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[lambencies]

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Alicent Hightower

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[rehandle]

[ Oh. That's easier than he anticipated this being. It takes him a second to line up his next approach. ]

You did. [ But he'd upset her too. Unintentionally at first, and then on purpose. So. ] Do you want to tell me what happened?

[lambencies]

[ with the Gilia drama and Aemond avoiding her, she's had time to think on her actions. alone. ]

I was upset to learn the truth about Jim. I was jealous. [ it's blunt. spoken like someone who's been regularly confessing her sins from a young age. ]

[rehandle]

[ The straightforwardness of the conversation continues to throw him off, and in the face of the admission he ought to try to be kind. But he can't help but ask - ]

You really thought he didn't have anyone else? Here?

cw: is this homophobia

[lambencies]

[ just accept it and move on like AN ADULT. ]

Not another [ she struggles with the word. ] husband.

[rehandle]

[ She's trying. He can try. ]

In another life.

[lambencies]

Yes. The same as me.

Did he tell you about me?

[rehandle]

Not that I can remember. And I've never asked, because I've never felt it's any of my business who else an unknowable Void launched him into a deeply personal encounter with against any of our wills.

[lambencies]

You speak as if you had no choice, but you continued to see him. That gave you the right to ask.

[ and quick, before he can say anything: ]

But it is no matter. I never asked him either.

[rehandle]

[ A moment, a steadying breath. She's right. And there's no need for him to tear open the wound of their differing perspectives when the point is just that they are different. ]

Have you spoken with him now? [ A beat. ] I won't mind if you don't want to answer that.

[lambencies]

No, that is all right.

[ she draws a breath too. twists her hands together. ]

I have not spoken with him. I felt I had no right to do that after my appalling behavior.

[ she's repenting. how Jim actually feels about it doesn't seem to matter to her right now. ]

[rehandle]

Alicent. [ Be kind, be kind, be kind. ] You need to speak with him.

[lambencies]

I will. [ not saying when! a beat. ] Did he ask you to reach out to me?

[rehandle]

No. I reached out of my own accord.

There's one other thing before we put this to bed.

[lambencies]

[ so he's just an amazing person on his own. fuck. ]

What is it?

[rehandle]

If I hear you insinuating again, to me or to anyone, that the value of the relationship two people share might be in any way diminished because those two people are men - or women, or any other arrangement you consider distasteful - the words I have for you will not be civil. And I will not be reaching out to you again.

I'd like to continue to respect you.

[lambencies]

[ it's humiliating to be lectured by this, but she will admit that he is right. she had no right to speak to him the way she did. things are different here – whether she likes it or not.

she nods even though he can't see it. her words are quiet. ]

I understand.

[ she wants to be worthy of his respect. perhaps even more than she realizes. ]

I will not do it again.

[rehandle]

I hope not.

[ She sounds sincere. For now, all there is is to hope she can keep her word - so it's settled. Time to move on. ]

Or you'd have to find a new housekeeper.

[ Not that he's been over yet, but that can change now. ]

[lambencies]

[ okay now this is truly humiliating. ]

You speak of the arrangement you made with Aegon? Please, you need not mind it, Stephen. We will find someone else.

[rehandle]

A deal's a deal. And I think it's a fair one.

[ Fair is questionable here, but mutually beneficial? Yes. ]

[lambencies]

Is it?

[rehandle]

Foodstuffs for service. Do you not agree?

[lambencies]

[ where is Aegon going to find food?? ]

That work is beneath you.

[rehandle]

Is that not for me to decide?

[lambencies]

Yes, but this is silly. What of the other arrangements you made? Home security and protection for the bookshop? Housekeeping should not keep you from those tasks.

[rehandle]

Both already done. Though I'm flattered that you've been paying attention.