Full Bloom / Alicent Hightower x OC Male

12. Fragile Stems

"How was the funeral? Thats a stupid question." Miguel countered shaking his head. "Dont answer that." He begged. "How are you?"

"I feel bad for Rhaenyra and the king." Alicent answered linking her fingers with his.

'Where's Rhaenyra?'

'Your Grace. This is the last thing any of us wish to discuss at this dark hour, but I consider the matter urgent.' Otto said as he approached him.

'What matter?'

'That of your succession.' Otto told him as though it was obvious. 'These recent tragedies have left you without an obvious heir.' Viserys shook his head, he couldn't think of these things.

'The King has an heir, my Lord Hand.'

'Despite how difficult this time is, Your Grace, I feel it important the succession be firmly in place for the stability of the realm.'

'The succession is already set... by precedent and by law.' Strong told them. 'Shall we say his name?'

"Im sorry if im stealing you away from rhaenyra. She probably needs her best friend." Miquel realized.

"She is hiding in her chambers. Refuses to see me. I try but there is little i can say to make it better." Alicent remarked wrapping his arm around her.

"Im sorry. I miss my own mother. I think she would have loved you. No. I know she would have loved you." Miguel corrected.

"My mother would have loved you too. My father... well..."

"If i had a title or lands." Miguel agreed. "Something worthy of you. I understand. Im no first choice-"

"You are mine." Alicent assured.

"I wish i could give you the world. What you deserve." Miguel admitted "im sorry that your father will never approve. So when the time comes know i will be devastated and heartbroken for all eternity but i just want you to be happy."

"And if you are the only one that makes me happy?" Alicent countered. He didnt have the words only a kiss to answer her.

'My darling.' Otto said to his daughter approaching her in the hallway. She was glowing with joy after spending the morning in the gardens with miguel. 'How's Rhaenyra?'

'She lost her mother.' Alicent reminded him. Although she hadnt thought of rhaenyra since she last left her. Miguel showed her the ropes of tended to the flowers. Plucking the dead bulbs to help the others thrive.

'The Queen was well-loved by all. I found myself thinking of your own mother today.'

'How is His Grace?' Alicent offered.

'Very low.' He admitted 'Which is why I sent for you. I thought you might go to him... offer him comfort.'

Alicent didnt like that request. Yes she tended to jaehaerys in his dying days but she didnt know viserys enough to offer any help.

'In his chambers? I wouldn't know what to say.' Or why he would want to see her, alicent countered thinking that through.

'Stop that.' he said swatting at her hand she was picking at her nails causing them to bleed. 'He'll be glad of a visitor. You might wear one of your mother's dresses.'

"You look stunning. Green is your color." Miguel remarked boldly. "But it usually is. But anything looks good on you." She added. Alicent blushed. "Do you have.. are you going somewhere?"

"Just... business for my father but i will see you after if thats alright." Alicent requested awkwardly.

"Yes after. I look forward to after." He agreed eagerly.

'The Lady Alicent Hightower, Your Grace.'

'What is it, Alicent?' Viserys questioned turning to her.

'I thought I might come and look in on you, Your Grace. I brought a book.' Alicent offered holding it out.

'That's very kind, thank you.' Viserys said stiffly. He didn't want company he wanted to cry. And cry some more and more until his eyes were dry because he was the monster that killed his wife for a chance at the heir.

'It's a favorite of mine. I do know how passionate you are for the histories.' Alicent recalled. She couldnt wait to see miguel. She noted the flowers in viserys chambers and knew it was most likely miguel had place them, tended to them, and treated them like treasured jewels not fragile stems.

'Yes... I am.' He admitted softly.

'When my mother died... people only ever spoke to me in riddles. All I wanted was for someone to say that they were sorry for what happened to me. I'm very sorry, Your Grace.'

Alicent jumped when Miguel saw her leaving the kings chambers.

"You still look... wow." Miguel whispered. "I mean beautiful, you always do but you look... older... more... seeing you in this light..." he offered.

"Thanks." Alicent blushed flattening out her dress. "Again."

"Is the king alright?" Miguel questioned. "Was that the business? Is he-"

"What?" Alicent squeaked back.

"You were with the king, is he-"

"Oh, yes I just wanted to say... that... I was sorry." Alicent informed him.

"That was very nice of you, but you are a very nice person." Miguel assured. "And that business for your father?"

"Handled." Alicent offered. "Might we walk? I find myself needing to clear my head with you."