An HOTD Fanfic-Why Not?

CHAPTER 7: Tourney's and Funerals pt.1

A/N: Happy New years everyone, I hope its been going well so far. I finally started uni and also lost my new airpods all in the span of two days, so that's a start. Sorry for the long wait.

"Tell me Alicent, have any exciting new things happened since I was gone? Any... boys perhaps?" She winked suggestively as she questioned the girl slyly.

"Aunt Althea!" She exclaimed in shock and turned her head away to hide the growing heat on her cheeks. Which caused the pale-haired woman to laugh out loud, drawing attention to herself.

"What?" she cackled, "It's a natural and honest question?" She finished innocently, as if she saw no wrong in her actions— a typical behaviour. Before Alicent could reply, her father interrupted them.

"I hope you are not dirtying my innocent daughter's mind are you, Princess Althea?" He commented as he sat down next to her. Alicent could see the anger in her father's eyes, which makes her worry even more about her future with the princess.

"No, just gossip," she joked, turning her back on Otto and fully looking at Alicent, a signal for him to leave; she's done with you. Something that he, Alicent, Rhaenyra, Aemma, Viserys, Daemon, Rhaenys, and Corlys were all familiar with. She only did this when she was extremely angry with someone. Which raised questions to those sitting in the balcony. He huffed as he stood up and sat beside the King.

"Stay mad at me all you want, at this point, Althea I do not care," those were fighting words and those in attendance who knew her, knew that. For someone to say they do not care about Althea, for Otto, Althea's number one follower, to say he does not care about Althea, something went down and they were all curious about it. Alicent's palms become sweaty as she watches her father sit next to the King, and Althea stays all nonchalant about it. The balcony was all tense, no one said anything, but curious glances were sent towards the pair, it was mysterious indeed, her first day back and there's already drama.

A loud sound drew attention to the door on the far side of the balcony, it was Rhaenyra ascending some stairs to the sitting area where everyone was. She rushed to sit down next to Alicent, everyone staring at her and all silent. Once she settled, Visery's began opening his remarks.

"Be welcome! I know many of you have traveled long leagues to be at these games. But I promise, you will not be disappointed. When I look at the fine knights in these lists, I see a group without equal in our histories. And this great day has been made more auspicious by the news that I am happy to share: Queen Aemma has begun her labors!" The crowd cheers and people begin clapping. "May the luck of the Seven shine upon all combatants!" With that the tournament began, two knights jousting in the center of the stadium. On the second run, one is dismounted. The audience cheers and the winner approaches the balcony, bowing. Althea leans over the balcony with curiosity, and Rhaenyra follows her actions.

"A mystery knight?" Rhaenyra inquired, her eyes taking in the knight.

"No, a Cole, of the Stormlands." Alicent opened her mouth to answer, but Althea beat her to it. Causing the girls to look at her including the King and his hand.

"I've never heard of House Cole, and how do you know about them, Aunt Althea?" The woman in question simply shrugged and stared at him with interest. causing Otto and Viserys to clench their jaws in rage. Viserys unrecruited love for Althea was something others might not have noticed; he had fallen deeply in love with her since his first meeting with her but was unable to act on it due to his marriage to Aemma and his role as prince. He saw Otto and Daemon's glances at her; the difference between him and them is that if he acted on it, the consequences would be disastrous.

Boremund Baratheon approaches the balcony on horseback, "Princess Rhaenys Targaryen! I would humbly ask for the favor of "The Queen Who Never Was."The nobles give varying expressions from shock at the mere audacity to nonchalance. Rhaenys stands up and approaches Boremond, her mind throwing curses at the man in front of her. As payback she carelessly drops a wreath on Boremund's lance, hoping it would drop on the ground, unfortunately her good aim does not let her.