I don't own House of the Dragon.
Prologue
Year 111 AC
Alicent Hightower is panting and grunting in labor. She had already given birth to Aemond Targaryen last year, but by some sort of miracle, she conceived again.
She is having some difficulties right now.
'Something is wrong. Please tell me something is wrong.' She sweated and felt tired. This pregnancy is different than her other three pregnancies.
She has already given that old king two sons and a daughter, so she is not under any pressure to give birth to more heirs.
When she has given birth to Aemond in 110 AC, she conceived again the following days later. Alicent wasn't sure if she was expected so soon, but her husband seemed to be pleased but said nothing else. She knew.
She knew that she was simply just a womb to bear the king's children, but it was Princess Rhaenyra who shall inherit the throne.
She was the replacement for his wife and queen. Nothing else.
A pawn for this game.
'I will not be anyone's pawn again.' Alicent thought as she stands herself to give birth to this child.
"My queen…!" One of the nursemaids protested. Push anymore there is a chance child could suffocate and die or worse both the mother and child will perish.
Alicent grunted and pushed even harder.
She can't give up.
She will not let anyone take her child or her life under their control.
Not her father, not her husband, not Rhaenyra, and especially not the Gods will break her!
Alicent let out a scream.
"AAAAGGGGGH!"
"Waah! Waah! Waah!"
Alicent lost breath and dropped herself on the bed. She sighs and her eyes slowly close as she felt dizzy and blacking out soon.
"Measter she is still bleeding!"
"Quick! We must…"
Darkness came into her sight.
…..
She doesn't know how long she has been sleeping.
Elinda Massey, her lady in waiting was taking care of her queen.
"My queen…" She noticed her queen's eyes were opening.
"Where is the baby?" Alicent whispers as she dazedly looked around.
Measter Mellos smiled and came forward, "The princess is fine. She is albeit small, but strong."
Talya came forward carrying the new baby princess. She kneeled towards the queen and showed Queen Alicent a new daughter.
Alicent slowly and weakly turned her head. She sees her second-born daughter. She has the cutest nose, and chubby cheeks and saw tuft of Targaryen hair.
"A princess you say?" Alicent whispers as she is still weak.
Good.
Another daughter to raise and perform her duty.
The door opened as Ser Criston Cole entered with a bow. "Measter Mellos, my queen. The King is coming and wished to see the new child."
'No doubt he wished to know of the newborn before he ignores her when it comes to the favorite child Princess Rhaenyra.' Alicent bitterly reminded herself.
King Viserys came and saw them both.
"I hear we have another daughter." Viserys are curious about a new princess. Talya came forward holding the newborn princess.
Viserys looked at the child and hummed to himself. "You've done well, my dear." Then he left no doubt that once he sees that this child is healthy. He will return to his council to plan a celebration. Once Alicent has recovered, she will present herself in court with the new baby in her arms with him naming the child and ceremonies of the baptized princess.
Alicent tries to compose herself, but bitter tears run down as she mumbles that she is tired. She rolled herself to the side as she sniffled.
'Do your duty, Alicent.' She wipes her tears away as she sleeps. 'You will be rewarded for that.'
How little will Alicent realize that no matter what she does? Viserys will always choose his first-born daughter and shows little attention to his other true-born children through Alicent, their mother and queen of the seven kingdoms.
For many days, Queen Alicent dressed in her finest green and wore her crown. Talya had brought forth the baby princess to the queen.
"Here is the princess, my lady," Talya spoke as she smiled down at the newborn princess.
The newborn princess is giggly and smiling at the wonders of the world around the child. How innocent for a child not to realize that she will get no recognition nor love from her father, King Viserys.
Alicent looked at her daughter with a blank face. She supposed that she is still bitter that the king, her husband refused to spend time with his older three children or at least come visit both Alicent and their new daughter.
'Let's get this over with.' Queen Alicent took hold of her daughter in her arms as they started heading towards the main Iron throne room to present themselves in court.
A few guards and some of the maids they walked past bowed and sends their congratulations to her new daughter and the queen.
"Presenting Alicent of House of Hightowers, wife to King Viserys I Targaryen and queen of the seven kingdoms!" The steward banged his staff to the ground three times.
BANG, BANG, BANG!
Doors are opened as Alicent enters with all her grace and dignified herself as a queen and wife. Holding in her arms is the newborn princess who grew quiet and focused on Alicent alone.
For some reason, it gave some comfort that her daughter knew how important this is and focused on her instead of others around them.
She came to the foot from the Iron throne as her husband wore his crown, wearing his Targaryen colors and holding Blackfyre as it would show the illusion that he is a great king. She saw Princess Rhaenyra next to her husband Laenor Velaryon as prince consort. Alicent kept her face blank, but she saw Rhaenyra being smug in her eyes.
