The Azure Dragon

The Rat In The Walls

When Otto Hightower returned to his chamber, he had to resist wanting to throw the nearest object to him. Alicent could see her father's inner struggle and yet chose to open her mouth. "Father? Whatever is the matter?" Otto turned around to face his daughter and sigh. If only the Queen hadn't survived than perhaps he would've gotten Alicent remarried to the King. Maybe...

"The King refuses to change the succession. Rhaenyra is still his chosen heir despite the young prince only being a week old." Alicent nodded. "The prince is a bit young to make decisions, would it not be best to wait till he has grown to an age where he can actually speak to the people?" Otto had to resist a scoff as he stared into the fire. "Regardless of age, it is also for the realm. For stability. How is the realm to stay peaceful and stable with Rhaenyra upon the throne. It will be chaos. A woman as Queen, ridiculous." He rolled his eyes.

"But there have been Targaryen Queens, father. Who's to say that Rhaenyra would fail when there have been so many great Queens?" Alicent asked and Otto sighed, lowering his head. "Because those Queens were a side piece to the King. There has always been a King on the Iron Throne, even with Aegon The Conqueror. There were two Queens, yes, but none has sat the Iron Throne as the main heir.

We must find a way to get Baelon to be the heir, even if we must remove the princesses." Otto mumbled but Alicent heard it and fell silent, turning back to her needlepoint. It would be a secret she would hold even as she met up with Rhaenyra, Daella and Laena, who was visiting court with her father, Corlys. The four girls were in the godswood, resting under the weirwood tree. An hour would go by with Ser Ryam and Ser Harold guarding them that when Daella rested her hand on the branch of the weirwood tree, she felt a prick in her brain and spoke amongst the laughter.

"When the time comes that what is blue turns red, a suspicious accident shall bring forth the restoration of balance." Daella found herself repeating twice over before she snapped out of the haze, taking a deep breath and shivering, blood dripping from her nose. Rhaenyra gasped and grabbed a blanket, wrapping it around her sister as Ser Harold came over to their aid. "Princess, should I fetch a maester?" Rhaenyra shook her head, not wanting to reveal her sister's truth. Only their father, mother, Alicent, Daemon and Laena knew of Daella's dragon dreams.

"No, Ser. She just exhausted herself. She shall be fine in a few minutes." She assured him as she held Daella close under her arm, the youngest curling up close to the eldest. Ser Harold nodded and bowed, returning to his post while Rhaenyra looked at her sister. "Daella? Are you alright?" Daella nodded and Alicent felt she couldn't hold her voice. "Rhaenyra, Daella, I must tell you something." The two silver haired sisters looked towards the brunette who began to fret with her nail beds before Laena took her hand and held it, Alicent smiling thankfully. She had developed a nasty habit of picking at her skin till it bled and she knew it bothered her father but she couldn't stop herself.

"It is my father. After the small council, he retired to our chambers. He told me about the King's decision with the succession and...he seemed really angered about it." Daella nodded. "He was. Father refused to change his mind due to Mother's woes and Princess Rhaenys's supplanting." Alicent nodded, squeezing Laena's hand. "But that wasn't just it. He talked..." She looked around and paused, leaning in with the other three girls, whispering. "He talked about a plot to rid you two of the throne. To put Baelon on the throne."

Rhaenyra and Daella gasped, pulling back with Rhaenyra once more holding Daella close to her. "He cannot do that." The youngest said and Alicent continued. "My father is sneaky. He has allies that would do his bidding and hide face from the King himself. He had hoped...that the Queen would pass and if the Prince survived, he would continue to try and push for him ahead of you both but she lived. They both did." Laena figured out what wasn't said and held Alicent's hand in both of hers, the brunette looking at her. "He would've had you married to the King. To keep the girls away."

They waited as Alicent nodded and Daella had to resist wanting to vomit. "We must tell my father. Forgive me, my friend, but to allow your father to continue his role would be negligent to the realm." Rhaenyra said and Alicent took her hand. "I know. I am sorry he has thought of this and know, it is not with my support. I do not wish you nor your family harm, not after all the kindness shared after my own lady mother passed." Rhaenyra felt horrible for her friend and moved to hug her, Daella and Laena joining the hug.

"We will make a plan. A foolproof plan. And you will stay here, you'll be my guest or a lady in waiting. I do not wish to lose you." Rhaenyra said, pulling back from hugging Alicent.