Chapter Text
King Viserys had sent for her to meet in his chambers once more.
Alicent tempered herself and quietly prepared to speak to the man who ruined her life in his pursuit to resolve his guilt for the butchering of Aemma Arryn. Yet she knew that for Aegon’s sake, for Helaena and the poor children, she couldn’t act rashly. Alicent had to act the way she was brought up to be: an obedient maiden, yet she knew that as a supposed submissive maiden, she could also manipulate and control a weak man the likes of Viserys, and influence his frail mind to finally give her children what they deserve.
As she reached the guarded door, King Viserys stood upright, welcoming Alicent to his chambers.
“Lady Alicent, please sit down.” He states and they both gather at his model of Valyria, Alicent sitting idly and awkwardly, unsure of how to speak the man that ruined her livelihood.
This was the neglectful coward that haunted her. The man whose twisted guilt tore their family, and Westeros as a whole, apart all to appease his impudent daughter who he abandoned in his pursuit for a son.
“My King,” She stammered, the confrontation of Viserys causing a lapse in her mind, making it hard to manipulate this pathetic man for her cause. “Forgive me, but I was blindsided by you picking me as your new wife.” The Hightower woman uttered, after all, Viserys was unaware of the true intention of Otto Hightower’s, regarding Alicent’s meetings with him, which were innocent in their outward nature and he never told Alicent of her perverse feelings toward her.
King Viserys looked upward at her finally, a confused bewilderment on his face, as if only now realising that Alicent had her own thoughts and perhaps did not wish to be married to the King. “Lady Alicent, I’ll admit I was too hasty in declaring my intentions, but I enjoyed our conversations about Valyria, and I believe that you would make a good Queen.”
The future Green Queen replies hastily, portraying her truthful shame regarding Rhaenyra’s inclusion in their courtship of betrayal, “Thank you, My King. But I’m worried about Rhaenyra. She confronted me just before I arrived here. As I’m her close friend, she feels betrayed that her father proposed to me.” Alicent then has a moment of realisation.
She could begin her destruction of Rhaenyra in the mind of Viserys now. By planting a seed in his mind that Rhaenyra wasn’t the perfect respectful heir, he falsely believes she can become.
The Hightower maiden continues acting mortified and utters Rhaenyra’s insults, “She even called me immoral words I can’t dare speak aloud.”
The Targaryen Patriarch’s face hardens with anger, “Alicent, it’s okay you can tell me exactly what she said.” he instructed, playing into Alicent’s scheming hands.
“She called me a scheming harlot!” The Hightower girl ushers out rapidly, “I was so scared, she shamed me publicly, I am glad nobody was present but Rhaenyra’s words might ruin me if she continues believing this.”
Viserys’ fuming expression continued, reddening in anger, “I must deal with her.”
“Alicent, I have to cut our time short and speak to my daughter, I’ll see you soon, my wife-to-be.” He states, briefly pausing his animosity to glance at Alicent with love in his gaze, as he grasps her hand carefully portraying his fleeting fondness for the young maiden before striding out of his chambers, intent encompassing his angered stride.
Alicent now was left alone in his chambers with her thoughts. She had finally confronted her neglectful husband, the man who excessively indulged Rhaenyra’s heedless actions and ignored the family he desired so heavily.
All that was left now, was to marry Viserys.
And Alicent subsequently could begin her plan and consolidate her own power-base, away from the hands of the men who destroyed her innocence.
It was time for the greatest wedding of many years to occur in Westeros today.
Alicent Hightower was to join the Royal Household, and after months of subtle manipulation toward King Viserys, Alicent knew that once the wedding ceremony had occurred that she would be relegated the duties of a strong Queen with authority and responsibilities and finally have the power she needed to protect her children’s lives.
She glanced down at herself, wearing a beautiful dress unlike her previous wedding; she didn’t want to portray herself as a submissive little girl. She wanted to illustrate the power women had the ability to hold, while claiming her femininity. The gown was lustrous and elegant, stitched and sewn with the colours of the Targaryen House, yet Alicent almost in a sneaky manner, contained the colours that dictated her life once before, emerald green earings dangling and a viridescent necklace framing her frail collarbones.
