hyperfixatedimagines

[hyperfixatedimagines]

Please continue “her” casey x readerr! But do we have to be so cray cray

Lol unfortunately, we do have to be so cray cray. I styled it a bit after the original fanfic but also after Joe Goldberg from You.

I do plan to continue it, but can't guarantee when another chapter will be out.

[hyperfixatedimagines]

The Queen and her Lady is back!!! 😍😍

[hyperfixatedimagines]

The Queen & her Lady Ch.7

Summary: Dragons start to dance and the Dornish Princess remains far from King's Landing. She fights to return to her love but what is waiting for her upon her return? All that once was, no longer is.

A/N: Hello everyone! This is the long awaited follow up. I will be covering the entire second season of HotD with liberties to the canon. If you enjoy it please leave a comment or reblog, thank you!

The wheelhouse had not stopped since departing from King’s Landing. 

Prince Qoren Martell wanted to arrive in Sunspear as quickly as possible. He knew what would come next; he knew war loomed and war with dragons left nothing but ash in its wake.

So he ordered his men take them through the boneway passage. It was treacherous to outsiders but even for the Dornish it was not easy. 

But it would bring them to Dorne faster than the Prince’s Pass. 

Princess (Y/N) sighed aloud. She had grown weary of being stuck in the wheelhouse. The Princess shared one side of the wheelhouse with Coryanne, not leaving either much room to move. 

Princess Coryanne swatted at her sister’s thigh. 

“Stop spreading your legs (Y/N), you’re squeezing me into the very corner,” she protested. 

(Y/N) sat up in her seat. “I am not spreading them, Cory there is no room for me either.”

The two sisters began to swat and shove one another. 

Prince Qoren awoke from his slumber at the noise. He cleared his throat but neither woman would stop arguing long enough to hear him.

“Enough,” the Dornish Prince yelled. 

The princesses stopped and turned to face their father. They lowered their gazes. 

“My apologies father,” Coryanne spoke. 

“It was Coryanne’s fault,” (Y/N) mumbled. 

Then suddenly the wheelhouse stopped. A knock on the door was followed by the voice of one of the knights. 

“We’ve reached the Wyl, my prince.”

Prince Qoren stood as the door to the wheelhouse opened. 

Princess (Y/N) stood to follow but her elder sister pulled her back down. 

“Cory,” (Y/N) whined but it was too late. 

Princess Coryanne had already gotten up and left the wheelhouse.

Princess (Y/N) let out another sigh then climbed out. She stepped down from the wheelhouse and walked up to her sister. 

“That was a bit childish Coryanne.”

Princess Coryanne paid her younger sister no mind. She followed her father to where the bannermen and servants started to set up tents and make fires. 

Princess (Y/N) looked around at the forest and the river before her. She took in a deep breath and filled her lungs with its refreshing smell. Then she closed her eyes and listened to the sounds around her. 

She heard a faint rumbling. Princess (Y/N) opened her eyes and turned towards the sound. 

Trees rustled in the distance. 

With the chaos of setting up camp the guards did not have their eyes set on the princess. So she took advantage and walked into the woods.

She followed the soft rumble between the trees until she reached a clearing. 

Princess (Y/N) stopped short of the treeline. 

Before her was a dragon. A large, silvery grey dragon. 

The princess knew what dragon this was. In her time at the Red Keep one of her favorite books to read was a detailed account of all known Targaryen dragons. 

The dragon before her was Silverwing, once ridden by Queen Alysanne.

It normally resided in Dragonstone with King Jaehaerys’ dragon, Vermithor. 

She wondered what it was doing so far from there.

Princess (Y/N) edged closer. She remembered Silverwing was somewhat docile and friendly to strangers. 

Then she stopped. 

She could not approach the dragon empty handed.  

So the princess returned to her family’s campsite and stole a goat one of the knights had trapped and slain.

When she returned to Silverwing the she dragon lifted her head up. She sniffed the air and opened her eyes. 

Princess (Y/N) called out to her.

“Lyks Gēlenka tīkun lyks! [Peace Silverwing Peace]”

Silverwing blew hot air towards Princess (Y/N).

Princess (Y/N) let it wash over her then she tossed the goat closer to the dragon. Then she stepped back into the treeline.

“Ipradagon [Eat],” she commanded. 

Silverwing grabbed the goat with her mouth and swallowed it whole. 

Princess (Y/N) watched, rapt. 

She worried she would never see another dragon, but there she was in the presence of one of the oldest dragons in Westeros.

“(Y/N),” a faraway voice called. 

The princess frowned. That was her father. She had to go back.

Silverwing blew more hot air towards the princess. 

It did not seem hostile but (Y/N) did not want to overstay her welcome.

“Lyks [Peace],” the princess called.

Then she turned around and walked back to her family’s campsite.

-

Alicent gripped the chair’s hand rest, her knuckles white. Her head dipped back in ecstasy. 

With her other hand she gripped the back of Ser Criston’s head tighter as she reached the peak of her pleasure.

A wave of warmth washed over her and her legs went limp. 

She slowly let go of Ser Criston as she steadied her breathing. 

When the warmth started to leave her body the image of the Dornish Princess flooded in her mind’s eye.

Alicent squeezed her eyes shut. 

It was wrong.

Ser Criston pulled away from between the Queen dowager’s thighs and stood. He crossed the room and wiped her wetness from his face. Then he poured himself a goblet of wine and took a long drink. 

The silence between them was thick with words unsaid. 

They both knew it was wrong. 

Each for different reasons.

Ser Criston knew it went against his oath as a knight of the Kingsguard, as a white cloak. 

Alicent knew it was a betrayal of her truest love, Princess (Y/N). 

She never meant for it to happen more than once. She was so lonely after (Y/N) had left, and news of Aemond’s kinslaying had just reached her. She knew war was inevitable and it all seemed too much.

And there he was, her white knight…Ser Criston. 

In a moment of weakness, Alicent allowed Ser Criston to hold her. 

He comforted Alicent. He held her while she sobbed. 

She sobbed for Lucerys. She sobbed for Aemond’s soul. She sobbed for (Y/N). 

Alicent had cried so much that night it was a miracle her tears had not flooded the Red Keep. 

Seeing the Queen dowager in such distress moved Ser Criston to action. He professed his true feelings to the Queen dowager, and his desire to console her in a different way. 

Then he kissed her. 

Alicent was taken aback at first. She wanted to pull away but Ser Criston was warm….he was warm and gentle. His devotion and loyalty shone through his lips. 

The Queen dowager desired warmth, comfort, and softness. 

So she gave in to Ser Criston. She kissed him back.

It would be just a kiss, Alicent had promised herself.

But the day after Aemond killed Lucerys Velaryon proved to be just as harrowing as the night he had flown back to the Keep. 

Alicent needed more comfort, more warmth.

And Ser Criston gave it to her so easily.

Soon the comfort became more than a kiss.

Alicent swore to herself it would only happen once.

But there Alicent sat, spent and guilty. She watched as Ser Criston donned his armor piece by piece. 

Alicent stood and pulled her stockings up her knees, and slipped her feet back into her slippers. She looked over her shoulder at Ser Criston. 

He was still putting his armor back on. 

“There’s a chill in the air,” Alicent said, hoping to make the room feel less suffocating.

Ser Criston looked up at the Queen dowager. He did not reply.

“Summer is well and truly through,” Alicent continued. 

“We are expected at the small council, your Grace,” Criston said, not meeting the Queen dowager’s gaze.

Alicent sighed aloud and approached the kingsguard.

Ser Criston finished roping his wrist armor in place. He looked up as the Queen dowager approached.

He steeled his face. He knew what she would say. She said it every time they finished. 

Alicent met Criston’s gaze.

“We cannot. Again,” Alicent whispered. 

Ser Criston nodded. “Yes, your Grace.”

He knew it was meaningless. 

In a moment of loneliness the Queen dowager would call upon him and he would give in to her. 

Though he sometimes wondered if the Queen dowager thought of him in her peaks of pleasure, or if she thought of the Dornish Princess. 

Ser Criston grabbed his white cloak from the table and raised it up to the Queen dowager. 

“If you wouldn’t mind,” he asked. 

Alicent took the cloak and quietly tacked it onto Ser Criston’s back.

Then the pair made their way to the small council hall. 

-

After a few hours of rest the caravan began anew. 

Princess (Y/N) closed her eyes and thought of Silverwing. She was elegant and graceful, her silver scales shimmered brilliantly in the fading rays of the sun. 

She had met quite a few dragons. She was most familiar with Vhagar but Helaena had once taken her to the dragon pit to see Dreamfyre and she had witnessed Aegon ride on Sunfyre one early morning at the Keep.

Nonetheless, Silverwing’s beauty was singular. 

Princess (Y/N) wondered if her dream of riding a dragon would ever come true. 

Then, as her thoughts often did since leaving King’s Landing, (Y/N)’s mind wandered to thoughts of her Alicent. 

She smiled to herself as the wheelhouse continued its journey through the boneway.

-

Exhausted after verbally sparring with her sons and father at the small council, the last person Alicent wanted to see was Lord Larys Strong. 

Unfortunately for the Queen dowager, she found him outside her chambers- waiting for her.

Alicent donned her mask of propriety and addressed him. 

He bowed his head as the Queen dowager approached. “Good morrow your Grace,” he said.

 “Good morrow Lord Larys,” Alicent replied and stopped just in front of him. 

“I’d come earlier to have a word before the small council convened but your handmaiden said that you were indisposed,” Larys said with a small, knowing, smirk. 

Alicent looked away from him and swallowed hard. Larys Strong stopped asking lewd favors of her but he still unsettled Alicent. She did not wish to linger in the shadows with him. 

“What is it you wish to discuss?”

Larys did not seem surprised by the Queen dowager’s reaction. He continued unbothered.

“I have completed questioning all of the castle staff. They produced rather interesting details but I am satisfied I have exposed all who have betrayed us.”

Alicent grew tired of speaking with Lord Larys. “And what of them?”

Larys lowered his voice.

“They no longer breathe our air. I have chosen your new staff personally.”

Dred pooled in Alicent’s stomach. She nodded slowly and turned away from Larys. 

“Thank you Lord Larys, I must see to others matters.”

Larys hobbled forwards. “There is one other matter I wish to inform you of, your Grace.”

Alicent turned back towards Lord Larys. She sighed aloud. 

“Go on,” she commanded. 

“I was just informed that the Dornish Princess’ caravan safely made it through the boneway,” Larys said, carefully studying the Queen’s reaction. 

Alicent’s eyes flickered to meet Larys’. 

He continued. “I thought your Grace would be glad to hear of it, given your close friendship with the Princess.”

The Queen dowager’s throat dried at the mention of the princess. So she cleared her throat and looked down at the ground. She turned away from Larys once again.

“Thank you for the update Lord Larys.”

Then she walked into her chambers and closed the heavy door behind her. 

Once alone she closed her eyes and sighed. 

(Y/N) was safe, Alicent was relieved to hear that, but guilt flooded her anew. 

She ordered a handmaid to draw her a bath. She suddenly felt covered in filth.

-

Princess (Y/N)’s patience with her sister was growing thin. Days on the road did not help the tensions between them. 

Thankfully the Martells arrived at Yronwood castle before the sisters resumed their bickering.

Lord Anders Yronwood welcomed the royal family at the door. At his side was his youngest son, Ser Loren Yronwood.

Princess (Y/N) greeted Lord Yronwood then wrapped her arms around Loren. 

Loren spent much of his childhood in the halls of Sunspear. His father had sent him to ward with the Martells.

Princess (Y/N) and Loren grew up together, and were each other's confidant for many years. 

Until Loren proposed to (Y/N). 

Their friendship suffered for a few years after that. Loren could not understand why (Y/N) would not marry him. He was her closest friend. He supported her desires for reading, swordplay, and adventure. Her rejection cut him deeply.

Princess (Y/N) was angry that Loren even dared to propose. Had he not listened to a word she had told him? Was he not her true friend? Did he only care for her because he felt an attraction towards her? 

Time healed both wounds.

Loren extended an olive branch and (Y/N) accepted it graciously. 

“Loren,” (Y/N) breathed as she wrapped her arms around the tall, burly, knight. 

Loren embraced (Y/N) in kind. Then he pulled away and mused her hair. “You have not changed a bit, princess.”

Lord Yronwood beckoned the family inside, and informed them supper would be ready within the hour. 

Servants led each of the family members to their chambers to freshen up. 

Princess (Y/N) fell back onto the bed and sighed. A proper bed felt nice after days of sharing a makeshift cot with Coryanne.

While resting an idea formed in (Y/N)’s mind. 

She had to find the castle’s library.

The Princess had visited the castle once or twice in her girlhood but she always had Loren to guide her. 

Princess (Y/N) stood from her bed and walked out of her chambers. She roamed the halls, and asked servants for directions, until she reached the keep’s library.

Once she found it she scoured the shelves for maps. She needed every map of Westeros she could find.

She needed to know what the fastest way back to King’s Landing would be from Sunspear. 

The Princess thought about leaving her family to return to Alicent but she had no way of traveling on her own.

So she continued to pour over the maps in the library.

A knock at the door pulled the Princess from her thoughts. 

She looked up to see her sister enter. 

Princess (Y/N) groaned. “What are you doing here,” she asked.

Princess Coryanne sat in front of (Y/N), a satisfied smirk on her face. 

“I knew you would be in the castle library.”

Princess (Y/N) returned her gaze to the maps on the desk in front of her. 

“I wish to be alone.”

“I don’t care what you wish,” Coryanne replied. 

Princess Coryanne leaned towards the desk and peered at the maps. 

“What are you looking at maps for?”

Princess (Y/N) pulled the maps towards her. “That is none of your concern.”

“Father will never let you return (Y/N), and you cannot be so foolish to think about returning alone,” Coryanne chided. 

(Y/N) shrugged. 

Princess Coryanne let out an exasperated sigh. “I will never understand why you are so intent on your own demise.”

Then she left Princess (Y/N) alone in the library. 

The tension in (Y/N)’s shoulders left as soon as the doors shut behind her sister. She put the maps to the side and realized that the right moment would never come for her to leave. She had to do it before she got any further away.

But she would need coin. 

So she went to Loren’s chambers. 

He was sat in front of the hearth and smiled when (Y/N) entered.

“Princess (Y/N), I was just going to fetch you. A handmaid informed me supper is ready.”

He crossed the room to meet the princess by the door.

Princess (Y/N) returned the knight’s smile. 

“Wonderful, but uhm…I came to ask a favor of you.”

Loren furrowed his brow. “A favor?”

“Mhm,” the princess nodded slowly.

Princess (Y/N) knew that her favor would be a large imposition. She had never requested coin from anyone before, not even her own father. Money was not something she ever had to think about.

“What is it you need of me Princess,” Loren asked. 

(Y/N)  took a deep breath. She let it out slowly and looked away from Loren.

“It is a bit embarrassing for me to ask but I am in great need of it and you are one of the few people I can trust wholeheartedly,” the princess explained. 

Loren stepped closer towards Princess (Y/N). “Anything, just ask it.”

Princess (Y/N) met Loren’s gaze. “I need you to procure some coin for me. Ideally enough for passage and lodging for a couple of weeks across a large distance.”

Loren’s brow furrowed once more. “Passage and lodging where? If it’s coin you need, can't you ask your father?”

The princess reached out and grabbed hold of Loren’s hands. “No, my father cannot know.” 

Then she gave the knight’s hands a squeeze. “I cannot tell you very much of my plans. I’m sorry for that friend but I need your help. When I am able I will pay the debt twofold. I promise.”

Loren looked into the Princess’ gaze, hoping to find more answers. All he found was fear, and worry. 

So he softened.  

“As you have said, we are friends. I will get you what you need and you do not have to worry about the debt.”

Princess (Y/N) wrapped her arms around Loren’s shoulders. She buried her face in his shoulder. 

“Thank you Loren.”

Loren wrapped his arms around the princess and sighed. Though years had passed and he knew all that could be between them was friendship his true feelings of love tugged at him. 

He would do anything for (Y/N).

“Think nothing of it. Now, let us join the rest of your family and mine for supper.”

The princess pulled away from the knight and together they made their way to the great hall for supper.

-

The handmaidens gently poured sweet smelling oils and pitchers of hot water into the tub. 

Alicent pulled her knees towards her chest.

Her mind filled with thoughts of (Y/N). 

And of her betrayal. 

One of the handmaids dipped a sponge into the warm water and started to scrub at the Queen dowager’s hand. 

Alicent watched but her mind was elsewhere. 

She recalled the morning of (Y/N)’s leave. 

The Princess wrapped her arms around the Queen. 

“I am yours,” she whispered into the Queen’s shoulder. 

Tears started to prick at the corners of Alicent’s eyes. 

So she tore her hand away from the handmaiden and took the sponge with her.

“Give me that,” Alicent snapped.

The handmaiden startled. 

“Your grace?”

The Queen dowager looked down at the water and blinked her tears away. Then she began to clean herself. “Just leave me.”

The young women in front of her did not move. They looked towards one another.

The Queen dowager continued to scrub at her arm.

“Just leave me,” she commanded once more. 

This time she looked up at each one of them. 

“Just leave,” she repeated. 

The handmaidens stood and left the Queen dowager alone at once. 

Alicent scrubbed her arm then her shoulder.

Her eyes jerked to the chair in the corner of the room. The same chair where just hours earlier she had reached the peak of her climax thanks to Ser Criston. 

Alicent started to scrub harder.

Then her eyes darted to her bed. The very bed where she had slept with (Y/N), where she gave herself over to her truest love, where she felt alive and truly loved.

And the same bed where she had slept with Ser Criston just a day after the Princess departed the Keep.

The tears she had blinked away returned. 

They streamed down the sides of Alicent’s face and cooled the bath water as they fell. 

Alicent’s skin turned red as she continued to scrub harder and harder. 

She was too filthy to get clean. 

So she stopped. 

She dropped the sponge into the tub and covered her face with her hands. 

Everything was ruined and she could not fix it. She could not stop the war that was to come. She could not get Aegon to heed her wisdom. 

And she had sullied her love with betrayal.

Alicent wiped the tears from her face and dipped her head back onto the edge of the tub. She closed her eyes and steadied her breath.

Her only comfort was that the Dornish princess would never know of the betrayal. She would be safe with her family in Sunspear. 

Far away from war and from Alicent’s filth.

-

The air was filled with scents of anise and allspice. Laughter and cheers rang out across the great table. 

Princess (Y/N) sat between her elder sister and her childhood friend Loren. 

It felt like home to (Y/N). 

Unlike supper at the Red Keep.

But even amongst the laughter, music, and revelry of Yronwood castle (Y/N)’s heart tugged with longing for intimate dinners with Alicent and breaking fast with Aemond in the library of the Red Keep. 

That had started to feel like home too.

Princess (Y/N)’s smile faded from her lips. She looked down at her plate of food and pushed around the roast lamb with her fork. 

Princess Coryanne noticed (Y/N)’s change in demeanor. What spell had the Queen cast upon her sister? 

Lord Yronwood held a hand up to silence the table. 

When everyone stilled he stood and raised a goblet.  He toasted to Prince Qoren Martell, to the health of his heir Princess Aliandra Martell, and to the good fortune of Dorne. 

Everyone at the table raised their cups and cheered.

Then the conversation at the table turned towards the latest news out of King’s Landing. 

One of the bannermen for the Yronwoods discussed the death of Lucery’s Velaryon with Qoren. 

Princess (Y/N)’s ears perked up at the familiar name. “Lucerys Velaryon has died?”

The men turned towards the young princess. 

Prince Qoren cleared his throat and his gaze met (Y/N)’s. 

“Yes, I was informed when we arrived that Prince Lucerys, and his dragon, were killed above Storm’s End.”

Princess (Y/N) furrowed her brows. “Storm’s End?”

She recalled Aemond was on his way there to secure Lord Baratheon’s support for Aegon. 

“Is Prince Aemond alright?” (Y/N) asked. 

Silence enveloped the room. Even the musicians stopped.

Prince Qoren looked over at Coryanne then back at (Y/N).

“(Y/N), it was Prince Aemond who slayed Prince Lucerys.”

Princess (Y/N)’s stomach twisted. “No that’s….that’s not possible. Aemond- Prince Aemond would never do such a thing,” she insisted and shook her head. 

Princess Coryanne reached out and covered her sister’s hand with her own. “(Y/N).”

(Y/N) pulled her hand away from her sister. “No, he couldn’t have done that.”

Then she met her father’s gaze. 

Her eyes begged him to tell her it was a lie. To tell her it was a cruel joke Coryanne asked of him. Anything.

Prince Qoren sighed. “Coryanne, I think your sister needs to retire for the night.”

Princess Coryanne nodded. “Yes father.” 

Then she stood and turned to her sister. 

Princess (Y/N) would not look away from her father. 

Her father would not meet her gaze.

Princess Coryanne tugged at her sister’s arm. 

(Y/N) swallowed hard, looked down, then stood from her seat and followed her sister out of the great hall. 

The music and laughter resumed as the sisters made their leave.

-

Alicent gathered her skirts and held them as she continued down the stairs. 

She crossed the foyer and noticed Aemond readying a horse. 

“Aemond, where are you going,” Alicent asked as she approached. 

The prince did not respond. 

Alicent closed the distance between them. She asked Aemond once again. 

