After the death of his son, Baelon, and his wife, Queen Aemma, Viserys I Targaryen has felt lost and alone. His daughter hated him for his decision, but she wouldn't listen to his explanations. The Maester had made it clear that Aemma was not going...
[All rights of HOTD goes to George R. R. Martin and Ryan J. Condal]
Bold: High Valyrian
Underlined: Emphasis
Italics: Thoughts
The closer Annora Hightower got to Kings Landing, the more she could just feel her father's manipulative presence and his hurtful words if she ever failed his expectations. Ironically, she's the favorite when she up and left to run towards any type of freedom the second she could. She only wishes that she could've grabbed Alicent as well, but her sweet little sister was still hopeful for their fathers' approval. She never would've believed the negative thoughts regarding their father from her older sister. While Alicent loved her with everything she had, she still needed to stay behind and learn and see for herself just how much their father would do for power.
As she got into the carriage that would take her directly to the Red Keep, she pondered about how different her little sister, Ally, had changed. She thought about whether or not Alicent had become Otto's double or if she wished for freedom like her, her sister.
When the carriage pulled up to the Red Keep, she saw her father, Otto Hightower, standing calmly on the steps with her sister, Alicent Hightower, standing next to him, picking her cuticles, most likely out of stress. Once Annora got out of the carriage, she began to walk directly up to her father.
"Hello, Father. How has life at the Red Keep been?"
Otto rolled his eyes at his 'little bird' and chuckled lightly. "Life has been just fine. Queen Aemma failed at bringing forth a healthy son and died in the birthing bed almost 6 moons ago... but you knew that already, didn't you? Because your sister must've told you.."
Alicent froze once her father faced her, her eyes quickly darted towards her big sister, silently asking for help or guidance, but Annora didn't know what exactly to say so she simply gave her sister a tiny shrug. Seeing she was on her own for a reply, she simply looked down at her feet and stayed silent. She was secretly beyond excited to see her older sister after so much time had passed. While Otto was pleased with her obedience, Annora knew she would have to slowly ease Alicent to her side by having her around 24/7 so she may see the real Otto Hightower.
After her silent internal battle (struggle) on how to get Alicent on her side quieted down, she finally fully processed what her father said about the late Queen and was disgusted. The immediate thought that came to her mind after she had truly processed her father's cold words against Queen Aemma being 'a failure' was men are so disgustingly privileged. How can he even say that? Queen Aemma was a kind woman and she was NOT a failure. She was just married too young, which probably impacted her body negatively and caused her womb to be too unstable for a healthy full-term pregnancy...
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While she thought all this, she would never say it to her father's face as he currently had more power than she. Instead of saying what she truly thought, she simply nodded her head and hummed in what he thought was agreement.
Otto, happy that she would not argue against him, then said "Hmm.. well, I have a meeting to attend with the King, Alicent will show you to your room. I will speak to you later about what you need to do, understand?"
Without waiting for a reply, Otto walked towards the King's chambers. With that settled and her father now gone, she turned toward her little sister and hugged her as if her life depended on it.
"Ally! I've missed you so much, my love! How have you been? Reading your letters is just not the same as being beside you"
Alicent laughed and hugged her sister equally as hard. "I know exactly what you mean! I've missed you as well Nora!"
After their hug, the two girls linked arms and walked towards Annora's new room with Alicent leading. Annora had only been to the Red Keep once and it was a short affair. Since it was only once, she was content to memorize her surroundings as she was led to her new chambers by Alicent. While they walked, they made small talk and quietly discussed what had happened as of late. As they were walking, they passed the King, Viserys I Targaryen, who was running late to his meeting. He had been caught up in attempting to speak with his daughter who was adamant in her fury-filled silence.
When he realized that he was late, he left his daughter's chambers with a sad expression, for he missed his old relationship with his daughter that had seemingly been destroyed by the death of his late wife, and began calmly walking to his chambers with many things on his mind. And seeing as he was the King, he was in no rush because who cared if he was late?
As he was walking, he was lost in thought and as such, he wasn't paying much attention to his surroundings and hit Annora's shoulder quite hard on accident. He quickly looked up and shut off his endless thoughts regarding his daughter and the throne, and was immediately struck speechless at the beautiful woman in front of him. While Annora groaned quietly from the sharp pain she felt in her shoulder which she received from whoever had just walked into her. She quickly looked up at Alicent though because she heard her gasp so loud that she thought she was hurt.
Once she looked up at her, Alicent whispered quietly and through clenched hands and a hasty bow to the King nudged Annora kind of hard.
"Nora! The King! That's King Viserys!"
The minute Annora heard her words, she hastily straightened up and instantly went to apologize to the King for her actions. However, the second she opened her mouth to apologize, Viserys held up his hand to silence her.
"I apologize for running into you, my Lady... I was lost in thought, I should've paid attention to where I was going. My deepest apologizes, my dear. Are you alright, Lady-?"
"Annora Hightower, your grace. And it is I who should apologize, my king. I was not watching at all where I was going. I was too focused on my sister's stories"
"Well, then Lady Annora, maybe we're both at fault, huh? Neither of us was paying much attention to our surroundings" Viserys laughed softly and then apologized to her.
"Alright, your grace. I'll forgive you if you forgive me", stated Annora who giggled as she spoke.
"Then, I guess we're both forgiven for this accident, my dear"
Viserys couldn't help but laugh afterward because Annora's giggles were contagious and felt like an absolute blessing to his ears.
"I must be on my way, Lady Annora, for I am late for my meeting" stated Viserys who was walking backward, his front facing her and Alicent, and his back facing the hall that he had to go through which led to his chambers.
As he was walking backward, his final words for her before turning back around were, "Until we speak again, my Lady Annora. I'll be looking forward to it"
Just before he turned around to face forward, Viserys saw Annora blush and nod.
As he turned to face the hall with his front, he flashed a quick smirk at her, which only made her face redder. The last thing he heard as he ventured down to the end of the hall and turned right towards the other hall where his chambers resided was Annora speaking to her sister.
"Oh my... He's quite lovely to look at, don't you think?" Alicent merely laughed in reply and returned to her task of leading Annora to her chambers to get settled.
