Chapter Forty-Two

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A chill had seeped into the air as Vaella entered the King's chambers. She didn't know why she went there, only that she wanted to be somewhere without eyes watching her with pity or expecting anger from her.

She slowly approached the figure stood at the foot of the bed, laying a hand on the woman's shoulder. Alicent's body shook as tears streamed down her cheeks. She stared at her husband's prepared corpse, the golden crown resting on his chest.

"Was it all for naught?" Alicent sobbed.

"What do you mean?" Vaella asked. Her voice, while clearer, was still raspy.

"The sacrifices I have made," Alicent turned to face Vaella, her brown eyes rimmed red. "My marriage."

"My father loved you, Alicent."

Auburn curls shook with Alicent's denial. "No," She sniffled. "He was fond of me, and I of him, but he loved your mother. She was the vision that sustained him."

Vaella was silent momentarily, unsure how to comfort Alicent in her grief. "I do not know what to say to console you, my friend."

"My father, he... There was a time when he wanted Aegon as an heir. Or maybe he didn't, and that is what I told myself to explain. To soothe myself every time I was called to Viserys's bed," Alicent's gaze fell to her hands, watching as her fingers fidgeted with something. "He never considered Aegon as his blood, nor Helaena or Aemond. He didn't see Daeron before he was fostered at Oldtown."

Alicent sighed heavily as she held her hand out to Vaella, revealing a golden ring gleaming in the candlelight. Vaella's breath stilled in her chest as she took the piece of jewelry. Her eyes traced over the emblem of a soaring falcon pressed into the gold.

"I thought you should have it."

"Thank you," Vaella whispered as she slipped her mother's ring onto her forefinger. "Thank you, Alicent."


★・・・・・・★


Her steps echoed through the halls, quick and rushed as she avoided courtesans and servants alike. Her pace halted as the sound of shouting reached her ears. Eyes widening as two members of the castleguard appeared in front of her dragging a bound Lord Casswell.

"Let go of me! No!" The Lord's eyes were wild when he spotted Vaella, pulling harder at his restraints at the sight of her. "Princess! Please!"

"What is the meaning of this?" Vaella questioned, stopping the two guards. "Where are you taking him?"

The knights glanced at each other before one of them spoke. "The Hand has ordered him to be brought to the King's Justice."

Vaella's face paled at the information, gaze falling back to the weeping man, ignoring the pleas falling from his mouth. "What is his crime?"

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