Until We Meet Again❄ (Sandor Clegane) Game Of Thrones (Wattys2019 Nominated)

16 - Not Yet

Few days later, a new day arrived and news reached to Alia that herself and Sansa were to eat with Cersei and her children.

It was fair to say that Alia was confused as to why she was summoned to their meal too as she was just a Knight and not the one marrying Cersei's son. Nevertheless, she scrubbed up and asked one of Sansa's handmaidens if they could style her hair. It also came to her attention that she didn't have anything formal to wear except her armour and tunic as the dress that Catelyn had once gave her when the King arrived in Winterfell and they had a feast, was left in Winterfell. Luckily for her, Sansa was the same height and had offered to give her one of her gowns.

She slid on a light pink gown, not her style whatsoever but as Sansa declared she was wearing blue, she didn't want to match.

Once they are both dressed, Alia walked with Sansa and once there, Sansa takes a seat at the head of the table whereas Alia took a seat next to Tommen so she was still pretty close to her.

The atmosphere felt tense and silent and as Alia was about to take a bite of her food, she notices Tommen staring at her, confusion on his young face.

"Why do you wear a mask? Even when you are eating?"

All the attention was brought on her making her almost choke on the chicken that she placed in her mouth from where she lifted up her mask slightly.

She chewed quickly, trying to answer the Prince as soon as possible so she didn't appear as rude. It didn't help that Cersei, cup of wine in hand, stared at her intently.

"I was scarred is all my Prince. The sight isn't so pretty to look at." She kept her answer simple, not really wanting to get into any more detail than what she has to but Cersei caught her attention before she could resume eating.

"Brave men die in wars and battles and wear their scars with pride. It looks as if you are mocking them... wouldn't you agree?"

Alia made eye contact with the Queen, their eyes staring at one another until she gave a faint nod.

"I commend your men for their bravery in battle but my scar did not occur during a battle. I was struck by my mother when I was a young child. It haunts me every time I look at it My Grace. I also don't want to scare away children or have people staring." Alia answers truthfully, hoping the Queen would let it slide but, of course, she didn't.

"I am sorry to hear that Lady Alianora..." Cersei starts off, taking a sip of her wine and leaning back in her larger chair. "You have very pretty eyes however. As blue as ice." She compliments but whenever she does compliment someone it doesn't sound sincere at all.

"Please, take off your mask. I can assure you that you will not be judged."

Shit she thought to herself, knowing she cannot disobey the Queen. She slowly places down her knife and fork that were gripped in her hand and reached behind the back of her neck and unties the mask and slowly pulls it down, revealing the huge scar the side of her face.

The room fell silent as she felt Tommen, Myrcella and Cersei stare at her face, almost in shock. Alia noticed the Queen take in an almost heavy breath, not expecting the scar to be as bad she thought. She must have though that it would be a small scar on her cheek but she never realised it would be a red, raised and long wound that stretched form the corner of her lips up to her ear.

"Wow!"

Alia gave out a small, forced giggle and smiled towards Tommen at his exclamation.

Alia placed her mask on her lap and carried on eating, feeling completely uncomfortable about the situation was in and couldn't imagine it getting worse but it did. Quickly.