A GAME I COULDN’T LOSE ( House of the Dragon x Reader )
AUTHOR NOTE! It makes me so happy to know that you requested my writing! I love this idea! He does ( lowkey ) give off this vibe <3
pairing: Aemond Targaryen x Fem! Lannister! Reader
prompt: Aemond wants to be loved by Reader, but he doesn’t know someone has been pulling strings..
key: h/c = hair color, Corlys = Laena & Laenor’s father, Baela = Daemon & Laena daughter
word count: 2,000+ words
“Once upon a time, the planets and the fates..And all the stars aligned..You and I ended up in the same room, at the same time..”
The first time he had laid eyes on her, he was ten. He didn’t know much about the h/c girl, just that she was visiting Rhaena and Baela. Offering the young girls support after the loss of their Mother. Right away, he knew that she was special. She had held their hands throughout the ceremony. She whispered comforting words whenever the adult’s turned their eyes away for a split second. She purposefully ignored Aegon whenever he tried to utter a snide comment to her.
She had a glow to her, that made him stare. He should have been paying attention to the funeral. He shouldn’t have been staring, but he just couldn’t find it in himself to look away. Not when he wanted to know more about the h/c girl in black robes. She was absolutely eye-catching⎯and he was sure that if the circumstances were different, he would have made a attempt to talk to her.
“And the touch of a hand lit the fuse, of a chain reaction of countermoves..To assess the equation of you..Checkmate, I couldn't lose..”
The last time he had seen her, he was ten. His vision was blurred and the pain was unbearable. But, even through all of that he could still see her icy glare. Burning holes into him and his brother. Her hand gripped tightly on Baela’s shoulder, a wet rag in her other hand. Even though he lost an eye, he felt somewhat better knowing that she was looking at him. Sure, it was out of disgust and anger. But, it was a start.
Their eyes lock for a second, her glare deepening. A sneer now forming on her pretty face. He was sure that if it was just the two of them, she’d curse him out. And as odd as it was, he wished for it. He wanted to know her name. He wanted her to talk to him⎯even if she was damning him to hell and back. He wanted her. And he would get her one way or another.
“What happened?” Corlys questions, staring at his granddaughter in worry.
“He…” Baela stutters out, her eyes brimming with tears.
“Allow me to explain, my lord?” Y/N speaks up, rubbing Baela’s shoulder.
Looking at Baela for confirmation to continue, the young girl nods her head, the tears in her eyes now starting to fall down her bloody cheeks. The h/c girl swallows the lump in her throat. Rubbing her thumb on her shoulder, Baela grabs at her hand, gripping onto it tightly. The pain of what had happened painted on the young girl's face.
“Aemond claimed Vhagar, he did it in security so that they would not get the chance to oppose it.” Y/N explains, “After being confronted, he insulted Luke and Jace, calling them bastards. They defended their honor.”
“You tell the truth, child?” Corlys asks, looking at her for any deceitfulness.
“I do, sir. I gain nothing from telling lies.” She whispers, keeping her eyes on him.
Aemond watches as Corlys stares her down, a serious look on his face. Those kinds of accusations were as serious as they come. If they found to be lies, she’d be punished or worse⎯killed. Turning her eyes from Corlys to him, Corlys’s eyes follow her, a death glare on his face.
“Do not let them punish the boys for his mistake.” She begs, placing her hand on Corlys’s arm.
“What if I told you none of it was accidental? And the first night that you saw me, nothing was gonna stop me..I laid the groundwork and then, just like clockwork..The dominoes cascaded in a line..”
The next time he saw her, he was eighteen, and it may not have been so accidental. He never thought that he would see the h/c girl ever again. But, when he heard a whisper from the maids of one of the lord’s girls returning after being away for so long. He made sure to be in the area. Watching from a distance, she adorned a simple red dress, a bright smile on her face⎯much different than the last time he saw her. His heart fluttered at the sight.
Picking up her skirt slightly, she picks up her pace as she walks, approaching a man. Bowing her head at a few people, she sprints at the man, a loud laugh leaving her lips. Spinning her around in a circle, she buries her head into his shoulder, her h/c hair bouncing around. That must have been her father. Pulling away from the hug, he grabs her arm, tugging her away from everyone’s prying eyes.
“I missed you!” She gushes, “It’s been far too long.”
“Agreed, far too long. How is your brother? Meria? How is the baby?” He questions, a bright smile on his face.
“Wonderful! He’s been prancing around preaching about him having a son. Meria had to lock him in their chambers to stop him from embarrassing himself any further.” She explains, “How has the court been? The last time I was here, I was a mere child.”
“Troubled. But, I am sure things will work out in time.” He nods, patting her arm.
Nodding her head in understanding, they slow down their pace, now away from the nosy eyes of the people on the dock. Patting her arm gently, a troubled look appears on her face, probably wondering why the court was so troubled. Not that he blamed her. Targaryen politics were⎯how to put it⎯difficult at time? Passing by him, they completely ignore his presence, seemingly in their own little world.
Stepping out from the shadows, he clears his throat loudly, making sure to get their attention. They both tense up at the sound, pausing mid-step. Slowly looking over their shoulders, their grips tighten on one another. Their faces showing their thoughts, shit. Forcing smiles onto their faces, they bow in respect.
