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Chapter Text

Alicent awoke with a gasp. Glancing down at herself, hands downwardly beside her, battered in bloody blisters but with a clear youthfulness clinging on. The Green Queen was alive once more, no longer stuck in a tower left to linger alone, away from society, meant to rot with her regretful thoughts and mournful anger regarding her children, and her grandchildren’s fates.

She took a cursory gander below, seeing the indigo gown of her mother, the late Helene Hightower that had persistently haunted her dreams and nightmares.

Surely, she wasn’t back on that day.

One of the worst days of Alicent’s life. A moment which truly represented the downward turn of her life, where there was no semblance of happiness to linger within her. After upholding the duties of a religious daughter (to behave in order to please her father) Alicent was now to be bound to a man older than her. Her elder of a monumentous margin and a rotting-corpse of a coward,

A man haunted by guilt regarding his misaction with poor Aemma Arryn, yet continued to poorly treat his other wife, all in the name of twisted regret which caused him to betray the precedent which had given his position. He regarded his other children as non-entities, ignoring their existence to give his first-born the attention she lacked in his venture for an heir. Yet when Alicent gave him the son he desired, he went against his previous belief, all in the name of Aemma Arryn.

Aegon was not of the blood of Aemma, so in the mind of Alicent’s husband, he wasn’t worthy of the Crown. He wasn’t Viserys’ precious Baelon, The Heir For A Day, and he would never be given his birthright.

The Hightower girl decided that surely the Gods had sent her back to this godforsaken day for a reason. She had to forsake her young self’s innocence and act relentlessly in pursuit of her childrens destiny. Alicent could not bear to have her family destroyed due to their lack of preparation in befitting Aegon the title he deserved. Yet the juvenile girl knew that she also had to treat Aegon nicely, and aide him in understanding his duties without being a harsh authoritarian parent, alike to her father.

Alicent in-part resented Otto Hightower.

The scheming man whose relentless pursuit of the Iron Throne resulted in the demise of her children, yet she could not deny that he was right in his intention to give Aegon the title as heir. Viserys was King due to being the eldest-living Targaryen man, yet goes against this precedent in a twisted pity for the daughter he neglected, and the wife he butchered. His actions in attending to Rhaenyra so incessantly then resulted in him to hypocritically repeat these disrespectful actions with his first wife and first-born with the latter part of his family.

A knock breaks Alicent’s deep-rooted analysis of her life and broke her focused state. A young maid clamours in with instructions, “Lady Alicent, King Viserys wishes for you to join him at the Small Council Meeting.”

This was the moment. The breaking of a friendship by the results of two treacherous fathers, yet Alicent knew this was necessary. She could not bear to face Rhaenyra with the love deep within her heart, for gazing into her violet eyes will only bring memories of war and murderous actions. The Princess’s resentment of Alicent during this moment would cause her to forsake her siblings and regard herself as heir, disregarding the fact that she was fully expectant of Daemon as heir up until her mother had birthed a son.

She idly took herself out of her bedchambers, legs near unable to move, knowledgeable of the fate pertaining to Alicent once she reached the scene.

Entering the Small Council’s Meeting Room, Alicent strided over to her father, intent on avoiding the eyes of Viserys.

Silence lingered between both the father and daughter, both unwilling to speak until Viserys himself spoke aloud his intentions which Otto so desperately craved for his lineage.

Rhaenyra was late. But Alicent knew she was coming.

Unless Alicent had incorrectly envisioned her future, falsely in a state of madness, she knew that Rhaenyra would be here to witness her friend’s rise in station.

The Princess had arrived, knowing of her father’s intention to declare his engagement, smiling up at his as he glanced at his daughter, yet Alicent knew that this joyous moment would change drastically as King Viserys would not be marrying Laena Velaryon, but had chosen her, the companion of his daughter, and the dutiful child of his Hand.

Alicent kept her hands aside, unwilling to cripple them, reluctant to showcase her anxious temperament as she had once done as a young maiden.

Viserys had begun to spoke, excitement brewing in the eyes of both Corlys Velaryon and Otto Hightower. “I have decided to take a new wife.” He pauses, looking once more at Rhaenyra, intent on gaining her approval as she nods in agreement with a smile of slight reluctance regarding his decision, yet mindful of her father’s duties to remarry.

“I intend to marry.” He pauses again briefly glancing at Alicent’s face, the girl he’s intent on marrying yet arrogantly hadn’t dared declared his intentions privately.

King Viserys continued his statement,“The Lady Alicent Hightower, before spring’s end.” Bewilderment spread throughout the chambers, Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenyra Targaryen both astonished at his seemingly unforeseen choice.

The Lord Of The Tides erupted in anger, incessant on arguing with Viserys, intent on his daughter Laena gaining the position of Queen. Yet Viserys shut this vocal disagreement down, using his authority as King which he ever so rarely employs, as Alicent’s father smugly glances at the bereaved Lord Velaryon.

As Corlys and Rhaenyra stormed out of the room in the face of this perceived betrayal, Alicent stood beside her father, intent of acting calmly, as her father lingered beside her ear and whispered in a self-satisified smirk, “My dear daughter, see what I’ve gotten you. My future Queen.”

Seeing the cowardly way Viserys declared his intention to marry her, uninforming both her and Rhaenyra beforehand, Alicent knew that the nightmarish vision she witnessed in her mind was truthful and she was prepared to act, in pursuit of happiness for her children and unwilling to bring the murderous actions of Rhaenyra’s faction anywhere near them.

Her love for Rhaenyra as her childhood companion could not compare to Alicent’s love for her children and she couldn’t dare to have Rhaenyra sit the throne if it would result in the bloodshed of her beloved offspring.

Sitting peacefully at the Godswood where she spent her days with Rhaenyra, Alicent knew her once-friend was intent on confronting her, regarding the actions of Viserys. Yet she lingered on, calmly reading the history of Westeros and the calamities faced when Aegon the Conqueror brutalised Westeros.

Footsteps lumbered across the greenery, and Alicnet look upwards, witnessing a brutal storm of anger on Rhaenyra’s face. “How long?”

She continued, “How long have you hidden this from me? You scheming harlot!” Betrayal written on her features as she spoke, relentless in her attempt to gather the truth from Alicent.

The Hightower girl would instead refute these accusations. As only servants to the Crown were aware of Alicent’s clandestine meetings with Viserys and they were loyal to both King Viserys and Otto Hightower; and any unnecessary acknowledgment of these claims would destroy the reputation of the Hightowers and undermine Alicent’s future authority as Queen. Furthermore Viserys himself instructed her not to mention their conversations with Rhaenyra, so Alicent was only ever so dutily acting as her King had instructed her, and he himself would be too cowardly to admit his transgressions to Rhaenyra, unwilling of facing confrontation.

Alicent then uttered half-truths, “I was unaware of this Rhaenyra.” Her voice erupted with an emotional confusion, “King Viserys had never once declared his intentions to me or my father!”

The Targaryen Princess was confused, acknowledging that her childhood companion was unwilling to lie, as a religious maiden, yet unsure what the reason her father had picked Alicent could be.

“He’s known me since I was a young girl, your first companion in Kingslanding. I’m your friend so I’m unsure why he picked me, I swear to you Rhaenyra!” Alicent continued, unwilling to compromise herself to any degree, even if there was only herself and Rhaenyra present, she would not have promiscuity linked with her in any manner at all.

The Targaryen was enraged, yet unsure now of who to present her anger at, believing herself to have perhaps been too rash in perceiving her closest friend as a scheming harlot. She was unwilling to speak, ashamed in her accusatory words and absconded from the Godswood without any more words spoken to Alicent.

As her friend-turned-enemy rapidly vacated, Alicent sat back at the weirwood tree, saddened at the presence of Rhaenyra, her childhood companion, yet was intent in acting ruthless in pursuit of her children’s happiness, believing that would ensue once Rhaenyra was ensured to never sit the Iron Throne.

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.

Chapter Text

Alicent carried Aegon on her side, avoiding the significant bump on her front, gazing into his lavender eyes with love. Her baby boy was back and was just a joyful, innocent child, unaware of the underlying tension in Kingslanding.

The Hightower Queen looked aside to her husband, Viserys, rambling on about plans for the upcoming celebrations for Aegon’s second nameday, causing Alicent to smile. Inwardly the conniving beauty was conjuring up ideas, believing that she could continue to build her political presence, gaining additional allies to the Green side, all in order to save her children from the evil wrath they faced by Rhaenyra’s hubristic arrogance and her Rogue Prince’s disgusting brutality.

Already from the day Alicent Hightower had joined the Royal Family, she had begun consolidating her political power, employing potential allies into her household as Ladies-In-Waiting, and gaining friendship with Small Council members such as Tyland Lannister. With Rose Tyrell, one of her numerous ladies-in-waiting, and now a close friend of hers, once she removed the bitterness she felt regarding the might of House Hightower.

Viserys continued his mindless chatter, Alicent indulging him idly until she heard the man mutter, “Little Aegon’s nameday shall be extravagant, our boy may grow up be a great knight in the future, hunting just as I am to do in his celebration.”

Alicent portrays a joyous face, happy in indulging in conversing about her beautiful baby, while also in actuality intending to innocently bring up the succession crisis, “Viserys, Aegon will be a great knight, our Aegon The Conqueror Reborn!”

The Targaryen Monarch’s face then hardened with rapid anger, inwardly questioning whether Alicent was an innocent girl praising her son or if she was conniving, bent on undermining his choice to keep Rhaenyra as heir. “Alicent, what do you mean by this?”

“Rhaenyra is my heir. And she will be a great ruler, just like Aegon The Conqueror!” He speaks, wanting the discussion of succession to cease, angered extremely as the Small Council and nobility have made numerous mentions regarding Aegon as heir to be an inevitable action, feeling as though they’re intent on undermining his authority as king.

Alicent then raise her eyebrows in false shock, disappointed in Viserys’ continuous defence of his choice, “Of course! I love Rhaenyra,” She states, stammering onwards, “But I just imagined that as you have a firstborn son you would make him heir, after all wasn’t precious little Baelon named heir, ahead of her?”

“Well yes, but..”, He murmurs, before being interrupted.

“And,” She continues, ceasing Viserys’ justifications and presenting genuine articulate retorts to his hypocrisy, “After all, weren’t you picked as heir to the Old King Jaehaerys because Prince Aemon hadn’t had a male heir? Some nobles may then believe that keeping Rhaenyra as heir then illegitimises your reign and makes you a hypocrite to the Realm’s eyes, since it can be said you took Princess Rhaenys’ right.”

With coherent explanations going against his succession Viserys didn’t know what to say, blubbering and stumbling in how to retort back in response. After all, Alicent had given comprehensive counters to his choice, but regardless of that, guilt lingered in his heart. He couldn’t dare strip Rhaenyra as heir after he mindlessly butchered her mother in pursuit of a son, a son he now has with Alicent. A son who was in the image of his prophetic vision, a powerful, Targaryen-looking King.

“Well enough of this succession business, I’m tired of discussing serious topics, let’s focus on Aegon’s nameday.” King Viserys spoke, clearly sick of dealing with his duties, tired of listening to chatter about succession and also due to the impulsive actions of Daemon and Lord Corlys who have been the unfortunate highlight of most Small Council meetings.

Tired of having to confront responsibilities, preferring to mindlessly celebrate and indulge himself with feasts.

The Hightower Queen was idly walking through the Royal Gardens, mindlessly in thought, until she noticed Rhaenyra sitting by the Godswood. The place that they both spent their girlhood together, where their bond grew strongest and where they had also destroyed that same bond. Alicent subsequently recalled the numerous arguments which arisen in the area as she had become Queen, with Rhaenyra confronting Alicent regarding Viserys’ shocking engagement with her, and in contrast, Alicent accosting Rhaenyra about her scandalous incident with that rogue of a man, Daemon Targaryen.

She then heard Rhaenyra order the singing bard beside her to repeat the tune he was performing again, showing that she preferred to sequester herself alone with music rather than celebrate her brother’s nameday.

Alicent Hightower stumbled forward, difficulty in her steps due to her swollen stomach, as she finally spoke, “Rhaenyra.”

“The King wishes for you to join us.”

Rhaenyra replied solemnly, “The King has much to celebrate.”

“He does not need me.” Her sad and resentful nature causing Alicent’s guilt to fester, after all Rhaenyra at this point in time was just a young girl, feeling as though her mother and herself had been replaced by Viserys in his pursuit for an son, and she was not the figure Alicent remembered. She wasn’t the maniacal cruel woman who wanted to kill Alicent’s family. Yet the Hightower woman knew she couldn’t ever allow Rhaenyra to gain the political foothold she had previously, in the case that she grow to be the person Alicent recalled.

“He wants for us all to be together.” Alicent responded, in attempt to get Rhaenyra to reconcile with her, yet knowing deep inside that this wouldn’t work as it didn’t in her previous life. But also aware that this situation could potentially be the turning point, where Rhaenyra would cease any positive interactions with her, and that Alicent could then manipulate these events for the sake of her children.

Stuttering onwards, Alicent continued further, “And perhaps the hunt could be ….. fun.”

“Is that the King’s command?” Rhaenyra snidely retorted, intent on ignoring her duties as Princess of The Realm and simultaneously her family members, her blood.

“Yes, but..” Alicent replied before being interrupted midway.

Princess Rhaenyra snapped harshly, slamming her book and rushing upwards, “Then at once, Your Grace.”

“But it needn’t be, none of it needs be this way. If not for both mine and your father’s sake, then for your brother, your blood.” Falsely pleading, attempting even further to reconcile with the Princess and venturing to drive a wedge of guilt inside Rhaenyra for neglecting Aegon, an innocent infant with no faults of his own at this time.

“Forsake us, I understand.”

“But Aegon is just a babe who has done nothing to offend you!” Speaking harshly, intent on placing a sense of self-repentance inside Rhaenyra, who was ignoring her and hastily running away, whilst also speaking the truth she couldn’t dare utter in the past. As a young girl forced into marrying her friend’s father, wondering why her old friend could not even try to form a familial bond with her own siblings, even if she hated the treacherous circumstances.

Yet it was too late.

Rhaenyra was gone, hastening towards the Royal Carriages, never to give an explanation for the blatant alienation she feels toward her half-siblings.

The carriage jerked, rumbling back and forth as it strolled forward over the rocky pathway onward to the Royal Hunting Tents for Aegon’s second nameday.

Silence lingered in the carriage, only occasionally interrupted by babbling from Aegon and Viserys’ incessant attempts at conjuring reconciliation between Rhaenyra and Alicent.

“Should you be travelling in this condition?”, Rhaenyra spoke finally, upon witnessing Alicent’s uncomfortable shift as the carriage shook.

Rubbing her stomach in a consoling gesture, The Queen replied, “The Maester said that travelling out in nature would do me and the babe well. Perhaps you’ll understand when you have a babe.”

“You should hold your brother, to gain some motherly experience. And you can strengthen your sibling bond.” Alicent suggested, a falsified pleading tone in her voice as Rhaenyra grew angry, face hardening at being told to finally interact with the brother she resented, as Alicent instructed the maid holding Aegon to pass him over to Rhaenyra.

“Exactly. Rhaenyra, you will be with your own child sooner than late, and make me a proud grandsire! You should hold little Aegon!”, Viserys spoke jubilantly, unaware of the growing pain his daughter has in facing her childbirthing duties.

“No!”

“Why I should I care for my half-brother?” Rhaenyra screams in a loud retort, resulting in the maids within to side-eye each other, looking at the Princess in a perturbed mood, as she pushed away Aegon’s hand while the maid carrying him rushed back down to her fellow co-worker.

“Rhaenyra! He’s your blood, cease these complaints! Why can’t you care for your brother?” Viserys roared, anger shocking everyone inside the carriage.

Rhaenyra replies with a softened tone, unable to articulate her anger outwardly due to shock in her father’s unexpected eruption, “I find it discomforting. To deal with children and hunting today is too excessive for me.”

“You are the Crown Princess, you have duties. You cannot be avoiding your responsibilities if you are truly to be Queen!” King Viserys bellowed.

“As I am ceaselessly reminded.” She retorts quietly under her breath.

“Im sorry?” Viserys spoke, unable to hear her snide retort.

“As I am ceaselessly reminded!” She responded harshly in tone.

“You wouldn’t need to be reminded if you ever attended to them.”

“No ones here for me.” She spoke quietly, partly ashamed that she’s speaking aloud her personal thoughts of abandonment and her feeling of resentment regarding Aegon.

The King countered her words, viewing them to be selfish, “Rhaenyra, you have everyday. Today is Aegon’s celebration.”

“If this was Baelon’s day, you wouldn’t complain, you just hate my child!” Alicent finally spoke, interrupting the father-daughter argument to speak her mind.

The carriage stopped, as silence echoed inside.

They had arrived to the Royal celebratory tents.

Shame erupted in both Rhaenyra and Viserys. The Princess ashamed at the blatant proclamation of her prejudice between her full-siblings compared to the living half-brother she has. Viserys saddened and guilt-filled just from the mention of his “Heir of a day.” that he butchered his beloved wife for.

As the Royal family and their servants exited outside onto the grass excluding Rhaenyra, bows in respect following their footsteps, loudly heard was the declarative words of Lord Hobert Hightower, “Hail, hail Aegon, the Conqueror-Babe, Second of His Name!”

“Here’s to His Grace on his second name day!”

Alicent silently smirking, as her uncle essentially proclaimed in front of the numerous important Lords and Ladies, that Aegon deserved to be heir.

Standing in the extravagant tents, Alicent tempered herself, preparing to gain allies to her side.

Her Aegon’s side.

All in the name of her children, the Hightower woman knew that she had to consolidate power for herself and gain allies, that of which she did not previously have, and also to strengthen the bond the Greens had previously acquired.

Looking forward, she noticed her Ladies-In-Waiting have arrived, both her cousins Margarey and Delena Redwyne, and Rose Tyrell, her closest friend as of late. Yet she knew that obtaining more influential Ladies to join would be essential to forward Aegon’s succession to King.

She walked forward to them, carrying Aegon by her side, as they bowed in admiration and greeted her warmly. Happiness arose in Alicent’s figure, having true friends that were not only allies gave her much joy in life.

After listening to their idle chit-chat, Alicent spotted her older brother Ser Gwayne Hightower and glanced over to him, discreetly instructing the silvery blond-toned Knight to come over and join his sister, along with her Ladies.

“Gwayne it’s been so long! Aegon’s grown so big while you’ve been away!” Alicent joyously spoke, while recalling how her brother arrived from Oldtown six moons or so ago, upon wanting to meet his young nephew and see how Alicent was faring in the beginning of her second pregnancy. During this time Alicent had also instructed her older brother to befriend Ser Criston Cole while partaking in his knightly duties, and sword-practice.

As she and Gwayne had greeted each other, Alicent had noticed a certain Lady-In-Waiting of hers blushing and staying particularly quiet, in shyness. intent on avoiding the Hightower knight’s gaze.

“Ah, Gwayne I haven’t introduced you to my Ladies.”

Continuing in her introduction, Alicent resumed, “Of course you know our cousins, Delena and Margarey, but there is also my dear friend, the Lady Rose Tyrell.”

“I know of her. We have met during my time in Highgarden when I was en-route to Oldtown.” The Hightower man replied, causing Alicent to grin inside, intent on matchmaking her beloved brother with her friend, who was also the daughter of their Liege Lord, Mathis Tyrell.

“My Queen, your brother is too humble. He saved both myself and my entourage from bandits!”, Rose Tyrell spoke hastily in response, admiration heavy in her tone.

Alicent upon sensing the potential of romance between two people she cared for heavily, was intent on giving them the chance to have a beautiful love, unlike the troublesome dynamic of a marriage that Alicent currently is stuck in with King Viserys.

However, the Green Queen also had plans for Gwayne during this hunt, and could not let this momentous occasion slip away from her hands.

Breaking the idle discussion between this gathering of Ladies and Lord, Alicent interrupted with a falsified shock, “Oh Gwayne! I had just recalled, our father needs to speak to you and I.”

The Queen then instructed her Ladies-In-Waiting calmly, yet in an authoritative tone that she had to leave them for a moment.

As the siblings then sequestered away from the multitude of gatherings within the Royal Tents, Alicent abruptly spoke to Gwayne, “I need you to follow Ser Criston and the Princess, brother.”

Replying in a confused manner, the Hightower knight spoke, “Why?”

“I have reason to believe that Rhaenyra will run away from her duties and yet be confronted by the infamous White Hart everybody is searching for.” Alicent softly said, knowing that her insider information would seem nonsensical to anybody unaware of her awareness of events occuring in her past-future. However she was also aware that as her beloved brother, she had trust in that he would follow her instructions, believing she had worthy cause to do so.

As he answered in response, “Alright Alicent, I understand.”

“However, we must make haste and converse with nobles now before the hunt begins, so we can gain allies, defending us against Viserys’ nonsensical choice in keeping Rhaenyra as heir.”

The sibling partnership then returned into the area congregated with nobles full of political discussion, and contrastingly, mindless discussion regarding feasts and celebrations.

The Hightower Queen, while idly conversing with Elenda Baratheon nee Caron and Lady Tully, she then noticed the infamous “Bronze Bitch” Lady Rhea Royce, lingering away with Jeyne Aryyn, Rhea of whom she was hellbent on allying with, and saving from the murderous clutches of Daemon Targaryen.

Walking onwards to Lady Rhea, she greeted her warmly, knowing that dealing with Daemon, whose heinous tastes were more suited to children with white hair, was a task that demanded great respect.

Conversing with her about the hunt, Alicent was hopeful in a companion to her political side, as they both suffered under the hands of selfish Targaryens.

As they continued, the Queen then cordially remarked that perhaps Rhea Royce should join her party during the midday hunting, as an attempt to get acquainted with her further.

Alicent dawdled for a while as she left the Ladies, stewing in contentment, believing she had perhaps gained more allies onto her side than ever before.

As she entered the grand royal tent, filled with the best political colleagues for her to gain, Alicent was filled with emotions encompassing her mind. This was the perfect time to acquire allies, more than what the Greens had gathered during Alicent’s past life.

Immediately she was bombarded by a young girl bowing at her and greeting her in bold admiration,” My Queen! It’s ever so wonderful to meet you.”

“And you as well, Lady..?” Alicent spoke kindly, yet intent in uncovering who this girl was exactly, as Alicent clearly didn’t remember her, thus she must not have been a politically-minded woman in the future.

“Lady Bethany Bracken, I am. And..oh! I was wondering whether I could be a Lady-In-Waiting of yours?”, The maiden retorted, daring and audacious in her forward action of confronting her Queen.

The Hightower Queen, reminded of her old friend Rhaenyra’s temperament, responded softly with a melancholic smile,“Well, I admire your courage. You seem like a great girl, thus I will grant you your wish, if you ask your lord father.”

As the willful girl ran off joyously in pursuit of his father, Alicent decided to seat herself in the presence of the gathering surrounding her sharp-tongued yet lovable grandmother, Lady Redwyne.

Upon greeting her grandmother, ladies-in-waiting, and the other ladies present, Alicent then subsequently noticed the young Lady Baratheon, anxious and forlorn as she stood nearby yet unwilling to take the initiative to interact.

“Lady Baratheon! How wonderful it is to see you once more!” The Queen bellowed, intent on bringing joy to this girl, essentially stuck in the same situation of hers. Birthing heirs for a neglectful, disgusting man.

Alicent continued speaking further, wanting to further a bond with the future Lady of House Baratheon, upon Lord Boremund Baratheon’s passing,“I heard you just birthed a girl. So lucky, I’m hoping my next babe will be a girl, perhaps our children will grow to be friends!”

As Lady Elenda Baratheon responded, the idle chitchat developed into discussions regarding the fate of poor Lady Johanna Swann.

Rhaenyra, swift on her feet, abandoned the mindless blabber of Jason Lannister, stumbling forward onwards to the large assembly of her Lady Stepmother’s group of nobility.

As she converged closer, words spoken by Lady Redwyne put her in a difficult position.

“Perhaps the Princess.. can give us some insight.”

Alicent smugly remembering inside her mind how Rhaenyra snarkily answered, acting unbefitting of an heiress, all in defence of her troublesome, lecherous uncle.

As Princess Rhaenyra rebutted incessantly back and forth with Alicent’s lady grandmother, she idly watched on. Needing to do nothing, as Rhaenyra was ruining her reputation, portraying herself as an impulsive undutiful heir, without Alicent’s input necessary.

Silence echoed in the room for a moment, as the Targaryen girl blatantly insulted Lady Redwyne with a spiteful remark regarding cake, then storming off as her impulsive emotions got the better of her.

The Hightower Queen then falsely tried to placate the group, “Forgive my step-daughter. She’s still mourning her mother, unable to do her duties but she’s grieving.”

The false pleading fooled her cousins, as Margarey Redwyne retorted sharply, “Alicent, I know you love her because of your childhood bond, but I think you’re being too kind. After all you performed your duties and Lady Helene had sadly passed just a moon before Queen Aemma had.”

Continuing further with snide yet truthful insults toward the Crown Princess, Margarey sharply spoke, “Beside, it’s been years, and she hasn’t grown at all! While you have married and have a babe, with another on the way.”

As Lady Margarey spoke, the ladies present, including Lady Jeyne Arryn, were looking incredibly disappointed in the pathetic trajectory of Rhaenyra’s growth or rather, lack thereof, as she hadn’t accepted her duties as heir, or duties as a women of Westeros.

Yet Alicent knew this wouldn’t change.

Rhaenyra would only get worse, becoming a scandalous harlot, akin to Saera Targaryen.

Birthing bastards and sequestering them as true heirs.

Arrogant in her father’s wishes, yet never attempting to gain any allies, choosing to insult the Lords that she is to depend on.

Chapter Text

Conversation dwindled slowly as the feast ended. The only sound heard among nobles quiet whispers was the raging anger of King Viserys as his took guidance from Lyonel Strong, in attempt to calm himself from the political headache that is Rhaenyra, absconding from her duties, typical of her, Alicent remarked snidely.

As the sun slowly drifted away, Alicent joined both her father and kingly husband, along with an entourage of nobles, off to hunt while Viserys was stewing in shame and anger.

A hunt where a grand white stag was rumoured to be lingering about, a grand omen for Westeros.

Yet the Hightower Queen knew it was more than that. Her father knew it was more than that. While in the past, Alicent had missed this momentous opportunity. She now knew that if her political faction is able to discover the white stag today, it will set aside a good omen for Aegon and possibly sway nobles to their cause.

More importantly than this, was the fact that this evening was where the most significant turning point in favour of Aegon would occur. After all, this was when King Viserys declared to his wife that his naming of Rhaenyra as heir was a whim, keeping Daemon from the throne. Furthermore, he tells Alicent of his dragon-dream, his faltering in Rhaenyra claims, instead believing that Aegon could truly be the heir he dreamed of.

Gossiping with her Ladies-In-Waiting as the men set out to start a fire, Alicent looked onwards to her close cousin Margareys fiery eyes, laying her gaze on Ser Daemion Velaryon, cousin to Laenor Velaryon. Recalling the events of the future, the Hightower woman remembered how it was Daemion’s own father Vaemond, who she had allied with.

Who ruled over Driftmark for 6 years, only to be replaced by Rhaenyra’s whiny bastard boy Lucerys, who couldn’t even handle ocean waves. Yet neither became Lord, as his uncle, Corlys, ignoring the murder of his blood-brother, preferred to have his bastard rule, if he couldn’t have Rhaenyra’s bastard as heir. Snidely, Alicent remarked on the fact that this beloved bastard of his, Alyn Waters had betrayed his granddaughter Baela, replacing her with her own niece, young enough to be their child.

Just like his father, both heinous greedy men, she noted. And just like Viserys.

“Lady Bethany..” She whispered, surprising the young girl fully engrossed in her staring at the fair-haired knight, twirling her hair in admiration.

“Ah.. I wasn’t doing anything!” She then stammered, hands flailing in exasperation.

“Don’t worry Lady Bethany, every young maiden longs for a handsome knight…”

Intent on denial, the young lady fumbled and flailed around, not wanting to expose her feelings.

Alicent looked onward to the Velaryon man, seeing his eyes flicker in interest in Bethany’s direction “.. and it seems your knight is interested in you.”

Mixed feelings were clear inside the Bracken maiden, pausing her attempt of denial as the incredulity of her knightly crush possibly reciprocating her feelings. “What….”

“Really my Queen, do you mean it?” She replies in shock, as Alicent then quietly instructs her to discreetly take a glance at Daemion Velaryon, who was seemingly mesmerised gazing at Bethany Bracken’s deep mahogany hair and comely figure, blushing red as he observed the Queen and Bethany noticing his intense ogling.

Witnessing youthful maiden and knights falter, showcasing their hearts made Alicent reminiscent of her childhood. Before marrying King Viserys, when she was just Lady Alicent, the companion of the Princess. When she and Rhaenyra would gaze at handsome knights in tourneys, gossiping in the godswood and dreaming of giving their favour to these aforementioned knights.

“The Velaryons will be joining the Royal entourage, hunting along with members of your noble house. You should use this time wisely, I’m sure Ser Daemion would enjoy it.” The Hightower Queen urged, causing a smile to arise on the wilful yet currently shy, Lady Bethany.

Alicent knew duty was important and understood why her father had impressed upon her to become the King’s Queen.

She knew alliances with fellow nobles is necessary, yet she wanted to give maidens, like she once was, any potential of happiness to be in their grasp. And by matchmaking the innocent maiden beside her, willful, wild, alike to Rhaenyra, Alicent’s heart would warm. Knowing that she can give a dutiful girl the opportunity to have an enjoyable life, starting with an enjoyable marriage.

As the entourage of nobles trekked forward, Lord Jason riding ahead on his noble steed, the infamous Tyrek, he boasted arrogantly about, Alicent smiled inside.

After all, she had successfully created many alliances during Aegon’s nameday. Unlike the untamable Rhaenyra Targaryen, who had further destroyed her reputation. Not only embarrassing herself with her lack of political awareness, but by having a pathetic screaming match with Viserys, and even further, with her absconding and abandoning her duties as heir.

As she stood beside the noble ladies, gossiping and gaining allies amongst the multitude of Lannisters, Velaryons, Arryns, Strongs and more, Alicent watched onward, viewing her husband’s pathetic attempts at hunting.

He may be a King, but he certainly cut no kingly figure.

However, as much as she disliked the man, twice her elder, decaying, breeding her only to abandon her children, Alicent didn’t hate him. As she now was mentally the age of her husband, it felt unfit for her to imagine romancing nobles her physical age, yet mentally young. And gazing at her husband, she could see that, while he was no great Targaryen beauty, alike to the Conquerors and even that rogue, Daemon, King Viserys was still a handsome man. Unlike the deteriorating corpse he became, after The Seven punished him for his misdeeds.

As the night began to end, the only light remaining now derived from blistering flames among a campfire, Alicent firmly walked forward, resting her hand on the bump below her, her baby Helaena. The chances that her dear Aegon had been reborn to her was incredulous and yet Alicent couldn’t help but hope that her other children would return, with the help of the Seven. She even wished for more perhaps, gaining the motherly perspective she never had as a young girl breeding out children for her husband.

As she stumbled over to Viserys, whose gaze was mournfully focused on the flames of brutal fury, Alicent questioned if he was alright, yet knowing deep inside that he wasn’t. After all, this campfire was strongly reminiscent of the Valyrian funeral rites, of which Viserys caused for his previous wife Aemma, after her murdered her callously for a son that did not live for longer than one day.

