In which Aelyeska Targaryen fights between her duty to the realm and her duty to her heart.
"Marriage binds people by duty. For it is the only time duty and love can stand in the same phrase, without being contradictory."
"War of hearts, be fought...
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Aenya Targaryen
Aenya and her daughter, Aelyeska, sat down on the couch of her bedchamber, still shaken up from the previous events. The little girl remained silent. Surprisingly, Aelyeska and Aenya endured the same fate, in some ways.
"I understand your pain." Aenya finally broke the silence, her daughter looking up to meet her eyes, "You hold Jacaerys and Lucerys dearly in your heart. Same goes for Aemond." She stated, "Your heart has been torn in two."
"I did not do anything, mother." Aelyeska's voice was faint and low, "To prevent the fight, the broken nose, the lost eye...I tried, but it was useless." The little girl explained, her voice filled with guilt, "I ended up curled up in a corner, watching them wound one another."
"There was nothing to be done." Aenya replied, taking her daughter's hand into her own, "Your heart was put at war. Sometimes no choice can be made, love for both sides holds you back." She explained, calmly.
She opened up the palm of her daughter, gazing upon the wounds she had dug with her own nails, dried blood covering her palm.
"My sweet daughter." Aenya smiled softly, "You do not deserve what you put yourself through. Stop hurting yourself."
"I don't want to have a soft heart anymore." Aelyeska innocently said, "It makes me feel stupid."
"A soft heart is no weakness, daughter." Aenya responded, her voice low and soft, "It is a valuable gift some are not granted with." She explained reassuringly, "I am glad you have a bigger heart than most. It makes you just and truthful." She nodded slightly.
Aelyeska looked up to her mother, nodding slightly in response. If there was one person Aenya held dearest to her heart, it was her daughter. Her own blood. She never knew what had made her so sweet, how she had produced such a loving child.
"Princess Rhaenyra, Queen Alicent, and I used to be great friends when we were but little girls." Aenya spoke after a brief moment of silence, "Though, you may have seen that, at times, love dies when duty comes. Or the other way around." She stated, her eyes darting to look at the fire burning in the fireplace, as if concentrating to remember what she wanted to say, "Our friendship ceased when Queen Alicent married King Viserys. I miss them terribly, I only admit it when few are the trusted ones to listen." She admitted, her tone truthful, "Many times, for me, war of hearts were fought. Tonight, especially." Her eyes slightly glossy with tears.
She brought her hand up to her daughter's face, cupping one side and stroking her cheek affectionately with her thumb. "I am glad you and prince Aemond get along. Same goes for Rhaenyra's boys." She nodded.
