『 : ̗̀➛Two parts of a whole, destined to find their second half, and when the sun finally sets on them, the last ember of hope glows in their eyes. ☄. *. ⋆ 』
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
┕━━━━╗✹╔━━━━┙
Ursula's face went from excited to finally see Alyssa to panicked as the news were broken to her, and lastly, tears began to well up in her eyes. "Then I won't be your companion any more?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Hush, no. I told them you are my handmaid," Alyssa said quickly, putting a finger over her lips to silence Ursula. "Uncle agreed that I could keep you. But he mustn't know anything. Not him, not Otto, not Alicent—" Alyssa turned to Rhaenyra as the last part was spoken, her eyes pleading for understanding. "—not anyone."
"I promise, I promise!" Ursula whispered, her heart racing with relief. "But surely they won't make you marry that awful man, will they?" Ursula knew little of Otto Hightower, but that little being conversations she had overheard Prince Daemon having with Princess Daenerys... she knew enough.
Alyssa hesitated before replying, her eyes betraying the fear she felt deep inside. "They are far away now... Far away, and I had not dreamed in many nights." Alyssa's voice trailed off.
"This is why we act," Rhaenyra spoke up. "We must ensure Alyssa gets far away from here. Or else I worry what will become of her..."
"How am I of help?" Ursula asked, without hesitation. She liked to think Princess Alyssa was her friend, or rather, she was hers, and friends help friends, or so she was taught. She made sure to keep her head low while speaking to the heir to the throne, she wished not to make any unnecessary waves in their delicate situation.
"Not here," said Rhaenyra. "Inside," she said, gesturing for them to follow her.
Ursula's gaze marvelled over the intricate tapestries adorning the walls as they walked through the castle corridors. Once inside Rhaenyra's chambers, her mouth gaped. If she thought the rooms on Driftmark were impressive, Rhaenyra's were beyond compare. The air was heavy with the scent of roses, and Ursula felt a sense of unease settle in her stomach, quickly remembering her place.
She tried to compose herself as Rhaenyra turned to face her. "Please, sit. We have much to discuss."
The first step of the plan was as simple as it sounded.
1. Start a rumour.
Gossip spread like wildfire in the castle, and Ursula knew exactly where to plant the seed. As her lips whispered half-lies regarding the Lord Hand to one of the cooks, the news quickly passed on to the chambermaids and guards, and from there to the ladies-in-waiting and knights of the court. Soon, the throne room was buzzing with whispers and sidelong glances whenever Otto was present. It took one day for the protests of small folk to start.