As they both lingered beside the fire, Viserys finally responded, solemn in his tone. “ You know, I..”

“I named her… to protect the realm from Daemon. She was my only child. I named her out of love because I no longer believed..”

“Believed what, my love?” Alicent spoke, knowing that Viserys’ cause for keeping Rhaenyra as heir was just a precaution-turned guilt-fuelled decision, that stole Aegon’s birthright.

He then sighed deeply, as if unwilling to admit his true thoughts.

“Many in my line have been dragonriders, very few among us have been dreamers. What is the power of a dragon.. next to the power of prophecy?” King Viserys rhetorically questions, after all what saved the Targaryens from the Doom was not their dragons, but rather the dream Daenys had which foretold the calamities which occurred in Old Valyria.

“My King, I must confess..” The Hightower girl spoke softly, using Viserys’ pathetic demand for dreams to manipulate him, after all through the will of the Seven that Alicent had witnessed the future.

“While our babe grows within me, I have begun dreaming visions.”

“I’ve seen a Targaryen man wear the Conqueror’s crown, standing beside his sister-wife he calls Helaena.” Alicent states, inside her thoughts, knowing that this could be the thing which finally shifts Viserys’ pathetic mind on his forsaking of Aegon’s birthright.

Viserys’ figure erupts in shock, interpreting this to mean that Alicent has gained the Targaryen dreamer trait through the child she carries, and recognising that the wife’s name is heavily reminiscent of her dear friend Otto’s late lady wife, Helene.

“When Rhaenyra was a child.. I too had seen that in a dream, as vivid as these flames. The vision you speak of, was one I have known of deeply, haunting my actions for years.”

“I wanted it to be true, for me to be a dreamer. So I poured all my thought and will into it.” He then stutters forward, reluctance exuding from him, as if unable to speak the harsh truth he knows of. “Killing Rhaenyra’s mother in my hope that I was truly a dreamer, and that a male babe born to me would do great things for the Realm.”

“Viserys.” Alicent faintly spoke, in attempt to break him from his solemn rant of guilt.

Regardless of his wife’s words, he continued in his melancholy tirade, “I thought Rhaenyra was the way out of my abyss. And that naming her heir would right my wrongdoings to Aemma and prevent my brother’s reach to the throne.”

“I never imagined that I would remarry, that I would have a son.”

“That I was a hypocrite, after mine own place in society was given to me as a male, yet I wouldn’t give this to my first born son.” Viserys spoke, ending his depressing monologue yet suffice in showcasing to Alicent that her machinations in influencing Viserys had worked, as he had deviated from his past thoughts.

“What if I was wrong?”

Viserys was conflicted. Stuck between doing what was right or to continue festering in his grief, giving Rhaenyra a title she didn’t deserve, all because Aegon wasn’t his beloved Aemma’s son.

“My King.. Viserys, if the gods have granted us our favour, then surely they will guide us to the right path. We just have to look for a sign.” Alicent remarks, stroking her bump in the meanwhile, knowing that Helaena’s dreams, and Viserys’ were a sign for the Gods, that Rhaenyra was unfit for the throne.

Roaring sounds erupted, grunts and barking alike, mixed into one as the clamouring sounds of treading horses bellowing around. Alicent fondly gathered with ladies, diverting away from the noble men focused on hunting.

As she gossiped with Lady Jeyne Arryn, her Redwyne cousins and Rose Tyrell, Alicent noticed Ser Harwin Strong approach King Viserys.

The infamous “Breakbones” himself.

The man who callously betrayed the Kingdom, breeding bastard boys into Princess Rhaenyra, forsaking his duty for selfish pleasure. And yet while Alicent had hatred for him, her mind was dually overridden with guilt. For Harwin Strong and his strong-minded father were casualties in Alicent’s late attempt at a grasp of power, and how Larys Strong then exploited her yearning for authority into a reason to burn his own kin to death and blame Alicent for it.

As the Strong heir lumbered over to the King a great brown deer, while the carriages stopped momentarily to watch Viserys perform the murder, suddenly a
galloping horse intruded into the moment.

As the bellowing horse trotted over, a domineering figure followed swiftly. A knight beckoned himself over toward the entourage, carrying with him a white stag.

The great white hart.

An omen of the Gods.

Her brother fulfilled her task, sneakily finding the white stag before Rhaenyra and Ser Criston, and for that Alicent had great love in her heart. Now her husband should surely abandon his foolish choices.

Perhaps Viserys would perceive this as a sign.

A sign that Aegon was the rightful ruler. To cement the precedence before him, forsake his hypocrisy and supplant Rhaenyra as heir.

“My King! A sign from the Gods!” Retorted nobles basking in the presence of this divine figure.

“The Great White Hart. A good omen for Prince Aegon, Second of his name!” Gwayne erupted as his released the stag from ropes, watching as it walked onwards to Alicent’s direction. Toward both her, and Aegon, carried by a maid.

The stag trekked slowly and bowed at the feet of Alicent in respect.

This was a clear sign Alicent had been chosen by the Gods, even if she engineered this event. After all it was she who had travelled to the past, and nobody else. And she whom the omen of the Gods showed loyalty to.

But perhaps the nobles watching onwards, and Viserys himself, would perceive this to be the omen bowing down toward young Aegon, signifying his place as the righteous heir, chosen by the Gods.

“By the Gods”

“Oh My!”

“Seven Hells!”

Retorts of shock erupted among the entourage of nobles, Jason Lannister and Lord Hobert Hightower especially loud in their exclamations.

“Viserys.. Perhaps this is the sign you have been looking for.” Alicent softly pressed, while gazing back at her father smugly looking at her, impressed at the machinations of his daughter.

No longer a pawn, but now a player in this game of thrones.

A player with the knowledge to win.

And the Gods, real and not real, on her side.

The Hightower Queen stood unwaveringly, Aegon on her side, as she gossiped and chatted mindlessly alongside the noble ladies of Westeros. Rhea Royce beside her, remarking on her brother Gwayne’s hunting prowess and inquiring on Alicent’s horse-riding capability, a fun hobby of hers in her girlhood which she had abandoned, after being instructed to act like a submissive wife by Viserys.

As nobles continued their chatter, a bloody figure strutted through the camp.

There she was, the Princess of Westeros, in all her arrogance. Riding among her horse, bloodied and battered, as if she was a battle-worn warrior, alike to Visenya Targaryen, when Alicent knew in reality that all she was, was a little girl who abandoned her duties and got caught in the thralls of blood, just alike to her devious uncle, Daemon.

Whispers emerged, snide glances transpired, as all nobility gathered looked beyond at the disruptive force that was Rhaenyra.

Alicent gasped in false shock, “Poor Rhaenyra! How unmaidenly of her to be covered in blood. This is why maidens shouldn’t go off alone. Thank god, Ser Criston was there to save her!”

Alicent snarking loudly, in attempt to demean Rhaenyra’s hunting efforts, after all nobody other than Ser Criston was present with her to verify false rumours, as she abandoned the Royal entourage, shamelessly fleeing from her duties.

Rhea Royce then remarked softly, almost under breath, in great intrigue, “Who’s that man beside the princess?”

“Oh Lady Rhea, that’s Ser Criston Cole, who Queen Alicent mentioned earlier. He most likely saved the unruly Princess from a wild animal.” Lady Delena Redwyne answered, as Alicent looked onwards, invested at the glances Rhea Royce was giving Criston Cole.

Rhaenyra continued her hubristic strut and led herself into the Royal carriage, shutting herself out from the whispers.

Viserys then swiftly followed, fury beckoning inside him. Ending Aegon’s nameday with an upset petty Rhaenyra and disgruntled father.

Alicent passed over Aegon to his maid and subsequently joined her husband in the Royal carriage, embarking on a journey back to Kingslanding.

Carriage culminating in silent fury, as Viserys and his daughter did not speak a word in response to Rhaenyra’s impertinent actions.

Yet the Hightower Queen was happy, among her companions filled with sadness.

As she had gained allies for her children’s livelihoods, and most importantly, she had emphasised the importance of Aegon to her husband.

Surely Viserys must give their son his rightful title as heir by now.

He couldn’t stay a hypocritical coward, ignoring the insolence of Rhaenyra, and finally give Aegon the claim he deserved as firstborn son to the King.

Chapter Text

Alicent sat down, stewing in anger in her chambers, as her maids fretted about, worried about their beloved Queen.

Viserys upon arriving home to Kingslanding, had said absolutely nothing regarding Aegon’s rightful passage to heirdom, just boiling in his rage toward Rhaenyra.

While Alicent declared her intentions to gain numerous nobles to join her entourage to him, King Viserys mindlessly agreed, his mind choosing to focus on arrogant Rhaenyra’s actions rather than the politicking needed for the Realm, or any bonding with Aegon, other than attempting to feed him wine before the maids prevented so, and showcase him off to nobles.

Visery could, indeed, stay a hypocritical coward.

Rhaenyra was still heir.

How infuriating it was for Alicent, to watch that hubristic brat walk around arrogantly, as if unaware of the birthright she stole from her brother, Aegon the rightful heir to the Iron Throne.

Luckily her father had arrived, shooing away Alicent’s entourage of ladies and maids with a firm smugness in his steps as he stood forward to confront his daughter.

“Did you enjoy the hunt, Your Grace?”

“Well enough.” The Queen retorted, reluctant to speak, after the noteworthy strides taken for Aegon’s cause, which ultimately failed as Viserys kept Rhaenyra as heir.

“How fared my grandson?”

“The ladies Lannister and Baratheon were quite taken with him.”

“As they should.” Otto spoke smugly, intent on uplifting Aegon’s reputation within the realm and glad of this success within the noble ladies social circle.

Continuing on, Alicent’s father spoke further, “He’s the future of the realm.”

Alicent scoffs, interrupting Otto’s tirade, “If only his father could see that. He’s too focused on his arrogant brat of a daughter. When he has a perfectly fit heir right here!”

Her Hightower father looks on at her with a gleeful shock plastered on his face. His daughter has realised the truth, no longer clinging to the curtails of her once-beloved friend’s past affection and finally understood the depths of the situation: that her selfish childhood companion is unfit for the crown and has hubristically stolen the birthright of her son Aegon, and doesn’t even care for the position.

With a rare showcase of emotion, Otto pressed his hand on Alicent’s shoulder, love in his gaze. His dearest daughter understands now; he just isn’t some overreaching ambitious man, but more than that.

A loving father.

While Alicent resented her father for clinging her to the man who became a neglectful rotting corpse, she couldn’t ever deny that he brought her immense power.

Power, she never wanted.

All Alicent ever wanted was to live a comfortable life with a handsome courageous knight and have a peaceful existence. Yet after living her previous life, she had to forsake those girlhood wishes, all for the children she loved dearly, yet pressured with expectations and duty. Just like her father.

As a woman of a mature mind, Alicent understood her father’s wishes for her. Who wouldn’t want their daughter to be Queen of Westeros?

She did the same to Helaena. Yet now she understands. They were both girls forced into positions they never wanted. While Alicent grew to become a woman suited for her title, cunning and political. Helaena remained the whimsical yet reserved darling she always was.

She cannot fix her own life, as the time she returned, Viserys’ want to marry her was already implanted within his mind, and she felt an obligation to bring her children back to life, or else this god-given blessing would be useless. But she can fix her daughters, and any other maidens she meets.

The power Otto had implanted onto his Hightower Queen was vital for her and for that she was thankful.

With the position he afforded her, alongside the Seven’s favour, Alicent could save the realm from the ruinous actions of the conceited Targaryens.

These Valyrian supremacists who flaunt their arrogance and bask in the glory of Westeros, while demeaning the importance of the true Westerosi men and women, who sustain and build on the realm, unlike them: Rhaenyra and Daemon. Two Valyrian-obsessed leeches who reep the benefits from Westeros while demeaning every aspect of the Realm.

Otto was glad, his daughter was shaping up to be a vital figure of Westeros, “How pleasing. You’ve changed Alicent, you now understand that Rhaenyra has stolen your sons right as heir.”

“I may have loved her before. But the hypocrisy she and Viserys spew is torturous! They were perfectly fine with Aemma Arryn’s sons or lack thereof.” She snarked, snidely bringing up the Arryn woman’s misfortune in childbirth and fertility. Due to her inner resentment for the innocent Queen that has haunted her life, yet Alicent knows from the true depths of her soul that poor Aemma Arryn was another innocent girl ruined by Viserys’ ignorant actions.

“But they disregard Aegon? What right do they have to pick and choose which son of the King can be heir?” Alicent continues, waves of fury flushing through her words, unravelling her anger with the one person who could understand: her father.

“Targaryen arrogance my darling. They spread their racist rhetoric that they’re better than all of Westeros, when it is us so-called simpletons, who uphold the law and truly rule the realm.”

Otto continues, displeased over the disastrous monarch he serves, reminiscing on the past royals, “Prince Baelon and the Old King were great, respected men, Alicent.” His mouth twistens, turning spiteful and bitter, “Yet their descendants spit on the hard work of their ancestors!”

They both quieten themselves for a while, shock at their outward blast of emotion.

This loud eruption of lingering animosity was unlike their usual selves, hiding it all for the sake of the Realm.

Never showing their hatred, yet together, the father and daughter could expose their true emotions to each other.

Alicent then softly shatters this silence with a vow, “Not all their descendants, father. I will never let my children be alike to Rhaenyra and Daemon. Their arrogant stature, abandoning duties and demeaning the people of Westeros!”

“I know the truth now.” The Hightower woman speaks, no longer the naive girl wishing to reconcile with her old companion who would ruin her children’s lives. Becoming a crazed, conceited harlot, indulgent and ruinous for the Realm.

“I’m not a little girl anymore. How could I stay friends with the arrogant princess stealing my son’s birthright?” She retorts.

“Exactly.”

“This is why you must guide Viserys to reason.”

“I’ve tried. He clings on to his guilt regarding Aemma Arryn, forgetting that the true reason he named Rhaenyra heir wasn’t to placate her but to prevent Daemon from reaching the throne.”

“Sooner or later, he will surely see.”

“I feared I was too harsh on you, my daughter.” He speaks, continuing this rare look into his mind. Yet instead of anger towards Targaryens, he’s illustrating the love hidden within his overreaching actions. “Your marriage to Viserys was monumental for our household,” The Hand speaks aloud, believing in a need to regain the political standing his house deserves, as the heirs to a kingly magical dynasty far greater than a slave-owning incestous lineage. “Yet I couldn’t help but think that I had pushed you too far.”

He continues further with this heartfelt tirade, apologetic in his tone, ”Wanting the best for my daughter but destroying her in the process.”

“But now I see you for who you are, and I believe you have the drive to win.” Otto thus concluding his resentful-turned-remorseful rant with a declaration, illustrating his trust in Alicent.

The Hightower Queen couldn’t help but tear up.

She’d proven herself to her father, and just as he sees her, she finally sees him for who he is: more than the father who forced her into an unwanted duty, but a complex man, indeed driven by a greed ever so strong, but a man with love in his heart.

He was not the monster she once thought he was.

The man may be ambitious but Alicent now truly knows he loves her and their family.

Moons had passed, and Aegon still wasn’t heir.

Even after all the signs Alicent orchestrated during Aegon’s Namesday, and the multitude of nobles assuming Rhaenyra would be displaced, Viserys stayed firm in his guilt-filled decision to keep his daughter as heir.

However as of late, Alicent couldn’t care less for the impudent brat, not even with love or sympathy.

All she could care for right now was her baby girl coming back to her. After spending the latter part of her pregnancy politicking, sending letters to gain numerous Ladies-In-Waiting to join her in Kingslanding, Alicent couldn’t help but be worried now.

It was nearing nine moons and Helaena hadn’t arrived yet.

So strange, Alicent remarked, as she clearly recalled how Helaena was born early, a small irritable babe, seven moons into the pregnancy.

Just as The Hightower Queen cloaked in green, remarked on this strange phenomenon, she felt an eruption of discomfort within her stomach.

Her water had broken.

Finally.

Helaena was on her way.

Her beloved baby was back.

Standing upwards, anxious with tension, Alicent beckoned over her newest Lady-In-Waiting, Lady Minisa Tully, Elbert Arryn’s betrothed, to call for the Maesters. During this precocious time, Alicent then instructed the other ladies within her social circle to help their Queen to her bedchambers while waiting for the trusted Maesters to arrive.

Maester Mellos may have butchered Queen Aemma, but there’s no great murder conspiracy.

After all he did it on King Viserys’ word, and told the King just how risky the procedure would be. Nobody was to blame, other than the cowardice of Viserys, to shamelessly butcher his unaware wife without even getting the son he craved so intensely for.

The doors opened wide, Maester Mellos rushing in with his retinue of apprentices and midwives immediately gathering around Alicent, Otto following suit with immense worry.

She contained worry in her heart also, for Helaena’s birth was much too late.

Yet as her father lingered beside the door, Maester Mellos was focusing intently, as Alicent sweated in momentous pain, the toil of birthing too much to handle for the Queen.

However Alicent powered herself through, pushing with all the force she could muster, roaring screams erupting in the process.

“My Queen, you’re doing so well.” A midwife speaks aloud, holding Alicent’s hand in the meantime, while she pushes through the painful process.

After a gruelling exertion of power, Maester Mellos then declares to Alicent, “The babe is coming, just one more push!”

Suddenly a cry erupted in the room, as Alicent sweated in pain.

Helaena has finally arrived now, Alicent remarked while exhausted from the pain.

The Hand of the King then walks forward, away from the door he was hiding beside, panic for Alicent exuding from his countenance.

The Maester subsequently passes the weeping babe to Lord Otto, a tear dripping down his face in awe.

The Hightower man then passes the swaddled babe over to Alicent, “My daughter, it seems you have a daughter now.” He pauses, emotion stuck in his throat. “ And I have a granddaughter now.” He stutters, overwhelmed with his darling granddaughter’s existence.

“What will you call this precious babe?” Otto questions, yet Alicent already has the answer as she gazes into her newborn’s eyes.

“Helaena.” She softly speaks whilst her father tears up further, recognising his granddaughter’s name to be reminiscent of his dearly beloved wife, Helene Hightower.

“Princess Helaena, my beloved angel.”

“To Princess Helaena, The Realm’s Beloved Angel!” Maester Mellos retorts, joyous in his temperament.

However, just as Alicent was ready to reply to the Maester’s response, she felt a pain flare in her stomach, screaming in agony.

Otto blows up in panic, “Mellos! What’s happening to my daughter?”

“It’s unexpected, but another babe is on the way!” He responds, kneeling down to help the babe’s journey out of the Queen.

Shock flushes through Alicent. Helaena was born alone, yet it is clear this is not the case for this life of Alicent’s.

Perhaps the Gods have answered her wishes. Another child to care for, another babe to love and cherish in her heart.

She pushes through, lunging upwards in pain. Yet hopeful, for the Seven have answered her prayers, not only giving her babies back to her in this life, but giving her a new child to care for.

“Another Princess for the Realm!” Maester Mellos declares, swiftly swaddling the babe in clothes and passing the newborn onwards to his Queen.

Alicent chokes up as she stares at her unexpected child, dirty blonde hair and purpled eyes in her gaze, “Another girl.”

Looking at her father, she speaks, giving her Otto Hightower a momentous honour, “Father, what should we name her?”

Allowing Otto to name his grandchild caused joy to linger in his figure, “The Princess looks like a Vaella to me.”

“A name without great history, for her to forge her own destiny.” Otto speaks aloud, guilt in his words after previously pressuring Alicent to name Aegon for the Conqueror, a great legacy to uphold.

Alicent walks through the Red Keep, bringing the two newborns with her carried by accompanying maids, as she subsequently prepared to showcase the Princesses to their father, lingering in his chambers playing with his Valyrian model.

Their father Viserys, who was unofficially banned and in actuality instructed by Alicent’s father Otto to not go near his daughter during her labour, remembering the brutal butchering of poor Aemma Arryn.

As the Kingsguards opened the chamber doors, Alicent peered inside with her companions just as the King stood up, awe in his gaze as he looked at the two babes.

“Two daughters, how shocking! I had only prepared for one babe in my mind.” He exclaims, joyful and content in this moment of happiness.

“Vaella and Helaena.. ah,” He speaks tone shifting softly as the man recalls Alicent’s vision which spoke of a sister-wife called Helaena for the Conqueror-reborn figure in Viserys’ vision which haunted his life.

However he then breaks this instance of elation with a mention of his firstborn daughter, the arrogant Princess Rhaenyra.

“They remind me so much of when Rhaenyra was just a child, and now she will soon be having her own babes!” He speaks jubilantly, oblivious to Alicent’s vexing shift in emotion.

“Once she is done with that betrothal tour, I will soon be a grandfather!”

Alicent mindlessly listens to Viserys’ spewing, inwardly feeling malcontent. How dare he continue speaking about that brat, when he has two newborn daughter’s here, that he has barely even looked upon for longer than a second, Alicent remarked.

However the mention of the betrothal tour had the Green Queen smug, as she knew that, although this seemed like a monumental occasion for political alliances, Rhaenyra was simply too pompous and pretentious. The girl would prefer to bask in her insolence, not even gaining a fiance, while snubbing numerous nobles in the meanwhile.

Alicent even recalled how a noble man had even died during this disastrous betrothal tour, showing just how unfit Rhaenyra was to be heir, as he didn’t even care for the catastrophe she had caused.

She didn’t even have to do anything, no spreading rumours at all. Because Rhaenyra was destroying her own reputation solely on her own.

And Alicent knew she would only get worse from thereon.

The Gods had blessed her to uphold Aegon as heir, supplanting Rhaenyra’s hypocritical claim, yet it seems even with the Princess’ ruined reputation, Viserys would not remove his hubristic daughter.

So Alicent had to act, exaggerating Rhaenyra’s actions, criticising the hypocrisy within the succession, and allying herself with nobles.

And eventually her babes could live a joyful, comforting life.

Aegon could be then happy, so could Helaena and even the new babe Vaella.

All if Rhaenyra is finally displaced for the rightful heir.

Chapter Text

Alicent reaches past the gossiping crowds, strutting onwards over to the Royal Box of the grand tourney. 

Crowds erupting with gossip and chatter, in the meanwhile waiting for the knights to fight, just as King Viserys stands up and announces for the first joust to commence joyful in excitement.

However just as the knights prepared to joust, figures trotted on forward, stepping off their horses, and striding up towards the Royal Box, intent on gaining the favour of the noble ladies. 

Gwayne Hightower steps forward with bold determination, declaring for “The Beloved Queen Alicent’s favour”.

Just as Rose Tyrell, his sister’s Lady-In-Waiting blushes deeply with anticipation in her chair, only to find herself overcome with embarrassed shame, as her hopeful gesture of offering her favour to the charming Hightower noble is rebuffed, with his loyalty to the Queen taking precedence over matters of the heart.

Following suit, Ser Erryk Cargyll walked onwards, sweetly asking for the “Realm’s Angel, Helaena’s favour,” while subsequently following his twin, Ser Arryk calls for “Dragon’s Daughter, Vaella’s favour”. 

Alicent was wondering inside, whether this situation could be a chance for her to gain both the greatly accomplished men onto her side, noting that Ser Erryk had been a great boon for the Blacks, legitimising Rhaenyra’s reign with King Viserys’ crown. 

However, Alicent knows that both twins were heavily respectable knights and that having them together would be a great blessing for the Greens, remarking that Ser Arryk would be a great sworn-shield for the children, with Alicent then being protected by Ser Erryk, promptly influencing him to her side, deriving this conniving plan just from two knightly twins wanting to respect and honour their fellow twins, the royal twin princesses.

The fighting finally commenced, with Alicent watching fondly, listening to the gossiping chatter of the Ladies, Rhea Royce and Jeyne Arryn included amongst Alicent’s Ladies-In-Waiting, personally invited by the Queen to the Royal Box, intent on festering relations further. 

Blushing emerged from the Ladies, upon witnessing the Queen’s brother win the tourney, and cheering erupted, as he swiftly removed his helmet, revealing his blonde locks for the crowds to fluster over. 

The swoon-worthy knight strided over to the Royal box, stepping in front of his Queen, and handing over the magnificent crown, shrouded in greenery and ruby-toned roses. Perfectly fit for the Green Queen, who will lead her Targaryen son into greatness. 

“A crown fit for the Good Queen Alicent!” Gwayne roars, boldly illuminating his beloved sister into a greater perspective, for the nobles and smallfolk to eventually perceive their Queen, as the admirable woman that her believes her to be. 

Crowds erupted, sounds of clapping emerging through the grounds, pleased at the ending to this pleasant tourney.

Alicent saw fit to influence Viserys now. 

Her spineless husband was easily malleable, and witnessing her brother’s fit of greatness could smoothly turn him towards making Gwayne the Lord Commander of The City Watch, replacing his unruly brother, with his much more agreeable brother-in-law.

She discreetly whispered to her side, husband sat beside, indulgent in the entertainment, “Viserys, see how great Gwayne performed!” 

“Perhaps, he could lead the City Watch, and lead the realm’s fighters to greatness!” Alicent declares, intent on firmly placing this idea into Viserys’ weak mind, and gaining the Greens another seat on the Small Council, decreasing any potential allies the arrogant Princess Rhaenyra could possibly muster. 

And additionally to influence the disruptive, murderous City Watch, urged by Daemon’s callous brutality, to become a better force, helping the Smallfolk, instead of murdering any man, innocent or not, that looked scummy in their eyes. 

Fixing the mistakes of the disastrous Targaryen supremacists, yet again as Rhaenyra and Daemon can’t help but destroy the realm with their brash arrogance. 

Alicent sat beside the nobles ladies of the Realm.

Chatting under the guise of a simplistic gossiping session, that in actuality would double as a breeding grounds for political talks, regarding Westeros.

However gossiping still ensued, as the Ladies surrounding Alicent were joyous in their impending marriages, upcoming betrothals and crushes on noblemen. 

The Green Queen then prompted her Ladies to discuss charity work for Westeros. She had begun implementing the increase of almshouses and orphanages, with the funding and aide of the High Septon and advice from her father Otto Hightower, who held a great mastery over the Realm’s problems and treasury, unlike the arrogant Targaryens who ignore their subjects’ issues.

The Queen had brought up her outwardly-seeming altruistic actions to discreetly shift the discussions brewing into a pro-Green stance through discovering Alicent’s charitable actions, and ideally joining her further, and even influencing Great Houses to join her alongside the Faith in funding for these philanthropic ventures and helping the vulnerable Smallfolk.

As the Hightower Lady had gotten her fellow noble ladies increasingly invested and excited in helping the underprivileged, the conversation naturally begun to tilt back to gossiping, with Lady Margarey noting that Lord Jason had begun numerous conversations with her, under the guise of guiding her through the Red Keep, and Rose Tyrell blushing immensely as the shy Delena deflected her sister’s attention, noting that their fellow cousin, Alicent’s brother Gwayne, had shown great interest in the Tyrell maiden. 

The willful Bethany Bracken was also rose-cheeked, shuffling in her seat in impatient excitement, desperate to speak aloud her news amongst the chatter of romance. 

“I can’t hide this any longer!”

“Daemion Velaryon has proposed to me! He’s written to his father Lord Vaemond in the Stepstones, that he wishes to marry me before spring’s end!” The Bracken girl declares, joy exuding off her presence, clearly happy over this betrothal. 

The Ladies in the room gasped in bewilderment, including Alicent’s cousin’s Margarey and Delena Redwyne, and most notably, the Lady Minisa Tully, soon to be Arryn, a match designed cunningly by Alicent upon her talks with Jeyne Arryn regarding her lack of an heir or alliances, thus making her distant cousin Ser Elbert Arryn get betrothed to the Tullys to tie themselves with the Riverlands, and furthering the Greens agenda.

“How wonderful! Hopefully this Stepstones drama that dreadful Prince Daemon dragged their house into will be done with, before your wedding so Lord Vaemond can witness your marriage!” Exclaims Rose Tyrell, dismissive of the war against the Crabfeeder, viewing it as an unnecessary venture by the King’s impulsive brother, with which they both were fighting against one other, damaging the Realm with their reluctance to support each other’s actions. 

The betrothed Bracken girl responds in a solemn tone, turning optimistic as her words went on, “I wish for so too, but it’s unlikely. Luckily Daemion’s Grandfather, Lord Celtigar will be there as support for his beloved son.” 

Alicent was shocked inside, initially only invested in this budding romance between Lady Bethany and Lord Daemion for an earlier alliance with the Velaryons, unlike the failed attempt which resulted in Viserys indulging his bratty daughter and brute brother’s murderous actions. However she sees now that this marriage can be so much more than that. 

Lord Celtigar was an infamous figure of Rhaenyra’s otherwise abysmal Black Council. While he was a miserly grump of an old man, his work regarding the Realm’s treasury was infamous. 

He was skilled in the money-making of the world, however it is that exact skill which majorly affected the Smallfolk’s liking for “Maegor With Teats”, as her pressuring Lord Celtigar for funds did effectively increase the treasury’s holdings, but ultimately the incredulous taxation raised coin for only for callous reasons, indulgent feasts, and disregarding of the Smallfolk’s needs. 

However, just as Alicent Hightower was ready to respond to Bethany’s joyous chatter, one of the two maids of Alicent’s delegated to the twin princesses burst into the room, shock with excitement exuding from her face. 

“Queen Alicent! Princess Vaella’s dragon egg has hatched!” She burst out, thrilled to witness such a momentous moment.

The Hightower Queen was astonished.

After all, Vaella had not existed in her past life, during which only Daeron had hatched a dragon egg, with Helaena and Aemond terrifying their mother by claiming great beastly dragons, and Aegon claiming a much appeasable figure for his mother’s worrisome heart. The toddler of a figure, the youthful Sunfyre who had then rapidly grown into a beloved war-machine, effectively utilised by Aegon for militia, yet breaking his heart after being desecrated by the troublesome Blacks. 

“Vaella The Dragon’s Daughter!” Alicent’s bold and boastful cousin Margarey roared, exuding a smug joy over her niece’s success.

“Alicent, you’ve been blessed with such cherishable children! Aegon The Conqueror Reborn, and now you’ve got Helaena The Realm’s Beloved Angel and Vaella The Dragon’s Daughter!” 

“What’s next?” Rose Tyrell wondered loudly, continuing her excited discussion over Alicent’s children, and the epithets they have been blessed with.

Yet this question made her Queen stew in her mind, as she had two beautiful children on the way, recalling her precious Aemond. How he reclaimed the rude retorts snarked at him as a result of Rhaenyra’s bastard’s scummy actions, and further remembering her diligent darling, little Daeron, of whom she had seen little of during his teenhood, as he was fostering in Oldtown and thrust into war much too soon because of Rhaenyra’s inability to accept her place in this world.

Yet Alicent didn’t linger further on the pain her once-beloved companion caused her family, as thinking of her children was the main focus of her life. 

Specifically to bring joy to her babes.

Make them live life happily, while bringing them their deserved birthright without causing them to crumble under pressure.  

But most importantly make them live long.

Yet this could only be possible through Viserys somehow rescinding his reckless decision, or by the removal of Rhaenyra’s existence.

Chapter Text

Alicent was sitting in her chambers.

Upon leaving her dearest children with her beloved maid Ruth and their sworn-shield Ser Arryk, the Green Queen was preparing to finally leave the Red Keep. 

