hotmtlnovel Chapter 100: Warning
Chapter 100: Warning
Chapter 100: Warning
Alicent's head was throbbing with pain, and she let out a silent sigh as she closed her eyes, seeking solace in sleep.
Time passed, and she found herself in a state of drowsy, half-consciousness.
Knock, knock, knock...
All of a sudden, the peace and quiet of her room was shattered by a loud noise.
Alicent's headache was so intense that she ignored the noise as just a minor distraction.
Before long, the noise stopped, and she started to drift back into a deep sleep.
But as she was about to fall asleep, she felt a sudden rush of warmth.
It felt like she was sitting too close to a roaring fireplace, causing beads of sweat to form on her forehead.
"It's really hot in here...I'm thirsty."
Alicent's parched mouth was yearning for relief, and in her stupor, she reached out for the glass of water on her bedside table.
However, her reaching hand encountered something unexpected—a layer of fabric.
As she gently touched the fabric, she felt soft flesh beneath it.
"Fabric... Soft flesh?"
Alicent's foggy consciousness suddenly came back to her, and she reluctantly opened her eyes to the dimly lit room.
There she saw a figure in a black robe sitting on the edge of her bed.
In the figure's hand was a coal brazier, its glow casting eerie shadows across the room.
"Who are you?"
Alicent's heart was racing with fear, and she instinctively recoiled, clutching the covers tightly around her body.
"It's me, Your Grace."
A familiar voice came from the figure, who then took off his hood and offered her a cup of water. "Here's your water."
Alicent's eyes widened in disbelief as she strained to make out the visitor's face.
Alicent looked at the boy standing by her bed in disbelief and said, "It's you, Rhaegar!"
"Are you scared, Your Grace?"
Rhaegar, wearing a black robe, looked at his stepmother calmly.
"What are you doing?" Alicent's nerves jangled at the sight, her mind racing with memories.
"Nothing much. Since you don't want water, let's get warm," Rhaegar replied, reaching out to cup a piece of ember in his hand.
He held it calmly and raised his hand between them. The coals glowed, casting light between them.
Rhaegar kept his eyes neutral as he spoke calmly, "Your Grace, I'm sure you're aware that my recent journey to the Peninsula wasn't exactly peaceful. Many people who disrespected me met their end by Dragonfire."
Alicent quietly moved to the other side of the bed, her face showing fear.
Without advancing, Rhaegar continued, "I don't know if you were involved, but I'd really appreciate it if you could set aside any prejudices you may hold against me, whether by ignoring them or adopting a more neutral stance."
"I just ask that you don't cause any trouble for me, my father, or my sister."
With that, Rhaegar looked his stepmother in the eye.
Click...
His fists clenched, and he crushed the charcoal, causing it to spill onto the white bedspread.
The broken coals ignited the fabric instantly.
Alicent let out a scream of panic and quickly used a pillow to smother the embers.
Rhaegar grabbed the cup of water nearby and started dousing the flames methodically, extinguishing them one by one.
As the smoke cleared, Rhaegar's face was still obscured, and his voice was barely above a whisper. "I hope you can retain some compassion, Your Grace."
"What in the world are you doing? I've done nothing wrong, how many times do I have to say it?" Alicent's irritation flared as she verged on breaking down, her voice filled with anger.
Rhaegar averted his gaze and interjected, "I believe you, for you are my stepmother, and I trust you to safeguard the children of your name, including myself and Rhaenyra."
"I am the Queen, your father's wife, and with that title comes a certain responsibility," Alicent replied, her expression hardening.
She continued in a harsh tone, "But you shouldn't treat your own mother with such disrespect. Trespassing into my room and threatening me with fire—I will tell your father about this and let him decide how to discipline a child who dishonors his name!"
"As you wish, Your Grace," Rhaegar responded nonchalantly, replacing the lid of the coal stove and lifting it once more, ready to depart.
However, just steps away, he paused as if remembering something, and turned back to say cryptically, "By the way, Aegon is my brother, and I value that kinship. It was through my own abilities that I managed to evade the murder."
"But he is still young..."
"Enough of this!" Alicent snapped, her neck straining, eyes reddened, and teeth gritted. "I will watch over my son, no matter what!"
"Very well, "Mother"," Rhaegar replied with a sweet smile, bowing like an innocent child.
He exited the bedroom slowly, carrying the coal stove, and disappeared through the entrance of the secret passageway under his stepmother's hatefull glare.