“To be anywhere but here,” Aemond muttered.

Alicent softened. “Aemond, I know it has been arduous but-”

“Arduous?” Aemond scoffed. He turned to face his mother. “You know nothing of how difficult these last few days have been for me.”

Alicent reached out to cup Aemond’s face but he turned away from her. Alicent frowned.

“Aemond please, you can’t go out and make rash decisions. Not right now.”

The silver haired prince shook his head. “Something rash.” Aemond met his mother’s gaze once again. “Such as flying to Dorne and bringing Princess (Y/N) back?” he asked defiantly.

Alicent straightened at the mention of the Dornish princess. 

“You know you cannot bring her back. She is no longer your betrothed.”

Aemond clenched his jaw. “Because grandsire made Aegon give her family leave. You should have insisted they stay and declare for Aegon.”

“We could not keep them prisoner, Aemond,” Alicent replied, exasperated. “Would you have us fight two wars?” 

Aemond stepped away from his mother and ran a hand through his hair. “She would have convinced them to join us.” Then he turned back towards the Queen dowager. “She should be here, with us,” he declared.

Alicent laced her fingers in front of her. She took a breath then met Aemond’s gaze.

“And what would she have thought when you returned with news of killing Lucerys Velaryon?”

Aemond stilled, he looked away from Alicent.

Alicent continued.“She cannot come back, above all for her own safety.”

A guard walked over to the Queen dowager and informed her the wheelhouse was ready to take her to the great Sept.

Alicent thanked the guard then turned back toward her son.

“It’s what’s best,” she told him.

Aemond did not meet her gaze. He pursed his lips. “Best for whom, I wonder,” he spat then marched back inside the Keep.

Alicent let out a great sigh then turned to walk to the wheelhouse. She would light a candle and pray for Aemond.

-

Princess (Y/N) sat at the table in her chambers with a quill, ink, and parchment. She decided she would write to Alicent.

If what the bannerman said at supper was true then Alicent and Aemond needed her support more than ever.

There had to be an explanation for Aemond’s actions. Sure, he could be brash and impulsive, and he hated his cousin, but Aemond was no kinslayer. 

There had to be more that had been left out of the gossip.

A knock at the door tore the Princess out of her thoughts. 

“Enter,” she called out.

Loren walked into the room. “I hope you are doing alright (Y/N).”

Princess (Y/N) stood and walked towards Loren. 

“The news was a lot to take in,” she confessed. 

Loren nodded then reached into the bag at his side and pulled out a small pouch. 

“Here, full of golden dragons. More than enough for passage and lodging wherever you wish to go.”

He handed it to (Y/N). 

Princess (Y/N) took it. It was quite heavy and upon opening it (Y/N) confirmed it would be more than enough for her needs. 

“Thank you Loren.”

Loren shook his head. “No thanks necessary.” 

Princess (Y/N) smiled at him then tucked the pouch into a safe place.

Loren cleared his throat and the princess turned back towards him. 

“Will you tell me where you plan to go,” he asked.

Princess (Y/N) sighed. “I suppose I owe you as much.”

Loren shook his head once more. “You owe me nothing, but I do worry for your safety.”

Princess (Y/N) crossed her arms against her chest and told Loren the truth of her plans.

“Upon my family’s return to Sunspear I will pack a few items then seek passage back to King’s Landing.”

Loren furrowed his brows. “King’s Landing?”

Princess (Y/N) nodded. 

“For Prince Aemond?” Loren asked incredulously.

“Not exactly,” (Y/N) replied. Her hands dropped back down to her sides. “I am needed there.”

Loren stroked his beard pensively. “And you’re sure of this?”

“I’m certain,” the princess replied.

Loren dropped his hand from his face and sighed. “Then I wish you luck on your travels.”

Princess (Y/N) wrapped her arms around the knight’s shoulders. “Thank you, my dear friend.”

The princess swore the knight to secrecy before his departure from her chambers. 

He promised he would not tell another soul of her plans.

When Loren left, (Y/N) resumed writing her letter to Alicent.

She knew her letter would be a decent balm on Alicent’s heart until she arrived.

-

Upon her return from the sept, Alicent found Ser Criston seated near the fireplace in her chambers with his armor set aside and only in his undershirt.

“Ser Criston,” Alicent said, startled.

Ser Criston stood from his seat. “Your Grace.”

“What are you doing here,” Alicent asked, though she knew exactly why.

Ser Criston looked down at his hands. “I thought you might require my company.”

Alicent swallowed hard then looked away from Ser Criston.

“Your protection is the only thing I will require from you moving forward, Ser.”

Then she crossed the room towards the table with the pitcher of wine. She poured herself a fresh cup, her back to Ser Criston.

“Your Grace I thought-,” Ser Criston began, confused at the change in the Queen dowager’s demeanour.

Alicent whirled on her heels. “You thought wrong.”

Ser Criston stood, mouth agape. “Oh.”

A tense silence filled the room.

Alicent took a long drink from her goblet then met Ser Criston’s gaze.

“Is that all Ser Criston?”

Ser Criston furrowed his brow.

“Have I done something wrong, your Grace?”

Alicent sighed. “No.”

Ser Criston walked towards the Queen dowager and closed the distance between them.

“Have I not pleased your Grace?”

His chest heaved just a breath away from the Queen dowager’s.

Alicent looked away from Ser Criston, blush tinting her cheeks.

“It’s not that.”

Ser Criston searched the Queen dowager’s face for any answer. 

He found none. 

His heart sank.

If it was not him, not a slight he had accidentally made against her Grace, then it could only be one thing. 

Or rather, one person, that plagued the Queen dowager’s mind.

“Is it Princess (Y/N)?” he asked, his voice just above a whisper.

Alicent’s eyes darted back towards Ser Criston. 

Ser Criston noticed the alarm in the Queen dowager’s eyes. He softened.

“I know you held a certain…affection for her.” 

The blush deepend in Alicent’s cheeks. She looked away from Ser Criston once more, unable to bear the weight of his gaze.

There was his answer.

Ser Criston clenched his jaw. He thought the Queen dowager’s torrid dalliance was behind her. 

Jealousy bubbled inside him. 

Then he sighed aloud, defeated.

“If it would help, you could think of her when I am…,” Ser Criston said then cleared his throat.

Alicent’s gaze returned to Ser Criston. 

He lowered his gaze to their bodies and gestured towards the Queen dowager’s skirts.

Blush turned to red hot embarrassment on Alicent’s face. 

She brought her cup up to her lips and downed the rest of the wine.

Ser Criston’s gaze returned to the Queen dowager.

Alicent could not look at him. 

She suddenly felt even worse about her affair with him and her betrayal of the Dornish princess.

Thankfully the conversation would end there. 

Helaena rushed into the Queen dowager’s chambers with her daughter, Jaehaera, in her arms.

Ser Criston immediately stepped away from the Queen dowager.

Alicent noticed the distress in her daughter’s face. “Helaena?”

Helaena did not answer. She walked behind the partition in Alicent’s apartment and sank to the ground against the room’s wall. 

Alicent followed her daughter. 

“What’s happened?”

Helaena started to rock back and forth, her daughter still in her arms. 

“They killed the boy.”

The Queen dowager and Ser Criston shared a horrified look before they heard the screams outside in the halls. 

-

Princess (Y/N) was startled awake in the early hours of dawn.

Her sister’s hair tickled her nose as she woke.

“(Y/N),” she heard her sister call. 

(Y/N)’s eyes fluttered open. 

“Cory?”

Princess Coryanne’s face was wracked with worry. 

“A raven has just come from King’s Landing.”

(Y/N) sat up in bed and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. “King’s landing?”

“I thought you would want to know. It came for father but I have a guard inform me any time he receives news,” Coryanne explained.

“What is the news?” (Y/N) probed.

Princess Coryanne took a deep, slow, breath before she continued. “They have killed the new Queen’s son.”

“Helaena’s son?” (Y/N) asked incredulously. 

The elder sister nodded. 

Princess (Y/N) furrowed her brow. “But he’s just a boy. Who would do such a thing?”

“That is not known but I assume it was Princess Rhaenyra, or someone who is loyal to her, in revenge for her own son’s murder.”

(Y/N)’s vision blurred as tears formed in her eyes. How could anyone order the murder of such a young, innocent, boy?

Surely Princess Rhaenyra would not be capable of such depravity.

Princess Coryanne placed a comforting hand atop (Y/N)’s. 

“I needed to tell you (Y/N). If the Targaryens will not hesitate to kill an innocent boy of their own blood they will not hesitate to put you in harm’s way,” Coryanne warned.

(Y/N) frowned. “How could you even think that?”

Princess Coryane pulled her hand away from her sister and smoothed the skirts of her dress. “I know you think me uncaring (Y/N) but you are my sister, you are my family. I do not want to see you killed, or worse, for a woman that does not truly love you.”

Anger shot up inside of the younger sister. Of course Coryanne took the death of a poor boy to manipulate her against Alicent. 

“What could a woman as cold and conniving as you know of true love,” (Y/N) spat thoughtlessly.

No sooner than the words had come out of her mouth did (Y/N) regret them.

Princess Coryanne raised her hand and slapped her sister’s cheek.

Princess (Y/N)’s head jerked to the side. She held her cheek.

“You could never understand what my Edric and I shared before his untimely passing. A love lived so fully and in the light, one you will never know,” Coryanne declared, her nostrils flaring with each word.

(Y/N) looked down at the furs of the bed. Coryanne had pushed her and she pushed her sister in turn but (Y/N) had crossed a line. She knew that.

“I’m sorry Cory. My words were thoughtless.”

Princess (Y/N) took her sister’s silence as acceptance of her apology. She brought her gaze back up to her sister’s and looked at her pleadingly.

“But what Alicent and I share is just as special as what you and Lord Edric had. I must get back to her.”

Tears streamed down the sides of Princess Coryanne’s face. The memory of her deceased betrothed too much for her to bear.

“She does not wish for you to return,” Coryanne replied as she wiped the tears with a handkerchief.

(Y/N)’s brow furrowed. “How would you know?”

Princess Coryanne blew her nose with the handkerchief then met her sister’s gaze. “As we made our leave that morning in King’s Landing she whispered to me to ensure you never returned.”

(Y/N) shook her head. “You misunderstood her.”

“(Y/N) when will you understand your love for her will be your undoing,” Coryanne asked with a large sigh.

Princess (Y/N) shrugged her shoulders. “Perhaps she will be my undoing, but I would rather die beside her than live without her.”

“Foolish girl,” Coryanne chided, then stood from the bed. 

Princess Coryanne made her way towards the door, opened it, then turned back to her sister. 

She opened her mouth as if to speak then closed it. She shook her head then took her leave. 

Princess (Y/N) had come to a decision during her conversation with her sister. She could not wait until they reached Sunspear to return to Alicent. 

With the news of Prince Jaehaerys’ passing (Y/N)’s return was needed more than ever. 

So the princess stood from her bed and got dressed. Then she made her way towards her trunks and filled a sheepskin bag with clean undergarments, and the bag of coin Loren had procured for her.

Finally, Princess (Y/N) donned her cloak and made her way towards the door. There she turned back to see if she had forgotten anything. 

An open trunk with all of her books brought a sad smile to (Y/N)’s lips. In another time she would have brought one or two for the journey ahead of her but such girlhood folly was behind her. 

No book could prepare her for what laid ahead.

-

Princess (Y/N) knelt in front of the statue of the Mother in the small sept inside Yronwood castle. 

The Yronwoods were the most devout of the Dornish families. 

(Y/N) lit a candle for Prince Jaehaerys, Queen Helaena, and for Alicent. They would all need the Mother’s strength.

In the sanctity of the sept she felt closer to Alicent. 

Princess (Y/N) closed her eyes and prayed for them.

“When the handmaid stirred me from my sleep at such an hour I thought it would be to inform me of grave news, not to be summoned by you,” Loren chided as he entered the sept.

Princess (Y/N) stood from the altar and crossed the room towards Loren.

“I’m sorry for waking you at this hour Loren but I am in need of another favor from you.”

Loren nodded slowly. “What is it?”

“I need a horse. Any horse your family can spare.”

(Y/N) bit the inside of her cheek. She had asked so much of Loren in such a short time.

Loren’s brow rose in surprise.

“A horse? What for?”

(Y/N) steadied her breath. “I have to leave for King’s Landing this very morning.”

Loren let out a nervous laugh. “(Y/N) that is madness.”

“I have no choice. They need me in King’s Landing.” Princess (Y/N) closed the distance between her and Loren. She placed a hand on his chest to stress the importance of her quest. 

Loren sighed and shook his head. 

“You cannot travel by horse on your own.”

(Y/N)’s hand dropped from Loren’s chest. She turned away from him, frustrated. “I am not a child, Loren. I know to be cautious.”

Loren crossed his arms against his chest. 

“You are a woman, a high born one at that. You will not make it through the boneway alone.”

(Y/N)’s nerves frayed with every moment that passed. She turned back to face Loren. “I have to leave now, Loren,” she pleaded.

Loren put a hand up to quiet the Princess. “I won’t stop you princess but I cannot let you leave alone,” he explained.

Princess (Y/N) shook her head. “No, I could not ask that of you.”

“Then it is good you are not asking,” he replied with a small smile.

Princess (Y/N) tilted her head and met the knight’s gaze. “Why would you risk your life for me?”

“The same reason you are risking your life for Prince Aemond.”

Not Aemond, (Y/N) thought to herself.

Princess (Y/N) nodded slowly. “Alright, let us depart at once.” 

“Wonderful,” Loren said and clapped his hands together. He let out a small hum then said, “I’ll have my men ready two horses. Meet me at the stables in fifteen minutes. We’ll need to leave quickly. Thankfully, most of the household has yet to wake.”

Princess (Y/N) agreed to meet the knight at the stables. Then he left to gather his things and ready the horses for their leave.

Now alone, (Y/N) debated her next move. A part of her wanted to say goodbye to her sister and father. She did not want them to worry. 

But could she defy her father if he forbade her from leaving?

Then she sighed. She knew she owed her father an explanation.

So the princess made her way to the guest chambers where her father slept. A guard outside his door bowed his head to her as she arrived. 

“Good morrow Princess. Shall I announce your arrival to your father?”

(Y/N) gnawed on the inside of her cheek. 

Was this the right decision?

“Princess?” The guard asked.

Princess (Y/N) shook her head. “It’s alright. I shall speak with him when we break fast.”

The guard nodded. “Very well princess.”

(Y/N) turned around and made her way towards the castle stables. 

She had a hard journey ahead of her, she could not let her streak of cowardice continue.

-

Alicent hung her head in shame, her curls loose about her face. Tears continued to stream down her face.

Her father sat behind her, facing the hearth. He spoke calmly. 

“The gates have been shut. The search progresses. The villain will be found, we mustn't be shaken by this.”

Alicent shook her head. How could he be so resolute after such an act of depravity?

Otto Hightower continued. “This act, the child-”

“The child is dead,” Alicent snapped. She raised her head but did not look at her father. “His pain has ended but what they’ve done to my- to my girl,” Alicent stuttered. 

Her chest started to heave uncontrollably. She could not control her breathing. The tears continued to blur her vision.

Otto rose from his seat. “Yes and,” he began and crossed the room towards his daughter. “- they will pay for this,” he declared and placed a comforting hand on his daughter’s back.

Alicent shrugged off her father’s hand. She turned towards the window of her chambers.

“Who will pay?

Her father sighed.

“Whoever’s hand did this or caused it to be done,” he replied, slightly irritated.

Alicent turned to face her father. Her breathing had steadied but the tears had not stopped. Alicent wrapped her arms around her waist.

“And what if the hand who's done it is not the one who must be blamed?” She asked him, her gaze fixed on the ground. 

Her father did not respond, he let out another sigh.

Alicent shook her head then sank into the seat in front of her. She covered her face with her hands. “The gods punish us. They punish me,” she cried.

Otto approached his daughter.

“For what sin?”

Alicent looked up at her father, her lip quivering. 

Otto Hightowered lowered his head and whispered to his daughter, “We mourn as we must but some good may yet come of this.”

Alicent furrowed her brows. What could her father possibly mean? It was clear to her that the Gods were punishing her for her wickedness.

-

Princess (Y/N) walked out to the castle stables. She rounded the corner to enter them and stopped short when she realized her sister stood before her.

“Cory.”

Princess Coryanne stood at the entrance of the stables, her arms folded against her chest.

“I knew you were going to do something foolish.”

(Y/N) scoffed and attempted to push past her sister.

Princess Coryanne placed a hand against her sister’s chest and pushed her back.

Princess (Y/N) struggled against Coryanne’s grip.

“I need to go. Alicent needs me.”

Princess Coryanne brought her face close to her sister’s.

“Your family needs you,” she declared. “Do we not matter anymore?”

Princess (Y/N) stopped her struggle. She took a few steps back and Coryanne dropped her hand from her sister’s chest.

“Father has you,” (Y/N) replied. “Besides, Aliandra is his heir. I am not needed here.”

Princess Coryanne shook her head.“Father will disown you. What will you do then?”

(Y/N) began to respond but her sister raised a hand to quiet her.

Princess Coryanne continued. 

“Or worse, he won’t forsake you and you will drag Dorne into a needless war. Thousands of good Dornish men will perish as their ancestors did to dragons, and for what? So the Queen dowager can fuck you like a common whore?”

Anger once again rose inside of (Y/N). She shoved her sister.

“Do not speak of her like that.”

Princess Coryanne steadied herself then stepped in front of (Y/N) once more.

“You fight so fiercely for her but I doubt she would do the same for you.”

Princess (Y/N) sighed. She was tired of Coryanne’s games.

“I don’t care.”

Coryanne stared at her sister, utterly dumbfounded. “You don’t care?”

(Y/N) shook her head. “If I am a fool then I am a fool. If Alicent is my demise then I gladly go towards her.”

Princess Coryanne approached her sister and cupped (Y/N)’s face with her hands.

“I cannot lose you too sister.”

(Y/N) softened. “I’m sorry, but I have to go to her.”

Princess Coryanne sighed. “Will you truly not be swayed against such folly?”

(Y/N) shook her head once more.

“Alright then,” Coryanne replied, defeated. She dropped her hands from her sister’s face and reached into the pocket of her dress. 

Princess Coryanne brought forth a coin purse. She handed it to (Y/N).

Her sister took it hesitantly. “What is this?”

Princess Coryanne wrapped her sister’s hands around the coin purse.

“Keep it well hidden. I know you asked Loren for coin but you will need to keep more close to you.”

(Y/N) nodded. “Thank you Cory.”

Then the younger sister tucked the coin purse into her sheepskin bag.

Princess Coryanne’s eyes swept over her sister, one last time. Then she brought her sister against her. She wrapped her arms around (Y/N)’s shoulders.

“Please be safe (Y/N). Care for her but do not forget to care for yourself,” she whispered.

(Y/N) wrapped her arms around her sister. “I will,” she promised.

Coryanne slowly pulled away from (Y/N). She held her sister at arm’s length.

“Tell father I am sorry, tell him not to worry,” (Y/N) requested.

Princess Coryanne nodded and gave her sister a small smile. 

“Write as soon as you are able.”

(Y/N) returned Coryanne’s smile. “I will.” 

Princess (Y/N) turned to walk into the stables but her sister pulled her back into another embrace.

(Y/N) let out a small laugh but she wrapped her arms around her sister once again. She gave her sister a tight squeeze.

“I love you Cory,” (Y/N) whispered into her sister’s shoulder.

Princess Coryanne pulled away from her sister once more and placed a kiss on (Y/N)’s forehead.

“I love you too baby sister,” Coryanne replied with tears in her eyes.

(Y/N) pulled away from her sister before she saw the tears fall. She knew she would not have the strength to leave if they did.

She did not look back as she walked into the stables. 

-

Helaena clutched a green blanket with golden embroidery. 

Alicent entered the room quietly. She knew she had to be gentle with Helaena.

“There is to be a funeral for Jahaerys,” she said evenly.

Helaena did not turn to look at her mother. She let the blanket drop to her side.

Alicent stepped forwards. “We’ve been asked to ride in a wagon behind his body.” 

At this Helaena turned to face her mother. 

“I don’t want to,” she protested.

Alicent continued forward. “Neither do I,” she confessed.

Helaena shook her head. 

Alicent sighed. “But when a thing like this happens, a blow to the king is a blow to the realm. When the people share our grief they draw closer to us,” she explained.

Helaena crossed the room away from her mother. 

“I don’t want them closer. I don’t know them.”

Alicent stepped towards her daughter. “Sometimes we have to pretend.”

Helaena turned and met her mother’s gaze.

“Why?”

Alicent folded her hands in front of her. “We are representatives of the throne, we have a duty.”

Helaena frowned.

Alicent once again began to close the distance between them. “Helaena, what you saw last night when you came to my room-”

Helaena resumed shaking her head. She shoved the blanket into her mother’s hands then turned away from her once more.

“For my boy,” she said.

Then Helaena reached for the wooden dragon figure on the table. She caressed the rough edges and smiled fondly at it.

Alicent took a deep breath then began anew. “What you saw Helaena-”

Helaena once again cut her mother off. “The princess is on her way home,” she declared.

Alicent furrowed her brow. “Yes dear, Princess (Y/N)’s family is safely on their way home.”

