46-50

Chapter 46: The Ultimatum

"Rhaenyra, someone has accused you of sneaking out of the Red Keep last night and going to places you shouldn’t with your uncle Daemon."

"What do you have to say for yourself?"

Viserys felt something was off and asked cautiously.

Rhaenyra tapped her chin with her finger and apologized, "I did sneak out of the Red Keep with Daemon last night to Silk Street to watch a play."

"Is that all?" Viserys pressed.

"That’s all!" Rhaenyra replied confidently.

"Very well, I’ve finished my questions. I believe the Hand of the King has something he wishes to discuss with you."

Relieved by his daughter’s firm answer, Viserys shifted the topic to Laenor Velaryon.

Rhaenyra turned to the Hand of the King and asked, "My lord, what advice do you have for me?"

The situation grew more complicated. The Hand, carefully choosing his words, spoke slowly:

"Princess, someone claims to have seen you and Prince Daemon enter a brothel last night..."

"Of course, this is unsubstantiated, but I would like to hear your clarification."

Rhaenyra firmly denied it: "If you know it’s unsubstantiated, then it proves this claim is false."

"Someone is trying to slander my honor. That is treason."

The Hand nodded solemnly and replied, "I will certainly investigate the source of this slander and restore your good name."

By now, the truth hardly mattered anymore.

The evidence, at most, could confirm that Rhaenyra and Daemon had snuck out of the Red Keep. Any other proof had already been destroyed in the fire.

As long as Rhaenyra steadfastly denied ever visiting the brothel, no one could question her virtue.

The Hand nodded to Viserys and said gravely, "I will ensure the rumors are suppressed."

With that, he left the room.

Father and daughter stared at each other. Unable to hold back, Viserys broke the silence.

"Rhaenyra, did you know there was a fire on Silk Street last night?"

"Thanks to the fire, I was able to escape prying eyes."

"You knew?"

"Rhaegar told me. Someone informed him, and he arranged for the fire to cover my escape and secretly brought me back to the Red Keep."

Rhaenyra did not hold back, revealing everything.

Viserys was stunned. His eyes widened in disbelief that his young son could show such wisdom.

After a while, Viserys recovered from his shock and smiled proudly.

"Rhaegar is a good child and a wonderful brother," he said, deeply satisfied.

"That is undeniable," Rhaenyra replied, smiling happily.

She had come here today because of Rhaegar’s suggestion.

The best way to counter a plot was to strike first.

Rhaenyra was innocent. As long as she was confident, no one could smear her.

And the results proved her right.

Watching his daughter’s joyful smile, Viserys suddenly said, "Have you given it any thought?"

"Thought about what?"

Rhaenyra was momentarily confused.

"About Rhaegar, having him assist you in the future, just as he did last night."

"Rhaegar is still very young."

"So what? He’ll soon grow into a fine young man."

"But I only see him as... I haven’t decided yet..."

Rhaenyra was at a loss for words, stumbling over her explanation.

After last night, her thoughts were in turmoil.

She didn’t know what to choose.

Viserys frowned and sternly asked, "Then who do you have in mind? Don’t tell me it’s some shameless scoundrel."

"No! Of course not."

Rhaenyra quickly denied it: "I admit I once admired Daemon for his attentiveness to me, but after last night, I saw his true, selfish intentions."

"You’ve rejected everyone I’ve suggested, including Rhaegar. How do you expect your father to arrange your marriage?"

There was an unmistakable disappointment in Viserys’ eyes.

Just thinking about Daemon’s sinister attempt from last night made him shiver with dread.

With a heavy heart, he made his decision and delivered his ultimatum:

"Laenor once proposed that you marry Lord Corlys’ son, Ser Laenor Velaryon. I believe that is a good choice as well."

"Marrying him would mend the relationship between House Targaryen and House Velaryon, which would strengthen your position in the future."

He paused and looked directly into Rhaenyra’s eyes, his kingly authority unyielding.

"Rhaegar or Laenor—you must choose between the two!"

"Can I have some time to think about it?" Rhaenyra pleaded.

Facing Her Overbearing Father, Rhaenyra’s Expression Changed as She Pleaded Softly

Viserys had already made up his mind and left no room for refusal.

His love and guilt toward his daughter ultimately turned into a sigh as he agreed to give Rhaenyra some time.

He emphasized, “Rumors don’t disappear in a day. In the meantime, I will take the whole family to Dragonstone for a while.”

“There are young dragons on Dragonstone that are suitable for taming. Rhaegar and Aegon can each have one.”

“Once they have tamed their dragons, I will go to Driftmark.”

“It could be to propose marriage to Laenor on your behalf, or it could be to send an engagement invitation to the Sea Snake for your betrothal to Rhaegar.”

“No matter what, you must give me an answer!”