Going from the upper echelons of Kingslanding into the deplorable land that is Fleabottom. All to help and aide the children abandoned, abused and alone. 

With the help of the Faith, Alicent had finally been able to help the people of Fleabottom, neglected by the arrogant Royals. Viserys, Daemon and that hubristic brat Rhaenyra are too lacking in their duties, as the supposed Leaders of the Realm, when it is their right to support the citizens of whom they depend upon. 

Yet they are lazy. 

Forcing upon the little duties they actually remember onto the Small Council, making Otto Hightower the only person genuinely trying to help the realm. And now Alicent can also help. Her marriage with cowardly Viserys was a great boon, not only for the Hightowers, but also for the Smallfolk, as Alicent would have the authority as Queen to place charitable, helpful organisations onto Fleabottom land. 

However, just as the Hightower Queen stood up and prepared to leave the Red Keep, her fumbling husband, King Viserys decided to babble on about his hubristic daughter.

“Alicent, my darling Rhaenyra is due to finish her betrothal tour soon!” He erupts, joyous yet ignorant of his wife’s hatred for his daughter. 

“I can’t wait to meet my future son-in-law! And then I’ll have some sweet grandchildren!” He continued, causing anger in Alicent, after all, he only interacts with his children to parade them in front of fellow nobles. 

But she simultaneously felt sweet smugness. Knowing inside that Rhaenyra had immensely fumbled her betrothal tour, not only not securing an engagement, but also destroying her reputation amongst numerous nobles witnessing her arrogance and sheer disrespect. 

Alicent then mindlessly answered, turning her thoughts and actions back to what she viewed as much more significant. Helping Fleabottom. 

Her sworn-shield Ser Erryk, previously an ally of Rhaenyra, then promptly followed Alicent, leaving the boastful father in their footsteps, as the Hightower Queen prepared to meet the ladies gathering with her for visiting the Fleabottom food-banks and orphanages. 

Upon reaching the carriages, the noble ladies within gossiped content and excited to help the smallfolk, aided in protection with, not only Alicent’s sworn-shield, but additionally Ser Harrold Westerling, another ally of Rhaenyra’s in the past.

As the entourage of both nobles and guards trekked through Kingslanding, there was a definite shift in attitude as they moved closer into the slums. 

While initially joyous to help the underprivileged, as the scenery became more crowded and dangerous, the ladies Minisa, Margarey, and Bethany couldn’t help but be filled with fear, while also feeling an intense sense of sadness and empathy, as the surroundings were unliveable. Much unlike their lives, filled with luxury and indulgence. 

Alicent stepped forward, in attempt to get to the orphanage’s entrance, yet was bombarded by a large crowd.

Shouting erupted, and tearing women ran forward, blubbering in their declarative words and hastily prevented by Ser Westerling and Ser Erryk who took a protective stance in front of Alicent and her ladies. 

“Please, my Queen! I beg of you to listen!” A grief-stricken woman pleaded, loudly heard amongst the beckoning shouts of the pitiful women beside her.

The Hightower lady was conflicted, unsure how to act, for this could be a scheming act against her. However the angst in the all the ladies eyes could not be artificial as their tears were too genuine and heartbreaking for Alicent’s soul to bear.

“Ser Erryk, Ser Westerling, move aside. I’d like to listen to these ladies, after all it is my duty to aide my subjects anyway I can.” Alicent states firmly, using her authority as Queen, and depicting the rightful manner which Royals should act, unlike the likes of Rhaenyra and Viserys. 

The aforementioned ladies shook in relief, and the centred lady promptly spoke upon being given respect from her Queen.

“My Queen! We here gathered are ever so thankful for your help, but I fear it’s not enough!”

“My husband was wrongly killed by the Goldcloaks during Prince Daemon’s reign! I haven’t been able to care for our children and had to resort to becoming a whore!” Another lady retorted, shame and anger seeping from her frail frame. 

“Queen Alicent, your food-banks and orphanages have helped greatly but we need help for the widows of Fleabottom. Many of our men were slaughtered by Prince Daemon and we can’t support our families anymore!” A lady shouted, continuing her emaciated entourage’s pleading cries. 

“Surely we can help them?” Alicent’s cousin Margarey whispered beside her, shock and sympathy seeping through her tone. 

“Of course I can help you all! It is upsetting that I’ve been unaware till now, but I will immediately begin creating a sanctuary for widows!” The Hightower Queen declares, intent on aiding these unfortunate women, while also having another motive, as these women are victims of Daemon’s brutality, his reckless spree of violence, which then incentivised the Goldcloaks to continue in his brutish manner. 

The Fleabottom women erupted in cheers, as their pain has finally been heard.

 “The Good Queen Alicent!” One lady retorted, with the others shortly following suit.

She then went inside the orphanage, her noble entourage following alongside.

The Hightower woman felt smug inside.

While she was genuinely helping the Smallfolk for kind reasons, this was clearly a boost for her reputation, and with aiding these poor widows, there would be a definite hit to Prince Daemon’s already terrible reputation.

Seeking solace from the burden of politicking and her queenly duties, Alicent Hightower retreated herself into the Godswood, feeling peace in the area which brought upon the best feelings in her life, back when all she and Rhaenyra had to worry about was getting in trouble with septas and memorising history. 

She was overwhelmed. How much politics and manipulation could she take? Two lifetimes filled with all this diplomacy and cunning manoeuvres was too much to handle. 

Yet she had to continue. Her children’s lives were at stake if she ever faltered in her mission. 

But a break was necessary, Alicent remarked, intent on cooling down from the politicking regarding the Realm.

However in the midst of this relaxation, the Hightower Queen was interrupted.

A clacking thud emerged. Alicent instantly recognised the sound.

A cane, surely, she thought.

Ser Larys was there.

Officially joining this game of thrones.

“Lord Larys.” She spoke, shocking him with the fact she was aware of his identity. Most nobles treated him as a background character, yet this dismissal led him to grow within the shadows, silently becoming a significant figure within the Realm, a key figure within which true power resides. 

He replied softly, “Queen Alicent, an outsider… amongst the natives.” Dually speaking about both the Queen, and admiring the magnificent flora beside them in the Royal Gardens.

“Malvales… A rare bloom… indigenous to Braavos.” He continues forward, “By all rights… it shouldn’t be thriving here.. Nature.. such mystery.” 

“One can thrive within the right climate if they try hard enough.” Alicent responds.

“It is those who are arrogant to believe that they’re in their climate who fumble and falter, unlike the true perseverer’s who thrive.” She continues, insulting the hubristic Royals of the Realm, who fail in their arrogance, dissimilar to the ones amongst the underbelly of the Realm, who truly have to power to control.

Silence lingers for a short moment, until Lord Larys finally speaks up in response. “You know much of that, I imagine. Your step-daughter…” 

“The right decision will prevail eventually, Lord Larys.”

“And the mistakes, and injustices will tide over.” She speaks, thinking of the terrible actions of Rhaenyra, and firm in her belief that Aegon will gain his birthright, no matter how.

“You’re perhaps in need of an ally?” The intelligent second son questions, in attempt to join forces.

Yet Alicent was weary. For how could she ever forget what occured in the past. 

Larys Strong took advantage of her loneliness, becoming a close confidant of the Queen’s for many years. Until he could gain authority over her, with Alicent too dependent on his resources, too terrified to reveal the sins force upon herself. 

But he is a necessary evil. This man rules the underworld of the Realm, using his power over this faction to then control the attitudes of the Westerosi Nobles. 

Alicent then thought that the scheming cripple would never betray the Greens if they are the most advantageous ally to elevate him further, and beside that, if he ever got too greedy and presumptuous, he is one person Alicent would be content in killing, for the sake of both her comfort, and her children’s. 

“A Queen has many allies.” 

“Yet I find your mind and temperance much more agreeable than other nobles.” She speaks, accepting his proposal, while dually mindful of his scheming brain, shifting to the most rewarding faction for his needs.

The Hightower Queen was back in her chambers, having lost comfort in the beauty that was the Red Keep’s Godwood, finding being with her children was where true comfort and contentment lies. 

 She watched idly, Aegon playing with dragon figures, and Vaella giggling at the playful roars of her dragon Alicent had passively named in her mind after the Valyrian Goddess for new beginnings, blackened hues and emerald tones littered amongst the frame of Shrykos. Helaena babbling incessantly, finding great delight in Alicent’s maid Ruth carrying her, while the smallfolk maiden spoke softly to her beloved Queen, “She’s such a little delight, isn’t she?” 

“Ah, yes she is. My darling girl Helaena.” She retorted, remembering her sweet delicate girl, who became a shadow of her former self, depressed and reclusive after her children’s demise. 

The maid then blushed in thought, “I can’t help but dream of having children like yours my Queen!” 

Upon gaining the respect of both her father and Lord Larys, Alicent had gained an immense amount of knowledge, now informed that her friendly maid was not only a huge gossiper, sharing rumours and slander amongst the smallfolk, the Hightower Queen also became aware of the fact she was a secret paramour of Ser Arryk. 

Hearing the sweet truths of her maid, Alicent couldn’t help but be comforted, as her maid would soon be having children, recalling that Ruth had become a nursemaid for Aemond upon having her own son of similar age. Yet as she was only now informed of this secret dalliance, the Queen felt grateful. 

Compelled to use this relationship to her advantage, aiding the romance between her maid, and her children’s sworn-shield and using this for her benefit by having her friendly maid be aware of the duplicitous actions within the Red Keep, spreading rumours amongst the Smallfolk before Viserys could temper them down.

This wasn’t all in manipulative politicking though, Alicent remarked. 

This was yet another opportunity for the Hightower Queen to help ladies within Westeros obtain and maintain their true love. 

Alicent could give to others what she never had, a loving relationship with a loving man. 

Chapter Text

A Kingsguard has just died.

Upon the rumour mill discovering and witnessing his promiscuous actions, for the man had been revealed to have a secret paramour, even with a secret child in the midst. 

The poor man Ser Aaron Lorch was reviled, memories surfacing of the infamous Ser Lucamore Strong, a wanton man who had fooled numerous women, and sired sixteen children.

He killed himself in shame, shocking Alicent immensely. 

This had never occurred before.

In Alicent’s previous lifetime, Ser Aaron was an insignificant knight, dutifully guarding both her children and Rhaenyra’s bastards, at least until he lost his life from disease after an unfortunate skewing in a tourney.

Celebrating the birth of Prince Lucerys, Alicent noted snidely, as her beloved son Daeron had been born during that time, and had not recieved any celebratory affection from Viserys.

But most significantly, the Hightower Queen was scared.

This unexpected demise had illustrated to Alicent that her slight divergences from her previous fate could derail and cause any potential calamities.

Now it is just one unfortunate death, but how further could this go? 

On a lower level, this too had worried the Queen. 

As her friendly maid Ruth was partaking in a secret rendezvous with another companion of hers. Her children’s beloved sworn-shield Ser Arryk. 

Alicent had to help them, she thought, not wanting the beautiful genuine love she slyly encourages in her friends to be destroyed.

The Queen’s side mission from succession was heavily focused on helping the acquaintances she loves to gain true affection in their lives, so she felt heavily invested in solving this dilemma.

She promptly strutted over to her husband’s chambers, the man most likely playing with his little Valyrian figures, and prepared to dull his senses. 

Putting him in a calm sense of mind, ripe for sly manipulation. She comforted King Viserys, showing the false affection she has to feel as a dutiful wife.

As she watched diligently, viewing her husband’s Balerion model as he calmly rants about discussions within the Small Council. She then furtively questioned about Ser Aaron’s death, specifically noting how unfortunate it is for him to hide his true love. 

“Viserys, perhaps Kingsguards should be able to marry! How can we keep the dutiful men who guard us from true love?” She queries, using love as a target weakness to strike her husband, causing his great love for Aemma Arryn to give him sympathy for other men. 

“Ah, yes you’re right Alicent. I’ll have Otto draw up a law.” He murmurs mindlessly, quickly turning away from his sympathetic view, intent on focusing on his stone models. 

Alicent was sitting in her chambers. 

Having just been given letters from Maester Mellos, the Hightower Queen was intent on reading the correspondence she had been gathering from nobles that had doubled as her influential allies and dearest friends. 

Upon reading the notes, Alicent had happily taken notice that Minisa Tully was now Minisa Arryn, lifted from her Lady-In-Waiting duties, promptly replaced by Gilliane Glover and Floris Lonmouth, both respectively from the North and Stormlands. 

Minisa had begun joyfully taking up her duties to Elbert Arryn and becoming a dutiful member to Alicent’s ally Lady Jeyne Arryn. 

Shifting through the letters, Alicent had finally reached her dearest friend, the bold, wilful maiden, Bethany Bracken. 

Perhaps maiden isn’t the word for her anymore. 

For she had officially married Daemion Velaryon, happily gushing about her beloved husband. 

However the letter had quickly shifted tone.

Teardrops lingered on the backside of the page, Bethany writing solemnly about the murder of her brother, Jerrel Bracken who had become a victim of murder, within Rhaenyra’s already disastrous betrothal tour. 

The Green Queen had forgotten this event. A Lord’s heir had been murdered during Rhaenyra’s tour, and not had peep had been spoken during Alicent’s previous life. 

How sad it must’ve been, for Bethany and the rest of House Bracken, to not face any justice for the crime aggravated by the Princess’ snide comments.

Alicent was genuinely sad for her old companion’s poor brother.

Yet her scheming mind couldn’t help but conjure up ideas. 

She could get a slither of justice for her friend, while simultaneously ruining Rhaenyra’s reputation. 

But was she really doing anything bad? Alicent was just going to bring attention to the bratty Princess’ callous actions.

However, just as the Hightower Queen was putting away her correspondence into her wooden drawers, an maid rushed in rapidly, having been instructed by Viserys to tell Alicent that his dearest Rhaenyra has arrived home.

Alicent promptly thanked the maid, and stood up. 

Checking herself in the mirror, glancing at her attire. A Green Queen not wearing Queen, she absently noted. 

She was instead clasped in Targaryen-toned ornaments and fabric for honouring her children’s ancestors, with her children also donning similar hues. 

After all, why should she let her children forsake their heritage, just because an arrogant brat claims the colours for herself. Her children deserved to respect the great lineage they come from, even if the current descendants are diabolical supremacists or pathetic cowards.

The Hightower Queen strutted confidently forward to the entrance of the Red Keep, glancing with a smile towards the numerous nobles and servants bowing down to her. 

Finally having reached her husband, she affectionately grabbed his hand in false love, just as Rhaenyra’s carriage trekked through, and a scarlet dragon soared through the sky.

“Rhaenyra you’re back! How wonderful!” Alicent clamours in a falsely affectionate style.

“Where’s my future son-in-law? I’m so excited for your marriage! You arrived much earlier than expected so surely there is good news!” Viserys shouts in immense joy, yet rapidly shifting tone, looking forward with disappointment, as Rhaenyra glances down in shame, stating that she did not find a fiancé, yet still cut her betrothal tour short.

“Oh Rhaenyra, we must talk further! How fun it must’ve been to tour the whole Seven Realms! And you must meet your newest siblings!” The Hightower Queen states, intent on fabricating a meeting with Rhaenyra, showcasing her inability to treat her siblings nicely yet again, even after many moons. 

She carries forward in a falsified gossipy tone, “Oh Rhaenyra I hear some bad news too!” Speaking in a shocked manner, “I hear that Lord Bracken’s heir was murdered right after you found interest in him! So sad how poor Jerrel Bracken was killed because of your other suitor!” 

The Princess shifted her head mournfully, feeling immense guilt now that her aggravating words and the actions they caused had been brought forward to herself, no longer allowed to hide the consequences of her brashness.

“Enough of this sad topics I say!” Alicent then speaks, shifting topic while allowing Princess Rhaenyra and the surrounding nobles judging her obliviously conceited actions. 

Continuing her false affectionate tone, “Rhaenyra did you notice the dragon trailing behind your dragon Syrax?” 

This quickly took Rhaenyra out of her solemn trance, infatuation clear on her figure, blushing intensely at the reference to her wretched uncle. “Daemon must be back!”

“Father,” She shouts in elation, “Surely he must have good news!” 

Viserys looks onward conflicted. Wondering whether the aide he gave Daemon, as instructed by Alicent, had turned the tides in the war, and still disgruntled, not wanting to speak to Rhaenyra after her disobedience.

 “We’ll see Rhaenyra.” 

Hastily rushing toward the Throne room, nobles clamoured onwards, intent on witnessing the first interaction between their King and his brute of a brother, anticipating a harsh confrontation.

The hubristic man strutted arrogantly forward, promptly stopping in front of King Viserys. 

Alicent withheld a sneer from within. 

So this was the infamous Daemon Targaryen. 

The man who had destroyed her children’s lives. Seducing his underage relatives, and slaughtering the rest in his midst. A conceited brute, grasping for power, yet all in all, he was just a man. 

Albeit he was the man who killed her son, and engineered the murder of her grandchild, all Alicent saw in front of her eyes was a pathetic man.

A treacherous man, betraying his own family, making Alicent even have sympathy for Rhaenyra.

While she personally hated the haughty princess, it is undeniable that Daemon took advantage of his young niece, grooming her with extravagant jewels only to ruin her reputation within the realm, influence her into full-blown arrogance believing her actions were fine because of her Targaryen ancestry, and even finally get what he wants. 

Marrying his niece, only to be the true owner of power within the Blacks, undermining Rhaenyra’s authority and becoming exactly what Viserys thought of his brother. 

Specifically exactly what Otto had told Alicent, pressuring her with fear. Yet he was speaking the truth. The man was undeniably a threat to every side, even while being Rhaenyra’s ally, he instead took her authority and manipulated her into insanity, with his actions being blamed onto her.

He then dropped a crown. Metallic clanging rushing through the Throne Room for all nobles amongst the crowd to her. 

Daemon spoke, “Add it to the chair.” 

Alicent could plainly see an unveiled anger erupting in her usually calm husband, “You wear yourself a crown.”

“Do you also call yourself King?” He retorted, crowds murmuring in shock, could the King’s brother seriously undermine his royal authority in such a show, they wondered.

“Once we smashed the Triarchy, they named me King of The Narrow Seas.” Smugness erupting in the Rogue Prince’s tone.

However that shifted, but not before he let the simmering crowds relish in his words, “But I know that there is only one True King, Your Grace.”

The arrogant Prince unveiled his love for his brother, kneeling forward, “My Crown, and the Stepstones are yours.” 

After some consideration for Prince Daemon’s allies, Viserys and his brother went back and forth regarding the King’s anxious queries, only to hug in a loving manner while crowds erupted in applause.

How strange, Alicent remarked. 

The conceited Prince genuinely loves his brother. He snarks and abuses the power Viserys gives him, yet absconds and sleeps with his daughter.

A man who is reckless and rude to his lady-wife Rhea Royce, yet immediately searches for a Valyrian wife upon her demise. 

Perhaps a Valyrian wife isn’t all he wants.

The man covets Viserys’ attention, acting courageously in her brothers honour, clasping the infamous sword Dark Sister.

The sword that once resided in Queen Visenya’s hands. It seems to the Hightower woman that her arrogant brother-in-law also desires her own position. 

Wanting to be his brother’s sister-wife, following the typical Targayen ideal. 

And it could be argued that this is why he so desperately is in want of a Valyrian wife, to desperately create the perfect Targaryen family. 

Yet in actuality he abuses the women involved in his dream relationships, solely because he wants to be in the sister-wife role instead.

Chapter Text

A celebration was quickly underway.

After all, the King’s own brother had successfully won the Stepstones in the name and honour of King Viserys.

“No, no, no. I will not revisit this debate.” The King clamours wagging his figure while reminscing of memories with his brother.

“You were always mother’s favourite.”

Rambling further, “No, it’s no great mystery, you were.”

“Our mother had no regard for custom or tradition, rules.” He speaks, revealing his hidden inferiority complex regarding Alyssa, his mother and the traits she preferred.

“And I sadly was no great warrior.” King Viserys spoke, in a half pitiful-half joking manner.

Alicent retorts instead, breaking the brotherly discussion with her appeasing, loving manners, “Viserys, what’s being a warrior to being a great diplomatic king, living in the most peaceful of times?”

“You surely must’ve been King Jaehaerys’ favourite, my husband!” She laughs, looking into Daemon’s eyes in the meantime, seeing jealousy erupt at her possessive tone in regard to his brother.

“Congrats on your victory.” Rhaenyra interrupts, losing the intent to linger at the refreshments table and finally interject within her families’ discussion.

The conversation loses it’s muster quickly after that, Viserys disgruntled at Rhaenyra speaking, as he has unfinished anger for her lack of a betrothal, even after all the freedom he had given her. 

“Perhaps Prince Daemon would like to see his nieces and nephews. I’m sure little Aegon would love to meet his warrior uncle!” Alicent states, attempting to bring the conversation’s flow back, while also wishing to see how Daemon feels about his nieces and nephews. 

The man had no loyalty to them in the past. 

Rightfully so during the war but be had also never attempted to show any love for his brother’s children except to Rhaenyra in perverse love. 

It seemed to Alicent that Daemon had misplaced anger. Misplacing his fury regarding Otto’s place in Viserys’ heart, pushing that further down within Otto’s family. 

Irrationally hating Alicent, and then leading onto her dearest children.

Even while they shared the dragon’s blood of his beloved brother. 

“See those halfbreeds!” Daemon snorted under his breath in a quiet disregard, yet loud enough for Rhaenyra to hear and laugh in a bemused shame.

“Oh, oh yes! Daemon you must meet my children. Aegon’s a fiery lad and one of the girls, Vaella even hatched her dragon egg!” Viserys rambles on, noting the only things he knows about his children, proud of their accomplishments for the boost it gives his reputation.

The Rogue Prince looks idle in contemplation, wondering whether Alicent’s children were true Targaryen children, with pure Valyrian traits. Yet he ultimately laughs in response, “I don’t need to see your Hightower spawn, even if they have dragons.” 

“I shall enjoy them alone.” Alicent retorts, not before taking a snide glade at Viserys, for not defending his children from Daemon’s snide comments.

The Hightower then steps away, walking off to reach her children, playfully sitting amongst her maids on garden seats and Kingsguard protecting them, as Rhaenyra silently follows her Queen’s footstels.

“Ignore Daemon, he’s just humouring you.” Rhaenyra speaks, trying to appease Alicent and simultaneously justify her putrid uncle.

“None of you care for the children. They’re just babes, yet you barely even spoke to Aegon, haven’t even properly met the twins.” Alicent responds, truthfully speaking about how the children were never given any love by their paternal side. 

“And now with Prince Daemon’s comments..” 

Rhaenyra is clearly shamed. 

Perhaps her shortened betrothal tour had given her some retrospective thoughts regarding Alicent and the children, who are innocents in her perceived traitorous father and step-mother’s actions.

“I care.” She whispers, looking at Alicent in a rare showcase of affection, grasping her hands, “I do, I promise. I will make an effort.” 

The Hightower Queen quickly responds, “Perhaps if you finally meet with me and the children for dinner tonight, I will believe you.”

After a slight pause, she continues, “I still have affection for you Rhaenyra, I cannot forget our time as maidens in the Godswood gossiping and swooning over Knights..” 

“Yet with how you’ve treated both me and Aegon, I have little trust.” Alicent then brings her hands back to Rhaenyra’s, gazing upward to her violet eyes, “But this is the last chance I will give you.”

“For the sake of my children, and my love for you, I hope you join us.” 

Alicent was genuinely conflicted. It had been proven her actions could heavily change the lives of others, perhaps Rhaenyra had become kinder and gained an understanding regarding her step-mother’s actions. 

Yet she had planned for Rhaenyra’s failure. 

If the Princess hadn’t changed, and had abandoned any attempt at reconciliation with Alicent for a flirtatious, yet ruinous union with Daemon, then it is over for her. 

No more sympathy. 

Even while resenting her arrogance, Alicent had love for Rhaenyra. But if she abuses her trust now, this will be the limit. 

“Please join Rhaenyra. We can gossip about knights, and you can tell me stories during your betrothal tour.” 

“Don’t you agree, Ruth? It’ll be great fun for Rhaenyra after her long travels!” Alicent states, bringing her maid into it, making maids now aware of the dinner, with the Kingsguard guarding also knowledgeable of Rhaenyra’s whereabouts for the night. 

“Yes, my Queen! It seems very enjoyable!” 

“See,” The Hightower woman continues further, “Rhaenyra, it’ll be interesting! The gossip will be great, and the children would love to meet their sister finally!” 

“You can treat them kindly, just like Daemon does for you,” She remarks, making Rhaenyra blush at the mention of Daemon. 

“I’m sorry for his words, that’s just how he is.” The Princess states, unable to see her heinous uncle as the evil man he is. 

“Rhaenyra, please stop defending him.” Alicent replies, promptly getting up to leave.

“No, wait. Ali! I’ll meet with you tonight!” Rhaenyra pleads, getting up to follow her.

“It’ll be just like old times! And I’ll meet my siblings too, I promise Alicent!” 

“Okay, but if you change your mind then.. And if you don’t come, then I can never come back to our friendship again.” The Queen firmly states, feeling inside as though Rhaenyra has the potential to change, yet knowing that this optimistic hope regarding the Princess had failed previously.

The sun had set. 

Night had begun.

Alicent was waiting, sitting in the dining room, optimistically awaiting Rhaenyra. Yet it seemed she had ultimately failed her.

Yet again. 

It seems the allure of Daemon’s taboo lust was too strong for his niece, and Rhaenyra had officially forsaken her siblings because of it.

Luckily Alicent had prepared for it, having numerous maids waiting on her and the children, alongside with the sworn-shields of everyone meant to be present. 

Ser Arryk, Ser Erryk and Ser Criston were waiting too. Everyone anticipating Rhaenyra’s arrival, but she was unlikely to join.

“Ser Criston! I’m so worried for Rhaenyra!” She erupted in a shocking cry, as the hours had begun to grow late. 

“She hasn’t arrived, so where could she be?” 

“I beg of you all to search for her! She must be somewhere in the Red Keep or Kingslanding! We can’t have a missing Princess!” She pleaded causing the Kingsguard members to follow her orders, promptly leaving the dining room to look for Princess Rhaenyra.

Alicent was alone now, with only her children and maids for company.

Yet while she knew her plans were working, she couldn’t help but feel sad. Rhaenyra had failed her yet again. There was hope that she could’ve matured.

The Hightower Queen immediately fell back into manipulative mode, shutting out any emotion or sympathy for Rhaenyra, instead intent on amping up the rumour mill regarding the hubristic princess.

“Oh Ruth, Rhaenyra’s worrying me so much! I can’t believe she would miss out on our important dinner.” 

“Either something terrible has occurred… or she doesn’t care for me or her siblings at all!” She spoke in a solemn tone, erupting into a teary cry, causing her maid Ruth to immediately try to placate her pitiful-looking Queen.

“Don’t worry, my Queen. I’m sure all will be well! Queen Alicent, let’s stop these worries, and let’s play with the children for comfort, Rhaenyra will surely be found!” The maid responds, halting Alicent’s falsified sadness with her beloved babes. 

Aegon babbled at his mother, intrigued at her saddened tone, however false it may truly be.

The silver-haired child toddled over, standing up and walking for the first time, all in attempt to comfort his mother. 

“Queen Alicent, look! The Prince is walking!” The maid spoke, immense shock coursing through her veins. 

He clamours on forward, Alicent feeling bewildered at this occasion. The Queen sadly recalling that Aegon’s first steps had occurred without her previously, as she had instead been looking after her frail husband, while he idly sat in his pathetic form, only to call for her in his bedchambers in lust right after she had left for rest. 

Alicent was enraged upon recalling this.

She spent her whole life caring for Viserys, partaking in marital duties, washing him, feeding him Milk of the Poppy, yet when it came to the end, all Viserys cared for was Rhaenyra and Daemon. 

How dare he? She toiled so hard for him, yet it was never enough. Rhaenyra and Daemon did nothing for him, yet his love for them was unmatched and unconditional, while his love for her children was nonexistent. They abused his trust, abandoning him for years, flaunting their privileges yet he didn’t care at all. 

How evil, she thought. 

He had enough love in his heart for these two arrogant cowards, yet couldn’t dare indulge his other family members in any slither of affection. 

Her trance of anger was broken. 

She heard a small babble right before her eyes. 

“Mama.” 

Helaena’s first words.

This had never been witnessed before her eyes before. 

Alicent too overwhelmed with Helaena’s tears and discomfort, had finally taken a day for herself for relaxation, only to still be interrupted by Viserys’ lustful needs, and had only been told the next day that Helaena had finally spoken. 

“Gween Queen Mama.” She heard softly babble by the sweet babe held by a maid, as she stared at her aforementioned mother with a strange intelligence in her gaze, before switching back to babbling nonsense with her twin Vaella. 

What a momentous day, Alicent remarked.

While Rhaenyra had abandoned her, and failed Alicent yet again, this day was a personal boon for the Green Queen. 

As she had finally been able to witness momentous events in her children’s lives.

No longer focusing on Viserys’ needs as her husband, and no longer acting as the dutiful step-mother trying to befriend her step-daughter. 

She could be selfish.

Witnessing the most significant moments in her children’s lives, instead.

Why would she ever spend her time on Rhaenyra or Viserys ever again? 

They were traitorous to her heart, abandoning and abusing her love. 

The conceited Princess forsaking the second chance Alicent had given her, ruining any hope at resolution.

No more sympathy at all.

Alicent would destroy this bratty Princess, once and for all. 

Chapter Text

Princess Rhaenyra was missing. 

Criston was filled with worry. It was his duty to care for the Princess. 

Yet she specifically told him to wait along at the Royal Dining Room, as she decided to have a small nap and freshen herself up for her meeting with Queen Alicent and the children.

But how could he not feel himself with dread and fear? 

This was his duty. 

He should’ve been stricter.

Criston was lax in his duties. His camaraderie with the Princess had become a major issue.

He was too heedless, negligent in his actions all because of his friendship with Princess Rhaenyra.

Luckily he could forgive himself, only if he finally finds the Princess, away from any potential danger she may be facing currently.

After searching frantically within the Red Keep for the Princess with Ser Erryk and Arryk, they finally shifted their attention onto Fleabottom.

“Ser Criston, brother.”

”Let’s stay together, we don’t know what danger Princess Rhaenyra could be in, and how many people we may have to fight.” Ser Erryk whispered frantically, desperation in his tone just as the Kingsguards witnessed a fire erupting from a stone figure.

They clamoured on forward, each switching their gaze from side to side, slow in motion, as to not gain intrigue from the lingering Smallfolk.

The Kingsguard members walked further and further, drifting along the dingy alleyways of Fleabottom. Iignoring the flurry of singing bards, and clandestine whoring, stopping only upon witnessing a play commencing within a central stage of Fleabottom. 

“Who would be the ruler of Westeros?” A man plastered with pasty-white makeup roared.

“… A male babe born of the Good Queen Alicent..”

“… Or Rhaenyra The Cruel! The Princess, a scheming deviant who shuns her siblings, only wanting the Throne for herself!”  The costumed man in drag declares, crowds screaming in response, casting doubt within Criston’s mind for whether the Princess was a suitable leader for the Realm. Causing him now to recall her arrogant statements during her betrothal tour, and additionally her dismissive cold-shoulder towards her innocent siblings. 

