9º Why isn't this a movie?
Haelyx was strolling through the gardens with Iolanthe when she saw Lord Lyonel looking out to sea.
-It's a beautiful sight, don't you think?
-Princess Haelyx, I hadn't seen you.
-That's a bit worrying. A knight should have noticed us walking this way.
Iolanthe tugged on Haelyx's skirt and she bent down to receive a stone. The girl smiled sweetly and Haelyx stroked her hair as she thanked her enthusiastically.
-They're just ordinary rocks, Princess, you shouldn't get your hands dirty with them.
-This rocks are something my daughter gave me, Lord Lyonel. Even if they were insects I would still receive these stones with open hands. To us this ordinary things, but to Iolanthe this rocks something extraordinary. After all, my daughter is discovering the world right now and even the smallest and most inconspicuous stone is a great treasure
Haelyx saw how Lyonel looked at Iolanthe who walked through the garden collecting leaves and looking at them with admiration. The same as a woman would have when seeing a beautiful jewel.
-I had never thought about that. But it makes sense, children so young are discovering the world and everything is amazing, something that adults no longer feel. Where is Lord Edmyn?
-My husband has stayed with the twins writing letters for the merchants who go to Riverun. It is not good for the twins to go out so much at their age, it is still cold. But Iolanthe can enjoy the first rays of sunlight without problems.
Haelyx sat on one of the benches and was not surprised to see that Lord Lyonel did not sit with her. It was not indecent for a man to sit with a woman on the same bench, but that would not stop people from talking.
Iolanthe approached with a red tulip and Haelyx thanked her for showing her pictures of tulips the last few days.
-A very appropriate flower. – Lord Lyonel smiled at Iolanthe like any adult at the adorable actions of a child
-Excuse me?
The man looked embarrassed
-Excuse me, but in Highgarden there is a thing called the language of flowers. Each flower has a specific meaning using that language
Haelyx of course knew it but she smiled and looked at the man calmly. She would let him guide the conversation, come to the conclusions by himself…. That way the idea would be Lyonel and Samantha's, not Haelyx's. Especially if she hid it with the most pleasant and unimportant conversations possible
Who said that the world could not be changed with a few words?
-I had heard of that. Would Lord Lyonel be so kind as to tell me what the meaning of the red tulip is in that language? From the reaction you have shown I suppose it must be a beautiful meaning
-Love, red tulips are a declaration of love
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-Isn't that romantic, Lady Samantha? – They were in the Sept and Haelyx had told the ladies of her age what had happened with Iolanthe and the red tulip, as well as the explanation of the meaning of the flower. – Red roses are often used to express passionate love, but a tulip symbolizes a commitment of love
One of the ladies was a Tyrell girl raised in Highgarden and knew very well the meaning of the red tulip
-It symbolizes an absolute commitment to a relationship. I wish the men of the capital would use more flowers to express their feelings. It is so romantic….
-Well, as a married woman I can say that my husband is very romantic in many ways. – Haelyx smiled sweetly and the ladies gathered around her to get juicy details of a well-known love story
She watched as Samantha approached the Tyrell girl
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Helaena was embroidering dragons for her children's clothes while Haelyx was embroidering fish on hers. Except for Iolanthe's, on her little girl's she was embroidering Jaelarys. Her little girl's egg had taken a while to open, but a multi-colored dragon had emerged from it.
The rainbow dragon.
Dragons caused a lot of fear but several ladies had approached upon hearing about the beautiful colors of Iolanthe's dragon. The Queen had pressed her lips tightly upon seeing the dragon and with envy in her eyes
None of her children's cradle eggs had opened. But Iolanthe's and Haelyx's had done so relatively quickly.
Jaelarys had made a nest out of Iolanthe's bedclothes, and the child had crawled through the opening to sleep with the dragon as Haelyx knew she had done with Hedwig. Hedwig had laid another clutch, but this time the guardians had arrived before Iolanthe and taken both eggs. Haelyx had not fought. Those eggs were infertile. Helga and Salazar had their own eggs in Avalon.
Helaena spread out her embroidery to see it better before her.
- It's beautiful, Helaena
- Thank you, I twisted my tail a little, but I corrected it by adding a curl
Haelyx nodded. Maelor was with Iolanthe on the floor and they were playing with the dragon dolls that Haelyx had bought for them.
