Chapter 2
The unfortunate situation had happened on Friday. Now, more than two days had passed, and Alicent could confidently say—she never wanted to see Rhaenyra Targaryen again.
The whole thing had been absurdly embarrassing.
She had spent over ten painfully long minutes just sitting there, stiff and uncomfortable, while Rhaenyra breathed in her scent like some kind of lunatic. Alicent had barely moved, barely breathed, afraid that the slightest shift might encourage something even worse. And Rhaenyra?
She hadn’t spoken. Hadn’t explained. Hadn’t even seemed embarrassed.
No.
Instead, once she had finally settled—once whatever insanity had taken hold of her had passed—she had simply stood up, unlocked the stall door, and walked out.
No apology. No thank you. No acknowledgment that she had basically crawled into Alicent’s lap like a desperate, heat-stricken animal.
Nothing.
As if that had been the most normal encounter of her life.
Alicent had just sat there, completely stunned, before finally regaining enough sense to stumble out of the bathroom, grab Criston’s stupid toilet paper, and leave.
She wanted to die.
But unfortunately, life went on. And now it was Monday.
Her morning had already been exhausting—one class from 8:30 to 10:00 AM, where she had barely been able to concentrate, still vaguely haunted by the incident. Now, she had a thirty-minute break before her next class—Real Property.
The class she shared with her newly appointed great companion.
Alicent exhaled sharply, making her way toward the vending machines, her fingers already fishing out some spare change. She punched in the code for a café latte with extra sugar, listening to the machine hum as it dispensed the cup, then grabbed a packaged snack before heading toward the lecture hall.
If there was any mercy in the world, Rhaenyra would ditch class today.
She hoped.
She prayed.
But, of course, Alicent’s luck had run out.
The very moment she stepped into the lecture hall, her eyes landed on her.
Rhaenyra Targaryen—long silver hair spilling over her shoulders, sitting in the middle rows, right where she always did. She was leaning slightly toward the girl next to her, listening as the girl chattered on, clearly engrossed in whatever was being said.
Alicent’s stomach twisted uncomfortably.
She quickly dropped her gaze to the floor, knowing full well that eye contact was the last thing she needed right now.
Forcing herself to move, she walked—no, she nearly rushed—to her usual seat in the front row. She wasn’t running away, obviously. She just… wanted as much distance as possible.
Her fingers fumbled slightly as she placed her books down on the desk, her mind still clouded with memories of that day—of the way Rhaenyra had—
No. Stop thinking about it.
She just needed to focus on class.
But then, like an idiot, she did something incredibly stupid.
She looked back.
And there she was.
Rhaenyra Targaryen, staring directly at her.
Expression unreadable. Eyes sharp. As if she was peering straight into her soul.
Alicent's breath hitched, her fingers tightening around the edge of her book.
She whipped back around, facing forward so fast it almost gave her whiplash.
Gods.
There were still about fifteen minutes before the lecture started, so Alicent occupied herself with her phone, scrolling through cat reels and forwarding them to Frida, who always seemed to enjoy them. It was a mindless, easy distraction—one she welcomed, considering how the morning had been going.
Just as she was about to send another video, a WhatsApp notification popped up from an unknown number.
'Don’t speak of it to anyone.'
Alicent froze.
Her thumb hovered over the message, hesitating before tapping into the chat. She didn’t open it right away, though. Instead, she did what any reasonable person would do—she clicked on the sender’s profile picture.
And there it was. The confirmation she expected.
Rhaenyra’s profile photo wasn’t anything out of the ordinary—just a classic summer vacation shot. Loose, silvery hair flowing over her shoulders, the golden glow of the sun catching her features, an easy, confident smile on her lips. She looked carefree, happy, completely unbothered—like someone who hadn’t spent ten whole minutes breathing in another person’s scent as if it were the only thing keeping her alive.
Alicent exhaled sharply, shaking off the memory as she prepared to exit the chat.
Then, another message popped up.
'I look good in that, don’t I?'
Alicent’s heart nearly stopped.
Her eyes widened, fingers tightening around her phone as a wave of embarrassment crashed over her. She saw. Rhaenyra had seen her looking at the profile picture.
And now, thanks to that message, it looked like she had been checking her out.
Which she wasn’t.
She had only wanted to confirm who was messaging her. That was all.
Slowly—almost painfully—she turned her head.
A few rows back, exactly where she had been sitting when Alicent first entered the hall, Rhaenyra was watching her.
