OF BASTARDS & DRAGONS || Aenar Targaryen [1]

16 • IN HIS CHAMBERS

Now that the Queen is dead. You must seduce the King into marrying you."

"But father?"

"It's for your own good Alicent. Except you want it otherwise.

"But father I love Aenar Targaryen."

"Enough Alicent! Over my dead body will you marry such man. He's volent! A playboy."

"He's a good man, a man of honour."

"I will slap you Alicent! Don't be foolish! Viserys is a better option. Don't you wish to be his Queen?"

"He's second wife?... He's too old. Twenty years older than me father please. I love Prince Aenar."

"I forbid you to ever mention that name ever again."

"Father...."

"Then choose which life you desire, either seduce the King into marrying you or get betrothed to Lord Boremurd Baratheon's son! Or Lord Strong's club foot Ser Larys."

"Father please...."

"You choose Alicent! Either seduce the King or prepare to be shipped off to Strom's End or Harenhall."

The words rang in Alicent's head as she descended from the Tower of the Hand in her deep green dress with black embroidery which revealed portions on her bare shoulder.

Meanwhile the King had send for his daughters that morning, but none of them came. Viserys now realized his damage was too late to redeem. His dream has caused a rift between in his family, his fault and burden to bear.

King Viserys was sitting at a table in his solar. He stares blankly at a model of old valyria, lost in thought, thinking of Aemma.

The model is a pet project for Viserys reconstructing the fallen empire. Old books and maps are laid out beside it research about the details of the Targaryen's original home.

Viserys fiddles with the figurine of a valyrian dragon, then looks down at wedding ring in his hand and Aemma wore: a gold wedding ring with an intricate stone of diamond, ruby, onyx, sapphire and emerald, a symbol of true love.

He kissed the ring and places it inside a velvet box as a knock came on his door interrupting his sober moment.

"Enter!"

The doorway to the king's apartments opens, revealing Lord Commander Ryam Redwyne

Alicent Hightower stands behind the knight as he steps inside. She chews her cuticles bloody, vibrating with nerves, how will Geralt feel if he hears of her visit to his father.

"The Lady Alicent Hightower, Your Grace." Ser Ryam announced.

Viserys furrowed his brows. "Alicent?..."

Alicent steps into the light of the king's apartments. At her father's instruction, she has changed. This is a woman's dress, not a girl's. It is a rich green that brings out her natural beauty and the contours of her body.

King Viserys is stunned. He has known Alicent since she was a child, but now a beautiful woman grown stands before him. Her hair was twisted up exposing her slender neck, the green dress was sheer, showing all her curves.

"Your Grace." She cutised.

"What is it, Alicent?"

She swallows. "I thought I might come and look in on you, Your Grace" Alicent says, her voice wavering.

"That is very kind of you....."

Alicent cutised. "Thank you Your Grace.... I brought a book, a favorite of mine." She held it closely, tightly to her chest.