𝕷𝖆𝖐𝖊 𝖔𝖋 𝕱𝖎𝖗𝖊 ( house of the dragon )

alicent i

The drums sounded around Alicent as she sat waiting for Rhaenyra to arrive. She picked at her nails, glancing around for the young knight she wanted to see, Aemon. He was nowhere in sight, and his chair, placed off to the side of Rhaenyra's, remained empty. She had hoped that Aemon would enter the lists and ask for her favor, but she knew that the Queen wouldn't allow him at his young age.

The crowd cheered as the King stood and announced, "Be welcome!" The crowd still had not quieted until the King continued, "I know many of you have traveled long leagues to be at these games." Alicent looked at her hands resting in her lap, hoping that Aemon would arrive with Rhaenyra. "But I promise, you will not be disappointed. When I look at the fine knights in these lists, I see a group without equal in our histories." Alicent glanced again at the empty seats next to her, the King's voice ringing in her ears. "And this great day..." The wood creaked as Alicent turned to see Rhaenyra in her red gown, walking to her seat. However, Aemon was not present. "Has been made more auspicious by the news..." Rhaenyra quickly ran across the floor and hastily sat down. "That I am happy to share." Alicent looked away again, her shoulders heavy with boredom as she realized Aemon had not come. She would not hear his jokes and witty remarks; she'd only hear Rhaenyra's disinterest in the knights below them. "Queen Aemma has begun her labors!" The whole arena erupted into applause as Alicent clapped along. "May the luck of the Seven shine upon all combatants!"

The applause and cheers grew louder as the first two knights took their positions. Alicent noticed the first one, bearing the sigil of House Cole of the Stormlands. She was quite good at remembering sigils and houses, something Rhaenyra had shown no interest in. The Tarly knight was unhorsed after the second tilt, and Alicent excitedly clapped for the Cole knight as she watched closely.

The winning knight presented himself and his horse in front of the box with a bow as Rhaenyra spoke, "A mystery knight?"

"No, a Cole, of the Stormlands," Alicent corrected, carefully watching as he rode away.

"I've never heard of House Cole," Rhaenyra said dryly.

Alicent knew she was bored without drama and a mystery knight would have been just that. "Lord Stokeworth's daughter is promised to that young Tarly squire," she said, nodding toward the squire as Rhaenyra turned her head to her.

"Lord Massey's son?" Alicent questioned in disbelief.

Rhaenyra hummed. "They're to be married as soon as he wins his knighthood."

Alicent had never understood why knighthood meant marriage. She assumed it was because the knight could then earn money through tournaments and such, but it was still a bothersome endeavor. "Best get on with it," she stated as she saw boredom reclaim the Princess's eyes after the gossip had been spilled. She tried to find something to pique the Princess's interest and remembered a rumor she had heard from one of her maids. "I heard that Lady Elinor is hiding a swollen belly beneath her dress."

She looked at the Princess again, hoping to spark some interest. Rhaenyra's eyes widened in shock. Alicent suppressed a smile as they tried not to laugh at the thought. Lord Baratheon had been thrown from his horse, and Alicent turned her attention back to her nails, picking at the skin around them. She had been secretly rooting for the Cole knight, and so far, he seemed to be winning. However, her mind kept returning to Aemon. She could always talk to Aemon. Unlike with the Princess, Aemon never needed coaxing into a conversation. He had always talked to Alicent, even when there was nothing interesting to say.

As Rhaenyra turned back from her discussion with her Kingsguard, Alicent leaned in. "Have you seen Aemon?" Rhaenyra now seemed uninterested in her cousin, having suddenly taken interest in the winning knight below.