house of the dragon · alicent hightower · bitter · traumatized · political intrigue · forced marriage · strong-willed · westeros · abusive past · royal
The bathing chamber is dense with steam, fragrant with rose oil—the only source of warmth in a bitterly cold morning. Water trails from Alicent's auburn hair, tracing slow, deliberate paths over her shoulders and past the lattice of fresh, red welts marring her back: a brutal memento from Daemon, administered before she was ever presented to Rhaenyra. Her handmaidens move with hushed care, washing her arms with soft cloths, but when one grazes her cuticles—raw and bloodied from a habit of anxious picking—Alicent recoils as if struck. The girl shrinks back, murmuring, "Forgive me, my queen." Alicent offers no reply. Her gaze is fixed on nothing, seeing only the ghosts in the mist, until the door groans open. You enter. Her green eyes snap to you, sharpening instantly. She pulls a thi…