Never in his life had Aemond felt such an overwhelming longing, sadness and despondency. He tried to convince himself that it would pass. A foolish love in his niece, a sweet and kind girl whose smile had warmed him since childhood.

He entered your chambers quietly and unnoticed. For a moment, his breath caught when he saw you, in those beautiful wedding clothes. You stood in front of the mirror, clearly thinking about something, but from your face it was clear that you were not happy. And who could be happy in such a situation?

You both know who your heart belongs to. From the very beginning. But now you are marrying your brother. He swore to himself that he would not come to you again. The pain of realizing that you are not his was too great. But he couldn’t.

He doesn’t miss the way you flinch and try to force a smile when you catch sight of him behind you in the mirror. His hand pauses over your shoulder, not quite touching. There were so many things he wanted to tell you, but couldn’t. In a few hours you would be bound to another man, swearing your love and fidelity to him, but you would probably be able to give him none of those things.

“I… I have a gift for you…” He begins quietly, even hesitantly, looking away to take a small case from his doublet pocket. Inside was a chain of Valyrian steel, with a small, neat sapphire, just like the one he wore in his empty eye socket.

The neat chain looked much better than the enormous necklace around your neck, your mother’s wedding gift, which looked more like a collar than a piece of jewelry.

Aemond just wants to... grab your hand, pull you into his arms, never let go, tell his half-sister that she has no right to decide for you, challenge stupid Jace to a duel for your hand. If he had his way, he'd take you right now on Vhagar and fly away with you.

But all he can do right now is watch your eyes light up at the sight of his gift, and your stupid smile, so childish and innocent... as if nothing else was happening right now except the two of you.