Sunlight leaks through the gaps between the branches and leaves, casting mottled light and shadow on the overlapping figures.
The wind passed through the leaves above the head, making a thin, whisper-like sound.
In the distance, the hustle and bustle of the market outside the city wall and the whistle of the wharf can be vaguely heard. Those sounds are separated by the heavy walls and trees, and when they fall here, they are blurred like whispers across a layer of water. The content cannot be heard clearly, only the tone can be heard.
There were no spectators, no bystanders, only the shadows of the trees in the forest blown by the wind and the occasional bird flying over the branches, quietly watching these two people with their own thoughts in the power field, testing each other in a more direct way than words.
Their limbs were entangled, stretched, and collided in the morning light, like two strands of threads of different colors twisted together, slowly and forcefully twisting into one.
Her nails would occasionally dig into his flesh, leaving small crescent-shaped marks; his hands would occasionally hold the back of her neck, fixing her in a certain position he wanted, not allowing her to tilt her head or flinch.
When everything calmed down again, she was leaning softly in his arms, her face pressed against his chest, her breathing rapid and broken, much heavier than before.
The hair on her forehead was wet with sweat and stuck to her skin. Her eyes were half-closed and her gaze was a little unfocused, as if she hadn't fully emerged from the chaos just now.
Her belly was close to his, warm and soft, and he could feel the rhythm of the growing life under that layer of skin.
Redd leaned against the thick trunk of the oak tree, with one hand around her shoulders and the other hand casually resting on her waist.
His breathing has not completely calmed down yet, but he is much calmer than her state, which is almost as if she has just been fished out of the water.
He lowered his head and looked into her half-closed eyes, his eyes calm.
His fingers tapped her shoulders slowly and rhythmically, making her breathing fall into regular rhythm again.
He didn't know how long it took, maybe only a few dozen breaths, maybe longer.
Time has lost its clear scale in this corner cut into pieces by tree shadows and sunlight, and has become sticky and blurry.
He only knew that he was holding a naked woman in his arms, with whom he had just shared a fierce and direct physical conversation, and this woman was the wife of the current King Seven Kingdoms, the mother of Aegon II, Helaena, Aemon, and the queen who was pregnant with his fourth child.
"I know all the plans you and your father have." His voice broke the silence in the forest, calm and clear.
Alicent's eyelashes trembled slightly, and the laziness faded away from her face, as if the ripples on the water were blown away by the wind, revealing the quieter and deeper water below.
She tilted her head slightly, and her posture on his chest did not change. She only raised her gaze slightly from his Adam's apple and looked at his jawline. "When did you know?"
"From the time you sent the first letter." Redd's voice did not rise or fall at all, as if he was stating an ordinary thing, "I know your father's side much better than you think. I have a copy of every letter he replies to you."
Alicent's hand tightened slightly on his chest.
The movement was so light that if he hadn't been concentrating on feeling every little reaction from her, he would hardly have noticed.
His voice did not pause because of that tiny movement. "I know very well what your goal is. Let Aegon sit on Iron Throne and replace Rhaenyra.
Your father has been waiting for this opportunity since the day he was kicked out of King's Landing. Now that Viserys has finally let go, of course you won't let it go."
Alicent raised his head from his chest, his blue eyes were no longer as hazy and lazy as before, replaced by a clear-cut and sharp look, as if they had been poured with cold water.
She looked at him and said nothing, but her eyes said what she wanted to say - What are you going to do?
Redd looked down at her, her cheeks that were flushed with passion were slowly fading away, and her expression returned to the calmness and dignity that belonged to the queen.
He removed his hand from her shoulder and raised her chin, forcing her to look at him. His force was not strong, but it was enough that she could not deflect her gaze.
"So you'd better go and persuade your father now," Redd's voice was very soft, as if he was talking about an insignificant gossip, "Let him see the current situation clearly and stop having those unrealistic daydreams."
Alicent's chin tightened slightly between his fingers and he was silent for a few breaths. "It's hard to change on my father's side. He has been waiting for this opportunity for too long."
Her voice was calm when she spoke, as if she was stating a fact that had nothing to do with herself, "Even if I persuade him, those who want to support Aegon will not change their stance because of his retreat.
Their interests are already tied to this boat. If the boat sinks, they will all drown."
Redd released her chin and put his hand back on her shoulder. His movements were casual and natural, as if he was trying to comfort someone. "Then you should know what will happen if it comes to that."
Alicent's body stiffened slightly in his arms.
Those images that she didn't want to think about, that were suppressed in the deepest part of her consciousness, covered up with that tulle and that confident morning,
At this moment, they surged up uncontrollably - King Ghidorah The golden lightning at the Lys port, Daemon The mummy that was sent back to King's Landing, and her so far She still remembers the news that Dawn assigned to her bedside and made her unable to close her eyes all night after reading it - Tormund turned into a blackened human-shaped pit on the beach under the attack of King Ghidorah.
She was silent for a long time, so long that the wind in the forest filled the gaps between the branches and leaves again, so long that a few dead leaves swirled and fell around her feet.
"Then your son," she finally spoke, her voice softer than before, with an imperceptible sway that she tried hard to suppress, "Marriage with my daughter."
Redd raised his eyebrows. "What, are you afraid that I will kill them all?"
Alicent did not answer directly, but straightened up from his arms and took half a step back.
The morning light fell on her naked shoulders and chest, coating the red marks that had not completely faded with a layer of pale golden light.
She bent down to pick up the tulle from the grass, shook off the grass clippings and dust, and put it back on her shoulders, her movements calm and graceful, as if the silence just now had never happened.
"This is my last-minute idea. Viserys has not approved it yet. But I am sure to convince him."
Redd watched her retying the tulle tie behind her neck, his eyes sliding down her smooth back.
"I will consider it. But remember," his voice regained its calmness without warmth, "If it really comes to that point, I will not show mercy."