“No,” Helaena insisted. “(Y/N) is on her way home. She will be here soon.” 

The Queen dowager’s stomach sank. The princess was the last person she wished to see. If she could not protect her daughter or her grandson she would not be able to protect her lover. 

Not from those that sought her family’s destruction and not from Alicent herself.

-

Hours on horseback left a deep soreness in Princess (Y/N)’s thighs. She ached for respite. 

Thankfully Loren informed her they were near the Wyl. They would make camp and let the horses rest and drink.

Princess (Y/N) recalled her family making camp in a similar area. She briefly wondered if the dragon would still be in the clearing. 

She helped Loren set up a small tent and watched as he made a fire. The sun was high in the sky but as they traveled North the sun’s warmth did not reach them the way it did in Dorne.

“How long will we stay here,” (Y/N) asked. 

She did not want to dally for too long. 

Loren stood and dusted himself off. “Not very long. The horses will need about an hour or two of rest then we may resume our journey.”

Princess (Y/N) nodded. “Good.”

Loren sat against the wide base of a tree. “You should get some sleep. You were up even earlier than I was.”

“I’m alright, you can rest if you’d like.”

Loren nodded. “Alright then, just don’t wander off and alert me if you hear anything.”

“Okay,” (Y/N) promised.

Then the knight closed his eyes and soon his breath slowed in a deep sleep.

Princess (Y/N) curiosity grew, she had to know if the dragon was still in the clearing. She knew it was unlikely…but the thought gnawed at her.

So she stood and walked into the woods. She did not recall the path she had taken exactly but figured she could find her way.

Sure enough, she soon emerged into the clearing where just days ago the ancient dragon Silverwing had nested.

(Y/N) frowned.

Silverwing was not there.

The wind whipped through the trees. Prince (Y/N) drew her cloak tighter around her then she turned and returned the way she had come.

-

The Queen dowager watched as the maid finished pouring the last pitcher of hot water. She bowed her head towards the Queen dowager then took her leave. 

Alicent followed the handmaid out to the door. She stared at the back of Ser Criston’s head. 

“Have you told anyone?”

Ser Criston looked back at the Queen dowager in disbelief.

“What do you take me for?”

The Queen dowager swallowed hard, her voice quivered when she spoke. “One who seeks absolution.”

Ser Criston’s gaze fell to the floor.

“There is none for what I have done,” he whispered.

Alicent closed the door and walked back to the bathtub. She quickly undressed and lowered herself into the tub.

She submerged her body and head below the water. Alicent was tired. She needed the world to slow down. Too much happened too soon. 

Alicent opened her eyes while under water and watched as her breath left her. 

The Queen dowager laid there until her lungs began to burn. She resurfaced begging for air. 

Alicent filled her lungs then let out soft cries. 

-

Princess (Y/N) and her companion Ser Loren Yronwood rode their horses for hours, well into the night. 

As it neared the hour of the bat they reached a small village along the King’s road. 

Ser Loren suggested they stay in an inn for the night and continue their travel on the morrow. 

The princess did not want to stop; she wanted to see her love.

But she knew to listen to Loren. He had seen much more of the world than she. 

So they paid for a room at the local inn. They posed as husband and wife to guarantee their safety. 

Then Loren led the princess to the tavern nearby for supper. 

At the tavern, they heard word of the funeral procession for the young Prince Jahaerys. 

Ser Loren looked at princess (Y/N). 

Princess (Y/N) schooled her features into one of passive indifference. 

Upon their return to the inn Loren informed the princess he would sleep on the ground. 

The princess thanked Loren for his chivalry. 

The following morning (Y/N) awoke before Ser Loren. 

She wrapped her cloak around herself  and crossed the room to the window. She opened the window and took in a deep breath of fresh air. 

(Y/N) was so close to Alicent but still so far away. They would venture another full day of travel before they reached the gates of King’s Landing.

As she gazed out onto the village she noticed a looming shadow in the clouds above. The shadow formed into a familiar shape. 

So she hastily grabbed her slippers and put them on. Then she raced down and out of the inn. She ran to the end of the road and watched as the shadow dipped closer, under the cover of the clouds. 

It was a dragon. 

Princess (Y/N) smiled. 

The dragon dropped closer and (Y/N) realized it was Silverwing. Her heart raced. 

Silverwing dipped down into the forest surrounding the village. 

An idea formed in her mind. 

She returned to the inn to find Loren, his armor hastily put on, at the door. 

“(Y/N)! I was so worried,” he exclaimed.

Princess (Y/N) smiled sheepishly. “My apologies Loren, I saw something and had to go outside to get a better view.”

“You could have woken me up to accompany you,” Loren chided with a sigh.

The princess pushed past Loren to enter the room.

“Well you’re awake now, so accompany me.”

Loren furrowed his brow. “Where?”

(Y/N) handed Loren some coins from her sheepskin bag. 

“Go buy a pig while I get dressed.”

“A pig? A whole pig?” Loren’s brow remained furrowed.

Princess (Y/N) nodded. “Yes, now go.”

Loren sighed but turned towards the door. 

The princess began to undo the knot of her cloak when she recalled she had something else for Loren to do. 

“Wait,” she called. 

Loren stopped and turned back towards the princess. 

“Yes princess?”

The princess walked up to Loren and handed him a small rolled up scroll. 

“Please send this raven to my father. It’s just to let him know we’ll be in King’s Landing by the time it reaches him, and that we are alright.”

Loren nodded then walked out of the room. 

Princess (Y/N) quickly changed into her dress from the previous day and ran a comb through her hair to tidy it into a braid. 

Then she collected her things and made her way outside. There she found Ser Loren, with a pig at the end of a piece of rope.

“One pig,” he said and handed the reins over to (Y/N). 

Princess (Y/N) thanked him then led him into the forest nearby. 

After a few minutes of walking Loren asked (Y/N) what they were walking to.

“A dragon,” (Y/N) responded nonchalantly.

Ser Loren stopped walking.

“A dragon? Are you mad?”

Princess (Y/N) stopped and turned around to face Loren.

“You can stay here if you would like. I am not afraid.”

Loren frowned. “I’m not afraid either.”

“Sure you aren’t,” (Y/N) replied then turned back towards the forest.

She continued through the trees until she saw the outline she was looking for. 

In the distance she could see something large and grey. 

Princess (Y/N) smiled and picked up her pace. 

She reached the edge of the forest, and just on the other side was the clearing. Her eyes raked over the resting dragon. 

Silverwing was as magnificent as she had recalled.

Ser Loren remained farther back. He had never seen a dragon so close, and he did not wish to get closer. 

“Princess (Y/N), perhaps we should leave. This is not safe,” he whispered.

The princess sighed. “It’s alright Loren. She won’t hurt us unless we give her reason to. Stay there,” she commanded. 

Then she walked into the clearing, the pig in tow. 

Silverwing’s eyes fluttered open at the sound of footsteps nearing. She turned her head towards (Y/N), and blew smoke in her face. 

Princess (Y/N) closed her eyes and let the heat wash over her. 

When it passed she opened them and called out to Silverwing. 

“Gīda gēlenka tīkun, gīda (Peace silverwing, peace),” (Y/N) cooed.

She inched forward with the pig then weighed down the rope with a nearby rock so the pig could not flee. 

Then she walked backwards. 

“Ipradagon (Eat),” Princess (Y/N) commanded.

Silverwing blew more smoke out of her nose then swallowed the pig whole. Her throat hummed contentedly. 

Princess (Y/N)’s body inched forward once more. 

Loren called out for her. “Alright princess, you fed the beast now let’s go.”

But Princess (Y/N) didn’t want to.

She continued forward. 

Silverwing turned her attention towards (Y/N). 

The dragon blew out more hot smoke towards (Y/N), a warning…or a welcome.

“Gīda gēlenka tīkun (peace silverwing).”

Princess (Y/N) continued towards the dragon. 

The dragon swerved her head to the other side. 

The princess closed the gap and placed her palm against the dragon’s throat. 

It was hot, just like Vhagar’s. 

(Y/N) smiled wide.

She had done this all on her own. 

But Silverwing started to stir. She raised her neck and started to flap her wings.

And before the princess knew it Loren was pulling her back towards the trees. 

Princess (Y/N) watched Silverwing fly away. 

Her heart raced in her chest. 

“That was madness,” Loren said as he tried to catch his own breath. 

(Y/N) looked back towards him and smiled. 

Loren shook his head and released the princess. “I have never heard of anyone touching a dragon that wasn’t a Targaryen or dragonkeeper. Perhaps you truly were meant to be one?”

“A dragon keeper or Targaryen?” Princess (Y/N) countered.

“Both,” Loren replied. 

The pair shared a laugh.

Loren straightened himself out. “Let’s head back to the tavern to break fast then get our horses and be on our way.”

Princess (Y/N) nodded. “Will we make it to King’s Landing by nightfall?”

“Not exactly, we’ll be just short of the hour of the wolf.”

Princess (Y/N) sighed. “Lovely.”

The pair walked back the path they had come.

-

After a long day Alicent wanted nothing more than to sink onto her bed and sleep. 

She entered her chambers and began to remove her jewelry.

Then she turned her head and noticed Ser Criston seated on her bed, in his undershirt.

Alicent sighed and approached him.

Ser Criston stood and met the Queen dowager in front of the bed. 

They stood in front of one another in silence.

Alicent raised her hand and slapped Ser Criston.

He clenched his jaw then returned his gaze to the Queen dowager.

Alicent’s heart started to race. She brought her hand up and struck him once more.

Again, Ser Criston clenched his jaw then returned his gaze onto the Queen dowager.

Alicent’s breathing quickened. Her palm tingled with the sting of her strikes. She met Ser Criston’s gaze. 

His eyes begged for her forgiveness. 

Alicent’s throat tightened. 

How dare he ask for her forgiveness? When he sullied her first.

Alicent shoved the Kingsguard, anger rose inside her.

Ser Criston did not stagger. He held his ground. 

 So Alicent stepped forward and pushed him once more, this time with all her might.

Ser Criston took a step back but steadied himself. His gaze firmly set on the Queen dowager.

Alicent’s anger threatened to boil over.

The anger was truly at herself, at her own weakness and selfishness…her wickedness.

But she told herself her anger was at Ser Criston.

On his wickedness.

Alicent continued to shove Ser Criston. She did not stop. 

She did not meet Ser Criston’s gaze. She couldn’t. 

Alicent did not stop the tears that flowed down the sides of her face. 

She did not stop the anger from spilling forth through her hands.

The hands that shoved Ser Criston until his back was up against the wall of her chamber.

Even then, Alicent brought her hands up to shove Ser Criston once more.

But Ser Criston grabbed the Queen dowager’s hands and stopped her.

He twisted the pair around.

Now pinned to the wall Alicent brought her gaze up to Ser Criston’s.

Her chest heaved. Her anger was spent. 

Ser Criston looked down at the Queen dowager. Slowly, he leaned his head towards her.

Push him away, Alicent thought. You can’t, not again.

But the Queen dowager did not push Ser Criston away.

Instead she closed her eyes and felt the warmth of his lips against hers.

The gods had already punished her for her wickedness, Alicent reasoned.

Her father was banished from the Keep. Once again she would be alone.

Alicent was unable to comfort her eldest son and her daughter in their grief.

So what good would pushing away Ser Criston’s warm lips do?

She was wicked.

Ser Criston let go of the Queen dowager’s hands.

Alicent’s hand immediately dug through Ser Criston’s curls. She brought his lips closer to hers and deepened their kiss.

The knight moaned softly into their kiss. 

His hands started to hitch the Queen’s skirts up to her thighs. 

The Gods could not punish her any more than they already had.

Alicent needed the comfort of Ser Criston’s devotion. 

So much had happened, and none of it was hers to control.

But Ser Criston was hers. All hers.

Alicent let go of Ser Criston’s hair and brought his hand between her thighs. With her hand she directed the knight’s fingers exactly where she wanted them. 

At least this she could control. 

-

The hours on horseback started to feel endless to (Y/N). Her thighs ached and chafed against the saddle under her.

The sun had set mere minutes before and Loren assured her they would be at the Keep before the hour of ghosts. 

So Princess (Y/N) urged her horse forward. 

Thankfully, after a few more minutes (Y/N) and Loren emerged from the forest and saw the gates of King’s Landing looming across the clearing.

Princess (Y/N) smiled and turned towards Loren.

Loren smiled back. “No turning back after we make it past the gates. Are you sure you want to do this?”

The princess nodded. “They need me.”

Loren sighed aloud. “Then let us hurry.”

Loren gave the reins a snap and his horse started towards the gates. (Y/N) followed close behind him.

The pair were allowed through the gates of King’s Landing without issue. Loren handed the guards a hefty amount of golden dragons and they were happy to let them through.

They continued through the barren streets of the town towards the gates of the Red Keep.

Princess (Y/N)’s stomach filled with butterflies as they neared the gates. 

Her excitement was palpable but so were her nerves. Her throat dried as they continued their march toward the castle.

The moon was high in the sky when Loren and the princess reached the gates of the Red Keep. 

A guard ordered them to stop and state their business so late. 

Loren looked to (Y/N). 

Princess (Y/N) cleared her throat. “I seek an audience with the Queen dowager. Inform her the Dornish princess has arrived.”

The guard turned to another guard and whispered to him. The second guard nodded and ran into the Keep. 

The first guard ordered the pair to wait outside the gates.

Loren marched his horse closer. 

“She is a princess of Dorne. The Queen will have your head for keeping us outside in this bitter cold.”

The guard furrowed his brow in thought. Then he turned towards the princess. 

Princess (Y/N) smiled down at the guard. “My family and I departed less than a week ago from the Keep. Surely you would not forget me?”

The guard nodded. “Of course princess,” he acquiesced and ordered other guards to let the pair through.

(Y/N)’s heart beat loudly in her chest. Alicent was closer than ever. Her palms started to sweat but she couldn’t help but smile. She had kept her promise. 

She had returned to her true love.

-

The Queen dowager was stirred awake by one of her handmaidens. 

She awoke and furrowed her brow. “What is the meaning of this?”

The handmaiden stepped away from the bed and bowed her head. “Apologies your Grace but a guard informed me the Dornish princess has returned and seeks an urgent audience with you.”

Alicent’s throat went dry. 

The princess? Her princess? 

Alicent’s head swung to the other side of her bed. 

Thank the Gods she was alone. 

Then she turned back to her handmaiden. 

“Bring me my robe, quickly,” she ordered. 

 The handmaiden grabbed the Queen dowager’s robe from the partition where the Queen dowager dressed. Then she slid it onto the Queen dowager as she made her way towards the door. 

Alicent tied the robe around her waist as she hurried towards the Keep’s entrance. 

Her heart rang loudly in her ears. 

Princess Coryanne had promised her (Y/N) would not return. She had promised to keep (Y/N) safe.

But of course (Y/N) got away. 

Of course she trekked through dangerous forests and villages to get back to Alicent.

(Y/N) was pure. 

Her love knew no bounds.

Bile rose in Alicent’s throat. 

She continued towards the entrance. She reached the top of the great staircase and started down them.

The doors of the Keep opened just as Alicent neared the bottom of the staircase.

The world stilled as Alicent laid eyes on Princess (Y/N).

She looked just as beautiful as Alicent recalled. One would never guess the princess had traveled for days.

“(Y/N),” Alicent breathed.

Her sun had returned to her. 

The Princess walked into the Keep. Her eyes rose up and met Alicent’s.

A wide smile spread across (Y/N)’s face. 

Tears pooled in Alicent’s eyes. 

“Alicent,” (Y/N) called out.

The Queen dowager raced down the remaining steps and started towards the princess.

Then Alicent recalled the image of Ser Criston’s face between her thighs in her mind’s eye.

Alicent stopped short of where the princess stood. 

She would not be able to keep her betrayal from (Y/N). She could not lie to her.

And if she could not lie to (Y/N), she would surely lose her.

Tears ran down the sides of Alicent’s face. 

“Your grace,” (Y/N) asked, her brow furrowed.

The princess stepped forward and closed the gap between them.

“Are you not pleased to see me?” she whispered.

Alicent looked up at the lit candles of the chandeliers of the Keep. She closed her eyes and swallowed hard.

She was more certain than ever the Gods were truly punishing her.

[hyperfixatedimagines]

28

28. What's the angstiest idea you've ever come up with?

That's hard! I think my language of girls fic is the angstiest I've written.

I don't think I can recall what the angstiest idea I've ever had is. So much of my work is so angsty already lol

Thank you so much for sending this ask! <3

[hyperfixatedimagines]

Fanfic/Author Ask Game

Write a scene from [insert fic] in another character’s POV

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[hyperfixatedimagines]

I'm OBSESSED with your writing. I've literally read all HotD fics you've published. Love it, thank you so much xx

This is so sweet thank you! <3 I really appreciate it when you all leave comments or send in asks. They motivate me to keep writing!

[hyperfixatedimagines]

Her: Chapter 1- Casey Novak x f!Reader

Summary: Casey Novak was a sight to see in the courtroom. So who could blame you when you fell in love with her? What others called obsession you called devotion. From the moment you laid eyes on Casey you knew you’d worship at her altar.

A/N: This was inspired by a Casey fanfic with a similar theme. I loved it so much and couldn’t stop thinking about it. I noticed it was deleted, and I hope if the author reads mine they will put it back up. It was so good. I hope I did their idea justice. Please let me know what y’all think.

You sat with your hands cuffed to the table.

A bit overkill, you thought. It’s not as though you were dangerous.

Detective Olivia Benson towered above you. 

“We know it was you (y/n),” she said. 

You turned to look at the double sided mirror on the other side of the room. 

Was she there?

Detective Elliot Stabler moved his chair to block your view of the window. He leaned in close.

“You’re a nice girl (y/n). Why not tell us your side of the story and we can all go home in time for dinner,” he said with a small smile. 

You sighed aloud then looked up at Olivia.

“You’ve held me here for hours and I’ve yet to say the four words that would end all of this," you told her, your voice without affect.

Olivia stepped away. "You're not getting away with it."

You shrugged. “I’ve done nothing wrong. I know you have no real evidence tying me to anything.”

Elliot sat back in his chair. 

“So why are you still here?”

You smiled. “I want to see her.” 

Olivia leaned back against the wall. “You’re never seeing her again.”

You turned to Olivia. “I want Casey, alone, in this room,” you commanded. Then you turned back to Elliot. "Bring her to me, and I’ll sing like a canary."

Elliot looked over at Olivia. He shrugged his shoulders just enough to let you know you had tired them out. 

Olivia shook her head and came back towards the table. 

She would be a hard one to break, but nothing you couldn't handle.

-

(Six months before)

Your mentor had encouraged you to observe some trials in preparation for mock court. You were an excellent student but you sometimes failed to perform for your judge and jury.

So on an unremarkable day you walked into the justice building and you sat in on what you thought would be an unremarkable trial.

Then she walked in.

The click clack of her heels against the floor made your ears perk up. You looked up from your notepad and caught a glimpse of her side profile. 

Red hair. Red lips. 

Red was your favorite color.

You got up and moved to a more advantageous seat. 

You watched as the ADA settled in and prepared for court to start. 

She was confident, not bothering to pour over the documents in her folders. She was organized, she kept necessary photos at the top of the files.

Her business suit was well tailored. The fabric looked to be a moderately priced type, nothing name brand that you could make out but not something from a cheap department store either. 

The collar of the white blouse poked out from underneath her blazer. The first two buttons left undone.

Cheeky but not slutty.

The judge entered and everyone stood.

You tried to gauge her height compared to yours. She had an inch or two on you but you guessed that was due to the heels. 

Everyone sat down, the court was in session.

You watched as the ADA, Casey Novak as she had introduced herself, set up traps for the defense.

Then you watched Casey smile every time the defense fell for them.

She was an eloquent orator, with great gravitas, and an uncanny ability to suss out a witness’ weakness.

You were in awe of her.

You couldn’t look away.

 You didn’t want to look away.

A familiar hunger grew inside you. 

Was she the one? 

Would she disappoint you? So many had.

You thought they were different, but they always turned out to be the same. 

Then you saw the smirk that spread across her face when the defense fumbled their cross of Casey’s witness. 

She was different.

You had to know her.

-

Casey didn’t notice you at first. She didn’t notice you until she looked over at opposing counsel and saw the way you were staring at her. 

Your gaze was penetrating. 

Casey adjusted her blazer. 

She didn’t just feel undressed by your gaze, she felt unraveled down to her bones. 

No one had ever looked at her like that.

She didn’t meet your gaze.

She couldn’t.

Casey was in the middle of court. She looked back at the judge and realized she didn’t know what the judge was talking about. 

So she scrambled to make sense of things with the last words that came out of the judges mouth. 

But a part of her mind lingered on the feeling of your gaze. On its weight. On the feeling of being seen and seen through. 

Your gaze was a spotlight and Casey the performer.

Had you always been there? Casey wondered.

The next day in court Casey looked for you as she walked in. She kept it discrete, her eyes scanned the crowd in the gallery. 

She didn’t see you. 

Was she disappointed?

Casey got to her table and started to set up. She brought out her files from her briefcase and tried to focus. 

Then she felt you.

Casey straightened her back. Her heart started to beat faster.

She didn’t need to look up to know you were there now.

The judge walked out and everyone stood. 

Out of the corner of her eye Casey saw you. 

