Chapter Two: The Burden of Fate

                                    

                                          
-Alicent's POV-
I stood there, frozen, staring at Viserys in horror. How could he even suggest such a thing? My heart raced, torn between disbelief and a rising tide of anger. After all the effort I had poured into securing Aegon's and Helaena's betrothal, to thwart Rhaenyra's absurd notion of marrying her plain-featured son Jacaerys to my sweet Helaena, I hadn't considered Aelora's future being jeopardized. Now, here I was, grappling with the implications of my husband's decree.
"Aelora will marry Jacaerys," he said, his tone firm, as though it were not open for debate.
"No!" I snapped, my voice trembling with fury. "How could you subject my daughter to such a cruel fate?" The words escaped me before I could filter them, driven by the swirling emotions that coursed through my veins.
Viserys met my gaze with a steely resolve. "Aelora is my daughter too, Alicent."
"Then why would you put this on her?" I countered, frustration boiling within me. Did he truly not see how this would affect her?
As I struggled to contain my emotions, a tumult of thoughts invaded my mind. I had prayed fervently to the gods, seeking forgiveness for my sins, hoping my daughters would lead lives free from the chaos that enveloped our family, free from the life I myself had to endure. Aelora, with her gentle spirit, was still untouched by the darker realities of our world. She was innocent, a quiet presence amidst the storm, and I wanted to shield her from it all.
In that moment, I glanced at Aelora. She stood beside Aegon, her older brother, who, despite his many flaws, always tried to look after her. He rested a hand on her head, offering comfort, though I could see the confusion clouding her eyes.
"You always let Rhaenyra get her way!" I continued, my voice dripping with scorn. "Now that she cannot claim Helaena, she sets her sights on Aelora. This is all a vile ploy!"
"I never wished ill upon Aelora," Rhaenyra interjected, her voice low but clear. "I promise to give her a good life."
I couldn't help but laugh at that, a bitter sound that filled the hall. "Oh, you promise? What good life can you provide, Rhaenyra?!"
"How dare you accuse me of wishing harm on her!" Rhaenyra whispered, her eyes shimmering with hurt. "She is a child..." Rhaenyra whispered, hurt in her eyes. An act of deception no doubt.
"And you will rip away her childhood!" I accused, venom lacing my words. My heart raced as I continued to lash out, fully convinced this was Rhaenyra's plot to claim my daughter.
Aegon, despite his drunken state, knelt beside Aelora, whispering words of comfort, trying to ease the tension. The sight tugged at my heart. He was a good brother, even if he faltered in other aspects of his life.
Viserys broke the tension with his next statement. "Jacaerys and Aelora play well together. They will suit each other as husband and wife."
I scoffed, the disbelief pouring out of me. "Just because children play well together, you think that's enough to bind them for life? You expect our daughter to fall in line with a boy surrounded by such questionable rumors about their legitimacy?" The insult of it all cut deep, and I felt the need to challenge his reasoning.
Viserys's face hardened. "Never bring up the parentage of my grandchildren again."
I whispered, hurt spilling from my heart, "If only you could defend your own children in such a way."
Silence descended for a moment, and then Otto, my father and the Hand of the King, finally spoke. "Let the matter be, daughter," he said, his tone steady. "The king is wise, and perhaps there are advantages to this situation."
I knew my father well; he was a man of schemes. While he spoke in favor of the king, I could feel the undercurrents of his true intentions. He wanted this marriage to occur, and whatever advantage he saw in it was sure to benefit him, not just our family. As the weight of that realization settled on my shoulders, a sense of dread coursed through me. Aelora's fate was no longer hers to control, and I feared for the innocence that would soon be lost.
Otto leaned forward, a gleam in his eye that I recognized all too well. "Perhaps it would be wise to marry the children off as soon as possible," he suggested smoothly, his words dripping with a false sense of reason.
"Father, they're children!" I snapped, unable to contain my disbelief. How could he even entertain such a thought?
He responded without hesitation, as if my protest was a mere annoyance. "Child marriages are not uncommon in our world, Alicent. Binding them early ensures stability and strengthens our alliances." His voice was as smooth as honey, and I could see the way Viserys's expression shifted slightly, intrigued by Otto's words. "The sooner the union is forged, the stronger our position will be. They will grow together, learn to support one another, and become a formidable pair. Think of it as a strategic advantage."
I knew I was fighting a losing battle, but my heart raced with desperation. "What advantage could possibly outweigh Aelora's childhood? She deserves a chance to grow up free of these burdens!"
Otto continued, undeterred. "Aelora is well-loved by Jacaerys, and their connection is undeniable. Should they marry now, they can solidify their bond, ensuring loyalty to our family. It's an opportunity to secure our future and mitigate any unrest that may arise."
Viserys nodded slowly, clearly swayed by Otto's persuasive arguments, his resolve beginning to waver. Before I could argue further, though, a soft voice cut through the tension.
"Aegon?" Aelora asked, her innocent gaze fixed on her older brother. "What does it mean?"
Aegon hesitated, glancing at the adults around him, trying to process the question in a way that wouldn't frighten her. "Well, little sis, it's... it's- well you know how you and Jacaerys play together," he replied carefully, his tone gentle as he searched for words that would make sense to her childlike mind.
Aelora's face lit up with excitement, her innocence shining through. "Does that mean I get to spend more time with Jace?" She clapped her hands together, her joy radiating in the room. "He always lets me win when we play, and he shares his sweets with me!"
Aegon's gaze softened, a mixture of affection and sorrow crossing his features. He didn't have the heart to tell her the truth, and I could see the way her innocent words shattered the remnants of my resolve. Aelora did not yet understand the weight of her fate, the darkness that loomed ahead. All she saw was the joy of companionship, completely oblivious to the reality of the arrangement that would bind her to Jacaerys forever.
My heart ached, and I felt the sting of tears welling in my eyes. How could this be happening? My sweet Aelora, filled with hope and excitement, was being dragged into a world of politics and power plays. I desperately wanted to shield her from it all, to allow her the childhood she deserved, but with Otto weaving his schemes and Viserys's mind swayed, it felt as though I was losing her before I even had the chance to fight for her.
"Aelora," I said, my voice trembling, "it's not just about playing and sweets. It's much more complicated than that." But even as the words left my lips, I knew she wouldn't understand. Not yet. Not until it was too late.
The realization weighed heavily on my heart as I watched her innocent smile, oblivious to the treacherous currents swirling around her. Would Jacaerys treat her kindly, or would he, like his mother, wield his power with a cruel hand? My stomach twisted at the thought. Rhaenyra's sons were not mere children; they were shadows of their mother's ambition, and I couldn't shake the feeling that Aelora would be caught in the crossfire. As I gazed into my daughter's bright eyes, I felt a chill run down my spine—a premonition of the trials ahead, and an ache of fear for her fragile future in a world where cruelty wore a crown.