HOTD SI: The Bloody Prince (OC x Rhaenyra)(OC x Alicent)

Part 4

Chapter 4

ALICENT HIGHTOWER

The Red Keep was a massive keep, built on Aegon's fort the castle finished in the reign of his son Maegor stood along the Blackwater Bay, touching the Sea. Alicent had lived in teh castle for years now, coming here first with her father when he gained a position at court, while she became a playmate and companion to the young Princess Rhaenyra.

And over the years, she had seen the castle shift, from the tense court of King Jaehaerys to the near breaking of war of succession to now, a more joyous court with many tourneys and celebrations held periodically by the new King Viserys.

And even now, there were celebrations being held as the Queen was pregnant once more, becoming heavy with the child for the fifth time in twice as many years, yet with still no heir to show. Tragedy had struck House Targaryen five times, with the pregnancy falling apart and the babe not living.

It was a somber affair, yet every time the Queen would become pregnant, the castle would rejoice, and festivities would be arranged to welcome a new heir.

And often, when the bustle of the court became too much, Alicent would seek refuge in a quiet little corner of the Godswood, under the long arching heart tree, with its overarching branches. She would sit with a book on her lap and read as she tried to find some respite from the noise of the court. And with the castle filled with festivities once more, she found herself here underneath the old oak tree, as she sought a small respite.

"Alicent! Alicent!" and she was broken out of her trance by the lovely voice of her companion and friend. She opened her eyes and saw a flushed and excited princess rushing towards her in a very unladylike manner that would have earned her a scolding from their septa had she been present here.

A punishment she would have shared if not to just keep her company.

"Slow down, Rhaenyra," she tried to calm her down as she opened her eyes and tried to stand her, yet her words fell on deaf ears as she ran towards her and stopped in front of her.

"He agreed. He finally agreed," she began as her chest heaved from the exercise. Despite her age, Rhaenyra was fairly athletic, so this showed that she must have run here from all the way inside the castle.

"Who?" though she asked failing to understand the reason for her friend's excitement.

"Father. He finally wrote to Lady Rhea and ordered her to send Aegon to the Red Keep, and she finally understood everything.

"Mother was finally able to convince him, and he said he has received a letter from Runestone that Aegon will be departing for the Red Keep soon enough," she added as she took a deep breath and she didn't miss how her eyes lit up as she spoke of a cousin she had not yet seen.

And for some reason, it irked her a bit. Yet she pushed that feeling down.

"That is indeed exciting news," she agreed, though she knew that such would not be the case for everyone in the castle. Rhaenyra smiled and nodded and she saw the exhaustion finally register as the silvery blonde plopped down on the ground.

"I have been asking him to come to the capital for years now, yet for some reason he continued to put it off. Now, he has no choice but to come because of the King's edict," Rhaenyra added triumphantly, and she was aware of that.

Aegon Targaryen, a Prince of the realm who had yet to step foot in the Red Keep, was an enigma to the court. He was the son of the Rogue Prince, yet was said to take after his mother's side, much to the consternation of the said Prince, who had not returned to his wife's seat since the birth of his son.