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The Heir of the Dragon: A Rhaenyra Targaryen Quest

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I actually prefer Azel's answer, for the "double" meaning of "accept yourself, accept who you are", but for people's consideration, a personalization of the "defend against men" answer:

[ ] "I can't rely on men for this, who are just as likely to abuse you then actually protect you. I need to learn how to protect myself... and you, if need be."
 
Okay I know people really want the "dramatic lesbian" option, but even a the melodrama loving shipper in me is decidely meh regarding the "FOR YOU ALICENT" option here, primarily for 2 reasons:

1. As mentioned from others, Alicent is repressed enough I could see a very strong backlash from her if this is said, but also its just kinda Feels Bad vibes in general? Like "oh you're rubbing your ability to break gender norms I desperately want to in my face..for me? fuck off with that BS" seems like a viable response in addition to/on top of any Seven Induced Lesbian Repression.

2) It genuinely seems kinda trite and not too honest to me? I know QM had to write the other options based on votes, and couldn't like preemptively insert "OH BOY I SURE HOPE ALICENT IS WATCHING" everywhere, but when reading the other updates I get the impression that she legitimately desires to be good at combat for her own sake/goals instead of being driven by some third party validation. I would legitimately prefer the selfish and arrogant options (i think i could be the best, so imma gonna try) since they ring truer to me. Stating "I'm doing it for you" feels too blatantly lothario-esque/ungeuine from what I've read of her training and fights so far.
 
[ ] Write-in: 'I want to protect those I care about. My family, my future subjects, and those who believe in me, Alicent.''

What do you guys think of something like this?
 
[] "I wanted to protect my family. I knew if my mother ever gave me a brother he would have been a lot younger than me, perhaps even come to throne young, and I wanted to make sure he had someone to protect him."

As a younger brother, I love this answer. While Baelor is dead, Rhaenyra wanting to keep her brother safe no matter how people view her sounds just so goddamn sweet to me.
 
Teen Spirit said:
Also since I realize not everyone here is familar with House of the Dragon I am willing to answer any and all questions people have about Alicent's character. Just keep in mind what I say is my own (likely bias) view of the character.
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Guys, take into account that Teen Spirit kindly offered to answer any questions about Alicent Character, so we don´t need to go in blind...

@Teen Spirit Alicent's character seems to be highly defined by religion and familiar piety, how much of that is genuine, and how much is " I do it because it is what is expected of me"?

And another thing regarding Alicent watching Rhaenyra train, which percentage of that is envy (in the sense of "I would love to be like her"), and what is that she feels attracted to us?
 
Hmmm, maybe something like…

[ ] [Write-in] "I am to be Queen one day. But what kind of Queen? If danger should strike at those under my protection—be they far-off subjects or the ones I hold dear—will I just be a pretty face upon the throne, sending others to fight and die in my stead? No. I refuse to live in fear of what I'm meant to be."
 
Fanhunter696 said:
@Teen Spirit Alicent's character seems to be highly defined by religion and familiar piety, how much of that is genuine, and how much is " I do it because it is what is expected of me"?

And another thing regarding Alicent watching Rhaenyra train, which percentage of that is envy (in the sense of "I would love to be like her"), and what is that she feels attracted to us?
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Alicent is very much a person who does what is expected of her because she believes eventually it will all be worth it. Duty and Scrafice are part of being a noble lady and a big reason why she has a falling out with Rhaenyra in canon is Rhaenyra basically doesn't stick to either of those and yet she gets more power and protection then any other woman.

I would say the religious stuff is genuine, the familar piety is more "Because I have to"

Aso for the second thing, Rhaenyra doesn't know that but it does seems like swordplay doesn't specifically interest Alicent all that much.


Kirook said:
[ ] [Write-in] "I am to be Queen one day. But what kind of Queen? If danger should strike at those under my protection—be they far-off subjects or the ones I hold dear—will I just be a pretty face upon the throne, sending others to fight and die in my stead? No. I refuse to live in fear of what I'm meant to be."
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Doesn't work since Rhaenyra has wanted to be a knight since before she became heir.
 