Everything about you seemed ordinary. 

Everything but the way your eyes honed in on Casey. 

Casey figured you were probably a law student, probably doing some extra credit assignment or project. 

But that didn’t explain why you stared at her like that, or why Casey felt a mix of unease and excitement.

The gaze of a beautiful woman wasn’t unwelcome in Casey’s book but if you’d been there before why hadn’t you tried to talk to her?

Were you waiting on her to make a move?

“Counselor Novak,” a faraway voice called. 

It snapped Casey out of her thoughts. 

She looked up at the judge who looked at her expectantly. 

“Your first witness counselor,” the judge reiterated dryly.

Casey nodded. “Right.”

She pushed you to the corner of her mind and called her first witness to the stand.

-

After that first day in court you scoured the internet for all the information you could find about Casey Novak. 

She was an ADA for the Manhattan district attorney’s office assigned to the sex crimes division. 

She was in her early 30s and her birthstone was sapphire. 

Not much of a social media presence but no gaps publicly available files and some light hacking couldn’t fill. 

She’d gone to Harvard, you weren’t too shocked. She’d clerked with Judge Mary Clark shortly after law school and started in the white collar division before transferring to sex crimes.

You learned where her office was located, what her current caseload looked like, and made a schedule of all her upcoming court dates. 

You’d be sure to attend them all. 

But you needed to know more. There were still too many missing pieces in the puzzle that was Casey Novak.

Every part of you wanted to follow her home but it was too soon. 

You didn’t want to rush things with Casey. You wanted to do it right this time.

You’d gotten it wrong so many times before but Casey was different.

So you had to be different.

Hours later, after downloading pictures of Casey from her high school softball team, you gathered everything you had learned into one folder and pinned it to your desktop.

The printer called your name, begged you to print the pictures out and post them up on the wall but you couldn’t give in.

You had to do things slowly. 

For Casey.

For your future together.

-

Casey didn’t understand you. 

She intentionally cleaned up her files slowly after court the other day so you would come up to her but you didn’t.

You had walked out with the rest of the crowd. You hadn’t even looked back at Casey as you walked out.

Casey wondered that day if the tension between the two of you had been in her imagination. 

But then there you were later that day in another one of her hearings. 

She thought about confronting you, but the thrill of keeping you a mystery stopped her.

The next day when Casey walked into court her eyes immediately found you. 

You were seated in the same place on the pew on the side of the defense. Casey realized it gave you the best view of her. 

She felt flattered.

You sat with your nose to the notepad on your lap. You were furiously writing something down but Casey couldn’t make it out.

The second she finished laying out her files Casey felt your gaze on her. 

As if on cue.

It was getting harder for Casey to push thoughts of you to the side.

Which meant Casey was slipping, and Casey Novak did not slip.

So she’d have to make a decision about you soon. 

Either she confronted you and you ceased to be a mystery or she resigned herself to her conviction rate dropping to 60%.

She had deduced you weren’t a law student. No student was that dedicated to observation. 

You were in every one of Casey’s hearings. 

She wondered if you attended other court hearings.

A strange feeling of possessiveness washed over Casey at the thought of your gaze on anyone else. 

She wasn’t sure why. She had no claim to you. She didn’t even know your name.

Casey felt annoyed she hadn’t figured you out.

If you wouldn’t make the first move then she would. 

She couldn’t let you continue to throw her off her game. 

-

You broke your promise. 

You told yourself you were going to take things slow with Casey.

But God, look at her.

Who could blame you for wanting to know her outside of a computer screen?

You followed her after court.

You kept it subtle, stayed out of sight, and you didn’t follow her all the way home that first day.

It appeared you had some self restraint after all.

But it didn’t last very long. 

A total of three days. 

On the fourth day you followed Casey all the way home and watched from a distance as she walked up the stoop to her door. 

You knew you couldn’t walk up behind her. She’d certainly notice that. 

So your mind raced as you tried not to lose her. You figured your best bet was to get on the rooftop of the building opposite hers and use your binoculars to peer into all the windows facing the street. 

Hopefully one of them would be Casey’s and you’d know what floor she was on.

Up you went to the roof. Then you took the binoculars out of your backpack and scanned the face of the building.

Luck was not on your side that night. 

The windows that were open for you to see were not Casey’s. She didn’t appear in any of them.

You would have to try again the next night with a better plan.

The following night you set up on the building next to Casey’s instead of across from. There weren’t as many windows but more of them were without blinds or curtains. 

You set up on the roof with your telescope. This would give you a much better view. 

The night would be long, especially during a bitter New York winter, but you brought a thermos of coffee to keep you warm. Coffee just the way Casey ordered it from her favorite coffee shop. 

You knew almost everything about her now. 

You knew where her favorite coffee shop was, what her order was, where she went when her favorite shop was packed, where she liked to get lunch and dinner from, and where she went to decompress on her weekends. 

All you needed now was her apartment number.

Knowing what floor she was on would be a good enough start.

The windows that faced you were mostly bedroom windows with fire escapes or smaller bathroom windows. 

This wouldn’t be easy.

But you didn’t want it easy.

So you camped out most of the night, scanning all available windows for any sign of Casey.

Hours passed with no luck.

There had to be an easier way.

At two in the morning you figured it would be best to pack up and try again another night. 

But just before you looked away from your telescope you spotted red hair when a bathroom’s light flickered on.

Could it be Casey?

You twisted the knob on the side of the scope to get a closer look. 

You focused it and managed to catch a glimpse of the redhead through the bathroom mirror. 

It was Casey.

You smiled. 

You got her.

You looked up from the telescope and noted the floor it was on. 

Progress.

You had her floor number and knew what side of the building she was on. Now all you needed was the apartment number.

For that you had an idea.

The next day you showed up to Casey’s building. 

You knew she was in court so you wouldn’t run the risk of running into her.

Not seeing Casey in her element gnawed at you but the sacrifice would be worth it.

The building manager stepped out onto the stoop to meet you. He shook your hand and led you to the apartments that were for rent. 

None of the apartments for rent were on Casey’s floor but they did give you a better idea of how hers was laid out. The building manager had let it slip, every apartment had the same floor plan. 

Armed with more knowledge you went to Casey’s favorite coffee shop and got to work. You had sent a virus to the building manager’s computer and he had fallen right into your trap. 

He unknowingly granted you access to his network. 

Apartment 548.

You let out a deep breath. 

It was mid afternoon and you knew you didn’t have enough time to let yourself into Casey’s apartment. 

Not on Thursdays.

But not all was lost. 

You walked back to Casey’s apartment building and took pictures of the outside. You calculated the best vantage point for observation would be the apartment that faced hers in the building next door. 

You’d definitely owe your wife an explanation for the $10k you’d taken out of the joint banking account to buy some random guy’s apartment from him but it would all be worth it.

That night when Casey walked through her front door you were set up in the apartment you had bought with your telescope aimed right at her bedroom.

The light of her bedroom flickered on and you watched with baited breath as Casey entered and started to undress herself. 

The curtains made it hard to see but your specialized telescope made the most of the small gap between them.

Casey walked out of frame and you sighed. 

You needed more.

So tomorrow you would miss Casey’s hearing for the third time to let yourself in and set up cameras that allowed for perfect observation.

Your phone rang. 

It was your wife. 

-

Casey was starting to feel crazy. She couldn’t stop thinking about you.

First the problem was that you were in court every day staring at her like she was water in the middle of the desert and now the problem was you weren’t in court every day staring at her.

Casey felt the coldness of your absence.

It made her no less distracted in court.

She was so off her game even others had noticed. 

Just when she had decided to confront you, you up and disappeared. 

Maybe it was for the best, Casey told herself.

With you gone she could focus.

But the sinking feeling in her stomach when she walked into court and noticed your absence once again told her it would be impossible.

-

(Back in the interrogation room)

It was a few hours after Olivia and Elliot had left you for a second time. 

You closed your eyes and thought of Casey. You thought of the last time you had seen her.

Your face soured. 

You had to see her. You had to explain. 

The door started to open and from the smell the breeze brought in you knew she had arrived.

You opened your eyes and there she was.

Casey stood in the doorway, Olivia and Elliot behind her.

Eyes swollen and bloodshot, her lip cut and bruised. Her left arm was in a sling.

You hadn’t meant for that to happen. You had carefully planned everything. 

But the SVU detectives ruined it all

It was their fault your Casey had gotten hurt.

Casey didn’t meet your gaze as she limped into the room and sat down in the chair opposite you.

Olivia started to close the door. She reminded Casey they’d be outside if she needed them.

Casey nodded. She still wasn’t looking at you.

She was mad at you.

But it wasn’t your fault. 

It was the detectives' fault.

You frowned and tried to reach out for her.

The handcuffs on your wrists stopped you.

You sighed. 

“Casey,” you began, but she cut you off.

“I loved you (y/n),” she said, her voice thick with pain.

Your heart twisted hearing her like that.

But you’d fix it.

Casey looked up and met your gaze, finally. 

You smiled at her. 

Her face was a mixture of anger and regret.

“Why did you do this?” She asked.

Your smile dropped. “I didn’t do anything Casey. I love you.”

Casey scoffed. “You’re a monster,” she spat.

You winced. You hated that word. 

It was such an ugly word. 

You were just a girl in love. 

Love could never be monstrous.

[hyperfixatedimagines]

Home for the Holidays Ch.3- Alicent x f!reader

Summary: You didn't get your happily ever after. Would this Christmas be any different from the last?

A/N: You asked, I answered....very late but better late than never right? Please let me know what you guys think! This will be the last installment for this fic so please enjoy!

It was never going to work out, at least that’s what you told yourself to make Alicent’s reaction sting less. 

It didn’t work. 

The day after Christmas dinner, the morning after you had slept with Alicent, was a cold one. 

After joking around with Aemond you went back up to Alicent’s bedroom, a fresh bottle of water in hand for her. 

You found her crying- sobbing, actually-  in front of her bathroom mirror. 

You watched her for a moment before making a sound. You cleared your throat before you opened the door the rest of the way.  

She quickly wiped her eyes and turned to you. “(y/n).”

You handed her the water bottle. “Is everything okay?”

Alicent uncapped the bottle and took a long drink. “I think we should talk,” she replied as she set the bottle down on the sink counter. 

Your stomach sank. You already knew what she was going to say. 

So you beat her to the punch. 

“You don’t have to say anything Alicent. We can act like nothing happened last night.”

Alicent frowned and looked away from you. “I think that would be for the best.”

You turned around and walked towards the door. Alicent reached out and grabbed you by the wrist. 

“I had a wonderful time last night (y/n) but-”

You didn’t turn back to look at her, you couldn’t. You knew if you did you’d start crying and it would only make Alicent feel worse. 

“It would never work out, realistically. I know that,” you replied in a soft voice. 

Alicent let go of your wrist. Your arm fell back to your side like a load of lead. 

“Precisely,” Alicent whispered. 

You swallowed hard then walked out of her bedroom. 

You barreled toward the guest room where your clothes were. You changed and called an Uber. The cost was outrageous but you couldn’t stand to be in Alicent’s home another second. 

-

After you changed you returned Aemond’s pajamas to him. 

You knocked on the door to his bedroom and waited. 

He opened the door, sweaty and shirtless. “Hey there creeper,” he joked. 

You forced a smile. “I’m here to return your pajamas. Thanks for letting me borrow them.”

Aemond grimaced. “Gods, I’ll have to burn them now. Won’t be able to wear them without knowing what occurred last night.”

Damn, you had forgotten you’d told him the truth. 

You furrowed your brows. “Have you spoken with your mom yet?”

He shook his head. “No, I’ve been avoiding her. I’m not quite sure how to look at her anymore. I mean, are you two dating now? Was it a one night stand? It’s a lot harder to reconcile than I thought it would be.”

There it was, an out. 

“Good,” you told him. “I lied earlier. I didn’t sleep with your mom. I was just teasing.”

Lying always made the bile in your stomach rise in your throat. This lie was especially hard on your stomach. 

Aemond sighed in relief. “You asshole. My anxiety was off the walls at the thought of it,” he said and jokingly shoved you.

You forced another smile. “I couldn’t help myself.”

You swallowed the bile in your throat. 

Aemond took the pajamas from you. He noticed you had collected your things. 

“Are you leaving?”

You nodded. “Yeah, my cousin called and she was able to send a car for me. It should be here in a few minutes.”

Aemond frowned. “I hoped you’d stay through New Years. It gets pretty lonely with it just being my mother and I. Aegon’s gone off somewhere to whore no doubt.”

“Maybe next time,” you replied.

He nodded. Then Aemond wrapped his arms around you. 

“Happy Christmas (y/n),” he said as he pulled away. 

“Merry Christmas Aemond,” you replied. “I’m going to wait outside. Your mom seemed busy this morning so tell her I said goodbye and thank her for her hospitality.”

Aemond nodded. “Will do. Safe travels.”

You turned and made your way down the hall. 

You were almost at the door when you heard Alicent call your name. 

You turned around at the door and there she was, rushing to meet you. You briefly hoped she had changed her mind and was coming to tell you. 

Sadly that was not it. 

She stopped a few steps away from you, a respectable distance. 

“You’re leaving,” she asked. Her eyes were bloodshot. 

You guessed she had continued to cry after you’d left her bedroom.

“Yes. I thought it best,” you told her, not meeting her gaze. 

“Oh,” she replied, a frown on her face. 

A beat passed in silence. 

You gazed outside and saw a car coming down the driveway. 

“Looks like my car is here.”

Alicent stepped closer to peer outside. 

She was close. You could smell the perfume of her shampoo that still lingered in her hair. Cinnamon and vanilla. You closed your eyes and took in the smell. 

It felt bittersweet.

She saw the car then stepped away.

“Right, well thank you for spending Christmas dinner with us.”

“Thank you for having me,” you said and turned to leave.

Alicent reached out and touched your shoulder. 

You stopped. 

Her hand remained on your arm. 

“You don’t have to leave. I- Aemond would like for you to stay, I’m sure of it,” Alicent said, her voice straining against choked back tears.

You looked over at her hand on your shoulder. 

“There’s no reason for me to stay…” You turned around to face her. “Unless there is?” You met her gaze, begging her to tell you to stay.

But you could tell by the sorry look on her face that she wouldn’t. 

“Aemond would appreciate it,” she replied. 

“Only Aemond,” you asked, giving her another chance. 

But you knew she wouldn’t take it. 

Alicent looked away from you.

You nodded slowly.  

“Merry Christmas Alicent,” you said and walked out.

You didn’t look back as you made your way to the car. 

You got in and greeted the driver. You wouldn’t look back. 

You buckled your seatbelt and the driver started to pull out of the driveway. Still, you wouldn’t look back. 

But as you neared the exit gate you caved and looked back. 

Alicent stood in the doorway, her arms hugging her sides.

From your distance you couldn’t make out the look on her face but you figured it matched yours.

Tears spilled down your face and you quickly wiped them away. You swallowed the rest of them and faced forwards.

It would be hard to forget that night, but you knew you had to if you were to remain friends with Aemond.

-

The year that followed was one you could not have predicted. 

Your family came around to your sexuality. They apologized for their behavior and welcomed you back into the family fold. 

As such you were able to get your own flat. 

Moving out was not as hard as you thought it would be. You and Aemond had not fallen out but distance had grown between you. 

There was no direct reason or cause. You had simply spent less and less time together. 

He found a girlfriend in a mutual friend named Alys, and you had found a wonderful distraction in working for your family’s company. 

Graduation only served to further the divide between you. 

It was also the first time you’d seen Alicent since Christmas. 

She looked stunning, that was no surprise. 

What was a surprise was the man next to her the whole ceremony. 

Had she already found a new partner?

When the ceremony ended you found Aemond and congratulated him. He did the same and hugged you. He also affirmed that while you two had become distant his love and affection for you had not. 

You told him you felt the same and hugged him. 

Then he mentioned he was upset to see his mom’s new boyfriend with her. 

Boyfriend, your heart sank.

But you weren’t surprised. A woman like Alicent would not remain single for long. 

Alys pulled Aemond away before you could ask for any more details. Your family had also approached you to congratulate you. 

You didn’t speak to Aemond much after graduation but he always liked and commented on your Instagram posts and you did the same with his. 

You wouldn’t see Alicent again until Christmas came back around. 

That Christmas your family had decided to throw a lavish ball for friends and business associates. 

You dreaded the thought of having to play the perfect daughter all night long but you knew that you would manage with your cousin Elia by your side. 

Unfortunately for you, Elia had gotten stuck at the airport oceans away. 

So you scrambled to find a friend to join you for the night. 

More unfortunate for you, they were all busy for the night with family or their own plans. 

The only name on your contact list you hadn’t called was Aemond. 

You knew he’d be busy with his own family so you didn’t bother. 

Instead you posted a cheeky Instagram story about suffering through the party alone for your close friends list. 

A few minutes after you posted the story Aemond direct messaged you asking if you wanted a plus one that he was available. 

You called him, not wanting to go back and forth over text.  He answered on the first ring. 

After exchanging pleasantries you asked why he was free on Christmas. Weren’t his family coming down like they did last year?

“No, my grandfather and uncles told my mother they wouldn’t be joining us this year,” Aemond explained. 

“Why? If you don’t mind my asking,” you replied. 

Aemond let out a big sigh. “They weren’t too thrilled that my mother broke off her engagement.”

“Engagement,” you exclaimed, confused. 

You had certainly missed that life update.

Aemond chuckled. “Guess I forgot to post that on Instagram didn’t I. Yeah, my mom got engaged to her boyfriend- the guy you saw during graduation- but she broke it off a few days after she said yes.”

Relief washed over you. You knew Alicent would never be yours, but at least she wouldn’t be anyone else’s either. 

“And why did your grandfather disapprove?”

“He was the one who set my mom up with the guy in the first place. He’s an up and coming guy in politics and my grandfather wanted our family attached to his,” Aemond replied. 

You nodded slowly. “I see. Did she love him?”

“Who knows. They weren’t very affectionate but my mom hasn’t ever been big on PDA.”

“Well I’m sorry to hear they won’t be coming. I know you don’t have the best relationship with them but still-,” you told him. 

“It’s alright. I’m not bothered but my mom isn’t taking it as well. Especially since Helaena is going to spend Christmas Eve and day with a friend. So it’ll be just her and I,” Aemond said with an exasperated sigh. 

“What about Aegon?”

Aemond huffed. “He’s in Las Vegas and doesn’t plan to come home.”

You bit the inside of your cheek. An idea had popped into your head. 

A potentially stupid one.

“Why don’t you and Alicent join us?”

“Really? You wouldn’t mind- well, your family wouldn’t mind?” Aemond asked, his voice hopeful. 

Your heart beat faster at the thought of seeing Alicent again. A whole year later and your heart still yearned for her. 

A bit pathetic of you really. 

Or romantic. 

“Of course they wouldn’t. It’s a big party for donors and friends. They won’t care to have two more in attendance,” you replied. 

“Alright then. I’ll speak with my mother but I’m sure she would prefer it to being home alone that night.”

“Perfect. I’ll text you the address. It’s a bit of a drive from Oldtown so if you can’t make it there won’t be any hurt feelings.”

“Nonsense. I’ll see you then,” Aemond replied. 

“See you then.”

You and Aemond said your goodbyes then you hung up. 

You smiled to yourself. The possibility of seeing Alicent again excited you but you tried to keep your expectations low. 

Even if she came that night it wouldn’t change a thing between you. 

You’d still be just Aemond’s friend. 

And she would still be just Aemond’s mother.

What you wanted from Alicent would take a real Christmas miracle. 

-

The night of the Christmas ball arrived. 

You and Elia had spent a great deal of time on Facetime choosing your attire for the night. You wanted to look so good it would take Alicent’s breath away. 

The guests had started to arrive so your parents had sent an assistant to fetch you. 

You walked down to the ballroom and walked over to where your parents stood. 

They were deep in conversation with another family when you approached them. You recognized the family. 

The Tyrells were an old money family like your own, but they had been your family’s sworn enemies for generations. 

That was until your father reached out to the Tyrells with an olive branch and mended the ages-long feud. 

Most of your family didn’t even know how the feud started. You guessed it had been about land. Most feuds boiled down to land disagreements. 

Now the Tyrells were great business allies. Your father had mentioned a desire to have the families united via marriage quite a few times but nothing had come of it. 

The Tyrell patriarch had a daughter and a son but the son had come out as gay a few years ago and the daughter was well known to sleep around with the staff. Your only eligible brother had just gotten engaged to his long time girlfriend Lyanna so a marriage to unite the families was out of the question for your generation. 

Or so you had thought. 

Your father turned to you as you approached. 

“There she is,” he said and wrapped an arm around your shoulders. 

You smiled politely. 

Your father gestured towards the Tyrell patriarch. 

“Mace, this is my daughter (y/n). Sweetie this is Mace Tyrell,” your father said. 

You shook Mr. Tyrell’s hand. 

“A pleasure to meet you sir.”

He shook your hand and smiled. “A firm grip, you’re like your father I see,” he joked. 

Your father let out a laugh. “She’s a real chip off the old block. She started with us this year and has already gone far beyond what we expected.”

Mr. Tyrell looked at you approvingly. “That’s great to hear Manfrey.” Then he turned around and called out, “Margaery!”

A young woman, probably your age or slightly younger, walked over. She was beautiful, the kind of beautiful that turned heads everywhere she went. 

