While the Princess Rhaenyra had showcased quite the rejection of the Hand's interference...
A bell could be heard tolling in the distance...
And in the King's chamber... Alicent Hightower presented herself as a person to talk to.
Knowing what she must do from henceforth… leaving behind her secret fantasy with regard to a certain young knight… in favor of the King himself, as she is implied to do by her father.
And as of now, she was humoring said King's passions about his model of Old Valyria.
A topic she might have prompted herself... to which King Viserys obliged.
Pointing at a more prominent part of the molded miniature, he said. "The Valyrian capital was built into a volcano, much like Dragonstone."
"And the dragonlords, the highest of the nobility, lived here, at the volcanic face, closest to the source of their magic and power."
"And this was the Anogrion." He gestured again to explain. "Where the bloodmages worked their craft..."
"It is truly wondrous... what you've built." She interrupted.
"Oh, no." The King reasoned in humility. "I only pore over the histories and provide the plans. The stonemasons built the structures."
To which, Alicent just asked. "Do you believe that Westeros can be another Valyria, Your Grace?"
"That depends, whether you speak of the Freehold at its height or at its fall." Viserys was regretful as he recounted what he's read. "Over a thousand dragons, a navy large enough to span the seas of the world. The glory of Old Valyria will never be seen again."
Of course, that led to another regret as he accidentally dropped a stone figure of a dragon.
"Seven hells." He muttered as he tried to pick it up... and Alicent feigned to try and do as well.
And as the two of them got close due to the broken-down stone dragon... Viserys then shifted. "Tell me, how is Rhaenyra?"
"What do you mean?" She wondered while also stepping back to not impose.
"Well, these days, she doesn't say more than a few words to me." He commented. "I think she might find it difficult to discuss personal matters. More so after I've entrusted her with the status of heir."
"It will take time." Alicent could only appease, saying. "I don't know about being the future ruler of the realm... but Rhaenyra also lost the Queen like you did, Your Grace. It will all take some time, just like when I lost mine own mother."
Still, the caring father said. "I wish she would approach me."
To which, she advised. "What if you went to her?"
"There are times when I would rather face the Black Dread himself than mine own daughter at her age." Viserys japed but maybe there was truth to it.
For the same could be said with his approach to his rogue brother and the neglected nephew he just can't seem to find a connection with.
So, in further counsel that just related to Rhaenyra, Alicent gave out a smile. "I think she would open herself to you if invited. You do have such an easy way about you, Your Grace."
Such a smile and pleasing placation was a constant from her these days... and Viserys must find himself lost in them.
But with guilty eyes, he wondered. "You do not mention our talks to Rhaenyra, do you?"
Hesitant, he also added. "I just... I fear that she wouldn't understand them."
"No, Your Grace." Alicent then dropped the curve in her lips.
Figuring that there clearly is more that she must do.
Even when his Grace already expects her company after all this while…
But now, it would seem she must placate Rhaenyra as well.
For her friend won't be accepting of this tasked role she has... and Alicent can only hope to make her understand...
Slowly and surely, the princess hopefully will. Hopefully...