WRITTEN IN THE STARS | alicent x daemon

chapter four

"I do not mean to make you feel uncomfortable. However, it must be hard being a fourteen-year-old girl married to a man old enough to be your father and made to give birth to children that will never be in line for the succession. Let me ask you a question, Alicent, do you ever wish for your son to wear the crown?" Rhaenys questioned the younger girl with judgement and hint of pity in her eyes. A part of Rhaenys was glad that Laena didn't marry Viserys because looking at Alicent, she could see the life that her daughter would've had. Alicent's eyes represent sadness and her eyes only light up with her children. That's what her daughter would've become. A queen made to birth children who would never be more than a prince or princess.

"I would never wish for my children to carry the burden of the crown." Alicent exclaimed in shock at what Rhaenys was suggesting. 

"Many would." Rhaenys instantly remarked. "There's something different about you. It seems that your father's departure has made you understand the weight of the crown and burden it carries. As much as I pity you, I'm grateful for you and your visits to the King because of that my daughter is not in the position you are in.

"You knew?" Alicent gasped. Nobody except her father knew about her visits to the King since he made her visit him.

"I have eyes everywhere. It seems your father finally showed his true ambition and his need for power. All men want their blood on the crown. Corlys failed with Laena's betrothal to king, but he succeeded with Laenor and Rhaenyra's marriage." Rhaenys commented. As much as she loved her husband, his ambitions grew ever since Rhaenys was passed up for being a woman and denied her right.

"Well, it seems what you have wanted is happening. Laena is free to do whatever she wishes." Alicent sighed with a hint of envy as she glanced at Laena and Aegon laughing.

Rhaenys nodded. "I was going to ask Rhaenyra to take Laena as her lady in waiting, however, the queen is lacking in ladies. A queen must have her allies in court." She suggested indirectly for Laena to become Alicent's lady in waiting.

Alicent then realised. It seemed that the Velaryon Princess did not know that she already had one lady. However, one lady was not enough but she didn't know that one existed. At the right moment, her lady in waiting walked into the chambers with her daughter, Helaena, in her arms.

Alicent smirked before she spoke. "Oh, it seems your mistaken, princess. Meet my lady in waiting, Joanna Lannister, it seems you haven't met."

Rhaenys looked at the Lannister woman who was the Queen's lady in waiting. Joanna stood with Helaena in her arms with a Lannister smile on her lips. Joanna spoke. "It's a pleasure to meet you, princess." She bowed.

Rhaenys laughed as she remarked. "So, you might survive the odds and the game."

"I quite hope I do." Alicent grinned.

Alicent is already ahead in the game. More than what Rhaenys had expected. She expected Alicent to be a puppet of her father's ambition, but it seems that she might have grown a spine and has started to be the master in the game for her children's protection and survival.

Joanna smiled before she interrupted. "The little princess here is hungry, your grace." Joanna told Alicent, as she spoke formally in the presence of others, however, in private, the two had become good friends.

"I must excuse myself, princess, I shall be back in a moment." Alicent spoke as she stood up. She glanced at Aegon who was too busy with Laena.

"Aegon will be fine. You feed Helaena your milk?" Rhaenys questioned as it was an unusual thing for women to do, however, her mother and herself fed their children their own milk instead of using nursemaids.