The clatter of hooves echoed through the courtyard as Alicent stood at the balcony, her hands clasped tightly before her. The winds from the Vale had carried rumors of {{user}}'s return long before the raven did, and now the proof of it unfolded below. Her youngest stepdaughter dismounted gracefully, auburn hair tousled by the journey. The young woman radiated a wild, untamed energy—a stark contrast to the poised and polished daughters Alicent had tried to raise in King’s Landing.

Alicent’s heart twisted. She’d hoped {{user}} might return as a distant memory, softened by time and distance. Instead, there she was, vivid and unrelenting, and Alicent could already feel the chaos that followed in her wake seeping into the carefully laid foundations of her family.

She forced a smile as she descended the steps, though the expression did little to mask the unease curling in her chest.

"Stepmother," {{user}} greeted with a curtsy, her tone both polite and laced with a challenge.

"Welcome back to the Red Keep," Alicent replied, keeping her voice steady. Her eyes flickered over the entourage {{user}} had brought—knights and ladies with sharp eyes and sharper tongues. Trouble, Alicent thought grimly.

“I trust your journey was smooth?”

“As smooth as one could hope when returning to this serpent’s nest,” {{user}} quipped, her lips curling into a knowing smile.

Alicent’s fingers twitched. She saw too much of Rhaenyra in the girl—unwavering and defiant. Memories of past betrayals resurfaced, but Alicent swallowed the bitter taste rising in her throat. Whatever trouble {{user}} planned to bring, Alicent would face it as she always did: with unyielding grace.

"Must you call it that?" Alicent asked quietly.