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[chainedqueen]

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TFLN - Rhaenyra 3

[chainedqueen]

Has something happened to push you to have more wine than is wise?

[valyrianprince]

If you must insist on lying to yourself, I would try to come up with one that was a little more believable as to why your relationship is not the way it had been.

[ He does know the rumors, how could he not. And yet even those have been whisked away by Viserys' hand to keep his doting daughter as pristine and pure as he can in public. ]

And yet the king also makes great strides to give lead to family. [ They both know that his brother would excuse most of the transgression. Daemon's actually pretty sure his brother would be more insulted Daemon tempted someone that was Viserys', not her specifically.

And that right there was never the question, was it? Of any of his talk. No. ] That may be, but I doubt he's sincere to you in the way you deserve.

[halfyeared]

I decided I wanted to have fun tonight.

[chainedqueen]

[Viserys may cover these rumors as best he can, but he cannot wipe their memories of the salacious details. Given everything Alicent knew, she may obey the king by not speaking of the matter, but she would never forget.]

He is not so lenient as you imagine. You should remember the times you were banished.

[She hoped he would be as angry as he felt when Rhaenyra might have been dishonored. However, she knew deep down the reason wouldn't be love, only insult that a bastard might be born.]

And you would be? You have never been sincere to your wife and hasn't your lover been dismissed recently? It would not assure any woman to trust you with her heart or body.

[chainedqueen]

What if our fathers find out?

[halfyeared]

No one will even know if you come to my rooms. We will stay there and stay quiet. [Probably not the latter.]

[valyrianprince]

[ Those that knew knew, but most knew well enough to hold their tongue. Still, most thought Daemon the one who took Rhaenyra's virtue, not Cole. Alicent and Rhaenyra know the truth of the matter. And Daemon had figured it out easily enough. ]

Banished to cool the temper, welcomed back well enough when he missed me.

[ And if Rhaenyra and her husband are united in the front that her children are theirs, a bastard is easily wiped away as treason just the same, is it not? So Daemon would argue. ]

Plenty of women have trusted me with their bodies, dear Alicent and in that they have never had any complaints. My lover has left of her own accord, free to leave when she's no longer happy with our arrangement. [ That she was pissed when he'd made comments about marrying her to his brother, well, what can he say he didn't fault her for deciding they were done. Nor did he have any ill will toward her though. ] As for the woman my brother insisted I marry, we've never shared a bed and both of us prefer it that way. If you were to ask the Lady, she's more than happy I find my pleasures elsewhere while she hunts and lives her life. To me, how much more sincere can I be than to abide by her wishes?

[valonqri]

I'm not your Master of Whisperers.

Just offering a bit of advice to the queen that she may need a better one.

(ooc; what canon point are we going with? i am 100% flexible with any point, but just wondering )

[chainedqueen]

Welcomed until you overstep your place once again. It is only a matter of time before you anger the king.

[She would not be the reason for this. She could not even consider such a thing. Other women may trust him, but she understood his character. His interest was more for his pride. What would be more flattering than to seduce the queen, his brother's wife? Would that not reflect well on him?

Meanwhile Alicent would be considered a whore and accused of treason. Never, she would not give him such satisfaction. True, she was curious despite herself. But she knew how to override such things with her will.]

I have heard how you speak of your wife. The lack of respect does not that a woman should trust her reputation to you.

[chainedqueen]

But after? When I must return to my chambers?

[chainedqueen]

[Episode 5? Seems the best.]

I have no Master of Whispers. I am only the Queen.

Whatever is said is a fabrication. I have only ever tried to conduct myself as a wife and queen should.

[halfyeared]

Stay then. You can leave before my lady's maid comes, and we can sneak you back.

[chainedqueen]

Though, some would think I am only a bedmate to guarantee your chastity.

[valyrianprince]

To be fair, is that not what brothers do to each other normally? The only difference is that he is king, and has the power to banish me until tempers cool. Were he not king, we'd bicker until we didn't and make up soon enough.

[ If it wasn't her, it would be another thing to put anger between the brothers. And she would be wrong if she thought him so shallow that it was only his pride that had him interested in her. In truth, he wasn't sure what it was that drew him toward her, but he did know it was more than just pride or the thrill of the chase, to fester once he'd obtained his want.

There was something about her specifically. She created an itch he wanted to scratch, not just to have but to challenge, to watch that fire burn behind her eyes when they were in the same room together, to know, even apart that her lips likely formed a pursed line. ]

Yet you haven't heard how she speaks about me. I assure you that the feelings are mutual, Alicent. She wants nothing to do with me, just as I want nothing to do with her. Neither of us wanted the marriage, and it was never consummated, so technically, there is no marriage. She's free to do as she wishes.

[chainedqueen]

[She's pacing as she reads this missive. She was flustered and annoyed, mumbling to herself about impropriety and the very nerve that Daemon displayed. Her composed demeanor disappeared, broken from its shell, leaving her near crazy at his attempts to-

What? Was it wooing? Was it simply to get under her skin? She was having trouble predicting him. All she could do was remind herself of his reputation. His tendency towards violence, his temper, the women he surrounded himself with. It broke any smooth attempts he might try. So long as she kept that image of him, she wouldn't feel a stirring in her chest and she wouldn't flush.

Certainly there would be no pleasure at receiving a raven, even if they were only bickering.]

Yet the king will not allow you to break your marriage. So long as it stands, no lady will consider your gestures or overtures.