Too bad your heart was spoken for. 

So you admired her beauty the way you would admire a friend’s. 

Mr. Tyrell placed a hand on Margaery’s back. “Manfrey, (y/n), this is my daughter Margaery.”

Margaery curtsied and bowed her head to your father then to you. 

“A pleasure to meet you Margaery,” your father said and gave your shoulder a slight squeeze. 

You turned to him with a furrowed brow then turned back to Margaery.

“It’s nice to meet you,” you told her. 

She met your gaze. “The pleasure is mine (y/n).”

Your father cleared his throat. “I think we should let these two get acquainted, don’t you agree Mace?”

Mr. Tyrell nodded. “Absolutely.” He turned to Margaery. “Have fun sweetie,” he said, then gave her a kiss on the cheek.

You looked at your father, confused, but he just gave you a firm look. You’d seen that look before, mostly during business meetings when he needed you to close a deal with an associate.

You weren’t sure what kind of deal he wanted you to close with Margaery. 

You’d have to ask him afterwards. 

Soon you and Margaery were alone. 

Once her father was out of earshot she let out a deep breath. 

“Thank Gods they’re gone.”

You smiled. “You didn’t have to curtsey. My father might be a duke on paper but no one really cares about that around these parts.”

She returned your smile. “My father would’ve killed me if I didn’t. He told me I needed to make a very good impression with your family.”

A server walked by with a tray of champagne flutes. Margaery turned and grabbed two. Then she handed one to you. 

You took it and thanked her. 

“Why did you need to make a good impression?” You asked her as you took a sip of your drink.

She took a long drink from her own flute before responding. 

“I have no idea. All he said was to make a good impression and get to know you.”

You furrowed your brow. “That’s interesting. I wonder what he and my father are up to.”

Margaery’s smile returned. “My father is always up to something, though he usually involves my brother and not me.”

You clinked your glass against hers. “Cheers to that. My father's go to is my brother as well.”

“Hmm, how curious,” Margaery replied.

The conversation didn’t last much longer. Margaery’s eye had wandered to one of the more handsome servers and yours was constantly checking the entrance for any sign of Alicent. 

After speaking with Margaery you made your rounds with business associates and with family. Your mother had asked your opinion of Margaery, which you noted was peculiar, and your brother had asked if you thought she was pretty. 

Were they trying to set you up with her? Did she even like women?

Your mother and brother would not reveal anything so you knew you’d have to ask your father. 

You spotted him going to his study so you followed him but as you neared you stopped dead in your tracks. 

Alicent was at the door. Aemond was taking her coat and handing it to one of the doormen. 

You walked over to them, as calmly as you could but everything inside of you wanted to run over. 

Aemond saw you first. He walked up to you and gave you a hug. 

“Happy Christmas (y/n),” he said as he wrapped his arms around you. 

You returned his embrace. “Merry Christmas, Aemond.”

Alicent met your gaze over Aemond’s shoulder. The world stilled.

A lump formed in your throat as you pulled away from Aemond and Alicent stepped forward.

”Merry Christmas (y/n). Thank you for extending us an invitation,” Alicent said and approached you for a hug.

The smell of her vanilla perfume wrapped around you and flooded your senses as Alicent neared. 

You stepped away from her. 

Alicent froze.

You cleared your throat and plastered a polite smile. “I’m sorry. I… My father had sent me on an errand for him before I saw you two. It was urgent so I should uhm..I should get back to that. It’s lovely seeing you both.” You looked over at Aemond, unable to bear the weight of Alicent’s gaze. “Have fun.”

Then you walked away as fast as your legs could go. You rounded a corner and stopped to steady your breathing. 

A year had gone by and the second Alicent laid eyes on you. It felt like no time had passed and you were still the foolish girl standing in that bathroom, swallowing your tears and promising to forget an unforgettable night.

Suddenly the door to your left opened and out came the server who had carried a tray of champagne earlier. His hair was disheveled and he was hurriedly buttoning his shirt back on. He caught you staring and turned a deep red. 

“Miss,” he said and bowed his head as he walked away. 

You furrowed your brow and wondered what had happened but the answer came second later as Margaery emerged from the same room. 

Her hair was also slightly mussed. She noticed you and straightened herself instantly. 

“(Y/n),” she started.

Forgetting all about Alicent you smiled at Margaery. “It seems you’ve certainly made a good impression on that boy.”

Margaery eyed you nervously then let out a small laugh. “And on you?”

You held out your arm towards her. “I respect a woman who goes after what she wants.”

Margaery wrapped her arm around yours and smiled. “I knew I’d like you.”

You escorted Margaery back to the party then parted ways when your brother called you over to speak with some foreign investors. 

As conversation of donations and business dragged on, your eyes wandered. You scanned the breadth of the ball room for any sign of Alicent. 

Now that you had calmed down you realized how rude it was of you to reject her greeting of a polite embrace. 

But it was so hard to think straight upon seeing her. 

Especially in the dress she’d arrived in. It was a beautiful shade of green that brought out the deep hues of her auburn hair and amber eyes. 

You found her across the room, next to Aemond and a few old college colleagues. She looked bored. 

Ask her for a dance.

You shoved the impulsive thought aside. You knew better. 

Your brother’s ramblings tore your attention from Alicent back to him and the investors. It felt like torture to be so close and so impossibly far from her. You recalled feeling the same way at graduation. 

At least she was alone this time. You didn’t have to endure seeing her on the arm of some man.

At long last your brother offered to smoke a cigar with the investors and led them away. 

Finally alone you made your way towards Alicent. 

You had to apologize. 

But as you neared she excused herself and walked outside.

You followed her out to the gardens behind the estate. They were expansive but the path immediately in front of you, which Alicent walked on, led to a private bench and fountain. You had spent a lot of time in that secret alcove as a child, running away from responsibilities and your family’s tiring rules. 

Alicent sat down on the bench in front of the small fountain. 

You lingered in the hedges behind her, suddenly reminded of being a peeping tom again. 

“It seems your peeping tom ways haven’t changed,” Alicent joked and turned her head towards you. 

You emerged from the shadows of the hedges and sat down next to her on the bench, careful not to sit too close to her. 

“I wanted to apologize, for earlier,” you explained. 

Alicent looked down at her hands in her lap. “You have nothing to apologize for (y/n).”

You looked at the fountain. “It was rude of me.”

She looked up and over at you. “It’s alright. I expected something like that to happen.”

You met her gaze. “Really?”

Alicent looked away and sighed. "We didn’t exactly part on the greatest of terms last we saw each other.”

You nervously thumbed at a loose strand on your trouser seams. “I was surprised you came.”

“Aemond insisted,” Alicent replied nervously.

“Is that the only reason?” You asked, briefly wondering if you were a glutton for punishment. Asking questions you knew lead nowhere good. 

“Do you want me to say it was because I wanted to see you?” Alicent countered, the warmth and teasing tone of earlier completely gone. 

“Only if it’s the truth,” you replied.  

Alicent let out another sigh and shook her head. “What good is the truth?” She confessed bitterly.

You took a steadying breath before reaching out to touch the top of her hand. “I’ve missed you,” you confessed.

“Don’t say that,” Alicent replied and pulled her hand away.

You turned your body towards her. “Why not?”

Alicent met your gaze. “It doesn’t change anything.”

A knot rose in your throat. You swallowed hard.

Alicent’s gaze softened. “I don’t mean to be cruel (y/n).”

You looked away and turned back towards the fountain. You didn’t want her to see the tears that started to cloud your vision. 

Alicent reached out and touched the top of your hand. “(y/n)..”

“Have you missed me?,” you blurted out.

A true glutton for punishment.

You blinked away the tears that welled in your eyes. 

Alicent pulled her hand away and stood. “I should go back in.” She smoothed her dress and turned towards the hedges. 

You clenched your jaw and softly shook your head. “Do you have any idea how pathetic it feels to miss someone who doesn’t care about you at all…”

Alicent turned back towards you. She stared at you but didn’t say anything. 

You couldn’t tell if the look in her eyes was pity or guilt.

You stood and closed the distance between you and Alicent. “It’s the worst feeling in the world.”

Alicent opened her mouth to reply but was cut off by a servant running out of the hedges. She caught her breath then informed you your father was calling for you. 

You dismissed her then turned to Alicent. “Enjoy the rest of your night, Mrs. Targaryen.”

Alicent’s gaze dropped at the mention of her married name. 

You knew it was petty and childish to call her that but you had been vulnerable with her and she couldn’t even pretend to have cared. 

-

You made your way back to your father. He was surrounded by his colleagues and Margaery’s father. 

He saw you and smiled. “Come my girl,” he called. 

You reached him and greeted the crowd around him. 

“It’s time,” he said and left. 

Your father walked up to the stage at the front of the room then waited as the singer finished her song and introduced your father. 

Everyone clapped as he walked to center stage and adjusted the microphone. 

“Thank you, thank you everyone. I hope you’re enjoying yourselves. This Christmas is a special one. Our family is whole once more, and I’m happy to announce it’s expanding,” you father declared then he asked you to join him on stage.

You did as he said and once on stage he wrapped an arm around your shoulder. 

“(y/n) has not only joined our philanthropic efforts but she has gone above and beyond all expectations. She has truly made the family name proud,” you father cheered. 

Everyone clapped. 

You smiled sheepishly. You could barely make out those standing closest to the stage, the bright lights blinding you to the rest of the room.

Then your father invited Margaery and her family to the stage. 

You weren’t sure where he was going with his speech. What did it have to do with the Tyrells?

Soon the whole Tryell clan was on stage next to you and your father. 

“I am more than happy to announce that after many centuries of feuding, Mace and I will finally put that ancient history to bed and unite our esteemed families,” your father elocuted.

You wanted to look at your father. You wanted to furrow your brows. 

But you knew better than to show any real emotion while in front of the spotlight. 

So you plastered a fake smile on your face and clapped along with the crowd.

“This coming spring my youngest daughter (y/n) will wed Margaery Tyrell and usher our family into a new, prosperous, and progressive era.” Your father gave your shoulder a squeeze.

Your stomach dropped. 

You finally turned to your father. 

The look on his face was a diplomatic one.

You knew you wouldn’t be able to ask anything until you were in private. 

So you turned to Margaery, who seemed just as shocked as you by the news, and smiled at her. 

Your father encouraged you and Margaery to hold hands so you reached out and laced your fingers with hers. 

Her hand shook and you did your best to give her a comforting look.

By the look on her face it brought nothing of the sort. She had gone absolutely pale.

-

After the announcement your father had led you and the Tyrell clan to his office. 

You held your composure as you sat down in an armchair facing the roaring hearth. 

The second the door to the study closed Margaery let out a flurry of expletives and demanded her father tell her the truth. 

Her father explained to her this was the best choice for their family and that they had even accommodated her desire for a nontraditional spouse.

Margaery hurled more expletives then declared she would never marry. 

She stormed out of the study and slammed the door behind her. 

Your gaze remained on the burning fire. 

It didn’t feel real.

“Don’t worry, we’ll get her on board,” Mace said and shook your father’s hand.

Then he and the rest of the Tyrells walked out.

It was just you and your father. 

He poured himself a glass of bourbon then sat in the armchair across from you. 

“You kept your composure out there. I’m proud of you (y/n).”

He took a long drink then pulled out a small box from his suit pocket. He handed it to you. 

You tore your gaze from the fire and looked at it. 

It was a ring box.

You took it and opened it. 

“Your grandmother’s ring, I’m sure she’d be proud,” your father told you. Then he took another drink. “It should be sufficient for the Tyrells.”

You shut the box and pocketed it. Then you looked up at your father. 

“May I be excused,” you asked.

He nodded. 

You stood and started for the door when he reached out and grabbed you by the wrist. 

You stopped and looked over at him. 

He cleared his throat. “You will marry her. If she won’t come around you need to find a way.”

You swallowed the lump in your throat. “Yes father.”

He let go of your wrist and you walked out.

-

You needed air. You needed to be alone. 

So you walked towards the gardens. 

But as you did you passed by the foyer and noticed Aemond helping with Alicent’s coat.

Panic spread throughout your body. 

Had she heard?

You walked over to the door. 

“Leaving so soon,” you asked, hoping the panic didn’t come through in your voice.

Aemond met your gaze and stepped away from Alicent. He walked over to you and put a hand on your shoulder. 

“Mom’s not feeling so well,” Aemond explained. He gave your shoulder a squeeze. “But congrats on the engagement. You didn’t tell me you were seeing anyone you dog,” he joked.

You turned to Alicent. 

She wouldn’t look at you. 

“I..,” you started but didn’t continue. 

What could you say? 

Not the truth. Your father would have your head.

So you stared at her, mouth agape, scrambling for a way to make her stay. 

Thankfully the universe intervened on your behalf.

For once it was on your side.

Your butler came through the front door with a severe look on his face. You looked at him and he met your gaze. 

“My apologies miss (y/n) but your guests won’t be able to leave,” he stated. 

Alicent looked up at him. “What do you mean?”

Your butler explained there had been a horrible landslide on the highway leading out of town. The officials had already been notified and first responders were on the scene but it would be hours before it would be safe to travel. 

Then he excused himself to let the others know.

Alicent turned to Aemond. “We will just have to stay at a hotel in town and leave tomorrow morning then.”

You shook your head. “Nonsense, you two can stay here with us. We have plenty of rooms.”

Alicent finally met your gaze. “You’re too kind (y/n) but we couldn’t ask that of you. We’ll be alright in town.”

“I have to insist that both of you stay. Think of it as repayment for letting me stay in your home last year,” you replied.

You could tell Alicent was trying to form a polite way to decline. 

Aemond looked between the two of you, his brow furrowed. 

You turned to Aemond. “It’s not a bother. I’d really like you both to stay the night.”

“Thank you for your offer (y/n),” Aemond said and turned to his mother. “We’ll stay here for the night then drive home in the morning.”

Alicent started to protest but Aemond had already asked you to lead the way.

-

You led Alicent and Aemond to the west wing of the estate where the guest rooms were. The house staff scurried to ready the rooms.

“Seems we won’t be the only ones staying,” Aemond commented.

“I doubt my father would let anyone try to go home in these conditions,” you replied. 

You showed Alicent her room first. 

She excused herself to freshen up before turning in.

Then you led Aemond to his room. 

It was just around the corner from Alicent’s.

You started to excuse yourself but Aemond reached out to stop you. 

“We have to talk,” he said.

By the tone of his voice you knew it was something serious.

Your stomach twisted at the thought.

You led Aemond inside his room and he closed the door behind him. 

“What did you want to talk about,” you asked.

He leaned against the wall. “I want the truth.”

“About what,” you asked, dread filling your chest. 

He scoffed. “You know exactly what.” Then he sighed and sat down on the bed. “I know something happened between you and my mother.”

Your stomach dropped. “What,” you choked out.

He shook his head softly. “Don’t deny it (y/n). You left our house in such a rush last year and nothing was the same afterwards.”

You remained silent.

Aemond crossed his arms against his chest. “When I told her about the party tonight she got so nervous and she fidgeted the whole way here.”

“I’m sure she was just nervous about what your grandfather would think. He hates my family after all,” you replied, hoping he would accept the lie like he had before. 

“No, I want the truth (y/n).” Then he met your gaze. “You owe me that…we were best friends once, weren’t we?”

Your heart broke at the sound of his voice. You looked down at the floor in shame. “Yeah,” you replied, defeated.

“Then tell me what happened,” Aemond pleaded.

You sighed and sat down next to Aemond on the bed. You told him the truth. You told him you and Alicent had slept together. You told him it wasn’t because of the bet the two of you had made. You had always thought his mom was beautiful and that night…well one thing led to another.

“I suspected as much,” Aemond breathed with a sigh when you finished. 

“I told you it had all been a lie because she wanted us to act like nothing had happened. I had already told you so I thought you’d believe it was just a joke.” You continued, your thumb still toying with the loose strand on your trousers. 

“Is that why you pulled away from me when classes started again,” Aemond asked and turned to you. 

You looked over at him. “Not explicitly but maybe subconsciously.”

Aemond nodded slowly. “I noticed and I wanted to say something but when I realized my mother was also acting strange I just froze. I wasn’t sure what to do or say.”

A moment of silence passed between you.

“Maybe that’s also why I pulled away, especially once Alys and I got together,” Aemond wondered aloud. 

“I’m sorry for lying to you Aemond but it wasn’t my place to out anyone,” you told him.

Aemond looked down at his hands. “Do you have feelings for my mother?” Then he looked over at you again. “Real feelings,” he clarified.

You smiled earnestly. “I do.” Then you sighed. “I haven’t stopped thinking about her once since last Christmas.”

“My mother had a very traditional, conservative, upbringing. If she is bi, or gay, or whatever she might be…it would be hard for her to accept that about herself. It would be hard for her to be anything but what my grandfather had told her to be,” Aemond confessed.

You let out a sarcastic laugh. “I understand that more than ever.”

Aemond eyed you, confused. 

“I didn’t know I’d end up engaged tonight,” you told him.

“Really?”

You nodded. “I just met the girl. I had no idea my father had plans to marry me off.”

“Do you have feelings for her?” He asked cautiously.

“No, but that doesn’t matter to my father.” You sighed and stood up. 

“What are you going to do?” Aemond stood as well.

You shrugged. “I don’t know. She didn’t seem happy about our engagement either but my father has ordered me to get her on board if her family can’t convince her.”

Aemond frowned. “That’s fucked.”

“Beyond fucked,”  you replied with a laugh.

Aemond ran a hand through his hair. “Why not just tell your father you won’t do it?”

You shook your head. “I can’t. My father would never forgive me. They’d disown me again.”

“You lived through banishment once,” Aemond countered.

“Yeah but I had friends. I had you,” you replied then wrapped your arms around yourself. “I haven’t spoken or seen any of my friends since graduation. Half of them didn’t even pick up the phone when I called to invite them tonight. If I lose my family again, I have no one.”

Aemond reached out and gave your shoulders a squeeze. “You still have me,” he said with a hopeful smile.

You smiled back at him. “Thanks.”

A knock at the door startled you. 

One of your staff walked in and informed you that your mother was looking for you.

You thanked her and she excused herself. 

You told Aemond someone would come by with spare night clothes then excused yourself.

-

You found your mother in the hall, showing a few family friends where to find their rooms. She told you to go to your father’s study so you made your way back there.

Once inside you saw Margaery and her family gathered there with your father. 

Your father sat at his desk. He stood when you walked in. 

“Wonderful news (y/n),” he said and instructed you to sit next to Margaery on the chaise.

Margaery’s father informed you that Margaery had come around to the engagement.

“Let’s leave the brides to get to know one another,” your father declared then he led Mace Tyrell out the door.

Margaery’s other family members followed and soon you were alone with her once again.

“Did you know,” Margaery asked in a hushed voice.

You sighed. “No. It was a surprise to me too.”

Margaery looked over at you. “I would’ve never guessed. You handled it so well.”

“My family is all about their image. I’m a well trained dog,” you replied, not meeting her gaze. 

“Why aren’t you angry,” Margaery asked, a pensive look on her face. 

“There’s no point,” you confessed. “My father always gets what he wants.”

Margaery folded one leg over the other. “And what would he do if he didn’t?” 

“Probably disown me, again,” you replied, tired. 

“He disowned you?” Margaery’s eyes widened.

You nodded. “Once. It was horrible, and lonely.”

“That sounds awful,” Margaery said and placed a comforting hand on your knee.

You shrugged. Then you turned to her. “Wouldn’t your family do the same?”

“No, never.”

You furrowed your brows. “Then why are you going through with this?”

Margaery looked away from you then bit the corner of her lip. “Can I trust you?”

“Of course.”

“We’re broke,” Margaery said with a sigh.

“You’re broke?”

“Mhm, and we need your family to help us through it.”

You looked down and noticed the outline of the ring box in your trouser pocket. “I see.”

Your father had probably left you alone so you could give Margaery the ring. You reached in your pocket then turned to Margaery.

When you looked over at her you noticed something in her gaze softened. She titled her head to the side. 

“Maybe we could grow to love one another,” Margaery said and ran her thumb across your cheek. “You’re quite easy on the eyes (y/n).”

You smiled and let out a nervous laugh. “Thank you, but I have to be honest with you. Since you were honest with me.”

Margaery dropped her hand from your face. “What is it? You don’t think I’m pretty?”

You dropped the ring box back in your pocket and put a hand up towards Margaery. Your brows shot up. 

“Oh no, it’s not that. You’re gorgeous Margaery, it's just that…my heart is spoken for.”

“Oh,” she replied, a bit of disappointment laced in her voice.

You smiled softly. “I’m sure we’ll be great friends Margaery, and I’ll come to care deeply for you in our marriage but I could never be in love with you,” you confessed. 

“If someone has already claimed your heart, why aren’t you with them?”

“That’s a long story,” you said with a sigh. 

Margaery stood and poured you both drinks from your father’s bar. 

“Your father said to get acquainted so..” she said and handed you a drink. “Let’s get acquainted.”

So you told her everything. 

When you finished Margaery let out a deep breath. 

“(y/n) you poor, darling, idiot. Fucking your best friend’s mother…even I haven’t done that,” she said.

“I did worse than that Margaery. I fell in love with her,” you replied. 

Margaery wrapped an arm around your shoulders. “A hopeless romantic,” she teased with a small smile. 

