#Even Rhaenys despite unjustly getting passed over as heir had more rights than Alicent because she was still born a princess

[alicentflorent]

Do Condal and Hess really think Alicent ever had the same level of privilege as Rhaenyra? That Alicent just chose to do what was expected of her and be dutiful because it made life easier?

Alicent was a daughter of an ambitious second son who’s love was conditional whereas Rhaenyra on the other hand, she was the princess of the realm and the only child of the king, who despite his many flaws loved her and would go to great lengths to protect her and her children. Who would send her moon tea if she needed it but never forced her to drink it. She also spent a couple of years touring the realm looking for a husband of her choice. Even when she married laenor, it was an open marriage where they each took a lover with the support of their partner. Alicent couldn’t push the boundaries the same way that Rhaenyra did. She would be more likely to get cast out of society if she was rumoured to be having sex before marriage but Otto had instilled enough fear in her to know she wouldn’t disobey him or hurt the family image. Alicent was given more power as queen yes, but it was power she gained through her husband who could take it away at any moment. Alicent did not want to marry Viserys, he announced their marriage without asking her first. Do you think she could have refused? Maybe if he had spoken to her privately and asked her but no young girl is going to insult the king by turning down a proposal in a feudalistic medieval society. Unlike Rhaenyra, Alicent had even less reproductive rights because she had no access to moontea because no maester in his right mind would give it to her unless it was requested by Viserys himself. Going behind the kings back to provent a pregnancy would likely be considered treasonous.

Don’t get me wrong, Rhaenyra is still a westerosi woman with a claim to lose but she is also still a targaryen princess and heir who was protected when her father was alive. Alicent was a lady who never had any freedom, who went from being controlled by her father to becoming the property of the king. Maybe she was jealous of Rhaenyra’s position, if her freedom but I do not like how it was implied that Rhaenyra pushed the boundaries whereas Alicent chose to be a dutiful, perfect lady as if they were born with the same privileges.