Viserys found Grand Maester Meros and received a letter from Lys.
Its brief content slightly relaxed Viserys's frown.
"Hmph. You still remembered to come back."
He snorted and casually slapped the envelope.
...
Time passed quickly.
On the eve of the warm winter, the tourney in King's Landing was about to begin.
On this day, a scarlet dragon as long as a snake crossed Blackwater Bay and leaped over the Mud Gate with a hiss.
Seeing the red dragon, everyone knew:
Daemon had returned.
In the Red Keep's throne room,
Viserys sat on the Iron Throne wearing a golden crown and holding the family sword, Blackfyre.
Below him, a crowd of princes and ministers stood, all talking in low voices.
"Aemon, I'm a little hungry."
Rhaenyra poked him with her little hand and whispered shyly in his ear.
"Didn't you just eat?"
Aemon was overwhelmed.
Since becoming pregnant, Rhaenyra's appetite had increased dramatically, almost catching up with his own.
He ate three meals a day at fixed times and places with fixed amounts.
Rhaenyra, on the other hand, ate irregularly, feeling hungry at any time and in any place.
"What can I do?"
Rhaenyra glared in frustration and pointed to her belly.
Was she hungry? Who was she feeding?
"Answer me!"
Aemon:
"We'll go back and eat later."
After a brief pause, Aemon offered solace, defeated.
"Eat. It won't harm your health."
Several maesters from around the world came to diagnose Rhaenyra, and they all agreed that her digestive system was impeccable.
The sudden surge in appetite could only be attributed to the strain of pregnancy.
An old maester, concerned that the increase in appetite might upset her stomach, prepared several of the Citadel's finest meals.
Rhaenyra glanced at the portions and asked if she should eat them before or after meals.
The old maester took a carriage back to the Citadel overnight for further study.
"People are coming," Laena suddenly said.
Aemon turned his head and looked toward the open doors of the throne room. The sound of footsteps, unhurried and steady, began to echo. The hall fell silent, and the noises within ceased.
Daemon appeared at the entrance, a faint smile on his face.
He was dressed in black, his long, silver-gold hair cascading over his shoulders. At his waist hung the Dark Sister, his family's sword.
In his right hand, he held a bundle containing an oval-shaped object. He glanced up at the Iron Throne and saw Viserys's stern face.
Whether it was an illusion or not, his smile seemed to deepen. He seemed more at ease and less wary.
He then glanced around the hall, meeting the gazes of many nobles and ministers, but none of them caught his eye.
These good-for-nothings were not his friends.
Viserys noticed him and feigned a cold expression to enhance his kingly authority.
He wondered what tricks he could pull.
Daemon exited the hall, briefly disappearing from view.
When he reappeared, he was leading a young woman with silver hair and violet eyes who had a baby in her arms.
Aemon poked his head out to take a closer look at this little...concubine? He hadn't expected Daemon to be so bold as to bring his mistress and illegitimate child.
Wasn't he afraid of his uncle's punishment?
After just one glance, Aemon retreated, his face etched with disdain for Daemon.
The Rogare of Lys was a noble clan of Valyrian descent.
Marana, the eldest daughter of Lysandra Rogare, bore the hallmarks of a typical Valyrian: She had flowing, silver-golden hair; vibrant violet eyes; and a figure that was tall and well-proportioned. Her skin shone through her green gauze dress.
She was a very beautiful, scholarly young woman.
Her youth was key! Forget Laena and Rhaenyra.
Aemon looked over and thought she was probably around his age.
"Old dragons taking young succubi!"
Aemon smacked his lips.
Daemon seemed to enjoy that.
In the original timeline, he seduced the newly adult Rhaenyra. During the Dance of the Dragons, he even hooked up with the young Castor.
Aemon shook his head in disdain at the girl-obsessed.
"Women are like wine. The more they..."
"That child," Laena leaned close to her ear and reminded her of the swaddled infant.
"Let's see how Daemon explains it."
Aemon looked at the sleeping baby in his hands and showed no unusual emotion. He motioned for everyone to remain calm.
Meanwhile, Daemon and his "family" approached the Iron Throne.
Marana looked nervous, her violet eyes scanning the surroundings.
Although her upbringing as a lady forced her to remain calm and not bring shame to her family, she couldn't help but tighten her arms around the swaddled child.
"Brother," Daemon said, pausing at the Iron Throne.
Viserys's face was expressionless, and he replied calmly, "Yes."
He looked down at the "family of three" below, wondering what Daemon was up to.
"I have another son."
Daemon folded his hands in front of him, trying to appear harmless.
He looked quite honest.