“Ser Criston, ignore this mummer’s play, I just asked the playwright here if they’ve seen a violet-eyed person,  and they said they went northwards along with another cloaked individual!” Ser Arryk responds, after witnessing Criston fail and flounder upon discovering the Smallfolk’s entertainment.

The Kingsguard Trio continue their lurking, wandering through the alleys of Fleabottom, interrupted in their searching only by moaning and giggling by the deviant Smallfolk. 

Suddenly a prowling figure erupted from the shadow, a great beauty clad in white, in a promiscuous manner than had Criston blushing with shame.

He recalled the beautiful woman from his mind, this was Daemon’s whore. The whore whom he had disrespected his lady wife Rhea Royce with, not only her but disrespecting the Realm and the Faith as a whole with his nonsensical polygamy scheme.

Yet why was she calling for them? Was she aware that the Kingsguards were searching for the lost Princess Rhaenyra.

“Ser Cole. Ser Arryk, Ser Erryk.” The harlot Mysaria speaks,  nodding towards each respective individual, shocking Criston with her recognition of the differences between the Cargyll twins.

“Lady Mysaria.” Criston speaks, weariness in his tone, unsure of the whore’s intentions.

“Cole. I know of your mission to find the Princess…”

Criston looked back and forth towards the Cargylls, all unsure of whether to get their queries answered by the promiscuous woman.

The hooded whore clasped in white continued, “…And I can tell you where exactly to find her.” 

“Tell us…And if you lead us astray, the King won’t like that.” Criston Cole threatened, sick of the mysterious act the Essosi harlot was framing herself to be. 

“Go forward, and turn left towards the brothel. There you’ll find what you desire.” Mysaria softly spoke, directing the men’s attention to further left through the Fleabottom alleys.

The Kingsguard men carried themselves onwards, firm and ready to fight. 

After all, if the Princess truly was in a brothel then it must unwillingly, and therefore the men must stay sharp to defend Princess Rhaenyra.

However, just as they had entered the brothel Mysaria had instructed them to enter, after discreetly fleeing from the flurry of men and women eyeing them up in lust, the Kingsguard trio had witnessed an unspeakable incident occurring.

The Princess was there!

Fornicating with her deviant of an uncle! 

With her silver hair boldly revealed for all to see, the Princess kissed and smothered her uncle with a lustful colliding of their figures.

While Criston was quiet in shock, Ser Arryk was loud in his bewilderment, shouting aloud with surprise in his tone, “Princess Rhaenyra!”

Whores, noblemen, everyone in secret rendezvous erupted with gasps, turning their gaze towards the two Targaryens.

Criston was abashed, how could the Princess do this?

He could see clear lust in her gaze, there was no doubt that she was a willing participant in this clandestine affair.

He had thought she was a noble lady, yet it seems she’s just as deviant as her uncle Daemon. 

She had fooled him. 

The harlot princess was nothing like he seemed, rather Queen Alicent was the paragon of nobility that he had assumed Rhaenyra to be. 

The Princess had shame in her eyes, finally recognising the disastrous situation she was in, as a result of her lechery.

However, just as she was about to comment on her raunchy appearance, Prince Daemon ran away, leaving Rhaenyra alone to deal with the fallout.

Without a word to his niece. 

How evil. Not even helping the woman he debauched. 

“Princess Rhaenyra.” Ser Criston finally commented, a stoic face hiding his tempestuous anger toward the Princess who had fooled him.

“Ser Criston I- I- was just-,” The Targaryen woman stammered and stuttered, unsure of how to explain or justify her blatantly heinous actions.

“Princess, calm yourself. You don’t have to explain what we have seen to us.” He spoke, recalling the debauchery in his mind.

Continuing on with a lack of sympathy in his tone, Ser Cole spoke further, “Rather, you’ll have to explain this to the King.” 

“But- Daemon-”, she stuttered in a shocked shame, as she was alone to defend herself with her rogue uncle absconding without a word. 

“Fine, I’ll come.” She relented, after looking for Daemon, only to see waves of pesky eyes of whores and noblemen watching onwards. 

The Cargyll’s stood strong, shielding the heiress from the lecherous gazes of everyone within the brothel, as Ser Criston irately held the Princess firmly, as they walked away towards the Red Keep.

Princess Rhaenyra pleaded with her eyes for her companion to understand her, however Criston stayed apathetic. 

He was the only person comforting the Princess, as she abandoned and demeaned all the nobles wanting to be her friend, yet now she demands his attention after this display of debauchery.

Staying silent, the Kingsguards carried her towards the Red Keep, finally reaching the King’s chambers.

Time for Rhaenyra to face the consequences of her actions, Criston snidely thought.

She partook in actions unbefitting of a Princess, nevermind an heir to the Throne. 

Surely she would be reprimanded as fit.

Perhaps Rhaenyra would follow the example of her heinous great-aunt Saera, the infamous Royal Whore of Westeros.

Chapter Text

Alicent sat waiting. 

The children had grown tired and were promptly put to bed by the maids. Yet the Hightower Queen lied at the Royal dinner table, waiting for Rhaenyra in smug anticipation.

However as the minutes passed, Alicent alone, reading to pass the time, she became tired and weary.

While Rhaenyra had selfishly abandoned their family meeting for reconciliation, perhaps she had just fallen asleep, and wasn’t repeating the mistakes of the previous life.

After all, if life had changed so immensely for others, then Rhaenyra could have possibly changed for the greater.

Alicent was conflicted, however before she could ponder this greatly, Ser Westerling came in to announce that King Viserys was calling her to his chambers.

This irritated Alicent, for what need could he be calling her for? 

He was aware of her dinner plans with Rhaenyra, yet is now calling for her, alike to how he did on this day in the past, making her do her marital duties. 

How disgusting. That sack of decaying flesh wants to relieve his carnal desires with her, forcing Alicent to accept under the guise of a wife’s duty.

Entering his chambers, she was instead witnessing an unexpected situation.

Viserys was frazzled, walking back and forth, grabbing his head in a furious rage.

“Alicent!” He shouted, turning towards her in fury.

“Did you know of your father’s traitorous actions?” He roared, making Alicent understand he had discovered Otto’s spies, along with the rumours regarding Rhaenyra. 

However, Alicent was only aware of her father’s deeds as a result of her past life, thus proceeded the conversation with a false facade of innocence.

“Viserys I’m unsure what you mean! I was just waiting for Rhaenyra to arrive at our meeting, and now you’re viciously accosting me!” Alicent retorts, making her husband immediately feel abashed with shame for his abusive tone.

He stops, lingering at the mention of his beloved daughter, “Rhaenyra…”

Then upon recalling Rhaenyra’s expected plans, Viserys quieted down, reflecting on the situation, noting that perhaps Otto was speaking truthfully.

“Hm… Well, did she arrive then?” He queried, a pleading look in his eyes, as if begging for the rumours spoken by his Hand to be false.

“No! I was so worried, so I of course had sent for Ser Criston along with Ser Arryk and Erryk to look for Rhaenyra!” Alicent clamours on, showcasing his innocence while dually illustrating to Viserys that this situation was bigger than expected.

No longer could he banish Otto and brush Rhaenyra’s dalliances aside.

The situation had spread far wider from the scope of Viserys’ control. 

The Realm would already be aware of his hubristic daughter’s actions.

And surely he would punish her befitting of her actions. 

The harlot had acted worse than any of Jaehaerys’ daughters. And to make matters worse, she was no ordinary Royal, but the heir to the Throne. So he must reprimand her matching her level of nobility.

He has to penalise her now. This was public, the whole of Kingslanding must already be aware and gossiping with the scandalous knowledge.

“Well your father had reported heinous lies regarding my daughter!” He shouts, suddenly turning back into his harsh tone, unable to take the truth regarding Rhaenyra.

However, just as the Hightower Queen was about to respond and defend her innocence, Ser Westerling ushered himself in.

Trailing after the Lord Commander was the aforementioned Ser Criston, Ser Arryk and Erryk, and the infamous Rhaenyra Targaryen herself, mortification written on her face.

Footsteps scurried over as Ser Westerling walked over, “King Viserys. Queen Alicent,” Ser Westerling spoke, bowing before each of his monarchs, while Viserys stared, discomfort in his eyes as he gazed towards his shameful daughter.

“The Princess Rhaenyra was found, my Queen.” Ser Criston states, slight proudness in having fulfilled his duties for Alicent, yet sheepish regarding the circumstances.

However his tone became shameful, blushing as he spoke, “She was found… partaking in sexual activities with Prince Daemon, Your Grace.” Stuttering towards the end in embarrassment speaking of these sinful actions to such a pious woman and his King.

Alicent was smug inside, yet angered with disappointment. So Rhaenyra had truly disappointed her, ignoring her siblings all for a slither of affection from her lecherous uncle, ruining her reputation in the process. 

However overall this was a boon for the Hightower woman, letting her understand that she should never attempt reconciliation with this traitorous harlot ever again. Additionally this was a success for Alicent’s side as it had blatantly showcased to the Realm how unfit the Targaryen Princess was as an heir and the future Queen.

“Rhaenyra!” She spoke with a falsified surprise. 

“You abandoned me and your siblings to fornicate with your uncle?” She gasps, erupting in sadness, exposing not only Rhaenyra’s sins but also highlighting her shameful treatment of her own blood siblings.

“I- I-,” She stammered in response, only to be cut off by King Viserys’ anger.

“Enough!” 

“I will deal with this now. Alicent, Sers please leave.” Pausing before a sharp tone of voice continues, “Rhaenyra, you will tell me the truth now. No lies!” 

The King’s demands causing Alicent to be ushered out by the leaving Kingsguards. 

However as she was departing, she whispered back and forth to Ser Cole. Both exclaiming their shock and disgust at Rhaenyra’s deviant ways.

The man her previous confidant.

Ser Criston, a person she trusted most, more than any man in her life.

However she couldn’t help but have regrets for her actions with him.

They both indulged in their hatred, hurting innocent children, though bastards they may be. 

Festering hatred within the children, causing a divide so intense, leading to Aemond’s blinding and his resentful nature.

She enabled him, indulging in his hatred of Rhaenyra for her own gain, not to mention his love for her. Whether platonic or romantic, she took advantage of his affection, as a device for her to use for her ambitions for the Realm.

Yet she couldn’t help but feel pity. While she had felt something for him, something beyond the scope of platonic intimacy, she felt a need to remove him from this dubious situation of unspoken affection and resentment of children. Improve his life. Having saved him from ending his life previously, yet also indulgent of his anger. She felt a need to help him, temper him.

And most importantly allow him to have true love.

While Rhaenyra destroyed his trust, destroying his heart in the process, they fortunately hadn’t partook in a romantic relationship yet, and seemingly will never, Ser Criston too disappointed at her rendezvous with Daemon. 

But she could help him, save him from his depression, save him from the toils and troubles he faced. 

Perhaps matchmaking for him, just as she had successfully done for Bethany Bracken. Recalling the noble women she knew, Alicent searched her mind for women befitting his loyal, warrior stature. Immediately Lady Rhea Royce came to mind, a strong-minded woman, such a shame she was attached to that deviant Daemon. 

Possibly Viserys would be willing to give an annulment if the query came directly from Rhea rather than Prince Daemon, and with the lecherous activities of tonight, the King may be more willing. 

Alicent had arrived back in her chambers, having been protected and guided by Ser Cole. 

Having been given a fruit platter by her maid to lessen the stress of tonight’s event, Alicent was feeling better to some degree.

And certainly, after being told by gossipy Ruth that she had heard of Rhaenyra’s misconduct whispered from Jason Lannister and Lord Massey’s heir drunkenly entering their chambers, quickly spreading through the mouths of the servants and chambermaids alike, she was immensely satisfied.

However she couldn’t sit still.

Overwhelmed with the situation of tonight, and the flurry of emotions funnelling through her mind. The repeated disappointment in Rhaenyra giving the Hightower woman a deep shame, fooled yet again.

She needed to calm down. And what better solution to that would be to see her children.

While they were peacefully sleeping during this tumultuous time, unaware of their family’s turmoil, Alicent had to see them again.

Just gazing at her sleeping babes would be a great comfort to her mind.

Knowing that her children were safe, peaceful and innocent. And one step closer to the throne. 

Having reached her children’s chamber’s quickly, beside her own, Alicent was pleasantly surprised by what awaited her.

In front of her eyes laid Otto Hightower, gazing at her children with a rare affection in his teary eyes. 

“Father.” She spoke, announcing her arrival to the man, shocked upon seeing his daughter’s face.

“Alicent, so you must’ve heard the news.” He spoke solemnly, as if unwilling to leave his daughter and grandchildren in Kingslanding alone.

“Yes. You exposed Rhaenyra for the lacking heir she is, lecherous in her actions.”

The father and daughter stared at each other, unmasking their true emotions. Alicent subsequently recalling how hard her previous life had become once her father, her dependent ally, had left her. Forced to abandon his daughter by her own husband. All due to exposing the arrogant Princess’ transgressions.

“Father, don’t worry. I’m sure Viserys will reinstate you as Hand. As Rhaenyra’s misdeeds can’t be hidden anymore.” 

Glee erupted in Otto’s figure, “Alicent, what did you do?” 

“You shouldn’t be asking me that, rather you should be asking Sers Criston, Arryk and Erryk.” She replied smugly. 

Speaking with a sarcastic tone, she persisted in her words, “After all, I had sent them out to find Rhaenyra after she ever so shockingly didn’t arrive for our dinner plans. They witnessed everything, father. I mean everything.” 

“Ser Arryk even spoke aloud the Princess’ name, for all the whores and noblemen to hear. Allegedly Jason Lannister and Lord Massey’s heir witnessed and my maid mentioned that the gossip has spread not only between smallfolk, but has reached the nobles of the Red Keep!” She continued, unabashed in her elation.

“King Viserys has to keep you as Hand, father. After all you brought this to his attention before it’s eruption within the Realm, if anything you can turn this into you considering the Princess’ reputation, and attempting to save her.” She considered, in attempt to get her father to stay in Kingslanding.

As, while she was never so dependent on him as she was previously, Alicent still wanted and craved her father to be with her. To comfort her. To be with the children, tempering Aegon and loving Helaena. And to love her, his daughter.

“And you’ve essentially been the true ruler of Westeros! If you were to leave, the Small Council wouldn’t be able to fill the void of such an admirable Hand ruling aside two Kings of Westeros. Both having the best ruling compared to others.” She spoke, showcasing her admiration for her father and his commendable dedication to his duties

“I-, Daughter, you think of me that way?” He spoke, an astonished shock on his frame.

“Of course father. While we have had our differences, it is undeniable the effect you’ve had on bettering the realm.” 

“And not only that, but I need you to be with you fellow grandchildren. A manly figure to guide Aegon, a loving hand for Helaena, and a comforting companion for Vaella.” She speaks, resting her hand on his shoulder, showcasing the great love she had for her father, regardless of the complexities within their relationship.

He had made mistakes.

Hurting Alicent in his quest to bring her and their household to greatness. 

Yet she understands, who wouldn’t want the best for their child? 

And she silently forgives Otto.

His actions speak louder than his words.

With him always supporting Alicent and defending her son’s claim, how could she hate him? 

Chapter Text

The night was over.

Alicent awakening with an elated happiness in her temperament.

Forsaking the bonds of friendship with Rhaenyra officially had given the Green Queen pep in her step. 

Immediately after getting dressed and prepared by her maids, with gossip from Ruth whispered in hushed tones in her ears, Alicent was quick to leave.

Seeing her children yet again, before the commotion of the Red Keep was surely due to arise,  gave Alicent some peace and joy, knowing inside that commotion was likely to emerge and Rhaenyra would finally get to feel the consequences of her actions.

Upon reaching her beloved children’s chambers, the Hightower woman couldn’t help but feel incomplete.

Mourning the remains of her family that had not been born yet.

Aemond, her poor son, fuelled with vengeance, turning from a sweet boy to a reckless monster if a man.

And Daeron, her young baby, her brave son who turned to brutality in response to Maelor’s tragic murder. 

Yet she quickly averted these dark thoughts from her mind, as she once again witnessed her father joyfully playing amongst the children. 

This grandfatherly experience he had never truly gotten to experience before. Shunned by his own friend, his daughter’s husband, and unable to meet her beloved children all due to his exposing of the truth. 

“Father!” Alicent spoke, witnessing the loveable side of her father still a shock to her mind.”You’re here, yet again!” 

He clammeded forward, gazing directly to Alicent’s eyes, “Dear Alicent, I took your words to heart.” 

“Having grandchildren,” He spoke holding Aegon on his side while pausing with a faint shame, “Children too, is a dear privilege that I have to cherish. Many others do not, but I now have the time to.”

“Father, don’t worry. Viserys has to bring you back as hand, especially as Rhaenyra’s follies have been shown. He’ll need a competent Hand once more.” She exclaimed, yet doubtful in her mind, fearful that Viserys would truly continue in his hatred of her father.

“He hasn’t yet truly declared that you lost your position, so if you reach him today and say you were trying to genuinely aid him in mending Rhaenyra’s actions.” The Hightower Queen continued. 

Otto looks onwards, as if exasperated at the mention of Viserys, “I’ll go to him late today, but for now I’d like to stay with my grandchildren. Knowing that yesterday could’ve been the last time I saw your children for years has put my lesser relationship with them into perspective.” 

Alicent was shocked once more, her father had truly changed.

Or was he perhaps just showing the hidden emotions that always remained within the depths of his mind? 

The Hightower Queen had left her father.

Now peacefully resting among the children, at least until he decided to confront and manipulate Viserys into believing he had honest intentions regarding informing him about Rhaenyra’s heinous dalliances with Daemon.

Alicent was now in her chambers, reading from the depths of the Targaryen Library, anticipating the arrival of her new seamstress. Having gathered the talented woman who sewed her gowns previously in life, she had preemptively chosen to hire the seamstress Elys, a bastard of House Penrose, having been favoured by her noble father and given the advantages to improve her natural skill in embrodiery and needlework. 

It was now time to get measurements, Alicent already having anticipated the change in her gowns and collected a multitude of elegant lace and silk from the Isles of Bravos and Myr, with the allowance and funding of Viserys, having lavishly spent the Realm’s coin on the Hightower woman, initially in a pathetic attempt to appease the young girl he had forcefully married, and after the flurry of hateful comments his daughter had callously spoken allowed upon the announcement of their unexpected betrothal.

The Green Queen was now ready to don the colours which had ruled her previous life. 

Once hating the bold emerald of her dresses, Alicent had grown fond of the colour green. Now encompassing the drive for the Hightower woman to enact her wishes, rather than feeling guilt and shame over scheming for Aegon’s rise as King. 

Ser Erryk ushered in the seamstress, along with her assistant, holding a thick bag filled to the brim with luxurious fabrics and prototype dresses.

“Queen Alicent.” She bowed, before respectfully getting swiftly to work. 

Ide chit-chat erupted, with Alicent able to gain an understanding of the social and political goings of the Stormlands, with particular interest in how Princess Rhaenyra is perceived, as a result of her brazen behaviour during her betrothal tour in Storm’s End. 

Elys’ mindless gossip had strong connotations for Alicent’s political scheming, with the dismissive tone regarding Rhaenyra showcasing a wider scope on just how the average person of Westeros may feel of the Targaryen heiress, allowing Alicent to swoop in and gain influence in the name of Aegon.

While the Hightower Queen was getting her measurements done, Elys noted that Alicent must have had either been mismeasured by the previous dressmaker who had given her measurements for the prototype garnents, the royal household’s lead seamstress and notably the late Queen Aemma’s, or that her waistline had grown in size as of late. 

This caused the Hightower Queen to feel shock.

She hadn’t expected this.

Focusing too much on Rhaenyra’s shortcomings and the political shifting of the Red Keep, she had forgotten just when Aemond was conceived.

Could her beloved son be back? 

After all, he had accompanied her previously during Rhaenyra’s wedding, the bump showcasing her second son being slightly visible, yet greatly overshadowed by the glorious view of Alicent’s green gown, which had finally shown the turning point of the Queen’s, into accepting that Rhaenyra was an unfit heiress, and displaying her political prowess in a blatant show. 

She stayed silent regarding the fate of her sin, continuing in idle gossip with Elys, unwilling to bring Aemond up in her mind, the association of his brutal action and pitiful state too harsh for Alicent to bear. Her son maimed as a result of Rhaenyra’s indulgence of her bastards. Then festering in resentment, becoming a shadow of his former self, a figure worse than the bastard boys of Rhaenyra had ever been.

Ignoring the monumental knowledge she received this morn, Alicent continued her daily activities, enacting talks with the directors of her charities within Fleabottom, comforting her children, and finally reuniting with her Ladies, having had a day away from Alicent, as she told them that she expected a reconciliation with Rhaenyra as a result of their dinner, opening up her schedule to continue their camaraderie. 

However they still continued the weekly scheduled meeting of the Ladies Court. Attending to this meeting was monumental for Alicent, a gossip session of politics under the guise of innocent embroidery and drinking. Yet also giving her moments in time to briefly forget politics, focusing on maidenly love in royal plays, reading of romantic tales, and motherly conversations regarding their sweet babes.

The Ladies Gilliane Glover and Floris Lonmouth in specific had quickly acclimated to the crowd of ladies, becoming swift friends with Alicent, especially her cousin Margarey Redwyne, particularly interested in her flirtatious dalliance with Jason Lannister, the rake of a man, who was perhaps becoming invested in their conversations enough for marriage and for his whoring ways to cease. 

However immediately upon the arrival of the ladies, Margarey accosted Alicent, arising from her seat beside Delena sewing idly. “Alicent! Is what is spoken true? Lord Jason told me that the Princess had debased herself.” 

“With her own uncle! And in public no less!” 

The Hightower Queen was smug, exhilarated in the rumbles of gossip already spreading amongst the Red Keep. “It’s all true Margarey! I couldn’t believe it, I gave the Princess a chance to finally reconnect with me and bond with her siblings but she abandoned us, all to fornicate with Daemon!” 

Gilliane Glover and the shy Delena intent on sewing looked up, gasping in shock,

Delena Redwyne reluctantly spoke in a whispered tone, “She really lost her maidenhead to the man who celebrated the death of her brother?” 

Causing further gasps and murmurs to erupt, Alicent smugly watching on, as her plans began to fall into fruition. 

Yet not even her own plans.

To be concise, it was just Rhaenyra’s actions finally coming to light, with the Hightower Queen barely having to lift a finger to cause the chain of reactions.

After all, these rumours were just actions of her own volition. Rhaenyra as an heiress should understand the inner workings of not just the ladies’ courts, but the Realm as a whole. She was lax in her duties, not only that, but actively harmed reputation with her actions, and now she’s reaping was she sowed.

Finally.

Chapter Text

Rumours in the Ladies' court are rarely ever just rumours. 

Rhaenyra could never come back from this.

Not even the protection of her indulging father could save her. The arrogant girl had to face the consequences of her actions.

Even the Small Council, with busybody nobles, could not help but participate in the gossiping of the lecherous Princess.

Alicent could not help but notice the smarmy smirks Tyland Lannister would give upon every mention of the King’s whorish heir. While his brother Jason was a hypocrite, also within the Fleabottom Brothels, the man was not the heiress to the Throne, and as a woman heir, Rhaenyra should have been aware of the fact she would be scrutinised further than any man before her. 

Yet she flaunted the indulgent ways of King Viserys, with ignoring her duties and gallivanting with her heinous Uncle Daemon.

Viserys finally faltered, embarrassment in his gaze, while Alicent looked onto the Small Council members who were remarking on taxes and Alicent’s successful ventures in her Queenly duty to protect the Smallfolk with charities alongside the High Septon.  Rhaenyra was clearly not partaking, despite the fact she was heir, making the Queen look even more formidable than ever, and Viserys more ashamed than ever before. 

But he regained his unearned pride, gazing toward Corlys Velaryon who uplifted in his seat, smarmy in his gaze, while Viserys finally stood.

Announcing the betrothal of the Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen with Laenor Velaryon.

Alicent immediately witnessed side-eying from not only Lord Jasper Wylde and Tyland Lannister, but the Maester present and Lord Strong, all knowledgeable on the true circumstances leading up to this seemingly fitting betrothal between a Velaryon born from a Targaryen with a Targaryen Princess, yet was in actuality a guise to hide the perversions of Rhaenyra and the perverse nature of her betrothed.

“Congratulations Lord Corlys, for your son to marry such an incredible, beautiful woman. To the future Queen! An honourable maiden for Ser Laenor to marry!” Alicent remarked, with a jovial gesture, cheering with a wine goblet in her no-longer scabbed hands. 

“Yes indeed! My daughter will be marrying the illustrious heir to the Sea Snake in just a moon turn!” Viserys jubilantly roared, while the Small Council clapped in response, the King ignorant to Alicent’s words and their true meaning, yet her demeanour was not lost on the Nobles, with a bewildered smirk arising from Lord Tyland.

“Oh my king!” She retorted in a false shock, “Wouldn’t it be too soon? Only one moon to make Rhaenyra a dress embodying the pure maiden of the Seven! Surely her seamstress will need at least 3 moons to make her gown to marry, just as we did so!” She notes, making the juxtaposition between Rhaenyra’s whorish self and Alicent’s chaste nature evidently clear to the watching nobles and servants alike.

Viserys’ face fell, long and solemn as he heard he words, yet was too ignorant to see that Alicent had less-than-moral intentions towards the words she spoke regarding his daughter, and instead believed his wife was far too innocent to actively be a disingenuous person.

He stammered in response, “Ah- well my daughter has grown, she has learned to accept her duties as a woman and has decided she wants to be a wife and mother!” 

“Oh, a mother?” The Green Queen feigned ignorance, while speaking further, “Well my dearest step-daughter will have to wait at least a further nine moons for that right?” She spoke, as if making a simplistic little joke, but was truly making it known that she, and now the other nobles present, were to be actively anticipating and keeping track of Rhaenyra’s future birth, after all, there was a high likelihood of her having Daemon’s bastard, in the eyes of everyone, even if they never had the chance to consummate. 

But Alicent knew the truth. Rhaenyra was seemingly still a maiden, with Daemon abandoning her, and never having the chance to seduce Ser Criston. Perhaps this meant that her rendezvous with Harwin Strong would occur more quickly as she could have used the early removal of Criston as her sworn-shield to elect Harwin Strong, and it is likely that she had engaged in lust with the Breakbones himself.

Viserys quickly tried to change the conversation, not wanting to subject himself to the Small Council’s judgement of his favoured child. 

He promptly diverted to Lord Corlys, questioning the state of his ships now that the Stepstones battles had finished and depleted his forces. 

“My King, the Velaryon Cavalry is strong, even despite the war.” The Sea Snake responded, “We are fit for anything that comes our way and will protect our future Queen.” 

“You say that, but you lost over 200 ships and have 700 injured men.” Jasper Wylde snarks, only to be placated and interrupted by Otto Hightower.

He plants a suggestion into Viserys’ mind, supplanting the depleted fleet of the Velaryons with the strong forces of the Redwynes. Otto using the firm connection he has to the Redwynes through his dearly departed wife, and Alicent’s mother, the Lady Helene Hightower, maiden name Redwyne and daughter of the sharp-tongued Lady Alerie Redwyne nee Florent. 

“Perhaps, you could be right Otto. This is why you’re my Hand, after all.” He jokingly remarks, ignorant to the anger erupting in Lord Corlys. 

Alicent’s father stayed solemn, unwilling to forgive the transgressions of his once-beloved friend, “I am not your Hand. Remember, Your Grace? You removed me just a day before when I revealed…” He stopped, trying to fit the words out in a respectful manner than still befitt the lecherous actions Rhaenyra acted, “… the incident regarding the Princess.” 

“Right,” Viserys spoke as his gaze fell, before he turned back to a jubilant tone, albeit one that was falsified compared to the former, and promptly reinstated Alicent’s father to his rightful position. “Well, I never chose another Hand in this short time, so I can reinstate you, my dear friend to the Hand of the King!” 

“But my King, you can’t just steal the Velaryon fleets place with those wine-obsessed Redwynes, and not make me or Rhaenys Hand? How can you displace your cousin’s house so far? And a fellow Valyrian house, to uplift this Andal.” He sneered before quickly continuing. “She’s your cousin and deserves a seat on this Council?” Corlys remarks in fury, placing his hands firmly on the table as he arose, shaking the Councilmember’s balls off the table, clanging onto the marble floor, causing metallic-sounding bangs to burst, interrupting the Sea Snake’s words. 

“You dare interrupt me to demand this? I am your King! You are to obey me yet you overreach yourself. Your son Laenor is marrying my heir, that should satisfy your ambitions!” He countered, finally acting as a true King should, strong and firm in their choices, and not as the lackadaisical fool that Alicent had known of her whole marriage. 

However Lord Corlys was indeed not satisfied, as Alicent clearly saw, for he snarkily remarked in a quiet, yet hearable tone in response, “My son, marrying your heir? More like Daemon’s whore.”

The Small Council nobles, servants and cupholder alike all looked on in shock, for the Sea Snake had spoken such treacherous slander in front of the King, and although there was truth in it, Alicent knew Viserys would not falter in his defence of Rhaenyra. 

“You now dare to speak further? Tarnishing my daughter under your breath! Let this be known, that anyone who dares to speak slander about my daughter will have their tongue removed!” 

Alicent was reminded of an incident that occurred just days before her husband had died, before the so-called Dance of The Dragons emerged, where another Velaryon man truthfully spoke about Rhaenyra and was threatened by the King with mutilation.

She was also reminded of the words she heard spoken to her father during the dreaded tourney which Queen Aemma Arryn had been butchered. Viserys specifically stated that he did not want to punish Boremund Baratheon as “Tongues will not change the succession.” How ironic, as he seemed to change in the future, knowing that the opinions of nobles and Smallfolk could indeed be an impacting factor on succession, specifically towards his daughter’s wrongful ascension. 

“Viserys, my King, please be reasonable. You’re a kind and noble King. Cutting off your future son-in-law’s father’s tongue is harsh, and for the Realm to have peace, you have to calm yourself, just like The Conciliator.” Alicent spoke, as she walked further to her husband, whispering under his breath, “Lord Corlys has three dragons under his heel, if you cut his tongue, a potential war could break out, Viserys. And how can Rhaenyra have a great marriage if you mutilate her father-in-law? For the sake of our family, take the calm approach.” 

“For the sake of my daughter, I will not have you charged with treason and mutilated, but only, because of the love I have for my daughter and I do not wish to ruin her marriage. But any further grievances, by anyone, including nobles close to the Crown, will be dealt with accordingly!”

While this was spoken, the Hightower Queen took a gander at Lord Corlys. 

Holding his gaze during the loud declaration of Viserys, making it known that she was the only person on his side, planting into his mind that joining Alicent’s team would be more favourable rather than the Royals that ignore and demean his House’s honour.

After the King finished his rant, the Small Council meeting was cancelled accordingly, and Alicent was on her way to leave, knowing  that she had to confront Rhaenyra officially, making a final break in the friendship. 

But as she strolled out of the chambers, reaching the Kingsguard members beside the metallic doors, her father came beside her shoulders.

“You did a good job today, Alicent. Viserys needs a strong figure to control his weak and malleable self, and you are fit for the matter.” He spoke, a fatherly love in his tone, while it dually held a sense of respect. 

Respect for Alicent, not just as his daughter, but as a fellow political force within the Realm. 

And The Hightower woman was not done sith her political acts.

Though she knew the harsh truth. She was a woman. 

She couldn’t act similarly to her father, and instead had to use her feminine nature to aide in politicking. 

