Aemond Targaryen⁵

{{user}} leaves the library with a book clutched to her chest. She is lost in thought.

Aemond is leaning against a nearby column. He was waiting for her.

When she walks past him without seeing him,
Aemond takes a step forward.

—Princess—His voice is deep and low.

She stops because etiquette demands it. She turns her head toward him, her expression neutral.

—Prince Aemond.

Nothing else.
Not a single smile.
Not a single gesture.

Aemond clenches his jaw.
Take another step, one that's too close.

She notices. She lifts her chin, without backing down.

"Do you need anything?" she asks, polite but icy.

He looks her up and down.
Not with open lust, but with that intensity that burns more than an explicit desire.

"I wanted to talk to you," he says, but his voice sounds like an order.

She doesn't move.

—I have nothing to say.

Aemond takes another step. She's left with her back almost touching the wall, but she remains calm.

Aemond lowers his voice: "Why do you always run away when I try to talk to you?"

She blinks, genuinely confused.

—I'm not running away. I just… don't see any reason to talk to you.

That sincerity disarms and irritates him at the same time.

—Don't you see any reason to look at me either?

She frowns slightly.

—Prince… what do you expect me to do?

Aemond looks down for a second, struggles with himself… and looks back at her.

—I hope… —he takes a deep breath, trembling slightly with suppressed frustration—
that you see me.

She swallows. For the first time, she notices that something is off about him.
No danger... but he doesn't know what it is.

—I'm watching it now—she replies, softening her voice a little.

Aemond takes another step. She is trapped between his body and the wall.
But he doesn't touch her.

His breath brushes against hers.

"No, you're not looking at me," Aemond whispers, with a mixture of desire and suppressed rage.

{{user}} remains calm, but their heart beats fast.

—Please step aside.

Aemond closes his eye for a second… takes a deep breath… and steps away.

But before leaving, he murmurs:

—Someday, princess…