Fire of Passion and Thrones

Chapter 24: A Mother's Fear, A Lover's Promise

Everything was going well. Both Alicent and Rhaenyra's pregnancies were going pretty well, bringing joy to everyone—except for Elara. She was filled with mixed emotions of sadness, disappointment, hurt and missing for her father. Despite understanding that there was no other way, she couldn't change anything. For everyone's safety, she knew Ser Arthur needed to be isolated.

Rhaenyra was walking with Alicent in the garden, accompanied by Aemond.

Rhaenyra: "You look so beautiful, my queen."

Alicent: "You say that to me every day," she chuckled.

Rhaenyra: "Indeed, because you are beautiful, perfect, indescribable."

They both laughed. Rhaenyra tried to hold Alicent's hand, but the queen refused.

Alicent: "Rhaenyra..."

Rhaenyra: "I hate it. The fact that I can't be with you, close to you. It drives me crazy. I have no right to touch you."

Alicent: "You act like a child, my princess. You know we can't be suspected. The council members are already confused by our good relationship. We can't give them anything to fuel their suspicions."

Rhaenyra: "What do you mean?"

Alicent: "You're going to have a child, and this child is considered your heir. I have three children, and one is on the way. After the news of Elara's pregnancy, our supposed mother-daughter relationship should have become more complicated, but it hasn't. In their eyes, we are each other's enemies."

Rhaenyra: "I understand, but has something happened? You seem worried."

Alicent lowered her head. "Ser Admond visited me. He wanted to know what strategy I had regarding you—how I planned to change the king's mind about the throne's main heir."

Rhaenyra: "He visited you? In your chambers?"

Alicent: "Yes."

Rhaenyra became furious.

Rhaenyra: "How dare he?! He has no right to visit you privately, especially in your chambers!"

Alicent: "Now is not the time to be jealous, Rhaenyra. Nothing happened; you are overreacting."

Rhaenyra: "What do you mean? He was in your chamber, Alicent! You are the queen of the Seven Kingdoms! This is unacceptable! I won't let it happen again."

Alicent: "Rhaenyra, please, don't do anything that will make me regret confiding in you."

Rhaenyra: "Alicent, why don't you understand? I can't accept the fact that council members or any man without a solid reputation can visit you and talk to you privately. Something bad might happen, and I don't even want to think about it. You are mine, only mine. You are the mother of my children, the love of my life, and now you're carrying my child. I can't risk it."

Alicent: "Don't you trust me?"

Rhaenyra: "It's not about you, Alicent. It's about them. I forbid you from being alone with any man except Ser Harwin and Daemon. They are the only exceptions."

Alicent: "What? No, Rhaenyra, you can't do that. What does that mean? I am the queen!"

Rhaenyra: "I don't care, Alicent. I'm not going to risk it anymore. There was Cole, then Arthur. That's more than enough!"

Alicent: "But you can't—"

Rhaenyra: "The discussion is over. It's time for you and Aemond to return to the castle. It's getting colder."

Alicent didn't say a word and left Rhaenyra.

Rhaenyra then went to Ser Harwin's chamber, where Elara was.

Rhaenyra: "Elara, could you please leave us for a moment?"

Elara: "Yes, my princess."

Once Elara left, Rhaenyra told Ser Harwin everything she had heard from Alicent.

Rhaenyra: "I've decided I want new guards. I need you to find the right ones for the queen and my children. They should be loyal, smart, brave, and skilled fighters. Most importantly, they must be castrated. I can't risk it after what happened with Cole. I should have done this earlier. Find a few guards who are fully trustworthy. They should also be loyal to me and report to me daily about the queen and my children. Even if the queen forbids it, they must inform me. This is your task. Find suitable candidates as soon as possible."

Ser Harwin: "As you wish, my princess."

Rhaenyra knew that Alicent would be even angrier with her for making this decision on her own, so she informed the king about it. She explained why it was necessary, and the king gave his permission. With his approval, everything seemed to be in order.

Rhaenyra inspected the new guards, ensuring they were stationed outside the queen's chamber. She then entered to speak with Alicent privately.

Rhaenyra: "My queen, you will have new guards. They are trustworthy, brave, smart, and skilled fighters. They are also castrated, so you and our children are safe."

Alicent: "What? You decided this without even asking me."

The princess interrupted, "Alicent, I have the king's approval. But yes, I made the decision. I want you to be—"

Now the queen interrupted, "Controlled."

Rhaenyra: "No! Safe! I want to know that everything is perfectly fine with you and our children. I need to know everything. Why don't you understand this? I cannot deal with another 'surprise'! First, Cole tried to rape you and then kidnapped Helaena. Then, a servant poisoned you, and we lost our child. A servant further complicated the twins' lives—they still have some complexes because of her. Then there was Arthur, who kidnapped you and the twins. I almost lost you so many times. The council members are trying to poison our minds, I know. But some of these people are looking at you in a different way, and this bastard is one of them. You are a beautiful lady, a queen! And no, I will not permit them to be close to you, Alicent. And yes, maybe I am a little bit controlling, but trust me, I have plenty of reasons."

Alicent looked at her and realized how stressed the princess was. So, she hugged her.

Alicent: "Thank you, my love, and I am sorry."

Rhaenyra felt herself weaken every time Alicent got close to her. Even if she was angry, the moment they were near each other, she forgot why. This time was no exception.