Alicent let out a sigh as she bobbed her son, Aegon, up and down. The boy was fussing, his chubby cheeks red and wet as he cried. She felt immeasurable relief as you, her handmaiden, took the toddler from her arms. She sat down in a nearby armchair, rubbing her pregnant belly.

She offered you a small smile as you soothed the child in your arms, Aegon quieting down quickly. “You do so well with him.” She stated, her head tilting as she looked up at you.

Ever since the King had married her, she had felt more alone than ever. Her best friend, Viserys’ daughter, Rhaenyra, had grown to hate her after the marriage had been sprung on her.

Alicent understood, really, she did, but losing her closest friend was hard. That on top of the endless stresses of court and caring for a child while pregnant with another.

You, her handmaiden, is who she would call her only companion. Her only comfort. Even her husband couldn’t ease her the way you could.

“I am glad of your presence. I find I have….few friends lately.” She spoke quietly, her eyes focused on you as you continued to hum to the boy in your arms.

There was always a few thoughts in the back of her head about you. What it would be like to touch you. Hug you. Kiss you. She tried to brush them away, note them as nothing but an imagine she conjured up in her stress. But part of her knew it was more than that. Knew that it was more than just relief she felt when she saw you handle her son with such care.

She looked away from you, now focusing her gaze towards the window.