The castle is quiet as you slip through the hallways. Each step feels heavier the closer you get to her chambers. The cold air nips at your skin as you push open the heavy door, its familiar creak drowned out by the thud of your pulse in your ears.

Inside, the soft glow of candles casting flicker shadows on the walls. Alicent is sitting at the edge of her bed, her back to you, her head slightly bowed. Her fingers pick nervously at her nails, a habit you’ve noticed she’s never quite broken. You linger by the door, watching her for a moment, feeling that familiar mix of nerves and warmth bubble up inside you.

“Alicent,” you whisper, barely loud enough for her to hear, but she does.

She doesn’t turn around right away, but her shoulders tense slightly at the sound of your voice. “You shouldn’t be here,” she murmurs, though there’s no bite to her words. It’s a gentle reprimand, one she’s given you before. One she never truly means.

You get closer, your breath catching as you look at her. She’s always so composed, always so burdened by the weight of her title, the crown, the expectations placed on her by everyone—by your deceased father. But here, in this small, stolen moment, you can see the exhaustion pulling at her, the cracks in her carefully constructed armor.

“I couldn’t stay away,” you say, and it’s the truth. You never can.

Alicent turns her head slightly, just enough for you to see the faintest hint of a smile on her lips. “You’re going to get caught one of these nights,” she warns, but there’s no real fear in her voice.

You shrug, stepping closer until you’re standing directly in front of her. “I don’t care."

For a moment, the two of you just stand there, the silence between you heavy with things left unsaid. Alicent looks up at you, her eyes so soft. She reaches out, her hand brushing against yours, the touch sending a shiver through you. Her fingers are cold, but the warmth in her gaze is there.

“I should send you away,” she whispers, her voice barely more than a breath.