Her father, Otto Hightower stood beside her, his eyes portraying a rare softness flickering on his countenance, “You look just like your mother.”
“I’m so proud of you, my darling daughter.” the typically solemn man outwardly betrayed his emotions, rushing Alicent into a hug, lingering on for a moment too long.
Regret glistened in his eyes for a small moment, before Alicent muttered half-false platitudes, both comforting her father truthfully, understanding that the man did what he believed was right for their families standing, yet also feeling betrayed that she was used in his goals, razing her innocence to the ground.
The father and daughter then walked together side-by-side, the daunting gates of The Grand Sept lumbering into their view as they entered in, meeting the gaze of a multitude of nobles glancing their way, eager to gather a glimpse at the Hightowers, wanting to see the true power behind the throne and longing to ally themselves with the Queen and the Hand.
Alicent had then reached her husband-to-be, standing together as she heard the High Septon give his prayers and instruct her father to remove her maidencloak, shades of smoky silver with a sliver of green embroidered within removed from the shoulders of the maiden, now temporarily bare as King Viserys placed onto her youthful frame a cloak of his own house colours: red and black, signifying the passing of Alicent’s protection into the hands of Viserys from his Hand.
The Hightower Queen-to-be idly listened to the High Septon, words flickering in-and-out her mind as she recalled how tense her previous wedding had felt with anxiety and regret in following her father’s orders.
She then heard the Most Devout man instruct her and Viserys to speak aloud their vows in the name of The Seven.
They both verbalised the holy words, “With this kiss I pledge my love.” subsequently pausing with Viserys Targaryen giving the Hightower girl a brief kiss.
Thereafter they spoke once more, their speeches then diverting in words, Alicent enunciated “…and take you for my lord and husband..” spoken concurrently with King Viserys who exclaimed “..and take you for my lady and wife”.
The newly-wed spouses then ended their ceremonial vows with the Septon declaring them to be “One flesh, one heart, one soul, now and forever.” Alicent’s thoughts turned melancholy, knowing the High Septons words were false and King Viserys would rather reminisce on the wife he butchered than the woman who birthed him four children and cared for his ailing body.
The spouses then subsequently walked onwards to sit at the extravagant table surrounded by a clutter of their relatives and a multitude of nobles all scurrying for the attention and allyship of their Queen. Rhaenyra looking snidely, anger pulsing in her veins, witnessing her closest friend marry her father moons after her mother’s death. Alicent could sympathise with Rhaenyra but didn’t care as the Princess had proven herself a hypocrite, seducing Daemon at his wife’s funeral and marrying him only a moon after Laenor’s suspicious death.
Alicent felt fit to ignore her ire, instead focusing on gaining strong allegiances in the Great Noble houses.
The grand feast was to commence. The Queen deciding to use it as one of the latest ventures of Alicents to gain nobility to join her in affiliation to the Team Green side.
She will not let Rhaenyra even have the possibility to have the option to create a foothold in the courts of Kingslanding and gain influence in Westeros. Though she has love for Rhaenyra deep inside her heart, the Green Queen knows that she cannot allow this reckless hubristic princess, who never grew out of her spoiled girlhood to possess the title and political standing which Aegon deserves. Rhaenyra Targaryen believes that she has the right to be Queen solely because of Viserys’ pitiful actions yet treats herself as the exception, unwilling to uphold this succession of hypocrisy toward other women who have brothers and uncles taking precedent over them.
As the extravagant feast commenced, Viserys indulging in piles of meaty goods given by servants and barrels of luscious burgundy wine, Alicent descended downwards to the other nobles in the ballroom, greeting her cousin on her mother’s side, the Lady Margarey Redwyne, eldest daughter of Helene Hightower nee Redwyne’s brother and her younger sister Delena Redwyne, a maiden matching Alicent in age.
Giving a respectful bow, Lady Margarey congratulates her cousin in a joyful tone, spreading platitudes of falsity, understanding that Alicent’s true wish was to marry a handsome knight who loved her deeply.
A woman encased in green gathers toward them, slight jealousy in her eyes. Rose Tyrell addresses the women with meaningless positive trite, possibly believing the Hightowers to be overtaking their Liege Lord.