And that will begin with her green gown.

It was almost finished by her lovely seamstress Elys, having been prepared in advance for the speedy wedding, faster than Rhaenyra’s, which was due to be sloppy and ill fitting as a result of her dalliance with Daemon, causing the wedding to occur in a quick manner. 

But before that, she had to tear down the lingering threads of friendship with Rhaenyra.

At the Godswood.

No more reconciliation. Not even a foolish chance with a half-hearted speech from Viserys at a dinner table.

She was done with Princess Rhaenyra.

All she cared for was her children now.

Her family.

And her new friends, her allies.

People who truly cared for her.

And that did not include Rhaenyra Targaryen.

Chapter Text

Walking into the Godswood gave Alicent a great sense of deja vu. Wondering just how many times she had been in this place, arguing with Rhaenyra and her abrasive and spoiled personality.

Relentlessly, Alicent had tried, pleading for reconciliation.

She knows now, it is helpless. She cannot ever keep with this act, fooling herself, for she knows the harsh truth.

That Rhaenyra is a lost cause.

So now she’s back to the Godswood, a place so symbolic in representing their relationship together, or rather how it fell into shambles. 

Countless times she had argued with Rhaenyra here, but she couldn’t ever forget that for even linger she had loved the Godswood, basking in the presence of Rhaenyra’s sweet words and gossip.

But she was a child then.

Now she is a mother . She cannot be lax, especially when her children’s rights are being stripped away by this undutiful girl, albeit one she had once had great love for.

Even now, in this second life, Alicent had given Rhaenyra many chances, far too many, having felt sympathy as she gazed in the eyes of the young girl, the centrepiece of her childhood. Feeling a sense of tender-heartedness for the neglected girl forced to watch her mother in the birthing bed numerous times due to her foolhardy father, and alone with only Alicent and her rogue of an elder uncle Daemon, targeting her innocence with his heinous deviance.

But now Alicent sees her for who she try is, the same spoiled Princess that will grow up to be the Mad Queen cleaving and butchering in her footsteps to steal Aegon’s rightful place.

Wandering into the Godswood, she immediately sequestered Rhaenyra, having instructed Ser Criston to ask for the Princess to join her, knowing that this was the time to catch the Princess off-guard as she was most likely spending her day relaxing in a rose-scented bath and being groomed by maidservants, distracted and ignoring her duties. 

Rhaenyra was surprised by the anger fuelling off of Alicent, which shocked the Green Queen, in disbelief that the Princess did not remember, or care for their previous argument which occurred during the night before as her lusty escapade was revealed.

The Green Queen held a stern face, tempered with the anger of many years culminating, all leading up to this moment.

“Rhaenyra. I know the truth of it,” She declared, tone hardened as she confronted the woman of her ire.

“How could you? I vouched for you with nobles who doubted you, and spent many years pleading for you to reconcile with me, and if not, to still meet your younger siblings, yet you forsake me!” The Queen roared, quickly shifting from her previous stern position, unable to hide the force of her fury. 

Rhaenyra twisted her face as if she were to weep, yet no tears were falling as Alicent continued to spew her bereaved thoughts.

“Flaunting your position and acting as your Uncle’s whore!”

As she gazed on the Princess’s face, she saw her quickly portray a fictious figure of happiness, chuckling as she spoke. “Oh, I… Hadn’t seen him in years, so he took me into the city for some fun.” 

But Alicent knew the truth, that this was a facade, after all she had been present when Viserys discovered the truth, and had the Cargyll brothers and Ser Criston as witnesses to the debauchery that occurred in Fleabottom.

The Queen scoffed in response. 

“Oh some fun, Rhaenyra, there were witnesses! You can just be arrogant and deny the truth, relying on your father to stop the rumours.” 

“What witnesses? Who cares for the Smallfolk, their wants are no consequences. You cannot believe such gossip! They must be lying for some coin!” She retorted, denial seeping through her tone and deflecting towards the Smallfolk in a harsh tone, unbefitting on the King’s alleged heir. 

“Witnesses like Jason Lannister and Lord Massey’s heir! And Smallfolk too! The rumours have already reached the Red Keep and my Ladies and maidservants were made aware of your debauchery !”

Rhaenyra however didn’t falter in her denial, boldly scoffing and attempting to counter the truth Alicent had spoke of. “To question my virtue is an act of treason. I swear to you on my mother, I hadn’t touched Daemon.”

“To lose your virtue and lie so brazenly is more treasonous, I say. You are the first female heir, yet you’ve decided to follow in the footsteps of Saera Targaryen rather than Rhaenys.” Alicent asserted, remembering how controversial the actions of Saera had been, causing great stress to her father and herself as companions to Jaehaerys. “The Good King Jaehaerys would surely ship you to the Silent Sisters, but instead your father rewards you with a marriage to the Heir to Driftmark and keeps you as heir when he has a son!”

“I am not - How dare you assume your son will take my place! I am my father’s heir!” Rhaenyra protested, quickly losing her ire towards Alicent’s derogatory mention of Saera Targaryen, the Targaryen Princess who turned to whoring in Lys and Volantis, as the mention of her position as heir took focus.

“Oh please, everybody knows you’re only heir to the Iron Throne because Viserys didn’t want Daemon and only he feels guilt for butchering your mother for an heir.”

“What,” The Princess cried, haughty and proud no longer, making Alicent assume that she must’ve never been aware of the atrocities committed by the father she loved. “What- is this you speak of? My father-”

“Speak to him, I do not care for arguing with you. No more. You are a hypocrite, you and your queer family had no qualms with your precious Baelon being heir, but don’t want my son to be so.” Alicent spoke the words she had felt within her whole previous life, “Your father only wants you as heir so he doesn’t feel blame for your mother’s death, your legitimacy is nonexistent, it’s just a pathetic act your father partakes in, pleading for forgiveness from the Gods and Aemma Arryn.” 

“How dare you-!”

“How dare I, how dare you! Using your mother’s name to deny the truth in your whorish ways towards your deviant uncle!” The Queen quipped, finding it almost humorous how quick Rhaenyra was to demean her mother’s memory, just as she had done in the past.

“You sullied yourself, I am done with you.” 

Alicent strutted away, leaving Princess Rhaenyra to wallow in her misery, knowing that her status as heir was fragile and that everyone would know of her debauchery. 

She was alone. 

Yet Alicent felt no guilt. 

Rhaenyra did it herself after all, refusing to meet with Alicent, making no friends amongst the nobles during her Betrothal Tour and within the Red Keep, and shunning herself to just her sworn-shield who felt betrayed as she immediately ran toward her rogue uncle.

Alicent wasn’t at fault for Rhaenyra’s selfishness, and no longer would she allow herself to be blamed.

The Green Queen was now in her chambers, having been instructed by a maid that Viserys wanted her to aide Rhaenyra with her wedding by writing the invitations. 

How fitting, she thought, Rhaenyra was abandoning her duties and thus Alicent had to take the extra responsibility and burden on herself, even while having children to care for. 

But this was a situation that Alicent could use greatly for her advantage.

For this meant she could control who exactly arrives to the disastrous wedding of Ser Laenor and Princess Rhaenyra. 

Besides that, she knew many nobles would already be unable to attend the Royal Wedding, as it was a hastily made event, one that Alicent had been given duties of, and thus could make it worse. 

It was highly likely that the Starks would be unlikely to make the Wedding, so Alicent knew she didn’t need to scheme in regards to them, so she quickly changed her gaze to Rhaenyra’s familial connections. 

The Arryns.

The relatives of Rhaenyra, ones whom she had never cared for, choosing to follow her Uncle’s twisted rhetoric of Valyrian supremacy, and blindly ignore the fact her mother had blood of the Andal lineage. 

But Alicent knew them, for her lady-in-waiting Floris was a cousin of Rhaenyra’s, with her mother Lady Lonmouth being Aemma Arryn’s second eldest sister Amanda, yet the Princess showed no care or acknowledgment of their relation, instead deciding to sequester herself alone in the Dragonpit, cowardly hiding aware from the Red Keep and it’s vipers.

Not only that, but Jeyne Arryn herself was ignored by Rhaenyra, in this life and the previous, only using Lady Arryn to boost her claim during the War, yet never meeting her during peacetime.

Alicent planned to never give Rhaenyra the letters inviting nobles such as the Arryn household and their retinue, for what other way could she further divide Rhaenyra from her once-begotten allies.

But the Queen did not want the blame to lie on herself and ruin the plan, so she decided it would be beneficial to tell Rhaenyra to check the invitations over and promptly give them to the Maester to send.

And so she did.

Reluctantly so, not wanting to meet Rhaenyra due to their emotional conflict, yet knowing she had to perform this in order to afflict the arrogant Princess’ position. 

Rhaenyra was sullen, as Alicent met with her, yet it was clear as they gazed at each other’s eyes that both women were unwilling to partake in another confrontation, too mentally exhausted from the numerous conflicts before, and with Rhaenyra it was clear to see that her upcoming nuptials had made her even more depressed and experiencing slight avolition.

But it was clear to Alicent that the Princess would not bother to check the letters, rather wallowing in his misery and hastily giving the invitations away.

So the Queen’s plan was sure to work, but to remove culpability from her hand’s further, she decided sneak the letters into Rhaenyra’s room, having instructed her maidservant Ruth to give Rhaenyra’s maid Annora a gift of the Queen for such kind work as she had dually been working as a seamstress and had been befitted with making Helaena’s gowns, albeit ones Alicent had a slight distaste for, disliking how gaudy they were in comparison to Elys’ work with intricate fabrics rather than the same material on the Royal pillows and sheets.

This gave Alicent the timeframe to sneak in Rhaenyra’s chambers, however as Queen she had duties, once that while Rhaenyra could ignore, she couldn’t, thus she had to have a reasonable explanation for being aware from the Ladies Court or the Small Council. 

And she did indeed have an explanation.

As the Princess’ chambers were in the same corridor as the Maester’s, Alicent decided to go to Measter Mellos under the guise of questioning whether she was with child, for her moonblood had lapsed, her seamstress had noted a bloating of the stomach, and Alicent herself knew deep within her soul that it was Aemond’s time to arrive.

Once Maester Mellos’ chatter was finished, prescribing the Queen with an assorted platter of fruits every morn to aide the babe, Alicent hurriedly shovelled herself into Rhaenyra’s bedchambers, sequestering herself in as she placed the letters onto the table beside the bed, noting a inkpot, yet most notably, she had noticed a book.

She had an inkling of what this was.

And so she opened it.

Immediately coming to the ripped pages, memories of the time spent of Rhaenyra in the Godswood came to mind.

Yet this could not shake Alicent out of her ambitions. No more, this could occur.

The love she had for Rhaenyra had faded, harshly removing itself from her mind, as she came to terms with the fact that the Rhaenyra of her past, and the Rhaenyra of the future were the same, and both were threats to her and her cause.

Regardless, the actions had been done.

Rhaenyra’s wedding invitations had been disrupted, with irregular distribution. All which would lie at the fault of Rhaenyra.

And Alicent could only sit there and stare, as the effect of her cunning efforts finally came to fruition.

Sit there and smile. 

Watching as Rhaenyra lost her allies, before she had even gained them.

Chapter Text

The Wedding was soon to occur. 

With just a few hours away. Alicent was up early in the morn, quick to prepare for the guests, with the Wedding Feast due to occur in the late evening, starting off a week of tourneys and events, unable to ever unfold in her previous lifetime as Rhaenyra’s paramour Criston was unable to accept Joffrey Lonmouth’s spreading of rumours.

Alicent however, was on her way to the outer-side of the Red Keep Castle, having been told that another retinue of the guests for the Royal Family had arrived.  

As she planned in the days upcoming to Rhaenyra’s nuptials, Alicent had written much within her correspondence to her Ladies, specifically Lady Rhea Royce, who had become a close friend of hers. Especially with her humorous snarky comments towards her pathetic Valyrian husband. Connecting with Alicent as her ire for Viserys grew stronger as he became complacent in his arrogant decision to upheave the Realm and keep Rhaenyra as heir.

With all her correspondence to the Ladies who had left, and conversing with those still in the Courts, Alicent had decided that their arrival would be the perfect time to present the jewellery she had been planning to gift. These token of appreciation that would symbolise the division within the Courts, as the recipients, as would Alicent,  would don items honouring allegiance to Aegon and the Green faction. This was especially pertinent as rumours of Rhaenyra’s actions had become widespread and well-known. 

But she also had another gift in mind, for one of her closest allies and a great friend to speak her mind to. 

The aforementioned Lady Rhea Royce. In Alicent's past life, close to this very moment, she had been murdered, with no justice ever given for the crimes committed. Withher family instead being complacent, forced to align with Daemon and the Blacks due to the allegiance of their liege lords to Rhaenyra.

Thus the Hightower Queen knew she had to not only bring Rhea to her side, but to outwardly showcase that, and to do so, she had written to Lady Royce that she “need not to worry to find her own gown for the first Royal Event” for Alicent had wanted to surprise her dear friend with a gorgeous garment that would illustrate to the Red Keep Courts that had never seen Rhea for many years, and only heard the vile insults spewed by Daemon, that she was a beautiful woman, respected and loved, with her husband’s comments being despicable slander and lies.

She saw a maidservant scramble to reach their Queen at her chamber’s windows facing the outside. Quick to announce the arrival of noble guests, ones Alicent was certain would be including her beloved companion.

And indeed it did.

For Alicent could recognise that beautiful bronze armour donned on the figure below her in an instance. 

Before taking a quick gaze at the mirror, Alicent swept herself onwards to reach the outermost point of the Red Keep, seeing bundles of carriages swaying into motion, with the retinue of Royce men and women at the forefront.

“Lady Rhea!” She shouted, glee in her tone.

But Lady Royce only took a small smile, before bowing in front of her superior, “My Queen,”

“-Ah enough of that Rhea, you're a close confidant of mine, bowing is unnecessary.” She spoke, before turning toward the people behind her friend.

“This must be Gerold Royce then, your niece is a valued ally of mine own family, you have raised her well!” The Queen remarked, showing appreciation to the nobles below her, unlike her Royal counterparts, Daemon and Rhaenyra.

The old man blushed, reddened cheeks heavily contrasting with his firm stature and bulky beard. 

“Thank you, Queen Alicent.” He murmured, still looking bashful and shy, shocking his comrades with his demeanour.

“Well, my Queen, you mentioned in our correspondence that you had gifts for me, and the Ladies in your service, will you be giving it before the Princess’ Feast or is it planned for the end of her nuptials?” Rhea questioned, clearly impatient in wanting to see the surprise her Queen had upcoming for her.

“I plan to give you it today, but as of now, I would like for your retinue of people to follow my maidservant Ruth while she and our other servants take your items to the bedchambers prepared.” Alicent’s voice was calm and tempered, as she acted befitting of a paragon of Royalty, greeting her patrons.

As the Royce bannerman followed the servants into the Red Keep, Alicent and Rhea followed, with Ser Erryk dutifully guarding, before turning toward the Royal Chambers where the Ladies Court matters had often settled.

“Rhea,” The Green Queen spoke before guilt seeped through her figure, “The- the nobles of Kingslanding do not have a good sense of yourself. The Prince’s harsh words have slanted their view of you-”

“I have made my peace with that-”

“But I do not wish that man to win. And disrespect a woman I cherish so greatly.” Alicent interrupted, “So even though I know you don’t find form-fitting gowns likeable, I have one befitted with your measurements, to show that Daemon will not win with his slander, because I know you are beautiful.” 

“I- I understand, I can’t let his lies about me win, I am not a Bronze Bitch,” Her voice was loud and raspy, ire seeping through, “I am the Lady of Runestone, this landless second son won’t break my spirit.” 

Now Alicent saw truly that this woman was her comrade: an admirable companion also scorned by the arrogance of Targaryen men. 

“I cannot stand being with this heinous man! I will demand King Viserys for an annulment from that Rogue!”

The Queen moved away from Lady Rhea for a moment as she ranted, having taken the garment down from its confines. 

The dress was glistening with intricate patterns, bronze in all its glory. A strange irony considering Daemon’s foul words. This dress would prove his slander wrong, making Rhea shine bright in her beauty and while showcasing her ancestry, honouring the might of the Bronze Warriors of the Andal dynasty, the ones Daemon also disrespected far too much.

“Alicent- this is for me?”

The Queen laid her hands onto her companion’s, interlocking with her dainty fingers, no longer full of blisters and reddened with pain, “Yes, I hope you love it, I know that bronze means a lot to you and your heritage, so I knew my seamstress had to add such a significant colour to the bodice.” 

Rhea’s brunette eyes gleamed with whispers of tears on the entrails, gaze softening at Alicent’s show of appreciation, before suddenly grasping onto her Queen’s crimson silk, almost ripping the intricately stitched rubies off the seam, bringing Alicent to her hold in a fiery embrace full of platonic love and affection.

The opening of a door quickly interrupted their clasping of each other, as Lady Delena, Alicent’s demure cousin, beckoned herself in, with the announcement coming from Ser Rickard Thorne. 

Shock erupted in Delena’s eyes with Alicent immediately assuming that her cousin must have misinterpreted her embrace with Rhea to possibly have romantic intent. 

But Alicent was never like that? Perverse in nature like Laenor Targaryen had been.

Except was he truly so heinous? 

Laenor was a good man, beloved by all in his immediate vicinity, being known to give tokens of appreciation to both the men and women in his retinue, and a kind Ser to the servants within both Driftmark and the Red Keep alike. With Floris Lonmouth telling Alicent many a sweet word about the Driftmark heir.

Alicent had to admit that perhaps she had an inherent bias, with the rage she felt regarding Rhaenyra’s breaking of their friendship and subsequent marriage to Laenor blinding her. For he had never appreciated his holy matrimony to a woman of such high pedigree. 

Even though Alicent now strongly detests the Targaryen woman, the love her former self had may have clouded her mind with ire for the ones that had associated with Rhaenyra.

Her mind could not linger on this trail of thought for too long, as the Kingsguard member had begun to utter introductions for the others trailing behind him. “Queen Alicent, the Ladies Redwyne, Lonmouth, Glover,-”

“Oh- Alicent it’s just all of us, Rickard, you don’t have to say everyone’s names!” Delena responded, intimately and kindly with her words to Ser Rickard Thorne, who Alicent strongly remembered as a great man, one who was devoted to her grandchildren. 

“Oh, you’ve all arrived! I had just given Rhea a gift, but I have tokens of appreciation for all the Ladies under my retinue. You have all been a great aid to my time as Queen, and dearly beloved friends to me, reminding of my time as just Lady Alicent.” The Hightower woman remarked, face turning with admiration. These women were there for her while she was alone: abandoned by Rhaenyra and forced into a marriage with a man so eager to disrespect her. They brought back the light in her eyes which was so keen to leave as she returned back to this life full of depressive bouts of actions and disregard for both her and her children. 

Alicent’s heart ached as she glanced at the faces of the women present. Joy beaming off their figure made her strongly grateful to receive this gift by the Gods to get a second chance at living. Not only to save her children’s lives, but on a lesser scale, to get a second sense of appreciation for life, and to have friends and companions to fill her days with pleasure and love. 

She turned around, moving to the table beside her bed, having kept the jewels close to her as possible, wanting to connect with the tokens signifying her bond to her ladies as close to her as possible. 

Gems and jewels, with a green emerald hue, garnered with golden chains, unique yet united in their meaning and shade, were clasped in her dainty hands, as she stood up and strided over to her beloved courtiers.

She individually greeted each woman with their own personal jewel, handcrafted by her jeweller and goldsmith, of Alicent’s own retinue of workers in regards to her high fashion, beloved by the Courts and of high influence, contrasting with Rhaenyra’s frumpy frocks. 

Now everyone would see that Alicent was unified. No longer viewing the stark contrast of her green gown in an audience of people, with her alone and an outlier amongst the Realm, except for her family.

Together, with the other women of Westeros, she was unified. No longer mindless puppets ordered by the despicable men of their Houses and matrimony. 

And Rhaenyra would not see it coming. Nor would Viserys.

The Hightower woman could prove herself amongst the Realm as a strong contender for the Throne, ambitious in her own right, not her father’s lackey.

Rhaenyra was unfit. A false Queen acting as a whore and not a true claimant to the Throne. All Alicent was doing was proving this to be true.

Yet it seemed Rhaenyra did it to herself, yet again.

As Alicent’s maidservant Ruth clamoured into the bedchambers, the room being filled with a multitude of gossipy women, and whispered a secret that all the women were glad to discover. “Queen Alicent, I- I saw Annora, the Princess’ maid, walk to her chambers with a suspicious tea, one we are used to handing out when Prince Daemon’s hand his pick of the Red Keep women,” 

As she whispered into Alicent’s ear, the Green Queen saw her companions trail closer to her, their eyes beady and ears intent on focus.

“I followed Annora, trailing behind, lingering in the halls… and I saw the Princess throw it! I- I think she may be with child!” Ruth loudly whispered, continuing on with her words as the Ladies discreetly attempted, and successfully, attempted to hear. 

“Thank you for telling me, dear, I’ll be sure to send some coin your way, Ruth.” She thanks, taking sharp notice of the hidden lump beneath her maidservant's frocks, realising that as Aemond neared toward his existence, so would her maid’s change in occupation to being her child’s wetnurse, upon having her own babe. With Ser Arryk.

As she then left, dropping off refreshments for Alicent’s Ladies, with Rose Tyrell quickly interjecting with her shocked voice, disrupting the short moment of silence. 

“That whore- the Princess- she can’t really be with child?” A shocked astonishment was within the Tyrell woman’s figure, having spoken aloud greatly slanderous insults, even if Alicent and her companions knew that her words were the truth.

“I can’t believe this!” Gilliane Glover softly spoke.

Snarling, the defiant Margarey interjected, “-I can!” 

“Ladies, we should hold our judgement. I myself am with child again, so we’ll know for certain whether Rhaenyra truly is, if her child is born closer to my child’s time, and not nine moons after these celebrations.” The Queen responded, acting with a facade of nicety that was instead making the women with her more likely to be focused on Rhaenyra’s child, and it’s day of birth.

The women seceded to her words, but not before Margarey Redwyne scoffed, “Please, we all know King Viserys would not have a care for if the child is born moons early, as long as his precious girl pops out another white-haired child for his Valyrian-obsessed self!” 

But Alicent knew this wasn’t true. For Viserys would not care even when the children did not don the Valyrian looks of white hair and lavender eyes. 

“Margarey, calm yourself, we must eventually make haste to the Welcoming Feast, and that is where truth will eventually prevail.”

And so they did. 

Donning their gowns and jewels, all the while Alicent was smirking, glee in recreating one of the moments that gave her true joy in her previous life, once full of sadness.

It was time.

Alicent was wearing the garment that dictated the next decades of her life. She almost felt a sense of disgust, having been repulsed by green towards the later half of her life. 

But she had no regrets in her actions. Only anger that she let Rhaenyra and her dastardly husband get the better of her, and usurp her son’s rightful position. 

Wearing green again would no longer haunt her. Instead she would accept the fate lying ahead of her, twisted to be a scheming step-mother when she was just a woman defending her son’s stolen place. But now she is a schemer, let the slander of the past be true, Alicent did not care.

As long as Aegon reigned supreme, and her children all survived to live long fulfilling lives.

And so she took her first steps, as the doors opened and the guard’s announced her presence, eyes beckoning onto her emerald gown as she interrupted the King’s speech.

She walked forth, eyes shining with exhilaration and pride as she looked down to witness the herds of men and women in similar heraldry, her relatives wearing green and her ladies donning jewels also signifying the coming to war that Alicent was declaring. 

Rhaenyra’s eyes trailed the Queen’s every move, confusion deep within her spirit.

Alicent had made it closer to the main table, seeing rage and confusion in Viserys’ eye and appreciation with her father’s gaze, one she had not received in her previous life, as he was unrighteously removed. 

“Congratulations, Stepdaughter,” Her gaze stood firm staring at the subject of her ire, “What a blessing this must be for you.” 

Rhaenyra Targaryen was eye to eye, fixed on Alicent’s frame with an unusual intensity.

Yet Alicent continued in her firm stance, before turning to Viserys with a sharp kiss to his cheek, making the King blush and falter, “My husband,”

She then turned further, toward her father, in the seat he long deserved, “My Lord father.” Before promptly sitting in her seat, beside the King, in her rightful position, gazing upon the crowds of people, noting the bundles of green shining within its herd of nobles.

The King could not be firm with an authoritative tone, being a shadow of the former King, yet he attempted, and ceased his subject’s standing, before continuing his speech, stuttering and stammering, before querying for words to continue with the aid of Otto Hightower, the true ruler of the Realm while this pathetic man reigns.

“… And after tonight’s small affair…” King Viserys shouted, leaving room for applause and laughter and his sarcasm, as even though this was a hasty affair, the King could not quench his thirst to make any cause for celebration to be lavish, with tourney and numerous performances, even though it was greatly lacking in comparison to the Royal Feast of Alicent’s past life.

“Seven days of tournament and feasting! And at the end of it all… a wedding between my daughter, my heir, and your future queen… to Ser Laenor, heir to Driftmark!” He concluded, as applause erupted with joyous splendour and dancing between Laenor and Rhaenyra began, the sharp contrast between the decadent wealth befit on Laenor’s embroidered silver-toned doublet and the Princess’ misfitting sack of cream tones heavily evident to Alicent’s fashionable mind.

As the intricate dance turned to a close, the Queen took immediate notice of the man beside Lady Floris.

Ser Joffrey Lonmouth.

The man so beloved by Laenor Velaryon that Rhaenyra allowed her last pug-nosed bastard to be named after him.

Twisted features adorned his frame as Laenor intimately moved with the Princess. Yet as she glanced between the tables, Alicent also noted these features donned on Ser Harwin’s pug-like face.

Everyone gathered forth into the centre, as claps began to form into fruition, nobles shocking Alicent with their appreciation for the hastily prepared dance.

Yet while the main table stayed seated, the Queen acted as an outlier, moving downwards to greet her allies, starting with Lord Jason Lannister, who she had seen circling the direction of her ladies, particularly Alicent’s cousin Margarey.

“Lord Jason.” 

“Ah- My Queen,” He bowed, in embarrassment, having been caught in his lingering stares.

“My lord, what is it that is worrying you at this moment?” Alicent questioned.

“Well, the Princess Rhaenyra was but a young woman when I levied my hand toward her, yet now she is to be married while I still have no upcoming nuptials or heir, other than my brother, who is much better suited to staying in Kingslanding on the Small Council.”

“Lord Jason, you needn’t worry so hard, after all you asked for her hand just a few moons ago, and Rhaenyra would be in the midst of her courting in any other circumstance.” 

“You’re right, my Queen… but I can’t help but think I’m getting too old to not have an heir, a child borne of mine own blood-”

“Perhaps you may turn your gaze back onto Lady Margarey, for my cousin had spoken many admirable words regarding your temperament.” Jason complied, turning his eyes towards Alicent’s strikingly beautiful cousin as he heard her words.

“I- She has been on my mind I admit, but if I must admit, the elder Lady Redwyne scares me with her sharp tongue, and I would falter in my words.” Embarrassment was clear in his figure, yet the Queen found it understandable, for her grandmother was a terrifying woman to face, particularly if one was to be a suitor for her beloved granddaughters. 

“Well for the Princess’ nuptials, Margarey’s Lord father arrived into Kingslanding, and I assure you his temperament is unalike his mother’s greatly.” Turning towards the Redwyne’s section of the Feast, where Lord Roland Redwyne lay joyously partaking in the feasting prepared, oblivious to the Lannister Lord’s interest in his eldest daughter.

As Alicent watched Jason Lannister scurry off in the direction of her maternal uncle to gain the affection of Margarey, she felt smug in her political prowess. Different from her previous life, in which this day was her turning point into scheming as she recklessly had hope for Rhaenyra for three long years, which culminated in nothing but disappointment.

And she had also seen her diplomatic mastery clear in how Rhea Royce was bull-headed, and strong, strutting over to King Viserys, and asking for an annulment. Finally having the courage and opportunity to go against her husband, as she had never been able to do previously.

As her confidant dramatically strided over, Alicent couldn’t help but notice beady eyes trailing Rhea’s frame. Many a man and woman, were gazing upon her frame. With the billowing flickers of her bronze silken gown, tightened by the copper corset, reminiscent of her hunter leathers, yet decadent in it’s showcase of femininity which appealed to the lusty men in the crowd.

Alicent also took sharp observation of her heinous brother-in-law’s figure, having seen a sneer twisted onto his frame, contrasting heavily with the lust in his violet-coloured eyes.

Daemon sneered for a moment, before seeing Rhaenyra in the crowds below him, a sense of jealousy within her soul at the arrival of her uncle’s wife, a great beauty, different to the insults spewed against her.

He clamoured over, taking his young niece in a seductive grasp, lustful dancing beginning within the room.

Alicent saw the nobles present shocked with disgust, yet finding a confirmation in the rumours spread by Lord Jason and Lord Massey’s heir, for their was no platonic explanation for the lustful touches Rhaenyra was partaking in with her own uncle; verifying that a previous rendezvous was likely to have occurred between the relatives.

Many of her Ladies discreetly swept over to Alicent’s direction, wanting to gossip after Rhaenyra had blatantly flaunted her deviances.

“See- I told you all that the truth would out itself today.” 

“You were right, as always, Alicent.” Margarey retorted in response.

Before Gilliane Glover could even finish her first word adding onto Margarey’s sentence, screams bawled in masses within the crowd.

For Daemon Targaryen had taken out his Valyrian steel in the midst of the crowd.

Harwin Strong had creeped over to the raunchy Targaryen’s, seething with jealousy, and had interjected their dance, offering his hand toward the Princess. 

Only for Daemon to grab her closer. 

This tempered the Strong man, having pushed the Prince in a fiery rage. 

And thus culminating in Daemon’s release of Darksister from it’s leather sheath. Turning it upwards towards the direction of the Breakbones man, making nobles scream in terror.

Alicent didn’t know what to do. 

She didn’t expect this. 

Criston had never been entrapped by Rhaenyra's thrall and enraged at her rejection.

So how could history repeat itself? And with Daemon and Harwin, no less.

Alicent felt confused, for what reason could there be for Rhaenyra’s wedding events to be ruined, yet again?

But nevertheless, fighting ensued.

Yet the Queen was unprotected and with child, with her ladies being the only ones beside her.

Scared for the fate of Aemond, she ran to the outskirts of the ballroom, grabbing the hands of her companions as she scurried away.

Luckily Alicent’s brother Gwayne ran over in their direction, with Lord Jason hastily speeding towards the groups as well.

But Floris Lonmouth was stuck in the midst of all the violence, having moved away from Alicent’s group for just a moment, greeting her brother Joffrey, who was stood close to Laena and Laenor Velaryon, the Groom of the wedding, watching closely to his soon-to-be-wife’s wanton ways.

As the fighting commenced between Rhaenyra’s two paramours, and drunken men eager to draw blood, red splattered through the crowd.

“Ahh-!”

Joffrey Lonmouth was struck.

Blood seeped through his hair, dripping down the right side of his face. 

Although Alicent was now safe, crouching under the confines of the tables, she saw a figure jump in front of her.

“My Queen-! Forgive me- I should have been by your side-”

“Ser Erryk, it’s alright, my brother and Lord Jason were great protectors-”

“Still, my Queen, I have made a stain on my honour!” 

