Autumn Kiss 💋🍁 || Criston Cole

020 • ROMANCING THE QUEEN

Moments later, Otto Hightower and Tyland Lannister entered the room. The Hand had a distracted look on his face, filled with questions. "Daughter, grandchildren, why have I been summoned? With King Viserys' death, there is much work to be done, so let us be quick, the Princess Rhaenyra arrived on her dragon some ago and was sighted speaking with you before departing, what was the meaning of that." His voice was stern.

Alicent feared this moment, she had feared her father all her life, but now the terror gripped her tighter than ever. He would not countenance his domination and power being ruined.

The aurburn haired wished Ser Criston was there to lend her strength. "Father…"

"Well, Alicent? Speak." Otto's voice was cold with disappointment. "What did Rheanyra tell you?"

Ser Tyland quietly was eager to hear the Queen.

Mustering her resolve Alicent finally spoke "I had an audience with Rheanyra, and she has agreed to certain concessions if she is allowed to sit the throne untroubled, concessions to which your grandchildren have already agreed to."

Otto's expression hardened before he said in a cold voice. "Alicent....Daughter, if this is a joke, it is a most unamusing one. Aegon is to be king, that is the will of the late king and his council. You said it yourself that it was his last wish!"

Alicent swallowed the bile in her throat.

Aegon's face at this dripped with sarcastic apology. "Oh grandfather, I am afraid it is not so and I shall be troubled no longer with your talk of ruling and kingship."

"Silence, Aegon! Gods damn your insolence!" Otto thundered.

Helaena cowered at the raised voice and tucked her head under her arms.

Aegon relished his grandfather's anger and his mother's anxiety both.

Otto turned to his daughter. "Alicent, I have not labored for these long decades to serve as Hand under that-"

"Oh dear mother! Looks like you must tell him now." Aegon said with another giggle.

Otto gave his grandson a displeasing glare, then turned back to his daughter, having already reached his limit of unwelcome news.

"Father, you are also to be replaced as Hand of the King. You are relived of your office and post. Ser Tyland will take your place and serve on Rheanyra's council." Alicent said staring her father in the eyes.

The lion of Casterly Rock, widened his eyes, mouth agape. "M-me?"

Otto looks at the golden haired man with scorn. "What is the meaning of this fucking jest? Alicent, you will cease this immediately and I will not hear another word about it" he said with more fury in every word.

Alicent stood firm "This is no jest, father. This is what shall be."

Otto hissed. "No, it shall NOT, NOT WHILE I-"

Alicent rose to her feet and roared back at her father "You Forget Yourself, Father! it is i who was queen all these years, the sway and authority of the crown is mine! You have only the power i let you wield, you have nothing besides!"

Otto's face curled and pulsed with rage "I have devoted my life to the betterment of this family. Whatever our differences, our heart remains as one."

Alicent scoffs. "Our hearts were never one. I see that now. Rather I've been a piece you move about the board."

"If that is true, then I made you Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, would you have desired it otherwise?"

Alicent shook her head with disbelief. "How could I know. I wanted whatever you impressed upon me to want, and now the debt comes due, a debt you're so happy enough to pay...."