You smiled back. “Thanks for listening to me go on and on.”

“What are fiancé’s for?” Margaery joked. Then she gave your cheek a quick pinch. “I think we will be the best of friends (y/n).”

You laced your hand with hers. “I agree.” You gave her hand a squeeze. “And the best part is I will be happy to hear all about your romantic and sexual dalliances during our marriage, as long as you keep them quiet, what with the family image to uphold,” you joked. 

Margaery laughed. “Of course.”

A servant came in and informed Margaery her family was leaving via helicopter. The two of you hugged and said your goodbyes.

You walked out to the ballroom where everyone was slowly clearing out for the night. You grabbed an unopened bottle of champagne and made your way to your room.

-

A whole bottle of champagne later you laid in your bed and stared at the ceiling. 

You were really going to marry a complete stranger.

And for what?

Your father’s pride?

You sighed and got ready for bed.

But sleep wouldn’t come.

You tossed and turned for hours until you gave up and decided to get some fresh air. 

You wrapped your robe tightly around you and slipped on your outdoor slippers. 

Just as you started for the door your eye caught on your grandmother’s ring. You grabbed the box and slipped it in your robe pocket.

-

The night air was crisp. It felt good against your skin.

You took a deep breath as you made your way through the garden.

You sat down in front of the small fountain. The stars twinkled overhead.

You thumbed the ring box in the pocket of your robe. 

You brought it out and opened it. 

You ran your finger over the diamonds. 

Soon tears pooled in your eyes. 

Your future was set.

You’d marry Margaery. Your father would want heirs so you’d probably have kids. You’d work at your father’s company until you retired. Then you’d sit all alone in your estate as your kids and Margaery all lived their own lives. 

Tears started to cloud your vision.

A slave to your family name.

The tears spilled over. You wiped them away with the sleeve of your robe.

You froze when you heard footsteps behind you. 

You stood up and faced the hedges. 

“Who is there,” you asked as you shoved the ring box back in your robe.

It was quiet for a moment.

Then she walked out from the shadows. 

Alicent stopped just short of where you stood. 

“Who’s the peeping tom now,” you joked.

A small smile spread across Alicent’s face. 

But it was gone just as quickly as it had come.

“I didn’t mean to intrude. I couldn’t sleep so I came out for some air. I…I’ll go,” Alicent said and turned her back to you.

You reached out and grabbed her hand. 

“Don’t, please,” you begged.

Alicent didn’t meet your gaze but she gave a small nod. 

You sat back down on the bench and she sat on the other side of it.

“What brings you out here so late,” Alicent asked.

You sighed. “Everything.”

Alicent turned her head towards you. “Are you alright (y/n)?”

You shook your head. Then you brought out the ring box. 

Alicent’s gaze shifted towards the ring box. 

You opened it and showed it to her. “It was my grandmother’s.”

Alicent took it and ran her finger across the diamond. “It’s beautiful.”

“My father handed it to me and said my grandmother would be proud,” you recalled with a sigh.

Alicent handed the box back to you. “I’m sure she would be.”

You pocketed the box and let out a scoff. “What would she be proud of?” 

You stood and walked to the fountain. You looked down at your reflection in the water, the moon high above you. 

“I’m going to marry a woman I don’t know and don’t love for my father’s sake… My grandmother would’ve called me a coward,” you finished and turned to look at Alicent. 

She furrowed her brow. “You don’t know her?”

You shook your head then sat down next to Alicent on the bench, your body facing hers. “I just met her tonight.”

“Oh,” Alicent responded, she looked away from you but you noticed a shy smile prying at her lips.

You looked down at your hands, a smile on your face.

“You know she caused such a scene in my father’s study that I thought her family would break off the engagement.” 

You let out a small laugh at the memory of Margaery cursing in front of your father.

Alicent turned back to face you. “A scene,” she asked.

You nodded. “Our engagement was a surprise to her as well. She was not on board,” you explained. 

“What changed?” Alicent tucked a lock of auburn hair behind her ear.

You remembered how soft her hair had felt in your fingers. You wished to reach out and touch her but you knew better.

So you looked away from her and took a steadying breath.

“I spoke with her, alone, and she explained that her family is in financial hardship and needs my family name to get through it.” 

You looked up and met Alicent’s gaze. The moonlight washed over her porcelain skin. She looked positively angelic. 

“I wanted to explain to you,” you started. “I didn’t want you to think what I said in the garden was a lie.”

Alicent softened. She reached out and touched the top of your hand. “I know your heart.”

You turned your hand over and laced your fingers with hers. You stroked the palm of her hand with your thumb.

After a moment in comfortable silence Alicent let out a breath and spoke. 

“So you’re moving forward with the engagement?”

You shrugged. “What else can I do?”

Alicent brought your hand into her lap. “Surely your father would understand if you couldn’t go through with it?”

“Would yours?”

Alicent didn’t reply. 

You looked over at Alicent. “What did it feel like…being in an arranged marriage?” 

“It’s hard,” Alicent said with an exasperated breath. She closed her eyes. “You try to love them but so much of it feels hollow.” 

Alicent opened her eyes and turned to you. 

Tears had started to pool in your eyes. 

Alicent reached out and cupped your cheek. “I don’t mean to scare you (y/n). Maybe it’ll be different for you,” she said, trying to comfort you.

A stray tear fell down your cheek. 

You pulled away from Alicent and stood back up. 

“It’ll be worse,” you muttered as you walked back over to the fountain.

Alicent stood up and followed you. “Don’t say that,” she chided and placed a hand on your shoulder. “She’s a beautiful girl. I’m sure you’ll grow to love her.”

You clenched your jaw then turned around. “She’s not you,” you confessed. 

Alicent’s brows shot up. “I-.”

“I’m in love with you Alicent. Being with anyone else will be torture,” you told her. You reached out and took her by the hands. You brought them to your lips and kissed her knuckles. “I love you,” you murmured into them.

Alicent turned her head and pulled her hands away. “(y/n), please don’t.”

You stepped closer to her, close enough to smell her perfume. 

“I’m going to marry someone I will never be able to love. Please…please let me tell you exactly how I feel about you,” you pleaded. 

Alicent met your gaze. 

Your faces just a breath apart from one another. 

“It wouldn’t change anything,” Alicent replied.

“You’re right,” you let out a small sigh. Then you looked down and remembered the ring box in your pocket. 

Alicent hooked her finger under your chin and brought your gaze back up to her. “You’ll be alright.”

You looked into Alicent’s eyes, and couldn’t stop yourself from leaning forward. 

Your lips met hers. 

Alicent cupped your cheek and softly pulled away. 

“We can’t,” she whispered. 

You leaned into her touch and closed your eyes.  “I love you.”

Alicent dropped her hand from your face. “Stop saying that.”

You opened your eyes and frowned. “Why?”

Alicent turned away from you and wrapped her arms around herself. She was quiet.

“I don’t mean to make you uncomfortable Alicent,” you apologized. 

“It’s not that,” Alicent turned back around. She rubbed her arms for warmth.

You undid your robe and wrapped it around her shoulders. 

“You’re too kind (y/n).” 

Alicent pulled the robe tighter around her.  

“You deserve all the kindness in the world,” you replied, a rueful smile on your face.

Alicent looked up at the sky and shook her head softly. She looked back at you and bit her lip. 

There was something in her gaze you couldn’t quite read. 

“What is it,” you asked her. 

“I love you too,” she declared with tears in her eyes. 

You stepped closer. “What…”

Alicent wiped away the tears that pricked at the corners of her eyes. 

“I have not stopped thinking of you since that night.”

You closed the gap between you. “Really?”

Alicent nodded, not trusting her voice. 

You cupped her face with your hands. “Why didn’t you say anything? Why didn’t you call or text or-,” you rambled. 

“Because it doesn’t matter how we feel. You said it yourself, we are slaves to our family names,” Alicent replied as tears fell down the sides of her face.

You wiped the tears away as they fell. 

“It does matter. It matters to me,” you whispered. 

Alicent leaned into your touch. 

You brought your face closer and leaned your forehead against hers. 

You dropped your hands from her face and wrapped them around her waist.

She buried her face in the crook of your shoulder. 

You kissed the side of her head. “You know, I was never sure if you felt the same as I did. Sometimes I thought I tricked you into sleeping with me and had imagined any affection you had for me.”

Alicent pulled away just enough to look you in the eye. 

“You showed me exactly what I had felt missing my whole life,” she declared.

Then she leaned forwards and brought her lips against yours. 

Her kiss was timid but determined. She wrapped her arms around your neck and brought your face closer to hers. 

You deepened the kiss and pressed her body against yours. 

Desire started to pool between your thighs at the welcomed memory of Alicent's body against your own.

So you pulled away, just enough to speak. 

“I need you Ali,” you whispered, breath ragged and spent.

Alicent stared into your eyes. 

You noticed how dark her eyes had become. 

She nodded and you led her back to your room.

-

Hours, and more than a handful of orgasms, later Alicent laid her head on your chest and smiled as your breathing steadied.

She laced her fingers with yours. 

You smiled up at the ceiling as you ran your hands through her hair. It was just as soft as you remembered.

Alicent lifted her head and looked up at you. “You look lost in thought.”

You looked down at her and smiled. “I’m just so happy right now.”

Alicent kissed your collarbone. “I am too,” she confessed. 

You twirled a lock of her hair around your finger. “You’re so beautiful.”

She buried her face in your chest but you caught the blush in her cheeks before she did so. 

It brought a satisfied smirk to your lips.

The first streaks of dawn started to filter through the heavy curtains of your windows. 

Alicent looked up and realized the time. 

“I should get back to my own room,” she said and started to collect herself. 

And just like that your carriage had turned into a pumpkin.

You sighed.

“Can’t we just stay in bed a while longer.”

You sat up and watched as she put on the pajamas your staff had given her. 

“We have to face reality at some point (y/n),” she said and walked back over to the bed. She gave you a quick peck on your lips.

You caught her arm just as soon as she pulled away. She stopped and looked down at you. 

You threw your legs over the side of the bed and pulled her in between your legs. 

“Who says we have to do that?” 

Alicent smiled languidly. “I would love nothing more than to stay in your bed with you until the end of time but-”

You grabbed her hands and kissed each palm. “But nothing…just stay a little longer,” you begged. 

Alicent let out a deep sigh but the smile remained on her face. “Fine,” she resigned in fake annoyance. 

You gave her hands a gentle squeeze then looked down at them. You ran your thumb over her ring finger on her left hand.

“You know, my grandmother’s ring would look good on you,” you mused aloud.

Alicent pulled her hand away and stepped back. “That’s cruel,” she snapped.

The air in the room changed in an instant.

You stood and followed her. You put your hands on her arms and she turned around.

“I’m sorry,” you started. 

Alicent sighed then her shoulders sagged. “It’s fine I just don’t like thinking of things that can never be,” she reasoned.

You turned and noticed your discarded robe on the edge of the bed. You picked it up and pulled out the ring box.

Why couldn’t it? You thought to yourself.

Your father would hate you.

But you’d have Alicent.

You’d have Alicent…she just needed to say yes.

You opened the ring box then turned back to Alicent. 

She eyed you curiously. 

You got down on one knee.

Alicent’s eyes widened. “(y/n),” she started.

“Marry me,” you declared and held the ring towards her.

“You can’t be serious,” she stuttered. 

You stood and looked her in the eyes. “Now that I know you feel the same as I do, I can’t marry Margaery. The only woman I want to be with is you,” you declared.

Alicent’s mouth fell open. “I- I don’t know what to say. (y/n) we hardly know each other.”

You shrugged. “We’ll have plenty of time to get to know one another.” You got down on one knee again. “So say yes,” you urged.

Alicent walked to the other side of the room. “It would never work,” she argued. Then she started to pace about the room. “I’m a widow with three grown children. What would they say if we married? You have your whole life ahead of you (y/n).” Alicent stopped pacing and looked at you, her anxiety and fear written all over her face. “Your father will disown you.”

You walked to where Alicent stood and smiled at her. “I don’t care what others will say. I don’t care if my father disowns me. I don’t care if they take my inheritance away.” 

“But (y/n),” Alicent started to protest but you held up a hand to stop her.

“I love you. I want to be with you. Do you want to be with me?”

Alicent held your gaze. “Are you sure?”

You nodded. “More than I’ve ever been before.”

Alicent bit the inside of her cheek. Then she looked down at her hands, she nervously toyed with them. 

“Everything would change. I’m scared,” Alicent whispered.

“I can be brave enough for the both of us,” you said and brought her gaze back up to meet yours. 

You gave her a tender kiss then stroked her bottom lip with your thumb. 

“Please, let me love you the way you deserve. Let me fill your days with joy and your nights with endless bliss,” you professed.

Alicent let out a great sigh then let out a nervous laugh. “I don’t deserve you (y/n).”

You shook your head. “Yes you do.”

Alicent kissed your lips, then your cheeks, then your forehead. 

You laughed then got back down on one knee. “Let’s try this again,” you joked. 

Alicent smiled down at you. 

You took the ring from the box and held it up towards Alicent. “Alicent Hightower, will you do me the absolute honor of marrying me?”

“Yes,” Alicent replied, tears in her eyes. 

You stood and slipped the ring onto her finger. Then you brought her hand up to your lips and kissed her knuckles. 

Alicent took a steadying breath then wiped the tears from her eyes. She admired the ring on her finger. 

Then her smile dropped. 

She looked up at you. 

“What are we going to tell Aemond?”

“We’ll tell him he can call me Mom,” you joked with a smirk. 

Alicent’s smile returned. She swatted at your arm. “You’re impossible.”

You brought her lips to yours and slowly drifted back to your bed. It would be another couple hours before either of you got back up.

-

Aemond sat at the foot of the bed, stupefied. 

“You’re marrying my mother,” he asked aloud.

You sat down next to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. “You’re damn right I am, son.”

Aemond’s face soured at the sound of the word. 

“Do not call me that ever again.”

You laughed. “Fine, but I won’t mind if you call me Mom.”

Aemond shook his head. “Absolutely not.”

Then the two of you went out to find Alicent and break the news to your family. It didn’t matter if they hated you. It didn’t matter if they disowned you. You had Alicent and you had Aemond. You would have a new family.

[hyperfixatedimagines]

i really loved your home for the holidays fic, what would be the odds of a follow-up? 🙏

I've had a couple people ask so good news, I have cooked up an idea for chapter 3. Just can't promise it'll come out soon haha

[hyperfixatedimagines]

The Queen’s Ward (Alicent x f!reader)

Summary: Alicent and the lady (y/n) Velaryon had never seen eye to eye but as Lady (y/n) is forced to be a ward underneath the Queen’s icy gaze she finds that Alicent is not all that she seems, and that while her gaze is icy her touch is quite hot.

A/N: This is my take on book canon Alicent. Very much not canon compliant. It’s a little smutty but nothing crazy. As always, let me know what you think!

From a young age (y/n) had been the very image of elegance and grace. Her manners were impeccable and her beauty immeasurable. Princess Rhaenys had weathered a lifetime of compliments about (y/n) by the time (y/n) was ten years of age.

The dragon egg placed in her bed never hatched but (y/n) claimed Silverwing at the age of seven. The she-dragon had been spotted resting in the sand dunes of Driftmark one summer and (y/n) was determined to claim her birthright.

And claimed it she did. Silverwing bonded to her instantly.

To the world, especially to lady Alicent Hightower, it seemed as though Lady (y/n) had no flaws. She was perfect. 

While Princess Rhaenyra was dubbed the realm’s delight, young lady (y/n) was dubbed the realm’s beauty.

As (y/n) grew, so did the pressure for her to marry. Lord Corlys had been approached by many, many, suitors by the time (y/n) had her first moon blood but Rhaenys had always fought against it.

Princess Rhaenys had realized that two of her children were different. Laenor did not care for girls and (y/n) did not care for boys. (y/n) was much more skilled in disguising such a fact but Rhaenys saw through it.

Unfortunately, Rhaenys would not always be able to protect her eldest daughter from the politics of their station.

-

(y/n)’s favorite summers were the ones she spent out at sea with her father, where court graces were not expected and it mattered more that she could successfully steer a ship than if her needlework was precise. Out at sea with her father and his crew she could breathe a little easier.

But her second favorite summers were those spent with her cousin, Rhaenyra, in King’s Landing.

Princess Rhaenyra was, in many ways, what (y/n) always wished to be. Princess Rhaenyra could do as she pleased. She had no care for propriety or what others would say. She was free.

(y/n) envied that in many ways. She was always painfully aware of how she had to behave to be the very image of perfection. It was the only armor she had in a world that would see her dead if she ever revealed who she truly was.

But when (y/n) was with Rhaenyra she could be a little freer.

The only downside to spending time with her cousin was the fact that Rhaenyra was good friends with Alicent Hightower.

Alicent was four years their senior but Rhaenyra had become quite taken with her.

Rhaenyra saw Alicent much the way Laena saw (y/n). So Rhaenyra never believed (y/n) when (y/n) expressed her distrust of Alicent.

(y/n) never had proof of Alicent’s duplicitous nature but she never felt at ease near the Hightower girl. She could never name why, but eventually she would know the reason all too well.

-

All Alicent’s girlhood she had heard the many praises of (y/n) Velaryon.

(y/n) Velaryon was graceful. (y/n) Velaryon was beautiful. (y/n) Velaryon was perfect.

Alicent hated (y/n) Velaryon.

And then she actually met (y/n) Velaryon.

She met (y/n) one summer early on in her time at the Red Keep. Alicent watched (y/n) and Rhaenyra play in the gardens from afar. 

She couldn’t help but admit that (y/n) Velaryon really was beautiful.

Alicent’s stomach filled with butterflies the first time (y/n) had spoken to her.

(y/n)’s smile was bright like the sun, and just as warm.

The two girls had been friends at first. But that friendship didn’t last long.

Alicent became ambitious. Just as ambitious as her father, Otto Hightower. With that ambition came the realization that she felt something sinful towards (y/n).

Alicent felt desire. Desire for a girl.

And she would not let that desire be her ruin. She was going to be queen one day.

-

Alicent had just turned eight and ten. (y/n) was four and ten, as was Rhaenyra.

The Queen had died, and the King needed to remarry.

Many young women had been brought forth as eligible brides, including Alicent and (y/n).

Lord Corlys had never pressured his daughter or his wife on the idea of (y/n)’s marrying, until the King needed a new wife. Corlys desired nothing more than his blood on the iron throne. This was his shot.

“(y/n), it is time for you to do your duty as a lady of House Velaryon and wed,” Lord Corlys had declared.

(y/n)’s protests fell on deaf ears. Her father would not be moved, and her mother could not help her.

So (y/n) sought refuge in the many empty halls of the Red Keep. She sat behind one of the hall’s large stone pillars and cried.

She knew that Rhaenyra and Laena would be in her chambers waiting for her and she could not bear to be near them in her state.

So (y/n) brought her knees to her chest and buried her face in her legs.

“I did not think you were capable of such cries of sorrow,” a cold but alluring voice said beside her.

(y/n) lifted her face and found Alicent standing against the wall opposite her.

Lady (y/n) wiped away the remaining tears with the sleeve of her dress.

“Lady Alicent. I apologize you had to hear that.”

Alicent shrugged. “Your tears matter not to me.” She approached (y/n) and lowered her face to (y/n)’s. “Although, seeing the realm’s beauty driven to tears is a pretty sight to see,” Alicent said with a smirk.

(y/n) stood and dusted herself off. She would not let Alicent get to her.

So she smiled a tight smile. “I must be on my way. Good day Lady Alicent.”

But just as (y/n) went to walk away Alicent reached out and grabbed (y/n) by the arm.

Alicent pulled (y/n) back. “We have not seen one another in quite some time (y/n). It would be rude not to dine and catch up as old friends do.”

(y/n) clenched her jaw. Dining with Alicent was the last thing she wanted to do. Then she sighed. She would probably be queen and as such she had to embody the best of the realm’s manners.

“Perhaps we can meet for tea later this evening, but I must take my leave now. Excuse me.”

(y/n) tried to pull away but Alicent would not let go. (y/n) looked down at her arm then up at Alicent. 

This was most impolite. (y/n) couldn’t imagine what had possessed Alicent to be so rude with her.

“You’re not excused (y/n).” 

(y/n) met Alicent’s gaze. She found nothing but determination, and anger, in Alicent’s gaze. It frightened (y/n), but it also made her feel alive. 

“Lady Alicent, I ask that you please-”

Alicent stepped closer toward (y/n), their noses just a breath apart.

“I know your father wants the King to marry you, but you will never be Queen.”

(y/n) furrowed her brows. “How could you possibly know that?”

“Because I will  be Queen,” Alicent spat in response.

“I care not for the crown. I will pray the Gods grant it to you,” (y/n) replied.

Alicent’s gaze flickered down to (y/n)’s lips then back to meet (y/n)’s gaze. 

“You are a fool not to take the crown for yourself.”

(y/n) pulled out of Alicent’s grasp. She stepped away from the older girl and shrugged.

“Then I am a fool, Lady Alicent.”

Alicent watched (y/n) walk away, the daughter of the sea snake had some bite in her after all.

-

Just as Alicent had declared, the crown was hers. Everyone but Lord Corlys Velaryon was in high spirits during the King’s wedding.

