When Visenya Velaryon was born paler than the winter snows barely six moons after the wedding of Rhaenyra and Laenor, the whispers started there. Bastard. No matter how hard Rhaenyra tried to claim she was Laenor's daughter, her resemblance to Daemo...
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There were so many confusing thoughts running through Visenya's mind. The way he spoke to her had her on edge for days. He retreated back to his aloof self and they entered a dance of silence. Each night they would sleep on the far sides of the bed, never once allowing themselves to touch. They spoke little about her succession plan, only interacting during lessons and meals.
Visenya admitted to herself that she was scared. She was terrified of how she felt for him, and how intense it was progressing. Two moons had passed since their wedding, and Alicent began noticing her lack of pregnancy. While they had begun to mend the relationship (after Visenya gave a quite believable apology with fake tears), Alicent was making comments.
"Are you sure you are doing it right, dear?"
That caused her face to grow beat red. She did not want to have this conversation with her husband's mother.
"Yes, we are. But I am still early into womanhood, my bleeding isn't regular yet. I am sure it will happen soon and I shall be with child shortly." Visenya forced a smile.
Alicent nodded and squeezed her hand. "Helaena is pregnant so her children could grow up with close cousins."
"Yes, and their father shall be the rightful king of Westeros."
Alicent's eyes widened and pulled her hand away. "Visenya."
"Oh, don't act innocent, Alicent. We both know Rhaenyra should not be queen. She has committed treason many times. By all rights, I ..." She stopped herself. She wasn't supposed to go in this strong. She was supposed to ease into it slowly.
"You want to usurp the throne from your mother? I must admit, I little expected to hear you want that."
"My grandsire shan't live forever. If I could find a way to be legitimized as a Targaryen even before my marriage to Aemond, then Aemond and I could rule and our firstborn child, your grandchild, would be on the throne. I want my mother to be called out for the liar she is. How is it that women like us do our duty every day and receive no special treatment but she is being rewarded for treason?"
Alicent watched her with worried eyes, wringing her hands. "If you ask to be legitimized, you will be setting yourself up for more embarrassment and shame. And you will then call into question the credibility of your brothers and Rhaenyra herself. She will not take kindly to that."
"I care naught for my mother's feelings. Laenor adopted me as his daughter and knew that I was not his. I respect that but if I go on and lie and try to say he is my father, then I am no better than her with the lies. I am the daughter of Rhaenyra and Daemon, and while they are married now, I was conceived when they were not. Alicent, Aegon does not desire the throne. Aemond and I do."
"You and Aemond have spoken of this?" Alicent asked.
"Briefly," Visenya nodded. "It has come up in previous conversations. So I wish to speak to Grandsire, I wish to plead my case."
