you-" Valaena started, outraged, but he was already walking away down the corridor as he took a bite of the peach.

She glared after him, her blood boiling with fury. With a huff, she dropped the crate at her feet, the thud echoing off the stone. Without thinking, she grabbed another peach from the top, her fingers curling tightly around it as she drew her arm back.

"Whoa," A hand closed firmly around her wrist, grip strong as it stopped her throw. "Easy now."

"Let me throw at that smug little bastard," Valaena snapped, trying to jerk her arm free from Jacaerys, who had arrived just in time to stop her.

"You know I don't understand you," Jacaerys said, tightening his grip just enough to prevent her from throwing the peach. "Besides, I don't think Mother would appreciate you starting a war with a peach."

"He stole my peach," Valaena hissed as she dropped her arm back to her side, Aemond out of sight for her to be able to attack anymore.

"I'm sure it was tragic," Jacaerys clearly found amusement in it as her eyes snapped to him with a glare.

"He didn't even ask," Valaena complained, her tone bordering on a childish whine. "He just took it. Like it was his."

"Still, I can't believe you'd waste a perfectly good peach on him," Jacaerys said, shaking his head. "He's not worth the fruit."

"It would've been worth it if I hit him in that smug face," Valaena muttered.

"And then what, huh?" Jacaerys raised a brow. "You think he'd just walk away with juice dripping down his chin and let it go?"

Valaena was silent for a few moments before she let out a long, frustrated sigh.

"I hate it when you're right," she muttered. "He just... gets me so riled up."

"Trust me, I know what you mean," Jacaerys said, his mind flashing back to the night before. "It's best to just ignore him."

"Easier said than done," Valaena grumbled. "Every time I see his face, I just want to-"

In one swift motion, Jacaerys reached down and snatched the peach still in his hand.

"Jace!" Valaena gasped as she whirled on him, watching him take a dramatic bite of the peach. "You absolute thief!"

"Tastes delicious," Jacaerys taunted as she lunged at him, darting back with a laugh as he took another bite.

"Give it back!" Valaena demanded, chasing after him with a laugh of her own.

"I'm afraid it's too late," Jacaerys shrugged, dodging to the side. "It's mine now."

"You're worse than him," Valaena cried, grabbing for the peach again.

"Oh, come now," he grinned. "That's a bit harsh, even for you."

"You're lucky I love you," she huffed as she finally caught up to him, tackling him around the middle as they crashed to the ground.

"I know," he wheezed through a laugh as she wrestled with him for the peach. "My charm is unmatched."

"You're disgusting," Valaena grunted, yanking the peach free from his hand. "Ha!"

She held it triumphantly above her head like a trophy, her hair a bit messy and her breaths uneven. Jacaerys lay on the floor beneath her, arms spread in surrender as he laughed at her.

"I swear you love peaches more than your own family," Jacaerys teased as Valaena pushed herself off him.

"Maybe I do," Valaena shot back as she inspected the bruised and bitten fruit in her hand with a scowl. "Ugh. This one's ruined now."

"You fault," Jacaerys pointed out as he sat up with a grin. "Might I remind you that you're the one who tackled me."

"Because you stole my peach," Valaena repeated with a huff as she threw the peach at him, watching as he caught it mid-air with a smug grin. She rolled her eyes, but her smile betrayed her.

Jacaerys stood up, offering his hand to Valaena as she happily accepted it. She brushed the skirts of her dress off before walking over to the unharmed box of peaches beside Ser Donnel. Jacaerys followed, reaching to take it from her.

"Don't even think about it," Valaena warned as she picked up the box, watching him hold his hands up in surrender.

"Alright, alright," Jacaerys responded as he stepped back. "Gods forbid I touch your precious hoard."

She shook her head, grinning as she adjusted her grip and started walking again. Jacaerys fell into step beside her as Ser Donnel followed behind.

"I assume we'll be having peach tarts for dinner then?" Jacaerys questioned, casting her a sideways glance.

"Perhaps," Valaena replied airily. "If I'm feeling generous enough to share."

"How can you say no to this face?" Jacaerys asked, turning to her with an exaggerated pout.

She glanced over at him, giving an unimpressed look as she glanced over his features.

"No."

Her head turned back ahead as Jacaerys gasped, placing a hand over his heart as though she'd stabbed him.

"You wound me, sister," he declared with mock agony.

"You'll live," Valaena replied dryly, though the corner of her mouth twitched upward.

"Not without peach tarts, I won't," Jacaerys said with a pout.

"Then I suggest you start groveling now," she laughed as she turned the corner with Jacaerys trailing beside her, already pleading for dessert.