Who's Afraid of Little Old Me? / Aemond Targaryen / House of the Dragon

13. Prison

"I'm sorry about your father." Avalon remarked. 

"Thank you... my uncle Rupert is still here, staying close to look out for me." Alicent answered. 

"And I'm still here." 

"I'm surprised you didnt leave with your sister." Alicent admitted. 

"Like she wants me there. SHe resents me for not being heir and she thinks she is better than me because she is heir." Avalon scoffed. "There is no winning with her."

"Well... yeah there is no pleasing her." Alicent agreed. The girls held hands as they walked. 

"Something is in my shoe, I love these shoes but they always get rocks," Avalon murmured stumbling into alicent as she pulled at her heel. 

''An outsider... among the natives.'' Larys strong said as Alicent approached the gardens.

"Who are you calling outsider Lord Larys?" Avalon purred. 

''Lord Larys.'' Alicent answered. 

"The flowers dear princess," Larys answered. 

"Outsider plants?" Avalon countered still tugging at her heel until alicent saw the little pebble fall free, avalon sighed with relief. Alicent thought of the princess and the pea as Avalon moved forward comfortable again. 

''Malvales. A rare bloom. Indigenous to Braavos. By all rights, it shouldn't be thriving here. Nature... such mystery.'' Larys remarked he gripped to his cane as he looked over at Avalon, perfect avalon. 

''The weather has been lovely.'' Alicent remarked softly.

"Flowers love rain." Avalon agreed. "I dont think I have a green thumb however. Good thing I'm not in charge of the gardens."

''Indeed.'' Larys agreed "I have seen what becomes your cut flowers."

"Cut flowers are supposed to die." Avalon objected sitting beside him on the bench. "They are cut their roots severed."

"Indeed, Princess." Larys agreed.  ''But dare I say, it is a dark day for the realm. Your father was a good man.''

''As is yours who took his place.'' Alicent informed him.

"My father sure seems to like him." Avalon agreed. "No offense, Ali."

"None taken." Alicent assured. 

''Yet still, the manner of your father's departure... it feels something of an injustice.'' Larys remarked and Alicent stiffened as the thunder raged on around them. Avalon pulled her cloak a little tighter. 

''What do you know of the matter of his leaving?" Alicent questioned stepping forward.

''When one is never invited to speak, one learns instead to, um... observe. You're perhaps in need of an ally?' Larys suggested cautiously.

''I'm the Queen. I have no shortage of allies.''

''Naturally. Princess Rhaenyra, for example.'' Larys agreed sarcastically. Avalon chuckled a laugh

'Who needs her?" Avalon corrected. "Not when you got me." 

''State your purpose, my lord.'' Alicent demanded seeing an enemy rather than a friend as Avalon did. But avalon was always too trusting.

''Uh... I did wonder if she could be relied upon now that she is... unwell.''

''Unwell? I haven't heard anything.'' Alicent countered.

"She's not sick, shes just moody." Avalon assured. "It's chronic bitch face." 

''Begging your pardon, Your Grace, I may be mistaken. It's just that on the very same night your father was dismissed, the Grand Maester delivered a tea to the Princess's chambers.'' Larys informed her.