Red // Otto Hightower (1)

14. Clubfoot

"Thank you all, meeting adjourned." Viserys agreed. Aelsa spun the marble in her fingers. Otto packed up his notes slowly as Aelsa seemed content to just sit. 

"Did you need some, Aelsa dear?" Viserys questioned. 

"Nope." Aelsa corrected. "Just thinking." 

"About?" Viserys pondered sitting back down. 

"Life. Your family is ever growing. I havent seen much of Rhaenyra though." Aelsa offered. "How is she?" 

"I dont know, she doesnt speak to me." Viserys admitted. "But Aegon said his first real word the other day, you know what he said?" 

"What?" Aelsa mused. 

"Aela."

"Aela?" Aelsa countered. 

"I think he was trying to say Aelsa." viserys agreed. "You have been so good to Alicent and Aegon, the boy adores you... I heard talk of a union, rumors really but it there any truth to it?" 

"None." Aelsa informed him. "I dont want to leave the capital and the offers are all from regions from as south as dorne and north as the damn wall." Aelsa mused. "I want a family, I want children even but I dont want to give up my job to do it." 

"That's inspiring," Viserys remarked. 

"Marriage is... not the same for women so when the time comes I know I need to look at all my options and the man needs to know that I'm a determined woman. I won't be stopped, having children will not keep me from my duties." Aelsa remarked. 

"Well I'm certainly glad you are here, we have made a lot of progress with the lower cities on your advice." Viserys remarked. 

"I'm glad to hear it." Aelsa agreed.

"Otto, stay a moment longer, I wanted to speak to you." Viserys remarked as he saw Otto inching towards the door. 

"I will leave you boys be." Aelsa agreed getting up. "Otto, I wanted to speak to you privately as well, we can discuss the next proposals for the council over a game in my chambers?" Aelsa questioned. 

"Yes." Otto agreed, his cock knew what that meant and he moved to his hands lower to block the taught fabric. 

"Aelsa is a wonderful addition." 

"She is." OTto agreed before his smile faltered. "You are not sacking me are you?" 

"No, no, Aelsa is wonderful I'm sure she would love the challenge but... I'm not sure the rest of the council would ever be ready for a woman as hand by herself, although she does overshadow you, my old friend." Viserys remarked. 

"She does." Otto agreed. "So what did you wish to speak to me about?" 

"The queen is expecting again." Viserys remarked. Otto cleared his throat. 

"What wonderful news." Otto agreed. 

"I hope its another boy." 

"Lady Aelsa," she turned at her name. 

"Hello Larys." Aelsa answered. "Do you have news for me?" 

"Just saw you passing and wanted to say hello." Larys corrected, she moved to him sitting beside him on the bench in the hall. 

"Hello." Larys smiled echoing her. "Umm larys might I ask?" Aelsa nodded to his cane.

"Clubfoot." He answered. "From birth im afraid."

"I have a... little Brother with clubfoot." Aelsa remarked. Larys thought of her house family tree. He didnt recall a brother. "I know what you are thinking." Aelsa mused.

"Do you?"

"You dont have a brother Aelsa."Aelsa answered. She wasnt wrong. "He's a bastard. Father claimed him. His mistress died in childbirth. My father didnt know what was wrong with his foot. Thought all babies looked like that. He was going to legitimize him until the maester said what Alaric had. Father looked at him differently after that." Aelsa told him.

"You didnt?" Larys questioned curiously. 

"Hes still my little brother. He has a brace like you do and a cane that he constantly gets into trouble with." Aelsa remarked.

"Wild one?"

"Hes 12 and still wants to be knight. Said nothing is going to stop him." Aelsa agreed. "The other boys dont like him, treat him differently, make fun of him." Aelsa informed Larys. 

"I know the feeling." Larys agreed. 

"Alaric asked me to chop off his foot once. Said he hated it so much he would rather hop than feel that pain." Aelsa whispered.

"I understand that." Larys agreed again. "I thought about cutting it off but feared I would bleed out."

"Thats what I told Alaric." Aelsa agreed. "His little face when he asked me..." Larys saw the sadness in her eyes "I just wanted to make it all better. I couldnt though. Seeing you with your cane got me thinking."

"About your brother."

"About strong men." Aelsa corrected as she got up. "Have a good night Larys." 

"You too." Larys whispered watching her go.