Smirking.
Her expression was relaxed, amused, as if this whole situation was nothing more than an inside joke only she was in on.
Alicent scowled, jaw tightening as she sent Rhaenyra a sharp, what the hell look before finally typing out a response.
'I can talk to whoever I want about whatever I want. Why should I keep it a secret that you assaulted me?'
She hit send without hesitation.
Rhaenyra’s response came almost instantly.
"Assaulted?"
Alicent barely had time to process the single-word text before another one followed.
"That’s dramatic, even for you, Hightower."
Alicent clenched her jaw, gripping her phone tighter. Dramatic? Was she seriously—?
She exhaled sharply through her nose, forcing herself to stay calm. The last thing she needed was to start a public scene in the middle of the lecture hall. Instead, she quickly typed back.
"Excuse me? You pinned me down in a stall and sniffed me like a feral animal. Forgive me if I don’t think that’s completely normal behavior."
She hit send, then turned her head ever so slightly, just enough to steal a glance at Rhaenyra.
The blonde was leaning back in her seat, one arm slung lazily over the chair, the other holding her phone. She wasn’t looking at Alicent anymore—at least, not directly—but there was a smirk on her lips, the kind that made Alicent’s blood heat in a way she refused to analyze.
Her phone buzzed again.
"You stayed, though."
Alicent nearly choked.
Her fingers hovered over the screen, heart pounding as she struggled to find a response.
"I didn’t want to be a terrible person and leave you there to suffer, unlike some people."
Send.
Another buzz.
"Such a gentleman."
Alicent turned her head so fast she almost gave herself whiplash.
Rhaenyra was watching her now, one eyebrow raised, lips curved in something infuriatingly smug.
Alicent wanted to throw her entire coffee at her.
Instead, she gritted her teeth, forcing herself to look away, and typed one final response.
"I hope you spontaneously combust. And if i want to, i will speak of it."
"Come meet me outside."
Another message from Rhaenyra.
Alicent rolled her eyes, refusing to move. She wasn’t about to indulge Targaryen’s demands—especially after the absolute audacity of her earlier messages.
Then, another notification.
"Or I will make a scene."
Alicent stared at her screen in disbelief, mouth slightly agape. The nerve of this girl. How had she not realized before how rude and self-centered Rhaenyra truly was? And yet, this was the most desirable omega in the entire school? Seriously? People’s standards were in the gutter.
Just as she finished reading, she saw movement in her peripheral vision.
Rhaenyra was getting up from her seat, gracefully descending the steps of the lecture hall. Her pace was unhurried, deliberate. And just before she slipped through the exit, she cast Alicent a final glance—an unspoken command.
Come.
Alicent huffed under her breath. Gods, she’s unbearable.
But the last thing she wanted was an unnecessary scene, especially one started by Rhaenyra Targaryen, so—with great reluctance—she followed her outside.
Rhaenyra was already waiting when Alicent stepped into the hallway, arms crossed over her chest, her usual air of confidence firmly in place.
"Ready to have a normal conversation now, Targaryen?" Alicent drawled, leaning against the wall.
But Rhaenyra’s expression shifted, turning serious. "Just tell me what you want, Hightower." Her voice was firm, direct. Then she added, "To keep your mouth shut."
Alicent raised an eyebrow, tilting her head slightly. "It matters to you that much, huh?" She was testing the waters now, curious to see how deep Rhaenyra’s concern actually ran.
Rhaenyra exhaled sharply, as if trying to contain her frustration. "Listen, it was a weird day. I got my medication mixed up. I was supposed to go somewhere safe, somewhere alphas couldn’t approach me. But funny thing—apparently, alphas go into omega bathrooms now too." She shot Alicent a pointed look.
Alicent immediately bristled. "No. Don’t do that. I just needed a goddamn paper—I’m not the weird one in this story, alright?"
"I was still speaking, wasn’t I?" Rhaenyra cut her off smoothly, her tone edged with irritation.
Alicent let out an exhausted sigh, rolling her eyes. This is such a waste of time.
Rhaenyra, seemingly unaffected, continued. "It would’ve taken my medication about an hour to fully kick in. In that state, I wasn’t thinking clearly, so I made a decision to... accelerate the process."
She tilted her head slightly, her piercing gaze locking onto Alicent’s.
"So tell me—what is it that you want in exchange for your silence?"
