The Pain of Rejection

The days that followed the wedding were a blur of formalities and ceremonies, with Rhaenyra and Alicent playing their roles as dutiful wife and husband. But beneath the surface, the tension between them was palpable. Rhaenyra, determined to make their marriage work, tried to reach out to Alicent with small gestures of kindness and affection. She would leave flowers in Alicent's chambers, or send her favorite pastries from the kitchens, hoping to break the ice and establish a connection. But Alicent, still reeling from the pain of her arranged marriage, remained aloof and distant. She would accept Rhaenyra's gifts with a polite smile, but her eyes would betray her true feelings – a cold, hard glint that seemed to pierce right through Rhaenyra's attempts at affection. Rhaenyra tried to ignore the sting of rejection, telling herself that it would take time for Alicent to warm up to her. She had been warned that Alicent was not enthusiastic about their marriage, and she was determined to prove to her that she was not the monster Alicent seemed to think she was. As the days turned into weeks, Rhaenyra found herself growing increasingly lonely. Alicent's cold demeanor was a heavy weight to bear, and she began to feel like she was walking on eggshells, never knowing when she would inadvertently offend or upset her wife. One day, as she was walking through the gardens, Rhaenyra stumbled upon a quiet, reserved woman with piercing blue eyes and raven-black hair. Mysaria, a mysterious and alluring woman who had recently arrived at court, seemed to sense Rhaenyra's loneliness and approached her with a gentle smile. "Your Royal Highness," Mysaria said, her voice low and soothing. "I've heard so much about you. It's an honor to finally meet you." Rhaenyra was taken aback by Mysaria's warmth and kindness, and she found herself opening up to the woman in a way she hadn't been able to with Alicent. As they walked through the gardens, Mysaria listened intently to Rhaenyra's thoughts and feelings, offering words of comfort and understanding. For the first time since her marriage, Rhaenyra felt like she had found a true friend. Mysaria's presence was a balm to her soul, and she found herself seeking out the woman more and more often. As she looked into Mysaria's eyes, Rhaenyra felt a sense of connection that she had been missing with Alicent. It was as if Mysaria understood her in a way that no one else did, and she found herself drawn to the woman's calm and gentle nature. Alicent, meanwhile, remained distant and aloof, her heart still locked away from the pain of her past. But as she watched Rhaenyra and Mysaria growing closer, she couldn't help but feel a pang of curiosity. Who was this mysterious woman who had captured Rhaenyra's heart, and why did she seem to bring out a side of the princess that Alicent had never seen before? As the sun began to set, Rhaenyra and Mysaria parted ways, promising to meet again soon. Rhaenyra returned to her chambers, feeling a sense of peace that she hadn't felt in weeks. But as she looked around her empty, echoing rooms, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was still very much alone. The door to her chambers creaked open, and Alicent stood in the doorway, her eyes narrowed and her face set in a mask of indifference. "Your Royal Highness," she said, her voice cool and detached. "I trust you have had a pleasant day?" Rhaenyra's heart skipped a beat as she met Alicent's gaze, a spark of hope igniting within her. Maybe, just maybe, today would be the day that Alicent would finally open up to her, and their marriage would begin to heal. But as she looked into Alicent's eyes, she saw only a cold, hard glint, and her heart sank once more. "I have had a pleasant day, thank you for asking," Rhaenyra replied, her voice steady. "I met a new friend, Mysaria. She's kind and gentle, and I think you would like her." Alicent's expression didn't change, but Rhaenyra saw a flicker of interest in her eyes. "I'm glad you've made a new friend, Your Royal Highness," Alicent said, her voice still cool. "Perhaps I will meet her soon." Rhaenyra smiled, feeling a sense of hope that she hadn't felt in weeks. Maybe, just maybe, this was the start of something new, something that would bring her and Alicent closer together. But as she looked into Alicent's eyes, she knew that it wouldn't be easy, and that the pain of rejection was still a long way from being over.