No, King Viserys I Targaryen did not want Aegon II to be his successor. His true desire was for his daughter, Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, to inherit the Iron Throne.
The King's Clear Intentions
Throughout his reign, King Viserys consistently named and reaffirmed Princess Rhaenyra as his heir. He went to great lengths to ensure her succession, even having various lords swear fealty to her as the future queen. This commitment stemmed from a deeper understanding of a prophecy concerning "The Prince That Was Promised," which Viserys believed referred to a future ruler descending from the Targaryen line who would unite the realm against a great darkness. He mistakenly believed he was relaying this crucial prophecy to Alicent in his dying moments, thinking she understood his full meaning.
Alicent's Crucial Misunderstanding
The pivotal moment that ignited the civil war, known as the Dance of the Dragons, was Queen Alicent Hightower's profound misinterpretation of King Viserys's final, muddled words. As Viserys lay on his deathbed, delirious and weak, he spoke of Aegon and the prophecy. However, he was referring to Aegon the Conqueror and the ancient dream of a unified Westeros, not his son, Aegon II.
Alicent, overhearing these fragmented words, mistakenly believed her dying husband was expressing a change of heart, a deathbed wish for their son, Prince Aegon, to become king. This tragic misunderstanding solidified her conviction that she was acting on the king's last command, leading her to initiate efforts to crown Aegon II.
The True Line of Succession vs. Misguided Interpretation
The contrast between Viserys's long-standing declaration and Alicent's final interpretation is stark:
| Aspect | King Viserys's Intentions | Queen Alicent's Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Desired Successor | Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen | Prince Aegon Targaryen (Aegon II) |
| Basis for Belief | Prophecy of "The Prince That Was Promised" and established tradition | Misconstrued dying words of the King |
| Impact | Laid the groundwork for a female ruler | Triggered the devastating civil war |
This fundamental miscommunication, coupled with the political machinations within the court, directly led to the catastrophic conflict that tore the Targaryen dynasty and the realm apart. King Viserys never rescinded his proclamation of Rhaenyra as his heir; the idea that he desired Aegon II to succeed him was born purely from Alicent's heartbreaking error.
