Hues Of Labyrinth || Klaus Targaryen

02 • IRRATIONAL DESIRE

"You see," Klaus grinned at her. "I am honest about myself and what I want. What about you? What do you want?"

Still reluctant, Alicent kept her lips together and held back a sigh.

"You know what I think?" Klaus said. "I think you don't want to be Queen. I think you want to go out into the world to find yourself, to experience all of the things you were never allowed to as the highborn jewel of your house."

Finally having had enough, Alicent let out a deep breath and rounded on Klaus. "And what if I do?" She challenged. "There is nothing to be done about it. I will do my duty until my time is done."

Klaus shook his head firmly. "That is where you are wrong. You see, you have to make space for yourself. If others force you into a tiny box, then it's up to you to expand the walls. You can play the part of the Queen-to-be and they will be happy about it, but you can make room for your own desires in there too."

Alicent snorted, a most unladylike thing from one so prim and proper all the time. "You may it sound so easy."

Klaus's lips twitched. It was anything but easy; it was a constant struggle to act as he willed while still retaining his status in noble society. He had managed it, more or less. "Its best if you don't let them know you're doing it," Klaus joked. "Men love to control the desires of others, even if they have no justifiable reason to. So, once again my Lady Alicent, I will ask you: what do you want?"

This time, the words flowed from her lips so easily that Klaus knew he had struck a chord in her. It was a talent that the men who served beneath him treasured him for. A noble who could understand them and their plights, and one who offered freedom from their ails. It was up to them to take his advice in the end, but Klaus was undoubtedly a source of hope that it was possible to succeed in the endeavour.

"I want to visit the Free Cities," Alicent admitted, blushing lightly. "I've always wanted to travel through the mountains. I'd like to see Braavos too someday."

"All things that could be arranged once you're Queen," Klaus assured her.

"I want to learn to juggle-"

At Klaus's snigger, Alicent lightly smacked his arm. "Hey!" She shouted. "I always thought it looked fun."

Klaus couldn't help the laughter that bubbled up inside of him. Out of everything in the world, Alicent wanted to learn to juggle? It was so ridiculous; he would have never guessed that this was one of her secret desires. "My apologies," Klaus smiled, "do go on."

Alicent rolled her eyes and turned away from Daemon and looked back out onto the city in the distance. "I'd like to find someone . . . someone who . . ." Alicent grimaced as she looked down at her nails. "I really shouldn't-"

"Someone who you love?" Klaus finished the unspoken words for her.

Though she gave no confirmation, Klaus could tell from the way that her body stiffened that he was right once again. It was a logical desire to be sure. Viserys was not a handsome man, nor good in bed according to the whores on the Street of Silk. He wasn't especially romantic or caring. Alicent would be wasted on him, and she'd never find the satisfaction that everyone so desperately wanted inside.

"I want the same," Klaus told her. Alicent glanced back towards him, her eyes meeting his. "Viserys has tried to force me to marry without any say in the matter, but I refused him Needless to say, I've spent my time enjoying the company of others. Others who I actually care for. There will be times when you'll have the opportunity to find those of your own to enjoy."

"When?" Alicent asked. "Once I'm Queen, I'll be surrounded day and night by servants and courtiers and guards watching my every step."

This was it. It was Klaus's moment to strike.