The man you told me to stay away from. I see now why you encouraged so.
When he... revealed himself... to... everyone. My husband, Cesare, he demanded by honour that he apologize for exposing me to such an image. The man refused, so Cesare went to demand it from him.
By the time I got there, that first man, another with one eye that said he was his brother, and Cesare, were already at knife point with each other. I stopped them, beseeched them to remember their own best selves. I will not have blood spilled on my account, and not in the Boarding House that so many call home...
I even tried to call a healer for the one you told me of, since he had been cut on the neck. But he and his brother refused my help, the younger one was most - unbecoming in how he spoke to me when rebuffed me. I made it clear to them that it was by your grace most of all, I sought peace, and that whoever they were they ought to know that there were many here of rank and power.
I am sorry that you had to go through such turmoil. It was my desperate wish that things would never escalate to that point and it was why I made the request. I should have known to address your husband as well.
[ but she didn't know that... Cesare is married?? to her?? Gilia, explain. ]
I know who they are and their identities cannot remain a secret any longer. Not after what happened. Not between us. They are my sons, Gilia.
I take full responsibility for the situation and for what happened to you.
I swear that I shall do all I can to stop it from going any further. I know how he may seem, but he is an honorable man of good heart.
[ How naively, how truly she believes that. ]
But if it is not enough, I swear by my Holy-Father and the ancient peace of my people to put aside all instruments of harm, that while I am able to, I will not let your sons come to harm.
[ sounds good, but she's too paranoid to stop there. she can't keep watching over her shoulder for Cesare – of all people. and whoever else Gilia has in her corner. ]
Gilia, what happened was exactly what I feared. It is why I so desperately begged you to stay away from Aegon.
Your oath honors me and my house, but common men cannot be trusted. And yet you have placed the safety of my family in the hands of one.
[ She pauses. She knows others do not see it, either they know better, or do not understand the language of nobility, honour and duties.
But Alicent does, and for her most of all, she must defend him. ]
Tell me what it is you require but I would ask this to also be remembered, too.
Cesare Borgia honors me, that is why we are married. It was a trick of the void, you see? That is why almost no one knows we were. In the void, we had been married for years and years. We were - well, it was strange, but we had been young and in love, and then he married me, our families were both there, we were to have children.
There was nothing to hold him to that. When we awoke, all of it was false and who should blame him for naming me as nothing at all to him? It was a trick, a dream, bright perhaps, but just that. Yet, he did not. He has done the honourable thing for me, and for our memories. He asked to stay as husband and wife, when as Prince, and as another man here - he need not do any of that.
[ she married her void husband?! Alicent has to stifle a scoff. if she were also to marry hers, she'd be stuck with three - no, four men she hardly knew. it was hardly ideal. ]
It must have been strange for you both. That makes it even more admirable how he has done the right thing by you. I will remember that.
Thank you for being so honest with me, your story has uncovered a side of him I did not know existed.
[ okay, maybe she can respect his commitment a little, but after seeing up close what a scheming weasel Cesare can really be, she doubts their marriage has much to do with honor. but she will worry about that later. first things first: ]
If his word is indeed honorable and true, I ask that you make him swear an oath to me. It would greatly ease my mind to hear him swear that my children will never be harmed by him.
[ She exhales, feeling that familiar roll of her mother's presence at her back when she had to make choices as Queen. Breathing out thinly, she fixes in weighted silence where it's clear she is considering what she requests, what to do about it, how to go about it. ]
And will your sons return the oath? To seek no retribution, and behave honourably?
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When he... revealed himself... to... everyone. My husband, Cesare, he demanded by honour that he apologize for exposing me to such an image. The man refused, so Cesare went to demand it from him.
By the time I got there, that first man, another with one eye that said he was his brother, and Cesare, were already at knife point with each other. I stopped them, beseeched them to remember their own best selves. I will not have blood spilled on my account, and not in the Boarding House that so many call home...
I even tried to call a healer for the one you told me of, since he had been cut on the neck. But he and his brother refused my help, the younger one was most - unbecoming in how he spoke to me when rebuffed me. I made it clear to them that it was by your grace most of all, I sought peace, and that whoever they were they ought to know that there were many here of rank and power.
1/2
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I am sorry that you had to go through such turmoil. It was my desperate wish that things would never escalate to that point and it was why I made the request. I should have known to address your husband as well.
[ but she didn't know that... Cesare is married?? to her?? Gilia, explain. ]
I know who they are and their identities cannot remain a secret any longer. Not after what happened. Not between us. They are my sons, Gilia.
I take full responsibility for the situation and for what happened to you.
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[ Or you know, anyone at all. But!! Especially!! ]
There is no ill will, none at all, on my account. You know me best, I never wish anyone to be in conflict, it is most distasteful to me.
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[ she already knows that Cesare is insane. the boys don't realize what they've started. ]
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But I know he has hot blood, and he loves a fight, much as such matters grieve me.
I will speak to him on this matter further. I would not have hurt between us, you have ever been kind and good to me.
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[ she hates this. it can't be helped. the only way out of this mess is through Gilia and her soft heart. ]
But I am afraid it will not be enough.
He will hurt my children.
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She chews her lip. ]
I swear that I shall do all I can to stop it from going any further. I know how he may seem, but he is an honorable man of good heart.
[ How naively, how truly she believes that. ]
But if it is not enough, I swear by my Holy-Father and the ancient peace of my people to put aside all instruments of harm, that while I am able to, I will not let your sons come to harm.
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Gilia, what happened was exactly what I feared. It is why I so desperately begged you to stay away from Aegon.
Your oath honors me and my house, but common men cannot be trusted. And yet you have placed the safety of my family in the hands of one.
I am sorry, but more needs to be done, Gilia.
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But Alicent does, and for her most of all, she must defend him. ]
Tell me what it is you require but I would ask this to also be remembered, too.
Cesare Borgia honors me, that is why we are married. It was a trick of the void, you see? That is why almost no one knows we were. In the void, we had been married for years and years. We were - well, it was strange, but we had been young and in love, and then he married me, our families were both there, we were to have children.
There was nothing to hold him to that. When we awoke, all of it was false and who should blame him for naming me as nothing at all to him? It was a trick, a dream, bright perhaps, but just that. Yet, he did not. He has done the honourable thing for me, and for our memories. He asked to stay as husband and wife, when as Prince, and as another man here - he need not do any of that.
no subject
It must have been strange for you both. That makes it even more admirable how he has done the right thing by you. I will remember that.
Thank you for being so honest with me, your story has uncovered a side of him I did not know existed.
[ okay, maybe she can respect his commitment a little, but after seeing up close what a scheming weasel Cesare can really be, she doubts their marriage has much to do with honor. but she will worry about that later. first things first: ]
If his word is indeed honorable and true, I ask that you make him swear an oath to me. It would greatly ease my mind to hear him swear that my children will never be harmed by him.
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And will your sons return the oath? To seek no retribution, and behave honourably?
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[
audience laugh track.mp3.]I give you my word.
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[ However she must, whatever she must. ]
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