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Seeing his daughter presenting his grandchildren to the population made King Viserys consider that it was all worth it.
Well, maybe not everything, he thinks bitterly. His daughter's second pregnancy was tense from the moment it was discovered. Grand Maester Mellos confirmed his daughter's condition a year after her marriage to Sor Laenor — and four moons after his firstborn daughter lost her own first child.
Viserys thought he would die of grief when he became aware of the loss of his daughter. The king spent hours locked in his chambers, accepting no one's visit, while he cried and asked the gods for forgiveness — to the Seven and to the old gods of Valyria. He wasn't sure why he was asking for forgiveness, but he felt in his core that it was necessary.
Rhaenyra was strong in a manner that Aemma had never been. In a way that Viserys wasn't being.
He didn't visit Rhaenyra, he wouldn't know what to say, even when he had passed by the same situation a considerable amount of times before. Rhaenyra was the one to knock on his door, in the next morning, demanding to speak to him.
Viserys was unable to speak beyond a I am really sorry suffocated. Rhaenyra pursed her lips, nodded, and then began to cry. Viserys hugged her, trying his best to comfort her, but he was sure he wasn't doing a good job.
Four moons later, when confirmation of Rhaenyra's new pregnancy reached him, he knelt before his model of Old Valyria and promised the gods that he would be a better father to his children — all of his children — if his daughter's new pregnancy came to term with a healthy child.
His prayers were answered. Rhaenyra's second pregnancy began and ended normally and healthily and her precious child gave birth to twins. Viserys hadn't smiled so happily since Aemma's death.
The girl was born first, her strong lungs being evidenced by her loud screams when she was removed from the comfort of her mother's womb. The boy came after, surprising everyone, and his strength showed when he grabbed the hair of the midwife. The poor woman howled loud at the sudden pain.
The moment he received the news, Viserys ordered long festivities to be organized to celebrate the birth of the newest heirs of House Targaryen.
So yes, Viserys considered that almost everything had been worth it.
Rhaenyra ascended the royal dais alongside her husband, each holding a bundle in their arms.
His daughter wore a red dress with gold detailing with a black cape over it and a ruby crown that Viserys had made for her to wear while she was Crown Princess— he hoped that when his daughter ascended the Iron Throne, she would wear the crown of former queen Visenya or Rhaenys.
Laenor was also dressed in the colors of House Targaryen, but was the reverse of Rhaenyra's combination. His doublet was black and gold, while his cape was red.
At that moment, Viserys wished Aemma was with him to witness the introduction of his grandchildren — the future king and queen. Viserys had no doubt that his grandchildren would rule together, he had dreamed of it the night after their birth.
“Welcome,” Viserys calls out so everyone can hear him. “Today, I am pleased to announce that House Targaryen has gained two new heirs!”
Viserys smiles as he watches the populace applaud and celebrate. He knows that his people adore his daughter and he’s even happier to have further proof of that fact in front of him.
“My daughter, the Princess of Dragonstone, two weeks ago gave birth to two healthy children,” he continues. “With the blessing of the Seven, I present to you Prince Jacaerys and Princess Myrtaerys, of Houses Targaryen and Velaryon.”
Myrtaerys was a name that Rhaenyra made up. She said that the smell she felt when she held her daughter for the first time was a sweet and strong one. So she made up a name using the Valyrian word for perfume — myrtus. Laenor was the one naming Jacaerys.
Laenor and Rhaenyra unwrap their children, letting the populace — nobles and common folk alike — get a glimpse of the new princes.
Jacaerys had been born with the full coloring of a Valyrian, more Velaryon than Targaryen, with dark skin, platinum hair and also seemed to have the Velaryon curls. His eyes were a very similar shade of lilac to his father's. Myrtaerys, on the other hand, had favored the Valyrian coloring of the Targaryens, with skin like Rhaenyra’s and few strands of platinum hair, but both of Viserys's grandchildren looked like Laenor in such a profound way, with so little of Rhaenyra in their faces, that he jokingly told Rhaenys and Corlys that perhaps they grandchildren weren't actually his.
