Chapter Text
Aemond watches Lucerys walk out the door accompanied by the guards, the omega leaving behind the scent of jasmine and lemon, just like last time.
Was he doing this on purpose?
No, Lucerys didn't have any of the typical reactions of someone of his gender when trying to attract an alpha. He didn't blink his eyes like a fool, nor did he expose his scent gland or try to act submissive and delicate, Lucerys was obviously afraid of him, but he tried not to show it, preferring to assume an air of resignation.
Lucerys Rivers wasn't what Aemond was expecting.
He is intriguing and the very fact that Aemond was curious about the omega is intriguing. The alpha rarely paid attention to other people or wanted to know about them. As an alpha he had his basic instincts and he slept with one or another omega on the silk street. Not that that's the case, he doesn't feel any kind of carnal desire for his bastard nephew.
Absolutely not.
But damn, Aemond would be lying if he said he didn't find him attractive. Lucerys's features would be common on anyone, brown hair and eyes, but there was something wild about those curls and he had a pretty face, even with the pug nose that was characteristic of the Strongs. He was born with Valyrian beauty, even if he didn't show it physically and then there was that smell, that scent of flowers mixed with lemon, Aemond wanted to inhale more of that scent.
Aemond shifts in his chair, restless. He refuses to feel even a shred of attraction for this boy, a bastard of his whore of a sister, no less. Aemond is a prince and a dragon rider, he wouldn't lower himself like that.
I need to focus on the war, I can't take my attention away from what's important. Daemon managed to escape and that's a real problem.
Fuck Lucerys and her pretty doe eyes.
Aemond pinches the bridge of his nose tightly, trying to dispel the omega's scent.
There is a knock on the door, then the figure of Criston Cole appears.
“My prince.” He greets respectfully.
“Sir Criston, is there a problem?”
“None, your highness, the castle is undermanned and the few guards have been relieved.” The commander informs, and I frown, suspicious. “It was too easy.”
Aemond snorts, disdainful.
“Of course it was easy, Harrenhal is a pile of ruins, in the possession of a lesser house, Daemon left everything behind knowing we would come.”
“Where do you think he might have gone?” Criston asks.
“He must have run back to my sister's skirts or he is in new territory.” It is annoying how his hateful uncle managed to escape, but Aemond would have another chance to wipe that smug smile off Daemon's face.
“Your Highness, what if he and Rhaenyra decide to take King’s Landing?” Criston seems quite worried about the possibility. “The city is practically unprotected, Queen Helaena is in no condition to ride Dreamfyre.”
At the mention of his sister’s name, Aemond feels a bitter taste in his mouth. He understands her grief, but this is the time for them to retaliate with full force. He loves her, of course, but Helaena’s weakness irritates him. Dreamfyre is too powerful a dragon to be locked in the pit. Criston’s fear is valid, but Aemond does not believe that Rhaenyra will take the city now, it would be a very risky move.
“She is not foolish, Rhaenyra will not launch any attacks on King’s Landing while Vhagar is flying over the kingdom.”
“But…”
“We need the Riverlands.” Aemond interrupts him, leaving no room for discussion, he considers Criston his mentor and friend, but Aemond is still the Prince Regent, the final word is his. "I can't let that whore command an army as large as the ones in the Riverlands, we need to make sure they remember who sits on the Iron Throne."
Criston doesn't look convinced, but he just nods in agreement. "What are you going to do with the Strongs?"
"Leave them in the dungeons," Aemond says dismissively. "They should be thanking me on their knees for not executing them for treason."
"What about the bastard?" Criston asks brusquely.
"What are you going to do with him?" Aemond casts a long look at the commander. "What about him?"
"Maybe it's not wise to keep him here." Criston begins to say slowly. He is an omega and bastards are not to be trusted, he may have inherited his mother's wiles…”
“Do you think you are talking to Aegon, Ser Criston?” Aemond asked harshly. “Am I some pussy addict like him? Do you think I can be seduced by an omega as common as Lucerys?”
“That's not what I meant.” Criston retorts. “But you are an alpha, like it or not, we have instincts, I only fear for you my prince.”
Aemond's lips twist in disdain, the audacity of this man, who does he think he is talking to?
“Just because you were seduced by my sister’s cunt doesn’t mean that’s going to happen to me.” Criston looks like he’s been physically hit, and his dark eyes flash with anger. “You don’t have to worry about me, Lucerys is just an unimportant bastard, the weakest of the litter, I’m just going to keep him around just in case he tries to communicate with Rhaenyra.”
“As you say, my prince.” Criston says stiffly, still irritated with Aemond. “With your permission, I need to check on my soldiers.”
He’s quite sensitive about this subject. Pathetic.
“First, you go to Lucerys, I want him to clear one of the available rooms in the Widow’s Tower.”
Criston’s expression is one of obvious annoyance, the alpha would rather do anything than talk to the bastard, but he’s not going to directly disrespect Aemond. Before leaving, however, he gives one last warning.
“I care about you, Prince Aemond. I’ve watched you grow up and I don’t want to see you lose your way.” He pauses before continuing. “Please think about what I’ve said.”
