An HOTD Fanfic-Why Not?

CHAPTER 5: Ep.1 (Althea Pov)

Hi everyone! Sorry for disappearing for a month; things have been so busy. I was literally supposed to start university, but my visa got rejected and I had to reapply. Thank you for reading this story, voting, and adding it to your reading list.

"Alicent?" I said, scaring her. She was standing in front of a carriage, waiting for Rhaenyra, when she jumped at the sound of my voice and turned around. I saw her face go through a series of emotions, mostly shock and happiness, before ramming into me, making me stumble.

"Aunty Althea, your back; when did you get back? Are you staying?" She hugged me tightly, as if to never let me go. I laughed at her enthusiasm and kissed her head before releasing a sad smile. I tend to forget how Alicent has clung on to me, especially after our relationship grew.

"A few minutes ago, I heard from the guards that you two were by the dragon pit, and so I decided why not see my favorite girl? Oh, how you have grown." I pushed her back and admired her; her hair had grown longer and shinier since I last saw her, and her hazel eyes sparkled when the light hit them. Not to mention she was taller and seemed more mature—a definite heartbreaker.

"You're going to be a heartbreaker in the future, ay, not like me; of course, the world already has enough me's." Alicent's face turned red as she heard the compliment, I smiled as she pushed her hair back behind her ears and held her cheeks as I stared at her more. She opened her mouth to say something but was cut off when we heard Syrax's roar, and we both looked up to see Syrax coming out of the sky with Rhaenyra on his back. When they landed, we stayed waiting for them to come, so I decided to hide inside the carriage to scare her. Alicent looked at me weirdly, but I just winked and waved her off.

"Welcome back, Princess. I trust your ride was pleasant." Ser Harrold Westerling, I believe, met her when she got off Syrax.

"Try not to look too relieved, ser." I heard Rhaenyra's voice tease him as they neared the carriage.

"I am relieved. Every time that golden beast brings you back unspoiled, it saves my head from a spike." Beast, how I hated the term; it made them seem nothing more than mindless creatures, which was far from the truth. I'm starting to dislike him.

"Syrax is growing quickly. She'll soon be as large as Caraxes." Alicent was nervous, I could hear it from the slight tremors in her voice. She was never a good liar, and I could imagine her shaking with excitement, wanting to tell Rhaenyra that I was in the carriage.

"That's almost large enough to saddle two. Are you alright? You are acting weird." I heard Rhaenyra's steps come closer to the carriage

"I believe I'm quite content as a spectator, thank you." I heard Alicent's clipped tone. After a riding mishap a few years ago, Alicent swore off dragons completely. Well, except for me, of course, I'm an exceptional rider for both dragons and sea serpents, and I am one with them as they are with me.

"That's not fair; when Princess Althea offers, you accept. How unfair." As Rhaenyra opened the door, I jumped out screaming, causing her and Alicent to scream and jump in fright. I started clenching my stomach as I laughed hard, Ser Harold came over to check if anything was okay.

"Aunt Althea, you're here," Rhaenyra gasped out as she ran to hug me, when she finally calmed down.

~

We walk through a courtyard in the Red Keep and through various halls before arriving at Aemma's room. There we see Aemma, who is heavily pregnant, lying on a couch, attended by various servants.

"Ah... Rhaenyra," She croaked as her body was covered in sweat. She looked miserable; it seemed like she did not see the other two people in the room—typical Aemma.