Viserys refused to believe it and denied it outright: "A bastard?"
Daemon tilted his head and changed his expression, as if rejecting the term. He said: "I married the child's mother in Lys, and you were invited."
"Your feet are in Westeros, not Lys. Remember that."
Viserys didn't give him any leeway.
"You're always like this."
Daemon complained as he handed over the bundle in his hand. "Send someone to check?"
Viserys looked surprised and motioned for the Kingsguard guarding the Iron Throne to do so.
When the Kingsguard took the bundle from Daemon, he was a little reluctant and turned his head away.
The Kingsguard opened the bundle to reveal a purple dragon egg.
It was from Syrax's latest nest of dragon eggs.
Its shell was mostly purple, and its oval end was a mysterious silver-gray. The hatched dragon will probably be very beautiful.
"Your Majesty."
The Kingsguard presented the dragon egg to the king.
Viserys examined it closely, touched the warm eggshell, and then handed it to the eager dragon handler who was there to take the dragon back for safekeeping.
At that moment, his tense expression relaxed.
At least the dragon egg had been found.
Viserys's family sword, Blackfyre, was slightly tilted and no longer stiff. He looked at Daemon and asked, "I asked you to bring back the dragon egg, but you brought someone else?"
He had to find out what the other person was thinking.
"I married her."
Daemon emphasized again and then said, "If it's to stop the gossip, I can marry her again in King's Landing."
Honestly, when he saw that his brother was going to remove him from the family, he panicked for the first time.
He almost beat up the messenger.
However, he knew he couldn't do anything to cut himself off from the family.
The family was not only his brother's but his as well.
He would never leave easily.
Viserys's eyes were sharp. He could see that the other party was willing to give in, but he was unwilling to forgive him.
He named the illegitimate child Aegon, mocking his son. Viserys only came back when he was scared and obediently offered the dragon egg.
What did he think of him?
Viserys, stingy as he was, was still angry. How could he just let it go?
He remained silent in response to Daemon's proposal and stared at him disapprovingly.
"Brother!"
Seeing this, Daemon also became angry and asked in a questioning tone, "You married two wives, and Aemon chose to marry more. I thought I could have another wife, too."
Viserys almost laughed out of anger but became angrier instead. He said, "Aemma died, so I married the current queen."
Queen Aemma had always been his weakness.
"So what?"
Daemon met his angry gaze.
His eldest son openly married multiple wives.
Why wasn't he allowed to do the same?
"Do you want to start a big quarrel with me?"
Viserys's face was gloomy, and he tried his best to restrain his anger.
"You did such a stupid thing, and you still flatter him for special treatment.
Do you really think the king is your brother and can do whatever he wants without facing consequences?"
Daemon fell silent.
Looking around, he saw that the princes and ministers were also silent and watching the show.
He knew he had to maintain the royal family's image.
He closed his eyes and pondered for a moment.
He put his arm around his wife's shoulders and moved to the right, next to the royal court.
"Very good," Viserys said, taking two breaths and forcing a smile. "The tourney will be held tomorrow. Please remain still. A feast will be arranged afterwards."
"Yes, Your Majesty," the princes and courtiers replied in unison.
At the banquet,
Rhaenyra ate cream cake in big mouthfuls, her eyes darting around.
"Eat slowly," Aemon said, shielding her from the crowd and repeatedly wiping the corners of her mouth with a handkerchief. She still had some princess baggage and was afraid to let loose too much for fear of being laughed at.
"Mm-hmm," Rhaenyra smiled dotingly, raising her head and letting him wipe her mouth.
"How old is she? Does she still need someone to wipe her mouth?"
Aegon scoffed with disdain from his seat at the children's table.
"..."
No one paid him any attention.
Unconvinced, Aegon climbed onto a chair and grabbed the roasted suckling pig on the wooden platter. He intended to shock everyone with a three-bite-pig performance.
"Behave yourself," said Alicent.
Alicent grabbed the man by the collar and pushed him back, glaring fiercely.
Aegon sat down with his head bowed in disbelief.
Aemond sat off to the side, forking a piece of the pig's crispy skin and chewing it slowly.
Then, he stretched his neck and swallowed hard.
For some reason, he always felt an inexplicable aversion to roast suckling pig, as if it were a sore spot.
It tasted like chewing wax in his mouth.
No, another bite.
Aemond was stubborn and took a second bite.
"Ugh!"
Rhaenyra retched at the same time, and it was hard to tell which sibling was retching.
In the main area of the banquet...
Viserys, unsure who was amused, burst into laughter.
Daemon, sitting next to him, smiled as well.
