Princess Maegelle Targaryen knew the importance of balance and unity, she learnt it from deceased her husband. Now that her mother is to the worms, she must return to Kingslanding and protect the claim that her father has bestowed upon her.
"You ne...
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All daughters had a duty to their family. To become a steady anchor to a boat in the middle of the sea. Alicent always saw herself holding this burden. She felt like the boat and the anchor, while her father was the sea. He expected the world from her. She could not give it to him, no matter how hard she tried.
She peels the skin at the side of her nails. She was wearing her mother's gown, a small book encased in her arms. "I don't want to do it," she mumbled meekly. Ser Otto's jaw clenched in anger. An ambitious man who wouldn't stop until his family had full control of the Seven Kingdoms.
"You will do it," he asserted with certainty. His hands fell in his sides, fists clenching in anger and almost turning white. "What if I don't want to?" she whispered, looking at the floor. Her pleas falling into empty ears. He takes a deep breath, knowing that the best course of action would be to ease her discomfort.
For his plan to work, she needed to be willing.
He gives her a comforting smile. He places his hands on her shoulders. "You must do it for our family," he ordered, making it sound like it was their last resort. She tries to avoid his gaze, feeling the tears brim in her eyes.
He never said it directly, but he wanted her to be the King's lover. Alicent sees the way her father looks at the throne, his eyes filled with lust, he wants it for his own. He bears no love for his own family. "Please," she begged, but her father remained cold.
Alicent never fancied men. She believed them to be vulgar and illiterate. Their breath stunk of ale, their mouths knew nothing but scheming and curses. She takes a deep breath, gathering her courage. Otto's hand found the small of her back, leading her towards the door, telling her to go to the King's chambers.
Alicent thinks of Rhaenyra. Her beautiful silver-gold curls and lavender eyes. She smelled like wine, and her laughter could bring light to darkness. She smiles, remembering the bravery and courage that her best-friend has, like a knight. She didn't chafe her knees to the will of any lord, clearly not even her own father.
Her small palms find the round of the metal knob, she turns it gently, seeing her father fade from view.
She wanted to be brave and courageous like Rhaenyra.
And she will.
"No," she told herself. I will not betray my friend.
—
Alicent knocks on her door, praying that none of her father's birds saw her. Rhaenyra opens the door, a smile quickly etched on her features. "Ali," the maiden's eyes brightened at the sight of Alicent's familiar auburn hair. "Rhae," she replied, all of her doubts began to fade away.
Alerie Florent always taught her to do the right thing. This was right.
Rhaenyra smiles, her eyes trailing down to Alicent hands – a book about dragon-lords was inside of her hands. As far as the princess remembered, Alicent wasn't exactly fond of these types of books. "Old Valyria?" she raised an eyebrow as they both sat on the bed. "It's my first time reading it." Alicent admits with a bitter chuckle. In Rhaenyra's chambers she could let her guard down. "I recommended that book to you, and you told me that it was boring, that it took years off your life." Rhaenyra points out, Alicent quickly discards the book, settling it on the small table.