[valyrianprince]

[ He's curious when it takes longer to get a raven back, wondering what's going through her head at his last message. If she'll answer him again or if she'll leave it at that. But he doesn't know what to expect from her either.

He hopes she'll continue this back and forth with him. He's oddly enjoying it, seeing her strength to hold her ground, see the ways she challenges him and his ideas or thoughts. Is it to get under her skin? A little. Does she normally have anyone that gets under her skin, that cares enough to put themselves in front of her like this? Probably not.

He'd love to know what it does to her, to be seen. To be given attention worth her station and intelligence. Though he's pretty sure it will take longer for him to know what it does to her. ]

My brother is stubborn in this, he thinks keeping me in this marriage will keep me chained and manageable. See, in some ways we do have something in common, don't we.

As for a lady considering my gestures, maybe I need the right woman who's just as chained as I am.

[chainedqueen]

You do not know what true chains are. You are, after all, a prince. You do not have to remain at your wife's side and you can start a war at your leisure. No man can truly know what a woman must endure.

[She regrets sending that. It's far too deep into her thoughts and feelings of her position. Weakness wasn't something she wanted Daemon to see. With frustration, she is quick to send another to try and make up for her mistake.]

There is no such lady here.

[valonqri]

Very quick to defend yourself. An innocent person would probably remain imbued in confusion.

[chainedqueen]

How is it you know an innocent person might react?

Have you ever been innocent of your accusations, my prince?

[valyrianprince]

Then by all means, my lady, tell me what you endure. I truly want to know how you feel in your chains.

[ Yeah, no. That late raven doesn’t make up for showing her depths. But to be fair to him, has she ever had anyone actually want to know how she feels and the chains that hold her? Because he’s being sincere in his asking it of her. ]

Mores a pity, I am sure. Because I could use someone to talk to, that got it at least a little.

Moving to action

[chainedqueen]

[She doesn't respond, off balance from her misstep. Replying or telling him more would only result in more cracks in her demeanor. She was rattled and frustrated, the damage now done. She would have a few cups of wine and retire, if only to keep from making further mistakes.

A week passed, allowing her to become more composed and shut away the conversation to the back of her mind. Her children stole her attention. While their nurse cared for them, she was still expected to care for them and preferred to spend time with them, as Viserys didn't seem interested. Helaena still had colic, Aegon was a bit more fussy now that he was almost 3. Ravens would be ignored for now.

There was little she could do when another hunt was arranged. Despite the previous disaster, Viserys was eager for distractions and entertainment, despite his pain. This was an event to allow Rhaenyra and Laenor to appear and show their "happy marriage." Thankfully not pregnant, Alicent could simply sit in the tent in comfort. The ladies were eager to gossip and talk and Alicent endured it as long as she could.

When finally food was being served, she lingered alone at the edge of the tent, watching the others move. Finally alone, she was vulnerable to any that might approach her.]

Yesssss

[valyrianprince]

[ He had waited for a time, to see if she would answer again. But no answer came, and eventually he let sleep take him, not one to let it keep him up. And yet over the week that passes there were one or two ravens to her from him, trying to nudge her back into conversation.

Unsuccessful as they were, after all. Though, caring for her children would be an excuse he’d accept too. While he had no children to care for, he understood being a parent and the importance the role takes.

He’d made the rounds after the hunt had been settled and men had been happy to have fires and camps among the houses. Drinks shared, stories told, but in the end, most hadn’t been to war so the stories were the same as last year. Which means soon enough he’s bored with the groups, watching the Queen as she gossiped with the ladies who didn’t participate in the hunt.

He moves quietly to her side when she’s finally alone, close enough that his shoulder brushes hers just a little. But his voice is soft, for her, which is why the closeness. ] You looked like the gossip of the women might be more painful than an arrow to the shoulder.

Re: Yesssss

[chainedqueen]

[She expected his appearance at her side. That, at least, she could predict. It wasn't the first unwanted encounter she had this night. Larys had appeared with the ladies as well, his eyes watching her intently. Since the garden he had pressed his attentions as well, pressing to be her ally and give her information. Nothing was ever freely given and she knew Larys had his own desires.

Daemon was a bit of a relief compared to him, even if she was still on guard net to him. His whisper and the tickle of his breath against her ear made her shiver, but she kept her expression serious, not wishing him to sense or know her responses.]

So you come to offer me better conversation?

[valyrianprince]

[ He’d noticed her new shadow in Larys, the man oddly sitting with the ladies instead of the other houses or men. But Daemon had noticed the interest the man had in Alicent, weaseling his way to her side. If she were taking Daemon’s advice, he’d tell her to be wary of his intent and interest. Though he also has a feeling she knows that too.

He offers a small bow of his head at her question. He would like to hope he can offer her better conversation. Something that wasn’t mind numbing or angering like the gossip he’d overheard about people fauning over Rhaenyra and her husband. ]

I would hope I can, and a change of scenery. My brother was saddling up to head out on another white stag hunt, and I thought I might offer my services to see if you wanted a small ride, with a few guards so all is proper of course, to the waterfall not too far away. Aegon and Helaena might enjoy the water before the sun falls for the night.

[valonqri]

I've been accused of much, your Grace. Might I be plenty capable of them, to be guilty of all would certainly be too depraved for even my brother's forgiveness.

And yet, here we are. Warning you of accusations I perhaps should have let run wild.