"Another embroidery?" Rhaella asked, eyeing the handiwork of her cousin. 
Helaena hummed in confirmation. "It's a spider." 
"I never had the patience for such things," Rhaella said. She was one for histories and lectures from the maesters and septas. Rhaena was the one who excelled in sewing, arts, and music,
"It isn't all that hard, just practice," Helaena said. The two cousins fell into a silence familiar only to them. Rhaella watched Helaena work diligently.
"Ah!" Helaena exclaimed suddenly. Rhaella slightly jumped in surprise.
"It will be your name day in a weeks time." Helaena said. In truth, Rhaella scarcely remembered herself. She had not celebrated the day since the death of her mother.
Rhaella watched as Helaena swiftly moved across the room, grabbing a garment into her hands.
"I had this made for you," Helaena said enthusiastically.
Rhaella unfolded the garment. It was a dress. Rich purple silk, with gold embellishments stitched into the bust of the dress. The sleeves were long and elegant.
It was the most gorgeous thing she'd ever seen.
"Helaena...this is beautiful," Rhaella said finally.
"I recall purple being your favorite color," Helaena said eagerly. Only her sweet cousin would remember such a thing.
" I did the gold bits myself, I know you prefer simple gowns," Helaena said.
"Thank you Helaena, truly.. this is." Rhaella was not sure how to place her gratitude.
Helaena smiled anyway. She knew Rhaella was thankful, it was more than enough for her.
"When Princess Rhaenyra is queen, I shall move into the Red Keep for you." Rhaella decided. Originally, Rhaella had half a mind to sail back to Pentos after the princess ascended the throne.
Jace and Luke would marry Baela and Rhaena, her father would become king consort; There would be no place for her any longer.
But no more. She would not abandon her cousin to the predator that was her husband.
Helaena's eyes glossed over with emotion. Rhaella felt compelled to continue, feeling uncharacteristically soft at the moment.
" If I am there, Aegon wouldn't dare to touch you." Rhaella convicted sternly. 
Helaena shrunk back slightly.
"There is a beast beneath the boards," Helaena muttered.
Rhaella sighed. She supposed her cousin had not outgrown the bouts of incoherent musings.
"I hope to never marry, much less to a man like that," Rhaella said, moving along.
Helaena glanced at Rhaella in confusion.
"You do not wish for a husband?" Helaena asked.
Rhaella shrugged. "There is no lord in the realm that would suit me." She said.
Helaena smiled slightly. "No lord, perhaps a prince?"
Rhaella felt her brown cheeks grow warm. She understood the implication.
"I wouldn't marry Aemond, I know him far too well," Rhaella said.
Helaena hummed in thought.
"Is it not preferred to be bound to one that understands you?" Helaena asked. 
For the first time, Rhaella had no answer. No profound thoughts or complex answers.
It was not a matter of understanding. It was her fear of being so known by him.