"And then the man fell from his horse and ran!" Rhaenyra exclaimed as i laughed. I tried to catch my breath from my laughter as she smiled. "So, when will you be coming to the castle?" i asked.

"In a week or so. Will you be here?" she asked. "If i survive until then" i joked. She took my hand in hers. "I believe things are finally getting better. Truly. The Alicent i saw tonight was the Alicent i had known many years ago. We finally have a chance to make everything right."

I nodded as she spoke. "Then i will do my part, your grace. I'll make amends" i said as the woman pulled me into a tight embrace. "I know you will" she said. "Do we have too?" i heard Luke mumble under his breath.

I grabbed the boy and nudged my fist against his head. "You will do as the future queen commands" i teased as he chuckled. "And if you don't, i will tell her what you and your brother did during your last trip to Winterfell" i whispered to him as his face dropped.

"What was that?" Rhaenyra questioned. "Nothing" we both said simultaneously. I pushed the boy away jokingly as i spotted Cregan. He was flexing his hand as i noticed a bruise across his knuckles. "Gods. What happened?" i asked.

"Nothing... Nothing... I just had a small 'conversation' with the prince Aegon. I believe he will be staying away from his wife for now on" he said with a smirk. I scrunched my nose as i kissed him softly. "We'll done" i whispered.

Cregan kissed me many more times before finding his way to the carriage. I then saw my father make his way over to me. "Father" i greeted him with a smile from ear to ear. "Alysanne" he said with a weak smile.

"What's wrong?" i asked. He looked around to make sure no one was close enough to listen as he pulled me aside. "Nyke vantas raqagon gepot ao kesīr rūsīr se vulturës" he whispered. "I don't like leaving you here with these vultures."

I rolled my eyes at him. "What?" i questioned. "Nyke vantas pāsagon se vala. Aōha valzȳrys iksos doru-borto syt ao ondoso aōla" he said plainly. "I do not trust them. Your husband is stupid for leaving you here by yourself."

I gave him a small smile at his concern. "Nyke kostagon mīsagon nykēla, kepa. Nyke gaomagon daor jorrāelagon issa valzȳrys naejot mīsagon issa. Nyke kivio nyke jāhor sagon ȳgha" i said. "I can protect myself, father. I do not need my husband to protect me. I promise you i will be safe."

He sighed trying to let his fears go. "Alright... I believe you. But write to me" he said. I took his hand as i nodded. "I will. Everyday" i said. "Maybe not everyday... I have things to do, you know" he teased. I laughed as he smiled softly. "Avy jorrāelan, kepa" i said. "I love you, father."

My father was not the affectionate type... But he had his moments. "Avy jorrāelan daor" he mumbled. "I love you too."

I finally let go of his hand as the rest of my family left in their carriage. Once they are out of sight, i made my way over to the carriage with the Stark sigil. I chuckled to myself as i saw Edwynn asleep against Cregan, who was also asleep. "I will see you all soon. Take care of Brandon and Bennard for me in my absence" i said kissing Lyarras head.

"Of course, mother" Rickon said as i embraced him tightly. I knelt down to Neds hound as i rubbed behind his ear. "And feed the horses and the dragons. You know how Saphira and Freya get when their lonely" i said. "Mother, everything will be fine. You must stop worrying" Lyarra said.

I took a deep breath and nodded. "I know, i know... I will miss you all" i said. "We will see you in a week or so" Ned said. I cupped his face in my hand knowing i was being dramatic. But i had never been apart from my children for this long.

"Alright... I'll let you leave. But good! And don't miss me too much" i said as i closed the carriage door. I watched them ride off as i put a hand to my stomach. "I guess it's just us now" i said. "And me" i heard a voice say. I turned to see Alicent Hightower. "Your grace" i said.

"I thought i would escort you to your chambers" she said. I nodded as she suddenly took my arm in hers. I was hesitant at first but then eased into her touch. "I thought we could have tea. Then i'll have to put my husband to bed."