Alicent watched her carefully, considering her words. Rhaenyra’s face remained unreadable, but there was tension in her stance—a slight stiffness in her shoulders, a careful neutrality in her tone. She was worried. That much was clear.
Alicent could play this however she wanted. She could drag it out, let Rhaenyra squirm a little, maybe make her regret ever demanding this little meeting in the first place.
But then, a better thought came to her.
She crossed her arms, shifting her weight to one side as she spoke. “Fine. I won’t say a word about your little…incident. In return, you’ll do something for me.”
Rhaenyra raised a skeptical brow. “And what, exactly, would that be?”
Alicent allowed herself the smallest smirk. “Your father’s company has been looking for a supplier for its latest line of tech equipment. The Hightower Corporation happens to be an excellent candidate.” She let the words settle, enjoying the flicker of realization in Rhaenyra’s expression. “A word from you could ensure we land that contract.”
Rhaenyra scoffed, arms tightening over her chest. “That’s what you want? Business favors?”
Alicent shrugged. “Seems like a fair trade to me.”
Rhaenyra tilted her head, lips pursing slightly as she considered it. “And if I say no?”
Alicent met her gaze without hesitation. “Then I’ll talk.”
It wasn’t a threat—at least, not entirely. But it was enough. Rhaenyra studied her for a long moment, her violet eyes searching for something, though Alicent wasn’t sure what.
Then, finally, Rhaenyra sighed, running a hand through her hair in clear irritation. “Fine. I’ll see what I can do.”
///
Alicent arrived home around 3 PM, her body aching from the long day. All she wanted was a hot bath to wash away the exhaustion, a quiet meal, and an evening spent curled up with a book or a mindless movie—something that required no effort, no thinking. She wasn’t in the mood to deal with anything else.
As she stepped inside, the familiar scent of home wrapped around her, a mix of fresh linen and the faint remnants of her mother’s perfume. She barely had time to slip off her shoes before she heard voices coming from the hallway. Her parents had just returned as well, dressed in their usual tennis attire, looking slightly winded but satisfied. They had always enjoyed their regular matches, and judging by the sheen of sweat on her father’s forehead and the way her mother dabbed at her own with a towel, today had been no different.
Her mother caught sight of her first and smiled. “You’re home early. How was your day, darling?”
Alicent forced a small smile, shifting her bag higher on her shoulder. “Fine. Nothing out of the ordinary.”
Her father, standing just behind her mother, gave a single nod of approval, his attention already drifting elsewhere. “Good. Glad to hear it.”
Without another word, he turned to leave, likely heading upstairs to freshen up. Alicent wasn’t surprised; this was their routine. He would acknowledge her, but never linger. Never ask for details. Never pry.
“We’re having dinner at five,” he added over his shoulder. “Make sure you’re there.”
And that was it. That was all.
Alicent stood there, watching him walk away, something twisting uncomfortably in her chest. It was always like this—polite, distant, expected. But for some reason, maybe because of how frustrating her day had already been, she suddenly wasn’t satisfied with that being the end of the conversation.
Before she could stop herself, she called out, “Father.”
He paused mid-step and turned slightly, raising a brow. “Yes, Alicent?”
She hesitated.
The words she wanted to say weren’t the words she should say. She wasn’t even sure she could tell him yet—she had no guarantee that the deal with the Targaryens would go through, and making a promise she couldn’t keep would be a mistake.
But the moment stretched between them, and the way he was looking at her—waiting, expectant—made her feel like this was an opportunity she couldn’t let pass.
So she swallowed down her doubts and said, “Rhaenyra and I have been spending some time together.” She kept her voice measured, casual, as if it wasn’t a complete lie. “I think I might be able to secure the business deal for you.”
That caught his attention. Completely.
His posture shifted, his focus narrowing in on her in a way it rarely did. In two strides, he was back in front of her, his expression unreadable—but interested. Finally interested.
“You are?” His lips quirked up in something close to a pleased smile. He placed a firm, approving hand on her shoulder. “That’s excellent news, my dear.”
He looked genuinely pleased, which sent a strange mix of emotions tumbling through her.
“You should invite her to our social gathering this weekend,” he continued smoothly. “I’d like to meet her myself.”
Alicent barely had time to react before he leaned in, kissed her forehead, and strode away, looking satisfied—like this was already settled. Her mother gave her an encouraging smile before following after him.
And just like that, it was done.
Alicent stood frozen in place, the weight of what she had just set into motion settling heavily on her shoulders.
Shit.
Why did she say that?
