obsessed with the framing of this scene and the power play going on. rhaenyra is the one who holds more power than alicent but this scene shows how much power alicent is holding over rhaenyra.
alicent has put her seven pointed star necklace back on as if to remind herself of the conduct she should carry herself with after having shouted at her queen. she enters and apologises and though may say the words of an apology nothing else about her says 'i'm sorry'. she's smiling. she doesn't bow. she's standing over rhaenyra instead of sitting, rhaenyra is having to look up at her.
she's trying to make it seem like she is below rhaenyra when she isn't. she makes herself look humble and repentant and immediately uses the chance to get something she wants and even then, she diminishes the ask as "a small request only", as if a prisoner who just shouted and questioned the queen has a right to a request at all.
what's even better is that it works and rhaenyra can't even look away from her, proving who has the more power.
