Autumn Kiss 💋🍁 || Criston Cole

02 • HIS ENDURANCE

Queen Alicent stepped down from the wall where her and Viserys watched their sons and grandsons train hurriedly. Harwin Strong in a moment of brutal anger, had just beaten Criston Cole bloody seemingly out of nowhere.

Viserys, in his daze of illness hardly noticed his wife leaving his side, perhaps setting it out of mind as her just checking on their sons. Alicent was incensed, What a savage that man was, acting like a barbarian in the very confines of the Red Keep itself. She could not believe the audacity that Rhaenyra's favor had filled that beast with.

Rhaenyra. Even her name irked Alicent now. She hated her for it, that great brutish whore of hers had beaten Ser Criston. She used him and discarded him, now she lets her newest lover bloody him. The audacity.

Alicent could not help but rage within at the thought of it. These thoughts lingered too long and began to unsettle her. Why? The injustice? The humiliation heaped upon Ser Criston? Something of that nature, surely.

For years, he had protected her and her children, ever by her side or training up the princes to be ferocious warriors. He was clear of any wrongdoing, a victim in the princess' kissing games gone too far. At least, that is what she told herself. Yes, it was this that made Alicent so incensed at the princess and her thinly-veiled bastard breeder.

When she had found Ser Criston, he was surrounded by maesters examining every cut and bruise. Seeing her behind the crowd of old men prodding and questioning, he was quietly thankful.

At least the queen cares to see me as her children do, he thought. Aemond had followed him as far as the maesters let him to ensure he was alright, Aegon looked on perhaps just to see the drama of the commotion had stirred up, which serious injury would only add to.

"The fault is mine, Your Grace, I spoke too recklessly" Ser Criston dismissed as Alicent approached.

"That gives Ser Harwin no leave to act like this!" She snapped in return.

"Nevertheless, I daresay I'd do it again, Ser Harwin hits like a mewling infant" Criston said with a smile, to which Alicent smiled back, admiring at least his endurance.

Though their smiles did not fade, talking paused and gave way to silent staring. He had never spent any time studying her face in the years he had been in her service, nor she his.

Alicent usually wore a blank affect, thus Criston's brief staring at her was mostly out of surprise to seek her scowl replaced. For her part, Alicent had seen Ser Criston in many a tourney, but had never seen his face or rather took the time to look closely.

Strange that she chose now to do so, with his features cloaked in dry blood, skin purple, bruised, and battered. They hadn't really seen each other as people other than in their relationship as Queen and guard, talking briefly from time to time perhaps.

Alicent returned to the training grounds and took Aegon and Aemond to her side. "Come, let us get you to your chambers,"

Aegon mumbled some dismissive comment and followed his mother. Aemond was still shaken from the excitement and asked his mother "Will Ser Criston be alright? When can I train again." He asked.

Alicent ruffled his hair and replied "I'm sure he will be healed quite soon, gods willing. the maesters shall treat his injuries and surely he will be in fighting shape soon enough."

"Nobody could best him in a proper fight, Ser Criston is the greatest knight in the realm!" Aemond said proudly.

Alicent could but smirk and reply "That he is, child. That he is, Ser Criston is good in every aspect." She escorted her sons back into the Red Keep, crossing paths with Rheanyra as they shared a look of vile hatred of love and depravity.

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