✩˚ *·ヽ

𝕮𝖗𝖎𝖒𝖘𝖔𝖓 𝕭𝖑𝖔𝖔𝖉
CHAPTER FOUR, Never Be The Same

▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀

Clarisse wasn't born stupid. Ever since she caught Alicent sneaking off to go see the King, she had been at the cross with her. Father had something to do with this and she knew it.

She even confronted her father on his intentions of sending Alicent.

"How can you even suggest this at all? That's my best friend's father! To even suggest that I even go despite being a child is appalling." Clarisse was absolutely disgusted. Horrified that her father would go this far for more power.

Her father contorted in anger but he didn't even get a chance to respond because Clarisse was already out the door.

Rhaenyra and Clarisse walked arm in arm through the gardens. Lately, her father had been trying to keep her locked up ever since their little 'spat' but she always managed to escape.

"What's on your mind, Nyra? Something's troubling you."

Sometimes Rhaenyra would forget that Clarisse would read her so easily.

"In the small council this morning, I offered a solution to Lord Corlys' problems with the pirates. He asked that we show power and I offered that dragon riders go out on dragon back, that's a show of power. Father brushed me off and sent me to pick a knight for the Kingsguard. He still treats me like I'm some naive child . . ."

The sadness and tears in her eyes were enough for Clarisse to intertwine her fingers with Rhaenyra. The Princess gave her a small smile and felt less alone.

"Let us go together then?"

The two interlaced their arms together again and made their way over to the balcony but were stopped.

On their way there, her maid Petra had managed to find her, the poor woman was out of breath and exhausted. "Lady Clarisse. Please do not wander off again!"

Sometimes it was like Petra's purpose was to steer her away from Rhaenyra. This was indeed true, by the orders of Lord Otto, he hired a new maid for his youngest to take care of her, but also distract her from the Princess, in other words, distancing his daughter from the Targaryen.

"Petra I am not a child. I will go wherever I wish and I don't need to tell anyone to do so." Clarisse snapped.

A hand was placed on Clarisse's shoulder, managing to calm her down. Rhaenyra then turned to the maid, "You're excused. Leave at once,"

The maid let out a noise, "But Lord ━"

"You would defy an order from the Princess and Heir to the Throne herself?" Clarisse interrupted earning a smirk from Rhaenyra.

Petra's face contorted in fear and scowled. She left without another word.

When they finally made it, her father, the hand of the King was already there. Clarisse just acknowledged him and made her way by Rhaenyra, who had already stepped on the stool placed out for her.

"Ser Desmond Caron. A skilled knight princess."

"He looks boring," Clarisse whispered.

"Agreed," Rhaenyra responded, and then asked who was trained in hand-to-hand combat.

"Ser Criston Cole. The attendant's son from the Lord of Blackhaven." Rhaenyra smiled at Ser Criston.

Clarisse also flashed a polite smile.

"Welcome, Ser Criston." Rhaneyra smiled.

▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀

"I don't want to speak to you right now." Clarisse glared at her father. When she left, Otto had followed after her, halting her steps.

"Clarisse, the King will eventually marry ━" Otto began only for Clarisse to cut him off.

"Rhaenyra is my best friend ━"

"━And Alicent is your sister. You should be happy for her, she has the potential to become a Queen. She'll have a good life ━"

"H━Happy Happy? No, I'm quite disgusted by all this."

He didn't even look ashamed at his actions which made Clarisse grow furious but decided to just walk away from him.

Otto Hightower watched his youngest walk away from him with a look of anger and sadness. He loved the power, yes he did love and took advantage of it. But hurting his children is not something he enjoys.

Clarisse will soon understand when she's older that he was only doing right by her.

There will be a time when he will make a decision when it comes to Clarisse's marriage. As much as he hated the thought of marrying off his littlest gem.

▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀

Alicent Hightower loved her family. As the eldest daughter, she was forced to grow up rather quickly when their mother passed away. She went from being not only a big sister to Clarisse but a second mother.

She couldn't stand her sister being mad at her.

When Clarisse entered her chambers she didn't expect to see Alicent sitting on her bed.

Her maid Petra bowed apologetically, "I told her to leave, Lady Clarisse. She kept insisting ━"

"It's okay, Petra. Why don't you head to dinner early? I have no further use for you for the rest of the night. I can take of myself."

Petra looked relieved, she couldn't stand the drilling eyes radiating from Alicent Hightower. She bowed once more and left. If she had to choose between the two, she'd choose Clarisse, despite her behavior of defiance.

There was a brief silence until Clarisse spoke up as she went through her closet to change into something better suited for the evening. "Look sister, wherever this conversation is going, I don't feel like talking at all for the rest of this evening, especially if Father has sent you ━"

"I know you're angry...upset even." Alicent flinched when Clarisse turned around. There was a fury glint in her eye that made her step back.

"We used to tell each other everything. But I never felt so alone! I feel shut out by my family. You're supposed to be my big sister and the secret visits to King Viserys because Father insisted? It's not right, Rhaenyra is our best friend. Yet you continue to visit him willingly. You agreed to fathers plan. Why are you hear Alicent? What are you here for Alicent? If it's for my approval to marry the King then you can get out. I always thought you were smart sister, but to be blind over this?"

Much like Rhaenyra, she was also cast out by her father yet lets Alicent into his doors.

"The King needs a wife, and what better way than me? Rhaenyra will get over ━ it doesn't need to be this way!"

"Rhaenyra's not going to get over the fact that one of her dear friends is marrying her father! Do you realize how repulsive that sounds? If you won't tell her the truth...I will."

Alicent wiped her tears and shook her head slightly, "Y━You wouldn't."

"Then promise me you'll stop this!"

There was a brief silence and the hesitation was enough for Clarisse to see red.

Clarisse took a deep breath and shakily pointed her finger toward her door, "Get out of my chambers, sister."

The eldest Hightower left with tears and Clarisse shut the door on her, feeling a wave of emotions of sadness, and grief of the late Queen Aemma being replaced so easily.

She refused to eat dinner with her father and Alicent. Despite the numerous calls from the guards she insisted on eating dinner in her bedroom.

That night Clarisse didn't sleep a wink. Instead, thought about how things weren't the same anymore, which was the first small crack in her heart.

⊹ ˚. ♡ ࿐ Hi everyone! Make sure to comment and vote.

⊹ ˚. ♡ ࿐ How are you guys after episode 4 because OMFG. I don't even know how I'm going to write it because...

⊹ ˚. ♡ ࿐ I'm gonna try fully committing to doing dedications so COMMENT HERE IF YOU WANT ONE.