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[chainedqueen]

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[halfyeared]

Be brave, Alicent. For me.

[chainedqueen]

You are a corrupting influence.

[crispin]

I pray that the Gods are kind to you, My Lady.

[ Criston won't ask for mercy because he doesn't deserve it. ]

[chainedqueen]

You are too considerate to me. I have done you wrong.

[chainedqueen]

I am surprised you think so. I always assumed you dismissed gossip about reputation, given how you lead your life.

[halfyeared]

You say that as if I have not always been this way.

[crispin]

You have done no such thing. Whatever fault there is lies with me.

[chainedqueen]

No. I dishonored your oath and what built between us.

If there are consequences, I will bear them alone.

[chainedqueen]

I do, but you are also the one I cherish most.

[valonqri]

Well, we're not talking about my gossip or reputation. Are we?

[chainedqueen]

You have never paid me much mind, my prince.

[crispin]

Apologies, but it would be unwise as nothing was done that I did not desire.

[ They were his oaths, and as such, he should be the one to bear whatever burdens may come. ]

[chainedqueen]

[She's moved by it, and despite herself, she feels her heart flutter and her cheeks flush. She placed her hand over her chest, grateful that he could not see how flustered it made her.]

Yet I desired it too.

[valonqri]

And you have?

[chainedqueen]

You live in a way where one cannot but help to pay you mind, whether you wish to or not.

[halfyeared]

Then be brave and come see me.

[valyrianprince]

[ There's a smart remark about the Gods wishing it on this tongue, but it never makes it out of his mouth. He's not looking to goad her into an argument after getting her nearly alone for a peaceful afternoon away from most of court. Though she's not wrong either, he's a very tactical man so if he can't touch the gods how should he believe in them? What he believed in was dragons giving his family what they held now, not gods. Though he did also follow the traditions of the old ways of his family, he finds them soothing, connecting to them. ] When duty is served, there is result. I would argue some on if it's satisfactory or not. Though to that, it would depend on who is doing the serving for what or who and how it went about.

[ He'd argue that the whole point is that she's missing satisfaction for herself. That's been the point he's been slowly trying to hammer home to her over the course of their conversations, even by raven. That she'll never feel fulfilled the way she was hoping if she never finds satisfaction for herself. Why not fight for her own needs?

The back of her mind is definitely not too far off with his curiosity. Will she be alone that he can potentially get her alone again. Alone alone too, not with Cole by her side. Though he asks it pleasantly enough. ]

I would agree on that point. They should see you, you are important to the realm just as much as he is. [ She's not wrong about the political advantage of having houses or even just men from houses on her side when the coming war finally arrives. Unless she can find a way to reconcile with Rhaenyra and come to a proper agreement about the throne, it was inevitable. He's also pretty sure he knows why she's shy at the idea of being in the public eye, but that has more to do with how she was raised. Always the wallflower compared to Rhaenyra's vibrancy and inability to get into trouble. ]

It might be too loud for the children just yet. They'd likely be safer at the keep with your Sir Cole.

[valonqri]

You should try it sometime.

[chainedqueen]

If you kept a lower profile and did not plot as much, I might.

[chainedqueen]

[Keeping his smart remark to himself is the best choice he could make. Pushing and pushing Alicent had her uncertain and afraid, but backing her into that corner would never fully work. Often the way to tame a wild bird or dragon was through persistence, gentleness and waiting. Duty and the Gods were one and the same for her, not straying far from the other. Breaking her duty meant breaking her oaths to the Gods, something she continually told herself since the last banquet with Daemon. There had been contrition, alms distributed and several long hours in prayer. Challenging that work, that belief, she would not take it well.

She lets his words remain, not about to challenge him over it either.]

Not nearly as important, but I have a role to play and the ladies of Noble Houses will likely have petitions for me as well. [The tedious things that a queen must do. She would be asked for placement for the young, unmarried daughters. She'd receive numerous candidates along the way, along with requests to foster children, give sons a place in her House or, at the very least, a knighthood. She would have far less than Viserys in terms of audiences, but she would have her share.

She near laughed in surprise.] The children remain behind, but Ser Criston is sworn to me. There will be two other Kingsguard staying behind with the children as well as their household.

Ser Criston will be at my side.

[valyrianprince]

[ He's learning, slowly about the best ways to handle her so they get along better. Still clashing at different areas, but less in the throwing something at him, and more just the way her nose wrinkles and she looks at him like he might very well have gone mad for what's coming out of his mouth. Some might say it's a new level for him, the way he hasn't let her stand on her duty and faith let her waiver too much since the kiss diswade him from his interest in her.

He'd actually argue that those that think so never truly knew him though. He's very focused when he's decided he wants someone, or wants to be closer to them as a whole. ]

Ever needing places for their children, blessings on their unborn. Yes, but the happiness of the Lord's Lady's can be just as important as the Lord's interaction with my brother. A mixed meeting with the King, but a good word from a Lady wife about her meeting with the Queen when they come back together can sway opinions. [ He pays more attention to the comings and goings of court than most give him credit for too. Even Alicent, considering he's pretty sure she doesn't think he pays much attention at all considering how he pushes at rules. His head tilts just a little though. ] Be careful who you agree to place where though. Some are more wolf than sheep in their requests and the reasons behind them.