As soon as he finished speaking, he gave Rhaenyra no chance to argue and waved her away.

“I have other matters to deal with. Go back and think it over.”

Seeing that her father’s mind was set, Rhaenyra bit her lip, stood up, and quickly left.

This room suffocated her—she just wanted to escape as fast as possible.

After Rhaenyra left, a graceful figure emerged from the shadows of the room and wrapped her arms around Viserys from behind.

“You heard everything?”

“There was nowhere for me to avoid it.”

“Rhaenyra should marry Rhaegar. A union between the siblings will help stabilize the throne.”

“But Rhaenyra doesn’t see it that way. She’s still a girl with romantic fantasies.”

“The heir to the Iron Throne can be a woman—but she cannot be a naïve girl.”

Viserys stopped Alicent before she could say more, pressing a light kiss to her cheek.

“That’s enough. I need to deal with my dear brother.”

With Alicent’s assistance, he dressed himself, strapped on Blackfyre, and stormed out.

In the end, only Alicent remained in the room, dressed in nothing but a sheer gown.

She picked up the half-eaten piece of bread on the table and took a small bite, while her deep, unreadable eyes gazed out the window.

---

### *Dawn’s Light Pierced Through a Curtain, Casting Thin Rays Across Daemon’s Face*

After a night of heavy drinking, Daemon woke up with a pounding headache, muttering groggily about how thirsty he was.

Dressed in white, Mysaria entered through the door, pulling open the curtains and allowing the harsh sunlight to jolt Daemon awake.

Disturbed from his slumber, Daemon cursed under his breath and raised a hand to shield his eyes from the light.

Mysaria crouched down and handed him a bowl of water.

Daemon gulped it down in one go, his voice low and rough. “Any news?”

“My informant was beaten nearly to death. Last night’s fire was clearly intentional.”

Mysaria spoke with her husky foreign accent, sighing for the boy who had brought her information.

He was just a little kid, and the cost of his treatment wouldn’t be cheap.

Daemon propped himself up, rubbing his face with both hands, his tone tinged with frustration. “Someone took Rhaenyra. Looks like my brother never truly trusted me—he had people watching my every move.”

“If no one had stopped you, would you have seduced your own niece?”

Mysaria’s voice was calm and indifferent.

“Who knows? Power is always a tempting poison.”

Daemon stretched lazily, grabbed Mysaria’s slender waist, and pulled her close, biting her cheek playfully.

“And you still have the mood for this?”

“Not really. Got kicked last night—just checking if my pride is still intact.”

Feeling fully confident in his "prowess," Daemon let go of the beauty in his arms, got dressed, and headed out.

Without changing expression, Mysaria reminded him, “Don’t forget to pay for the room before you leave.”

---

---

Chapter 47: Alicent’s Persuasion

After being pressured by her father, Rhaenyra returned to her room feeling dejected.

By this time, Rhaegar had already left.

The empty bedroom made her wounded heart feel even lonelier.

She could never understand why her father was so insistent on her marriage.

Did she have to marry in order to inherit the Iron Throne?

Would the entire world oppose her if she didn’t?

*Knock, knock, knock…*

As she was trying to calm herself, a knock came at the door.

Turning around, she saw Ser Criston Cole, clad in his white cloak and silver armor, stepping into the room.

“Cole, do you need something?”

Faced with the White Knight she had once admired, Rhaenyra quickly wiped the corners of her eyes, pretending nothing was wrong.

Criston looked at her with concern and spoke gently, “Princess, the Queen was just here. She requests to speak with you in the back garden.”

“Alicent?”

Hearing Alicent’s invitation, Rhaenyra felt a twinge of suspicion—it was too much of a coincidence.

After tidying her attire, she said, “Understood, I’ll go now.”

---

Back Garden

Rhaenyra arrived alone.

Alicent had been waiting under the heart tree for some time.

As soon as they met, Alicent’s face was filled with worry. She asked anxiously, “What happened last night?”

“What do you mean?”

A flash of doubt crossed Rhaenyra’s eyes, but she remained composed and asked in return.

Alicent continued, “I heard some concerning accusations about you. Were you with your uncle?”

Her words instantly put Rhaenyra on high alert.

With a faint smile, she replied, “I haven’t seen Daemon in years. He took me to the city for some fun.”

“I’m your sister. You have to be honest with me so I can help you, Rhaenyra.”

Seeing that Rhaenyra wasn’t telling the truth, Alicent played the emotional card, stepping forward and sincerely taking her hand.

Rhaenyra countered, “What exactly are these accusations?”

“Did I drink? Did I leave the castle at night?”

Alicent pressed on anxiously, “He said you were with Daemon in a brothel.”

As she spoke, Alicent appeared extremely troubled, as if deeply concerned for Rhaenyra.

