[ Then, a beat. He thinks, again, of Alina's message. The daily offering of blood. He can't ask that of them, not when he's responsible for how much they've given up already. Formless, shadowy thoughts begin to coalesce as he reads over Alicent's message once more. ]
[ He's learned, already, the futility of clarifying β that he knows, that he means it in sum β the evidence of it plain to see in the last time he'd really engaged with the network, painting him as cold rather than caring. Still, he reads over her messages again, guilt sitting like a stone in his chest (which he supposes is the point). ]
no subject
Of course.
[ Then, a beat. He thinks, again, of Alina's message. The daily offering of blood. He can't ask that of them, not when he's responsible for how much they've given up already. Formless, shadowy thoughts begin to coalesce as he reads over Alicent's message once more. ]
It ought not to be their burden to bear.
no subject
[ You fool of a maester. She rubs her temples. ]
I expect to hear youβve made inroads with them in due course.
no subject
Of course, Your Majesty.
no subject
[ a beat. ]
Tell me if I can assist you. I am no necromancer or maester, but I am well known in this place, and my son is deft with a blade, as you well know.
I cannot bear to see my fellows suffer any longer.
[ though she knows that she will. she always does. a woman marked for sorrow. ]