"I'd like that, your grace" i said. The woman escorted me and to my chambers as the maids poured us some tea. "So, how have you been this past few years?" she asked. "I've been well. The North and Runestone have kept me busy. How about you?"

"I... I've been fine. With my husbands illness i've taken over the duties of the crown along side my father" she said. "I am sorry about Viserys, your grace. But he seemed a lot stronger tonight" i said trying to reassure her. "Yes... He was happy i believe. For the first time in a while... Along side my son, Ameond" she mumbled as she slurped her tea.

"Well, my daughter seems to have taking a liking to him. She thinks i'm stupid but i know she wishes to stay to make friends with him" i said.

"I have been meaning to speak to you about that actually" she said as i sat up straight, hoping she would not say what i thought she was going to say. "My son is now nineteen years old. Your daughter is almost eighteen. I was thinking-"

"Let me stop you right there, your grace" i interrupted as Alicents face faltered. "My daughter will marry who she wants to marry. I promised myself that long ago. If she wishes to marry your son... Then that will be her choice."

Alicent chuckled softly at my words. "Your a good mother, Alysanne. Better than most" she said thinking about her forced marriage to Viserys and her daughters forced wedding to Aegon. "So i will make an agreement with you. Give them a year. If the two wish to marry by the end of year, then they will be wed. And if they don't, they will not have to."

A smile tugged at my lips. "Agreed" i said. The woman stood up from her seat once she finished her tea. "I better put my husband to bed. But tomorrow, i was hoping we could take a walk in the gardens. I have a book that i think you would like, perhaps i could read it to you."

The moment Alicents words left her lips, she realised how mad she sounded. She was pretending Alysanne was Rhaenyra. Though she would never admit it, she missed their shared youth. "My apologies, lady Alysanne. I-"

"I would like that, your grace. No one has read to me in an age. It's always me reading to someone else. I believe the last person who read to me was my Septa. But fuck the Septa" i said with laughter as Alicent stood there shocked.

Alicent held herself steady remembering a time in her life where she was truly happy. Where she was free.... Where she was free to be with Rhaenyra.

She saw a piece of Rhaenyra in Alysanne. "Are you alright, your grace?" i asked. Alicent snapped out of her daze as she nodded. "Of course... Yes... Yes we shall do that."

I smiled softly at her. "Goodnight, your grace" i said. The woman took me off guard as she embraced me tightly. "Goodnight" she mumbled into my shoulder. I gently patted her back, confused on what to do.

The woman wiped away her tears quickly as she fled my company. "What the fuck was that about?" i muttered under my breath. I gently rubbed my stomach as i stared at the bloated lump. "Do you know what that was about?" i asked the babe. Obviously, there was no answer. "Yeah... Me neither."

Meanwhile...

Serena looked around her chambers, examining the flower vases, the books and more. She could not believe she was in the South. In truth, she always wanted to visit the castle. To be around lords and ladies. It's all she wanted.

Her mother always said she did not have to become a wife nor like her "lady like" duties. But she just did. She likes sewing, embroidery and she didn't like hunting like her sister did. She wanted to be a wife and have children. It's all she ever wanted.

Serena grabbed her nightdress and was about to change until she heard a noise from the other side of her room. She jumped at the noise as she grabbed a large book. "Who's there?" she called out. "Show yourself!"

She quietly walked towards the noise as a hidden compartment in the walls opened. She let out a sigh of relief as it was revealed to be just Aemond. "What we're you going to do if i was a murderer? Hit me with a book?" he teased.

"You frightened me! What are you doing here?!" she asked through gritted teeth. "I thought you would like a tour of Kingslanding" he said. "I would... But it's the middle of the night" she whispered. Aemond chuckled to himself as he threw a hood over Serernas head. "That's the best time to visit Fleabottom."

Serena was unsure about what Aemond had planned... But she decided to trust him. She followed him through the secret passages until they were outside the castle walls. "Do you leave the castle after dark often?" she asked.

"Not often. Only when we have guests" he said. Her smile faded once she realised she was not the first maiden he had snuck out with. "And we've never had guests before" he added on as Serenas smile came back.

