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SERENADE OF SEA AND FLAME
Chapter Ten, The Grand Sept

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The walk to the Grand Sept was silent. Too silent for comfort. It didn't help that Ser Criston and other knights of the Kingsguard accompanied them, walking quietly behind. Strolling with Visella down the halls of the Keep made Alicent feel an ache of nostalgia, for she once in her youth walked those very halls with a girl who was once a great dear friend. But she quickly removed those memories from her mind, for it wasn't the time to reminisce.

"Aemond," Alicent said, breaking the silence. "Have you spoken with him?"

"I haven't approached him, but he has tried," Visella admitted. "I am afraid the past still hasn't been forgotten, your grace."

Alicent swallowed her saliva. "I see," she said. "Well, he does miss you, I do venture." Their steps echoed through the halls. "His dear friend, dancing partner, and study companion."

"Hm," She hummed in response. A small part of the princess missed his company as well, but she didn't want to admit it.

They arrived to the Grand Sept, and for the first time, Visella laid her eyes upon it up close. She couldn't help but freeze in place, gazing up at the sacred building. Alicent grinned, "beautiful, isn't it?"

"Yes, your grace," Visella said, as if she were in a trance. "I've never considered coming to this place."

A cool breeze of air blew through their faces as the guards opened the doors. They quietly walked inside, being greeted by the scent of incense and guests praying silently to themselves. Alicent led the way to the center of the Sept, where the statue of The Mother stood, surrounded by candles in a circle.

"I am aware of our different beliefs," Alicent whispered quietly, "but, perhaps coming here could . . . bring you comfort?" She kneeled down on the velvet cushion, lighting one of the many candles on the table. "Please, kneel with me."

Visella kneeled next to the Queen, imitating her posture and hands.

"Around your age, I used to come here as a way to be with my mother," Alicent said lowly. "It made me feel . . ."

"Closer to her?" Visella asked.

Alicent's lips curled from a frown to a smile. "Yes," she said softly. Visella couldn't help but grin herself.

"After Laena's funeral in Driftmark, I found my father standing in the sea. He said it felt as if she was still there with him."

It was a pleasant surprise to look upon the queen genuinely smiling for once. "This may not be the waters of your ancestral home, but would you like to try?" She slid an unlit candle in front of her. "You light it for the person you seek to pray for."

Visella lit up the candle. "What do I say?" She asked.

"Whatever you wish, Princess," replied Alicent. "It will only be between you and the gods."

Visella nodded and closed her eyes. For a long moment of silence, the both of them prayed. As the minutes passed by, the girl grew overwhelmed with grief. All she could see was her father when she closed her eyes. The memories they both shared together and with her brothers. She could even hear his contagious laughter.

A tear fell down her cheek, glistening in the candlelight. She tried to hold back the tears building up in her eyes.

"You mustn't hide your pain," blurted Alicent, her eyes still closed and hands together. "This is a place to relieve your pain, grief, and tears." The tears Ella tried to hold back began to overflow. The Queen could feel her heart aching for the poor child as her cries grew louder. She's held so much resentment towards her due to being Rhaenrya's daughter, but at the end of the day, she was just a little girl.

"It's alright, sweet girl," Alicent whispered. She pulled Visella into her arms gently, embracing her. The Queen couldn't help herself, seeing the Princess in so much pain reminded her of someone else she was in the Sept with so many years ago. "He'll always be watching over you, I'm sure of it."

"Thank you," Visella wailed, her voice thick with sadness. "I miss him so much."

"I understand," Alicent murmured, "it feels as if a piece of yourself has been broken away." She reached over to take her hand, giving a gentle squeeze. "Our loved ones are never truly lost, you know?" Alicent asked. She rubbed the girl's back comfortingly. "As long as we keep our memory of them inside, they will always be apart of us."

The conversation they had deeply changed the perception Visella had of the Hightower. She's mistreated Ella's whole family many times, so why did she bother being nice to her? It confused the princess, but she was glad that she accompanied Alicent. The weight she's been feeling on her chest had finally been lifted. It was the first time she ever felt a connection with the Queen.

Earlier . . .

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"You summoned me, father?" Asked Alicent as she walked into Otto's chamber.

"Yes," he answered. "In concerns of the princess."

"She is mourning for her father," Alicent said. "I don't expect her to be well. She hasn't eaten, bathed, or attend her classes. As far as I am aware, she still rots in her bed. T'is not easy to be high spirited after the loss of a parent, I can very much agree."

"I see," he said, stroking his beard. "Perhaps we could use that to our advantage."

Alicent gave a puzzled expression. "What do you mean?" Whatever it was her father had planned, she had a bad feeling he wanted her to do something for him. "The poor girl has suffered enough, she's away from her mother, she's betrothed to our son after such a vicious fight, and her father just recently passed!"

"We need as much people on our side as possible," the Lord Hand said, ignoring his daughter's words. "Gain another ally and dragon." he stood from his chair. "I am aware that Aemond is no longer close with her, so he won't be able to offer comfort to her. I will discuss with him about that another time."

Alicent began to pick at her nails again, feeling anxious.

"So, I want you to go to her," Otto said.

"Me?" Alicent couldn't help but lightly chuckle. "W-What could I possibly offer to her? Her feelings towards me are quite obvious, she hates me!"

He took her hands, "you can offer a lot more than you fathom. What she truly needs right now is someone who can give her the comfort she needs." Her father began to think. "You can take her to the Sept with you, connect with her, be the mother that she currently doesn't have in her presence."

Alicent was taken back by the deceitful idea. "I . . . I don't know if I can, father." She wanted to bite her nails, but her father continued to hold her hands tightly. "I am hardly sure of myself to be a good mother of my own children."

"You are a good mother, Alicent. You mustn't be so hard on yourself." He let go of her hands. "All I want for you to accomplish is letting her know that you are there for her. Change Visella's perception of you."

Alicent didn't wish to go with the plan, but all she wanted was to please her father. "Yes, father."