Chapter Text
Rhaenyra wasn’t entirely sure how she’d ended up here. Sure she knew the steps she’d followed that day that had landed her here. Maybe even the actions in the previous week that resulted in her presence here. But if she had told herself six months ago that in half a year she’d be standing face to face with her self proclaimed arch nemesis on the Oscars red carpet she’d have laughed in her own face. Or been sick. Or maybe both.
Her main issue was that she hadn’t anticipated her first project back in the limelight being such a raging success. A film about a former child actor who slipped into a wild child persona before falling off the deep end and trying to crawl their way back to happiness? It was interesting and she’d thought it would resonate with some people (it definitely wasn’t a form of self therapy for an actor who hadn’t acted in 15 years…at all) but for it to be Oscar nominated? The idea had never even occurred to her. The problem however was the level of publicity she’d brought with her. It had turned out her “redemption arc” as people on twitter had dubbed it, had been highly anticipated by the general public, and when combined with a phenomenal screenplay that people assumed was based on her (it wasn’t) AND with a press tour that was very publicly competing with Rhaenyra’s old co-star drawing in more viewers, and critics, it turned out they had somehow managed to end up with a hit on their hands.
Rhaenyra couldn’t have predicted any of it. Okay maybe she could have predicted some of it. Definitely not the press tour though, or the culmination of the last few months being her winning the biggest award for best actor of the year. Nevertheless, there she was, sewn into a tightly fit black dress, clutching the gold statue in her hand tightly and staring in dismay at the head of red curls across the carpet from her. The owner of the curls hadn’t noticed her yet, to Rhaenyra’s dismay or delight, she wasn’t sure. Rhaenyra watched as the flashes of dozens of cameras went off from around the corner of the hallway, catching the red of head of curls in their glare. Her mind felt hazy. Suddenly a shout from in front of her pulled her from her daze. She suppressed the startle of her body and realized she definitely should be preparing to speak to the crowd of reporters around the corner from her. Before she had a chance to start walking however, the curls turned around to face her. Brown eyes widened in recognition and Rhaenyra felt herself gulp before determinedly fixing a smile onto her face.
“Rhaenyra. it’s good to see you” Alicent Hightower announced. Her voice was soft but it held an element of superiority.
“And you, Alicent.” Rhaenyra replied in a measured tone. She held a hand out for the other woman to shake. Alicent glanced down and raised an eyebrow. Rhaenyra didn’t withdraw her hand. Alicent shook it lightly. She glanced at the Oscar that Rhaenyra’s knuckles were whitening around.
“You must be proud. That’s quite the…achievement. They say it’s rare for a person to win an Oscar in their first role back after an extended hiatus” Alicent wiped her hand on her dress. Rhaenyra frowned. Only a Hightower would find a way to diminish winning an Oscar.
“It is.” As she spoke Rhaenyra recognised Alicent’s suppressed grimace, the way the skin around her eyes creased and her smile grew slightly wider. Alicent had been in dozens of immemorable roles since her time as a child star without an Oscar to show for it, compared to Rhaenyra’s intentionally singular, now award winning role.
“Hm, you’re as humble as ever I see”
“And you’re just as righteous as ever” Rhaenyra wasn’t sure what was possessing her right now. Something about her old costar dregged up feelings she fought hard not to acknowledge most days. However, before either of them had a chance to bite back anything more harrowing, Rhaenyra’s agent appeared at her shoulder.
“Miss Targaryon, they’re calling for you outside.” Rhaenyra breathed a sigh of relief. She’d rather face the reporters than spend any longer staring at the poorly hidden hostility in Alicent’s face.
“Thank you Corlys. Let’s not keep them waiting. Alicent” Rhaenyra nodded a farewell to the simmering woman.
“Rhaenyra.” Alicent nodded back and turned away with a dramatic swish of her green dress. Rhaenyra rolled her eyes.
“No hard feelings there I hope” Corleys muttered to Rhaenyra slyly.
“None at all, why do you ask?” Rhaenyra replied coyly. Corlys simply smiled amusedly before leading her to the waiting cameras.
“Rhaenyra! How does returning to your station as acting royalty feel?” A small man at the front of the crowd shouted. His eyes squinted up at her and Rhaenyra felt that he reminded her of a small mouse. She grimaced at the question. She’d hoped she could go one night without the reputation of her parents looming over her like giants.
“I wouldn’t call myself acting royalty, that’s very kind though”
“Did you think Dragon Child would be as successful as it’s been?” Another reporter called. This one was a young woman with light brown hair. She smiled widely at Rhaenyra. Rhaenyra smiled softly back. She adjusted the silver band adorning her hair nervously.
“To be honest…I really didn’t. But I’m so thrilled and it’s obviously very exciting. I’m feeling very grateful.”
“What does your dad think?” The mouse man called, louder than his last question. Rhaenyra tried to hold back her frown.
“You know I don’t kn-”
“Why isn’t he here with you?” The man's nose twitched excitedly. Rhaenyra stared at him in bewilderment. On second thought he looked more like a rat than a mouse. She looked away from him. Another reporter called out a question that had something to do with where she was going to put her Oscar.
“You know I hadn’t thought about it, I think he’ll be quite at home by my kitchen window, or on the coffee table.” She looked at her oscar thoughtfully. Her Oscar. Who would have thought?
“Rhaenyra, what do you think about the casting news on your new film?” Rat man again. This time Rhaenyra properly frowned. She’d signed for a new film about a week ago, this one was a romance about two medieval women in England. It seemed a little lighter than Dragon Child had been. The last she’d heard, they hadn’t cast the other lead yet. She glanced off the stage to where her agent was standing. He looked flustered and walked quickly over to her.
“Corlys, what's he talking about?” Rhaenyra whispered aside to him.
“Your new coworker has just been leaked to the press. I’m not sure how it happened, I’m sorry Miss Targaryon.” As Corlys spoke, the red curls reappeared in the periphery of Rhaenyra’s vision. Her vision furrowed. The reporters below her were clambering louder now.
“That’s okay, please just tell me who it is so I can answer these questions accordingly.” Corlys frowned hesitantly.
“It’s-” As he spoke, the ratty reporter's voice cut across him.
“What do you think it’ll be like working with her again?”
“Alicent Hightower” Corlys finished. Rhaenyra felt like a bolt of electricity had shot through her body. Her eyes shot towards the other side of the room. A pair of familiar brown eyes stared back at her.