Under Dreamfyre's watchful gaze, Glutton slowly crawled into the dragon pit.
The Dragonkeepers and dragon trainers gathered around to calm the anxious Dreamfyre.
There was no need to worry about Glutton—its temperament was always steady.
It constantly wavered between wanting to eat dragons and knowing it couldn't.
Helaena turned to look at the massive black dragon, her gaze locking onto the handsome young man on its back.
She immediately sprang to her feet and cheered, "Brother~~!"
Rhaegar had already noticed Helaena curled up in a corner.
He halted Glutton and climbed down from the dragon's back.
"Brother, you're back!?"
As soon as Rhaegar landed, Helaena ran up to him, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist.
"There were some matters to handle, so I returned for a short while."
Rhaegar smiled and ruffled her hair.
Helaena was still as diligent as ever, always staying in the dragon pit to watch over Dreamfyre, eager to ride a dragon as soon as possible.
"Brother, how long will you stay this time?"
Helaena held onto Rhaegar tightly, her big eyes filled with anticipation.
Since she had been coming to the dragon pit more frequently, she had been able to see her eldest brother often.
Unfortunately, Rhaegar had been spending most of his time in the Stepstones recently, so their meetings were rare.
"I'm not sure, but I should be able to stay for a few more days."
Rhaegar bent down and picked Helaena up, pretending to be deep in thought.
Helaena beamed with joy, hugging his neck as her small body nestled into his embrace.
"I have something good to show you."
Rhaegar patted Helaena's back and walked over to Glutton.
Glutton shook its body slightly, causing a black cloth-covered iron cage to fall to the ground.
The cage was about a meter square, and Rhaegar caught it steadily with one hand.
Helaena widened her eyes in curiosity. "Brother, what's inside the cage?"
"It's definitely not a bug."
Rhaegar teased.
Helaena pouted in frustration. "I spend every day with Dreamfyre now—I don't play with bugs anymore."
Ever since Rhaegar had given Aegon a thorough beating last time, Helaena had focused entirely on taming Dreamfyre.
Those jars and bugs she used to collect had long been forgotten.
Rhaegar chuckled and mysteriously lifted the black cloth.
"Hiss—screech—"
A bright silver hatchling curled up inside the iron cage, letting out a sharp cry at the outside world.
"It's a dragon!"
Helaena exclaimed in surprise.
Rhaegar smirked proudly. "A newly hatched dragon from Dragonstone. I named it Blizzard, and it will stay in the dragon pit from now on."
"For Aemond to tame?"
Looking at the tiny dragon, Helaena immediately thought of their younger brother.
She was busy taming Dreamfyre, while Daeron and Tessarion had already bonded.
Only Aemond remained without a dragon, pitifully watching as she and Daeron trained theirs.
Rhaegar generously said, "He can try."
"Oh, Brother, you're the best!"
Helaena cheered and kissed Rhaegar on the cheek.
Rhaegar wiped the damp spot on his face and gave her a slightly exasperated glance.
He then called over the dragon trainers and instructed, "Take good care of this hatchling. Its name is Blizzard."
"Yes, Prince."
The dragon trainer lifted the iron cage, carrying it away as Blizzard let out wary cries.
Rhaegar took Helaena back to the Red Keep.
…
They returned to the Red Keep by carriage.
Helaena went to her room with her governess, and the siblings parted ways.
Rhaegar returned to his chambers and ordered hot water for a bath.
Dragons carried a strong sulfurous odor, and their riders inevitably picked up the scent.
As he soaked in the steaming water, a knock sounded at the door.
*Knock, knock…*
Rhaegar lounged in the hot water, lazily asking, "Who is it?"
"It's me, my prince."
Ser Erryk's voice came from outside.
Rhaegar opened his eyes.
He had assigned Erryk to protect Jeyne while also working to establish trade routes to the Vale.
There had been no news from him for a long time.