As Alicent traded words with her relatives and fellow women of the Reach envious of her position yet vying for her attention, Jason Lannister strided over, arrogance permeating in his steps.
“Ah, here lays the Queen of Westeros!” He roared jubilantly, drunkness clear in his actions. “And who are these ladies with you, Queen Alicent?” He asks after a brief pause, intrigue laying in his eyes as he glanced at the elder of Alicent’s cousins with a lustful gaze.
The Hightower woman knew this was her time to strike, time to gain allies and consolidate her power quickly, no time for dilly-dallying in her pursuit of the Targaryen Princesses’ love; no ignoring the importance of the years before Rhaenyra marries, before she can get her own heir.
“Here lies my dearest cousins, Lady Margarey and her sister Lady Delena. And the Lady Rose Tyrell.” The Hightower woman declares, set on gaining allies through marriage and not solely relying on the nobility’s reluctance to have a woman as heir. “They are wondering what being a courted lady and wife is like for me as they aren’t betrothed as of yet.”
Alicent stops in a false pause, deciding to introduce an influential position to her cousins, “I believe I may make my cousins my Lady-In-Waitings if they wish to join me here in Kingslanding but their father may believe giving me responsibility over their betrothals is too hearty of a decision.” Jason’s eyes gleam in intrigue, clearly susceptible to Alicent’s manipulation in presenting the idea of marriage in his mind.
“Ah, I see.” The golden-haired man spoke calmly, clearly intrigued by the influential ladies but not wanting to involve himself with the flowery words of maiden, unfit for men. “Well, I’ll leave you ladies to discuss, I believe my brother is looking for me.” He murmurs, looking for an excuse to vacate and discuss potential allegiances with his brother of higher intelligence, Tyland Lannister.
The women now alone in their small gathering in the Royal Ballroom, not being interrupted by the increasingly drunken hordes of men intent of celebration. “Oh, I forgot to ask!” The Hightower Queen declares insincerely, “Lady Rose, would your father allow you to be my Lady-In-Waiting, having a woman like you join the Women’s Courts in Kingslanding would be a joy!” Alicent intent on turning the Tyrells onto her side, as they were neutral during the war, unwilling to join Rhaenyra in her cause yet also reluctant to join what they perceived were their overreaching bannermen.
Just as Rose Tyrell murmured regarding her father being likely to agree, and eruption of roaring materialised, illustrating that the celebration was over.
It was time for the dreadful bedding ceremony, yet that was not the significant event haunting Alicent, for she would also have to lose her maidenhead to King Viserys, much more haunting than confronting vulgar, raucous men. However Alicent was at least thankful that the Viserys of this time was not the crumbling rotting corpse of a man but instead was fairly handsome, the only deterring factor of his being his age coinciding closer to ber father, rather than herself.
Waves of men and women, drunk on mead and wind stormed in excitement, gathering in hordes to cluster around the spouses, pushing them toward their bedding chambers.
Alicent and Viserys had arrived, clothes halfheartedly torn away and stumbled into their room, decorated intricately by servants to portray an elegant facade, hiding away the true perception Alicent had regarding this monumentous event.
King Viserys and his new wife, Queen Alicent had officially consummated their marriage, unlike the untoward perceptions of Rhaenyra.
Whilst her maidenblood struck the bedsheets, Alicent prayed to the Gods, praying to the Seven and especially to the Mother, in the hopes that her dear firstborn was on his way, and that she could make up for her detrimental mistakes and instead give him the love she truly felt for him, instead of screaming at him in pressure regarding their duties.
All this was for her children.
Alicent no longer cares for the false duties her father gives her, but instead is acting in pursuit of her dear children.
Aegon her firstborn, depressed due to the pressure Otto placed on them.
Aemond her dutiful boy, yet angered and susceptible to taunts.
Helaena, her ethereal darling, whispering words that had once seemed nonsensical, and caring for her sweet babies.
And Daeron, her innocent baby, ruined by war, turned into a destructive fighter of vengeance.
MarinaKaFai on Chapter 2 Mon 25 Mar 2024 10:35PM UTC
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DukeSomerset on Chapter 2 Tue 26 Mar 2024 08:12AM UTC
Last Edited Tue 26 Mar 2024 08:20AM UTC
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