(Aegor's POV)
"What could this be about, Your Grace?" I asked as I walked inside her chambers
She was sitting down on a chair, gesturing at the couch next to her, "Sit." She said, "Nephew, we haven't spoken in such a long time. There is something I need to discuss with you."
I sat down on the couch, "I am to be busy." I said, "You heard His Grace, I have to meet with him and Daemon."
"He is who I wish to speak about." Alicent said with a serious expression, "Prince Daemon."
"I see....." I said, "What about him?"
She let out an exhale, "There are rumors." She said, "Rumors that have reached my ears."
"Oh yea?" I asked
"Prince Daemon fathered a bastard." She said seriously, "Born to a whore in the Street of Silk. And I have heard that a certain individual has tried his best in keeping these rumors from being exposed."
Hm, that is interesting. She has found out, huh? Well, no matter.
"First I'm hearing of this." I shrugged, "Daemon? Fathering a bastard?"
"I am not a fool, Aegor." She said, "Lady Laena is aware of this, from what I hear. It is the reason she has asked to delay the wedding. Some of us know but we've decided to keep it under secrecy, trying to not cause much discord."
"Okay." I said
"I know you knew about this." She said with a serious frown, "Might I ask why, Aegor?"
"Why, what?" I asked
"Why did you keep it a secret? Why did you intend to keep it hidden?" She asked, "I need to know why my nephew is doing such things?"
"I am afraid that I cannot just willingly tell you that." I said with a slight smirk, "But you're smart, your grace. You can figure it out."
"You want to use it against Daemon." She said, "The fact that you have kept it hidden, aiding him. You want him to owe you a favor."
I shrugged, "Maybe."
"A Targaryen bastard could be used against the Crown, you know that." She said, "Where is the child?"
"Safe." I said, "You shouldn't worry about it."
"But I am." She said, "I am worried. I have children to protect, you know that. What if they decide-"
"Who's they, Aunt?" I asked her, a bored expression
"Our enemies." She said, "Enemies that you and your uncle have made!"
"If our enemies try something." I said seriously, "Against me, against Daemon, hells....against your children, my cousins, I will have them bathe in the Silver Nightmare's flames. It is that simple, yet very imposing. The threat of my dragon is enough to ward away the dangers you worry so much about."
"But it won't be enough." She said with a scowl, "Aegor, you don't know what you're getting yourself into."
"I know enough." I said with a chuckle, "You underestimate me, Queen Alicent. I am not a fool."
"Hm..." She said as she gave me that strange look, "I see."
"Is that all?" I asked, "Addressing the rumors about Daemon's child?"
She straightened up her posture, giving me a serious expression.
"There are also rumors about you." She said, her eyes staring right at me, "Aegor...."
"What sort of rumors?" I asked
"You." She said, "Going into the brothels of the Street of Silk."
I shrugged, "Nonsense." I said, "I've only gone there to obtain information about potential threats. And it's only been on a few occasions. What are you alluding to, Your Grace?"
"I believe you know." She said, "I cannot help but think the worse, Aegor. I am beginning to suspect a few things I cannot just speak out loud."
I looked at her, "Is that so?"
"Yes." She said, "Do I have to be concerned about you.....doing things you are not supposed to do?"
"Queen Alicent." I said as I leaned forward, "I said you are smart, didn't I? But I have to clarify, you are smart, indeed. But you are not as smart as you think you are, Your Grace. There are things that you can assume, but they would be wrong. Even if you are my Uncle's wife, I would not stand by and allow you to accuse me. I would have no choice but to stand up and leave this conversation, as that is the worst I could do to the Queen, without overstepping."
Alicent scowled, "You insult me, Aegor."
"No, you insult me." I said with a serious expression, "That remark about Prince Jacaerys, what was that about?"
"You tell me." she said as she composed herself, "Is there something you should tell me?"
"No." I said with a chuckle, "Or yes. I intend to marry my daughter to Jacaerys in the future. And that was a plan I had from the moment I heard Rhaenyra was with child. But worry not, to keep the bloodline pure, if I have a son, perhaps I can marry him to Helaena."
"No." Her response was quick and stiff
I stood up, "Of course, you wouldn't approve." I said, "But that is honestly not up to you. Unless you marry Helaena to one of her brothers, there will be no choice in the matter."
"Perhaps that is what I would do." She said
"Do you not like me, Aunt?" I asked, "You wouldn't want my blood mixed with yours? But it makes no sense, since Helaena and I are kin. We bear the blood of the dragon all the same."
"That is not my concern." She said, "I don't like the actions you take, Aegor. You are a risk to House Targaryen, just like Daemon."
"You didn't answer my question." I said with a smirk, "You hate me, don't you?"
She closed her eyes, "No."
"Hm." I said, "That's now what I feel from you."
"Behave better, and I might treat you better." She opened her eyes and looked at me, "You are like Daemon, whether you like it or not, Aegor."
"Hm." I said, "I guess so."
I walked up to her, causing her to lean back in caution.
"What are you....?" She said
I leaned down closer to her face, "You are the Queen." I said, "And truthfully, I do care about you, Aunt. Your concerns are valid. But here's the thing, I will protect House Targaryen in my own way. That includes you, The Queen."
"Hm..." She said, "And if you can't?"
"Don't presume to know what I can or can't do." I said with a chuckle, leaning back and turning around, "This conversation is over, Alicent."
"I'm leaving."