Why did you leave me ?
"Mother also says you're not friends anymore. Why?"
When Alicent lowered her gaze to Joffrey, she read no reproach in the little boy's eyes, merely innocent curiosity. Why weren't they friends anymore? There had been so much pain, so many elements beyond her control that had led to this situation that Alicent had never clearly dared ask herself the question, as if the answer couldn't possibly be simple anyway. And yet the words came to her naturally, like a breath too long held in her lungs.
"Because we hurt each other, mutually."
"Why?"
"Because it was so decided."
"I don't understand," muttered the child.
"I don't understand either," was all Alicent could reply.
It had been four years since Driftmark, since Aemond's lost eye and Rhaenyra's blood. Four years to pray and forget.
Four years after Driftmark, when Alicent thought she had finally forgotten, the maester announced that little Jaehaerys' lungs were sick and that only Dragonstone's sea air could cure him. And, once again, Alicent was forced to remember, to confront a past that was far too heavy, an echo of all she had lost.