OF BASTARDS & DRAGONS || Aenar Targaryen [1]

70 • A RISKY ENCOUNTER

His scent was so musky and oud, his aura made her surreal. Aenar looked to be scrambling for something to say, attempting to locate a topic that would repair the missteps of his return.

Alicent watched those darting eyes with keen interest, almost believing that he was here to for her, or was he nervous?. Was it an act? Or was Aenar just as surprised at the fact that he was now in King's Landing, a place in which he was wanted dead? It felt like Aenar had little thought for her plans, and Alicent didn't know whether that reassured him or not.

"We watched the tourney together, you and I...I always sort your blessing..." Aenar began calmly.

"A blessing that took my virginity." Alicent interrupts him. "Yet here we are." She eyes him, before taking a stick to light a candle not to arouse suspicion.

Aenar scoffs. "Whatever we had in past, we both consent to it...you loved me, just as I loved you... still our feelings are mutual. All these years, have I not spared you? You were married to my brother." He argued.

Appalled, honey brown eyes turns to lilac orbs. "Indeed, but was that sufficient enough to cast me aside." Alicent spat bitterly. "You gaslighted me at any chance I spoke the truth of your late wife, you seem to ghost me, as you please and hurt my feelings, not a single ounce of respect, and now you tell me to refute to your manipulation and ego considering tis you who caused our rift." She hissed lowly eyes darting left and right at the Septa and Septons. "You will not hector me."

Aenar bit his lips. "Alicent.... whatever our differences our heart remains as one. We knew, even then, that men trained up for battle are eager to fight, to seek blood and glory. But I didn't seek that....you are..." He paused as a noise could be heard off in the distance. "...I know you do not have that desire within you to ursurp the throne."

The Green Queen let's out a chuckle. "You think too low of me, brother in-law. I've always wanted my son the iron throne, tis his birthright, Aegon is Viserys firstborn son, and he rules ...."

"Only at Kingslanding and in the South...." Aenar retorts. "He's a child, he doesn't rule, tis you and your father, vying to scatter the house of the dragon to sate your blood on the iron throne, you want to ruin your children's future with your hands, cause a rift in the realm." He spat with disbelief. "Why are you so keen in commiting treason? Is your heart so dark and unforgiving? What about the blissful days we've had since childhood." His tone suppressed to warmth.

Alicent did well to keep her anger suppressed. It wasn't even a fury at whatever fate was about to befall her. Her death wouldn't have caused her any pain.

No, she was solely incensed at the prince for daring to imagine what sort of person she'd become. How could Aenar peak so casually of times gone by, as if they were old friends and lovers? How could Aenar speak of her desires, when the greatest one of all had escaped her. When the greatest one of all was sitting in front of her now.

"My family wants war, but I choose not to avail to their desires. Rhaenys has counselled me," Aenar continued. "She said that she knows in you a wish to avert the worst of what may now come. Despite you keeping her family as hostages, she believes you have a large heart."

"So you've come to surrender then?" Alicent pursed her lips.

"I have come to see if we may uncover some path towards peace. My dragons are restless. They smell battle. But if you and I may come to terms..."

"There are no terms now," Alicent was quick to interject. "You may have Hundred thousand Unsuilleds. But your allies will turn from you when they hear of your depravity with me, our sins behind close doors, your hands will be bloodied in a crime, some of them still assume you had Francesca murdered at Rheanyra's wedding."