To Take What Is Rightfully Ours

Chapter 22. Dealing with Alicent's Impeccable Timing

Alicent didn't notice the change in Viserys' behavior at first. And even if she did, she didn't question it. So what if he almost stopped requesting to see her at night? That was for the better. Marital duty was not something she enjoyed (not like she was supposed to enjoy anyway, she knew that women simply did not enjoy such activities), and no marital duty meant no new children which was even better. She was quite overwhelmed with the two she already had.

But time passed and Alicent realized that not only Viserys didn't request to see her at night, but he also barely spent time in her presence. Yes, they did have breakfast or dinner together on occasion but that was that. Not like Alicent particularly missed him or his company, but shouldn't spouses spend more time together than that? They surely did before. What changed?

Well, the biggest change in the castle was, of course, Daemon's bastard. Alicent didn't like Diane for so many reasons but she especially judged how frivolous she was. This girl seemed to have no sense of rules or duty! She constantly saw her talking to the men in King's Guard or City Watch, laughing and even flirting with them. It was so very unbecoming for the young lady! That was why Alicent believed there was no place for Diane in court. She obviously wasn't raised right and was such a bad influence on Rhaenyra! And the fact that the princess ran off with her husband to Essos was the best proof of that. Rhaenyra wouldn't have done that if not for Diane and Daemon corrupting her!

But, Alicent's dislike for Diane aside, surely Daemon's bastard didn't have anything to do with the changes in her relationship with Viserys. There should be a logical explanation why her husband was pulling away lately but Alicent couldn't come up with one on her own so she decided to inquire about Larys' opinion on that. He might not be the best person to ask but she didn't really have any trusted people around her and talking about her marriage to her father was not something Alicent wanted to do unless she absolutely had to. So talking to Larys it was.

Larys didn't look particularly surprised by her carefully worded question which worried Alicent even more. Did he know something? At first, Larys tried to answer something generic, not eager to get into THAT conversation with the Queen, but Alicent pressed so he finally sighed and said, 'There might be some... rumors.'

'What rumors?'

'That the King has recently been... well, enjoying the company of another woman.'

'What?' Alicent asked in horror. 'Who?'

It was not uncommon for men, especially royal men, to have mistresses, she knew that. But Viserys always struck her as a man of duty. Surely he wasn't cheating on her!

'I do not know. She hasn't been seen yet but some guards and maids say they could hear a female voice and laughter coming from the King's rooms late in the evening,' Larys said. 'However, I couldn't be sure how true these rumors are-'

'Of course, they are not true!' Alicent exclaimed, and Larys nodded, realizing that it was best not to continue their conversation on this particular topic. If the Queen wanted to ignore the issue, she had all the right to.

Alicent swiftly changed the subject, sipping her tea and trying not to think about what Larys had said. Because it was nonsense. Just some gossip from bored maids and guards. It wasn't true.

Right?

***

'This part is new, isn't it?' Diane asked, looking over the model of Old Valyria. It was raining outside but inside the King's rooms it was warm and cozy. Maybe it was the reason Diane lingered there that evening. With such weather she wouldn't be able to fly to Dragonstone that night so there was no need for her to hurry.