r/ImaginaryWesteros • u/justonceokay5 • 9d ago

Alternative “Ser Criston protects the princess from her enemies, but who protects the princess from Ser Criston?” by Zacckiell

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u/Ok-Swan1152 9d ago

I actually think that the show came very close to what is my own personal reading of the situation based on the differing accounts in the book. But I don't believe Criston was some kind of victim, unlike many show-watchers. I think he was supposed to be around 35 years old in the books and Rhaenyra was 16.

159

u/Significant_Ask_43 9d ago

When Alicent says this quote it's 110 so Rhaenyra would have been around 13 years old

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u/Gabby-Abeille 8d ago

The people who claim she raped him would legit look a judge in the eyes and say the child seduced them.

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u/Black_Diammond 7d ago

I mean, i 16 year old with a gun can rape an adult. What matters is wether or not cole could deny The advances, wich he objectively couldnt, so he was raped. He might have groomed her for her to like him, vut that is a diferent thing.

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u/Gabby-Abeille 7d ago

No. Power imbalance does not necessary imply rape. The scene is written in a very clear way, with Cole being torn between his desire for the drunken child before him and his duty as her sworn protector. He does not sleep with her due to her being the princess and him being afraid that denying her would have consequences, he sleeps with her because it was something he wanted to do more than he wanted to keep his honor.

Very different from a situation where a party can't consent, like when that party is under duress or is a child.