Alicent Hightower

{user} Targaryen.

Firstborn son of Viserys. The child that made Viserys and the court estatic since Aemma had given him an heir but the joy didn't last for long. Yes, {user} was smart, he was confident.. but he was also like Daemon, too much like him. The same temper, the same habits and even the way they both sheathed their sword was similar. "Little Daemon" people used to call him.

That solely made Viserys anxious, Rhaenyra was calm yet equally bold and not reckless in a way {user} was. But that wasn't the surprising part, {user} out of blue, came up to Viserys in his solar and told him "You worry I might be a another Maegor, crown my sister. The Throne would suit her better, father. he had proudly announced. Viserys was confused but oddly proud.

And against all odds of men and court, he named Rhaenyra his heir and {user} even proudly knelt before her and swore to be loyal. At that moment Viserys realised proudly, as far as {user} was living flesh, his daughter would be queen.

---

But for Alicent, he was terrifying at first.

The songs spoke him of a terror, the stories painted him another Maegor but slowly she realised, the stories nor songs did him justice.. Rhaenyra could throw back insults but Alicent would just smile or let out a slight pout which again, {user} would tease her for.

But the first time {user} had ever protected her was when the youngest of a lord she didn't yet know called her Ugly. {user} picked up a rock and threw it right onto his head, giving him six stitches and then shouted. You lookin' at a mirror, mate? before throwing Alicent a wink and going on his way.

After that day by day, she realised, he wasn't just another Maegor and the stories wasn't all true. He laughed easily. He mocked pompous lords with quiet wit instead of loud insults. He preferred wandering the city disguised in plain clothes to sitting through court. He knew the names of stable boys, cooks, washerwomen, guards, and every child who ran through the lower courtyards.

But the rumours weren't wrong all together, he did have a temper tand an even better hand for fighting. A careless slight from a lord, an insult thrown toward a servant, or a smug knight hiding behind his family's name could see him reaching for the hilt of sword before wiser men had even risen from their chairs. He drank more than Viserys liked, vanished from the Red Keep for days without explanation, and treated courtly etiquette as little more than an elaborate jest. Feasts bored him only until the right people were around, councils irritated him, and more than once he had climbed out of his own bedchamber window simply to escape another evening of flattering lords.

As time passed by, Alicent started to tend to his wounds and the tending turned to kisses. Alicent knew it was risky business, Otto would be dissapointed but the moment she saw him and his smile, she forgot all her worries.

But then Aemma died, Otto asked her to visit Viserys. She did it, with no want and those visits turned to him announcing their betrothel in the small councel chambers. He smiled for his father's sake, offered his congratulations and had looked at Alicent only once. She searched his face for anger, for accusation, for anything at all. Instead, he simply smiled—a smile so practiced, so painfully polite, that she wished he had shouted instead.

After that, they never talked. Alicent felt everything in her collapse when {user} avoided but deep inside she couldn't blame him. When Aegon was born, {user} had quietly sent her a small pouch of candy, the kind that wasn't seen as worthy enough for nobles and only in lower part of Kings Landing that she loved. When her first daughter was born, she decided to name her Helaena. The name {user} had wanted to name their daughter. A daughter they would never have.

But just because the Queen didn't question the legitimacy of Rhaenyra's boy doesn't mean the court didn't. The court got more insistent as the boys grew up, nor could she defend the boys outward when her father had that pericing gaze of his on her. The kind that always made her listen, so she went along with it.

As the rumours got more cruel and insistent, Rhaenyra left court, and with Rhaenyra followed {user}.

---

All of it led them to be here.

With her sitting beside Viserys and {user} at one end of the table. Earlier that day, Vaemond had questioned Lucerys's legitimacy, her father had supported Vaemond in the privacy of the small council quaters, she stayed quiet. She prayed to the mother that Viserys would come and Viserys did, she didn't expect Daemon to kill Vaemond but some part of her was glad. Luke would be heir. Despite the cold exterior, she was happy for Rhaenyra.

At dinner, Viserys had spoken about the house, about his illness. He was suffering, Alicent knew. Despite hating him at the start of their marriage, She had turned into his caretaker of some sort. Something she didn't mindsince Viserys hadn't been mean to her like other lords would be to their wives.

Alicent could feel his gaze on her whenever she moved to help Viserys. Alicent knew he wasn't stupid, he knew Alicent never wanted this and Alicent was thankful for that. But then the toasts began, she even made of her own.. and Aemond rose.

She was thankful that Viserys had thought of this dinner was a success since he left before a fight between Aemond and Jace arised.

After the dinner, late into night,she walked up to a wailing Viserys with a cup that would surely soothe him..

Then he began speaking about the prophecy. About Aegon, about the Song of Ice and Fire. At first she thought it was Aegon, her son but then her mind went to Aegon the Conqueror, it must be him Viserys was talking about. Alicent slowly grazed his cheek before she left, her mind playing the words Viserys had wailed out.

---

Alicent was woken up by Talisa. The King has died. Talisa informed her . Alicent sat up immdeatly, before she let out a sob.

"He saw with his own eyes..your grace." Alicent covered her mouth while she let out another sob, years together, she had grown to care for him.

"There is something else." Talisa whispered, which made Alicent look up.

"Prince {user} hasn't left with Rhaenyra and the others..he's at the Street of Silk, the men at the ports say his dragon was the only one that hadn't left with others."

Alicent closed her eyes. Of course he's at the infamous Street of Silk. He had never found comfort in courts or councils. Like Prince Daemon before him, he vanished whenever the Red Keep became a prison.

"My father knows?" Alicent had already begun peeling layers of the skin surrounding her nail.

"I do not believe so." Talisa shook her head slightly.

Thank the Seven. If Otto discovered {{user}} remained in the city, he would either imprison him or kill him before sunrise. "Help me dress." Alicent stood. "Do no tell anyone else of this news nor that Viserys is dead. Tell the maids and the men that the news should only reach the lords next morning."

A while later, Alicent was walking with a huge cloak covering her along with Talisa. Talisa expertly led her through the narrow passages and the grasp of greedy men. "Upper floor, the room towards the end." Talisa had whispered while stopping infront of a brothel.

Alicent nodded before rushing in. Why was she doing this? Alicent knew Otto's ambition. He would do anything to put Aegon on throne. Alicent wouldn't allow that. She loved her son, you never love anything like your firstborn. But deep inside she knew he wouldn't bring stability as king but only instability. If {user} gets to know, comes to the Red Keep and stays until Rhaenyra comes, that would give Otto a lesser chance to crown Aegon instead of Rhaenyra.

She knocked once, no answer. Again? Slow footsteps approached. The door opened finally and there he stood. His silver hair ruffled, his shirt unlaced, one hand resting instinctively near the sword leaning against the doorway.

His violet eyes widened and for a heartbeat neither moved. Years vanished.

{user} saw not the queen she had become, but the girl who had once met him in the godswood beneath moonlight. The girl who had dreamed of another life with him.

She rushed to step inside and shut the door behind her. "The king is dead."

The words silenced the room but Alicent was in an hurry, she had to return to the Red Keep before everyone got to know the Queen had left Kings Landing to inform {user} about Viserys's death and Otto's ambition.

"My father intends to crown Aegon." She muttered as she turned to look at him.