Red // Otto Hightower (1)

18. Claw Out Your Testicles

'The Velaryon forces have suffered heavy attrition, Your Grace.' Tyland went on. 'The seeds of dissent are sown amongst the rank and file. Daemon has driven the men hard. They have begun to question his command. If the crown were ever to intervene...''

''Tyland..'' Aelsa hissed. 

'' ...now is the time.' Tyland finished.

''Daemon and The Sea Snake started their war without His Grace's leave. Were he to intervene now after so long, it would make the crown appear weak.' Otto told Tyland as the feast bickered around them.

"Otto is right." Aelsa agreed. "Which I told you already Ty, this is not the place."  viserys looked between them. "Viserys, Jason is meeting us there, should be there around noon." Aelsa purred. Otto rose a curious brow. 

"Wonderful, thank you, Aelsa." Viserys agreed. Otto pulled her aside. 

"Jason?" Otto questioned. 

"Yes. My idiot cousin." Aelsa agreed. 

"Why would viserys care-"

"Because Jason is going to try and woe rhaenyra, keep up honey." Aelsa remarked patting his cheek. "You want to race to Aegon's second party of the day?" 

"Race?" Otto laughed out. 

"Race." Aelsa agreed bringing her lips to his, he breathed in her breath but her lips didnt touch his.  

Aelsa laughed out as she slapped at the reigns. Otto felt young again with Aelsa, she always made him feel so alive. 

They beat the carriage where Rhaenyra was as moody as ever, Alicent was as pregnant as could be and Viserys was as oblivious as always to the actual problems around him. 

"Jason, I'm warning you now, Rhaenyra is in a mood." Aelsa warned. 

"I got this." Jason assured. 

"I doubt that." Aelsa countered. "Larys you need a drink? I need a drink." She moved to him and he leaned into her. Larys liked how the other knights looked at them, looked at Larys like he was the luckiest bastard alive. Larys smiled wondering what it would be like to be loved by Aelsa. 

"You certainly draw every eye your way, my lady." Larys remarked, Aelsa spared the knights a glance but shrugged. 

"I'm not in the market for man." Aelsa answered. "I'm in the market for a drink though." 

'Hail, hail Aegon, the Conqueror-Babe, Second of His Name! Here's to His Grace on his second name day!' the crowd continued to cheer as Aegon was lifted up. Aelsa didnt turn around though, she saw the little squirt at his last party, he would be falling over in his cake within the hour, she was sure of it.

"Aelsa," Ceira declared kissing both of Aelsa's cheeks. 

"Aunt Ceira." Aelsa answered. "this my friend Larys Strong-" Ceira beamed before seeing his cane.

"Oh honey you can do better." She didnt try to soften her voice. 

"Friend, aunt Ceira." Aelsa corrected. "And larys is a good guy, better than the men you have your eyes on." 

"I have my eyes on your counterpart." Ceira remarked. 

"What?" Aelsa countered, almost demanded. 

"Lord Otto Hightower," Ceira remarked fondly as she smiled over him. "He is so handsome, he's not courting anyone in the capital is he?" 

"I dont know." Aelsa bit back. 

"You should know, you work with him, dont you?" Ceira questioned. 

"I do but we dont talk about our... personal lives." Aelsa offered flustered.