Rhaenys just smiled at him, unlike Corlys, who laughed openly. The only one who didn't seem happy about this fact was his wife. Alicent walked around the Red Keep as if she had been frequently eating sour lemons since the birth of the twins and Viserys could not understand why.
He even confronted her on the third day, asking her if the birth of his grandchildren upset her in any way. Her only response was:
“Of course not, husband. I only wish that Rhaenyra and her children receive everything they deserve, with the blessing of the Seven.”
His wife and daughter used to be friends. This had been one of the reasons Viserys considered when he decided to marry his good friend’s young daughter. But the more time passed, the more they seemed to move away. Viserys was becoming nervous about the division in his family, but the birth of his grandchildren erased any other worries in his mind.
The population applauds and reveres their new princes. Viserys sits back down in his chair, letting Rhaenyra and Laenor take the center stage in the celebrations.
“Let the jousts begin!” Laenor shouts, happy. Viserys can feel the happiness that his good son exudes. Viserys cannot blame him; he remembers how he felt as he began the tournament of the heir festivities. At that time, Viserys took everything for granted — Aemma would give birth to his heir, who would ascend to the Throne after his death, perpetuating the power of the House of Dragon.
He doesn't like to think about how everything fell apart later. Aemma's death is something he will never be able to forget, even with his new wife and new children. Viserys feels guilty about this, in parts. The life he has today with Alicent was the life he imagined he would have with Aemma and, even though the children he desperately wanted to have had arrived, they would not be Aemma's.
He doesn't hate them for it, of course. But he feels it would be better to them if they were Aemma's, which isn't fair to Alicent or the children. Aegon is a charismatic but messy boy and Helaena is sweet and shy, despite only having two name days. She reminds him a lot of Aemma, but he would never express those thoughts out of respect for his wife.
Viserys misses the introduction of the first two knights. When he came to, Daemon had already struck down his opponent, a knight of House Mormont, it seemed. Daemon shows himself off a bit after his first victory, and before the next knight to face him presents himself, he rushes to ask the favor of his wife, Lady Laena.
Viserys had been angered by the union, which took place just hours after Rhaenyra's wedding to Laenor. The scandal overshadowed the real royal bride and groom, Otto told him, but when they returned to King's Landing, around the time Rhaenyra lost her first child, Rhaenyra and Laena became practically one person and Viserys did not have the strength to exile Daemon — and consequently, Laena — again.
Lady Laena, who had given birth four moons before Rhaenyra to twin girls, gives her husband her favor with a big smile on her face.
Viserys, for the first time in his life, feels that his brother has finally matured. If he had known sooner that he needed only a bride of his choice to achieve such a thing, Viserys would have allowed his brother's marriage to be annulled much sooner — although, he is sure, Daemon's choice would not have been Laena, since she would be very young, but the feeling persists.
.
Daemon now fights Viserys's good brother, Sor Gwayne, and Alicent fidgets, anxious and — Viserys realizes with some shock — a little arrogant in anticipation. But Daemon is a considerable force and with his wife's favor adorning his spear, he has no difficulty defeating Sor Gwayne.
Alicent mumbles something that Viserys can't understand.
The population cheers for their Prince. Once he was called Prince of the City, Viserys remembers.
Viserys accompanies them, applauding his brother.
The jousts continue for the rest of the day, but those honored do not stay more than a few hours. Sor Criston Cole, of the Kingsguard, was preparing to duel Sor Arryk Cargyll, also of the Kingsguard, when Rhaenyra and Laenor left the royal dais with the two newborns, who began to cry.
Viserys feels the need to follow them, worried something bad is happening to his grandchildren, but as King, he must remain. Alicent, probably sensing Viserys's uneasiness, places her hand over his.
“Peace, husband. The gods will ensure that things remain as they should be,” she says solemnly. Viserys smiles at his wife, pleased to have such a pious and caring woman at his side. Even if she isn't Aemma.