Their attitude toward each other had naturally changed, and they were now able to drink and chat happily together, as if they had let go of their prejudices.
Daemon looked to a corner of the banquet hall.
Marana held a swaddled baby and tried to calm it.
Viserys remained unfazed by the mother and child, relegating them to an unimportant corner of his vision.
Daemon took a sip of his wine, stood up, and walked away.
"The cream is cold. Rest after you've eaten."
Aemon patted Rhaenyra's back when a figure appeared beside him.
He turned and saw Daemon.
"I heard Rhaenyra is pregnant," Daemon observed.
Aemon looked him over dismissively and replied casually, "Yes.
"You're about to be a father, too."
Even though he had known this for a while, Daemon was still slightly surprised and felt something indescribable.
Aemon remained silent, maintaining a cool demeanor.
He didn't interrupt but watched quietly for a moment.
He frowned slightly, sensing the man's deep thoughts.
"Take good care of her. Childbirth is like a journey through the gates of hell for a woman."
Suddenly, Daemon smiled with relief and said, "Though pregnant women can be moody, they don't have the same choices as men."
He urged the man to be patient.
With that, he turned and returned to his seat.
Aemon stood there in a daze with a look of bewilderment on his face.
No!
How dare you say that?
Why don't you tell your mother, Lady Rhea, and see what she thinks of you?"
Soon, Viserys called his nephew and daughter to his side.
"My favorite children are about to have children of their own," Viserys laughed heartily in front of the ministers.
Ever since Rhaenyra became pregnant, his good mood had not wavered.
Bloodline is the bond that connects everything.
He believed that with this child, his nephew would always sit on the Iron Throne.
It was a strong, unbreakable alliance.
Moreover, the royal bloodline would continue.
Nothing could be more exciting than this.
"To the newlyweds!"
Otto raised his glass, a kind smile on his face.
"To the newlyweds!"
The ministers raised their glasses, surrounding Aemon and his daughter.
The atmosphere was harmonious, filled with laughter and joy.
Daemon sat nearby, silently watching the scene.
It was especially poignant when his brother put his arm around Aemon's shoulders and repeatedly admonished men for their generosity, emphasizing the importance of caring for their families. It was as if they were the only happy family.
A closer, more solid one.
Daemon sighed, lowered his head, and let out a faint smile. A sense of loneliness settled over him.
He didn't know what had come over him. When his brother scolded him in his letter for his audacity, he felt smug, having angered him.
But when he heard that Rhaenyra was pregnant and that he was about to become a grandfather, that smugness suddenly vanished, replaced by disorientation.
Unconsciously, his shoulders sank.
Despite being revered as the "King of Lys," he felt bored.
Taking out his brother's letter again, he decided to return to King's Landing.
"The warmth of home," Daemon muttered to himself, glancing at his new wife in the corner.
Laena stayed with Marana, chatting and laughing with her. She even held the tender, fair-skinned baby for a moment.
Daemon frowned, a vague irritation welling up in his mind.
But he quickly suppressed it.
He had chosen to start a new family, and he would stick with it.
Daemon was quiet.
His eyes were calm, and his heart was devoid of emotion.
Aemon, urged by his ministers to drink, glanced over and saw Daemon in an unusual state.
For no apparent reason, a sense of alarm welled up within him. This man was acting strangely.
There was no more mention of marrying Marana or naming the newborn. His uncle's happiness must have been due to his understanding of the times.
But Aemon refused to believe that he could change.
As night fell,
Still uneasy, Aemon sought out his uncle's chambers.
"What do you want?"
Viserys gazed curiously at his nephew.
"It's about Daemon," Aemon said bluntly.
Viserys sat at the table playing with a stone figurine and smiled. "Daemon is almost a grandfather. He's come back much better this time." He understood the times and the general situation.
"He's faked it many times."
Aemon didn't believe a word of it.
The more honest Daemon was, the more likely he was to be faking it.
A word of advice awakened the man from his sleep.
Viserys was stunned for a moment. He put down the stone sculpture and asked, "What do you mean?"
"It's better to take precautions before it happens. Daemon can't be imprisoned."
After all, he did return the dragon egg obediently.
Aemon walked around the table and said seriously, "Uncle, I've thought about it for a long time, and I have two ideas.
"I'm listening."
Viserys's eyes flashed.
"First, if he hurts me or my family again, I won't show mercy."
Aemon made up his mind, pinched a dragon-shaped stone sculpture, and gently pushed it down.
Viserys's pupils suddenly shrank, and he understood what his nephew meant.
"Second."
Aemon did not pause and said in a flat tone, "If I say I don't mind dissolving the marriage, what else are you worried about?"
---------------
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