After the death of his son, Baelon, and his wife, Queen Aemma, Viserys I Targaryen has felt lost and alone. His daughter hated him for his decision, but she wouldn't listen to his explanations. The Maester had made it clear that Aemma was not going...
[All rights to HOTD belong to George R. R. Martin and Ryan J. Cordal]
Bold: High Valyrian
Underlined: Emphasis
Italics: Thoughts
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Outside King Viserys I Targaryen's Chambers
As she stood in front of King Viserys door leading to his bed chambers, she simply stared at the door while ignoring the guards on duty who were standing on each side of the door. She was preparing for her job, her duty, and her task, given to her by her father in replacement of Alicent.
At least I believe the King to be attractive... he would probably gross young Alicent out. My baby sister would have no idea what to do... she would be led to her ruin. I will NOT stand for that. Do this for her, do this for your future, and do this to kick your father out of the King's Landing on his ass! I can do this.. let's go.
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After her own little mental pep talk, Annora walked forward confidently and asked the guards to announce her arrival. Once they did, she heard King Viserys seemingly trip, as she heard some kind of thud, and then the door opened.
Once the door swung open, she was met with the sight of the King's confused face. He was dressed down as he was not expecting any company at the moment. Once the King's eyes met hers, she watched his face light up at the sight of her. She became flushed on her cheeks as she was not expecting such a reaction from the King.
Inside King Viserys I Targaryen's Chambers Once he stopped gazing at her face, he greeted her and moved aside to let her in his chambers.
"Lady Annora, I must confess that I was not expecting to see you tonight, especially since it's gotten late. Do you need something?"
Annora walked in and brushed her arm against his as she slid past him to look around his chambers. Once her arm brushed against him, Viserys had to hold back a shiver as simply feeling the mere brush of her skin on his had him wanting her. He still couldn't grasp the fact that his body yearned for hers against him.
As Annora was checking out the King's room, she turned her head towards him.
"I apologize, my King. I found myself wondering how you were doing... I can't even imagine how hard it is for you to be alone, in your own company, for the first time since you married the late Queen Aemma. I couldn't help but want to offer you my own company... If that pleases you, my King"
King Viserys was in awe of Annora Hightower. She was beautiful, elegant, sharp with her words (as he was told by his Hand), and was also apparently extremely caring of others. He couldn't stop his body from moving closer to hers.
As he stood in front of her, almost disregarding the act of personal space, he looked her in the eye and said "My Lady, call me Viserys, please. You're everything I've ever yearned for... With my late wife, I was thankfully able to fall in love with her. But it was hard in the beginning because she was so young and I was quite a few years older than her".
Annora couldn't believe her ears, King Viserys desired her. Not for her looks, but for her mind and commanding presence. It was like a dream come true. Who didn't dream of being a Princess or Queen when they were young?
"Viserys... call me Annora. I've never been in love before and I am still a maiden, but my heart and body have yearned for yours since we knocked into each other in the hall. I have to be honest with you. If you are truly falling for me and I, you... you have to know of the schemes of my father, your Hand"
Viserys was overjoyed that Annora, the young woman he was falling for, felt the same as he did. However, when he registered what she said about her father, his Hand, and closest/oldest friend, he was confused.
"What are you speaking of, Annora? What has your father, my Hand, been 'scheming' as you say?" Viserys asked
Annora was hesitant at first, as she heard the underlying stern way his voice got towards the end of his question. However, she brushed off her concerns about how Viserys would react to begin to plant the first seeds of doubt about his Hand.
"My King... your Hand, my father, called me to Kings Landing because he wishes for us to marry so that may put his blood on the throne once you pass on"
Annora said slowly and surely. Viserys was becoming upset and demanded her to explain herself, for he couldn't doubt his Hand off of mere words.
Annora nodded and said that she had brought the letter her father sent her and told her to burn afterward, which she did not do, that stated his commandments to come home and the intentions for her, or her younger sister, to seduce the King so they may 'move up' in the world, both physically and in terms of power. The only request she had before Viserys read it was that he doesn't harbor any ill-will toward herself or her sister, for they were loyal to him, their King, and Princess Rhaenyra.
The letter that Annora handed to Viserys said:
My little bird,
I am writing to you now to tell you that your days of travel are officially behind you. It's time for you to do your duty and marry. Queen Aemma has passed, as you've surely heard, alongside her sickly son. I require you. If you do not come, then my plans will fall to your sister. You would not want that, now would you? You are to dress accordingly and show some skin, your body is of use to me. I require your silence and obedience when you get to the Red Keep. King Viserys is still lost from the death of his wife and son, and so I need you (or your sister, should you not comply) to offer him some company. Do whatever you must, I do not care. I am closer than ever to putting our blood on the throne.
Come to Kings Landing immediately, or your sister will suffer the consequences.
-your father, Otto Hightower
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Annora stood still in front of Viserys. She felt the tension building up within him as he read every inch of that letter. She tried to appear confident in her decision to give the letter filled with betrayal to her King, but she could not fully grasp onto her fear and push it back because she was unsure if Viserys would only punish the guilty or punish all who belonged to House Hightower.
Once Viserys digested the words written clearly on this paper, he began steaming. How could his Hand do this? This is an act of betrayal towards the crown and his royal family, the Targaryens. God help him... his brother was right in his beliefs. How could he be so blind?
