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bbygirl-aemond · 1 year

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no shot this just came up on my facebook, the absolute whiplash i got from this

why viserys did alicent and aemma both dirty

oh wow haha. i mean i guess i've been wanting to talk about this for a while. here is the link to my original post, and here is the link to the facebook post shown above. i made the mistake of checking the comments on this post and there are two frequent responses that really worry me. the first is that alicent was not raped because viserys only had sex with her out of "duty". the second is that aemma was not slaughtered because viserys had "no other choice." so let's go through why these takes are straight-up horrifying. massive cw going forward for detailed discussion of rape of a minor and graphic death during childbirth.

viserys did not marry alicent out of duty, but out of selfishness. if he was marrying purely out of duty, he would have married someone from a powerful house whose allyship would have been politically useful. he would have married someone the small council would have approved of. he did not do this. he married alicent, at his political expense, because he wanted to fuck her. he chose her specifically, because he wanted to fuck her. even though she was a child. even though she was his daughter's best friend. even though he'd likely watched her grow up.

he wanted to fuck her, and so he married her.

now, let's give viserys the benefit of the doubt and say that he didn't realize alicent didn't want him. this still doesn't change that he raped her. if a person is forced into having sex against their will, it is rape. the rapist's intentions do not factor into this. if the rapist does not get consent, that is on them. viserys is the grown man in this situation. he is the king of an entire continent with a thousand times more power than alicent will ever have. he has been king for over a decade at this point, and he knows the power he wields. it is his responsibility as the person in power to not abuse it. if he is ignorant to the power dynamic between him and alicent, it is willfully so, and for his own benefit. so he can feel less conflicted about raping her.

lastly, let's talk about what viserys does even after he realizes he's been raping alicent. this takes place in episode four, right before he fires otto. he admits he realizes alicent was placed by his side by otto, and not because she genuinely cared for him. aemond and daeron have not been born yet.

viserys had this realization, and he had two children already, including a son who fulfilled his duty to be spares, and he still raped her enough times over multiple years to force two more children on her.

i really pray that any survivors of rape who encountered these types of comments about viserys find healing and peace. and i hope that the people who made those comments never find themselves the victim of a man who insists he didn't know what he was doing but who absolutely should have.

next, let's talk about aemma, and the argument that viserys didn't slaughter her because she was "going to die anyways." i do acknowledge that aemma was beyond saving at that point, but let's list the facts of the situation. i'm drawing directly from the script here.

the maester told viserys that the technique he was proposing would involve "cutting directly into the womb." viserys knew the agony and sheer body horror of what the maester was proposing, and he did it anyways. aemma asks "what is happening?" and is clearly afraid. when viserys tells her they're going to get the baby out, she asks "how are they…" showing that she wants more information about what is about to happen to her, and that she is not giving informed consent (or any consent at all). he does not give it to her. and she dies screaming, in absolute agony, literally split in two with strangers' hands inside the wound tearing her further open, screaming "no" over and over. begging her husband to stop them.

he does not stop them.

viserys did not give aemma the chance to even give informed consent about what was happening. he ignored her pleas to be spared this horrible fate because he did not care about what she wanted. and he let the maesters keep her alive and conscious throughout the procedure so that she suffered every last agonizing second of it.

"but he had to save the baby-" if he knew aemma was a dead woman walking, why didn't he give her a quick, merciful death before letting them cut into her? the whole thing happened in seconds, so you can't try to tell me it would've hurt the chances for the baby. was aemma arryn always going to die? yes. did she have to die afraid, and in literally unimaginable pain, while begging those killing her to stop? did she have to die being butchered like an animal? no.

viserys did that to her, and that was his choice. i stand by what i said.

i hope that none of the people justifying viserys's decision are ever allowed to make a decision about another woman's body. i hope that they take a long, hard look at their willingness to justify causing unnecessary agony and terror to women. both for their sake, and for the sake of the women in their lives who deserve their respect and understanding.

paddy considine is a wonderful actor, and made his portrayal of viserys as compelling as possible. but "he's got charisma" should simply never trump the very real harm his character chose to cause these poor women. it genuinely terrifies me that to so many people, it does.

if anyone ever encounters comments like the ones i mentioned, please link them to this post. this sort of mentality has helped to justify the harm of countless women and will continue to do so if we don't challenge every form it takes. there is a real world impact here and i cannot stress this enough.

