GODLY, hotd

|| 04 || Preach the gods.

LUCREZIA SIGHED AS she watched from the side of Rhaenyra at the Guards that came forward with eagerness as she scoffed slightly.

"Ser Desmond Caron, a fine knight, Princess." Ser harrold said, "Step forward, Ser Desmond. Son of Ser Royce Caron, Ser Desmond has proved strong and steady in both the tourney lists and without. While traveling through the Kingswood on his way to King's Landing, Ser Desmond recently brought a would-be poacher to justice."

"You might thank him for his leal service, Princesses." Ser Harold commented seeing the unimpressed looks upon the twos face.

"We thank you for your loyal service to the Crown, ser." Rhaenyra spoke with no humor as Lucrezia smiled sweetly, "much appreciated, Ser."

"Rymun Mallister. Son of Lord Lymond Mallister of Seagard. Winner of the melee at Cider Hall. He was the last mounted of three-and-twenty knights. Ser Rymun was knighted at eight-and-ten-" ser harrold continued as Lucrezia sighed and held a hand to interrupt.

"Do any of these knights have combat experience? Beyond capturing poachers? If this is what knighthood has come to, I'll have to inform my father of my worries." Lucrezia quirked a brow.

"Ser Criston Cole. Son of the steward of the Lord of Blackhaven." Ser harrold nodded as the handsome knight stepped forward. "Be welcome, Ser Criston."

"You saw combat in the Stormlands." Lucrezia hummed, her eyes taking in his form appreciatively as a smirk lifted Rhaenyra's frown.

"Dornish marches, Princess. I fought for a year as a foot solider against the Dornish incursions. Ser Arlan Dondarrion knighted me after we razed two of the watchtowers along the Boneway." Criston nodded, his eyes shining as he took the princesses in.

"I choose Ser Criston Cole." Rhaenyra said almost instantly that it made Lucrezia giggle, as the younger pinched her arm by the elder knights look, "Let's not be too hasty, Princess."

"There's no doubt Ser Criston is a fine warrior, but houses such as Crakehall and Mallister are important allies of the Crown. " Lucrezia shrugged, as Rhaenyra continued, "Seagard, for instance, is the realm's prime defense against reavers from the Iron Islands."

"Those men are tourney knights. My father should be defended by a man who's known real combat, not riding on ponies. Should he not?" Lucrezia snipped, her eyes steeling as she stared the elder down "Of course, Princess."

"Well, let us plan Ser Criston's investiture then."

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LUCREZIA GRIMACED, "I do not wish to be here," she grumbled, grasping her skirts with a huff as she climbed the steps behind her sister.

Rhaenyra looked at her with a sly smile, "you cannot expect me to go through this alone, me- alone in a sept." Her eyes widened, "scary thoughts."

Lucrezia squinted her eyes, "better you then me, I do not like the company nor the place. It makes my fingers tingle and skin crawl." as if to prove her point, she shivered dramatically as the two stared at the sept doors.

"It's never too late to say we've been called upon," Rhaenyra whispered, edging back as Lucrezia grasped her. "We'll say father called for us immediately-"

"Good morrow princesses, I've been waiting." Lady Alicent appeared behind the doors, her eyes flicking to the elder princess with surprise, dipping into a curtsy. "Princess Lucrezia, I hadn't know you were accompanying us today."

Lucrezia nodded as she bypassed her; something about the Hightower's made the hairs on her neck stand, "you needn't be informed if I am to arrive or not, Miss Hightower."

Alicent flushed, as she led them to a statue of the mother, Rhaenyra easing as she spoke her frustrations. "It's only been half a year since my mother died, and already they tried to marry my father off and replace me as heir."

"I know those men and how they plot in their secret councils when you've been sent away." Lucrezia mumbled, twirling one of her curls, "they are all terrible, callous men."

"You cannot worry at the matters of lords and kings, Rhaenyra, My Princess." Alicent murmured, shaking her head as Lucrezia's frowned, "What if your father were to remarry?"

"Your father loves you. He chose you for his heir." Alicent said smoothly, however Lucrezia's eyes narrowed at her change of subject so swiftly.

"He didn't choose me. He spurns Daemon, and Lucrezia did not want the burden of being an heir." Rhaenyra smiled softly at her sister as she frowned, "it's fine."

Alicent sighed, kneeling. "Kneel with me. I find this is a way to be with my mother. Here in the quiet of the Sept, I feel close to her. I know it sounds foolish."

"I don't think it's foolish." Rhaenyra was quick to assure, and repeat at Alicent's look "I truly don't."

Lucrezia's eyes followed as she knelt beside her sister, her jaw set in stone as she glared at the statue as if it hurt her. "I truly do, you cannot be close to someone that is dead."

"Good. Because I thought you might try."Alicent whispered, her eyes flickering at the harshness of the elders voice, seeing it aimed toward her belief, "If not for me, then, perhaps for them."

Rhaenyra sighed, "What do I say?" Looking at Alicent as she pinched a snickering Lucrezia, whom quickly quietened, "Whatever you wish. It's only for you and the gods to know."

"I want him to see me as more than his little girl." Lucrezia snorted quietly her eyes opened as she stared at the ghastly statue, "Mine own father does not know the language of girls either."

"When I wish to talk with him, I know that I must make the effort. Thank you." Alicent bowed her head as Lucrezia stood sharply, Rhaenyra standing slowly after her.

With a sway of her rose patterned dress she looked back at Alicent, "yes, preach the gods for they answered your prayers; yet, the gods weren't there when I cried for mercy upon my mother. good day to you and your gods, Hightower."

Rhaenyra took her hand from Alicents grip as she followed Lucrezia without a second look, her heart heavy as her sisters sniffs and trembling lips filled her senses.

The gods were cruel to targaryens, especially to Targaryen women.

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