First Conflict with the King

Chapter 11: First Clash with the King

"Thank you, Prince."

With the little prince's guarantee, Arryk sincerely thanked him and led the two into the camp.

Viserys was filled with disappointment alongside his anger that his son and daughter had been gone all night.

He was disappointed not only in his children but also in himself.

As a King, it was his incompetence that his subjects waged war privately.

As a father, it was his uselessness that he failed to discipline his children properly.

After a night of guidance from Queen Alicent, Viserys, in a rare moment, revealed his true feelings and decided to take action.

When Rhaegar entered the royal tent, he saw Viserys seated in the main seat at a glance.

He scanned the surroundings; none of the dignitaries who had celebrated yesterday were present.

Even his trusted ministers were not among them.

"Father, I'm back."

Facing his displeased father, Rhaegar took the initiative to greet him.

Viserys ignored him, his cold gaze falling on Illyric, who followed behind.

"White Knight, tell your King, what is the crime for privately leading a Prince to trespass out of the camp?"

Illyric knelt with a thud, his heart filled with unease. "Your Majesty, it should be treason!"

"Very good, you still remember the kingdom's laws. I thought you no longer cared about them."

Viserys laughed in extreme anger. "Guards, drag this traitor out and chop off his head."

He was truly furious.

Daemon and the Sea Snake had started a war behind his back.

The ministers did not recognize the heir he had chosen.

His beloved daughter did not understand her old father's good intentions.

And now, even the White Knight, who had sworn unwavering loyalty, dared to defy his will.

He had secretly taken his sickly eldest son deep into the King'swood.

What did he intend to do?

What else would he not dare to do?

If he were not punished severely, the princes and ministers would follow suit in the future, utterly disregarding the King's authority!

As Viserys gave the order, footsteps could be heard outside the tent.

Illyric closed his eyes as if accepting his fate.

He knew the guards at the door were coming to judge him.

Arryk, who had been guarding at the King's side, changed his expression slightly and secretly signaled Rhaegar.

Despite the dishonor to the honor of his white cloak, the little prince was indeed his brother's only hope for survival at this moment.

Rhaegar did not break his promise.

As soon as Viserys gave the order, he immediately stepped in front of Illyric.

Feigning confusion, he said, "Father, why are you punishing Sir Illyric? There must be some misunderstanding."

Viserys did not give him a good look and reprimanded him, "Silence. Don't think you can stay out of this just because I haven't mentioned you."

"I already learned the whole story from the stable hands. You bear undeniable responsibility for Illyric's predicament!"

Rhaegar's expression froze. He hadn't expected his little trick to be seen through so quickly.

The guards entered the tent and efficiently stripped Illyric of his white cloak, disarming him and confiscating his sword.

"Stop, you can't do this to him."

Rhaegar couldn't stand it any longer. He spread his arms to shield Illyric, who was kneeling on one knee, and blocked the guards' attempt to detain him.

"Insolence! Are you also going to defy your King and Father?"

Viserys roared, ordering the guards to take Rhaegar away.

"Let me go. There's no need to detain me in front of Father."

Rhaegar struggled forcefully. The guards, not daring to harm the King's son, could only restrain Illyric, who offered no resistance.

"Prince, please do not further enrage the King."

Seeing the situation escalating, Illyric, who was being bound, said in a deep voice.

He did not want to trigger the King's sleeping wrath for his own sake.

He was not so naive as to expect a young prince to save him.

He had already anticipated such an outcome on the way back.

"I said I would bear all consequences, and a Targaryen always keeps his word!"

Rhaegar shoved aside the guards blocking his path and strode forward, facing his furious father.

He declared loudly, "Father, I am cured. Sir Illyric deserves all the credit."

Viserys scoffed, "I only know Illyric as a knight; I never knew he also studied herbalism."

"Believe me, there was a White Hart in the King'swood. It gave me a fruit full of blessings, and I regained my health."

With emotions running high, Rhaegar dropped the bombshell, attempting to salvage Illyric's judgment.

Upon hearing of the White Hart, a flicker of suspicion crossed Viserys's eyes. "A White Hart cured your illness with a single fruit?"

Just yesterday, the Hand, Lyonel, had reported to him that a White Hart had been spotted in the King'swood.

Jace Lannister had even presented him with a golden spear, hoping to use the weapon he gifted to hunt the White Hart.

He had indeed entered the King'swood to hunt under the protection of his men.

But he hadn't seen a White Hart, only managing to hunt a common stag.

His eldest son had left the camp before this; he shouldn't know about it.

Therefore, what he said about encountering a White Hart was likely true.

Rhaegar, unaware of his father's fleeting thoughts, affirmed, "Yes, a snow-white White Hart. I gave it fruit, and it returned the favor with a fruit that could cure me."

He added as an afterthought, "We are friends!"

"Hahaha, this is truly the best joke I've heard all year."

Viserys shook his head and laughed, disbelieving his eldest son's increasingly outlandish tale.

Rhaegar's expression turned resolute, "Sir Illyric can vouch for me. You can also have the accompanying Maester examine me. I guarantee my body is recovering."

His confident words moved Viserys, who turned his gaze to the silent Illyric, his expression filled with doubt.

"Illyric, tell your King the truth before you take off your armor?"

Illyric: "The Prince speaks nothing but the truth!"

Viserys nodded slightly, lowering his head in silence.

No one knew what he was thinking at that moment.

A brief silence fell over the tent, the sound of everyone's breathing clearly audible.

After a while, Viserys looked at Arryk and asked, "Do you believe what Rhaegar and your brother said is true?"

"I trust my brother, just as you trust your own children, Your Majesty!"

Arryk did not hesitate, firmly vouching for his elder brother.

Viserys said no more and ordered, "Go summon the accompanying Maester, as well as the physicians brought by the other nobles and knights. Every single one."

"As you wish!"

Arryk's voice boomed as he lifted the tent flap and strode out.

This turn of events eased the previously tense atmosphere.

The guards exchanged glances and then stood at attention, parting to the sides.

Rhaegar asked Viserys, "Father, do you believe me?"

"If it can make you healthy, I would hope it to be true."

Before the matter was resolved, Viserys remained relatively composed, observing his young eldest son.

In truth, he was already beginning to believe Rhaegar's words.

Two months ago, after Rhaegar's routine check-up, the Grand Maester had told him.

"The Prince's heart failure is severe. If it continues to worsen, he will not live past ten years old."

He had asked if there was any way to cure it.

Regrettably, organ failure was an incurable disease in this era.

Let alone a cure, not even relief was possible.

He had thought his eldest son was near death, which was why he had avoided meeting him.

As the father of this child, even as King, he lacked the courage to face him calmly.

But.

Just now, Rhaegar's determined argument had surprised him.

Although that familiar little face was still pale.

His voice, however, was full of vigor.

The aura he exuded, the power carried in his words.

He was indeed a descendant of Old Valyria.