As soon as Criston closes the office door, Aemond rolls his eyes. He would prove to Criston that he was an idiot for having such concerns.
Besides, he would have a great deal of fun tormenting his little bastard of a sister.
...
Did he ask you to be his cupbearer?”
Alys is visibly worried after Luke tells her everything Aemond told her. Her aunt has a frown on her face and she starts pacing back and forth in the kitchen.
“That’s not good, that’s not good at all, you should have refused.”
“And how could I refuse?” Luke retorts bitterly. “The prince runs the castle now, if I refused I would end up in the dungeons with Simon or worse.”
“I’m worried about why he wants his enemy’s son around.” Alys gives him a piercing look. “Especially an omega.”
Luke rolls his eyes.
“I don’t think I appeal to him like that, the prince must be one of those nobles who hates bastards, I bet he just wants to humiliate me.” Well, it’s not an encouraging idea either, but Luke doubts Aemond will try to do anything to him like that.
“You need to be careful.” Alys takes Luke’s hands in hers. “If he tries to do anything strange to you, tell me everything.”
“And what can you do?” Luke squeezes Alys’s fingers. “I’ll be fine, don’t worry about me.”
They hear heavy footsteps coming down the narrow hallway from the kitchen, then the intimidating sight of Ser Criston Cole (Luke heard his name spoken by the other soldiers), his white cloak fluttering behind his back. He looks at Luke with contempt.
‘Prince Aemond orders you to clear one of the rooms in the Widow’s Tower.’ He says gruffly. ‘He will occupy the tower.’
Luke raises his eyebrows.
‘Me?’
‘That’s not a cupbearer’s job.’ Alys quickly intervenes, and Criston scoffs.
‘The bastard will do as the prince commands.’ The commander addresses Luke again. ‘And make it quick.’
What a nasty guy!
‘Yes, sir.’
Ser Criston purses his lips, but he doesn't say anything else before leaving the kitchen.
"Luke..." Alys mutters.
"I better do what he says, I don't want to cause trouble." Luke tries to smile at Alys. "I'll be quick."
It took almost the entire day to clean the room.
Practically all the rooms are in terrible condition, Luke did the best he could, dusting and cleaning the soot from the floor, by the end of the day, he is sweaty and sore. Luke wipes the sweat from his forehead, feeling a sharp pain in his lower back from bending over so much while scrubbing the damn floor.
Spoiled prince, I hope he falls out of bed in his sleep.
The last task was to change the bed sheets for clean, mite-free ones. The curtains weren't much of a salvation, so Luke leaves them where they are.
After finishing the complete cleaning of the room, Luke desperately needs to have a bath. After putting the cleaning supplies in the kitchen, he goes to the room and grabs everything he needs to go to the castle's bathroom. The entrance is difficult to access and only those who know and are already accustomed to the layout of the castle know the right way, so Luke is not too worried about taking a shower there, and Luke likes the solitude that the place offers and the water is naturally warm.
Luke walks confidently and he closes the door to the bathroom entrance when he arrives. The place is always humid and warm. Luke steps into one of the stone pools and sighs contentedly when he feels the warm water on his body, he usually likes it when the water is very warm, it is comforting. He rests his head on the hard, cold edge, closes his eyes for a few seconds, trying not to think too much about all the events of the day and the dark future that awaits him.
Luke must have dozed off, because when he wakes up, the omega is disoriented and has the clear feeling of being watched. Luke turns his face to the side. Aemond stands near the door, staring at him, his one eye wide.
“Fuck!” Luke screams and sinks his naked body deeper into the water. His face is completely red. “What are you doing here?”
“I…” Aemond swallows hard. “I was told there was a bathhouse and I didn’t know you were here…” the alpha clears his throat and blinks, looking dazed. “I don’t need to explain myself to you bastard!”.
“Please, leave.” Luke demands, forgetting for a moment that he is in front of a prince.
Aemond is furious.
“Who do you think you are to give me orders?”
“I am an omega who is clearly vulnerable in the presence of an alpha.” Luke says. “At least turn your back so I can leave.”
Aemond laughs mockingly.
“And what is there to see in such a simple-minded omega?”
Something snaps in Luke.
He spent the whole day cleaning and scrubbing the dirt from his room, half of his relatives are locked in a dungeon and now he can't even take a shower in peace?
Luke barely realizes what he's doing. He stands up in the pool, Aemond clearly wasn't expecting this, because his one eye widens. His gaze then travels over Luke's body and he swallows hard. The smell gets spicier.
"You...you depraved omega." Aemond hisses, but he doesn't look awa
"There is nothing to look at in a person as simple as me.”
Luke steps out of the pool, aware of Aemond’s gaze on him.
I’m going crazy. Luke thinks as he puts on his inner tunic. What if he attacks me?
But strangely, Luke doubts that Aemond will do anything, his posture is so tense that it’s almost funny. Luke finishes putting on the tunic and gathers the rest of his clothes in his arms.
“Have a nice bath, your highness.”
Before leaving, Luke hears him swear several times in Valyrian.
Unfortunately for Aemond, Luke speaks the language very well.