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“The queen, Your Grace.”
Viserys perks up, but his enthusiasm dims when he sees Alicent enter. Horrible as it is, he often forgets she’s queen now. He still expects Aemma to come in, to smile, to joke…
And it’s terribly unfair towards Alicent.
She’s still young; though married, his proposal in front of the council startled her. He put her in this position and created the wedge between her and Rhaenyra. Imagining Aemma instead of her is disrespectful, especially when the new bride works hard to fulfill her duty and fill Aemma’s shoes. Alicent acts with commendable grace and dignity.
“Ah! Alicent!” He tries to hide his discomfort. “What a lovely surprise! Come! Let us sit together!”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
The sunlight creates a halo around her face. She looks so soft and ethereal at the same time.
“To what do I owe this beautiful visit?” He says
“I have consulted your maesters.” She replies
The king feels ashamed. It is true. Alicent hasn’t been well these past few days. He never bothered to ask her if she felt better. He didn’t even know she planned to see his maesters.
“What do they say?”
He notices her fingers playing with the damaged skin around her cuticles. This is serious, this is important, and it could be dangerous, even. She came to him for reassurance and support. When a part of him still yearns for his dead wife.
How rancid he is!
Viserys gently takes her hands.
“Alicent, there is nothing you cannot tell me. Whatever you are suffering from, we can, and we will face this together.”
He notices her wet eyes. She’s trying not to cry. She’s terrified.
“I am with child, Viserys…” She confesses in a whisper
He gasps.
A babe…
And Alicent is scared for the future.
She knows why women make their wills when they are pregnant. She has seen Aemma in her last pregnancy. The child could be miscarried, or die soon after birth, or be born sleeping. She herself could die giving birth.
“Are the maesters confident about the birth?” He tries
“They say… they say it might be difficult… as I am still growing… my pelvis is still quite narrow…”
And she must think he’ll cut her up to save the child, as he did with Aemma…
“But… at the same time, I am healthy. They say if I exercise during the pregnancy, with walks, I could get stronger and it could help…”
“Then, I’ll make sure you can have walks every day, safe and accompanied. Everything you need, I will provide.”
“What if the babe is a girl?”
Alicent’s voice has shaken. He softly smiles.
“It is true, people still pester me about having a boy. They wanted me to remarry for this reason. I remarried because I found happiness by your side after I lost Aemma. I… I would love to have a son. I think that is every man’s dream. But Aemma taught me not to be too greedy and accept what the Gods provide. I would love any child you give me, regardless of their sex. Alicent, please, you shouldn’t worry about all of this. What matters to me is your health and the babe’s.”
“I’m scared, Viserys…” She finally breaks down in tears
He embraces her, lets her weep, and prays to the Gods to let her have an easy pregnancy, an easy birth, and a healthy child. Alicent is an innocent thrown in this position because of him.
She shouldn’t have to pay for his sins.