But no one was more gay than Lady (y/n). She had been saved by the girl she liked the least.

(y/n) made it a point to thank the new Queen.

The young Velaryon girl watched as Queen Alicent walked out of the great hall. 

She followed her.

Once they were out in the courtyard (y/n) called out to the Queen.

“Your Grace.”

Alicent smiled at the sound of (y/n)’s voice. She quickly schooled her features into feigned annoyance as she whipped around to face (y/n).

“What is it?”

(y/n) bowed and smiled at Alicent. “I wanted to thank you.”

Alicent almost didn’t register what (y/n) had said, the sight of the realm’s beauty bowing to her occupied her sole focus. After a moment Alicent looked away from (y/n). “Thank me?”

“I am safe from being married off once again. So I wanted to thank you.”

Alicent’s gaze snapped back towards (y/n). She furrowed her brows. 

“You truly are a fool (y/n). I am the Queen of the seven kingdoms. You can’t imagine the power I have now.”

(y/n) let out a small laugh. “I don’t wish for power, your Grace. But I’m glad you have what you have always wanted.”

Alicent stared at (y/n), confused. “If you don’t wish for power, what do you wish for?”

“I don’t know,” (y/n) replied, avoiding Alicent’s gaze.

Alicent stepped towards (y/n)

“Your Queen orders you to speak the truth.”

(y/n) looked up and swallowed hard. “I want to never marry.”

(y/n) sighed loudly. She had never actually said that out loud, to anyone.

Alicent’s stomach filled with butterflies. It made her very happy to hear (y/n) had no desire for marriage. Butterflies still filled her stomach whenever (y/n) was near, and the thought of (y/n) marrying filled Alicent with dread.

“Why,” Alicent asked.

(y/n) looked taken aback by Alicent’s question. She looked away from the Queen.

“That does not matter.”

Alicent furrowed her brows once more.  “If I ask you a question lady (y/n) you answer it.”

(y/n) clenched her jaw. Only Alicent would take (y/n)’s thanks as an opportunity to debase her.

“I do not wish to leave my family to bear children for some lord and be a slave to his every whim.”

Alicent stepped closer to (y/n) once more. “A woman’s highest honor is to wed and birth a man’s children.”

(y/n) held Alicent’s gaze. “I don’t agree, your Grace.”

Alicent tilted her head slightly, appraising (y/n) in the faint moonlight of the hall. “What if you loved  him, and he loved you?”

“I don’t believe in love,” (y/n) replied.

Alicent brows raised. “The realm’s beauty doesn’t believe in love?”

“Do you?” (y/n) countered, though she knew the truth.

(y/n) knew Alicent loved power. She didn’t think the new Queen was capable of loving anyone or anything else.

Alicent’s gaze flickered to (y/n)’s lips, then (y/n)’s bosom, then back up to (y/n)’s eyes. 

“Maybe I do,” Alicent whispered. 

No one had ever looked at her that way Alicent was looking at her.

(y/n)’s heart started to race. “You do?”

Alicent raised her hand and cupped (y/n)’s face. She ran her thumb across (y/n)’s cheek.

“Of course.”

(y/n)’s skin burned under Alicent’s touch, but (y/n) liked the heat. 

She had never felt that way before. (y/n) looked down at Alicent’s lips. 

She had kissed girls before. Silly games girls played, practice for their husbands they would say as they giggled and twirled their hair in between their fingers.

(y/n) wondered if Alicent had ever played such games.

(y/n) stepped towards Alicent, their faces just a breath apart. 

Alicent smiled. 

(y/n) detected no malice in her smile. She smiled back.

“I-,” (y/n) stammered. 

The magic of the pair’s private moment burst when Princess Rhaenyra ran out of the great hall and into the corridor, screaming (y/n)’s name.

Alicent pulled away from (y/n) and cleared her throat. She started down the hall, not once looking back at (y/n).

The night’s cold breeze replaced Alicent’s hot touch and a shiver ran along (y/n)’s back.

Princess Rhaenyra reached the pair and tugged on (y/n)’s arm. “Cousin, they brought out more lemon cakes.”

(y/n) watched Alicent walk away. Rhaenyra’s pleas barely registered in (y/n)’s ears.

All she could feel was the ghost of Alicent’s thumb on her cheek.

-

Many moons passed and with them came the dawn of war. Corlys Velaryon took his son and his men and set out for war alongside Prince Daemon Targaryen. They warred to secure the islands known as the Stepstones.

While Lord Corlys warred, his wife Princess Rhaenys ruled Driftmark. At her side was her eldest daughter, Lady (y/n).

Lady (y/n) had taken to helping her mother rule Driftmark. She had even been granted the final word on a few local disputes. Her mother beamed with pride at the sight of (y/n) taking her new role seriously. (y/n) studied every book of laws in the keep’s library.

The longer the war went on the more (y/n) worried about her father and brother. Laenor had become quite the sailor and dragonrider but he was still just a boy. Lord Coryls was fierce and a brilliant strategist but (y/n) could only imagine the worst.

She tried to put on a brave face for her mother. She worried just as much, if not more, than Lady (y/n) did.

So when a messenger arrived in Driftmark with the declaration that Lady (y/n) had to be taken to King’s Landing to be ward of the King, Princess Rhaenys cried a river of tears.

Upon hearing the message (y/n) knew that Alicent was behind it. The King would never make such a declaration of his own accord. Making lady (y/n) a ward of the King would further divide their houses, not mend the rift between them that occurred when the King chose Alicent Hightower over Lady (y/n).

Still, (y/n) packed her belongings and said goodbye to her mother and sister. She made the journey to King’s Landing atop her dragon. Both she and her mother agreed she could not leave her dragon behind.

Lady (y/n)’s arrival in King’s Landing was a quiet one.

Princess Rhaenyra had met (y/n) at the dragonpit to say hello. Her cousin was eager to see her and was overjoyed that (y/n) would be staying with her. The Princess confided in (y/n) that she had been right about Alicent. She was not Rhaenyra’s true friend.

The Queen had bore a babe, a boy, for the King.

Ever since then Alicent had been nothing but cruel to Rhaenyra.

(y/n) empathized with her cousin, and promised they would be a united front against the Queen’s cruelty.

When the two returned to the Red Keep no one was there to greet (y/n). Rhaenyra led (y/n) to her chambers then excused herself as she had the duty of being her father’s cupbearer and was already late.

Once alone (y/n) let out a deep sigh. The chambers that had once felt like a second home now felt like a gilded cage. 

(y/n) wondered why the Queen would call her to King’s Landing, after so many years apart. Her last memory of her was the ghost of her thumb on (y/n)’s cheek. Her stomach knotted, with excitement and nerves at seeing her again.

-

The Queen stormed into lady (y/n)’s chambers. 

 Lady (y/n) stood from the desk where she had sat, writing her family a letter on her arrival. “Your Grace.”

The Queen froze as she laid eyes on Lady (y/n) for the first time since their almost kiss outside the great hall. 

Lady (y/n) was even more beautiful than she remembered. 

Alicent hated her even more for it. She folded her arms across her chest as she looked around the room. 

“Lady (y/n), a shame to see you have not settled in just yet.” 

(y/n)’s head turned to the stack of unpacked trunks in the corner of her room. She had told the maids to only unpack one of them.

“I won’t be here long. There is no need to unpack everything, your Grace,” (y/n) replied with a strained smile.

The Queen pursed her lips as she tilted her head, examining lady (y/n).

“Your optimism is refreshing, Lady (y/n).”

(y/n) stood tall. She was no longer a young girl, she was a lady grown. 

“It is not optimism your Grace, but the assurance that once I have spoken with the King he will see there is no need for me to remain in King’s Landing.”

The Queen let out a huff. She walked to the table towards the far side of the room and took a seat facing (y/n).

“If that is the case then I must admit it is startling to see you have not grown any less foolish in your time away, Lady (y/n)”

(y/n) turned to look at the Queen.  “It is the truth, your Grace.”

The Queen looked over at the fruit on the table. She grabbed a few grapes and slowly brought them to her mouth. 

“Your father started a war without the King’s permission.” the Queen said in between bites of fruit. “We cannot allow for the realm to think such actions are allowed,” she finished with a small smirk. 

“Then why not impose taxes upon our lands? Why keep me as a ward while the war still rages.” (y/n) furrowed her brows. 

She did not believe Alicent’s motives were purely political. It simply didn’t make sense.

The Queen stood from her seat and walked towards lady (y/n). “That does not send a strong enough message to the other houses.”

(y/n) instinctively stepped back as the Queen continued to approach her. 

The Queen closed the gap between them and reached up to cup (y/n)’s cheek.

“Such behavior must be punished,” the Queen whispered.

(y/n)’s face flushed with pink. She looked away from the Queen’s heavy gaze but did not move away from the Queen’s grasp.

The Queen smiled. “The gossips of court spoke about how beautiful you had become in recent moons... .perhaps I brought you here to see if there was truth in their words.”

Lady (y/n)’s heart beat rang in her ears. She stepped away from Alicent and turned away from her.

The Queen watched in delight.

“I-,” (y/n) stuttered as she struggled to compose herself.

The Queen took a deep breath, schooling her features into polite indifference. 

“Or perhaps I brought you here to reveal that the realm’s beauty is nothing but a sick deviant.”

Lady (y/n) whipped around to face the Queen. “I am not a deviant.”

The Queen smirked. “Come, we must not keep the King waiting for dinner,” she said as she made her way towards the door.

Lady (y/n) clenched her jaw and followed the Queen out of her chambers.

-

The first few moons at the Red Keep were dreadful for lady (y/n). 

With no choice but to obey the Queen’s endless requests for (y/n) to wait on her every whim. 

Lady (y/n) had not yet been able to get a moment alone with the King. At the dinner welcoming her to the Keep the King made little comment to (y/n) being a ward of his or the reason why. (y/n) had not seen the king since. 

But everything would soon change for lady (y/n) and the Queen.

-

It was a night like any other.

Lady (y/n) had been called into the Queen’s chambers to prepare the Queen for sleep. 

She had helped Talia ready the Queen for bed before but this time (y/n) noticed she was alone. 

The Queen stood in front of the mirror, she stared at (y/n). 

“Well, what are you waiting for,” Alicent asked. 

Lady (y/n) stepped forward and unlaced the Queen’s dress. 

(y/n) made sure to focus only on the bodice in front of her. She could not let her mind wander, lest it go to carnal places.

Alicent watched (y/n) through the mirror. She could feel (y/n)’s fingertips leave goose pimples in their wake as (y/n) unlaced the bodice. It took all her strength not to close her eyes and savor the younger woman’s touch. 

Once the bodice was undone lady (y/n) walked around to face the Queen. Lady (y/n) avoided the Queen’s gaze as she tugged at the dress. 

Alicent’s voice caught in her throat as Lady (y/n) lowered herself to help her out of the dress. 

“You can step out of the dress now, your grace,” (y/n) said as she looked up at the Queen. 

Alicent looked down at Lady (y/n) and felt her heart thump faster in her chest. 

The realm’s beauty on her knees for me, Alicent thought. She bit her cheek. She knew better than to think like that. 

Alicent looked away from Lady (y/n) and stepped out of the dress that pooled at her feet. 

Lady (y/n) took the dress and placed it in a nearby trunk. She grabbed the Queen’s nightgown and returned to Alicent’s side. 

Alicent stepped into the nightshirt and avoided (y/n)’s gaze as the Velaryon girl fastened the buttons at the front of the shirt. 

Lady (y/n) fastened the buttons of the Queen’s nightshirt as fast as she could. She felt an overwhelming heat spread throughout her with every second she passed so close to the Queen. 

The final buttons were along the Queen’s throat. 

Lady (y/n)’s eyes briefly met the Queen’s. 

Her hands stopped. 

Alicent noticed. She swallowed hard. 

“Why did you stop,” she whispered. 

Lady (y/n) stared into the Queen’s eyes. 

Alicent hadn’t always been cruel to her, (y/n) recalled. They were friends for a time. They were closer to each other than either was to Rhaenyra. 

“You stopped first,” (y/n) replied mindlessly.

Alicent’s brow furrowed. “Excuse me?”

“You stopped being my friend first…your grace,” (y/n) said then looked away from the Queen. 

She quickly finished the last of the buttons on the nightgown then stepped away. 

Alicent turned and watched (y/n) walk across the room. 

“Why bring that up now?”

(y/n) made it to the window on the far side of the Queen’s chambers. The fresh air hit her face, a welcome respite to the blazing heat that bloomed inside her. 

The Queen stepped towards Lady (y/n). “I asked you a question lady (y/n).”

(y/n) sighed. “It was a thoughtless statement, your grace.”

Alicent frowned, she wanted to press (y/n) for the truth but she knew it would be fruitless. 

“Do not let it happen again lady (y/n),” the Queen replied. 

Lady (y/n) took a deep breath of night air then turned around. 

“If that is all your grace, I will take my leave.” Lady (y/n) curtsied and turned to leave. 

Alicent put a hand up to stop (y/n). “I have a final request for tonight lady (y/n).”

Lady (y/n) faced the Queen. “How can I be of service to your grace.”

“I want you to read to me,” the Queen declared as she poured herself a cup of wine from the nearby table. 

“Read to you,” Lady (y/n) mused.

The Queen nodded. “Yes, now help me into my bed.”

Lady (y/n) approached the Queen’s bed and pulled back the furs and quilts so that the Queen could lay down. 

Once she was comfortable, the Queen looked up at (y/n) expectantly.

“You may begin.”

Lady (y/n) furrowed her brow. “I don’t have a book, your grace.”

The Queen shrugged. “Then you can tell me a tale.”

Lady (y/n) swallowed the urge to roll her eyes. All she wanted was to retire to her own bed.

But alas, that was not an option. 

So lady (y/n) plastered on a saccharine smile and said, “As you wish your grace” as she walked to the chair by the mantle. 

“Not there,” the Queen barked. 

“Where do you wish for me to sit, your grace?” Lady (y/n) asked with a strained smile.

The Queen pointed a finger to the foot of her bed. “There.”

Lady (y/n)’s stomach dropped. But she did as she was ordered to. She walked to the foot of the Queen’s bed and sat down, her back to the Queen.

“Face me,” Alicent commanded. “I want you on your knees.”

Lady (y/n) turned to meet Alicent’s gaze. “On my knees?”

Alicent took a long drink from her goblet. “Was I not clear lady (y/n)?”

“As you wish, your grace,” (y/n) replied through gritted teeth.

(y/n) grabbed her skirts and lifted them as she knelt down on the bed. She could now hear the thrumming of her heart as it pounded in her ears. 

“What tale will you tell me tonight lady (y/n)?” The Queen asked, a devious smile on her lips. 

So pretty on her knees, Alicent thought. 

“Whatever tale you wish to hear your grace,” (y/n) replied lifelessly. 

“Tell me of your travels lady (y/n). I was told you traveled to Dorne with your father.”

“I did indeed, your grace.” (y/n) began. “Well the trip itself was quite long but we sailed and I enjoy the salt air.”

(y/n) felt herself relax as she recalled that summer she traveled with her father. She was quite young but had insisted on going. 

“Sunspear was beautiful, with water gardens and trees filled with various sweet fruits.The markets outside of the keep were lively and there was an aroma of spices that filled the air.”

(y/n) closed her eyes and almost felt the heat of the Dornish sun. 

Alicent watched with a small smile as (y/n) relaxed. The smile faded as she remembered that was the summer after she and (y/n) stopped being friends. 

“When my father took me to the market I found this emerald ring with a dove carved into the gold band.” (y/n) opened her eyes and met the Queen’s gaze. “It reminded me of you.”

Alicent’s voice caught in her throat again. 

“That was the summer after our big fight. Do you remember?” Lady (y/n) asked. Though she doubted the Queen remembered. 

Alicent looked away from (y/n). 

“You’re excused lady (y/n),” the Queen commanded. 

Lady (y/n) looked down at her hands as she got off the Queen’s bed. She turned and made her way towards the door. 

“I didn’t have a choice (y/n). I couldn’t be your friend anymore,” Alicent said as (y/n)’s hand reached for the door.

Lady (y/n) turned her head back towards the Queen but Alicent had already pulled the quilts and furs over her.

(y/n) opened the door and left for her quarters. 

-

A few weeks later Lady (y/n) entered the Queen’s chambers and walked to the bed. She knelt on the foot of the bed just as she had countless nights before. 

She had brought with her a book on the maester’s moon charts with her. She wanted to tell the Queen about how sailors used the moon charts when out on the ocean.

“What have you brought to read to me tonight lady (y/n),” the Queen asked as she emerged from the partition next to the bed. 

Lady (y/n) looked up from the charts and swallowed hard when she saw the Queen in her nightgown. It was cut quite provocatively at the chest and it was so thin (y/n) could see the outline of Alicent’s curves. 

Alicent smirked when she realized lady (y/n) was staring.  “Already kneeling at the foot of my bed, ready for me. Such a good girl.”

Lady (y/n)’s face went pink and she quickly looked down at the moon charts. 

The Queen got into her bed and settled in. “You may begin, Lady (y/n).”

(y/n) began to tell the Queen about moon charts but she was cut off my a loud knock at the Queen’s door. 

The Queen rolled her eyes. “Who calls?”

“It’s Talya, your grace,” Ser Criston’s voice boomed. 

“Let her in,” the Queen replied. 

Talya entered the Queen’s chambers and bowed. 

“The King has requested your company for the night, your grace.”

The Queen sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. “Alright, tell the King I am on my way.”

Talya nodded and bowed once more before leaving. 

The Queen kept her eyes closed for another moment before she got out of her bed and reached for a robe to wrap herself in.

Lady (y/n) gathered her charts and got off the bed. 

“What are you doing?” The Queen asked.

“Talya said-,” Lady (y/n) began.

The Queen cut her off. “I did not grant you leave.”

“But the King-,” Lady (y/n) argued.

The Queen cut her off once more. “Called for me, not you. You will stay put, on your knees, until I return.” Alicent bridged the gap between her and lady (y/n). “Is that understood?” She asked, their faces inches apart.

Lady (y/n) nodded. “Yes, your grace.”

A heat bloomed between (y/n)’s legs at the sound of Alicent’s commanding voice. She got back on the bed and knelt facing the bed. 

The Queen stepped closer towards lady (y/n). 

“Good girl,” she whispered in (y/n)’s ear. 

A chill ran down (y/n)’s back. She bit the inside of her cheek and closed her eyes. 

The Queen started for the door and slowly her footsteps started to fade. 

Once the Queen was gone lady (y/n) debated getting off the bed and going back to her chambers. 

She knew that Alicent would make her pay for not obeying her orders…a part of lady (y/n) wondered what that punishment would be, and a smaller part of her felt a rush of excitement at the thought of being punished by Alicent. 

Like the good girl she was, (y/n) stayed. She continued to knee at the foot of the bed. She poured over the moon charts as she waited for Alicent to return. 

Sometime after the hour of ghosts (y/n) ended up falling asleep. 

Alicent returned during the hour of the wolf, weary and spent from her time with the King.

She entered her chambers and smiled when she saw (y/n) asleep on her bed. Alicent walked over to where (y/n) lay. She reached out and slowly ran her finger across (y/n)’s cheek.

Lady (y/n) startled and quickly sat up when she realized the Queen had returned. 

“Your Grace, my apologies. I must have fallen asleep. I am so sorry your grace I-,” lady (y/n) rambled.

Alicent’s languid smile remained. She placed her finger on (y/n)’s lips. 

“Your Queen grants you leave,” she whispered. 

Then Alicent dropped her finger from (y/n)’s lips and made her way to her side of the bed. She pulled back the furs and quilts and got in. 

Too stunned to react, the lady (y/n) took a few moments to collect herself. Then she got off the Queen’s bed and made her way to the chamber door. 

Once at the door (y/n) turned back towards the Queen. 

The Queen laid in her bed, facing the window at the far end of the room and picking her nails absentmindedly. 

“I hope you sleep well, Alicent,” (y/n) said. 

Alicent snapped out of her thoughts and turned towards (y/n). She smiled softly. 

“Thank you (y/n). Sweet dreams.”

(y/n) returned Alicent’s smile then turned and left the room.

-

More moons passed.

 Lady (y/n)’s nightly visit to the Queen was now a welcome event as things had softened between them.

(y/n) entered the Queen’s chambers as she did every night. 

This night Talya was helping the Queen into her nightgown and (y/n) had walked in while the Queen was in her thin shift. 

Lady (y/n) quickly averted her gaze. “Apologies your grace. I did not see Ser Criston outside but I should have knocked.” 

Talya placed the nightgown on the Queen. The Queen smiled at lady (y/n). 

“It’s alright (y/n). We won’t be able to have our nightly reading.” Alicent stepped towards (y/n) and sighed. “The King wishes for me to stay in his chambers tonight.”

(y/n) shrugged. “I can stay if you wish. That way I can read to you when you return.”

Alicent’s smile returned. “That’s kind of you lady (y/n).” Then she let out another sigh as Talya left the room. “I won’t return until the morrow.”

“Oh,” (y/n) replied, a small frown tugged at the edge of her mouth.

“You look as though this upsets you lady (y/n),” Alicent replied with a small smirk. “I imagined you would be giddy at the news.”

(y/n)’s face warmed. She had been caught frowning. She looked away from the Queen.

