Rhaenyra's smile lingered as she basked in the memories of her recent victory. How Rhaenyra wanted to take William to the market again. However, today was not the day. Her father had summoned her presence.
Walking down the grand halls, she reached the imposing doors of the meeting room. Her King's Guard opened the door for her, stepping inside the door was closed by the king's guard as he waited outside beside the door. Inside, was greeted by her father's warm smile. They were the only occupants in the room.
Rhaenyra approached her father, acknowledging him with a respectful nod. "Father."
Viserys reciprocated the greeting, his voice filled with paternal affection. "Rhaenyra, my dear, please take a seat." He motioned towards a chair, and she obliged, taking a moment to pour herself a cup of wine and another for her father.
"Thank you," he murmured appreciatively as she handed him the cup.
"So, I've heard that you and Baratheon always seem to be in competition," Viserys remarked with a gentle smile.
Rhaenyra quickly clarified, her tone earnest. "It's not what you think, Father. We engage in friendly rivalry, pushing each other to excel. It's a beneficial relationship for both of us."
"So, it seems." Viserys said as he sipped his wine thoughtfully. Silence enveloped the room before Viserys spoke again. "Rhaenyra, I have something important to discuss with you."
Instantly, Rhaenyra's defenses rose, "If you intend to marry me off to Casterly Rock, then no, we haven't spoken about this."
Viserys sighed, a tinge of sadness coloring his expression. "I'm sorry, Rhaenyra. I was trying to help you. Won't you let yourself be helped?"
She remained silent, her silence causing frustration to wash over her father. "Why must every effort on your behalf be met with resistance, as if to the death? I'm doing everything I can for you."
Her blood boiled at his words, fueled by a mix of anger and frustration. "No, you don't! You intend to replace me with Alicent Hightower's son! The boy you always wanted!"
Rhaenyra's emotions surged, and she couldn't contain her outburst any longer. She continued, her voice filled with hurt and bitterness. "During Aegon's name day, Lord Hightower, Lord Lannister, and your Hand humiliated me countless times! They named Aegon heir and treated me as if I was nothing more than a broodmare with a Valyrian womb. And you supported them! You could have defended me! You could have reaffirmed my position in front of all those lords, but you kept your mouth shut and tried to sell me off to the Lannister's! The only person who ever supported me and my claim, who defended me, stood before all those lickspittles and called me Queen and heir, was William!"
Her breath was heavy as she finished her tirade, her eyes red with tears and her heart pounding in her chest. Yet, as she looked at her father, she saw a profound sadness etched on his face.
Viserys brought a hand to his face, wiping away his tears as he downed his cup of wine. The pitcher was refilled, and he quickly emptied it with a flicker of desperation.
"I'm sorry, Rhaenyra," he whispered, his voice laden with regret. "I'm sorry."
It took him a moment, and another cup of wine, to wash away his sorrow. He finally met his daughter's gaze, his love for her evident, partially breaking through her anger.
"I did waver," he confessed, his voice tinged with vulnerability. "At one point..."
"Until I brought you the White Hart," Rhaenyra sneered. "Yet another thing I have to thank William for."
Viserys raised his eyebrows in confusion, prompting Rhaenyra to elaborate.
"I didn't want to kill it. Its presence alone persuaded me that the Gods had chosen me, not Aegon. William convinced me that killing that poor beast would prove to everyone that I was the rightful heir. And I did it, out of pride. I wanted Otto to swallow his fucking pride back and gloat for once."
She paused, her anger dissipating slightly.
"But then I saw you, and the way you looked at me. You had never looked at me that way before. And for a moment... I was proud that I had made you proud. But since then, I realized... I realized that all it took for you to finally support me was a dead stag, not your love for me or even your duty to defend your heir."
A heavy silence enveloped the room. Viserys tried to conceal his tears behind his hand, but he needed to down a fourth cup of wine to regain composure.
"I promise you," he said, his voice filled with determination as he looked at her once again, "you will not be supplanted."
Rhaenyra felt the urge to launch another attack, but she restrained herself. She still loved her father and causing him pain brought her no joy. She refused to abuse the power her anger granted her in his weakened state.
"Rhaenyra," he said gently, his tone seeking understanding, "I never tried to sell you off. I wanted to help you find a suitable match to strengthen your claim and ensure your happiness."
"And you thought Jason Lannister would make me happy?" she snorted.
"A terrible mistake on my part," the King admitted, his remorse evident. "The title was a good match, but the man... less so. I realized that when I spoke to him after you had fled. What I'm trying to say is... I will not live forever."
His gaze drifted to his missing fingers, evoking a flicker of fear in Rhaenyra's violet eyes.
"But before I die, I wish to see you content, even happy. Oh, Rhaenyra, how I wish for your happiness."
His words brought a sad smile to her face. "Do you think a man would make me happy?" she asked skeptically.
Viserys returned her smile, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. "From your recent experience with the Baratheon lad, I believe you can acknowledge that sometimes, men can be useful."
Rhaenyra chuckled at his remark, a slight blush gracing her cheeks. Yet, a trace of sadness still lingered in her eyes.
"That was one man out of thousands," she retorted.
"Rhaenyra... you must marry, that much is certain. To strengthen your claim, secure your succession, and multiply. If you wish to sit on the Iron Throne one day, you'll need a strong consort by your side, like Jaehaerys and Alysanne... like your mother and I. You can't do this alone, and as I've stated, I will not live forever."
Sadness and sorrow overwhelmed the young woman as she contemplated his words. She knew her father was right, but the prospect of marriage and the potential battles it might bring filled her with dread. She feared being overshadowed by her consort, relegated to a life of seclusion and constant childbirth, just as her mother had been.
Viserys continued speaking, his voice carrying a mix of reassurance and understanding. "As for your match... choose him yourself."
Rhaenyra's eyes widened in astonishment. Could her father truly be granting her such autonomy? In an instant, her fear transformed into hope.
"Search for him... find someone who pleases you, as I did."
Overwhelmed with gratitude and relief, Rhaenyra's eyes glistened with unshed tears. She wanted to cry tears of joy, but she remained composed, her Targaryen stoicism prevailing.
"Thank you," she whispered sincerely.
"Anytime, my dear," Viserys replied, his smile reflecting his own regret and desire to rectify past mistakes.