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AEMMA. I hope I can one day see you as a mother. You'd be wonderful. ALYSANNE. Only because I've had you to learn from.
Rays of sunlight streamed in through the window behind the king's chair, illuminating the small council's chambers. They glinted off the silver armor of the Kingsguard and the rings and other small jewelries that adorned the lords on the council.
More importantly, to Alysanne, they cast light on the translucent cups at each seat around the table, and highlighted their emptiness. She glanced at the pitcher on the table behind her once more.
Rhaenyra was late. The small talk from the other lords mattered little to her now. Her charge, the Princess Rhaenyra, had left her to serve as cupbearer in her absence.
It would not have mattered nearly as much as it did if she felt well-liked by the council. She was well-liked by the crown, but the crown did not speak for its council. Even then, standing in near-shadows, she could feel the watchful eyes of Otto Hightower upon her.
When it came to matters of the small council, Alysanne Waters was only as interested as she let on. But when Corlys Velaryon began to speak of pirates in the Stepstones, she did not bother to hide her raised brows or wide eyes.
"A man called Craghas Drahar has styled himself the prince admiral of this Triarchy," Corlys was saying. "They call him the Crabfeeder, due to his... Inventive methods of punishing his enemies."