#i forget a lot how rampant misogyny and victim blaming is in our society #and then things like this are unwelcome but also very necessary wakeup calls #tw: sa #rape cw #hotd #house of the dragon #viserys targaryen #aemma arryn #rhaenyra targaryen #alicent hightower #otto hightower #otto #alicent #rhaenyra #viserys i targaryen #viserys #viserys i #aemma

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razieltwelve · 1 year

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Pancakes and Chocolate (Final Rose x House of the Dragon

“What are these?” Aemma asked. “They smell wonderful.”

Viserys agreed. The... flat, pastry-like dish smelled wonderful. “Is this another one of your inventions, professor?”

The professor smiled warmly. “Yes, Your Grace. It is called a pancake because it is kind of like a cake and flat like a pan.” She beckoned them to the breakfast table. “I made them myself, and I think you and your family will enjoy them.”

As they all sat, Viserys noted that there was a little jug full of a strange liquid that was somewhere between gold and brown. The professor made a big show of putting butter on one of the pancakes, pouring the liquid on it, and then eating it.

“As you can see, it’s perfectly safe.” She grinned. “In fact, it’s rather delightful.” She moved to Aemma’s side. “Here, you look hungry, Your Grace. Allow me to prepare your portion.”

A few moments later, Aemma raised her fork to her lips. The sound that followed was distinctly not for others to hear. Across the table, Daemon stopped and stared, and Viserys felt his face grow hot. The children, at least, were mercifully unaware of how inappropriate the sound was.

“It’s... it’s incredible.” Aemma blinked. “Viserys, you have to try this.” She eagerly prepared him a slice of the pancake, copying what Vanille had done before raising it to his lips.

A second later, Viserys was forced to agree. The... pancake was wickedly delicious. The soft, fluffy texture, the smooth, creaminess of the butter... and the... the...

“It’s called maple syrup, Your Grace,” Vanille said, nodding at the jug. “It’s something else I came up with.”

“It is magnificent.” Viserys was already reaching for another slice. “Daemon, you and the children must try this!”

Similar reactions were soon had by all as Vanille calmly ate the pancake she’d prepared earlier.

“I must ask,” Aemma said as even little Baelon enjoyed some pancake. “How is this made?”

“The pancake itself is not that difficult to make. I’ve already shared the recipe with the cook in charge of breakfast as well as a few, select associates of mine. If you can make bread, you can make a pancake. As for the maple syrup... that is actually something I want to discuss with you, Your Grace.”

“Oh?” Viserys raised one eyebrow.

“It might actually help out with the... coolness we’ve been experiencing from the North.”

Now, Viserys forced himself to stop eating his pancake to focus his attention on his Hand. Ever since taking over after Otto had died, Vanille had proven more than equal to the task. She combined her immense intellect with a level of cunning that would have been terrifying if he hadn’t be completely certain of her loyalty. As it was, she had set about rapidly improving the kingdom at his behest and strengthening the position of House Targaryen.

“This maple syrup is actually comes from the sap of the maple tree.”

“Truly?” Viserys added more syrup to his pancake. The texture and smell of it were delightful, not to mention the taste. “I didn’t think tree sap would taste so good.”

“I wouldn’t recommend using the sap of any other tree. Maple trees are special... and they only really grow in significant quantities in the North.”

“Ah.” Viserys could see it now. “So if we wished to get more maple syrup, we would have to get it from the North.”

“I intend to spread pancakes and other dishes that use maple syrup to the public,” Vanille explained. “You can add it to all kinds of things like vegetables and meat, all cooked in a variety of ways. If it becomes as popular as I hope, the North stands to profit very handsomely.”

“And we could use the supply of maple syrup as a way of strengthening the bonds between the Iron Throne and the North.” Viserys nodded to himself. “The North cannot easily transport goods south. Yet with our backing, they stand to make a most handsome profit. House Stark, if I recall correctly, has many maple trees on their lands.”

“You are correct, Your Grace. If we allow the Dragon and Fox Trading Company to oversee the transport, we would make coin hand over fist. Of course, we could also bring House Velaryon into this. I know you have wished to make peace with them for some time, and our recent dealings with them have certainly improved relations. Offering this additional trading opportunity combined with a chance for Laena and Laenor to study here in the capital with your children and Prince Daemon’s would, I think, greatly improve relations.”