“That is a vile accusation!”

Rhaenyra would never admit to it and refuted the claim outright.

Alicent, however, was unconvinced. “Really? The Targaryens do have unusual customs.”

“Daemon is clearly reckless, an ambitious schemer with no regard for consequences.”

“Enough, Alicent!”

Hearing this, Rhaenyra sternly cut her off.

If she had truly done something wrong, she wouldn’t have dared to rebuke Alicent so forcefully.

But she was innocent and would not allow Alicent to slander her.

Shaking off Alicent’s grip, Rhaenyra’s gaze turned sharp. “Questioning my virtue is tantamount to treason. Who told you this!?”

Alicent flinched at Rhaenyra’s sudden outburst, her eyes darting nervously. “I… I was in your father’s chambers this morning.”

“Wonderful. So you’re questioning a matter that my father and the Hand have already settled!”

Rhaenyra seized upon her words and spoke icily, “Alicent, Your Grace. We used to be like sisters, sharing everything. Now, I hardly recognize you.”

Alicent’s expression turned frantic as she tried to salvage the situation. “It’s not like that! I overheard it by accident—I was only worried about you…”

“So you accuse and slander me with baseless rumors?”

Rhaenyra wasn’t buying it, and her words grew sharper.

Alicent, at a loss, tried to explain, “I only wanted to help you, Rhaenyra.”

Rhaenyra let out a mocking laugh. “We went to a tavern, had some drinks. As it got late, I wanted to return home, but Daemon wasn’t ready to leave—he insisted on seeking out whores.”

“We parted ways on the street, each going in different directions.”

“When I returned to the Red Keep, a fire had just broken out in the city. I have no idea where Daemon went after that.”

“I spent the night taking care of Rhaegar.”

Rhaenyra had already prepared her response—airtight and impossible to dispute.

Finishing her statement, she gave Alicent no chance to stop her and left with a cold expression.

She had seen through Alicent’s ulterior motives.

Alicent had wanted to coax her into admitting she had been with Daemon, so she could use it to ruin her reputation.

Unfortunately for Alicent, she had miscalculated.

*On the Other Side*

Daemon, disheveled and in tattered clothing, staggered back to the Red Keep. His unsteady steps made it clear he was still drunk.

The Commander of the Kingsguard, Ser Harrold, approached with two other Kingsguard knights in tow. They crossed paths with Daemon.

Without a word, the two knights grabbed Daemon by the arms and detained him on the spot.

Ser Harrold looked down at Daemon coldly and said indifferently, “The King wants to see you, Prince.”

At the command, the two Kingsguard lifted Daemon and dragged him forward.

“Get your filthy hands off me!” Daemon squirmed in discomfort, cursing as he struggled.

No one paid him any attention.

They dragged him swiftly into the Throne Room and dumped him unceremoniously onto the cold, black stone floor like discarded trash.

Daemon didn’t seem to care at all. He lay face down on the floor, reeking of alcohol.

With a wave of his hand, Ser Harrold dismissed the other two Kingsguard to stand watch outside the doors. Then, he left as well.

From the shadows, King Viserys emerged, his face dark and brooding. Suppressing his fury, he approached Daemon and said in an icy tone, “My daughter—what did you do to her?”

Though he trusted Rhaenyra’s words, he couldn’t help but seek confirmation.

Daemon burped drunkenly, too incoherent to respond.

Viserys’s expression hardened. “You’re not even going to deny it?”

“I need to know what crime I’m accused of before I can defend myself,” Daemon replied, sounding slightly more lucid, his tone feigning ignorance.

Bang!

Seeing the shameless smirk on Daemon’s face, Viserys’s rage boiled over. He delivered a hard kick to Daemon’s stomach and shouted, “You lured her out and tried to dishonor her!”

Daemon groaned and curled up in pain.

Still furious, Viserys kicked him again and demanded, “Did you succeed? Did you defile my daughter?”

Daemon rolled to the side from the force of the kick but remained defiant, muttering, “What does it matter? At her age, we’d already frequented every brothel on Silk Street.”

Viserys laughed in anger. “We were young men back then. She’s a girl—your niece!”

“Rhaenyra’s already grown. Whoever had her first was just lucky.” Daemon continued his insolence.

“You wretched scoundrel!” Viserys was completely enraged. He lunged at Daemon, grabbing his collar and landing two punches square on his face.

Daemon turned his head aside, blood and a tooth spilling from his mouth.

Still clutching Daemon’s collar, Viserys shouted furiously, “You’ll ruin her! After this, what lord would marry her?”

“Who cares what those pompous lords think? You’re the King. Your word is law.”

The pain seemed to sober Daemon up, and he spoke candidly.

Viserys’s disappointment was palpable. “I’ve defended you my entire life, but you’re more depraved than I ever imagined.”

