Of course, the entire carriage ride did not offer enlightenment to the Hand, even when he wanted it to.
For his older brother was still persistently nagging and more impatient than ever.
Only mouthing off without much contribution to what they should truly do from henceforth.
Fortunately, they've arrived at the Red Keep eventually... and Otto can be out of his way to do his duties.
Perhaps he can dissuade the King from the brazenly proposed match.
But even he can tell that such an act is a lost cause.
All these years, Otto has tried to paint the Young Bronze in the colors of dark and bloody.
All to no avail. As Viserys saw the boy as a lost nephew who needed recovering.
Even when the Royce-grown Targaryen clearly knew his far-reaching destinations... with an equating ambition that would prove far too dangerous.
Now, that youth had grown bold and was no doubt eyeing the Iron Throne.
Coupled with the fact that this was a choice of the King's heavily favored Princess... it might as well be secured.
As evidenced by the reaction of Viserys during that unexpected confrontation.
He coughed for sure, at the shock... but was more than delighted to break fast with his dear nephew after he had gotten his bearings.
Ignoring the absurdity and wanting for details of a storied journey. To the stilling dismay of the spectating many.
And although the blessing for the match remains unanswered... the joviality and smiles given by Viserys were more than enough.
The chosen way of conciliation by a painfully peaceful King who was no Conciliator.
So, Otto Hightower could only pivot.
Towards his daughter's quarters.
The Queen who could very well still be able to influence her husband from approving a marriage that will dim the Hightowers' future.
-----------
And after a meaningful stare towards the maids... the fat one among them eventually did understand.
Taking the inititative, she approached Aegon to say. "Come, sweet Prince. Let's give Her Grace some peace."
Consequently, they took their leave, to give father and daughter the necessary privacy.
Granted, Otto did not want to rush just yet so he asked. "Did you enjoy the hunt, Your Grace?"
"Well enough." Was what his daughter responded, rather sluggishly.
So, Otto wondered. "Then why do you look listless enough as it is. Could it be some cold you've gotten from the Kingswood?"
"I'm fine, father." She appeased. "I am just tired, which comes with pregnancy."
With that, Otto no longered imposed and just asked on. "Then how fared my grandson?"
"The ladies Lannister and Redwyne were quite taken with him." She reported.
"As they should be. He's the future of the realm." Otto claimed and then ensued. "You yourself witnessed the scale of the celebration, how it's united the men."
"When you bore the King a son, you ended more than a decade of uncertainty and doubt." He praised to then state that. "Aegon, like his namesake, was born to rule the Seven Kingdoms. If Viserys were to name him heir, the realm would fete him for it."
However, his daughter only fussed uncomfortably at these facts, so he intoned. "And does this not please you? Do you not want your son to be King?"
"What mother wouldn't?" Was her reply, laced in doubt.
"You mustn't ignore the certain truth that if Rhaenyra were to step over Aegon to ascend the throne, the realm would tear itself apart." Otto could only insist... by embellishing their cause to her.
"They all swore obeisance to her, our House among them." She said and then hesitantly added. "A-along with recent occurrences... I doubt anyone would disagree."
"Well, yes... but that was before Aegon." He reasoned. "With this new pairing not much different from the Princess Rhaenys and the illustrious Sea Snake. But what had the realm decided on inevitably?"
"But Ser Royce is undoubtedly better than Lord Corlys, father." She suddenly defended, then saying. "And Rhaenyra could be a good queen."
"This is not a matter where you can play favorites or favor friends, Alicent!" Otto ordered and argued that. "It wouldn't even matter if the Princess were Jaehaerys himself born again. For Rhaenyra is a woman. And her marrying the Bold Bronze would prove more disastrous as well."
At that, she strangely perked. "Whatever do you mean?
"You said it yourself. The Bold Bronze is better than the Sea Snake." He reminded and then proceedingly cautioned that. "If just a mere Sea Snake nearly tore realm apart with war and bloodshed to try securing his wife as Queen... what do you think were to happen if that very bold Royce is denied as well?"
"It wouldn't just be some close call... but he could very much plunge the Seven Kingdoms into deaths and massacre when he feels that he is robbed of a queenly match."
"But keep in mind that it is your little Aegon that's being robbed. For he's the firstborn son of the King."
"To deny that he is heir to the throne is to assail the laws of gods and men." He ensued with a passion.
"And while the road ahead is uncertain... the end is clear. Aegon will be King!"
"This matter of Aegon's heirship could even be something you can discuss to your husband on a later date... for what's presently precarious is this blossoming match. A match of ill-fate and certain catastrophe."
"So, daughter, you must guide Viserys towards reason. Or he'll never find it on his own..."
--------------
Those concluding words from her father echoed in Alicent's mind.
And she took them to heart… mostly...
For she was not yet that keen on ascending Aegon over Rhaenyra.
As she believed that friend would do just fine as Queen, as Viserys wishes it to be.
What was not fine for her, however... was Rhaenyra marrying Ser Ronan.
The boy of wondrous toys and games that brought her amusement from afar.
One who inevitably became the young bronze knight of her maiden fantasies.
More so when she finally had the chance to meet him in person.
Well-spoken, humorous, and incredibly handsome. A prince charming through and through, even when many denied him so.
So, in truth, he was the one Alicent fancied from the start... but alas, she had to bury that when she was set to be wed to the widowed king.
A seeded regret that rooted deeper and deeper within... whenever any of his exploits came flooding from the Shivering Sea.
Alicent learnt to live with it... so, it truly disturbed her deeply to see him once again. To the side of Rhaenyra at that.
A sight that brought her great pain... dampening her spirits... and brought out some rather unsavory emotions. Perhaps exacerbated by the pregnancy she has.
Among them was jealousy.
Something she thought she's quelled already. Especially after she's gotten used to the better privileges that an actual princess had over her.
But when said Princess had the Bold Bronze by her side... announcing their intentions to be together.
It all came back. It all came rushing back, with an intensity.
Alicent, in all selfishness, would rather that he not be with anyone at all.
So, even when she knew that her father was overblowing an unfounded worry... she was more than enthused to cooperate.
If anything, she was motivated... to use her identity as Queen for such a motive.
Hoping that it is enough... so that no one, not even Rhaenyra, can have what she couldn't.
Unfortunately, when she was about to appeal to her King husband... his thoughts on the matter was already final.
Rhaenyra was to bring Ronan back into the Targaryens. To unite the severed line.
In an effort to make the House of the Dragon whole again.
Accordingly, on this very eve, Vaemond Velaryon has sent a letter to plea for aid... due to the war against the Triarchy that they were badly losing.
So, without anyone's prompting, Viserys surprisingly had a rather selfish but well-intentioned imposition that he wanted to put forward.
And that is to actually send his good-son-to-be to assist the Rogue Prince.
In hopes that the Crabfeeder be finally vanquished... and mayhaps mend relations between son and father.
An inspired plan that he was rather proud of.
Either way... it would seem that the Bold Bronze was about to be let loose on the Stepstones War soon enough.
To gain another victory while Alicent silently grieves this heavy loss she's feeling.