“Well Ser Erryk, perhaps you can reclaim that with saving Princess Rhaenyra from the wrathful crowd, after all her own sworn-shield caused this, and she has no protector!” 

He quickly ran off, as the crowds lessened in size, with Daemon fleeing just as Ser Erryk reached Rhaenyra, hair torn and garment crumpled in the shock of the fight.

More guards arrived into the centre of the fighting, having swept the nobles aside to safety and with Ser Criston dutifully aiding in grabbing Ser Harwin, restraining the fiery man.

“Stop this in the name of your King!” Alicent heard her husband scream.

“No-!” Laenor Velaryon was weeping, body hung over the frame of Joffrey Lonmouth, with Alicent’s companion Floris sobbing beside him with eyes wide and red with sorrow.

“Joffrey-! How could this happen?” Floris exclaimed, as Laenor’s parents moved closer, with King Viserys close on their heels.

“Rhaenyra, why did you sworn-shield do this?” Viserys roared as the crowds were gone, with only Joffrey’s body, and the immediate family to the Bride and Groom present.

“He’s killed a man of the Velaryon retinue! Under Guest Right, no less!” Alicent interjected, making Rhaenyra’s fallacy even more obvious.

“Killed- no, my- Joff- he’s alive!” Voice harsh and hoary, Rhaenyra’s soon-to-be-husband roared. 

“Laenor-”

“No, Mother, I speak the truth! I can hear him breathing!” 

“Bring the Maesters, Ser Erryk!” Alicent authorita ordered, before turning to Laenor and whispering, “I promise to you that I will do anything to get justice for this!” 

But Laenor kept weeping, even as appreciation gleamed within his eyes, he couldn’t help but spill tears in sadness.

“Corlys- we must make haste with the wedding!” Viserys spoke, rage still within his mind, before gazing towards his Hand, “Otto- cease the tournaments and events planned for the next six days, we shall finish this now!” 

“No! I want to wait a few hours- just let me stay with Joffrey as he heals!” 

“My son, I promise you, it’ll all be okay.” Rhaenys responded, feeling sympathy for Laenor and the injuries his true love had suffered.

“Viserys, we will not do so now, let us rest and calm down for just three hours.” Corlys sternly spoke, before leaving with his family and the Maester which arrived to treat Joffrey.

And so they all did. 

It was the hour of the Bat, with the night deep and dark. 

And Alicent was waiting with King Viserys within the destruction in the ballroom, as the vows of holy matrimony were soon to be said.

Rhaenyra was alone, just footsteps ahead of them, staring idly below at the feet of the Maesters, with a look that Alicent could only assume could be guilt, rare for the Princess to have.

The doors opened, announcing Corlys and Rhaenys Velaryon’s arrival, both stern in temperament, yet with sadness in their faces.

Yet the doors quickly unfolded once more, with Laenor stropping through the room, eyes filled with tears. 

He finally reached his soon-to-be-wife, and they both solemnly spoke their vows.

“I am yours, and you are mine…” They simultaneously said.

“…Whatever may come.” 

As the vows had finished, silence erupted, only being stopped by scuffles of sound derived from Laenor wiping away his tears with the sleeve of his bloodied doublet.

“My King, how will you recompense our House for the slight your daughter’s sworn-shield had done upon a man of our retinue?”

“Well I-”

“I- Father you can’t punish Ser Harwin or Daemon!” Rhaenyra screamed,“Harwin was just protecting me from slander! He’s staying as my sworn-shield Father! ”

“How dare you-!”

“It’s true, besides Ser Lonmouth is still alive, he’s a knight, he can handle a little scratch-”

“He’s dead, Rhaenyra! Your man- men had injured him so badly that he suffered for hours with a deadly infection!” 

“Laenor, calm yourself!”

“How can I? He was my friend!” His voice croaked. “Rhaenyra he’s of your own blood, yet you don’t care!”

“What-?”

“You weep about your mother all the time, yet you never cared to give any thought to her family? He’s the son of Amanda Arryn, your mother’s sister!” Laenor snarked, making Rhaenyra realise just how blinded she was to her Andal ancestry.

“Speaking of family, Ser Laenor, where exactly is your sister the Lady Laena?” The Green Queen softly spoke, while knowing she was likely to flee in the night with her lustful relative, “And Husband, where has Prince Daemon gone?”

“Daemon-”

“Keep your brother on a leash, Viserys! You clearly can’t control him, for it seems he wants to go with any young Valyrian maiden available!” The Velaryon matriarch screeched, with the disappearance of her child, greatly affecting her tone as she knew for certain that the departure of both people were highly interlinked

“And you- girl! Why are you crying now? Your cousin was just murdered, yet you’re weeping because your precious uncle doesn’t love you and has abandoned you for a younger model!” She retorted, upon gazing at the lilac eyes of Rhaenyra, that had finally begun weeping tears, albeit for the wrong reason.

“Rhaenys- hold your tongue towards my daughter, my heir!”

“Husband, it’s been a harsh day for us all, the Velaryons especially, these words are just fired by their rage. Let us all talk later, and don’t heed their words.” Alicent interrupted, placating the Velaryons with her soft tone and kind words.

“Right- right. Well, anyway the vows have been said, so let’s reconvene at a different time,” Viserys dismissively spoke, beginning to leave.

Immediately Rhaenyra trailed behind her father, with the Septon slowly following behind, perhaps confused at how Rhaenyra and Laenor weren’t on their way to consummate the marriage.

Yet Alicent stayed behind just a moment longer, intent on speaking to Laenor and his parents.

“Ser Laenor-“

“-Queen Alicent, what is it you wish to say to my son?” The Queen Who Never Was sternly interjected, likely feeling as the Hightower woman had ulterior motives. Which she did.

“I just wanted to offer my prayers, and that one of my dear friends is Lady Floris, Joffrey’s sisters,” She spoke, before turning back to Laenor, “and she told me she would love to honour your bond together with him and is allowing you to join her family in planning the funeral rites-”

Laenor suddenly faltered onto Alicent, grabbing her in a hug filled with such sorrow. “Thank you. You are a true Queen, unlike she ever will be-”

“Laenor, quiet yourself!” The Hightower woman heard Rhaenys whisper sharp in her son’s ear, upon hearing his quiet snarks towards his new wife.

“It’s my duty as Queen to help my subjects, and you, especially as family to me.” Alicent was acting befitting as a Queen should, unlike the many others clamouring for her title.

“Thank you, still. I will forever be in your debt!” He cried out, before leaving with his mother.

Now Alicent was alone with only Aemond in the confines of her stomach for comfort.

Yet the woman didn’t need much comfort.

For she had completed her mission; recreating one of the most important moments of her previous life. Except this time, she had many a friend aiding her in her endeavours.

Despite that, Alicent felt a slight flicker of guilt, as her companion’s brother had died. Yet again. Blth Joffrey Lonmouth and Jerrel Bracken were previously victims to violence under Rhaenyra purview, yet she did not try to prevent that, and felt regret.

Compelled to confess her sins which led to the deaths of innocent men, ones her companions cared deeply for, but Alicent knew for certain that she could never speak to anybody about her previous life.

It could lead to danger for her, but most importantly her children.

This trail of thought made the Queen queasy, deciding to go to the Maester’s and take some calming teas, and so she left the blood-struck ballroom, now empty and filled only with the remnants of Joffrey Lonmouth. Echoing with the weeps of Laenor, and the pained screeches of his beloved.

Having taken slow steps, lingering in the quiet peace, Alicent had eventually reached the Maester’s room, seeing the embalmment of the Lonmouth man happening just inches away from the storage area of Maester Mellos’ medicinal teas and ingredients.

But as she took her short strides over, she couldn’t help but hear the small but powerful voice of Rhaenyra shouting a name. Alicent had forgotten that Rhaenyra’s chambers were ever so close to the Maester’s room. Yet she now knew for certain. As she was hearing the bleeding screeches calling for a name.

None other than the first name of the Breakbones himself; the murderer of the man she was gazing at.

“-Queen Alicent!” Maester Mellos spoke, in shock as the Hightower woman’s steps were silent and unnoticeable.

“Maester, I’m here for one of your wondrous teas please. The events of today have made me feel uncomfortable and worried for the babe! I haven’t even told the King yet!” Alicent disclosed, truth coming to light as she asked for aid.

He passively gifted her the tea, before instructing her to have a mental balm to soothe today’s events from her mind, and visit her children.

And thus she did. Feeling saddened that all this political scheming had blinded her mind for a moment, forgetting about what mattered most: her children.

Reaching the chambers of her babes, she quickly noted the sleeping figure of Ser Arryk, close beside her maidservant Ruth, laying on the floor, likely having played with the children together, gaining experience for the child that they would be having soon.

Alicent knew she should be disappointed, for her children weren’t effectively guarded. But she knew that when time called for it, Ser Arryk would be a protective man. 

So for now she would let them linger in their bliss together, for war time was not due to come anytime soon, and she instead would cherish these small moments of love that her companions would have in their lives.

Shifting her gaze from the love-filled couple, Alicent looked to the two bassinets and bed, filled with Helaena, Vaella and Aegon respectively, fitting their small yet growing statures.

The little figure of Shyrkos trilled out high pitch screeches towards Alicent, toddling it’s small feet towards the Queen in an adorable sight as it crept away from it’s protective corner, having watched out for any threats towards Vaella.

Alicent kneeled downwards to the ground, moving closer towards the emerald scales of the dark-coloured dragon, taking her hand out to pet the small creature, who immediately purred in appreciation for it’s future-rider’s mother.

She had valued the creatures strongly now. The one that scared her heavily in her past life, with Alicent not even willing to take a short ride upon Rhaenyra’s Syrax, which compared to many others, such as Vhagar, was a feeble friendly sight.

But regardless, they had protected her children. With Sunfyre having such a strong, incomparable bond with Aegon, breaking any misconceptions Alicent once had. The golden wonder that was Sunfyre had shielded her precious son, saving him from death, scarring itself with dragonfire in the process.

And for that, they would all have her holding them in high regard.

Because, ultimately, all that mattered to Alicent was her children’s lives.

And she would always care for them.

Chapter Text

She awoke with a loud knock bursting into fruition.

A screechy scream of irritation emerged from the dragon close beside her, as annoyed with being awoken as Alicent was.

“Queen Alicent! The Stark retinue arrived just this morn!” It was her maidservant, frazzled just as she was, as the night ended late, with the day beginning much too early for these groggy individuals.

But Alicent, even with her mind unprepared and overcome with tiredness, knew for certain that the Starks arrival meant bad news.

Not for her of course, but rather her opposing side.

Rhaenyra, Viserys and all the Blacks alike were up for disappointment, for they had foolishly failed the Starks. 

They ceased all of the upcoming wedding ceremonies, hastily marrying Princess Rhaenyra to Laenor on the first night of the week-long events which were meant to occur. This shunned all the nobles late to the Wedding Feast who had little time to arrive, and thus prepared to reach by the latter half of the week.

But it was not Alicent’s fault that Rhaenyra shamed herself and thus had to have a hasty wedding, one that became even quicker in it’s completion as her two paramours fought against one another, causing bloodshed and screams across all of Kingslanding.

Regardless, she decided to meet the Starks, after all gaining another ally would be a great boon to her, especially as they were ones who had already been affronted by the Queen’s rivals.

She had plans afterwards; to join Rhea Royce along with the Kingsguard in the training grounds of the Red Keeps, along with her ladies, but it would also be an opportunity to introduce herself to the Starks and gain their respect.

And so Alicent heeded her maids words, donning a Targaryen-coloured gown, embroidered with blackened trails of thread signifying the three-headed dragon of the Targaryen sigil, along with making her children wear beautiful gowns and doublets illustrating that they were true Targaryens, despite all the slander Daemon and his allies may spew.

Vaella and Helaena were to be looked after by Alicent’s maidservant Ruth and guarded by the common girl’s paramour, their protector Ser Arryk, while Aegon was to join his mother in wandering the Red Keep for this day.

Alicent trailed forth with Aegon in her hold,reaching her husband with a gleeful smile, “Viserys!”

“Ah- Alicent, oh and Aegon too.” He trailed off, slightly irate at the arrival of the son he had begun to not give much mind. 

“My husband, why don’t you join Aegon and I to meet the Starks? They had just arrived for the wedding events-”

“But that is done! Rhaenyra and Ser Laenor swore their vows and have dutifully consummated their marriage, so the Starks will be greatly disappointed.” Viserys was full of a disappointed sense of ire, faltering at the consequences of his daughter’s debauchery, leading to her paramours causing the King’s numerous planned events to cease existence. 

“We then must do our duty as King and Queen; explaining to the Starks what had happened and give them our most sincere apologies!” 

Upon being told to do those, Viserys was clearly upset, in laziness or exasperation, the Queen knew not. “No-no Alicent, you deal with the child, and I’ll have your father speak to the Starks, as Hand they must understand he will be acting in place of me.”

“Oh, but you aren’t busy as of yet?” She queried, knowing no known duties of the King were to occur this early in the morn. 

“I will be in my chambers, researching Valyria.” He evaded her questioning, answering with a falsity; one which truth Alicent knew for certain to mean that he would rather decided to act befitting of a babe, playing with childish figurines.

And now she was left alone, yet the Queen felt lucky she did not exactly have to meet the Starks' retinue first, for they could easily lay the blame of the unfortunate circumstances upon her feet.

Alicent instead decided to go to the training grounds, albeit earlier than expected, especially as Aegon was full with vigour, squealing at the mention of seeing the knights.

“Mommy!” He cajoled as they made it outside, pointing at the multitude of muscled men, “There’s Ser Arryk!” 

“No darling, that’s Ser Erryk, his twin, just like Helaena and Vaella are.” She began to teach her precocious boy, just as she watched the aforementioned man’s figure, strong and firm, as he unsheathed his sword and countered Ser Criston’s morningstar.

Aegon cheered at the practice-fight of the men, while Alicent stared intensely at both the men’s physiques, intensely jealous at how her life had ended up; becoming the breeding mare of an average-looking man who was enroute to become deplorable both inside and out as he rotted physically in a deserved act of karmic justice.

“Queen Alicent?” 

She peaked toward the side, searching for the questioning feminine voice, finding Rhea Royce.

But more notably, and shockingly, she saw Gilliane Glover by the woman’s side, two companions of Alicent’s, of which she did not expect to become close allies.

“Lady Gilliane?”

“Good morn, my Queen.” She was abashed and shy in her response, as if looking for Rhea to redirect this conversation.

“Queen Alicent! Don’t mind Gilliane over here, she wanted a distraction from the Starks arrival, so I took her to look at the men of Kingslanding!” Rhea gossiped, taking a lusty look at Ser Criston, all the while making the shy northern girl beside them flush in embarrassment. 

Gilliane cleared her throat in clear irritation, “I- I just heard that Rickon- I mean Lord Rickon- will be arriving for the Princess’ nuptials. He wasn’t here yesterday which made me less worried, but I fear that he’ll arrive when I’m unprepared to meet him!” 

“Calm yourself, Gilliane.  Myself and my maidservants can help freshen you up for him!” Alicent walked closer to the girl, whispering into her ear, “His retinue is meeting with my father, the Lord Hand, currently!” 

“We must make haste!” Gilliane pleaded, “I can’t look like a fool before him! He’ll be disappointed!” 

“Well, Rhea, it seems we must end our time here,” The Hightower Queen spoke, before turning to the child before her, “And you my boy, will be spending some time with Uncle Gwayne!”

The women then took their leave, squealing in excitement to makeover Gilliane in preparation for her crush, while Aegon also screamed in excitement, albeit for a much different reason.

Gilliane Glover was now bearing many a beautiful gem, alongside the finest gown gifted to her by Queen Alicent, but most notably she now donned beautiful braids across her springy blonde curls, ones befitted upon her shroud by Alicent’s newest maidservant Leora.

“Thank you, all of you!” Tears were in the Northern girl’s eyes as she gazed within the mirror beside them all, looking at the changes done to her. But she was still the beauty she had always been; only realising it now.

Alicent was reminded of Helaena. A beautiful blonde girl weeping her doe eyes before Alicent, dismissed and known as unadmirable to those within the Red Keep.

But they were great beauties regardless.

“Don’t cry, my dear, you’ll wash away those beautiful rosy cheeks of yours!” She wiped away the few droplets of tears arising from her lady.

“Thank the Gods this is over! I myself prefer riding leathers to gowns, but even then, I understand why people take a liking to them… but intricate braids, headpieces and the like are much too much for me!” Rhea Royce lamented, glad to be finished with all this focus on beauty.

“Well we must be off, then!” The Queen stood up, firm and impatient in her steps, “My father will most definitely bring the Stark men to the training grounds and you are most definitely ready to meet Lord Rickon and sweep him off his feet!”

Back at the training grounds, Alicent strided in with pride in her steps with her two ladies beside her, eagerly watching Aegon toddle beside Gwayne with a wooden sword, all the while stares of nobles struck her entourage of gorgeous ladies of great heritage.

“Mother!” Aegon had glee shining on his figure, having finally gained a fatherly figure, other than his grandsire or his neglectful father, “Look I’m a warrior! Just like Aegon the Conqueror!” 

As she smiled towards him, Alicent felt sense of pride she no longer imagined would be possible to emerge from Aegon.

But she failed him; not at all in the opposite manner.

Aegon was an innocent babe, and she drove him to such depravities and overwhelming drunkenness; all to pressure him to gain his birthright, the Iron Throne.

“Oh yes, you’re my little Conqueror reborn!”  She squealed, loving how Aegon was growing to become a great child, unburdened by the fact he elder sister was usurping his inheritance.

As she wondered closer over to her firstborn, the Queen noticed just behind him was Ser Criston sparring with a bulky man; one with a thick beard and deep-set grey eyes.

“Alicent, I see you’ve must’ve met Lord Rickon Stark!” 

She turned around to discover where the graspy masculine voice came from, seeing her father stand firm with a multitude of men near him; the Stark’s retinue, surely.

“Yes, father.” Her eyes lingered at the bulky man, one whom had struck the eye of her lady, “I recall seeing him during mine own wedding, but he’s grown quite taller in these past years.” 

“What say you, Lady Gilliane?” 

As Rhea spoke, the shy girl flushed, twisting her arms and directing her gaze down below, “Well when I was in Winterfell, as Lady Anya’s companion, her brother was quite the shy lordling, with stumbling unused to his height… but now he’s grown, beard and all.” 

“Lady Gilliane?” A gruff voice sliced through their gossips, with the aforementioned man donning an abashed look; one that contrasted heavily with his stern masculine features. “How like long it has been!” 

“Well, it hasn’t even been more than a couple moons-”

“My Lady, it has left like the greater half of a year, at least in my eyes.” 

The northern duo seemed entranced with each other, leaving Rhea and Alicent glancing at one another, with both glee and exasperation; for it seemed Gilliane Glover’s fears were greatly unfounded.

Rhea Royce however seemed to quickly find comfort with sparring against Ser Criston, joyously beating his morningstar while Aegon watched beside with his uncle Gwayne.

The Hightower soon found herself not as alone as expected.

Viserys strutted gloomfully; walking toward her in a mood with his eyes glancing back and forth in anger at the figure hiding within the corner of the training ground. 

Stood there was Ser Harwin Strong; sharpening his sword with a furious intensity.

And just but a few steps aside from his bulky figure lay Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, the newly-wedded, yet not bedded - at least by her lawful intended- bride of the Red Keep.

There she was, watching Ser Harwin with an entranced stare, making it obvious to all of Westeros the great lust she felt for him.

“My husband! How was your time with the Valyrian models?”

“It was fine.” While he answered, the Queen knew for certain she was not on his mind, with this half-hearted answer making his negligence all the more obvious.

“I had commissioned a figure of Old Valyria’s port by the stonemasons, was it to your liking?” Regardless of her hatred, Alicent found that it was necessary to take every opportunity, and garner affection from her cowardly husband, especially with something held dearest to his heart; one might say held dearer to him than his beloved Rhaenyra even.

He grunted in response, eyes still gleaming at his daughter’s unsightly presence.

The Hightower Queen continued, no longer being dismayed at her husband’s expected turn to neglect, “Viserys, I have great news I’ve been wanting to tell you for the past moon- I didn’t want to intrude on Rhaenyra’s wedding though- but since it… ended early, I thought it was time to tell you, at least privately.” 

“What do you have for me?” 

“I- I’m with child, Viserys.” She whispered, grasping at his hand, flashing her doe eyes at him “Our fourth child is growing within me. I feel he will grow to be a great warrior, thus I knew I had to come here.” 

“Hmm, our House is growing strong, as it should have been.”

“Reclaiming the glory of Jaehaerys and Alysanne’s days, one might say!” Alicent exclaimed, “They’ll be many a child toddling within the Red Keep- even Rhaenyra will be soon to have children!”

“Yes, they’ll be an heir to my heir in a years time, Gods be willing!”

“Oh- but… Viserys?” A pleading look was burned onto Alicent’s face, “There’ll be too many Targaryen’s for the Kingsguard to handle!”

“Bah- my grandsire never changed them-”

“And look and what become of many of your aunts?” She held his hands, brow furrowing in a falsified sadness, “Having just seven men guarding the whole of the Targaryen household isn’t enough Viserys. Especially if we, Rhaenyra, and our children are to grow our House to a greatness the likes of Old Valyria!”

“I see- we must gain more protection, I can’t have Rhaenyra be unprotected.” Viserys regarding her talking only to diverge the conversation solely for his arrogant daughter, ignoring the other children of his vile loins, had her filled with anger. “But the Faith? How will they take this removal of the holy Seven?”

“Viserys, perhaps as recompense, the Crown can fund a Sept for Dragonstone- after all, the current Sept is in a deplorable state, and how else can Targaryens show their devotion to the Faith by making a grand sept at their ancestral home?” She pleaded, wishing intensely for her family to be given more protectors; having an appreciative gift to the Faith was only an extra boon to Alicent and all her endeavours.

“Ah, yes- this is an intriguing idea.” As Viserys pondered, coming to a clear decision favouring his wife, Alicent couldn’t help but fill herself with elation.

Her wishes were surely to come to fruition now.

And for that, Alicent was strongly grateful.

No longer could Princes and Princess’ of Valyrian blood be unprotected, just as her beloved grandchildren had been, or even the bastard ilk of Rhaenyra during the dreaded night at Driftmark in which their children fought intensely, and without any guardians.

Her lineage, her children, her other halves, would be safe.

No more deaths.

No more children for the slaughter.

Chapter Text

Uproar was within the Small Council room, with Lord Corlys specifically filled with an all-encompassing vexation, finally releasing the temper he had just a new two days before, when it had been discovered Laena was gone. 

And so was Daemon.

Lord Corlys stood firm, bellowing with a full force of rage, “Your brother dared to steal my daughter! The most comely girl in Westeros now reduced to a rake’s paramour!”

“Don’t insult my brother! He is a Prince of House Targaryen-

“A second son!” He retorted in ire, “What can he give my Laena, he has no land, all he has is from the goodwill of you, and after sleeping with your daughter, surely you won’t give him anything!” 

“Speak any slander towards my heir and you’ll lose your tongue!”

“Stop! Stop this madness!” Rhaenys bellowed in the room.

Everyone was shocked at her untoward scream, yet not Alicent. For she knew that the Queen Who Never Was had a hidden fire within her soul.

The led to an awkward silence, all the people present unwilling to continue onwards even while knowing they must venture further in this controversial topic. Even Rhaenyra was unwilling to attempt to defend herself nor Daemon at this moment.

Yet Rhea Royce broke this, “My King, may I interject?”

“Of course, Lady Royce- it is you who has been shamed the most by the actions of your lord-husband and Lady Laena.” 

“My King, if you remember our talk at the Wedding Feast… then you may recall that I was wanting to get an annulment.” Rhea Royce was hopeful, with her words uplifting the Velaryons, “This situation is not so dire then. If you annul the marriage of Daemon and I, then him and Lady Laena are free to marry- and any child of their loins will not beshame the household and be a bastard.” 

Alicent watched onward as Corlys and Rhaenys now stood beside one another, whispering in a secretive manner, albeit one that was not unable to hide their joy.

“Viserys, this will be great for all involved!” The Queen was intent on swaying him to this cause, especially as it would make the Velaryons more likely to support her, “You must accept this, surely you don’t want your future nieces and nephews to be born out of wedlock-”

“That’s what Laena deserves! Only a whore would run off with a married man-”

“We all know who the real whore is.” A snorting remark came from Lord Corlys under his breath, as both Alicent and Rhea stifled their giggles and watched Rhaenyra turn reddened like an angered prune at her father-in-laws comment against her words.

Interjecting with hostility, the King’s temper returned, “I told you, do not speak about my daughter!” 

Alicent knew the tension in the room was getting too intense, and thus decided to calm her husband, as she did not wish for the Velaryon’s hatred of Rhaenyra to combust this early. 

She held his hand, whispering for him to be lenient as the Velaryons anger was for valid reasons, even though it seemed to be misplaced against Rhaenyra.

“Fine!” He banged his hands upon the Small Council table, marble balls bashing onto the floor, “You’ll get the annulment, but your daughter, her children, and Daemon, are never to step foot in Westeros for years!” 

A saddened gasp erupted from Rhaenys, “She’s just a child! A girl of five and ten, and yet you're to exile her? Not to mention any innocent babes they are to have.”

“I will not be lenient!” The King’s face was as red as the garments he donned, clashing greatly with his silver straggles of hair, “You’re lucky I’m accepting this sham of a marriage they are partaking in!” 

Rhaenys took her hand, dragging Corlys along her as she stormed out from the chambers, leaving to take in this situation without the condescending words of her cousin.

It was now emptier in the Small Council chambers, no screams of passionate rage to be heard.

“My king, I thank you for this, but I will take my leave now.” Rhea Royce still remained, yet it was noticeable that she was too joyful to stay in this dim atmosphere, wanting to celebrate her annulment.

And now she is gone.

 Alive and free from Daemon. 

As hadn’t been the case in Alicent’s previous life.

All that was left was the King, Queen and Princess.

Silent in the chambers, stuck in the meady atmosphere which had heard many a scream from them.

“How can you let Daemon marry freely after everything? Yet I am saddled with this sword-swallower cousin of mine!” Princess Rhaenyra immediately stomped in a tantrum as the Velaryons left.

“Cease these words!” Immediately Viserys was spewing in readiness towards his daughter, “You are my heir, Laenor was the best bachelor available and is a fellow dragon-rider! Gaining this after everything you did is a blessing to you, and yet you still lust for Daemon!” 

“Urgh!” Rhaenyra said. “You just don’t understand me!” 

Her legs immediately ran in flurries out of the room, squealing in anger as she took steps furthering her distance from Viserys.

“Wait!” The King was half-heartedly ready to run after her, only calmed by Alicent placing her frail hand into his shoulder.

There was a tender affectionate essence in her actions, although faked, and the lingering feelings calmed him as she spoke, “Viserys, let her go. Her emotions are awry, she needs time to rest.”

“You’re right,” He murmured, “But never have you ever been like this! She’s eight and ten now, yet when you were four and ten, you were many steps ahead of her in wisdom!”

The fact that he had no qualms in comparing his wife’s age to his daughter without seeing how damning that was disgusted her, yet it also made Alicent ponder on whether he used her quiet, appeasable manner as an excuse to justify him marrying a girl the same age of his daughter, or whether he was noting how different Alicent had become as her older self took over after their engagement was announced.

“She’ll learn, Rhaenya’s been indulged as a child, but now that’s she’s married there’s a strong likelihood she’ll grow up, as I had.” 

“I can only hope.” He responded.

Yet Alicent did not believe her words to be true at all.

She had given Rhaenyra many chances, but she would always stay the entitled brat she was. 

There was no hope in anything changing how she was, the coddling given to her by Viserys and Daemon destroyed her, and for that Alicent had pit, but she had grown up and stayed the same, which Alicent Hightower could never have sympathy for.

Immediately she was able to forget all the notions of hatred regarding Rhaenyra when she was confronted by Rhea Royce.

Her face was brightened with the smile she was donning, joy plastered all upon her as it became clear to Alicent that Rhea was free and unburdened from what had ailed them both so deeply: a Targaryen man.

Yet, while Alicent was still burdened with one, she didn’t feel much envy for her companion, for she knew that as she stayed with him, the higher chance that all her beloved children would soon arrive.

“I’m free from that bastard!” She was almost jumping up and down, beaming as she circled all the ladies in joy.

“Thank the Gods!” Margarey cried. “I’m all for arrogant men, but Daemon is just a despicable rogue!”

“This is great news for you Rhea, but why exactly did the King accept your request?” Questioned Gilliane.

“We all should know the reason!” Margarey snarked in reply, “I for one bet that it’s all to do with a certain missing Velaryon!”

Gasps erupted, yet Alicent was filled with glee for both her and Rhea could confirm this was the true reason, and could only make Daemon’s reputation worse amongst the Realm.

“It’s true.” Rhea was reluctant in her tone, perhaps feeling guilty regarding Laena Velaryon’s fate, “That poor girl must’ve gotten caught in the thralls of Daemon’s menacing clutches.”

But the sadness they had all begun to feel for the five and ten girl quickly dissipated as the Queen spoke.

“My father once told me that Daemon said he would rather lay with sheep than you… and I suppose that makes sense why he keeps lusting over children with light-blonde hair! It truly is to his taste!” Alicent snorted, the remembrance of this one small remark, which accurately depicted Daemon’s heinous tastes, bringing great joy to her life when she was trapped, alone and abandoned in her former life, with no confidants to find joy with.

Giggles sounded throughout the room, all finding joy in these teasing words.

“Are you to marry then?” Gilliane Glover murmured, timid and blushing as she broke the laughter up with her question towards Rhea, the elder of their group.

“Yes- yes! There must be many a man you must find delectable in the Red Keep!” Interjected Margarey with a green, “Lord Massey’s heir perhaps or is it the infamous pretty-boy Criston that we’ve all noted taking looks at you!”

The Lady of Runestone’s face was reddened with the mention of Criston Cole. Something that made Alicent hold a slither of envy, but what encompassed that was a greater sense of appreciation. That both these people tarnished by the snakes of the Red Keep in politicking and aiding the Targaryens had their lives destroyed, yet in this life are now able to find love together.

“We’ll see!” 

Intervening with a grin, Alicent uttered words of joy, “-Remember Rhea, Kingsguard members can take leave and marry now! You truly have a chance for love!”

She responded with a small nod, before the conversation quickly became a space for gossiping regarding all ventures in love that the girls were either partaking in themselves or witnessing within the Red Keep.

Conversation continued in waves, while Alicent’s attention began to dwindle.

All she began to feel was appreciation. Having a group of lovely women to talk and share private thoughts to was a great thing, something her former self thought to be impossible after losing the companionship of Rhaenyra Targaryen.

It was all she needed. That, and her children.

Rhaenyra could burn, whether by Alicent’s hands or another’s she did not care. 

All the Hightower woman cared for was the people she loved; her family and friends. 

Not Rhaenyra Targaryen. Or Daemon Targaryen.

Especially not Viserys Targaryen.

Chapter Text

There was a great sense of unease in Alicent.

An unsettling peace was within the Red Keep.

In all these long four moons, no scheming had occurred, on her end or on Rhaenyra’s behalf. Nothing of great importance at all occurred.