It had seemed like such a small lie—harmless, even. But now it had consequences. Now she had to somehow convince Rhaenyra to play along, to attend a formal event with her as if they were anything close to friends.
Friends.
The word itself was laughable. They were barely even acquaintances. If anything, they were opposites, two people forced into an awkward, uncomfortable dynamic because of a single moment neither of them wanted to acknowledge.
Alicent let out a slow, frustrated breath, rubbing her temples.
Why had she done this?
She already knew the answer.
Because for the first time in a long time, her father had truly looked at her. Because, for those few moments, she wasn’t just his daughter—she was useful. And that felt…
Dangerously satisfying.
Alicent sighed as she leaned against the wall, running a hand down her face. What the hell did I just do?
Alicent pushed off the wall and headed straight for her room, shutting the door behind her with a little more force than necessary. She tossed her bag onto the bed and sat down heavily, her mind racing.
Her father was pleased. That was rare. He wanted her to bring Rhaenyra to their social gathering. A prestigious event, full of business elites and old-money families, the kind of place where the Targaryen name would be treated with reverence. The idea of Rhaenyra standing next to her, pretending to be her friend, made Alicent want to scream into a pillow.
But could she even back out now?
Her father would ask questions if Rhaenyra didn’t show. Maybe even start doubting the entire arrangement. That was the last thing she needed.
She groaned, falling back onto the bed and staring at the ceiling. What now?
After a moment, she grabbed her phone. The screen lit up with the last conversation she’d had. Rhaenyra’s number.
Alicent hesitated, then typed.
"I need another favor."
She hit send. A few moments later, the read receipt appeared. Then the typing bubbles.
"Already?" came the response.
Alicent exhaled sharply through her nose. "Come to my family's gathering this weekend. Play nice. Smile. Act like we’re friends."
This time, the response came quicker.
"And why would I do that?"
Alicent rolled her eyes. She should’ve known Rhaenyra wouldn’t make this easy.
Alicent huffed in frustration, running a hand through her hair. Why does she have to be so difficult? She was about to type out a response when, to her surprise, her phone started ringing.
Rhaenyra.
Alicent stared at the screen for a second. Why the hell is she calling me when we can just text? What kind of person texts first and then immediately calls?
Still, she let it ring a couple of times before finally answering.
“Hello?”
“What is this about?” Rhaenyra’s voice came through, casual yet sharp, like she was already entertained by whatever mess Alicent had gotten herself into.
Alicent pinched the bridge of her nose. “Look, I told my father about the business deal, but I didn’t exactly tell him the full story—”
"You mean that you blackmailed me?" Rhaenyra interrupted, her voice dripping with amusement. "That part, yeah?"
Alicent shut her eyes, pressing her lips together. “Yes…” she admitted, irritation bubbling in her tone. “And since I didn’t want to explain that part, I might have… implied that we’re friends. So now my parents have invited you to our gathering.”
Silence.
Then—laughter.
Rhaenyra’s rich, delighted laughter filled the speaker, and Alicent had to pull the phone slightly away from her ear. It was infuriating how much fun she seemed to be having with this.
"Alicent," Rhaenyra finally said, still clearly amused. "I can call you Alicent, right? Friends do that, don’t they?"
Alicent groaned. "Rhaenyra—"
"So, dear Alicent," Rhaenyra continued, stretching out the name like she was tasting it. "Why the fuck would you tell your father about this when the deal isn’t even done yet?"
Alicent sighed, already feeling a headache forming. "I don’t know, alright? I wasn’t thinking. It just… came out."
"And now you need me to play along," Rhaenyra concluded, smug.
"Yes," Alicent admitted through gritted teeth. "Just do me this favor, and I’ll owe you."
A pause. This time, a long one.
Then, finally—
"You surely will, Alicent," Rhaenyra murmured, a knowing lilt in her voice. "Now… what’s the dress code?"
Alicent hesitated for a moment before answering, rubbing her temple. She could already tell this was going to be a disaster.
"Formal," she muttered. "It's a business-slash-social gathering. My father is trying to impress investors and potential partners, so it’s all tailored suits and designer dresses. No sneakers. No leather jackets. No looking like you just stepped out of a bad decisions and worse attitude catalog."
Rhaenyra hummed in amusement. "That’s a shame. I look good in leather."
Alicent rolled her eyes, flopping back against her pillows. "Dress appropriately," she stressed. "And don’t make this any harder than it has to be."
