As Good A Reason || House of the Dragon

Chapter Two~

Alicent POV~

"Nyra!" I giggle, struggling in her hold as we sit against the godwood tree in the garden, hidden from everyone.

She laughs herself, though she doesn't let go, "Darling." She says in response, and I stop struggling looking up at her with wide eyes, my face pink, still not used to the nicknames despite the fact it's been three years.

She smiles lightly and leans down, stopping just before our lips touch, as she does often, loving to tease me.

Gulping, I part my lips slightly, and she lets out a breathless laugh before leaning in that little bit more, our lips connecting, causing my eyes to flutter close.

It only lasts for a few seconds, but it just causes me to melt into her even more.

She looks down at me as I settle back down my head in her lap, and she breathes out through her nose, "Gods, you're perfect." She mutters, and I turn even redder hiding my face into her knee.

"Nyrraaaa." I whine, not looking at her.

"Your grace." A voice interrupts before Nyra can respond, and the both of us sit up, Nyra standing and helping me up as we turn towards the voice on the other side of the godswood tree, a kingsguard standing there.

She smiles at me sadly, the both of us knowing our time is up for the day as both of our fathers will probably keep her busy with small council sessions today and Nyra will want to see her mother as well.

"I'll see you on the morrow. Shall I meet you at the dragon pit in the morn?" I ask her quietly, and she smiles again.

"You know me so well, Ali." She responds, kissing my cheeks, "I shall see you on the morrow." She tells me before following after the kingsguard, and I smile back at her.

"Now, what I am going to do with the day?" I muse to myself, stepping around the godswood tree into the direct light.

Walking away from the tree, I hum to myself as I walk around the garden, it has been odd trying to find things to be occupied, I mean I used to be able to simply pick up a phone and sit there for hours, now I'm either reading a book or spending time with Nyra, there's not much else to my day, unless Daemon is around.

And when Daemons around, it's usually him trying to get me to ride Caraxes with him, which i refuse every time, as I promised Nyra my first ride would be with her, or Nyra and I wandering around the city with him, though the smell is more disgusting then you could ever imagine. I've gotten used to it by now, but if Otto does succeed in making me queen this time around again I will make sure the first thing I do is clean up the cities, and put in fresh water supplies.

But, hopefully, that won't happen, and I can just suggest it to Nyra when she becomes Queen.

-

Later~

Sighing, I knock on the door, hearing a "Come." From the other side.

"Father? You wished to see me?" I ask him, fiddling with my fingers, scratching around them whenever he calls upon me it's not a good thing. I've learnt that over the years.

He looks up from his work and raises an eyebrow, his lips pursed in annoyance, "Tell me, daughter." He puts his quill back into its pot, standing up, "Why had Prince Daemon taken an interest in you?" He asks me, taking a hold of my hands, "Stop with that."

"W-what?" I ask in confusion.

He sighs through his nose, the annoyance on his face showing clearly, "Prince Daemon has mentioned your name at the small council several times now. Now, why does he have an interest in you? What have you been doing?" He asks, his hold on my hands tightening as he talks.

"I have no idea." I say, shaking my head. The only person here who can make me feel nervous is Otto Hightower, I understand why Alicent always did what he told her to, scared of the repercussions.

"Well, whatever it is, put a stop to it. I will not have you sullying my reputation or your own, I have plans for you after all child. And if he continues to have this interest in you, I will send you back to Oldtown until I have use of you," He lets go of my hands harshly, turning around to his table.

Gulping, I pick at the skin of my fingers more as he moves back to his chair, "You're dismissed." He tells me, not even looking at me as he returns back to his work, and I nod.

Oh, Gods. I think to myself, why do I react this way? He wouldn't dare do anything, would he? I wonder to myself, looking up and down the hallway as I pick the skin at my fingers more.

He can't take me away from Nyra. She'd never allow it. But she wouldn't be able to do anything about it, would she?

Biting my lip, I make my way down the hallway and start to make my way to my room, "I'd like to be left alone for the night, ser." I told the guard at my door, and he looked at me worried, his eyes flickering to my reddening fingers and wrists, which i hadn't even noticed.

"Of course, my lady." He nods, and I smile in thanks before entering my room, closing the door lightly behind me, resting my head against it lightly as I breathe heavily, trying not to let myself cry.

I won't let him send me away. I won't.

965 words~

So we're going to hate Otto. But that's a given.