Intermission 2: Celebrated By All

The Young Tower

Frankly, it's a miracle that his father's blood vessels hadn't burst yet.

"I would rather not have kings or queens, but this is the world we live in." Alicent said as she yawned, "You aren't going to convince me, father, not in a thousand years."

Ser Otto had found himself a greater rival than Prince Daemon— his daughter. Myles would laugh at the absurdity of the situation if he didn't see that his father was oh-so-close to slapping her.

Otto never hit her. All of her brothers including Myles himself had been whipped before, but not her. When they complained about the unfairness of it, Otto had replied, "Girls are meant to be dotted on and boys are meant to be beaten."

He had been so unreasonably favored towards Alicent, seeing him reached his limit wasn't something to laugh at. And the current Alicent wouldn't take being slapped any better than the previous her.

Myles quickly stepped up, "Now that can't be right, who would rule the peasants when there's no kings or queens?"

"Essos seems to be working fine." Unfortunately, the new Alicent couldn't take a hint and shut her mouth.

But the important part was to take the topic away from the succession of the Iron Throne. "See those free cities, they have no monarchy and they practice slavery. If we abandon our system this is what it'd lead to."

"Counterpoint: Braavos. But I know Westeros isn't ready." She lazily smiled, "That's why I'll stick around and be a good queen."

"Good queen? You're being an idiot," Father snapped, "You're wasting everything we've built up."

She pouted, "Pushing Aegon as the Crown Prince ruins everything I have been building up. What good would this do? They've just gotten more friendly!"

This was going circular. Myles wanted to sigh. He envied Gwayne, who was working in the City Watch and thus had an excuse to not be here.

"Father... this isn't going to work." He said tiredly, "Alicent has a mind of her own."

"I get you here to convince her, not to side with her," Father took a deep breath, "We're both running on high emotions. Take her out and cool her stubborn head."

"That's only you," Alicent said, "But I'm not complaining." Myles left with her and she immediately stretched, "Mmmwah! Finally, released from prison!"

...Myles generally agreed with his father's conclusion that she had lost her wits as well. She was never this childish even at a young age.

"You could have agreed with father and he would let you go." He commented.

"Lying through my teeth to give him a false impression? No thanks." She grinned at him, "But I'll admit, I thought you and Gwayne would have pushed the issue more with me. Turns out you two don't even care that much."

He shrugged, "I'd prefer Aegon as King, but we can work with Rhaenyra as well. The important part is to build a stable foundation for future development."

She beamed, "I wholeheartedly agree. If my plan works, everyone will be happy... I just want to avoid war as much as possible."

"I'm afraid that's unavoidable, even if you somehow convince father. What of Princess Rhaenys' children? And what of Prince Daemon?"

"Ahh, we'll find a way." She waved her hand dismissively.

Myles was certain that she had no plan at all. "If you've paid attention to what father said, he might be less mad at you."

"But it's boooring and useless," she pouted, "Why do I need to know about the number of High Septons who were Hightowers?"

"To remind you of our close ties to the Faith."

"But I know that already. Why didn't father find a job for you as he did for Gwayne?"

He was stunned by this sudden change of topic. "Well, I... am not as good as a knight compared to Gwayne."

"Don't sell yourself short! You're pretty smart and nice. I bet you're better than... some knights in the kingsguard." For example, he expected her to say, but she didn't say more. Myles had no idea which knight in the kingsguard she believed was unworthy.

"Ha. You know me... I suppose you don't know, but I'm a stellar example of mediocrity. Gwayne is diligent, hardworking, and noble. That's the difference between us."

"You're speaking like you aren't noble."

"Well, if the situation arises, I'll prioritize saving my skin before anyone."

"That's just being human. And I admire your honesty." She smiled.

"Heh, I like you better this way. Less bossy and haughty."

"Alicent Hightower... I... was a nasty person before?"

He raised a brow, "This isn't how I'd put it. You're proud with a sharp tongue, but you're also caring and a great lady. Father spoiled you for a reason."

"Ehehe, I know I'm not much of a lady now," She smiled wryly, "But I'm glad that you like me."

"...You should try to act like a lady instead of a child sometimes." You're older than me after all, he thought.

The Hand of the King

The mad queen had thrown everyone off their balance, and that included Lyonel.

No matter her intention, the result was Otto Hightower's return, and he wanted his seat in the small council back.

That's, of course, not feasible. Lyonel had done nothing to deserve being demoted, and although he held no particular enmity towards Hightower, he'd not let himself be replaced.

Hightower knew that well. After he had given up in reining in the queen's madness, he had focused on worming himself back to the good grace of King Viserys, no doubt to eventually take Lyonel's place.

Lyonel had been watching him with a hawk eye. He wouldn't let Hightower have any chance of dismissing him. He couldn't go back to be the master of law, and his children thrived in King's Landing...

...Because they could stay far away from her.

She scared all his other children, but he couldn't send her away. Everything she told him had come true, good, or bad.

Lyonel was no superstitious peasant, but even he feared what she would do if he didn't keep her in Harrenhal.

What was the last thing she told him?

"Burn, burn, burn." She said in her high-pitch voice, "You'll burn if you stay here."

...He couldn't return to Harrenhal, no matter what.

The Mistress of Whisperers

"Ha, so she went mad," Daemon laughed, "On Rhaenyra's dragon, even! Amazing."

"It'd seem so," Mysaria nodded, "That's advantageous to us."

"A fun distraction, at the least. It's getting boring here. I'd have gone nuts without you." He pulled her to his side and kissed her.

It still made her happy even after so many years.

Daemon had taken her from the slums of King's Landing and made her someone powerful. She believed that he would have wed her if not for the Royce woman. He's all she had... and she would give it all for him.

After they parted, Daemon whispered, "I might go back and take a look at the situation myself."

Mysaria didn't like where this was going. "Together? What do we do with the Stepstones?"

"You stay here and take care of it for me." He said lightly.

No. Fear rose in her heart, "You're... you're not going to abandon me here, are you?"

He wasn't shaken by her fear. He fully embraced her, stroked her hair, and said, "Don't be silly. I won't let go of such a tasty woman like you. It'll be a waste."

"Tasty..."

He nipped the side of her neck, "So tasty."

"When you're gone... I'll be waiting for you." She murmured.

"And you'll always have a place in my heart, my dear." He said as he took off her dress.