"Wouldn’t dream of it," Rhaenyra said, her voice laced with something that made Alicent suspicious.
She could already picture her, lounging somewhere, smirking like a cat who had just caught a mouse but wasn’t quite ready to kill it yet.
Alicent hesitated before adding, "And for the love of the gods, behave in front of my father. He’s not the type to be amused by your… antics."
"Antics?" Rhaenyra feigned innocence. "What antics?"
"You know exactly what I mean," Alicent deadpanned.
Rhaenyra chuckled. "Fine, fine. I’ll be on my best behavior. Unless, of course, you want me to—"
"Goodbye, Rhaenyra," Alicent interrupted, hanging up before the other girl could say anything else.
She tossed her phone onto the bed and let out a long, frustrated sigh.
///
It was Tuesday afternoon, and the clock had just passed 1 PM. Alicent had finished her lecture early and had a solid hour and a half before her next class started. She found herself in the campus cafeteria with Frida, relaxing over drinks and snacks. The conversation was lighthearted, full of casual back-and-forth as they debated an odd but amusing question: How long would it take a grown adult to learn how to swim?
"I’m telling you, a few hours is all it takes," Frida said with a confident smile, pushing her hair out of her face. "You just need to get over the fear, figure out how to float, and then you’re basically there."
Alicent raised an eyebrow, taking a sip of her latte. "A few hours? You’re underestimating it," she replied. "There’s technique, strokes, breathing. You can't just pick that up in a few hours. It takes at least a couple of weeks to get it right."
Frida laughed, shaking her head in disbelief. "You’re such a pessimist. Just dive in and try it. What’s the worst that could happen?"
Alicent smirked, rolling her eyes. "No, you’re the optimist. I’m just being realistic."
The two of them went back and forth for a while, the discussion veering off into other topics as they shared stories and jokes. It was the kind of easy, fun conversation that helped distract Alicent from the stress of the past few days.
Just then, Frida looked at Alicent, her expression softening. "So… last Friday," she said, leaning in slightly. "What was that about Criston needing something from you?"
Alicent blinked, a little caught off guard. "Oh, uh… it was nothing, really. He ran out of toilet paper in his stall, so he asked me to grab him some from another bathroom," she explained nonchalantly.
Frida raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Really? That’s it?"
Alicent nodded. "Yeah, it was no big deal. I just went to the third-floor bathroom because the others were out."
Frida gave a small smile, her gaze shifting between Alicent and her half-drunk coffee cup. "Well, that's sweet of you," she said, her voice warm. She reached across the table, her fingers brushing lightly over Alicent’s hand in an unspoken gesture of affection. Alicent felt a slight rush at the touch, a small flutter in her chest that she didn’t quite know how to handle.
Before she could respond, however, the moment was interrupted.
A coffee cup was suddenly set down beside Alicent’s, the clink of porcelain startling both of them. They both looked up, and there she stood—Rhaenyra Targaryen, effortlessly striking with her silver hair cascading down her back and that confident, enigmatic smile on her lips.
For a brief second, Alicent froze.
"I may sit, right, Alicent?" Rhaenyra asked casually, her tone light, almost playful. Before Alicent could respond, Rhaenyra pulled out the chair across from her and slid into it with a grace that seemed almost deliberate.
Alicent blinked, taken aback by the suddenness of her presence. She hadn’t expected Rhaenyra to approach her like this, but then again, she probably should’ve seen it coming.
Rhaenyra looked at her expectantly, still holding her phone in one hand. "I wanted to ask your opinion on something," she said, her voice smooth as ever. "Which dress do you think would look better on me for your parents’ party this weekend?"
She turned the phone toward Alicent, displaying two stunning options—both elegant, both exactly the kind of dresses Rhaenyra would wear.
Alicent’s mind froze. Parents’ party? She hadn’t even mentioned that to Frida, and now Rhaenyra was casually bringing it up like it was the most normal thing in the world. The tension in her chest tightened as she glanced at Frida, who had gone unusually quiet. She could tell from the look in her friend’s eyes that she wasn’t buying it, that there was something off about the situation.
Frida raised an eyebrow, her voice laced with confusion and a hint of jealousy. “Wait, what party?” she asked, looking between Alicent and Rhaenyra, trying to piece together the strange interaction.
Alicent, feeling the weight of the situation settle over her, opened her mouth to explain, but before she could get a word out, Rhaenyra flashed a smile and addressed Frida directly. “Sorry, you are?” she asked, her tone dripping with casual indifference, as though she didn’t care about making Frida feel uncomfortable.