"Where are we going?" she asked with a chuckle. "You'll see. Just come" he said. She followed him until the smell of shit and whores became stronger. It was then she knew they were in Fleabottom.

There was barefoot people dancing in the street, children stealing and laughing, people fucking in the middle of the pathways and men and women both drinking freely. Serena smiled at the boldness of everyone.

Suddenly, Serena felt someone crash into her as she stumbled back. "Fuck off boy!" the drunken man yelled as Aemond caught her. "Are you alright?" he asked with concern as the girl chuckled. "He called me boy" she said excitedly.

Aemond let go of her as he rolled his eyes. "This is amazing" she said. "Really?" he questioned with a hint of disgust. "Truly! Everyone seems so happy" she said. "Well they're not. They're poor" he said. "I know... But apart from the smell, it seems fun."

Serena was too innocent to realise the poverty of Fleabottom. That no one was happy. They were just disguising their sorrow with drink and whores. It was then Serena spotted cakes of plenty. She grabbed one and shoved it in her mouth. "You still like cakes then?" he questioned.

"Who doesn't like cake?" she shot back. Aemond handed the man at the stand some money for the cakes as Serena took four. "Where are we going now?" she asked. "Where would you like to go?" he questioned.

"What's over there?" she asked pointing to a tavern. Aemonds face grew as red as berries. "Let's not go in there" he said. "Why not? They seem to be enjoying themselves" she said. Aemond shook his head as he sighed.

"What is it? Why can't we go in there?" she asked. "That's... That's a brothel" he mumbled. It was now Serenas turn for her face to go red. "Oh" she muttered. "Yes... So how about we go somewhere else."

A smug smile tugged at her lips as she laughed. "How do you know it's a brothel? Has Aemond Targaryen visited there before?" she teased. Aemond rolled his eyes as he kept quiet. "You have!" she exclaimed.

"Come on. I know a bar we can visit" he said trying to change the subject. Serena continued teasing the man all the way to the drinking tavern. Once they walked in, everyone's eyes fell on Aemond.

Thankfully, no one knew Serena because this was her first visit to Kingslanding but it was impossible not to recognise the white haired prince. "Your grace" one of the bar men said. "There's a table here."

Serena and Aemond sat down at a table as the barman handed them both a cup. As Serena took a sip, she choked at the taste. "Gods. That's awful" she said with a wince. Aemond laughed as he had no reaction to the alcohol.

"You don't drink?" he questioned. "I'm allowed have one or two cups with dinner but that's all" she said. "I'm not allowed either. But my brother makes sure i do."

Suddenly, a hand clasped Aemonds shoulder as he spoke. "I hope your speaking only kind words about me" Aegon said with a smug smirk. Serena gave the man a weak smile as Aemond grimaced at his brother.

"Saliya? Wasn't it?" he asked. "Serena" she corrected him. "Oh yes, Serena... Serena Stark. Now brother, can you please tell me why you have brought Serena Stark to Fleabottom?" he questioned. Aemond stayed quiet.

"Well, miss Serena, if my brother is boring you i'm sure i could show you a good time" he said. Serena saw Aemonds discomfort as she frowned. "Your brother is not boring me, your grace. He's been quite kind."

Aegon let out loud laughter. "Kind? My brother? He is anything but" he joked. "And trust me, miss Serena, kind is not something you need in Fleabottom" he said. "Well, i'd rather kind then rude. So if you don't mind, your grace, i'm trying to speak with your brother and we would like some peace" she snapped.

Aegon scoffed but likes the girl's attitude. "Fine. I'm going to go bet on the fighting down the street. If you wish to find me later, you can" he said walking off. There was a moment of silence between the two, neither of them knowing what to say.

"I'm sorry about him" Aemond muttered. "It's fine. Truly. If i had to apologise for my sisters boldness every time she spoke out of line, i'd be apologising for eternity" she said as Aemond gave her a weakened smile.

"And about what he said. About you not being kind... I believe he is wrong about that."