( After parting, the Queen returns to her chambers. Depositing her book on a table and sitting at her vanity to refreshen herself for the tasks that remain for the day — a meeting of the small council, visiting with her husband ( though she suspects he will be deep within his slumber by the time she makes her way to him ), and some dull courtly gossip with the ladies of the court before supper rolls around.
A pang of delight flutters to life at the thought of supper, of seeing him across the table from her. Eyes locked under the candlelight and pretend interest in conversation as they await the full cover of night to join one another once more and give in to their sinful desires. Just the thought of him is enough to bring a flush of warmth to her cheeks, something she notices in the mirror's reflective surface as she brushes oils through her hair — hoping to mask the scent of dragon that might linger.
Sucking in a deep breath, Alicent holds it before releasing it, steeling herself and trying to push thoughts of him aside as she sets her comb aside and begins making her way to the small council chamber. She prays to the Seven that it will be enough distraction to keep her occupied and focused instead of her mind wandering.
More discussion of territorial disputes. Updates on the status of the conflict within the Stepstones. Movement of funds for better security and what will be allotted for her visit to Oldtown. It goes on and on until they are eventually dismissed, and she makes her way to the King's chambers with apprehension in her step.
Looking up from her hands, Alicent is relieved to see Ser Criston Cole standing guard outside her husband's chambers — this means his post will be here and not her chambers for the evening and that the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, Ser Harrold, might stand post in his stead. The thought makes her wish it were Ser Criston outside her chambers tonight as she knows with enough persuasion and a demand coming from the Queen, he would leave her to her penance.
With a gentle nod to Ser Criston and Ser Willis Fell, Alicent slips into her husband's chambers and sits beside her husband. With a cloth, she softly dabs at the accounting sweat on his brow, pained to hear his agony, and offers his tincture of milk of the poppy and wine to help soothe his Then, grabbing Grabbing his frail hand, she holds it within hers, silently asking for forgiveness for the transgressions she has committed against him after being an honest and dutiful wife for so long. She can feel the guilt building, suffocating, and crushing the longer she stays, but after being lonely for so long, she doesn't her actions.
Leaving the King's chambers, Alicent gossips with several ladies of the court. Sitting and half listening as she contends with her conflicting emotions — emotions she knows will subside with time, but with how fresh and open everything is, they will ebb and flow heavily.
It isn't long before supper rolls around, and the Queen dismisses herself to join her family at the table. Engrossed in conversation with her father, Alicent wonders if Aemond will take supper in his room, but he arrives later than usual — only to be met with a raised brow from his mother before she turns back to the conversation. A conversation which immediately shifts to the young prince where the Hand wishes to speak of the resources that will be needed for Vhagar and the duties that entail accompanying his lady mother, the Queen, on such a long journey away from the Red Keep and King's Landing.
From across the table, the Queen watches the young prince as she picks at her plate — alternating between the savory taste of roast or quails drowned in butter to something sweeter like peaches in honey and an apricot tart. She knows that look in his eyes. A look she imagines is reflected within her own as the delights to come weigh heavily on her mind.
Once supper ends and everyone parts ways, Alicent makes her way to her chambers. With each step she makes as she ascends the stairs, she can feel her heart pounding harder and harder against her ribcage. It takes everything she has not to pull her skirts up and run up the steps. By the time she arrives in her chambers, Talya has begun bedding the room down, and Ser Rickard Thorne stands guard. She quickly dismisses them both, saying that she requires solitude for her penance and devotion to the Seven.
With her door closed and bolted shut, Alicent walks through her cambers to prepare herself tea and notices the book on her bed. Finding it strange since she left it atop a table, but realizes it is a sign from Aemond that he was here earlier and found her chambers through the twisting and winding innards of Maegor's Holdfast. She picks up the book and brings it with her, setting it on the table as she packs the strainer full of loose tea and pours steaming water over it. Allowing it to seep and cool within the glass before bringing it to her look as she gazes upon King's Landing to take a long pull and turning to begin readying herself for the night. )
I'M SORRY THIS GOT WORDY
A pang of delight flutters to life at the thought of supper, of seeing him across the table from her. Eyes locked under the candlelight and pretend interest in conversation as they await the full cover of night to join one another once more and give in to their sinful desires. Just the thought of him is enough to bring a flush of warmth to her cheeks, something she notices in the mirror's reflective surface as she brushes oils through her hair — hoping to mask the scent of dragon that might linger.
Sucking in a deep breath, Alicent holds it before releasing it, steeling herself and trying to push thoughts of him aside as she sets her comb aside and begins making her way to the small council chamber. She prays to the Seven that it will be enough distraction to keep her occupied and focused instead of her mind wandering.
More discussion of territorial disputes. Updates on the status of the conflict within the Stepstones. Movement of funds for better security and what will be allotted for her visit to Oldtown. It goes on and on until they are eventually dismissed, and she makes her way to the King's chambers with apprehension in her step.
Looking up from her hands, Alicent is relieved to see Ser Criston Cole standing guard outside her husband's chambers — this means his post will be here and not her chambers for the evening and that the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, Ser Harrold, might stand post in his stead. The thought makes her wish it were Ser Criston outside her chambers tonight as she knows with enough persuasion and a demand coming from the Queen, he would leave her to her penance.
With a gentle nod to Ser Criston and Ser Willis Fell, Alicent slips into her husband's chambers and sits beside her husband. With a cloth, she softly dabs at the accounting sweat on his brow, pained to hear his agony, and offers his tincture of milk of the poppy and wine to help soothe his Then, grabbing Grabbing his frail hand, she holds it within hers, silently asking for forgiveness for the transgressions she has committed against him after being an honest and dutiful wife for so long. She can feel the guilt building, suffocating, and crushing the longer she stays, but after being lonely for so long, she doesn't her actions.
Leaving the King's chambers, Alicent gossips with several ladies of the court. Sitting and half listening as she contends with her conflicting emotions — emotions she knows will subside with time, but with how fresh and open everything is, they will ebb and flow heavily.
It isn't long before supper rolls around, and the Queen dismisses herself to join her family at the table. Engrossed in conversation with her father, Alicent wonders if Aemond will take supper in his room, but he arrives later than usual — only to be met with a raised brow from his mother before she turns back to the conversation. A conversation which immediately shifts to the young prince where the Hand wishes to speak of the resources that will be needed for Vhagar and the duties that entail accompanying his lady mother, the Queen, on such a long journey away from the Red Keep and King's Landing.
From across the table, the Queen watches the young prince as she picks at her plate — alternating between the savory taste of roast or quails drowned in butter to something sweeter like peaches in honey and an apricot tart. She knows that look in his eyes. A look she imagines is reflected within her own as the delights to come weigh heavily on her mind.
Once supper ends and everyone parts ways, Alicent makes her way to her chambers. With each step she makes as she ascends the stairs, she can feel her heart pounding harder and harder against her ribcage. It takes everything she has not to pull her skirts up and run up the steps. By the time she arrives in her chambers, Talya has begun bedding the room down, and Ser Rickard Thorne stands guard. She quickly dismisses them both, saying that she requires solitude for her penance and devotion to the Seven.
With her door closed and bolted shut, Alicent walks through her cambers to prepare herself tea and notices the book on her bed. Finding it strange since she left it atop a table, but realizes it is a sign from Aemond that he was here earlier and found her chambers through the twisting and winding innards of Maegor's Holdfast. She picks up the book and brings it with her, setting it on the table as she packs the strainer full of loose tea and pours steaming water over it. Allowing it to seep and cool within the glass before bringing it to her look as she gazes upon King's Landing to take a long pull and turning to begin readying herself for the night. )