Daemon sneered dismissively, showing no remorse.

The two brothers locked eyes in the silence of the vast hall.

Suddenly, Viserys smirked mockingly. “You didn’t succeed, did you? My daughter stopped you.”

“What?” Daemon asked, bewildered.

Viserys released his grip on Daemon’s collar, stood, and looked down at him. “Rhaegar, my eldest son—he’s ten times the man you’ll ever be.”

“He saw through your vile schemes and values his family enough to protect his kin.”

Daemon’s expression stiffened. Hesitating, he asked, “The men in black last night… were they sent by Rhaegar? And the fire—he started it?”

“Yes. Clever boy, isn’t he?” Viserys said smugly, his tone dripping with sarcasm as he looked at his disheveled brother.

Daemon chuckled bitterly, shaking his head. “A six-year-old boy. If he’s truly that brilliant, you should strip Rhaenyra of her title and make him your heir.”

---

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 48: Exiling Daemon

"Don't try to manipulate my children. I have my own plans for them."

Viserys warned, pointing at him.

Daemon took a deep breath. "Marry Rhaenyra to me. When I offered you the crown, you said I could have anything I wanted. I want her!"

"I will cherish her as my life and marry her according to our family traditions."

Viserys sneered. "You already have a wife."

"Even so, Aegon the Conqueror took a second wife," Daemon insisted.

Swish—  

Viserys drew the Valyrian steel dagger and pressed it against Daemon’s neck, his anger flaring. "You're not the Conqueror. You're a curse sent by the gods to torment me."

Daemon did not flinch. He raised his chin defiantly. "Marry Rhaenyra to me, and we will restore the glory of House Targaryen."

"Of course," Viserys scoffed. "It’s not my daughter you covet, is it?"

"It's my throne!"

Viserys had no desire to continue speaking with his detestable brother. He glared at him with contempt.

"I would rather marry Rhaenyra to Rhaegar, even give both my daughters to him, than let you defile them just to get closer to my throne."

Sheathing his dagger, Viserys looked at him with pity. "Go back to the Vale, Daemon."

"Return to your lawful wife and do whatever it takes to salvage the remnants of your honor."

"Or, if you prefer, let everything fall apart. I don't care."

"Just never let me see you again."

With that, Viserys wiped the dagger on his sleeve and left in disappointment.

His brother's words shattered Daemon’s resolve. He stared blankly at the ceiling, murmuring, "It’s not over yet, brother…"

---

*At dusk.*

Viserys stood alone by his bedroom window, gazing at the distant coastline.

It seemed that Targaryens were born without a fear of heights, always drawn to high places with a longing stare.

Viserys was no exception.

Alicent approached him with quiet steps, gently placing a hand on his shoulder. "Daemon is gone."

"Good. I never want to see him again."

The mere mention of Daemon made Viserys seethe with anger.

"I spoke with Rhaenyra. She denies having any relations with Daemon."

"Of course, she has her brothers to protect her. Daemon's schemes would never succeed."

"Indeed… If only I had a brother like that," Viserys muttered.

"What did you say?"

Viserys turned to her in confusion.

"Nothing… I just admire how close Rhaenyra is with her brothers. I hope Aegon and the others will be the same."

Alicent quickly covered her slip, hiding one hand behind her back as she nervously picked at her fingernail.

Viserys did not notice anything amiss and continued, "The blood of the dragon is unlike any other. It is restless, chaotic—only great wisdom can tame it."

"Our children will be wise. They will stand united," Alicent said with a smile.

"I want to marry Rhaenyra to Rhaegar."

Viserys shifted the conversation to his pressing concern.

Alicent's gaze flickered as she lowered her eyes. "That is an excellent decision. Rhaenyra is strong-willed, and Rhaegar will grow into the kind of man she admires."

"You think she doesn't admire him now?"

Viserys caught the subtle implication in her words.

Alicent hesitated for a moment. "I know Rhaenyra. I know what kind of men she favors."

"Yes, you know her well," Viserys sighed. "She also enjoys opposing me at every turn, never showing the slightest consideration."

He shook his head with a bitter smile.

"You should try speaking with her. No matter who she chooses, it will be a good match."

"I hope so. I just want her to remember her duty."

Viserys turned away from the window, taking Alicent’s hand and leading her to the table. He poured them both a cup of wine.

They drank together as night fell.

Later, Alicent lay in bed, expressionless, ignoring the sound of Viserys's heavy breathing beside her.

Her mind kept replaying her failed conversation with Rhaenyra.

---

*Half a month later.*

"Hurry up! Get those crates onto the ship!"

"Make sure the final inventory is in order!"

At the docks of the Gate of the Gods, a port official shouted orders as sailors loaded cargo onto the ships.

