chapter seventeen, gilded lily.
▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃

Alana woke up hearing the chamber door open and close, footsteps walking around the room. "Where were you?" Alana sat up, and rubbed her eyes.

Alana looked at a half asleep and Aegon laughed to himself, "Daeron arrived on Tessarion earlier." He sat down on the end of the bed.

"Oh, did he?" Alana yawned, running a hand through her messy hair. Alana sometimes was a morning person, but other times she wasn't, perhaps it was the weather..

Aegon nodded and hummed a yes, "Tonight there's a feast for Daeron, then he leaves in a few days again. Also my mother was looking for you when we met Daeron."

Alana furrowed her brows, surprise on her expression, "Why." She got off the bed, straightening her nightgown and walked to her vanity, picking up a comb to brush her hair.

Aegon shrugged his shoulders, "She didn't say, just was wondering where you were." He watched her brush her hair, he was a bit concerned what his mother wanted with his wife.

"Oh." Alana nodded, sitting at her vanity looking at the mirror as she brushed her hair. "What do you have planned today besides the feast later?"

Aegon laid back in the bed, playing with his ring around his finger, "I think I'm going to ride Sunfyre today..." He said then got off the bed, "Perhaps I shall go right now."

"Oh alright" Alana looked back at him, as he hurriedly put on his riding boots, Alana began to laugh a bit to herself as he clumsily put on his boots, a lopsided smile on his face.

There were some moments when Alana and Aegon would sit infront of the fire and talk, and all Alana would think about is kissing Aegon and bringing him to the bed, but alas she hadn't acted on her feelings.

Since the night that they went to Flea Bottom, Aegon brought her there once more, this time there were more men and woman in positions that were confusing to Alana, but Aegon explained it all to her.

Aegon noticed her laugh, "Hush, I am excited is all." He smiled, lacing his boots.

"Oh my deepest apologies." Alana laughed, placing her comb on the vanity.

Aegon smiled before walking to the door, "I'll see you at the feast."

"See you at the feast." Alana smiled back at him, as he opened the door, the guards closing it behind him.

Alana felt a sudden loneliness, but quickly brushed it off. She could ask her handmaiden to help her dress but Lysara had done enough for Alana. Alana got up from her chair and went to her wardrobe, and she grabbed a white and grey dress. She put on her underdress first and then put on her white and grey dress.

She put her hair in a braid as she always seemed to do, she finished her hair just as a knock on the door. "Come in." She stood up from the chair, putting on her shoes.

The door opened revealing Ser Criston Cole, the Queens personal guard. "Apologies, my lady. The Queen wishes to speak to you in her chambers." The dornish man spoke, still standing by the door.

"Oh.." Alana was suprised, but she had an idea of what that conversation would lead too. "Of course." Alana nodded, walking to him.

Ser Criston nodded, and held the door for her. Ser Coren standing guard outside the door. "You can stay here, Ser Coren."

"Of course my lady." Ser Coren nodded, straightening his posture.

Ser Criston closed the door, and the pair went down the hall. Ser Criston kept a serious face, not talking to Alana once, their footsteps echoing.

Alana wondered if Aegon was having fun, riding Sunfyre without a care in the world, as Alana walked to the Queens chambers, a conversation she was dreading having.

The walk was a long and dreadful walk, but eventually they got there. Ser Criston knocked on the door, before opening it. Alana went inside and saw the Queen sitting on the table with tea. Ser Criston shut the door behind her.

"Your grace." Alana smiled a wry smile at her, and sat down at the table.

"Tea?" Alicent asked, her handmaiden already pouring the tea.

Alana nodded, biting the inside of her cheek, the handmaiden giving her the tea before stepping away.

"You've heard of the news? Helaena is with child?" Alicent smiled, sipping from her tea. Alicent was happy that Helaena was with child, but now it was Alana's turn.

"Yes, she told me." Alana smiled at the memory, before also sipping on her tea.

"And will you be at the feast for Daeron later?" Alicent put her tea on the table. "You weren't there for his arrival this morrow."

"Oh. Apologies. I will be there for the feast." Alana nodded, already not liking how this conversation was going.

"You need not to apologize Alana." Alicent smiled, "You and Aegon have been married for seven moons now..and you have yet to be with child." Alicent spoke, sipping from tea.

Alana looked down at her tea, she knew that it was coming but she hadn't prepared herself for it. Yes, Alana would like to be a mother but when her and Aegon were both ready, and she and him haven't even shared a kiss that wasn't forced upon them. "I understand that, your grace. But me nor Aegon are ready."

Alicent nodded, putting her tea down. "I understand that, sweet girl. But the realm does not care for when you are ready, you and I are both woman, we must do our duties for the realm despite what we do not want." Alicent paused, before smiling at Alana

"I did not want to be Queen consort, nor a mother when I was still so young, but it is our duty to the realm and as woman." Alicent said, despite saying these things to Alana, Alicent saw herself in Alana, both forced away from home, both lost a mother. "Do you understand me?"

Alana nodded, looking down at the table.

"I do not want to be your enemy Alana, I am just telling you the truth." Alicent smiled a gentle smile, "You may go if you want."

"Thank you for the talk your grace, I will take our talk in serious matters. See you at the feast." Alana nodded, before leaving the room.

Alicent sighed, asking her handmaiden to take away the tea. Alicent hoped Alana did not hate her for this talk, Alicent did her talk to Alana just like her father wanted.

▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃

At the feast, Alana sat in silence watching the crowd dance. Aegon sat next to her, smelling of dragon. Aegon noticed her distant behavior and how his mother's eyes lingered on her, and his grandsire's whispers.

"Are you enjoying the feast?" Aegon suddenly asked Alana, as he bit the inside of his cheek.

"Yes, It is nice." Alana smiled a fake smile, the words of Alicent still hung in the back of her mind. Alana watched Helaena and Daeron dance, Alana could tell that Daeron was Helaena's favorite brother.

"What is wrong?" Aegon tilted his head as she looked at him, both maintaining eye contact.

"Nothing, just tired is all." Alana smiled again trying to reassure him.

Aegon knew she was lying but didn't press on further. "Let us dance?"

"You know I am a horrible dancer." Alana sighed, playing with the necklace Aegon stole for her.

"Come, we can be horrible dancers together." Aegon smiled a genuine smile, grabbing her hand. They both left the large table infront of the throne and made their way to the crowd, playing an upbeat song, the crowd copying each others dance.

▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃
this chap is so bad sorry