And as coincidence would have it... the two of them girls eventually did converge.
Then again, it was nothing coincidental, as the princess always seeks camaraderie with her Hightower friend.
As much as she has gripes about the Hand, she did not extend such dislike to his daughter.
For Alicent and she were the best of friends.
And Rhaenyra knows the girl quite well... well enough to know where she needed to go to get ahold of her.
So eventually, they did meet up...
Talked and talked...
And unknowingly, the Sept is already where they were...
Per usual, the place was quiet... filled with the faint hum of candlelight.
The air smelled of wax, smoke, and stone... but Rhaenyra didn't mind it much.
Much less so for Alicent, as she was a regular here. Developing to be devout and all.
"It's only been half a year since my mother died." Rhaenyra continued to say and speculated. "And already they must be trying to marry my father off and replace me as heir."
Alicent calmly advised at her side. "You cannot worry at the matters of lords and kings, Rhaenyra."
"I know those men." Rhaenyra still complained. "And how they plot in their secret councils whenever I've been sent away. How they don't treat me as the heir at all and would rather have my father marry again."
Alicent seemed hesitant at that topic but then asked. "What if your father were to remarry?"
Rhaenyra only looked away. Not wanting to answer. As a sense of loss came to her.
"Your father loves you." Alicent then added. "He chose you for his heir."
"He didn't choose me for me." Rhaenyra said. "He spurns Daemon and his hesitation couldn't exactly get through to Ronan. The very heirs that should have been."
Alicent paused at that likely truth but then she motioned to kneel by the candles.
Lit one that she picked up and then blew the flames... to start her prayers.
Of course, not forgetting to turn to the silver-haired her, Alicent requested. "Kneel with me."
Rhaenyra frowned, but she eventually obeyed, kneeling beside her.
In front of the bright forest of wax trunks and leaves of flames. And overlooking them was one of the Seven. The statue of the Mother.
"I find this is a way to be with my mother," Alicent said quietly. "Here in the quiet of the Sept, I feel close to her."
She gave a small, awkward smile. "I know it sounds foolish."
"I don't think it's foolish..." Rhaenyra supportively affirmed. "I don't."
Alicent's expression visibly eased. "Good. Because I thought you might try. If not for me, then, perhaps for them."
Making Rhaenyra look at the candles, the hundreds of small flames flickering in front of them.
And after doing the candle-blowing that Alicent had done, the princess turned to ask. "What do I say?"
"Whatever you wish." Alicent guided. "It's only for you and the gods to know."
Thinking it over, Rhaenyra lowered head to do the prayer... and inevitably the memories of her mother came to her.
Which only served to remind her that she was dead. Along with Baelon and her siblings that never lived.
And unknowingly, pleas for her dear mother to live were what Rhaenyra wanted to pray to the gods.
But she also knew that it was futile, so her eyes have become slightly teary.
Fortunately, Alicent's hand was soothing her from the side...
And Rhaenyra somewhat composed herself... and just outright blurted out her wish.
"I want for my father to see me as more than his little girl." She hoped...
For him to see her as the heir he appointed... and the daughter that's already grown up.
Alicent nodded at what she'd heard. Appeasing that. "Mine own father does not know the language of women either. When I wish to talk with him, I know that I must make the effort."
Rhaenyra glanced at her. Ever grateful, she held her friend's hand to say. "Thank you."
And she meant it from the bottom of her heart.
Since young, onward, and maybe even forevermore... Alicent Hightower is just her very best friend that no one can hope to ever replace.