Not far away, Viserys stood with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing calmly at the massive vessel flying the black banner of House Targaryen, emblazoned with the red three-headed dragon.

"Your Grace, all supplies are ready. We can set sail at any time," Ser Lyonel reported, holding a checklist.

Viserys nodded. "Understood."

Behind him, Alicent stood with Aegon and Helaena, cradling the infant in her arms.

Meanwhile, Rhaenyra and Rhaegar stopped by a fruit stand, smiling as they picked fresh produce.

After nearly twenty days of recovery, Rhaegar’s burn wounds had almost completely healed, leaving no hindrance to his movements.

Viserys often found himself marveling at the boy’s resilience—surely, the Seven had blessed him with an extraordinary gift of healing.

"Come, everyone," Viserys called. "The voyage is about to begin!"

Viserys called for his family.

Rhaegar perked up his ears, rushed over, and was the first to respond.

Father had said that the destination of this voyage was Dragonstone.

On Dragonstone, there were two young dragons waiting for him to tame.

Just the thought of having dragons of his own filled Rhaegar with excitement, making him eagerly anticipate the journey day and night.

Viserys stroked his eldest son's hair and asked with a smile, “There’s a lot of fruit prepared on the ship—far better than what’s sold at roadside stalls.”

“I want to see how the fruit from the Red Keep differs from the fruit sold outside,” Rhaegar replied with a cheeky grin.

“And have you figured it out?”

“Yes, I have. The fruit from the Red Keep is more expensive. Even though the quality is the same as the roadside fruit, it’s much pricier.”

Viserys’ smile froze, momentarily at a loss for words.

Leonor stepped in at the right moment, saying, “The fruit from the Red Keep is sourced from different regions, unlike the locally grown fruit.”

“They all taste the same. The difference in price is because of who’s eating it,” Rhaegar muttered under his breath.

Leonor: …

The prince really was sharp—perhaps a bit too sharp at times.

While they talked, Alicent and Rhaenyra walked in hand-in-hand.

Since their argument that day, the two had ignored each other for some time.

It wasn’t until Alicent took the initiative to invite Rhaenyra to a tea party that their relationship began to ease.

If the stalemate continued, it would only displease Viserys, the head of the family.

Now that there was a way to reconcile, they both took it.

---

Night fell.

A ship with sails carved in dragon-shaped patterns drifted through Blackwater Bay, sailing with the sea breeze.

Inside the lavishly decorated cabin, Viserys sat pale-faced, clutching a wooden bucket as he struggled with nausea.

Alicent and Rhaegar’s siblings stood by his side, their faces full of concern.

It was almost laughable—Viserys, who had once tamed Balerion the Black Dread, the largest and most fearsome dragon in Westerosi history, was seasick.

Because of this, Viserys had always disliked seafaring.

If not for this trip, which was partly to witness his son taming dragons and partly to ease tensions with House Velaryon, he would never have set out to sea.

He much preferred royal hunts and tournaments.

“Father, before we departed, the Grand Maester gave me some special medicine. Taking one pill should help ease your symptoms,” Rhaegar said, handing over a glass vial, his heart aching for his father.

Viserys glanced at it, then opened the vial, took out a pill, and swallowed it.

“I’ve taken so many medicines—I hope this one works.”

“It will. I also have something to help you sleep. Would you like to try it?”

Rhaegar pulled another glass vial from his pocket.

Recently bedridden, he had spent a lot of time with Grand Maester Mellos, who had prepared some calming medicine for his frequent nightmares.

Rhaegar had privately investigated the ingredients to ensure they were safe and non-toxic, so he felt confident in using them.

---

---

(End of Chapter)  

Chapter 49: Green Eyes

At his family's urging, Viserys took a sleeping pill and lay in bed, enduring the discomfort.

As his breathing gradually steadied, Alicent gave Rhaegar and Rhaenyra a gentle smile.

Softly, she said, "It's getting late. You should rest as well."

"Thank you for your hard work, Your Grace," Rhaegar replied with a smile before leaving the cabin with Rhaenyra.

The siblings walked along the corridor, exchanging a few casual words before heading to their respective rooms.

…

Under the dim candlelight, Rhaegar removed his clothes and stood before a full-length mirror, inspecting his back.

The old skin had peeled away, revealing fresh, fair skin. The outline of the previous burn was faintly visible.

"Healing so quickly… as expected of 'Blood and Fire as One.'"

Rhaegar murmured to himself as he pulled up his system panel.

*[Rhaegar Targaryen]*

- *Talents*: Dreamer (Gold), Longevity (Green)

- *Bloodline*: Ancient Valyrian Dragonlord (14%)

- *Skills*: Fluent in High Valyrian...

- *Relic*: Blood and Fire as One (Fire Resistance +50%)

- *Evaluation*: "Your bloodline has been further purified. It seems you've uncovered an extraordinary secret."

