Dream Of Winter | C. Stark & H. Targaryen

Green Crown

Alicent POV

The Queen of the seven kingdoms sat at the monarch's designated chair in the small council. Technically, her husband's seat was to remain vacant in case he attended a meeting. But she could count the number of times he dropped by in the last six years on one hand.

Viserys' complete disinterest in court politics was both an annoyance and a boon. He couldn't interfere with her vision or her father's in any meaningful way. She was Queen-regent in all but name since Rhaenyra fled the Red Keep with her tail between her legs.

On the other hand, it still galled her how he wouldn't attend even if just to notice how peaceful and smoothly the realm was running under their guidance. Her son Aemond has recently been named royal spymaster and works with the diligence of life-long official.

His heir however, ignores her duties and priorities her own selfish desires over the peoples'.

She sometimes wonders what the Conciliator would think of his grandson. The man he named heir in favor of Rhaenys, fearing rebellion and insurrection from highborns at being ruled by a woman.

Her slowly but surely rotting spouse idealises King Jaehaerys. Yet he spits at the decree that won him his throne in the first place, and mocks the nobility that elected him at the Great Council.

It's infuriating how such a weak and undecisive man, wanting to please his subjects and courtiers, to avoid conflict at all costs, be so assertive in upholding such as a controversial decision.

The door to the Council room opens, and one by one the members flutter about to their seats.

On her right sits her father, Ser Otto Hightower, the Hand of the king.

Next to him is Ser Criston Cole, Lord Commander of the Kinsguard. Her husband never let the late Harold Westering or Ryam Redweyne have a place in state affairs. Terrified as he was of war and military intervention, they were mere sentries to keep watch for possible dangers. She wasn't as narrow-minded as he was, thank the Gods.

On the final seat on her right side was Kermit Tully, the Master of Law and new Lord to Riverrun after his father's health deteriorated.

She invited him to court a few moons ago to discuss a betrothal between his only daughter Celia and her cousin Lyonal, heir to the Hightower. Her father thought it was a sound match to further strengthen their standing in the Riverlands and with Lord Ormund's approval the deal with struck.

A position on the future King's council only sweetened the pot.

On her left, the seat meant for her son Aemond was being temporarily held by Larys Strong, lord of Harrenhall and the Black cells' royal confessor. She was never comfortable in his presence. His smiles never reached his eyes and his apathy towards senseless violence bothered her to no ends.

Still, he had proven himself useful and until she could dispose of him without harm befalling her family, she will keep him close. With some divine help, he'll drop down the stairs and die before demanding recompense for murdering his father and brother yet blaming her for his sins.

The Grandmaester Orwyle sat in the middle chair. He wasn't one of her followers. At least not openly. But he wasn't Daemon or Rhaenyra's creature either so she found no cause to oust him.

Tyland Lannister was next. The younger twin brother of the lord of the Rock seemed to have inherited all the cunning and ambition his elder thought was his birthright. He served as Viserys' Master of Ships after the Sea Snake left in a hough. Enraged that his prized daughter of twelve didn't get saddled with a useless corpse who would've denied her children's inheritance anyhow.