Alicent’s breath caught in her throat. The way Rhaenyra had spoken to her friend rubbed her the wrong way. It wasn’t just the words; it was the arrogance in her voice, as if she held all the power in the situation. Alicent felt her protectiveness for Frida surge.
“Rhaenyra,” she said, her voice firm, more serious than she intended. She hadn’t meant to snap, but something about the way Rhaenyra had acted triggered her. She couldn’t just let it slide.
Rhaenyra tilted her head, clearly amused. “Yes?” she replied, as if nothing were amiss.
Alicent looked between her and Frida, then back to Rhaenyra. “So, blue or white?” Rhaenyra continued, clearly unfazed by the tension, her smile wide as ever. "I want to look my best when I meet your parents."
Alicent felt her stomach twist. Was Rhaenyra really doing this? Trying to humiliate her in front of Frida? Trying to make everything even more complicated than it already was? Alicent’s mind was racing, but Frida wasn’t letting it go.
“Parents?” Frida asked, her voice flat, but Alicent could hear the confusion and hurt underneath. “Alicent, what’s going on here?”
Alicent rubbed her temples, a sigh escaping her lips as she looked at Frida. “Look, Frida, this is a misunderstanding,” she tried to explain, but her voice lacked conviction. She didn’t even believe it herself. How could she explain the situation when she was barely grasping it herself?
“Oh, nothing special,” Rhaenyra interjected with a light, teasing laugh, completely dismissing Alicent’s discomfort. “Alicent invited me as her plus-one for her parents’ party. You know.” She said it so casually, like it was the most natural thing in the world. She reached over and placed a hand on Alicent’s shoulder, squeezing it with exaggerated affection. “So sweet of you,” she added with a smirk, clearly enjoying the chaos she was causing.
Frida’s face shifted, her expression falling as disappointment—and maybe a touch of disgust—flickered across her features. "You said I could go because it’s so private," she said, standing up slowly, as if she was starting to pull away from the conversation altogether.
Alicent's heart dropped. She hadn’t expected this reaction, hadn’t prepared for the look in Frida’s eyes as she stood up. It felt like a betrayal, even though she hadn’t meant it that way.
Frida looked at her for a moment, eyes narrowed. "I guess you aren't as close as we are, right, good friend?" Rhaenyra whispered, just loud enough for Frida to hear, before leaning in a little closer. Her voice was laced with something sharp, like a playful jab that stung more than it should have.
Alicent wanted to stop it, wanted to tell Frida the truth, but the moment felt like it was slipping away from her. Frida walked away without another word, the sound of her footsteps echoing in the space between them. Alicent watched her go, her chest heavy with guilt, anger, and confusion.
"You’re a terrible person, you know that, right, Rhaenyra?" Alicent finally said, her voice cool and firm. She couldn’t hold it in anymore.
Rhaenyra paused, looking slightly surprised, then a small smile crept onto her lips. "You’re making me lose millions by making your father our supplier, and I’m the bad person for speaking rudely to your friend? I didn’t think you two were dating anyway. Sorry if I hurt her little feelings." She took a sip of her drink, clearly unfazed.
Alicent just stared at her, unsure of how to respond. Rhaenyra’s tone was sharp, but she knew she couldn’t argue with her logic. Still, the way she had acted was crossing a line.
"We aren't really dating." Alicent said, her voice quieter now. It was more out of frustration with herself than with Rhaenyra. She had no idea how everything had spiraled this way. "I’m sorry,"
Rhaenyra leaned back in her chair, watching Alicent. "Don’t be. Business is business, right?" she said, her voice softer now, almost playful. "But if you want this weekend to go well, we should spend some time together before the party. Get to know each other a little better."
Alicent sighed, rubbing her temples. "Can’t we just send each other a list of things about ourselves? Seems easier," she suggested, not keen on the idea of spending more time with Rhaenyra than necessary.
Rhaenyra shook her head with a small grin. "There wouldn’t be any chemistry that way. I have a lecture now, but let’s meet later today. 6 PM okay with you?"
Alicent hesitated for a moment. She didn’t have much of a choice. "Fine," she said, trying to keep her tone neutral. "6 PM it is."
Rhaenyra gave her a satisfied smile. "Great. See you then." Then, without another word, she stood and walked away, leaving Alicent to wonder just how deep she was in with all of this.