Rhaegar focused on the bloodline section—its purity had increased from 12% to 14%.

He had noticed this change the day his burns began peeling.

His bloodline purity had risen by two points.

The only explanation he could think of was the dragonfire that had burned him.

"Perhaps dragonfire carries the essence of dragons, stimulating my bloodline," he speculated.

Before being attacked by Dreamfyre, Rhaegar had rarely encountered dragons.

While researching House Targaryen’s ancient texts, he had come across scattered mentions of bonds between dragons and their riders.

"A dragonrider must not see a dragon as a mere tool. A dragon is a rider’s companion."  

"The deeper the bond between dragon and rider, the greater their combined power!"  

These were theories inferred from ancient writings.

Rhaegar was skeptical, but one thing was certain—spending more time with dragons could only be beneficial.

"Our ship will reach Dragonstone tomorrow. Soon, I’ll have a dragon of my own."

As drowsiness set in, Rhaegar climbed into bed, wrapping himself in blankets.

He needed to rest and regain his strength for tomorrow’s dragon-taming journey.

Before long, he drifted into sleep.

…

Dark skies, raging waves, thunder and lightning…

The same dream, returning after half a month.

This time, Rhaegar remained aware.

Cold raindrops pelted his body, and he clearly felt the chill.

Water trickled from his hair, running over his bare skin.

Dark clouds churned at the horizon, and the storm raged on.

"Screech... Roar..."  

A dragon's furious cry echoed from the distance, merging with the thunder.

Rhaegar lifted his head, unbothered by the rain washing over his face, and gazed at the sky.

*BOOM—*

Amidst the rolling thunder, a massive shadow burst through the storm clouds, weaving between flashes of lightning.

Having endured this nightmare twice before, Rhaegar clenched his fists, fixing his gaze on the looming figure.

His unwavering determination seemed to draw its attention.

The shadow abruptly changed course, diving straight toward him.

Rhaegar stood firm, his eyes locked onto the descending figure.

It moved with incredible speed, closing the distance between them.

"Screech—!"  

A thunderous roar shook the world as the shadow came into full view, revealing massive, charcoal-black talons.

The deafening sound left Rhaegar's ears ringing and his vision blurred. His consciousness began slipping away from the dream.

In the final moment, he caught an image he would never forget.

*A pair of eyes.*

Filled with malice, cunning, and arrogance.

Deep green, like an abyss, staring straight into his soul.

"Ahhh!"  

Rhaegar jolted awake, gasping as he muttered, "Eyes... A pair of green eyes..."

He had finally glimpsed a part of the shadow’s true form.

It was a dragon.

A jet-black dragon with green eyes!

Just thinking about the scene from his dream made Rhaegar shudder.

He wasn’t sure if it was out of fear or excitement.

His chest heaved violently, his breaths coming in gasps, and a thin layer of sweat formed on his forehead.

It took him quite some time to calm down.

“Give it to me!”

“Hurry up and give it to me…”

Rhaegar sat dazedly against the headboard of his bed when he faintly heard a commotion coming from the hallway outside the cabin.

“Who’s out there?”

Confused, Rhaegar got up, put on his clothes, and decided to step outside for some fresh air and to see what was going on.

When he opened the cabin door, the hallway was empty.

“Idiot, can’t you understand what I’m saying?”

“…”

The voice echoed again, and Rhaegar frowned slightly. It sounded oddly familiar.

“It’s coming from the left, around the corner.”

Determining the direction, Rhaegar quietly walked over.

When he reached the corner, he found himself at a dead end.

Standing at the edge of the hallway, Rhaegar located the source of the sound.

It was two children.

The older one, a sturdy boy roughly the same age as Rhaegar, was standing there.

The younger one was a chubby-cheeked little girl.

Rhaegar knew them all too well.

They were his half-siblings—his younger brother, Aegon, and his sister, Helaena.

At the moment, Helaena was curled up against the wall, hugging her head with both hands.

Aegon, the older of the two, was standing beside her, shouting angrily while tugging on a strand of her silvery hair.

It was clear—this was the classic scenario of an older brother bullying his younger sister.

Rhaegar took a step forward, intending to stop Aegon’s behavior.

But after a moment of thought, he stepped back again.

Helaena was indeed his sister, but Aegon and Helaena were full siblings, born of the same mother.

They had shared the same womb—it wasn’t his place to meddle.

Turning away, Rhaegar decided to speak with Alicent later about Aegon’s upbringing.

“Take it off, or I’ll break your fingers.”

Just then, Aegon’s threatening voice reached his ears.

Rhaegar paused mid-step, hesitating about whether to step in on Alicent’s behalf.

Moments later, the sound of Helaena crying reached him.

Rhaegar turned back around.

