-Chapter 48-
-POV Rhaenyra Targaryen-
Shocked by Gwayne Hightower's death, I wanted to go to his side, but as I became aware of all the eyes staring at me as if I were guilty of his brother's death, I refrained because I didn't want to provoke a scandal at such a moment.
I locked eyes with my cousin Aemon, who was staring at me in shock, his gaze full of questions, and even though I wanted to scream that I had done nothing, I simply remained silent.
Justifying myself at that moment would only increase suspicions that I was somehow involved in this matter.
Finally, after a few minutes, seeing that the Queen was in a state of intense distress and would not leave her brother's side, my father stood up and said:
"The competition is suspended for now; we will continue tomorrow."
I immediately stood up to escape the gossip because, even though I knew I was innocent, the death of Jasper Redfort was still fresh in everyone's minds.
'And everyone will think I did the same thing as Aemon,' I thought as I made my way without looking back towards my personal chambers to reflect and hear Harwin's version of events.
---
-A few hours later-
"The silent sisters have begun anointing your brother with the last rites," said Ser Criston Cole.
Seeing that I didn't respond, my gaze lost in the void, he simply fell silent, faithfully standing by me, lending his support with his presence.
The door opened, and I heard one of the Cargyll twins whisper something to Ser Criston, who after a few seconds returned and said:
"The princess requests an audience."
'Father will be so angry he'll think she did it on purpose,' I thought as I gestured for her to enter.
Upon hearing her enter, I turned toward her, but what I didn't expect was that she would bring her brother's killer with her.
Furious at seeing the man who had killed my brother, who had proudly paraded earlier, happy with his victory, while I had held my brother's still-warm body against me, I stood up abruptly and shouted:
"WHAT IS HE DOING HERE?"
"Listen to me, Alicent, it was an accident..."
Rhaenyra tried to defend her champion, but I cut her off before she could finish, saying:
"I don't care whether it was an accident or not, MY BROTHER IS DEAD BECAUSE OF HIM!"
For a second, I nearly asked my faithful champion to bring me Ser Harwin's head, but I remembered my father's teachings.
'Anger is a bad counselor, keep a cool head in all circumstances, Alicent.'
I dug my nails deeply into my palms to calm myself, and I ordered Ser Criston:
"Ser Criston, escort them out. The day has been exhausting, I don't want to see anyone anymore."
"I came in good faith, but if you're going to take it like this, it seems we indeed have nothing left to say to each other," Rhaenyra said, revealing her true hypocritical self because she didn't care about me, only about herself.
After a few minutes of screaming in my head all the hatred I felt for the two of them, I asked Ser Criston Cole a question:
"Do you think he could have done it on purpose?"
"Although I despise the princess, I'm not sure that her champion's act was deliberate, but I did notice something strange."
"What?" I asked, curious to know what had caught Ser Criston's attention.
"The wood of the lance, it was harder than those usually used in such competitions. If Ser Harwin's primary intent was to injure your brother to show strength, it's possible he accidentally killed him," he said.
"So he did it on purpose," I said, my previously calmed anger resurging, consuming me with disgust for Rhaenyra, my so-called former friend.
I turned to Ser Criston and said, looking him intensely in the eyes:
"Tomorrow, I want you to avenge my brother."
"What exactly do you expect of me, how far do I need to go?" he asked me.
"Do whatever you deem necessary to avenge my brother, I trust you and your judgment to ensure this crime does not go unpunished," I said, my voice dripping with hatred.
"You can count on me, my queen," he said resolutely, bowing slightly before leaving to rest.
'Tomorrow will be a true test for all of us,' I thought.
---
-POV Aemon Targaryen-
I kicked one of the rats trying to scurry past me, disgusted by these creatures, and looked at the man in front of me, speaking with a slightly jubilant tone:
"What do you think would happen if tomorrow all the nobles in the kingdom were made aware that the realm is on the verge of plunging into the most deadly civil war in the history of the Seven Kingdoms because of the actions of a little confessor... and a crippled one at that?"
The man chuckled slightly, then said, "I imagine it would be the end of my story."
"Larys, Larys, Larys, I wasn't sure you'd have the guts to go through with the plan we concocted together, but I'm glad you did, because it means that from today onward, you are bound to me. If I fall, you fall with me," I said, for my part of the plan had only required me to make Gunthor lose intentionally.
I had been so good in my role that everyone believed I was still angry with my uncle, when it was all just an act.
"But not the other way around," he noted.
'He's a smart man; I enjoy talking to intelligent people. It completely reduces the risk of betrayal as long as I offer him advantages and bind him tightly to me, whether through the protection I provide, the marriage I could arrange for him, the future benefits from our cooperation, or simply the threat I represent in case of betrayal,' I thought as I looked at the second son of the King's Hand.
"Unfortunately not," I said in a nonchalant tone.
Larys nodded, not the least bit disturbed, as he had probably thought this through before sabotaging his brother's lance:
"I don't mind as long as I stay alive. I'll make sure your feet never touch the ground, even if it means I have to crawl beneath them."
"I quite like that turn of phrase, but just as when you first approached me, I don't like empty words," I said, not fooled for a moment by the illusion he was trying to create of himself as a loyal servant, ready to do anything for his master.
"You have a second mission for me?" he asked, intrigued.
"I want Queen Alicent to know that your brother only wanted to teach hers a lesson, not hurt him," I said, as I didn't want to leave anything to chance, while avoiding exposing myself personally.
"How can I do that?" he asked.
I raised an eyebrow, pretending to be disappointed by his question, and added:
"I'm disappointed, I didn't think you'd give up at the first difficulty."
"Forgive me, my prince, trust me, I'll manage," he said, regaining his composure.
I nodded before saying:
"Very well, because that's not your only mission. I also want you to tell your brother that you heard people saying the Princess may have lost her virginity to Ser Criston Cole."
"You want a death match," he asked, frowning.
"I want nothing. I simply think you would make a magnificent Lord of Harrenhal," I said before asking him, "Don't you think so?"