The Guilt Of Queen Alicent Targaryen

Otto Hightower was leaving Kings Landing as Viserys read through his intentions and didn’t want him to serve as the hand of the king. Alicent had gone to Viserys and vouched for Rhaenyra, and that had led to her father being expelled from his position. Alicent felt guilty, but she did what she felt was right. She valued the presence of Rhaenyra in her life and always considered her as a very good friend and confidant. Rhaenyra had sworn that she didn’t indulge with Daemon that night, and Alicent believed it to be true. Lord Larys Strong, son of Lyonel Strong, came and sowed the seed of suspicion in Alicent’s mind. He called Alicent an outsider amidst the natives and told her that in order to thrive, she had to be very tactical in her approach.

He revealed to her that the Grandmaester had given Rhaenyra Moon tea following the orders of the king. Alicent knew that Moon Tea was a kind of contraceptive, and if Rhaenyra was given that, it meant that she had indulged with somebody. Though, until then, it hadn’t come to her mind that it could be somebody else, other than Daemon. Alicent wanted to enquire more about the issue. She called Ser Criston Cole to her chambers, as she thought that he would be able to tell her something. At this point in time, Criston Cole was laden with guilt. He felt that he had committed a sin. Alicent asked him if he knew anything about that night when Daemon was in Kings Landing. As Criston Cole was guilt ridden, he thought that the Queen was indirectly blaming him. So, he stood up and confessed that he had indulged with the Princess and told Alicent that he was ready for any kind of punishment.

Alicent was taken aback. She didn’t see it coming. This was a crucial point in the history of Kings Landing. Up until now, Alicent was the strongest ally Rhaenyra could ask for. She valued the friendship and kept her in high regard. She had gone against her own father and stood up for her friend. But now Alicent realized that the words her father had spoken actually made sense. Otto had speculated that the general populace would question Rhaenyra’s claim to the Iron throne, as she was a female. He said that Rhaenyra would eventually be obligated to take active steps to remove everybody who had a probable claim to the throne, which would mean that she would eventually kill Aegon, Alicent’s son. The testimony of Ser Criston Cole had made Alicent rethink her strategies, her allegiances, and her perspective towards things.

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