Eh fuck it. Azel is the best wordsmith among the candidates.

[] "I just always knew in my heart that this is what I wanted to be. No. That this is who I truly am. Maybe it is selfish of me, but is it not worth fighting for what you know to be the truth?"
 
[X] "I just always knew in my heart that this is what I wanted to be. No. That this is who I truly am. Maybe it is selfish of me, but is it not worth fighting for what you know to be the truth?"
 
[X] "I just always knew in my heart that this is what I wanted to be. No. That this is who I truly am. Maybe it is selfish of me, but is it not worth fighting for what you know to be the truth?"
 
[X] "I just always knew in my heart that this is what I wanted to be. No. That this is who I truly am. Maybe it is selfish of me, but is it not worth fighting for what you know to be the truth?"
 
[X] "I just always knew in my heart that this is what I wanted to be. No. That this is who I truly am. Maybe it is selfish of me, but is it not worth fighting for what you know to be the truth?"
 
Susano said:
Eh fuck it. Azel is the best wordsmith among the candidates.

[] "I just always knew in my heart that this is what I wanted to be. No. That this is who I truly am. Maybe it is selfish of me, but is it not worth fighting for what you know to be the truth?"
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My main problem is that it's also the problem that seems like it'd upset Alicent the most?

She wants there to be a good reason, not some pointless frivolity, some pointless indulgence.
And you're going to say her that no, this is actually exactly what it seems to be.

A spoiled princess taking advantage of her privilege to pursue a pointless hobby, even if it might burn the kingdom down around her.
 
[X] "I just always knew in my heart that this is what I wanted to be. No. That this is who I truly am. Maybe it is selfish of me, but is it not worth fighting for what you know to be the truth?"
 
10ebbor10 said:
My main problem is that it's also the problem that seems like it'd upset Alicent the most?

She wants there to be a good reason, not some pointless frivolity, some pointless indulgence.
And you're going to say her that no, this is actually exactly what it seems to be.

A spoiled princess taking advantage of her privilege to pursue a pointless hobby, even if it might burn the kingdom down around her.
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It's the knightly thing to say though. And our knightly behavior is something she explicitly approves of, such as us defending the maids of the Red Keep.
 
[X] "I just always knew in my heart that this is what I wanted to be. No. That this is who I truly am. Maybe it is selfish of me, but is it not worth fighting for what you know to be the truth?"
 
[X] "I believe the Gods blessed me with this strength and becoming a knight and protecting people seemed the best use of their blessing."

[X] "I wanted to protect my family. I knew if my mother ever gave me a brother he would have been a lot younger than me, perhaps even come to throne young, and I wanted to make sure he had someone to protect him."
 
I should note one of the reasons why Alicent isn't as upset as canon, besides her generally viewing this as less offensive then Rhaenyra's canonical actions, is Rhaenyra doesn't seem to be doing it for just her pleasure. Like Rhaenyra isn't honor-bound (though it would be possible to acquire that trait) but she does aspire to that kind of honor even if so far that has largely amounted to defending maids from pervs.
 
[X] "I wanted to protect my family. I knew if my mother ever gave me a brother he would have been a lot younger than me, perhaps even come to throne young, and I wanted to make sure he had someone to protect him."
 
[X] "I wanted to protect my family. I knew if my mother ever gave me a brother he would have been a lot younger than me, perhaps even come to throne young, and I wanted to make sure he had someone to protect him."
 
[X] "I wanted to protect my family. I knew if my mother ever gave me a brother he would have been a lot younger than me, perhaps even come to throne young, and I wanted to make sure he had someone to protect him."
 
[X] "I just always knew in my heart that this is what I wanted to be. No. That this is who I truly am. Maybe it is selfish of me, but is it not worth fighting for what you know to be the truth?"
 
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