It seemed he had returned to King's Landing along with Jeyne.
"Come in, Ser."
Rhaegar said.
Creak—
The door opened, and Ser Elric, clad in silver armor and a white robe, stepped inside.
He spoke, "Prince, the King is hosting a banquet for Lady Jeyne and has summoned you to attend."
"I understand."
Rhaegar asked, "How is the Mushroom Market? Is the Vale at peace?"
"Tormund has established a Mushroom Market in the Vale, and with Lady Jeyne's assistance, it is progressing smoothly."
At the mention of Jeyne, admiration flickered in Elric's eyes as he continued, "Lady Jeyne has won over many nobles who suffered from the Black Wedding. The Vale is now largely stabilized."
"And what about Lord Yobert?"
Rhaegar thought of the Warden of the Gorge, whom he had never met.
Elric replied, "Lord Yobert is still recovering from his injuries. Lady Jeyne has repeatedly urged him to stay, and for now, he is assisting with governance at the Eyrie."
Rhaegar nodded, asking no further questions.
He had assumed that Yobert would retire and return home.
After all, Jeyne had already shown her fangs, seeking to consolidate power.
Yobert, as a regent, no longer had much use.
Seeing that there was nothing more to discuss, Elric took his leave.
Just then, Rhaegar suddenly remembered the half-blooded giant and asked, "Was the giant's descendant brought back to King's Landing?"
"His name is Boro. After being captured, he has been quite obedient and is now in the Red Keep."
Elric answered truthfully.
The young giant, Boro, was born among the wildlings. During the Mountain Clans' rebellion, he was discovered and used as a vanguard.
He was smarter than the mixed-blood giant Rhaegar had slain—the one that stood three meters tall—and had wisely surrendered.
Viserys was fascinated by his size and kept him in the Red Keep as a spectacle, an unofficial fool for amusement.
…
**Banquet Hall**
Dishes were prepared and placed on the tables, awaiting the start of the feast.
Viserys sat high at the main seat, watching the jesters perform to warm up the crowd.
**Royal Gardens**
Two graceful women sat beneath the heart tree.
Alicent wore a green dress, holding a book in her hands.
Jeyne had abandoned her usual white and yellow attire in favor of a fitted black gown.
"Your Grace, I have brought some specialties from the Vale. I hope you will like them."
Jeyne spoke gently.
Alicent was pleasantly surprised. "Thank you, Lady Jeyne."
The two were old acquaintances.
They shared one commonality—both had once been close friends of Rhaenyra.
Jeyne was three years older than Rhaenyra, while Alicent was eight years older.
Their mutual connection with Rhaenyra had once made them frequent correspondents.
However, after Alicent became Queen, Rhaenyra severed ties with her, and so the two women also ceased contact.
Jeyne's unexpected visit to King's Landing, seeking Alicent for conversation, was something Alicent had not anticipated.
Unable to contain her curiosity, Alicent asked directly, "Jeyne, what do you wish to discuss?"
Dispensing with formalities, she got straight to the point.
Jeyne did not answer immediately. Instead, she pointed to the book in Alicent's hands and said, "**The Voyage of Ten Thousand Ships**—I recall this was Rhaenyra's favorite book."
The book's protagonist was the warrior-queen Nymeria of the Rhoynar.
To escape the Valyrian Freehold's conquest, Nymeria led her people across the sea with ten thousand ships.
After countless hardships, they finally reached Dorne.
There, she married Mors Martell, and together they unified the fractured land.
Dorne's laws of female inheritance—including the succession rights of several ruling princesses—were all rooted in Nymeria's legendary deeds.
Rhaenyra had always regarded her as a lifelong idol.
"Yes, Nymeria's story has always inspired me."
Alicent's smile was strained as she attempted to take back the book.
"A page is missing?"
Jeyne was quicker. She snatched the book and found that the page Alicent had been reading had been torn out.
(End of Chapter)