Chapter Text
"I have decided to take a new wife.."
Viserys began.
And right then and there, Rhaenyra knew his decision was firm. Her mother's death was still fresh, it has only been six months. Rhaenyra wondered in which part of that timeline did he thought of replacing her mother. Was it after she died? After she commanded Syrax to burn her body? When was it?
And yet she knew. It was a marriage for the crown. What good would a king be without a wife? A Queen?
Rhaenyra almost wanted to scoff. Once she ascended the throne, she would never need a King to stay with her. She will create a new order. But she also could not help but wonder, who was it? Who was fortunate enough to be able to seduce her grieving father and convince him of marriage so soon six months after her mother died.
Was it Laena? But no, her father knew better than to wed a child.
And yet when Viserys turned to look at her, as if gaining her approval. As if he even needed it. As if Rhaenyra could bare her teeth, say no and he won't proceed with it. Still, she nodded her head. She gave her father a forced smile, it was for the crown. And she would do her best to be good and accept it. She would support what he wanted, it's what her mother would want.
Everyone in the small council was there. All of them waiting for who it was that Viserys chose to wed.
"I intend to marry," And then Viserys looked at Alicent. Rhaenyra looked confused as he followed his gaze, why was Alicent even here? Sure, Otto was The Hand of the King, but it wasn't like him to bring Alicent to meetings like this.
Then Rhaenyra seemed to realize something when Alicent's eyes locked with hers. The panic behind her eyes, the discomfort in her gait, the way she picks on her nails that she knew she only does whenever she's anxious.. Rhaenyra couldn't be thinking what she thought she was thinking because there is no way in seven hells did she expect that to happen.
"The Lady Alicent of Hightower before spring's end." Viserys announced, and everyone in the room visbly grew tense with the tension that surrounded them.
Corlys stood, as if visibly insulted by Viserys' choice of bride but Rhaenyra did not give a shit about that. What she gave a shit about was the fact that Alicent Hightower, her best friend, her sister, the girl she trusted had betrayed her. It did not matter whether what Alicent's reason was, who in their right mind would agree to marry the father of your best friend?
Rhaenyra would've understood if it was another girl. She would've been fine with Laena, she would've been fine with anyone in Westeros as long as it wasn't Alicent. It was a betrayal she had never expected.
To think that she had let Alicent into her life. Gods above, Alicent was there when her mother was struggling in childbirth. So how? When? When did Alicent thought of taking her father?
Rhaenyra was stunned, confused, hurt, disgusted, and mad. She was visibly mad, fire shining behind her eyes as she looked at Alicent. And how amusing was it that Alicent could not meet her gaze when just a day ago they had been together, talking, eating, and spending their time together talking about eating cake and taking Alicent to fly with Syrax.
Now she could not even meet her eyes. It was ironic really. And the fire burned inside Rhaenyra's heart, eager to swallow her whole.
Rhaenyra wanted to cry, at the same time she wanted to scream at everyone. At her father, and at Alicent. Viserys even had the audacity to look sad? Well he should've thought of what she would've feel before deciding to fuck around with her best friend. And Alicent should've known better than to fuck with her father. It was disgusting.
And Rhaenyra could not stand to look at them anymore. They looked at her as if it was Rhaenyra who betrayed them. She turned, as if to walk away. Only for her eyes to land on Otto Hightower, The King's Hand. It's as if he was the only person pleased with the announcement, his face might've been stoic, but his eyes revealed the satisfaction that he felt. As if...
As if this was his plan.
Then it all clicked to Rhaenyra. She should've known, Otto might've not been showing his true intentions to take the throne from her, but by having Alicent marry Viserys, should she provide him a heir, the tides would turn. Rhaenyra would be left with nothing. And she cannot stand that. A Hightower sitting on the iron throne? She would rather burn it than have his bloodline sit on it.
Rhaenyra glanced at Alicent once more. The girl who had taken her father, and to Otto, who was about to take her throne. Gods above, she did not know it was possible to hate someone as much as she hated them. Suddenly, she understood why Daemon hated Otto's guts so much. He was a snake, one who would wait until his prey was vulnerable before attacking. How unfortunate for him that she was a dragon.
Rhaenyra would burn them.
With a one last glare that she shared with Otto, she turned and left the room, ignoring the way her father called her name.