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It was a peaceful day in the Red Keep. The day had passed quietly, little to no problems occurring.
That was when Rhaenyra should have known something would go wrong.
Her day was busy, consisting of a council meeting, reading over letters and going over new proposals, it seemed like every person in all the Seven Kingdoms wanted something from her today. She had spent most of the day signing paper after paper in her chambers. She had lost track of time, the sun shining when she looked up, and the next, the moon was high in the sky.
Later that night, she sat with all the children in the hall, finally having a moment of peace. Daeron had recently returned from a trip to Oldtown, Aemond spent his whole day training and studying, Jace at one point joining in. Luke had spent a short time at Driftmark as he began his training for his Lordship, but had come back to visit. And Aegon had been making an effort with Helaena and their children.
All sat together, Jace and Aemond arguing over the phrasing of a Valyrian sentence, and scowling when it is Luke who corrects them. Helaena sat on the floor, playing with little Jaehaerys and Jaehaera. Daeron was reading a book, and she and Aegon were engaging in mild chatter.
It was all too…quiet.
When the door to the room slammed open, and Rhaenyra saw the expression upon her wife’s face, she knew she was in for it.
It took her a minute, realization and cold fear washing over her.
Anniversary. It was their anniversary, and she had forgotten.
Rhaenyra gulped in fear as Alicent’s piercing gaze locked onto her. Everyone had fallen silent at Alicent’s entrance, even the babies.
“Kids. Bed. Now. I want to talk to your mother.” Alicent grounded out through her teeth.
There was no argument as everyone began to stand. Nobody wanted to risk the woman’s wrath.
“No, kids. Stay. Please stay.” Rhaenyra pleaded, and all froze midstep.
“Go!” Alicent glared. If looks could kill, Rhaenyra would be meeting her gods by now.
“Stay!” Rhaenyra feared for her life at this point.
“Go!”
“Stay!”
“You go!”
“Jacaerys, stay!”
“Now!”
“Helaena, don’t move!”
“YOU GO!”
“LUCERYS STAY!”
“GET OUT OF HERE!”
“DON’T LEAVE ME!-”
The door shut, leaving the two women alone.
…
All of the children paused outside of the door, listening as the shouts of violence and loud crashes echoed through the wood.
Luke winced as a particularly loud bang was heard. “Are we going to… help?”
Aemond scoffs, “And risk joining her? No, thank you.”
Jace nods, “This was her grave she dug. I’m not getting involved.”
“Ali, please!-”
Another crash is heard, and a cry of pain.
“Chances on her turning up to break our fast tomorrow?”
A scream of fear, a loud crash and cursing is Daeron’s answer. The boy nods, “Slim to none, got it.”
Everything falls silent on the other side, and they grow slightly worried that they are now one parent down. They lean closely, listening intently.
“Alicent, my love-”
“Don’t you dare, Rhaenyra Targaryen! Seven give me strength that I won't kill you right now!”
“No, Alicent! Not the new glass!-”
Another crash, the breaking of glass, a loud curse of pain.
“This could go on for a while.” Aegon mumbles, little Jaehaerys sleeping in his arms, surprisingly despite all the noise.
They all nod as more concerning sounds come from the room.
“We should… go get some sleep.” Jace mutters.
Lucerys looks worriedly between the group and the wood separating them from the carnage on the other side. “What if something happens?”
“Don’t worry, I’m sure Rhaenyra will be fine.” Helaena smiles sweetly. She holds little Jaehaera, who was dozing off on her shoulder.
“Probably.” Aemond mumbles.
Luke continues to frown at the door, until a loud thump is heard as something hits the door.
“That was valuable!”
“Oh, you’ll know what’s valuable when I’m done with you!”
Lucerys quickly nods. “Yep, okay.”
Not that he wasn’t worried for his mother, cause he was. But, she had dug this hole, she can pull herself out of it.
The group depart, all walking off to their own chambers as the noises of violence and threats of murder echo behind them.
…
Rhaenyra panted heavily from where she stood behind the settee, using it as a barrier between her and her very, very angry wife.
Alicent was still glaring heavily, as she was also out of breath. Chasing your wife around, threatening violence and throwing very breakable objects at her will do that to you.
“Are you done?” Rhaenyra breathes heavily.