In one glance, he saw Aegon pinning Helaena to the ground, gripping one of her arms with both hands, bending each of her fingers one by one.

“This is what happens when you don’t listen to me! Give me the bracelet…”

As Aegon continued his violence, he spewed harsh threats.

“Hand over the bracelet, or I’ll make you pay every night!”

Helaena refused to relent, shaking her little head furiously, her tearful eyes brimming with defiance.

It was then that Rhaegar noticed the bracelet on Helaena’s arm—the very same one he had given her.

Rhaegar raised his hand, glancing at the identical bracelet on his own wrist.

The difference was that Helaena’s bracelet was a decorative trinket made at a blacksmith’s shop.

His, however, was a real spatial bracelet.

Rhaegar’s eyes narrowed slightly, and his gaze toward Aegon turned cold and dangerous.

Without a word, he silently walked deeper into the corner.

Aegon gave up bending Helaena’s fingers and instead began trying to forcibly remove the bracelet from her arm.

“You want it?”

Suddenly, Rhaegar’s voice rang out from behind him.

Startled, Aegon jumped, turning his head quickly to find Rhaegar standing there.

He had no idea when his sickly but ruthlessly efficient older brother had arrived.

Aegon swallowed nervously, but tried to put on a bold front, saying angrily, “What’s it to you?”

Rhaegar said nothing, simply staring at him.

His eyes were calm, devoid of any emotion.

Seeing Rhaegar remain silent, Aegon’s courage grew. His expression turned increasingly arrogant.

Glancing out of the corner of his eye at the bracelet on Rhaegar’s wrist, and then back at Helaena’s bracelet, Aegon seemed to come to a realization.

“Why do you two have matching bracelets? And I don’t!?” he yelled indignantly.

At Aegon’s outburst, Helaena, who had been cowering in distress, finally lifted her head and noticed that Rhaegar was there.

---

(End of Chapter)  

Chapter 50: Aegon's Wail

"Brother~~"

Seeing Rhaegar's face, Helaena's eyes lit up as she pitifully called out.

Rhaegar glanced at her, his voice devoid of emotion. "Bullied again?"

"Aegon wants my bracelet..."

Finding her protector, Helaena's tears started falling like raindrops. Her young, delicate voice was full of grievance.

"I can see that."

Rhaegar nodded and rolled up his sleeves, revealing his own bracelet.

Aegon, however, didn't care. He smacked Helaena on the head and warned, "I'm your brother! Stop calling him that!"

Helaena's small head wobbled from the hit. She bit her lip, glaring at Aegon, too angry to speak but too afraid to fight back.

"You dare glare at me? Just wait and see how I deal with you later."

Aegon scolded her before turning to Rhaegar. He reached out to grab his bracelet and shamelessly said, "Give me yours! That way, Helaena and I will each have one, and I won’t take hers anymore."

Looking at his chubby little hand, Rhaegar chuckled.

Before Aegon could touch the bracelet, Rhaegar grabbed his wrist.

"Wh-What are you doing?"

Aegon's expression changed, his voice laced with guilt.

Rhaegar smiled. "Since you like bracelets so much, I'll give you one."

With that, he yanked his arm back, pulling Aegon off balance and sending him tumbling off Helaena.

Aegon landed on the wooden floor with a small cry, flailing as he tried to get up.

*BAM!*

A foot pressed down on his back, pinning him down.

"Ah! What are you doing?! Let me go, or I'll tell Mother—!"

Feeling the pain, Aegon tried to use Alicent as a shield, but Rhaegar cut him off.

Straddling him, Rhaegar twisted his arm behind his back and said, "You twisted your sister’s fingers. Now I’m twisting my brother’s arm. Fair, right?"

"No! I was wrong! Let me go!"

Aegon screamed in agony.

Rhaegar held his grip for a moment but soon grew impatient with Aegon's ear-piercing wails.

He pulled off Aegon's deerskin shoes, yanked off his sweat-stained socks, and stuffed them into his mouth.

"They're your own socks, so don’t complain!"

Rhaegar grinned, then grabbed Aegon by the hair and dragged him away.

He had given Helaena a bracelet as a cover.

Later, he had another one custom-made.

Now, in his cabin, he had the perfect gift for Aegon.

Watching Rhaegar drag Aegon away like a dead dog, Helaena sat up from the floor, staring blankly.

She wanted to follow but suddenly, fragments of terrifying images flashed in her mind.

"Fire... Be careful of the flames..."

A shiver ran through her body, and she burst into loud, frightened sobs.

Her crying was so loud that it alerted a night maid.

---

Rhaegar dragged Aegon all the way to his cabin.

With fear in his eyes, Aegon was thrown inside, and the door slammed shut.

Rhaegar sneered. "That bracelet was a gift for Helaena. Stealing from her is an insult to me!"