“Ah, Y/N. You remember Prince Aemond. Don’t you?” Her father pipes in, tensing at the sight of him.
“I do.” She spits out, nodding.
“My lady.” He smirks, “I’ve seen you’ve grown too. No longer the feisty young girl that I once knew.”
His eyes lower to her hand, wanting her to extend it. He wanted to place a kiss on the back of her hand, like he was supposed to do. He wanted to be a gentleman. He wanted to show her the respect she deserved. Her eyes flicker down, seemingly catching what he wanted. She clenches her jaw, holding her hand out for him. A giddy feeling blooming in his chest. Carefully grasping her hand, he practically melts in his shoes at the feeling of her hand in his.
“Yes, my time in Winterfell has made me mature.” She forces out, tensing as he places a kiss to her knuckles.
“I can tell.” He teases, “Will I see you tonight? We are having a feast for my brother’s marriage with Helaena.”
“You will.” She nods, relaxing as he pulls away.
“Promise to save me a dance?” He asks, trying desperately to not sound to eager.
“I think about it.” She muses, “Until then, Prince Aemond.”
“What if I told you I'm a mastermind? And now you're mine, it was all by design..'Cause I'm a mastermind...”
She did in fact not save him a dance. Instead, she happily took Aegon’s hand. Not before, shooting him a teasing wink over her shoulder. If Aegon wasn’t his brother⎯Correction, if there wasn’t as many people in the hall as there was now, he’d have struck his brother down. Glaring holes into the back of Aegon’s head, he could hear everyone’s giggling, his mother even making a teasing remark.
“Why don’t you ask her for a dance, Aemond?” Alicent questions, a slight giggle to her voice.
“She took Aegon’s hand.” He deadpans, eyes glued to her.
“Only because she is teasing you.” Rhaenyra teases, “She’s a Lannister. She’s going to make you work for her hand.”
“Shush, Rhaenyra! Can you see him turning red?” Alicent teases, the woman bursting into giggles.
Turning his head to the woman, a snarky remark was on the tip of his tongue, but he held it back. He would let them enjoy this. Tomorrow they’d be sober and back at each other’s throats. Looking back at his brother, he places a kiss on the back of her hand, a smirk on his lips. Muttering something to her, she gently slaps his arm, shaking her head with a laugh. When he got the chance, he’d beat Aegon to a pulp.
Clenching his jaw at the sight, Aegon holds his hand out for her to take, hopefully to escort her off the dance floor and into his arms. Placing her hand into his, they walk off the floor, heading over to the table. Jumping up at the sight of them, he stands up from his seat, holding a hand out for her to take. But, she does not take it once again.
“Lady Lannister, wonderful to see you again. Are you enjoying the festivities?” Alicent smiles, a light snicker leaving her lips.
“Indeed, your majesty.” Y/N smiles, “Although, I must say the party is more tame than I am used to. Winterfell’s festivities are less..calm, so to say.”
Nodding their heads in understanding, she finally turns to him, her lips slightly twitching up into a smile. His heart pounds in his chest. If only he had the ability to freeze time. Holding her hand out for him, he carefully grabs it, afraid that she’d pull away too soon. Pressing a gentle kiss on the back of her hand, she narrows her eyes slightly, like she was trying to read him. Meeting her eyes, she slowly pulls her hand away, turning her attention onto his mother.
“Queen Alicent, will you dance with me?” She questions, “Aegon has grown tired and I much prefer someone new to dance with.”
“You see, all the wisest women had to do it this way..'Cause we were born to be the pawn in every lover's game..”
She holds onto Alicent’s hands, twirling the older woman in a circle. Giggles leaving the older woman’s lips as they spin around. Perhaps, in another time where war wasn’t a looming threat, things could have been more like this. Happy. Not a care in the world. Slowly coming to a waltz, a mischievous glint appears in Alicent’s eyes, almost like she knew something that no one else knew.
“Your son, Aemond.” Y/N questions, an innocent look on her face.
“What about him?” Alicent teases, an amused look on her face.
“He doesn’t think⎯” Y/N shakes her head, “Oh, forget about it.”
The amused look on Alicent’s face grows. Now this, she had to hear.
“No, you have gotten my attention. What is it?” Alicent nods, motioning for her to continue.
“I was going to say. He doesn’t think it was an accident meeting me at the docks, does he?” Y/N questions, innocently.
“What do you mean?” Alicent furrows her brows together.
Y/N’s face flashes mischievous before being painted in fake innocence. She was a Lannister after all. She always had a trick or two. Tucking a strand of hair away from Alicent’s face, she pulls the woman close to her. Almost like a hug, but not quite. Hiding her face in her hair, Alicent wraps her arms around her, pulling her in close.
“My mother always said that I should never let fate handle things. That if I want something, I should make it happen.” Y/N whispers, keeping her voice low enough to not be overheard.
“What are you saying?” Alicent questions, raising a brow.
“It was not a coincidence that we reunited after all of this time, my Queen. I know of the approaching war. I know sides will be picked.” Y/N explains, her voice low.
“What are you suggesting?”
“Let us marry. A tie between both of our houses will be beneficial.” She smirks, “The Lannister riches? The Lannister allies? And the Targaryen crown? A very powerful duo. One strong enough to win the war.”