The Princess kept only to herself, her lord-husband, and sworn-shield of course. It seemed she had quietened down after the surprise elopement of Daemon and Laena, with no gossiping matters occurring from her. Instead the gossip shining through the Courts was mainly regarding Alicent’s own ladies: with Rhea Royce eloping immediately with Ser Criston, who had been released from the shackles of his whitecloak just as the knowledge of Daemon and Laena’s marriage came to light. 

Rhaenyra stayed out of the spotlight, a rare occasion to occur as Alicent knew that despite her alleged dislike of attention, the Princess couldn’t help but be brazen in her actions, insulting nobles and acting boldly as she went along her days.

Both the women were very demure, actions pristine and mindful as they both awaited the arrival of their next child.

Alicent her third, while the Princess was due to have her first. At the same age.

Yet Viserys would call his daughter a child, having married a girl years younger at the time of their respective marriages.

But as the time passed in long strides, Alicent couldn’t help but feel as if an underlying tension was brewing, soon to explode in waves, all the culminating tension and resentment seeming. Yet that had already occurred just five moons ago.

Rhaenyra had the right of it, in wanting to gain power, but she went through this in the wrong manner, for Alicent strongly believed that the strongest thing that could topple, or save, the Realm was the women which resided in it. For Daenys the Dreamer had saved the Targaryens from the Doom, and it was Visenya and Rhaenys Targaryen that ruled as Regents for the Conqueror. The Princess though acted as if she was infallible, not realising that to make changes, a woman was best to be in the background, using her feminine capabilities allowed by the arrogant men, gaining allies with other women in the guise of mindless gossip and stitching sessions.

Ideally though, Alicent agreed with the Targaryen Princess, yet thought it would be more acceptable to slowly give women further allowances, rather than usurping her own siblings, and being an accomplice to Viserys’ own hypocritical actions, dismissing the valid claim of Rhaenys, while propping up his daughter in place of a true-born son.

Rhaenyra was no true carer of women’s rights anyway. If she was, then she would understand Alicent’s lack of culpability in her marriage to Viserys, and she would not do unto other girls what the precedent of Westeros expected of not just them, but all women, including herself.

And Alicent on the other hand, at least in this life, knew she had power, a great prestige over many men and women, and could utilise that for any person. She did so for her cousins and ladies, with Lady Margarey now betrothed to Lord Lannister and Rickon Stark smitten to his now-betrothed Gilliane Glover, not to mention Lady Bethany now being connected to the Velaryons and Celtigars, having two children of Valyrian blood.

Yet there was one woman she had neglected to care for.

Her maidservant, Ruth.

Not just her closest ally, but her closest friend.

Now pregnant with a child, born just a moon or two before Alicent’s child, and remembered by the Queen as the sweet boy who Aemond had a soft spot for, always gifting him his leftover wooden-swords and toys, at least until he lost an eye and succumbed to isolation and resentment.

She must be in her last few weeks of pregnancy, yet Alicent was to relax in confinement while Ruth was stuck to work and slave for labour to the Royal family, something the Queen felt great pity for.

She knew that as Queen of Westeros, she still had her limits and could not fully reform the Smallfolk’s livelihood, but Alicent still had a great position of power which she could use to aide in promoting care for the innocents. On a larger scale, Alicent knew that she would teach her children to care for others, with Aegon already having an appreciation and care for them in his former life, even entrusting the livelihood of his sole daughter to a bastard boy he had turned into a Knight of Westeros: Eddard Waters. 

But on a smaller scale, while Alicent taught her descendants and created foundations of charity for them to follow, she could also help the individual right in front of her. Beside her in every step of her monotonous life, Ruth. 

In her former life she was alone, with only Criston as her true confidant, Larys as an ally with twisted devotion, and lastly Talya, a traitor who deceived Alicent almost all her life when she was but an abandoned and neglected girl looking for comfort with her handmaid, only to discover this woman had sold her secrets during every moment of their intimate life.

But now Alicent had women who truly cared beside her within the Red Keep, and even spanning all across the Seven Kingdoms, yet it was Ruth who was there first. Her true ally.

“Ruth, come here.” She spoke as the maids watched secretly while preparing Alicent’s things for her confinement.

“My Queen?”

The servant was frazzled, with bundles of red clothing attempting to cover up the bulging figure of her belly yet unable to.

“You are with child-” As Alicent spoke, her maid became worried, eyebrows raising in fear that others may hear.

Yet the other maids carried on doing their duty, either unable to hear the whispers or not caring for them as it was already quite clear to anybody with a sharp eye that there was a babe within the maid.

“-As am I. Yet here you stand before me, braiding my hair, cleaning after my children and packing my gowns.” 

“Yes, that’s my duty to you as my Queen?” The maid spoke with a questioning tone.

“Your duty, yes of course, but what about my duty? The Royal Family should care for our subjects, yet none of the Targaryens since the Good Queen Alysanne have made any efforts- I’ve tried but you are my maid, my confidant, and yet still you are forced to work during your last moon carrying a child.” Alicent was spiralling with these thoughts, guilt ridden at the fact that she had barely made any changes in her previous life that had done any great improvement to the Smallfolk, especially exacerbated at her remembrance of how her maidservant was especially teary-eyed during the Dance, with her lover dying and her son being one of the many conscripts dead to a crisp at Rook’s Rest.

The maidservant clamoured closer to Alicent, “Queen Alicent, I know nobody has cared for the Smallfolk in my lifetime, the Seven above know that I know this! My father was injured after decades as the Royal Kitchen’s baker, yet was given no compensation!” Her voice raised a higher tone, reaching the ears of the workers beside her, “But you are making efforts, which is much more than anyone before has done!”

“It is true I have, but there is always more that can be done,” Alicent was not done with her ventures in charity; not just due to the love it gave her, but for her genuine wanting to fix the world, “And so, I want you to take the next few moons off, to prepare for, and take care of your babe. You don’t have to come back until this bag of gold is empty, and even then, you won’t want for anything as my future child’s wetnurse.” 

“My Queen! This is too much-”

“No, this does not suffice! One day, I pray that the subjects below me will be able to live enjoyable lives, but for now this is all I can do. Even then, you child can have a prosperous life- your child can be a future knight for my son’s or a lady who can marry into a minor second-son’s household!” Alicent swiftly interrupted her confidant’s words, yet as she continued, her words turned softer and calm with a pleading tone, “I swear this to you on my honour as Queen, on my honour as your friend.”

Ruth nodded, having almost no choice but to accept the bag of gold dragons and the offer given to her, for only a fool would ever reject such an offer, and a sense of appreciation was gleaming within her eyes.

Yet the woman continued folding Alicent’s garments and tucking away her jewels, not out of duty, but rather a sense of appreciation for the woman who she would not see for the next few moons that was changing her life greatly. And who was to be alone , in confinement, only momentarily checked upon by her ladies and maesters for discrepancies with her child.

But Alicent was prepared for this time, knowing that this moment of solitude was a break from politicking for her, and that her son Aemond would finally be coming back to her.

Alicent was now alone for but a moment, with her chambers prepared for her long time of confinement until her child was to be born, and ladies-in-waiting to be placed in during shifts. This was to make it impossible for the Queen to secretly switch a stillborn child with a living replacement; once done away during Queen Alysanne’s time, yet reintroduced upon the birth of Rhaenyra, as she was the only living child borne of Aemma Arryn and there was little people present to validate the legitimacy of her first living child, other than the King, Queen and Maesters present.

Yet King Viserys had only attempted such act towards Alicent with the birth of Aegon, only to be tempered by Otto Hightower who said this would be a humiliating experience for the Queen to face, especially as she had no signs of infertility unlike Queen Aemma who had to have many people watching in case she switched on of her frail babes with one of a stronger build.

But Alicent knew that doing so with this birth, she would be making herself a paragon of truth and fertility, only exacerbated by Rhaenyra’s birth to her child, which was highly likely to be a pug-nosed son of darkened features, as had been before. Not only that, but in the Queen’s former life, since she had not done a public birthing, Rhaenyra’s brazen showcase of flaunting her faults with the birth of her first bastard was hidden, yet if Alicent knew Rhaenyra’s temperament, and she did, then the Princess was likely to follow suit with a public birthing, even at the risk of people witnessing features unalike to the babe’s mother or father, all to undermine Alicent’s own actions and seem as the better of the two women.

Viserys was quickly swayed with the Hightower woman’s words, uncaring for her wishes and allowing them to pass as he thought them to be of no consequence, but they would be. For his precious daughter, who could not compare to Alicent in this regard.

Yet he stood before him right now, shifting foot to foot in front of her chamber’s doors. Right as she was to begin her confinement.

“Viserys- My husband, what are you-”

“I wanted to speak to you, before you are to be alone, tended by the maesters.”

“But what for?” She was confused, for he had begun to not give any love to his wife or their children as the years passed, “You don’t even care for my or our babes anymore!”

As she weeped truthful tears of anger, her not-so-loving husband stood confused, as if unable to even attempt to comfort his child-bride.

“I- I do.”

“Then why is it my children have nothing to their name!”

“Rhaenyra is my heir!”

“I’m not speaking of that! Rhaenyra is to be Queen- but what is to be of our children?” Alicent’s doe eyes were wide with droplets of tears shining atop them, “Aegon is your firstborn son but he has nothing to his name!”

“What would you have me do?” He sighed, conflicted when confronted with his faults.

“I just want our son to have something worthy for his future children! But you have not even thought of any tidings to give him- because-because you don’t even care for him!” All the emotions she had in both this life and her former were coming together, the culmination of all her ire triggered by her mind’s change during pregnancy. 

“Fine! I would give him something, but the only thing that comes to mind is Dragonstone and that’s only for heirs to the Throne-”

“No it isn’t.” As the Queen had a moment of realisation, King Viserys’ was twisted in a foolish figure of shock.

“What-”

“You forget the most infamous case of a ruler having two separate lines from different wives!” She interrupted and countered her confused husband, “The Conqueror himself gave Maegor Dragonstone, while keeping Aenys as heir! Why can’t you do something like this to show you care for your children borne of my blood?” She weeped, holding her saddened face into her hands.

“Your emotions must be high due to your womanly nature… but I will consider this!” 

A sharp pain struck Alicent has he spoke. 

It felt like the stabbing motions she was used to during her birthing, yet scared the Queen deeply because never before had she felt them so early.

“Ah-! Just go away Viserys!” She screeched just as another hit her, “Please, just go! I don’t want to die here knowing that you don’t care for our children!” 

He quickly shuffled out of there, beckoning the guard beside the door he opened to find a maester.

Leaving Alicent alone once-more. In pain and abandoned by her pathetic husband, while possibly losing their child.

But a small smile was donned on Alicent’s face even while facing so much pain, for she knew that this moment would be highly likely to trigger Viserys into a guilt-fuelled choice to heed her words and grant Aegon Dragonstone.

The doors slammed, bundles of women clamouring through the chambers.

“Alicent!” 

“We heard what happened, are you okay as of now?” Her cousin Lady Delene Redwyne spoke, brow furrowed in sadness.

“Don’t fear, nothing wrong occurred- it was false movements of the babe and my body likely preparing itself for the birthing.” 

Sighs of relief sounded throughout the room at Alicent’s words.

“-But enough of that! I know that my future son will be fine, what I want to know before I’m in confinement for long is… what gossip in the Red Keep now that I’m gone!” The Queen quickly shifted the tone of the room with her words, making the Ladies present full of joy rather than the fear they once held.

“Well, you already know that the Velaryons ran back to Driftmark in anger at the King, and you know of Margarey’s betrothal… but Margarey and Jason Lannister are betrothed, and she isn’t wanting to be a harlot like the Princess and is waiting for marriage, but he really wants to move up the wedding date!” Delena gossiped about her sister, “She’s really making him wait!”

Joking giggles erupted at the poor state of Jason Lannister, uplifting everyone's spirits at seeing how the audacious man was strung into abstinence due to his devoted love to his betrothed.

“Oh, and you’ll love this Alicent!” Interrupted Floris Lonmouth, “The Princess’ stomach is already larger than yours, and you were pregnant two moons before her wedding even occurred!” 

“Well perhaps she consummated her wedding, and is just having a strong child with big-bones! But I saw how she acted on that night,” Snarked Alicent, whose harsh voice slowly turned softer as she trailed off, “Right across from the Maester’s treating your poor brother’s body…”

Floris’ figure was hardened at the mention of her brother, yet beckoned Alicent to continue with eye contact.

“And well, the Princess screaming Harwin is not a good sign!” Alicent spoke, causing an untoward snort from her bedside from Delena.

And now, she stayed with these women, giggling and laughing at all the gossip occurring that she was due to miss in the upcoming moons.

Alicent Hightower could now relax with no manipulation to occur, just fun times with her ladies, until her child was to be born. 

And then, it would be time to destroy Rhaenyra, if she truly had a bastard as she did in the past life of Alicent’s. 

With how she acted with Harwin Strong the night after her nuptials, the Queen knew almost for certain that this would occur again. 

For now though, she did not have to give any indication of care or acknowledgment to Rhaenyra and her faults.

Her children were the main thing in her life, never again would she care for the girl who was to kill them with her selfishness.

Chapter Text

Aemond was a beautiful child; a quiet and solemn boy with a strong stare, a sharp difference to Alicent’s first son. She loved both the loudness and the quiet however, and Aemond’s muted babbles as he stared at her with his violet eyes was a gorgeous sight to behold.

His sisters were not. Helaena springing free from her maids only for them to find her kneeling with dirt plastered on her dress as she looked for crawling insects. 

And Vaella, with her incessant toddling after her growing dragon, which was once adorable but began to become a menace to the Red Keep, as Vaella now began to smell akin to a dragon’s stench, no matter how many baths soaked with lavender petals she had.

Alicent could only imagine how chaotic it would be when Daeron arrives, as she recalled Gwayne mentioning he was adept with an instrument, yet to be so adept, he’d first have to practise immensely and make everybody suffer while hearing his screeching attempts of a tune.

As she sat holding Aemond to her chest, Alicent had finally found peace. Even in this chaotic experience, she’d dare say as a result of it. Her family not beholden to duty, instead being free. Full of joy and with no anxiety in sight.

Just sitting here in her chambers, holding her babe while ladies chattered on mindlessly, was one of the best moments Alicent had ever experienced. It was incomparable to any moment in her past life, except perhaps for the birth of her grandchildren. But even then, Helaena was much too young for the birthing chambers, and so that moment was too filled with dread.

Life was simply good. Just sitting with Ladies and her children; simple but perfect.

As Lady Bethany Velaryon nee Bracken spoke about how adorable her little boy was, a knock abruptly interrupted her speech.

“Ah- What is it?” Bethany murmured, voice saddening at the arrival of Alicent maid, which had broken her incessant ramblings. “Oh? The Princess’ servant?” 

It was Annora. Rhaenyra’s maid. The lady who had been here through all of Alicent and Rhaenyra’s teen years, going from comradery to hatred only to find comradery again which did not last for long with Rhaenyra’s venture to a brothel of Fleabottom.

“The Princess has gone into her labours!” She directed towards her Queen with a chaotic tone.

“Oh- no! It’s too soon for that! Right, Queen Alicent?” Bethany pretended to be shocked and Alicent couldn’t help but love how the soft spoken yet rambunctious girl had a snappy side to herself and was willing to show it in favour of Alicent and the side she had aligned herself to.

“Indeed.”

“My Queen, would you follow me to see the babe? It’s believed by the Maester that Princess Rhaenyra will have a quick birth.” 

“Hm, yes. But Lady Bethany shall be coming with me- to see the new heir to her house, after all!” Alicent declared, knowing that upon seeing the babe’s brown hair, Bethany would spread the gossip all across Westeros and make in undeniable to the world that Rhaenyra was unfit for the Iron Throne, along with the other nobles present for the public birthing. Rhaenyra and her brown-haired babe born too soon would be damned, and Alicent would cheer at the aftermath.

History did indeed repeat itself.

Atop Rhaenyra’s hands was a bloodied babe wrapped in a Targaryen-coloured cloth. Most importantly was the brown strands on the top of his little head.

The couriers and Lords watching onwards were terrified. Faces plastered pale with shock.

Only Viserys seemed unfazed, yet Alicent could see a glimpse of shame on his face, only to be overcome by love the the bastard babe.

“Oh- what a Strong boy you have, step-daughter!” Alicent channelled her inner Aemond with a false smile, while the babe's hands gripped tightly onto her fingers.

“Yes, indeed Alicent! He’s a little strong boy- look at that grip he has on you!” Viserys cajoled, not finding any fault in her words, even as Rhaenyra’s hardened face stared at them both with anger. “What’s the little tyke’s name?” 

“Jacaerys,” Rhaenyra exhaled, so full of love and devotion that Alicent almost felt something akin to sympathy for her; because by creating him, she had doomed poor Jacaerys to a terrible existence. “Jacaerys Velaryon.” 

“What a perfect name for the future king!” 

Alicent’s face turned sour. Yet another obstacle in her way. 

But most importantly, yet another figure that Viserys could unconditionally love, unlike his children born of Alicent’s blood.

There was some small part of her that understood why he loved the child, even if she found it nonsensical how he had no love for his own children because the quirky smile on Jacaerys’ face was quite an adorable sight.

But he was to be a figurehead of the Blacks, joining his treasonous mother in her usurpation of the Throne.

As of now, however, he was but an innocent babe, one Alicent couldn’t help but grin at as she heard his giggles.

Viserys was too distracted with the new child, yet not his own, which left Alicent free to her own devices, now able to take hold of Dragonstone; the Targaryen’s original domain after the Doom of Valyria.

She was thankful that he heeded her words during her almost grief-stricken moment of insanity many many moons ago, and now was able to take hold of Dragonstone and legitimise Aegon’s rightful claim.

Even though he was just a young child, Alicent knew that it was time to get Aegon into a moment to himself with her, to grow as a person and to have time with his mother away from the drama of the Red Keep.

He was not used to the sea at all, but Alicent had prepared calming lullabies to sing which tempered his spirit on their journey. For whatever reason, it seemed that Alicent’s voice had always been one of the only things capable of calming Aegon, other than alcohol of course, the dreaded thing that began to be his only balm in life after Viserys caused the mouth of their babe to be coated in wine as a child. 

“Queen Alicent, we are to be docking right now, as we have reached Dragonstone’s shores.” 

The Captain’s assistant’s words broke Alicent’s sweet lullaby, resulting in an awoken, and extremely grumpy, Aegon Targaryen.

Calming him done with a shushing sound did no better than silence and it appeared to be a useless endeavour. So Alicent decided to hold him in her grasp, praying that feeling her touch would relax him, after all, he had craved it so desperately, even in her former life where she had delegated all his childhood to numerous incoming maids and servants, having felt too broken to connect with the child she was forced to birth as a child herself.

“Aegon, here we are in your future domain,” She spoke, voice turning to a soft whisper as she continued, “Your rightful land as the true heir to the Throne.” 

He was clearly not listening, preferring to gaze at the large body of darkened stone which was drawing closer and closer to their eyesight.

Her maids beckoned themselves over, offering to hold Aegon as Alicent readied herself up to greet the current Castellan of Dragonstone, who had been acting befitting of the title Lord of this domain, as Daemon and Rhaenyra had been extremely lax in caring for the land which was bestowed upon them as heir and thus the Castellan had to pick up the slack, of which there was much.

However, she rejected their request, finding a joy she had not previously held in her former life when she held Aegon tightly beside her. She felt disgusted with him before, it didn’t feel right to even be near him, never mind to hold him. Aegon brought her great melancholy and dread, and as he aged and desired he attention, she began to detest him more and more, until almost all she felt for him was hate; only countered by an innate love deep within her for the fact that he was her firstborn, but not for who he was.

Now she felt such great love for him, more-so than ever before. And this would be shown not only in physical affection but also Alicent’s actions, with manipulating Viserys to grant Aegon Dragonstone while also letting Alicent help build a beautiful Grand Sept befitting of the Royal Family’s original home, unlike the rather normal Sept it had, not even great enough for any Liege Lord’s city, nevermind a Royal heir.

“Queen Alicent.”

Right before her eyes as she stepped onto the shoreline were numerous people; a silver-haired man likely a Celtigar, a servant or two, and a man she knew to be Alfred Boome who had joined her son’s side after being disregarded as future Castellan in the time of Rhaenyra’s false rule when he was the most senior garrison member of Dragonstone and thus joined Aegon’s ranks. Yet most important of them all was a white-bearded man, tall and shining with a grin, dressed so intricately that Alicent knew he must be the Castellan of Dragonstone, essentially the true ruler as of now, with Rhaenyra never caring for Dragonstone except to argue with Daemon or to run away to as the court spreading facts about her children was seemingly too much to bear. 

But Rhaenyra could not do that again. 

This was Aegon’s place now, and never again could she sprint off to the place of their forefathers.

“-You must be Lord Estermont!” Alicent grinned back at him as he bowed deeply, “My father has said many great things about you and your ruling of Dragonstone!” 

“My thanks, Queen Alicent,” His light eyes looked up to her with a twinkle before his face quickly turned stern, “We have prepared your quarters and preparations have been made for you and Prince Aegon to meet with Septon Gowen, myself, and two architects to plan for the upcoming Grand Sept.” 

“How pleasing my Lord,” Alicent was glad she could gain influence over Dragonstone immediately as she arrived, “However I do fear that our travels were very tumultuous and tiring so I would like to reconvene at a later time to discuss further matters not only for the Grand Sept but for Aegon’s new role as Lord and how to proceed further- after all, I’d like to grow Dragonstone into it’s finest form possible to honour my husband and children’s ancestors.” 

“Yes-yes of course my Queen,” He replied, understanding as the sky grew dark and cloudy during the Royal retinue’s travels and it appeared as though rain was bound to fall anytime soon.

For now, Alicent was ready to sleep, the journey having been too much for her mind, with Aegon wanting to cry out, the boat shaking at times due to billowing waves, and her own slight bouts of seasickness. 

Alicent Hightower would fall into a calm slumber, as she awaited the morn’s arrival and with that her foray into gaining influence on Dragonstone for her beloved son.

Chapter Text

Aegon was a rambunctious child, always craving his and Alicent’s special trips every few moons or so to Dragonstone. He was such a smiley boy, no longer stifled by the domineering hatred exuding in the Red Keep, instead he made many friends such as the Castellan’s great-nephew Leon Estermont, who Alicent couldn’t help but find some trace of familiarity in, even if she didn’t know why. 

And yet even with this bundle of friends at Dragonstone, he still had the energy to befriend his siblings, absolutely adoring Helaena and Aemond, no longer filled with hatred as had occurred before due to Alicent’s obvious preference for them, and Vaella was a new presence, adding onto Aegon’s differing way of acting.

A small thought erupted in Alicent’s mind, with her wondering whether the true Aegon was always like this in either life but Alicent stifled his joy so much that he only showcased it for the buffoons he called friends, who were actually not as bad as she once thought, after all they had saved both her and Alicent in the riots of Kingslanding, with one even sacrificing his life for them. Maybe she just didn’t know Aegon all that well, ever since she was a girl of just five-and-ten despising the child she was forced to bear even when he was but an innocent, just like she was.

“Mother! Please, can we go back?” Aegon’s grinned in a pleading manner, bouncing around in anticipation. “I miss Leon and the others!” 

“Aegon…” She tutted, yet not in the harsh anger she donned in her past life, “Your siblings would miss you so dearly!”

“Well we can take Aemond with us-“ Aegon countered, “Helaena and Vaella can spend time with Aunt Margarey and the baby- girls like babies so they’ll be fine!” 

Aegon was of the age where he cared not at all for girls and their wants, he was rather into listening to tales of courageous knights and playing make-belief with dragon models, very alike to Vaella but with her dolls even if he didn’t want to see the similarities. 

As she gazed into his lilac eyes, Alicent faltered, immediately accepting his deal and making preparations in her mind to go back to Dragonstone, their not-so-secret home away from home. Yet this time she feared that Aegon may not be so happy with this trip, even if he was the one to ask for Aemond to join, since he may have the fear of inferiority and inadequacy as he held before. 

And if he didn’t, well Alicent only had herself to blame for that being a major component of his personality in the past, since it must’ve been her actions, or lack thereof, that caused this within him. 

It was all her fault. 

But never again would she let that happen.

This was all his fault. 

Her precious fool of a child had somehow flooded his chambers with bubbles of all things, seeping in masses from the bathing chambers he loved to escape from with glee, running naked while giggling as the maids bemoaned his action. 

“Aegon!” Alicent was done with him, “You can’t just keep doing this!” 

He whined in response, “Mother!”

Her voice turned soft for a moment, trying not to become her former self, “I love you darling but you have to understand that many people will be looking for any flaws or weaknesses from you and I to hurt us, so sometimes one must act politely and proper as my little Prince should!” She whispered, voice raising in the end as she spoke his embarrassing nickname and squeezed his blushing cheeks. 

“I- I understand Mother, so stop treating me like a baby! I’m not one!” He squealed, and it was true; he had already had a small growth spurt at the age of six, looking slightly gangly as he began to sprout, yet in a couple years he wouldn’t be the taller of her sons, something he loved teasing Aemond over yet ended with  Aemond gleefully overtaking him. 

“Oh, but who else am I going to treat like this?” She grasped him into a hug, claiming him with the towel she was luckily holding and wrapping him tightly as he playfully struggled. 

“Then maybe you should give me another sibling!” He exclaimed, “Aemond’s too grumpy, it’d be nice to have another brother- not a girl who likes icky dolls.” 

“We’ll see- darling, but anywho, for now, I have to meet at the Grand Sept while you and Aemond stay put here with Ser Rickard and Maester Edmund for lessons.” 

“Mhm, fine,” He grumbled but accepted, going back to the soaked maid and his other attendant who was holding his garments for the day. 

Alicent was saddened to leave her boy behind but knew that she shouldn’t become the complete inverse of her past self, coddling Aegon to such levels of insanity rather than neglecting him and so she left, practicing self-restraint and forgetting about the ever-present guilt impacting her actions towards Aegon. 

Walking away, she turned the corner clashing into a smaller figure. 

It was none other than Aemond. 

How could she have not said bye to him before leaving for a meeting, Alicent thought, knowing all too well how bad favouritism of one child and not the others could be. 

“Aemond!” She smiled, “Mummy missed you!” 

He smiled, moving closer to her and further away from his maidservant.

“Is my boy feeling well? I know this was your first time travelling by boat!” 

He didn’t say anything, instead gesturing with his hand meaning ‘pick me up’, a universal sign in all languages, Alicent imagined. 

She picked him up, holding him onto her side, perfectly clasped by her hips, and smothered him with a cheek kiss, “Mummy will be back soon, so sit tight with Leora here and I’ll be back just in time to read you a story for bedtime.”

He accepted with a grin on his face, nodding his head in an adorable bob, before Alicent sadly had to pass him over to his maidservant. 

She then met with Ser Erryk and travelled down to the Grand Sept, excited to meet up with the few of her ladies who had spearheaded this venture of her’s alongside the Septa’s and Septon’s who spend their days there; specifically Septon Gowen, whom Aegon had somehow connected with, finding him the only man he’d stand teaching him history, far better than the Maester that Viserys elected for his son in a rare showcase of acknowledgment of Aegon.

“My Lady, you already spent time here moons ago and now we are back?” Ser Erryk smirked as the carriage horse’s trotted towards the Sept, “It seems like you’d rather stay here than the Red Keep!” 

“Well, Ser Erryk, you know just how dreadful the Red Keep is,” Alicent replied, “Wouldn’t you say this beautiful place is much better than that horrid place full of even more horrid people and an ever-so awful smell!” 

He laughed in response, the both of them chatting gleefully together as the time passed until they had arrived at the entrance of the Grand Sept. 

“Alicent!” Footsteps trodded over to her, but the bellowing voice was far more noticeable than the sound of heels clacking on marble flooring. 

Alicent immediately ran forward, carefully holding her dress as to not trip on the embroidered tips of black framing the skirt, and jumped into the arms of the screeching woman.

“Bethany!” She spoke with elation, “Oh, how glad I am to see you.” 

“It’s been just a few moons but I too missed you greatly,” Bethany Velaryon said as she casted her eyes onto Alicent’s smile, “My children and the Sept have distracted me for some time, but I can’t help but miss my time spent in your retinue when I was but a girl.” 

Alicent reminisced heavily about the woman before her, remembering when she was a wild child, a free spirit in the world, yet also a girl so eager for genuine love in a Kingdom full of arranged alliances through marriage, which became true for her as she set her eyes upon Daemion Velaryon.

“Well I’m here now with you.” Alicent smiled with joy, thinking how great it is to be visiting her first true friend, “And I’ll be sure to visit often- oh and I’ll bring the girls here soon, they’d love to meet little Shaera.”   

They continued their chatter, eyes glistening with excitement at the mention of their delightful children, carrying themselves up the stairs to meet inside the Grand Sept.

“How’s the upkeep of the Sept been?” 

“It’s all been working perfectly, the Smallfolk especially adore the food given every Moon!” Bethany gestured towards the door leading to the lesser known part of the Sept, which held the inventory for the Septons and Septas, but also the donated food from charitable gifting from Lords and Ladies prompted by Alicent’s actions and the stigma that not doing so would bring when every other Lord was doing so. 

They went to sit in what was typically used as the Septa’s private room, a space to get away from the religious gatherings at the centre space of the Sept, ready to gossip and chatter all about the experiences in their life unbeknown to the other due to the great distance between the two women.

Alicent felt peace once more, no longer tempted to by ambitions and manipulation in the cesspit of darkness that was the Red Keep. 

She’d spent the latter half of the day ranting for what seemed like days to Bethany, finding joy in ever little thing she’d mentioned, such as Helaena’s first steps and Aemond’s first words. 

Yet the sky was shifting into nightlight, orange tones bleeding into darker hues, and the night was made only more noticeable with Ser Erryk’s discreet yawns showing it was quite definitely time to go back to their chambers.

Alicent was also quite tired after such a long day filled with sea travel, being splashed by Aegon, and then the talk in the Grand Sept, yet knew that before she’d go to sleep that she’d have to check on her two boys. 

Firstly, she crept over to Aemond, seeing him lying peacefully. There he was, calming Alicent’s fretful thoughts that he’d be a little discomforted by his first time travelling somewhere unknown. 

Quickly ready to turn her eyes over to her eldest son, Alicent strided over to his bed next, ready to see the child she was striving so hard to not fail ever again.

It was empty. 

Scrunched-up sheets sprawled over were all her eyes could gaze upon, no white hair in sight at all. 

Aegon wasn’t here. 

Alicent’s mind was in shambles. Immediately remembering with a wave of melancholy and horror how quickly something bad could happen just as what occurred to her poor grandson Jaehaerys. 

Aegon was the very same age that Jaehaerys was when his life was snuffed out by the traitourous niece-fucker Daemon. 

Could Daemon be starting early? 

Already prepared to be a kin-slayer, showing that his slaughter of Jaehaerys had always been a guise of vengeance which he used as a moment of opportunity to strike and cull his opponents to the Crown

The frantic run outside is a haze. Alicent’s eyes blurring with tears and her mind flickers with memories of Jaehaerys’s disembodied head, memories of Helaena’s fractured body stabbed into at every angle, and Jaehaera’s too, one eerily familiar; far too alike to the position her mother’s frame was left it. 

She fell onto a hardened brick wall, or rather what felt like one. 

Ser Erryk steadied her up, then moved to cradle Alicent’s head in his palms, seeing closely just how frazzled his Queen was.