Alicent stepped closer to (y/n). “Could it be that you don’t hate my presence as much as you used to?” She whispered.

“I appreciate routine, your grace,” (y/n) replied, a small smirk of her own on her face.

Alicent laughed and placed a hand on (y/n)’s arm.

“I needed something to lighten my mood. Thank you (y/n),” Alicent said and gave (y/n)’s arm a gentle squeeze.

Blush returned to (y/n)’s cheeks at the Queen’s touch. She was glad Alicent was already headed towards the door and wouldn’t notice.

The Queen walked out of her room and left (y/n) alone. (y/n) knew she could not linger so she turned to follow the Queen out the door but she stopped when she noticed the open bottle of perfume oil on the table next to the door. 

(y/n) reached for the handkerchief in her dress pocket and before she could think twice about it she dabbed a bit of oil on her cloth. She inhaled the sweet perfume of lavender and honeysuckle.

(y/n) smiled to herself and hid the handkerchief back in her pocket. Then she left the Queen’s bedchamber.

-

It was a night like any other. 

Lady (y/n) knelt in front of the Queen, reading a passage out of a book of history from Essos. 

But on this night the Queen had drunk a bit more wine than usual. And her gaze lingered on (y/n)’s lips longer than it usually did.

“Put the book down,” Alicent commanded. 

Lady (y/n) did as the Queen told her to. 

“Is there something-”

(y/n)’s words died in her throat. 

The Queen got out of her bed and crossed the room to pour herself more wine. She downed it in one gulp then turned to (y/n).

“Lay down.”

Lady (y/n) furrowed her brow. “Why?”

“You don’t need to know why. I am your Queen and I commanded you to lay down on my bed,” Alicent replied sternly. 

(y/n) was not sure where Alicent’s anger had come from. Alicent had been far more cordial to (y/n) in recent days. She wondered why the sudden change in demeanor. 

But Alicent would not give her time to wonder. 

“Now,” Alicent barked. 

(y/n) did as she was commanded to and laid down. Her heart started beating faster. 

She could not see Alicent but (y/n) could hear Alicent cross the room. 

Alicent sat in a chair opposite her bed. She had brought the pitched of wine with her and she poured herself another cup. 

“I want you to take your nightgown off.”

Lady (y/n) sat up. “Absolutely not,” she objected.

Alicent stood. “Are you defying an order from the Queen?”

(y/n) stared at Alicent, mouth agape. “No I simply don’t understand w-”

“It does not matter if you understand or not. I am the Queen,” Alicent replied. 

(y/n) swallowed hard. Her heart beat loud in her ears. She could not do what had been asked of her. 

“Fine, I’ll do it for you,” Alicent spat. 

The Queen approached lady (y/n) and reached for (y/n)’s nightgown. Lady (y/n) grabbed the Queen’s hands. 

Alicent met (y/n)’s gaze. 

“How dare you,” Alicent roared. 

“Just tell me why,” (y/n) replied. 

Alicent stared into (y/n)’s eyes. (y/n)’s eyes begged for any reason. 

(y/n) noticed how tired Alicent’s eyes looked. Then she recalled that the King had called for her many times the past couple nights.

Alicent swallowed hard. “I need it.”

(y/n) nodded slowly. “Okay.”

Alicent stepped back and watched as (y/n) stood and undressed herself. 

The nightgown pooled at (y/n)’s feet. She bent down and picked it up. (y/n) laid it down on the bed then laid back down.

“Now what,” (y/n) asked. 

The night air drove a chill down (y/n)’s body.

Alicent sat back down in the chair facing the bed. 

“Spread your legs.”

(y/n) did as she was told. She spread her legs open.

This is wrong, (y/n) thought to herself. We can’t do this. 

But desire started to pool below (y/n)’s stomach. So (y/n) quieted the voice inside her that told her to grab her nightgown and run out of the Queen’s room.

Alicent took a long drink from her goblet. 

“Have you done this before,” Alicent asked. 

(y/n) let out a laugh. “Have I ever been naked on the Queen’s bed before?”

Alicent bit her cheek to stop herself from laughing. “Have you ever touched yourself,” she reiterated. 

The smile left (y/n)’s face. She felt her face get hot. “I uhm- I,” she stammered. 

Alicent let out a chuckle. “I’ll take that as a no.”

(y/n) took a steadying breath. “I actually have,” she confessed. 

Alicent raised her brows. “Oh.”

“Do you want me to..uhm,” (y/n) started but couldn’t quite find the strength to say the words. 

Thankfully Alicent could.

“Yes, touch yourself,” Alicent commanded. 

(y/n) closed her eyes and let out a breath. She let her hands travel down her body, slowly working their way down between her legs. 

Alicent watch, rapt. She gripped the goblet of wine so hard her knuckles turned white. 

Soon (y/n)’s fingers slipped inside her. She started off slow, just like she used to back home in the comfort of her chamber. 

After a few strokes the pace of (y/n)’s fingers quickened. (y/n)’s chest heaved as her pleasure started to build.

Alicent bit her lip as (y/n) pleasured herself. The heat between her own thighs had built to an uncomfortable throbbing. 

“Say my name,” Alicent said, voice thick with want.

(y/n)’s pace quickened again, her chest heaved harder, her breaths quickened. 

“Alicent,” (y/n) breathed as she entered herself again and again. 

“Harder,” Alicent commanded. 

(y/n) slipped another finger inside herself and pushed her fingers deeper inside her. 

“Alicent,” (y/n) moaned. 

Alicent watched as the wave of (y/n)’s pleasure reached its crest. She watched as (y/n) came undone. 

“Alicent,” (y/n) moaned as she reached the peak of her pleasure. 

Alicent stood from her seat and swallowed hard as (y/n) came down from the pleasure flowing through her. 

There (y/n) lay, open and warm with a placid smile on her face. 

(y/n) looked over at Alicent. “What now Ali.”

At the sound of her childhood nickname a swell of guilt and shame washed over Alicent. She turned around and downed the last of her wine. 

“Get out,” she said. 

(y/n) sat up, confused. “But I..why?”

The Queen turned back around to face lady (y/n). 

“Leave, before I choose against mercy and drag you out of my room to expose what a filthy whore the realm’s beauty really is,” Alicent spat. 

Tears welled in (y/n)’s eyes but she would not let them fall in the Queen’s presence.

Of course it had been a trick. Everything with Alicent always revealed itself to be a trick.

(y/n) had been foolish enough to fall for one yet again. 

Lady (y/n) grabbed her nightgown and dressed herself as she made her way to the door. She left the room without another glance at the Queen. 

(y/n) wished to never see the Queen ever again.

-

Lord Corlys’ war ended with a victory for the crown but lady (y/n) remained a ward of the Queen.

(y/n) no longer read to the Queen. In fact the Queen had unknowingly granted (y/n)’s wish to never see her again. 

But in a bitter twist life not in the Queen’s gaze was cold and unforgiving. 

Lady (y/n) was practically confined to her room. She could leave to visit the Keep’s library or to see the other ladies of court for a few hours a day but the guards had been ordered to follow (y/n)’s every move and make her dine in her room alone every day. 

(y/n) was miserable, and she was sure it was exactly what Alicent had wanted. 

Lady (y/n) finally did get an audience with the King but all he did was confirm that the only way she would leave the Keep is if Alicent let her go, or if she married. 

Thankfully a celebration was upon the Keep. The King had betrothed Rhaenyra to (y/n)’s brother, Laenor. 

A tourney would be held for their nuptials. 

The King told (y/n) she would be allowed to attend the tourney if she wished to. (y/n) jumped at the chance to be among her family once again.

-

The day of the tourney came and (y/n) raced to her mother’s arms.

Her mother asked if all was well with the King and Queen. 

(y/n) lied and said all was going well. She did not wish to worry her mother with the truth. 

Laena and Laenor rushed to give (y/n) hugs of their own. 

Love and hope swelled inside (y/n). 

-

(y/n) sat between her sister and her brother at the tourney. 

It was Prince Daemon’s turn to joust a member of House Baratheon. 

He asked for Lady (y/n)’s favor. 

“Your favor would all but ensure my win, lady (y/n). You’ve grown more beautiful with age,” Prince Daemon said as he held his lance up for (y/n)’s favor. 

Lady (y/n) smiled politely and stood to grab her favor from the nearby table. 

As she grabbed the wreath of flowers with her house colors she noticed the look on the Queen’s face. 

Alicent was not pleased. 

(y/n) figured it was due to Prince Daemon’s presence. 

If there was someone Alicent hated more than (y/n) it was Prince Daemon. 

Lady (y/n) placed her favor on Prince Daemon’s lance. “I wish you luck, your grace.”

Prince Daemon winked at her as he galloped away. 

Lady (y/n) turned to her family. Her father wore a pleasure smirk on his face. 

Gods, (y/n) thought, he wishes to wed two of his children off. 

Lady (y/n) excused herself and exited the stands. 

She made it past a nearby tent before she felt a pair of hands pull her inside it.

It was the Queen. She was furious.

Lady (y/n) furrowed her brow.“Your grace, what is the matter.”

The Queen tightened her grip on lady (y/n)’s arms. 

“How dare you,” Alicent spat.

Lady (y/n) tried to free herself from the Queen but her grasp was firm.

“I don’t understand, your grace.”

The Queen scoffed. “You practically threw yourself at Prince Daemon like a commonborn whore.”

“I merely gave him my favor, as he asked of me.” Lady (y/n) bristled against the Queen’s grasp once more. 

But the Queen would not let go. 

She forced lady (y/n) to look at her. 

“Do you care for him? Do you wish to wed him,” the Queen asked, a slight tremble in her voice. 

Lady (y/n) looked into Alicent’s eyes. Alicent was angry, that much was clear, but (y/n) also saw a bit of fear in the Queen’s eyes. 

“I do not wish to wed anyone.” (y/n) sighed. “You know that, your grace,” (y/n) whispered.

The Queen let go of lady (y/n). She smoothed down the skirts of her dress and looked away from lady (y/n).

“I do not want to see you near Prince Daemon for the rest of the festivities,” the Queen commanded.

Lady (y/n) frowned. “That is not something I can promise your grace. He is the Prince,” (y/n) replied, defeated.

The Queen began to speak but lady (y/n) cut her off. 

“Why do you even care? It’s not as though it is of consequence to you if the Prince seeks my company,” (y/n) countered.

Alicent avoided (y/n)’s gaze. 

“I don’t have to answer to you, I am the queen.”

Lady (y/n) let out a small scoff. “You do as you please as you always have.”

The Queen met (y/n)’s gaze with narrowed eyes. “I did not grant you permission to speak so freely to me lady (y/n).”

Lady (y/n) crossed her arms against her chest. “Perhaps I’ve grown tired of this game you play with me, your grace. I am not a doll you can cast aside when you’re done toying with her.”

The Queen took a menacing step towards lady (y/n).

“You are done being mine when I command it,” the Queen declared.

Lady (y/n) would not back down this time. She remained firm.

“I will never be yours.”

The Queen pursed her lips. She stared at (y/n) for a few moments, searching for something though (y/n) was not sure what.

“You are a fool (y/n).”

And with that the Queen turned and walked out of the tent. 

Tears welled in lady (y/n)’s eyes. She blinked them away. She would not shed another tear for Alicent Hightower.

-

Lady (y/n) managed to stay away from Prince Daemon for the rest of the tourney. 

Not because the Queen told her to but because she had a real worry that the Prince meant to make her his wife.

The only thing worse than being ward of Alicent would be marrying the Prince.

But at the wedding feast she could not avoid the Prince. 

He sat to the right of her father and she had no choice but to be near him.

As the musicians started a lively tune Prince Daemon turned to lady (y/n) and asked for a dance. 

Lady (y/n) could not say no. 

She followed the Prince onto the dance floor.

Lady (y/n) didn’t need to look at the Queen to know the Queen was not pleased. 

Alicent stared at (y/n) and the Prince.

She downed another goblet of wine.

-

The song ended and lady (y/n) tried to leave but Prince Daemon pulled her close to him.

“How about another one?” 

Lady (y/n) smiled politely. “Of course, my Prince.”

She turned towards the table at the top of the stairs and sure enough, Alicent was staring daggers at her. 

Lady (y/n) turned away from the Queen and continued another dance with the Prince.

After a second dance the Prince and lady (y/n) returned to the great table. 

Lord Corlys joked they made a lovely couple. 

Prince Daemon remarked any man that could have lady (y/n)’s hand in marriage would be lucky indeed. 

“What do you say, your grace, shall we make this wedding celebration two fold?” Lord Corlys asked and raised a cup towards the King.

The King laughed and raised his cup to Lord Corlys. “A drink for the newly wed and another for the newly betrothed.”

The men laughed and drank while lady (y/n)’s polite smile faltered. 

Lady (y/n) looked to her mother for reassurance. Surely the men were not serious.

Her mother avoided her gaze. 

A lump formed in lady (y/n)’s throat. 

The Queen stood from her seat and declared she would retire for the night. 

She called for lady (y/n)’s assistance. 

Lady (y/n) sprang from her seat. “Of course your grace.”

Lady (y/n) followed the Queen out of the great hall. 

They did not speak until they were safely inside the Queen’s bedchamber. 

Lady (y/n) entered the room and immediately felt the Queen’s hands on her. 

Alicent pinned (y/n) to the wall.

“You will reject the Prince’s proposal.”

(y/n) struggled against Alicent’s grasp. “Why should I? I would wed and leave this wretched Keep.”

Alicent grabbed (y/n)’s chin with her free hand and forced (y/n) to meet her gaze.

“I will not allow such a betrothal.”

(y/n) scoffed. “It does not matter. The king approves.”

Alicent huffed. “I care not what the King approves.” She brought her face closer to (y/n)’s. “You will not leave my keep.”

(y/n) could feel Alicent’s breath on her lips. A heat bloomed inside her. Her eyes darted to Alicent’s lips then back up to her eyes.

“Why do you insist on keeping me prisoner?”

Alicent could feel (y/n)’s heart beat faster. She let go of (y/n) and walked away. “I do not need to explain myself to you.”

“Because you are the Queen,” (y/n) argued.

Alicent did not reply. She walked across the room to the pitcher of wine. She poured herself a cup.

“How long will you keep me here? Until I am old and gray?” 

(y/n) stepped closer to Alicent, demanding an answer.

“You said you never wanted to marry. I am merely fulfilling your girlhood wish,” Alicent replied as she downed the wine.

“What a gracious queen you are,” (y/n) said with a hollow laugh.

Alicent finished the last of her wine. “Lady (y/n) is beautiful, lady (y/n) is gracious, lady (y/n) is talented beyond measure.” Alicent mocked as she turned to face (y/n).  “All my girlhood I heard court sing you praises. I hated you so much.”

Alicent scoffed then started towards (y/n). “And then one summer you came to visit Rhaenyra, and I was determined to hate you…but you were so disgustingly kind.” 

She stopped when she reached (y/n). (y/n) eyed Alicent cautiously. 

Alicent tilted her head to the side and reached out to touch a lock of (y/n)’s hair.  “And you were so damn beautiful, just like they had all said.”

(y/n) turned away from Alicent’s touch. “So you hate me because I was kind to you?”

Alicent let out another hollow laugh. “You will never understand.”

(y/n) met Alicent’s gaze. “I understand that we were friends. I understand that you were kind until you became like your father, hungry for power.”

Silence lingered between them as Alicent gazed into (y/n)’s eyes. 

“I wanted you,” Alicent whispered. “I wanted you,” she repeated, a little louder.

(y/n) blinked hard. “I don’t-,” she started but Alicent interrupted her.

“My father wanted power, and he knew I wanted you,” Alicent confessed.  “He told me if I had power I could have you.”

(y/n) swallowed hard. Alicent’s voice rang in her ears, I wanted you.

At the sigh of (y/n)’s continued silence the side of Alicent’s mouth turned upwards in a sad kind of smile. “I got power, but I never got you.”

“You did that night,” (y/n) replied mindlessly.

They had never spoken of that night in Alicent’s bed.

Silence enveloped the pair, both rendered speechless by the weight of their confessions.

Alicent looked down and reached for (y/n)’s hand. 

(y/n) let her take her hand.

Alicent laced their fingers together. 

“Don’t accept Prince Daemon’s proposal.”

(y/n) sighed loudly.  “ If it’s what my father wills, I have no choice.”

Alicent looked back up and met (y/n)’s gaze, a playful smirk on her face.

“I could betroth you to Aegon.”

A small smile spread across (y/n)’s lips. “Would that please the King?”

Alicent shrugged, her thumb caressing (y/n)’s palm. 

“It would please me.”

(y/n) let out a small laugh. Alicent returned it and together they enjoyed their brief armistice. 

-

Talya walked into the Queen’s bedchambers with another pitcher full of wine. She poured the queen another cup full. 

The Queen was in a foul mood, even for her. 

Talya excused herself and took the old empty pitcher with her. 

That morning when she broke fast with the King he informed her that Daemon’s betrothal to the lady (y/n) was all but final. 

Alicent remained in her chambers the rest of the day, drinking goblet after goblet of wine. 

Her father had tried to chastise her for acting like a petulant spoiled child but Alicent didn’t care anymore. 

It was over.

(y/n) would marry the Prince, have his children, and be his. Forever.

Alicent pulled the furs above her and buried her head in the many pillows on her bed. 

The door opened. 

“I do not wish to see anyone,” she barked. 

“Lady (y/n) is here your grace,” Ser Criston called. 

Alicent sat up, and sure enough (y/n) stood at the entrance of the room, book in hand. 

“Leave us Ser Criston,” the Queen ordered. 

Ser Criston bowed his head and left the two women alone. 

“What are you doing here,” Alicent asked. 

(y/n) smiled softly.  “I’ve come to read to you, your grace.”

Alicent scoffed then grabbed the goblet from the nightstand and downed the rest of her wine. 

“Don't you have a betrothed to read to now?” She asked bitterly.

(y/n) walked to the foot of Alicent’s bed then climbed on and knelt in front of the Queen as she had done so many nights before. 

Alicent watched her, her brows furrowed. 

(y/n) set down the book in front of her then looked back up at Alicent. 

“I spoke with my father. I informed him I wish to become a septa.”

“You wish to be a septa?” Alicent asked slowly.

(y/n) nodded. “The keep is always in need of septas is it not?”

Alicent’s brow slowly unfurrowed as she understood (y/n)’s true meaning.

“You’re staying?” She asked, tears welling in her eyes.

(y/n) had never seen Alicent cry. She gazed into Alicent’s eyes.

“Does the Queen command me to stay?” (y/n) asked.

“Only if you wish to,” Alicent replied with a tremor in her voice.

(y/n) crawled across the bed and wiped the tears from Alicent’s eyes. 

“I wish to,” she whispered. 

Alicent returned (y/n)’s smile. 

(y/n) turned to the book she brought. “I also brought the moon charts. I did not get to tell you about them the last time I read to you.”

When (y/n) turned back to face Alicent their faces were inches apart. 

Alicent took a steadying breath. 

(y/n) looked at her expectantly. 

Alicent reached up and cupped (y/n)’s face. “Don’t move,” Alicent commanded. 

(y/n) waited with bated breath as Alicent slowly closed the gap between them. 

Lady (y/n)’s eyes fluttered closed as she felt the Queen’s lip against her own. 

The moon charts next to the couple would go unexplored for the rest of the night as the Queen finally claimed what was hers and lady (y/n) realized she did believe in love after all.

[hyperfixatedimagines]

are you thinking of writing another chapter to home for the holidays?

I hadn’t planned to unless you guys really want more of it. I have a few ideas but with so much else I don’t think I’d do it unless the readers rlly want me to.

[hyperfixatedimagines]

Well ı saw your requests are open and i watched the madame web movie sooo. Can i request a angst then at the and fluff with cassie x f!reader.if thats ok?

Yes! This is coming down the pipeline but I am awful at getting my work on in a timely schedule.

[hyperfixatedimagines]

would you be willing to write a part 2 to the language of girls?

I think it works best as a stand alone fic. I don't really have any idea of what a part two would look like.

If you have any ideas though I'd be happy to consider it!

[hyperfixatedimagines]

how r u feeling abt the new ep? 🕵️‍♀️

I have a lot of feelings about the way this second season is going but I'll wait to really judge it until we're in deep.

[hyperfixatedimagines]

Me knowing season 2 means you might continue the Alicent series: 😊

Me after watching episode one: 😦

Nah, but fr tho, hope you continue it! You’re a great writer and honestly it’s one of my favorite fics ever. Basically the only reason I check this app anymore HA!

The writers definitely threw a giant curve ball my way. I have a plan but I'm going to wait until episode 5 or 6 to start writing the second part to the Queen and her lady series just to make sure I can adapt the season in a way that makes sense.

You're very kind and I always appreciate hearing that you guys love my writing. It definitely light s a fire in me to continue.

[hyperfixatedimagines]

hey! could you please do another madame webb fic with the prompt “hey, i’m with you, okay? always”. where something traumatic happens to reader and cassie comforts her? silly idea but

Of course! I’m sure I can come up with a little something!

[hyperfixatedimagines]

do you write omegaverse? bc recently alpha!alicent has been plaguing my mind (wanted to ask before sending a prompt, incase you are uncomfortable writing anything related to a/b/o)

I haven't really read any Omegaverse so I'm just not comfortable as I don't rlly know too much about it.