Knowing full well, that despite Alicent doing her duty and giving her husband children, he ignores them in favor of Rhaenyra.
No matter what she does, Viserys still love Rhaenyra his firstborn daughter more than ever. Letting her stepdaughter get away with everything without ever thinking about the consequences of her actions.
For now, the Green Queen will hold her tongue and be humble and penitent to her husband.
She kneeled before him and announced, "My king, my lord husband. I present to you, our daughter. Please grant her the honor of being named by you."
This was the usual rehearsal that is a custom for generations since the Targaryen first came and ruled the seven kingdoms. The wives of Targaryen would present their infant child to the King and the entire court.
Then the king would name their child and they would be baptized as prince and princess of the seven kingdoms.
"I am pleased that you present us a daughter to share joy and love for the seven kingdoms. Now it has come to my attention that she will need a name." King Viserys waved off his hand to signal for her to stand. "I shall give her the name of our princess. She will be called Viserra Targaryen. Long live Princess Viserra Targaryen!"
The court cheered and clapped for the new princess.
Alicent bowed her head and said, "Thank you, your majesty."
Seated next to her husband on a sitting stool for herself as she looked at the courtiers.
She then looked down at her newly named daughter Viserra.
She pities the poor girl.
'This child is no different at least in Viserys eyes. He will greet her and then ignore her as he does with our other children. My poor darling daughter. What an awful life to now live.' Alicent thought as she looked down at her child while rocking her to sleep. Knowing full well, that no matter what her children. They will never be the joy in his eyes.
Just when the court celebrated, the door opened with a strong wind blasting everyone in court. Alicent shielded herself and her child with her back turned. Everyone shrieked surprised as the wind was so strong it knocked out their cups, plates the tapestries off the walls.
The wind lasted for at least an hour.
Then it stops.
What was supposed to be a celebration turned into a disaster already? Alicent feared as she looked around the courtiers were looking around the mess of the place. She could tell in their eyes; they would see it as a bad omen for her daughter.
Princess Rhaenyra looked around surprised by this event.
However, people began to show fear for the newborn princess and she seemed to be pleased that for once it will be her half-sister ruined reputation for this day.
Not even old enough to understand the courtly life. She will now bear the stigma of a bad reputation and superstitions.
Alicent wished to cry. This is not what she wanted to happen to her daughter.
But she saw a leaf that was not green outside and slowly entered the throne room. It danced around and landed on the ground.
What?
Curiosity got the better of her. Deciding to investigate by seeing the outside if there is a disaster there too.
Alicent went outside with Viserra still in her arms. As she went outside, gasped at such beauty.
A scatter of leaves is dancing around them in the midday sky.
It was like Autumn had come already.
All the beautiful green leaves turned in various shades of yellow, orange, red, purple, and brown.
Gurgles are sounded by the baby. Viserra laughed out loud as she watched more leaves gently blow from the wind.
Everyone in court came out and saw such beauty. Commotion and talks are being in a more positive light for the princess ceremony.
"The leaves changed color already?"
"But we are still in the long summer."
"By Gods, autumn season. It's autumn here in the long summer."
"Must be a blessed sign for the princess."
"Truly this day must made the Gods happy."
"Gods bless Princess Viserra!"
"Not just Princess Viserra. She is the Autumn princess."
"Long live the Autumn princess!"
Everyone clapped and cheered. Chanted Viserra as the Autumn princess. Princess Rhaenyra looked put out at how people in court cheered for Princess Viserra.
Worse, King Viserys looked at his third daughter in a different light now.
Alicent began to truly smile. For the first time in her life, the people and court cheered her daughter.
Better, her husband the king now cannot ignore her daughter anymore.
She hugged warmly to Viserra which the princess responded with a happy babble.
Alicent saw this as her victory.
'I beat you, Rhaenyra! Today, the whole seven kingdoms cheered for my daughter. Not you nor any offspring that you may bear. Even your father, the king noticed Viserra now. This will make my daughter more beloved than you ever were.' Alicent truly won that day.
Now Viserys cannot ignore his second daughter.
The autumn leaves scattered all over Kingslandings which gave common folks and other citizens a sense of hope and seeing the world for what it truly is.
Beautiful.
They made their festival to celebrate this day.
Princess Viserra had her special holiday named after her title. The high Septon and devout seven worshipers called it, "The Feast of Autumn."
Where Autumn would come early on this day and many would wear colorful colors of their clothing to symbolize the holiday.
Viserra was the ignorant challenger to Princess Rhaenyra for King Viserys favor and the crown.
Reviews are welcome.
Next Chapter, the daily duties of a princess who is a progeny and pious princess Viserra Targaryen's life in Kingslandings and family.