“My Queen- no, Alicent, calm down,” He tried to assure her that all was okay but it was clear that nothing was working. “Alicent, can you tell me what’s wrong?” 

“It’s- Aegon!” She stumbled over her words, stammering as she attempted to take deep breaths and tell Ser Erryk her worries. “He’s gone!” 

Erryk took in her grief-stricken eyes and the tortured sound of her words and knew it to be true. 

“My Queen, I swear to you that I’ll do everything in my power to find him,” He held her hands tight as he spoke, “And besides, who’s to say little Aegon didn’t sneak away on his own! We all know what that kid is like” 

His joking seemed to calm Alicent for a moment, but only a short while. 

She quickly came back to her crazed state of fear, screeching again about what could happen to Aegon. 

“Erryk, what shall we do!” She weeped, “I don’t want to lose my son- my precious boy.” 

“It’ll be okay, Alicent, we’ll find him.” 

Erryk entwined her hands into his, making her run alongside him as he tried to find the standing guards on call for the night. 

“Thorne!” He found the stern yet kind bearded man stood intently at one of the chamber’s entrances, “The elder Prince is missing! Call Lord Estermont’s guards, we must find Prince Aegon immediately!” 

“Right, Erryk.” Ser Rickard Thorne’s eyes turned cold while his tone turned authoritative immediately, “I’ll get them to search all of Dragonstone, while you and the Queen?” He trailed off, wanting Ser Erryk to answer the incomplete question.

“I’ll be searching with Queen Alicent, starting with the Dragonpit, after all, if the Prince left on his own, then who better than his mother to instinctively know where he’ll be. Erryk And if this circumstance wasn’t of his own willing accord, then I trust that you will search hard and fast and find the treasonous culprits!” 

The two left him and promptly began to search, looking in every single nook and cranny of each and every room.

Alicent scoured the rooms they wandered into with wild eyes, frantic with grief and blurred with tears.

They went through, many, many rooms, yet found nothing to show for their efforts.

“He’s not here!” 

Erryk tried to placate her once more, “Queen Alicent, let’s check the Dragonpit as we had said to do so, the rooms are all vacant.” 

“Oh, yes of course!” She remarked, remembering his words to Rickard. “But still, I can’t help but be worried since he’s not inside.” 

They carried on forward, leaving all the chambers behind for the other guards, finally reaching the outside, with the twilight sky gleaming onto their faces.

A large wind swayed into motion, pushing whatever soot and dust had accumulated in the years onto the two, covering Alicent’s gown and Erryk’s mustache in a greyed mess. 

A dark figure in the atmosphere drifted closer to them, worrying Alicent as she had no possible suggestion as to what was occuring. 

“Ser Erryk, do- do you see that?” 

“My Queen, stay behind me.” He uttered, immediately standing in front of Alicent in a protective stance.

It swooped down to them, close up yet they weren’t able to see it in all it’s glory even in the little moonlight present.

It was large, far too big for Ser Erryk to face, even if he had an army of soldiers or a Valyrian steel sword.

There lay a small lump atop it, that immediately set aside Alicent’s fears, or rather changed those fears into being anxious for a much different reason. 

“Aegon!” She bellowed, “Is that you?” 

The little lump tumbled over onto the right, leaping off of what was surely a Dragon. 

“Mother, you found me!” 

“What in the Seven Hells did you do?” 

“Don’t worry, Mother. I just felt a dragon’s calling and had to come here!” Aegon smiled in response, stroking the dragon’s scales as he acted without a care in the slightest.

“See, Queen Alicent, we found the little tyke after all!” Ser Erryk whispered with a smirk on his face, while all Alicent could do was feel bewildered at what was happening.

Now that Aegon and his dragon were visible, Alicent knew for certain that she’d never understand the intriguing magic of the Targaryens and their bond with dragons. For right before her eyes was the very dragon that Aegon had rode to battle in another life; Sunfyre.

It was clear even in all her ignorance that there must be some sort of fate entwining Aegon with his dragon for them to be bonded even in another life. Perhaps Aegon was made for Sunfyre, always made to be his comrade, or maybe it was the other way around, with Sunfyre waiting alone bondless until he met the Targaryen person fit for him.

As she watched Aegon giggle as he stroked the scales of the golden dragon, she felt disgust.

Disgust because she now recalled when Aegon had previously claimed Sunfyre. She didn’t even notice he was gone, instead spending the whole day with political matters before spending night with Aemond, ignoring the son who represented her plight in life. 

In fact, she didn’t even know he claimed a dragon until the next week, when they had arrived to Kingslanding, having a rare dinner with Viserys. Aegon gleefully told his father what had occurred with a grin on his face, only to get a short period of acknowledgement before Viserys donned to talk about Jacaerys’ egg and how grand his future dragon would surely be. 

She was a disappointment of a mother then.

But never again, she’d try to be the best mother possible for all and every of her children, no bias or favouritism, caring for all of them no matter what.

Chapter Text

It was clear to Alicent that her darling Daeron was eagerly on his way, with her moonblood missing being a clear sign for the return of her child; the poor boy born of her loins of whom was abandoned, shipped away, off to his maternal family’s side, neglected in the eyes of his immediate family and forgotten.

No longer would this be the case, Alicent would not let her domineering father, or her neglectful pathetic husband, dictate what would happen to Daeron. He was her child, her baby, and those who only cared for what he could bring them deserve to perish.

“—Alicent?”

It was Gwayne, having arrived to the Red Keep to spend some time with his betrothed, who was currently apart of Alicent’s retinue—the Lady Rose Tyrell, who had finally turned her small spark of infatuation into reality.

“Are you feeling well?” Her dearest brother was quiet worried, likely reminded of their mother’s frailty which was caused by childbirth–one that resulted in only loss–and left her near bedridden for most of her time living. “Should I get the Maester?”

“No–no, Gwayne, I’ll be okay, I was lost in thought,” she reassured him, “Now, I’ll be off to see my Ladies, while you get to fight around in the training ground!” Alicent was glad to have another moment filled with joy and mindless chatter with the women she loved so much, finding that far more preferable in comparison to suffering the presence of the rotting corpse that was both her husband and king. “Now no lingering around for Lady Rose!”

Gwayne’s face dropped, blushing with redness at the teasing words. “A–ah! I suppose I shall see Ser Laenor in the court!” He quickly ran off, not wanting to find the ladies gossiping about how simply infatuated he was with Rose Tyrell, dare say more so than her.

Alicent let Gwayne stride away, beginning to enter herself into the room filled with her Ladies-In-Waiting.

There they were, teacups in hand, and chatting with a freeness Alicent had never ever had in her former life—give or take the short years with Rhaenyra before everything fell apart.

“Alicent, there you are!” Margarey grinned out, “You took a while, we were beginning to worry!”

She responded back, waving away their fears, “Oh, I’m alright, it’s just that Gwayne stopped me,” Alicent loved seeing the look on Rose Tyrell’s face. “And truth be told, I think he wanted to join me here! Just so he could look at the sight of his ‘precious Rose’!”

“Enough of me!” Rose’s face was a red as the item she was named after, quickly trying to change topics. “What about you, uhm…Margarey!”

Margarey looked quite unaware, but gained her lackadaisical almost-arrogant attitude with a smirk. “Yes?”

“What is married life like with the infamous Jason Lannister now that you’ve birthed him new lions?”

The now-Lannister woman, once Florent, smiled, taking the abrupt words that could be interpreted as an insult instead with a sharp grin. “Very well, I’d say! Jason is infatuated with little Cerese, I thought he’d show preference to Gerion, but it’s the opposite!”

“Speaking of babes…” A mocking voice erupted, coming from Bethany Velaryon. “Have you seen Princess Rhaenyra’s second child? I don’t know how she imagined the Velaryons—no the court would take one plain-coloured son, but two? This is utterly disrespectful!”

Margarey quickly lost her smirk, not barking out a laugh, “What did you expect of her? She’s been flaunting her disrespect since the day of her impromptu marriage—or dare i say, since Aegon, the true heir, was born!”

“It dishonourable to not just the Velaryons, but the Targaryens, the whole Kingdom, but especially the Arryns, I say! I just know poor Lady Aemma is weeping in her grave at ths sight of her daughter’s treason.” Floris Lonmouth snarked, with her grandmother being one of the many step-daughters Aemma’s mother had, and whom had raised Aemma as if she was their own child.

Bethany chimed in with her own thoughts regarding the matter. “It is especially awful, considering how much the Late Queen Aemma tried so hard to give the Throne a legitimate son, what with Rhaenyra now shoving aside her mother’s dream with her own selfish actions doing the opposite.”

“Oh,” Alicent murmured under her breath, she’d never thought of Rhaenyra’s deeds in this way. It really did make Aemma’s life that much heartbreaking, considering that her fertile daughter would willingly birth false claimants rather than trueborn Targaryen heirs, exactly unlike to what she was murdered for. “I see.”

“One of Jason’s merchants told him some gossip which only makes the so-called trueborn's even more noteworthy,” Margarey spoke up, “Apparently, Laena Velaryon has birthed children of her own—”

“Ooh, don’t tell me—” Bethany was awaiting the eventual words with a grin, wanting to know more about her Lord’s children’s escapades.

“—Yes, oh, yes! Her daughters are said to be white-haired with the Summer Islander main-line Velaryon look!”

Bethany was filled with glee at the proof of Rhaenyra’s indiscretions, the ones that had shamed her household so much. “Exactly the opposite of Rhaenyra’s children! How in all of the Seven Realms would she try to justify her children’s look now! It’s plain to see, a Targeryen with a Velaryon results in a white-haired child…in no such possible way would both brown hair and brown eyes result from that union!”

Alicent was glad the women agreed with her, after all, she was far too used to the delusions of Viserys and his denial, but now she had people who could see the truth with her.

“It’s simple, and quite sad for Rhaenyra if I’m honest. Viserys has always coddled her too much, and when he passes, that’ll be the only chance she has to open her eyes. It’s too late for her now, she’s acted too deviant and the consequences will come eventually.”

Alicent had a faint love and care for Rhaenyra but far too much time had past, and she wasn’t the sweet girl that Alicent remembered and idolised, just a delusion woman who’d bring doom to the Kingdom, her children, Alicent’s own children, and ultimately, herself.

“They’re the opposite of their alleged cousins! Instead, looking suspiciously akin to Ser Harwin Strong instead!” Margarey snarked out, causing giggles to erupt.

Alicent felt no sympathy for Rhaenyra or Harwing Strong, but rather the innocent babes. She’d admit that she was quite harsh in her hatred toward the bastard boys, due to their position of love in Viserys heart where her children had no such space, but they were simply more victims of Rhaenyra’s foolish actions—just like how Alicent’s own children were failed by many of her actions.

She could only hope that all the changes she’d committed in trying would cause significant changes in the fate of her children, and any other innocents.

“Mother—!” The door opened as she began to muse on life, with Vaella suddenly running to Alicent’s arms, with the Ser Arryk and Helaena trailing not too far behind.

“Oh, Vaella and Helaena, how are my girls?” she hugged out in response.

“We are having a tea party, just like you and everyone here,” Helaena chimed in with her soft-spoken voice, “But it isn’t fun without you joining us, not even with Ser Arryk joining in with our dollies.”

“My Queen, I think the princesses would prefer you to be wearing a crown while sipping tea with them, not I.” Arryk joked out.

Alicent smiled at his words, “Well it’s best I join then, but don’t think you’re getting out of wearing a tiara this time, Ser Arryk.”

His face turned red as the other women began to laugh, quickly rushing out the room with the girls following behind, Alicent shortly joining them after saying her goodbyes to the women, ready to play with her adorable daughters.

Viserys was a fool.

It seemed that would be a fact in every life Alicent had lived, with his sheer hypocrisy in electing Rhaenyra as heiress but doing nothing to uplift other women, of whom would make examples to the Realm that women were capable of reigning, instead he shunned the Velaryons tenfold as each year passed, the most disrespect heading toward Rhaenys; poor Princess Rhaenys Velaryon, the one who by Viserys’ new order should’ve been Queen before him.

And yet here he was, giving her no respect, no position on the Small Council, and no shared grandchildren between the two—simply disrespecting the woman who paralleled his own daughter.

“Viserys, my dear?” Alicent was staring at his slowly rotting face, attempting to gauge a response out of the rotting man.

“Alicent?” He was staring forward, into the clouds, not even deigning to look at his wife.

“I was just thinking—I heard rumours among the council about Rhaenyra—”

“What?” He suddenly became alert at the mention of his beloved daughter.

“Apparently some Lords and Ladies believe that you aren’t truly supporting Rhaenyra’s future reign.”

“How dare they say that?” Viserys was very very angry.

“Because there’s no other women that you support gaining an important role, like Princess Rhaenys for example,” Alicent continued, “I think they believe you don’t support women and only have Rhaenyra as heir because she’s your daughter not because she’s a capable women.” Alicent knew Rhaenyra wasn’t but that was beside the point.

The truth was that all she had said was the truth, and in doing so, Viserys wasn’t supporting women at all.

Perhaps in another few years, a women could be heir without problems, that could’ve been the case for Rhaenyra, but it can only be done in the case of no younger brothers, such as like Princess Rhaenys; But Viserys weakened his support of her and women in power by marrying Alicent and disrupting Rhaenyra’s potential reign.

If he couldn’t respect her, then how could he expect others to do the same for Rhaenyra?

It was clear to Alicent’s eyes that Viserys was just as dismissive of women as the rest of society, only uplifting Rhaenyra due to guilt and favouritism.

He was too filled with fury to even listen to Alicent’s words, “Give me those treasonous fools names!”

“I’m sorry, Viserys, but I don’t know who they are. I’ve only heard rumours of rumours from my dear Ladies who are worried for sweet Rhaenyra.”

“They deserve their heads on a platter!”

“Oh, Viserys. I understand you, poor Rhaenyra doesn’t deserve this,” she chimed in, “But woudln’t it be better to prove them wrong? Like if you give other women, such as Princess Rhaenys, a position on the Small Council, perhap it will have people begin to support Rhaenyra’s right to rule?”

His face turned toward her, his hand grasping his chin as the man was now deep in thought, something he rarely experienced, pondering Alicent’s words.

“Hmm.”

Princess Rhaenys was just a few steps away.

Angled in the direction of Lord Celtigar’s eldest, Rhaelle Velaryon, the wife of Vaemond Velaryon, seemingly angered at something.

She let out a sign, one that left Lady Rhaelle trying to appease her with calming gestures and platitudes. It clearly wasn’t enough though.

Princess Rhaenys seemed to give up on the conversation and walked off to another direction, now alone, having left Lady Rhaelle.

But all that meant was that there was now a perfect opening for Alicent; to make her way to Rhaenyra’s upset mother-in-law and cajole her to Aegon’s side, the winning side in this lifetime.

“Princess Rhaenys?” Alicent cut in, leading the older woman to turn to her with annoyance in her face.

“Yes?” Her tone was grumpy, but quickly changed once she saw whose face was in front of her. “Queen Alicent?”

Alicent couldn’t fault her for that, after all, if her daughter ran off with her heinous cousin, her son married an adulterer, and she never got her rightful place as Queen, then she’d also be quite annoyed all the time.

“I—I just heard your talk with Lady Rhaelle, are you feeling alright, Princess?” Alicent was trying to be as earnestly-sounding as possibly, but it was highly likely that Princess Rhaenys just thought of Alicent as another person who took away her influence, though she may deign to be kinder due to Alicent getting the Lonmouths to help Laenor with the funeral rites for Joffrey.

“I—I’m fine, my Queen.”

It seemed she wouldn’t relent.

“I know there may be many issues facing you right now and this might not help, but I hope this good news can be a boon to you in some way,” Alicent began, “I had spoke to Viserys and he has now decided to bring other women into the political area of the Kingdom—and you are likely the first subject to join.”

Rhaenys looked up, her violet eyes shining with confusion which quickly turned to gee, “Are you certain?”

“It seemed the talk we had together influenced my husband to do so. After all, how could he support his daughter as ruler without giving resoect to other influential women such as yourself.”

“I see.” Rhaenys murmured.

“This is quite honestly the least House Targaryen should be doing for you, with how much disrespect has been done to you and your house,” Alicent whispered the end, trying to make the faults of Viserys, and especially Rhaenyra, more evident to Rhaenys and make Alicent’s juxtaposing good deeds all the more impactful.

“Don’t remind me, I just heard now—” Rhaenys was snappy, anger seeping through her tone, until she realised who exactly she was talking to and promptly cut herself off.

Alicent stared up at her, doe eyes widening in a plea to hear more, “Princess Rhaenys?”

“Daemon!” She hissed out in response.

“What has the Prince done now?” Alicent wondered, knowing that Daemon would always be causing problems.

“He—he isn’t allowing Laena to come back to Westeros! All due to his anger at Viserys,” Rhaenys suddenly began, finding Alicent a well-suited outlet to release all her anger at. “Not even allowing her to let me see my precious grandchildren, all for because petty anger at his brother.”

Alicent could not bear this situation if that ever happened to her, and thus felt great sympathy for Rhaenys.

This was, after all, the reason that she could never marry Helaena to Jacaery, not just because he was a clear bastard, but because of the utter fear of never being able to see any grandchildren of that union, or her daughter ever again.

And this was exactly what was happening with Rhaenys.

“Laena misses the family dearly, but I think it’s Daemon’s voice hindering her! And I think she’s quite scared of confronting Viserys after her running off with Daemon during Rhaenyra’s wedding,” Rhaenys said, “She’s grown in the past years. I don’t think she regrets falling for Daemon per se, but rather wishes she did so in a way that didn’t mean she was exiled from Westeros—from our family.”

Alicent was deeply jealous that Laena got to escape marriage with Viserys, but ultimately, she was in the same position: in love with an arrogant man who was obsessed with another woman.

She couldn’t help but find sympathy for Laena, especially considering that she was just a child, running to the man who she believed loved her, only to see the truth after a few years growing to adulthood.

“Rhaenys—does she not know that the exile has been rescinded?” Alicent was confused. “Do you not know?”

“Pardon?” Rhaenys was staring at her with shock.

“Viserys removed the order a while ago, upon the discovery of him having a niece,” Alicent informed her, “That was over a year ago, they’ve had another daughter in the meanwhile! He was quite confused when Daemon responded to his letters saying that he and Laena wanted to stay in Pentos.”

Alicent had forgotten for a while that in effort to gain the Velaryons trust more that she had cajoled Viserys into accepting Daemon and Laena’s partnership, but she was completely glad for this information now coming to light in this conversation.

“Really?” Rhaenys clearly couldn’t believe Alicent’s truth. “Daemon was told by Viserys? Laena wrote to me recently, she is completely unaware of this!”

Something was telling Alicent that this information would be very very significant in the future.

Chapter Text

It seemed that Lady Rhaenys Velaryon was a Lady on a mission; power in her every move as she manoeuvred the courts and brought back the respect House Velaryon had slowly begun losing. 

Laena Targaryen was due to arrive at any moment, with Viserys ordering—upon the rather domineering words of his cousin, Princess Rhaenys—an official greeting for the soon-to-arrive Royals. 

Of course, sadly for Alicent, Daemon had to join too. 

He was a complete and utter menace to society, in her opinion; a predator sneaking around and causing disarray for not only his enemies, but the ones he claimed to love.

In all honesty, that failing of Daemon’s was shared with Alicent. She failed her children—though was working her hardest to undo the pain and suffering visible in the distant future. 

Though, as she gazed at her children—the toothless smile of Aemond bringing a smile to her eye—she knew happiness was not only possible for her families’ future, but was present in the current time; something which hadn’t existed in her past life. 

Alicent fiddled with the collar of Aemond’s blood-red tailored jerkin, quirking a grimace-like smile as she did so.

He may be but a small child now, but threats remained. Not just for him—but all her children. 

And in particular for Aemond, she was very terrified. The man who murdered her sweet boy was soon to be back in her life. Likely viewing her children all as threats that needed culling. 

They were just babes, but were enemies to him regardless—they were younger than Jaehaerys when Daemon ordered the atrocious act against her first grandson.

Before tears could fall, Aemond ran off to Helaena and Vaella, leaving Alicent alone. 

“Are you all ready, my dears?” Alicent asked, voice as sweet as honey, never wanting to raise her voice in such a manner that her children were once accustomed to in the past.

“Mother, we’re ready!” She heard Aemond reply shyly, yet with eager anticipation in his voice.

“Do you think our cousins will be nice?” Helaena spoke softly to Aemond.

“Hopefully they’re nicer than Jace and Luke—”

“—Jace is nice, he just doesn’t like you much,” Vaella cut in, a light blush spreading on her face.

“Can’t blame him for that,” Aegon teasingly scoffed under his breath, chiming into the conversation with no true malice in his words.

“Aegon, don’t be mean to Aemond,” Alicent disciplined, “Especially not on a day such as today.” 

Aegon let out a half-hearted grumble, before deciding to stand by Sir Criston as they all freshened up to meet Daemon and Laena Targaryen’s family.

Alicent let out a smile upon seeing the sight of her children ready in red and black, all healthy and happy right before her eyes. 

She had gotten so used to the normality of having her children beside her day-to-day. No fear and politicking at the forefront of her mind; just peace and simple pleasures. 

Her own father had quietened down with his ambitions in the past few years, or at least vocally, and Rhaenyra herself had too been tempered down, as a result of motherhood—thought the aforementioned motherhood was an affront to her role as Ser Laenor’s wife. 

The days were dull in regards to politics, with no tense situations tugging on Alicent’s heart and kickstarting fear within her as had once been the norm.

At least, until this very day.

Through a fault of her own, Daemon was now to be back in Kingslanding. 

Alicent had engineered this, what with getting Viserys to rescind his ban and then spilling the information to Lady Rhaenys, but the realisation that Daemon Targaryen, the murderer of her family, was going to present was a hard situation for her aching heart to handle.

“Are we done now, Mother?” Aegon said, “I want to go down and see what our family look like with Aemond—the only white-haired people we normally see are just us, Father, and Rhaenyra.” 

“Jace and Luke don’t look like us, so will our other cousins?” Aemond asked.

“We’re done here, Aegon you can leave, only if you take Sir Rickard and Aemond with you,” Alicent finally began to respond. Turning to Aemond, she spoke once-more, “Of course I’m certain they will.” 

“But mother,” Helaena’s soft voice interrupted.

“Yes, my dear?” 

“Sir Laenor and Lady Laena are siblings, and Rhaenyra and Uncle Daemon are uncle and niece, so shouldn’t their children’s look be similar?”

“Oh, well, yes I suppose…” Alicent had never brought up the topic of bastardy and Jacaerys and Lucerys’ clear distinctly indistinct looks, and had tried to veer away from it in the past. 

In her former life, she was erratic with fear about the sinful devious nature of bastards and scared that her children interacting with them would make them even more of a target than they were. In the end, Alicent had not only driven a wedge between the children, but actively fostered and encouraged intense hatred between them, which was ultimately cause for her children’s downfall and deaths.

“Anyway, children,” she said, coughing and gesturing to Sir Criston with her eyes—who was stood still like a firm sculpture, back hardened at the mention of Rhaenyra. “Why don’t you head on down to the courtyard and wait with Sir Criston and Sir Rickard? I’ll be down shortly, dears.” 

“Mother?” Alicent looked down to see Helaena’s wide inquisitive eyes stare into her. 

“Yes, Helaena?”

“Is Father coming with us?”

Alicent froze.

The children were still young but had already begun to see their father’s lack of presence and enthusiasm when it came to them. He had only cared for a short moment during Aegon’s first years, yet it seemed, just as occurred in Alicent’s previous life, that things fractured further once Viserys’ ‘precious grandchildren’ were born.

Alicent had swayed his mind to her side—or rather their children’s side—with manipulating Viserys with a false dream back on Aegon’s Second Nameday, yet even that didn’t seem to hold Viserys’ attention for long. 

He still began to neglect the children.

No false prophecies or words from the Valyrian Gods could sway such a selfish man. Viserys cared for only one thing; Aemma Arryn and the descendants of her—completely disregarding the fact that he was a conspirator in calling for her poor brutal death. 

“I’m sure he’ll be down there with us,” Alicent responded, her throat stiff and her mind saddened at Helaena’s innocent-but-heartbreaking words, “As will your sister and your cousins.” 

“Let’s go then!” Aemond squeaked out, hand dragging Vaella along, “I want to get there before they do.” 

The children all ran off, the guards quickly following suit, leaving Alicent alone in the chambers. 

Alicent looked outside the chambers window, appreciating the bright sky on such a foreboding day. 

It was so quiet and peaceful; she really hoped things wouldn’t change, especially so soon. Alicent wasn’t ready for all that could come, even with her time spent preparing. 

Light footsteps interrupted her moment of thought, causing Alicent to face and turn towards the sound.

She let out an instinctive hiss at the individual, completely surprised.

“Father?”

“Alicent.” Otto replied, standing directly in front of her.

“Is everything alright,” she asked, “Is—is it to do with Daemon’s arrival?”

“No, no, nothing of the sort.” He sat down on the nearest chair, acting differently to how Alicent was used to. 

She watched with a cautious eye as he settled down.

The room was put to a quiet halt as either person said not a word. 

Finally, Otto let out a slight cough, now beginning to speak, “I saw the children leave their chambers just now.” 

Alicent smiled at the mention of them, “Yes, they’re very excited to see some new faces in the Red Keep.” 

Otto’s eyes were staring firmly at Alicent, an indiscernible look plastered on his typically stern face. “You’ve raised them well.” 

Alicent didn’t know what to say.

“Thank you Father,” she muttered out, unsure as to what this was leading to. 

“I—I can see that you have grown beyond what I expected.” 

Alicent looked up, glancing at her father in confusion.

“I thought being harsh on you would prepare you for the worst of this world, and while it has,” Otto began, “I can’t help but regret the way I went about things.” 

“Father—” Alicent interrupted.

“When I see you with the children, I know they’re in good hands, even if you don’t treat them strictly as I had with you,” Otto Hightower continued on as if there was no interruption, “But I know that they’ll be prepared for life, even with you presenting outwardly just how much you care.” 

Alicent felt herself lose composure. She didn’t know what exactly was going on, but felt herself frozen for some reason.

“I hid my love for you and the boys, hiding behind strict words and politicking—and what did that bring me?” Otto’s voice raised up slightly, beginning to sound frazzled with how broken it was. “The boys rarely see me or write to me, and you—I treated you unfairly and yet you’re still here, still talking to me and writing letters in the moons I’m not present.” 

“Father—” Alicent tried again to get her word in. 

“Oh, how I wish I could redo the years and wash away my sins,” The Hightower Lord looked ashamed of himself, head bowed in his arms as he sat, “Our family may have been elevated, but what good is that when our family can’t bear to look at me.” 

“Father, don’t say things like that.” 

“Alicent, you’re far too kind to a dastardly old man like myself, look at the life I’ve led you too,” he responded, “I was a selfish fool who put my precious daughter in harm’s way.” 

“Father, be quiet and listen to me!” Alicent cut in. 

He finally relented and quietened down. 

“What’s done is done.” 

Otto looked ashamed. 

“I can admit that I despised you at times father—many, many times, but you brought me a gift I could never leave behind, no matter how much of the past could be changed.” 

“And that was?” 

“My children,” Alicent responded, “If you regret how things have been then you can make the change now and prove it, if not to Gwayne and I, then prove it to the children. Let them have the kind guiding figure that I once wished I had.”

Otto glanced up at Alicent, tearing his hands away from his aging face.

“I’m sorry, Alicent.”

“I know.”

She was too. 

Her children would never know of the pain and suffering she had inflicted on them—she’d make sure of it—but she couldn’t help but wish they were able to see her change. 

While she did hate what her father did, she grew to be just like him, and ultimately, forgiving him was akin to Alicent forgiving herself.

To wash away her own sins and guilt and move past the pain. 

To focus on the future and put her time into loving herself and her family, rather than despising her actions in a time lost to all but her. 

Alicent eventually made her way down to the courtyard, a few moments later than her children considering her time spent with her father and then in the privy, wiping away the few tears that erupted as a result of their conversation. She gripped onto Helaena’s arm with a firm but soft hold, anxious as she awaited the arrival of Daemon.

“Mother, you made it!” Aemond grinned. 

“Of course, my dear,” she smiled back, “I couldn’t leave you all alone.” 

“—There’s a carriage coming!” Aegon interrupted their chatter with a shout, gaining the attention of not only Alicent, but Rhaenyra, Laenor and ‘their’ children, with Laenor likely very excited to see his sister, especially after having to live with the man who murdered his lover and was breeding his wife up with children who’d gain his titles.

Viserys was just a few metres away and hadn’t even deigned to greet his own wife—and Alicent, upset at how even poor Helaena had noticed Viserys’ neglect, decided to ignore him as well. Giving him a taste of what she had experienced for a lifetime and over half a decade in this new life of hers. 

Lady Rhaenys was next to her son and husband, hands interlocked with Lord Corlys as they anticipated the arrival of their only daughter, who was taken away in the middle of the night by Daemon, with not even a chance to say goodbye.

The carriage creeped over closer and closer to the courtyard, with it’s elegant carvings making it clear to all who had arrived.

It was silent as everyone held their breath, waiting for the carriage door to open and to see the other Targaryens. 

“It’s her.” Alicent heard a soft hiss of shock from the side; Rhaenys looked as though she was going to faint in her husband’s arms. 

“She’s grown so much,” Corlys whispered to his wife, just loud enough for Alicent to hear. 

Lady Laena was wearing a beautiful muted blue gown, looking like a pearl of the sea, with gold pieces embroidered at the sides. Though Alicent could hardly note what her jewelry looked like, because there was something in the way.

In her hands, there was a mound of equally pale blue cloth, wrapped tight and held with such loving care that Alicent immediately knew what was there. After all, she had many a times carried such a thing—a babe. 

“Mother,” Laena smiled, taking a step forward. 

“Oh, Laena, how I missed you so.” 

“I have somebody I’d like you to meet,” Laena said as tears dripped down her face, “A—a few new faces to meet.” 

“Is that our auntie?” Alicent heard Aemond ask Aegon. 

“Definitely, she’s got hair like us but curly.” 

“She’s pretty.” Aemond blushed. 

“You got that right,” Aegon grinned. 

A smaller figure toddled out toward Laena, hair just as beautiful and with a matching big smile. 

“That’s Baela,” Laena spoke to her mother, grinning with tears of joy spilling, “And the little one in my arms is Rhaena.” 

“Now where’s my brother?” Viserys unfortunately decided to chime in with his grating voice.

Laena let out an uncomfortable chuckle, likely fussed seeing Rhaenyra perk up at the mention of Daemon, or as Alicent presumed, had an issue with Daemon for another reason. “He—he decided to fly here on Caraxes; they missed the Kingslanding skies.” 

Just as she mentioned that, a gust of wind flew into their space, “Ah, that must be him.” 

Behind the red figure that was surely carrying Daemon, was a much larger figure that Alicent recognised from her memories of the past; Vhagar, Aemond’s dragon in her past life. 

They swiveled around, likely parking, just like a carriage, in the Dragon Pit, and Alicent knew that she’d finally be coming face to face with her fears—with Daemon Targaryen himself.

Fear encompassed her whole body. 

There was a pit of dread coiling up in Alicent’s stomach. 

She held tightly onto Aemond’s hand, watching as everybody greeted each other, but the fear would not fade.

Alicent knew deep within her heart that with the arrival of Daemon, things would kick off. That pain and bloodshed was back in her children’s lives.