Autumn Kiss 💋🍁 || Criston Cole

022 • MARRIAGE PROPOSAL

Alicent Hightower stared off the battlements of the Red Keep over the city. She liked the peace it gave her staring at nothing, especially since she shared in it with her lover Ser Criston.

Rhaenyra had required his help in planning out arrangements for a tourney to celebrate her coronation or some such nonsense. Some of the bitterness Alicent used to feel towards her had lessened, if only somewhat.

It was hard to maintain her anger when she was finally happy, happy in a way she never thought she would be. She thought some sort of romance was beyond her, that it would always elude her.

The joy of that much being disproven helped a good deal in softening her disposition on much. As if these thoughts summoned her, Rhaenyra arrived beside her and bid her good evening. "Dowager."

"I suppose I am to call you "my Queen" now" Alicent said in an absent tone, as if only half paying attention.

"That is customary" Rhaenyra replied smirking. "Nothing is customary about a woman on the Iron Throne, Rhaenyra, it's been unheard of for over a century." "And now it is not."

Rhaenyra drew closer. "How are you, Alicent? How are your children?"

Alicent grew a little more alert "They all bide fine, Daeron will arrive soon enough from Oldtown, those present all seemed to have a fine time at your coronation today."

Rhaenyra nodded and searched for her words. "And what of your own state? How are you faring, my lady?"

Alicent takes a deep breath "I'm faring fine, Rhaenyra. I just…wished for a quiet moment after all the din and excitement."

"Well, as you can tell, my business with the Lord Commander is done, so you probably know where to find him. I can only hope you have found some happiness in him."

Alicent didn't like the insinuation, she didn't want Rhaenyra talking about them any more than Daemon. It felt vulgar and intrusive having them comment on something so private and significant to her. She may not wish to quarrel, but she would not countenance discussions such as these, not now, perhaps not ever.

Rhaenyra could see the offense she had given and took Alicent by the hands "Alicent, please know I am thankful. You have done me a great service and I will be eternally grateful for it. Please understand, I see no reason why we cannot be friends again."

Alicent scowled as she spoke, leaving her hands limp. Rhaenyra's words felt empty and political, an empty gesture. "My son lost an eye because of our rancor, it is a hurt he will never be rid of, a sight I will never forget."

Rhaenyra paused a moment "I am sure this will not be easy, it may take a considerable amount of time and effort, time and effort I am willing to expend."

Alicent did not reply, what was there to say to this? "I am happy for you, Alicent. You would agree that your marriage to my father…did great damage to both of us and I will be the first to admit that my actions were…detrimental, as well. But we are grown women now, that all is in the past. You have a man who loves you now, I am sure he-"

She had overstepped once too many times. "Rhaenyra, enough. You cannot come back to me just because you wear a crown now as if all that you have done to me is erased. I could barely stand the thought of you for so long, hours revolved around the things you shoved upon me when I had so much to attend to myself. Your father, your children, your consorts, your deeds, years and years. I was alone all this time, protecting my children, just Ser Criston guarding my person, who else did I have? And now you think, because you spoke to me about Ser Criston, I wish for your congratulations? I wish you to leave me be, you and your vile husband."