Alicent’s brows narrow, “Am I done!? No, no, I am far from through with you, Rhaenyra Targaryen. I ought to strangle you with my bare hands.”
“Yes, yes, I know. You have threatened to kill me, many times.” She looks around the destroyed room, shattered glass, turned over table, broken candle holder and knocked over chairs. “You’ve certainly tried your hardest.”
Alicent huffs angrily, glaring heatedly at the ground. Rhaenyra cautiously approaches, she does not want to be chased with a candle holder again. When close enough, she gently cups Alicent’s cheeks.
“I am sorry that I forgot about our anniversary.” Rhaenyra apologises, “Today was… gods, I barely even had a moment to myself. There was the council meeting that dragged on, and then there were these proposals and letters that were apparently too ‘urgent’ to leave for later. I hardly left my desk all day. Didn’t even have time to think.” She rubs circles with her thumbs, “It’s no excuse, I know. But, I swear to you, I did not mean to forget. I had it planned out.”
“Really?” Alicent inquires.
Rhaenyra nods. “We would break our fast together, I would have all your favorite foods served. After dealing with the daily duties, we would go down to the Dragon pit, visit Syrax. She is probably very annoyed that we didn’t come and see her today. I had promised her.”
Alicent huffs a small laugh, “Yes, your spoiled girl is most certainly going to be brooding next time you see her.”
“I know.” Rhaenyra lightly groans.
“And then?” Alicent is smiling now. Much better than the death glare from earlier.
“When it came time for dinner, I would have our favorite served. After that, we would go out to the gods woods, sit under the weirwood tree, I would have all the cake you could ever desire there, and I would read to you. There was a new book that Lucerys brought from Drfitmark that I think you would quite enjoy.”
Alicent sighs, hands reaching up to grab Rhaenyra’s own. “That does sound like the perfect day.”
“I know. I’m sorry it didn’t turn out the way you wanted it.” Rhaenyra frowns.
“No, no, it’s okay.” Alicent dismisses, “I understand. The Realm calls, and the Queen must answer.”
“Yes, but the Queen must also answer to her wife and her needs.” Rhaenyra says, leaning her forehead against Alicent’s. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay.”
Rhaenyra gains an idea, a smirk lighting her face. “I know that tomorrow may be a bit too late. But… if you still wanted to…”
Alicent raises a brow, “Isn’t there a council meeting tomorrow?”
Rhaenyra shrugs, “Jace can sit in my place. It would do him good to see what he will one day have to hold.”
Alicent frowns, “Not for a long time though.”
Rhaenyra laughs, nodding, “Yes, my love. Not for a long time.” She raises a brow, “So?”
Alicent sighs softly, “It does sound like a perfect day.” She leans back, wrapping her arms around Rhaenyra’s shoulders, the silver-haired woman’s going to her waist. “Yes, okay.”
“Yeah?” Rhaenyra smiles.
“Yes. We deserve this break.”
“That we do, my Queen.” Rhaenyra leans in, softly connecting their lips. Pulling back, she looks around the room. “Gods, remind me to never anger you again.” This would take a long time to clean up, and a lot of extra pay for whichever poor maids would have to deal with this.
Alicent laughs, shrugging meekly “I may have gone a bit too far.”
Rhaenyra raises a brow, “A bit?”
Alicent laughs again.
…
The next day, Rhaenyra and Alicent did not attend their duties. Jace sat in Rhaenyra’s stead, dealing with proposals, the letters and the dreadfully boring council meetings. Rhaenyra had laughed when he grumbled later that night of Beesbury droning on and on about some subject.
Rhaenyra and Alicent enjoyed their day. Rhaenyra had worked extra hard to make it up to Alicent for the previous day, having all the woman’s favorite treats and cakes, gifting her expensive jewelry that she had originally planned to give her before she had…. Forgotten.
They did visit Syrax, and yes, the golden-lady was grumpy that they did not see her the day before. But, a few head scratches and hand delivered goats soon rectified that.
At the end, as the sun barely began to set, Alicent and Rhaenyra sat under the weirwood tree, Alicent’s head in Rhaenyra lap, as the latter read to her and ran delicate fingers through her hair.
All in all, Alicent was glad she did not kill Rhaenyra the previous day. It would be fun to see the woman grovel for a while longer.