Jaehaera seemed to be doing well while the Monterrossi method was being applied to her. The poor girl had at least already managed to speak well and write a few words. But the Maesters kept saying that she would be an idiot for life.
Haelyx could only console Helaena and Queen Alicent at the Maesters' cruel words about the girl. The worst had been when she heard the Queen ask if Jaehaera could be a mother and the Maester say that being an idiot would not affect her ability to fulfill her duty. Which might be preferable because men would not like a very intelligent wife
And the Queen had agreed. She, who was very learned and a student of sacred texts, had agreed to be told that her granddaughter would always be an idiot but that men preferred them stupid
-I have heard an interesting rumor. - Helaena said quietly as she looked at her children
-What have you heard?
-My mother's cousin, Lord Lyonel, has been wearing a very interesting handkerchief tied to his wrist. They say it has a red tulip embroidered on it and we both know the fashion that is currently going through the ladies of the Court regarding that flower. The Court is full of rumors wondering about the identity of the lady who has given such a bold gift
Haelyx giggled
-I have also given a handkerchief with a red tulip to my Edmyn. What lady do you think has been so bold as to give that gift to Lord Lyonel?
-The right lady. You and I both know that she will no longer marry old age but the one who should be.
-Do you think they will elope?
-Soon. – Helaena smiled calmly. – It will be a scandal
-I look forward to it. – Haelyx smiled. – I want to go see your father this afternoon. Is it okay if I leave the twins and Iolanthe with you?
-Yes. – Helaena watched as Iolanthe and Maelor babbled to each other while making their dragons fly. Every now and then they would say a real word, but they were still too young to form complete sentences
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Haelyx sat next to her uncle and opened her book. There was a stack of books that the Queen used to read beside the bed, but Haelyx discarded them. She really didn't want to read anything with the seven-pointed star engraved on it. And she assumed that her uncle would appreciate the change of reading, which was why she had chosen the book of conquest
This book had been written by a Maester who obviously supported the Targaryens and did not speak of Aegon's ambition or desire for conquest. It spoke of a good and kind Lord who felt great sadness at seeing the kingdoms at war and brought them peace by uniting them as one under his banner.
Haelyx thought it was incredible how history changed depending on who wrote it and what their orders were
-… Balerion's shadow completely covered the castle of….
Haelyx stopped reading when she noticed her uncle's hand moving. She moved closer to the bed and saw the man looking at her
-I heard that you have given birth
-Yes, they are twins. A boy and a girl. The boy is completely Valyrian. The girl has Tully hair and Targaryen eyes. Salazar and Helga
-Good names. Strong names for strong children. I wish there were more children born in the family. Do you think Aemond has someone in mind?
-I think so, but it is not a relationship that will bear fruit
To the King's credit, he realized what she meant. That she was telling him that his son was a deviant according to the teachings of the militant faith that his wife followed. He realized and remained silent for a few seconds. Those moments seemed eternal to the young Queen who only wanted happiness for her cousin. Then the old King made a gesture of resignation and understanding, but not of disgust or rejection as his wife would have done.
-Are you sure?
-Quite a bit. If I were still single he would marry me, but since I am not, he does not know what to do. He would have been a good husband for Helaena if they had let him. – Haelyx sighed thinking about how her cousin would have been a better husband than her other cousin. He would have loved and cherished her, Helaena would have been happy
-Better than Aegon, for sure. I've heard he's bedridden and worse off than me. Alicent doesn't pay as much attention to me now. Is that your doing?
-You overestimate me, dear uncle. How could I have my cousin infected with syphilis in a brothel? I am just a weak and unimportant Princess, a Princess who was raised like a bird in a golden cage. I have been fed with golden spoons and cared for like a precious gem isolated from the suffering and problems of the common people. What means would I have to hire a syphilitic but symptom-free prostitute to have sex with my cousin? - Haelyx smiled at her uncle showing each and every one of her teeth. - It's not like I'm getting revenge on a certain man who thought it was funny to beat his wife.
Haelyx's uncle laughed until a coughing fit ran through his body. She approached and could only rub the old man's chest with concern to try to alleviate his suffering minimally.
-Try not to get caught, niece. You're too fun to lose. Especially since no one seems to notice what you do.
-Oh, dear uncle. The fun has just begun
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Haelyx looked at her husband as they both covered themselves in black cloaks that made them blend in with the rock behind them. They were both also covered in concealment spells
In the stables was the figure of a man. Haelyx had made sure that the sky was dark just for this particular day. Manipulating the weather was difficult, but she had worked hard for it. Now was the time to see if her plan would bear fruit
But she would not force decisions.
