Chapter Text
Alicents Pov
I feel my heart race as I stand next to the King, he has decided I need to learn about Old Valyria. When I tried to suggest a Maester help me he quickly shut that down and forced me to stand next to him as he talks about the Valyrian priests.
I feel his hand on my waist but try with all my might to ignore it. I pick at my nail beds, I know they are already raw and bleeding but it is the only thing keeping me from attacking the King for his indecent touches.
“Now over here we have the temple of Meleys she was the Goddess of-” the King says before he is cut off by a quick knock only for the doors to open without his command.
I feel my whole body freeze, my heart squeezes with hurt when I see Rhaenyra standing there with her mouth open and tears in her eyes. She quickly turns and runs down the hall and I rush after her. I don't care if the King wishes for me to stay, I need to explain myself to Rhaenyra.
“Rhaenyra, wait!” I yell as she rushes into the royal gardens.
Surprisingly it works and she whips around to glare at me as tears roll down her face. “What were you doing alone with my Father? With his hand on your waist no less!”
I try and find the right words but can't. I know how it looked, and I don't blame her for thinking what she must be.
Whore .
“The King asked for me.” Is the only thing I can think of to explain my actions. Actions I never wished to ever do but was forced to either by my Father or the King.
Rhaenyra scoffs as she shakes her head in disgust. “And you couldn't say no? You truly are just some pathetic whore.”
Her words feel like a blow to my heart and makes tears come to my eyes. But at the same time I feel a pit of rage fill my belly, for she truly has no idea how the world works.
“You cannot say no to the King, Rhaenyra. I wish I could, I wish I never had to visit him but he is the King I cannot defy him.”
She only scoffs and rolls her eyes as she furiously wipes her tears. “I do it all the time, he doesn't mind.” She demands but I know she knows I can't say no, or I hope she does.
“You are his daughter, Rhaenyra, I am only a lady of court, we do not have the same power.” I try and explain stepping closer to her and reaching for her hands only for her to smack mine away.
“I don't care for your excuses, and don't touch me you whore .” Rhaenyra hisses pushing me away before running off, probably to fly with Syrax.
I don't know when but soon I am sitting under the Weirwood tree as sobs break through me. All I want is to rip the clothes my mother gave me an put on the clothes of a Septa, for maybe then I will be able to atone for my sins. I cannot see, cannot breathe, and the only thing keeping me in the present is the taste of salt upon my lips from my tears.
“What has you in such a state, Little Hightower?” I hear behind me. I know exactly who it is, for no one but him calls me ‘Little Hightower’.
“It wasn't Lord Reed.” Is all I can get out as I look up at the Prince.
He seems confused as he kneels next to me, wiping my tears as they roll down my cheeks. “What do you mean it wasn't Lord Reed?”
“He wasn't the one pursuing me, he never even spoke to me. The King, the King has been asking me to visit him. An-and Rhaenyra just caught-” I gasp out gripping my throat as my chest contrists and I can't breathe.
Within seconds I am in a warm hug with my head resting against his chest. The scent of something dark and woodsy and something Daemon fills me and I feel instantly calmed.
“It'll be alright, I'll make sure no one finds out. And don't worry about my brother, he will never seek you out again.” He says against the crown of my head.
I feel his warm breath against my skin, it sends a shiver down my spine though I don't think he noticed. I feel myself calm as he hushes me and wipes my tears as he holds me close.
I sniffle and wipe my nose before trying to rise only to realize the grip he has on me, he grips my arm and waist. “You cannot swear those things, for you can't control the King.”
He chuckles darkly before releasing his grip on me only to hold my face in his warm calloused hands. “My brother would be more of a fool than he already is to deny my demands.” He says before kissing my brow and leaving me under the Weirwood tree all alone.
Daemons Pov
I storm down the halls of the Red Keep, the lords and ladies must see the rage I feel for they move out of my way as quickly as they can.
My brother, I should have known. I think with a scoff upon my lips.
With one strong push I open the doors to his chambers ignoring the demands of his Kingsguard. I look at my brother slouched over as Maesters poke and prod at his back, then I turn to the Lord Hand who stands over him whispering. Though my impromptu entrance
“I would greatly appreciate a moment with my brother.” I say but all turn towards my brother.
“Leave us.” He says waving them off as he pulls his cotton undershirt back on.
It takes no time for the Maesters to leave but the Hand stays staring straight at me. “That includes you, Lord Hand. ” I sneer.
“I am the Lord Hand,” He begins as if no one in this fucking keep knows it, Seven hells the whole of the realm if not the known world. “And as such I am to help the King in all aspects, that includes helping him deal with his brother.”
I scoff and turn to my brother with an amused grin. “Are you so horrible at making decisions you need your nursemaid with you now?”
The Hand guffaws sputtering for a response but my brother holds his hand up stopping the Hightower. “Leave us Otto, and know my decision is final.” Viserys says which seems to upset his little dog.
Once the doors close with a resounding click I let all my rage out. “Your wife is barely ash in the wind and you are already trying to put that pathetic prick of yours in another?”
“She came to me–” Viserys starts but I cut him off quickly.
“Mayhaps the first time, but you made her come back.”
“I requested her presence, didn't make her.” Viserys defends in a tone as if that were obvious and he wasn’t in the wrong for making a girl of ten and seven come to his room when she and I can’t help but laugh.
“You’re the fucking King! How was she supposed to deny you?” I say with a cold rage I never felt before. The mere thought of what my brother has already done to my Little Hightower fills me with such rage I have to fight to not relieve his shoulders of the dead weight of his head. And what she told me is probably just the tip of the iceberg.
“I–I.” He stutters which only makes me more furious, for he would defend himself so much when all the blame truly is let at his feet, and whoever sent the girl in the first place.
“Shut up you blubbering fool and listen. You will not ask for that girl again, I already killed one man I thought was trying to ruin her, and trust me Caraxes is more than happy to feast on men again.” I say and smirk when I see the blood drain from his face.
Pathetic. I think before leaving his chambers as he continues to try and explain himself.