Viserys could see it now. Corlys Velaryon was a proud man. He had hoped to put himself on the throne beside Rhaenys. When that hope had been dashed, he had tried to get his son on the throne. Viserys did not blame him. He would have done much the same in his place. Yet their once frosty relationship had thawed. The prosperity that the Dragon and Fox Trading Company had brought to both House Targaryen and House Velaryon had done much to soothe the old hurts.

Vanille’s growing academy had already begun to make waves with the skills of her students becoming renowned. Many nobles and craftsmen clamoured for their children to learn under her, but she had thus far personally tutored only members of the royal family, in addition to those who demonstrated the intellect required to join her academy. Allowing her to teach Laenor and Laena would be a great boon, along with the increased trade to the north.

“Very well,” Viserys said. “I will write to Lord Velaryon and my cousin to let them know.”

Vanille smiled craftily. “Shall we send them the recipe for pancakes and a barrel of maple syrup too, Your Grace?”

Viserys laughed. “Hah! Indeed!”

X X X

“Good grief,” Daemon muttered. “Why are you cackling?” He knew Vanille well enough by now to assume that something had either gone wonderfully right or was about to go horribly wrong.

“I’ve done it!” The professor punched the air, and her students clapped and cheered.

“Done what?”

“Ah.” The professor turned to him and beckoned him forward. “You can be the first person outside of my academy to try chocolate.”

“Chocolate?” Daemon’s brows furrowed. “What is that?”

“Something that took a long time to make because of how many people I had to deal with to get what I needed. But at last, I have succeeded.” Vanille handed him a brown bar. “Eat that.”

Daemon stared. “This isn’t poison, is it?”

“If I wanted to poison you, there are about a hundred better ways to do it than in front of all these witnesses. Trust me.”

Daemon sighed. “Well, those pancakes you made a few months ago were delicious. I shall trust you again.”

He took a bite.

Before he knew it, the bar of chocolate was completely gone.

“What... what was that?” Daemon whispered. “And do you have more?”

“Hehehehe...” Vanille cackled madly again. “That was chocolate, and I have lots more.”

X X X

Historical Note:

Although Supreme Professor Oerba Dia Vanille was notorious for her ability to create new inventions seemingly whenever she felt like it, her impact on the palates of Westeros cannot be underestimated. She pushed heavily for improvements to the spice trade, culminating in the retrieval of specimens that allowed for spices of all kinds to be grown in Westeros. Her work in developing different condiments and sauces also cannot be emphasised enough. She also developed a range of different foods, amongst them pancakes and chocolate. She also introduced the world to coffee, a drink that would become a staple in the lives of rulers, scholars, and all manner of hard-working folk.

It is telling that amongst the many schools of learning at the Royal and Paramount Academies, there is a school dedicated specifically to Culinary Alchemy.

X X X

Author’s Notes

Vanille knows that people think with their stomachs. And, historically speaking, people have paid a pretty penny to eat better food. She might as well be the one who gets that penny.

And one thing you can say about Viserys is that he tried to get his family to reconcile. It didn’t work, but he did try. Here, at least, he’s more successful because Otto isn’t around to pick fights, Daemon is not as horrible because he has kids he loves, and the Velaryons have profited handily from trying to get along.

The next step will be for Vanille to propose conquering the Stepstones. Now, at this point, Viserys is already considering wedding Aegon (Daemon’s son) to Rhaenyra since they get along very well. He’ll have to give the Velaryons something. Some nice chunks of the Stepstones ought to do nicely with the promise that Viserys will appoint Laenor Lord of the Stepstone as a marriage gift when he marries someone with the Stepstones becoming a kingdom in their own right when Rhaenyra ascends the throne. The price of course will be renouncing any and all claims to the throne going forward with a few inter-marriages thrown in down the line to keep the peace.

Of course, by the time that happens, the whole Braavos thing will have happened, so there will be plenty of land to give to the other members of the royal family as a counterweight to the Velaryons.

#final rose #house of the dragon #fanfiction #oerba dia vanille #viserys #daemon #aemma

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