This would be a voluntary decision
A female figure in a cloak ran up to the stable and as soon as she saw the male figure she threw herself into his arms. Even from a distance the passionate kiss they shared could be seen. The lovers shared a few words before climbing onto their horses and riding off into the rain that was beginning to fall
-And so, House Hightower will have internal problems. – Edmyn smiled at Haelyx. – Anything to add?
– Yes. – Haelyx spread her arms and whispered a spell. – For three days no one will notice her absence. More than enough time for them to marry and consummate the marriage
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Alicent Hightower looked out the window. It had been raining for almost four days without stopping and she had been very busy. One of the pantries had flooded and the sept had had problems accommodating all the poor who fled from the heavy rains
Alicent checked the ladies who were staying at the Court those days. They were all gathered in one place to keep warm since with such rains it was difficult for the firewood to be dry.
Haelyx and Helaena were with their usual group of ladies talking about the dresses they planned to make for the warmer season. Haelyx was displaying a blue veil that was held in place by a red and blue headband on which she was embroidering small silver fish.
It was a great satisfaction to see a lady who followed the commands of the seven and was totally submissive to the house she had married into. Alicent looked around for Lady Samantha and could not find her. Frowning, she walked with firm steps to where her daughter and niece were.
- Queen Alicent. – The ladies bowed with due respect. The respect that Alicent deserved for having given birth to four children for the Targaryen house.
- It is lovely to find you all gathered here. – Alicent smiled. – But I have not seen Lady Samantha. Do you know where I can find her?
The young ladies looked at each other.
- We do not know, mother. – Helaena stepped forward with her soft voice. – We have spent the last few days hearing about Lord Manderley's marriage to his mistress, the Court is full of rumors about it
-Pure speculation, my dear. – Alicent knew that was true, Lord Manderley had not waited for his legitimate wife's body to cool before marrying his mistress and legitimizing his bastards. But it was not convenient to tell the young ladies of the Court. - When was the last time you saw her?
-Before the rain, My Queen. – Said one of the young women, a Tyrell. Alicent would never recognize the shiver of pleasure that ran through her at seeing someone of the Lord of Highgarden's blood bowing to her. – She said she was feeling ill, we assumed she was resting
-That's right, she may be ill. I'll go check on her
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Haelyx watched as the knights and guards ran through the castle quickly, trying not to draw attention. Something useless, everyone had already noticed it
She stood up and walked to the Queen's solar. She knew the Maesters were changing Aegon's bandages. She had heard that Aegon had lost his nose and was beginning to lose his mind
Maybe what she had given him to make the syphilis spread quickly had been too effective. Well, Haelyx had learned her lesson for the next one she wanted to kill that way
Queen Alicent sat on a wooden bench with a seven-pointed star on it as she rubbed her forehead
-Your Majesty, has something happened? The guards keep passing by, it seems they are looking for someone and everyone is in an uproar.
-Oh, Haelyx, a lady is missing. I am worried about her
-Lady Samantha. – Haelyx looked at the Queen. – Before the search began you were looking for her. Did her maids not know where she was?
-Those women are now in the dungeons. They haven't seen their lady for days and they haven't told anyone. – The Queen looked around.
-Is anyone else missing? Any knights?
-Why do you ask, Haelyx?
-Well, a missing lady is one thing. But if a lady and a knight or noble disappear at the same time… Lady Samantha is to be married in two moons, those kinds of rumors could annul the union. The ladies of the Court are bored and all kinds of rumors fly. – Haelyx avoided saying that she and Edmyn had spread the rumors using confusion spells
-What rumors?
-I don't know if it would be appropriate to say those…..
-Tell me! – Haelyx knew that she had the Queen hooked
-They say that Lady Samantha eloped with an unknown knight to marry in secret. So I think that all the knights should be accounted for to put an end to that rumor. Lady Samantha's reputation is at stake, and as the future Lady Hightower…
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Edmyn kissed Haelyx's bare shoulder while she laughed and hugged him despite the sweat that covered their bodies. The layers of fur on the bed were a comfortable place to be
-You're evil, the Queen looks much older and the Hand of the King looks like he's going to have a heart attack any day
-They broke up my family, I'm breaking up theirs. I think it's a fair trade