"Now, I’ll teach you the price of disrespecting me."

Pretending to rummage under his bed, Rhaegar secretly pulled a fake bracelet from his spatial bracelet.

He held it up and waved it in front of Aegon. "Like it? It’ll be yours soon."

The ship sailed across the sea, the air damp and cold.

As a royal vessel, each cabin had a heating stove.

The stove had a layer of iron above the burning charcoal, making it fire-safe.

Rhaegar opened the stove and removed the iron plate.

The glowing red coals flickered in the dim light.

He tossed the fake bracelet into the fire.

Steel conducts heat well. In no time, it turned a bright, burning red.

Using a cloth to pick it up, Rhaegar smiled and walked toward Aegon, motioning for him to come closer.

"Come, my dear brother."

"No! You can’t do this to me! Father won’t allow it!"

Aegon had already spat out the socks. He stared in horror at the glowing steel bracelet, his body trembling as he scrambled backward.

*BAM!*

Rhaegar kicked him in the chest, pinning him to the floor.

Kneeling over him, he pressed the burning-hot bracelet closer to Aegon's face.

"You like it, don’t you? I said I’d give it to you, and I always keep my word."

Ignoring Aegon's frantic struggles, Rhaegar smirked and pushed the bracelet closer.

---

The maid, carrying the unconscious, tear-streaked Helaena, rushed toward Alicent’s cabin.

Ignoring Ser Harrold’s protests, she pounded on the door.

Seeing the little princess unconscious, the elderly knight's expression darkened.

"What happened?!"

The maid was so anxious that her words were incoherent, and she kept knocking on the door.

*Creak—*

Amid the persistent knocking, the cabin door quickly opened from within.

Standing at the door in her nightgown was Alicent, who immediately noticed the unconscious Helaena.

In an instant, a sense of dread rose in Alicent's heart.

She took her daughter from the maid's arms and asked nervously, "What happened? Why is Helaena unconscious?"

"The princess fainted from crying," the maid answered shakily. "Before she collapsed, she kept repeating the names of Prince Aegon and Prince Rhaegar."

"Aegon! What happened to Aegon? And what does this have to do with Rhaegar?"

Hearing that it involved her son, Alicent became even more flustered, staring intently at the maid for answers.

The maid trembled and whispered, "The princess said something about being careful with fire, but I don’t understand what she meant."

Seeing her daughter unconscious, Alicent’s eyes widened, and the unease in her heart reached its peak.

"Take care of Helaena."

Handing her daughter back to the maid, Alicent turned to Ser Harrold and said, "Ser, something must have happened to Aegon and Rhaegar. I’ll go find Aegon; you check Rhaegar’s room."

Without waiting for a reply, she strode out quickly.

After just a few steps, Alicent stopped abruptly.

She suddenly recalled the incident at Rhaegar’s birthday party, when Aegon had been forced face-first into the cake.

Alicent’s pupils dilated, and she turned back. "I’ll go to Rhaegar’s room. You find Aegon."

Perhaps sensing that her son was in danger, Alicent rushed toward the place her instincts guided her to.

The ship wasn’t that large, and the cabins designated for the royal family weren’t far apart, connected by dimly lit corridors.

As she entered another hallway, a piercing scream from Aegon echoed through the space.

"Seven save us, please protect my child," Alicent muttered, her face ashen, as she sprinted toward Rhaegar’s cabin in a frenzy.

The door to the cabin was tightly shut, but Alicent, driven by some surge of strength, removed her high heels and kicked the door open with one powerful blow.

What greeted her eyes was a horrifying sight:

Aegon was cornered, screaming hoarsely for mercy, his face streaked with tears and snot.

Rhaegar stood with one foot pressed against Aegon’s back, holding a glowing red-hot steel bracelet and dangling it menacingly near Aegon’s face.

Seeing her son being tormented, Alicent’s fury erupted, and she roared, "Stop it! Let him go!"

Rhaegar turned his head to see Alicent storming in.

Before he could react, she shoved him aside and gathered the sobbing Aegon into her arms.

*Clang—*

The steel bracelet fell to the floor, rolling a short distance and leaving scorch marks on the wooden planks.

Witnessing this, Alicent’s anger flared even hotter.

Pointing at Rhaegar, she furiously yelled, "You lunatic! Aegon is your brother! How dare you use a fire-heated bracelet to torture him!"

Rhaegar got up from the floor, rubbing his bruised hip, and replied coldly, "I’m not Aegon. He might abuse his sisters, but I won’t torment my brothers."

He picked up the steel bracelet from the floor, its intense heat failing to burn his hand.

Rhaegar pointed at the terrified Aegon and mocked, "A coward like him, only brave enough to bully little girls, has less courage than a mouse."

---

(End of Chapter)