[ Does she need the reminder? Maybe not, but he's offering it all the same. To tread carefully in what she agrees to, to think about what motives could be behind the request. A concern offered for her, about her, the tone soft and not chastising or sounding like he knows more but truly just a well intentioned warning to keep in mind.

He may like war, thrive in it, but he doesn't want to see her get caught up in it if he can help it some.

That laugh though, has his head tilt and he can't help himself in sparing a glance over at the knight in question. It's definitely a calculating look, like he's found something he needs to puzzle out. Which, to be far, he does. How to get her from the ever shadow of her thorn in the paw knight. ] Of course, I just thought you'd perhaps want the best looking after them since you won't be there to see to them personally. [ A compliment and yet a way to almost question bringing him verse leaving the knight. Not that he thinks it will work, he's smarter than that. ]

[valonqri]

You're beginning to sound like your father. Do you have any thoughts of your own?

[chainedqueen]

You believe I only say this because my father hates you?

Each time you see your brother, I must endure his anger, his disgust and frustration that you inevitably lead him to. He does not suffer alone and for so long as you hold his attention, there is no other choice but to have you in mind.

Your work in the Stepstones was clever, I will grant you that. The stability for trade and the realm, keeping full control out of the hands we cannot negotiate with was wise. That war was not simply yours but the realm's as well. I told the king as much, despite my father's interests.

Your considerations of me do not give me the credit that I sometimes offer you, but that is little surprise.

[chainedqueen]

[She has had some time to see that he has some understanding of the realm and the workings of the court. If he didn't, he wouldn't have excelled at so many roles. His place in the council was such a thorn to her father because he was able to parry against his attacks and aspersions. It isn't a shock he knows what a queen is expected of during these progresses. He'd lived at court, his father had been heir. When he was heir, he was perhaps presented with a similar idea.

His advice is ironic, given his actions and intentions towards her. Whether he genuinely wanted her, he wasn't afraid to risk her safety for passion. As for vipers around her, hadn't many alluded that was what her father did? That she was the viper next to him for the sake of advancement. She wasn't naïve, either to what was said of her or what others intended. She could navigate the situation rather well. With Larys Strong eager to advance himself, he'd likely share whatever gossip he knew about the families, which she could register or discard as needed.]

I believe I can tell when someone means to use me for their own desires. [A simple, but pointed statement. One that Ser Criston wouldn't grasp right away, though he had remarked that he worried about Daemon's interests. Whether that was because of his own feelings (which she knew) or genuine concern, she didn't press him. Her own measure of hypocrisy, as she questioned Daemon constantly.]

All of the Kingsguard are highly skilled. With two guarding my son, I have no fears. [Not that she truly had any say over her son's upbringing, education or protectors. She had some influence, but the king and council decided on the first born son's life, not his mother.] If, as you believe, I will be visiting nobles who may not have pure intentions, it would be wise for me to take a knight willing to protect me with his life.

[valyrianprince]

[ He excels at the roles because he also does gives his full attention and effort when given a role. When he was made command of the gold cloaks, he saw to it that they did their job and did it well. When he was heir, he made sure to pay attention and know what he was doing, what would ensure the people would accept and love him as heir. And when he was exiled, he made sure that he did what his brother refused to, and secured the Stepstones with his cousins.

Just because he has different views on the how from Viserys or Otto doesn't mean he doesn't have an idea of what is good for the realm. Even when it's not his anymore to care for that way.

She assumes that were she to give into her passions and desires, he wouldn't keep her safe under his protection. But he would. He wasn't asking her to shout from the keep's balcony how he had made her feel, how the heat had run through her veins. He's also very aware at what's at risk if that continues in any way, which he hopes it does. Which is why he's hedged his cards carefully. Been slow at getting closer to her, offering her a way to potentially start to trust at least some of his actions. ]

But would you use them for your own desires given the chance? [ A simple, very pointed counter. Was he offering to be used if it meant breaking some of her shell and showing her how to be powerful? In some ways that he'd enjoy, very much. He offers her a small smile as his head tilts just a little toward the waterfall because discussion has made the ride that much quicker for them as well. ] And I would argue that when you are in a seat of power such as your own, you may see someone's intentions as using you, when they are merely offering something you aren't used to in genuine manners.

[ He'll guide his horse over to a large tree with some low branches that they can secure the reins to. Though he'll wait until someone can take Aegon from him before getting down himself, ensuring the boy's safety above all else. What he hates is that it will likely keep him from helping Alicent off her horse, though he'll carry Aegon over to her, the boy on his hip. ] Most would say what better than a skilled knight, save for one advantage. What better than a dragon at your side to protect you? And a dragon that's visited most of the Lords and Ladies you'll be speaking to so he'll have inside knowledge that most won't have, and your knight certainly won't.