Full Bloom / Alicent Hightower x OC Male

4. Echinacea

"Where are you running off to?" Rhaenyra questioned. Alicent hesitated.

"Home." She decided. "It's getting quite late." Rhaenyra glanced around the courtyard, the sun leaving a golden hue around them.

"Since when did you become an old lady?" Rhaenyra countered heading off.

Alicent was glad for her friends very large ego that she rarely cared what Alicent was up to. Her father on the other hand would be harder to hide her intentions from.

"You ready?" Miguel questioned. Alicent nodded grabbing his hand. She lifted her dress skirt with the opposite hand so she wouldnt fall as they took off.

"Are we running from someone?" Miguel questioned glancing behind them.

"Just want to get away from the capital." Alicent admitted slowing down. "sorry." She added sheepishly, she fixed her clothes and hair realizing she must look a mess but Miguel reached for her hand stopping her.

"You are perfection." He assured.

"So are you." Alicent answered her eyes flickering to their feet as she bit her lip.

"Get the flower boy!" Someone called out. Miguel hoped that didnt stick.

"Oi! You!"

"Miguel." He answered

"You work with the plants?"

"Yes." He agreed.

"Come with me."

Miguel looked longingly at alicent.

"I'm being summoned." He realized. Alicents delicate features fell. "Might i see you after? If it's not too late that is..."

"I would love that. I look forward to after." She agreed. He ran off a refound spring in his step knowing this wasnt the end.

"Echinacea is most often used to treat or prevent colds, flu, and infections, and for wound healing." Miguel told them as he prepared the flower. They didnt care what it did as long as it worked.

Miguel finished preparing the flower and handed it over.

"Should do the trick." He said wanting to get back to alicent. But when he got to the gardens he saw her leaving for home with her father. His smile deflated. No. He missed his shot. She gave him a little wave low at her side as her father talked.

Damn.

Miguel walked the beaten path home. He knew Alicent probably lived in a fancy cottage with a canopy bed while he was in the same little home with his 57- it really felt like 57- brothers sharing a smashed room with five of them.

Each week they put their pay in together for food and to pay for rent. Each week they all chipped in. Until one of them married they were all in this together. Once married it was every man for himself.

You tend to your woman and she will feed you and give you sons. Miguels father had told him and his brothers. Make sure you dont pick a needy wife with expensive tastes. They are never satisfied. Lower than dirt station with good birthing hips. Like your mother. She gave me all of you worthless pieces of shit his father always mused as he smacked the nearest son on the shoulder with a laugh.

Miguel however didnt give up all his coin each week. He saved some away. Each week that he did extra jobs for knights or maids in the castle they tipped him either with kind words or a spare coin. He accepted both. He never asked for more even though he should have. But it was the castles flowers he was gathers the petals from. He didnt have his own garden like the capital.

He had started a little garden but his father said they could take parts of the harvest from the capital. It was easier and the castle had better soil. His father was unfortunately right. But miguel wanted something that was his and his alone. He didnt want to have to share with his brothers or father.

He realized he wanted alicent. He didnt want to have to share their bond and budding friendship with anyone.