Dreamfire Egg

"Those two old geezers were practically trying to murder a young prince."

Just thinking about it made Rhaegar's head ache, and he wished he could smash the wrinkled heads of those two old Maesters.

He wondered if there was anything in their heads besides knowledge, or just a pile of crap.

Illyric smiled without speaking, not interested in commenting on the King's arrangements for the Prince's education.

They hadn't had much contact since the Gari hunt in the King'swood half a year ago.

It wasn't until a few days ago that Viserys learned of Rhaenyra's return from her travels.

He then assigned Illyric to Rhaegar, to swear to protect the King's eldest son and complete any assigned tasks.

Rhaegar didn't know his father's intentions.

But having a reliable White Knight by his side, why not?

Coupled with their shared hardships, the two got along quite well.

Even a knight as strict as Illyric could occasionally exchange harmless jokes with Rhaegar.

"I'm tired, Sir."

After sitting for a while, Rhaegar lost his patience and returned to his room, followed by Illyric.

The Kingsguard were only responsible for protecting the King and those he designated.

Nothing would enter the Prince's room; they only needed to guard the door.

As soon as Rhaegar returned to his nest, he went straight to the fireplace.

There sat a container that looked like a stove.

He opened the lid, and a wave of heat washed over him.

Rhaegar faced the heat directly, showing no discomfort.

He stuck his head inside the stove and saw a dragon egg, entirely black and covered in diamond patterns.

This was his dragon egg.

He touched the egg's scorching surface, a flicker of disappointment in his eyes, and sighed, "Still no movement. When will a dragon hatch?"

Perhaps it was bad luck.

Rhaegar's dragon egg had shown no signs of hatching, lying in the container like a stone for six years.

He habitually stroked the egg, talking to it as if it were alive.

Rhaegar believed this would help the egg hatch.

Feeling thirsty from his conversation, Rhaegar closed the container lid, ending his daily communication with the dragon egg.

Pouring himself a cup of hot water, Rhaegar muttered to himself, "Good thing Aegon's dragon egg hasn't hatched either, or I'd be thoroughly embarrassed."

The thought that his foolish brother's dragon egg hadn't hatched cheered him up considerably.

While it was regrettable that his own dragon egg hadn't hatched, it would be even more heartbreaking if his brother's egg hatched.

The sun rose and set, and days passed one by one.

Rhaenyra finally returned to King's Landing.

Viserys, who valued appearances, did not come out. Queen Alicent led the lords and ministers out of the city to welcome her.

The two embraced like old friends who hadn't seen each other in years, chatting and laughing under the gaze of their subjects.

Such a harmonious scene naturally drew cheers and applause from the populace.

Rhaegar's confinement was automatically lifted, and he was among the welcoming party.

Following behind the two women, watching their cordial exchange, Rhaegar felt an inexplicable unease.

He tugged at Illyric's white cloak and secretly asked, "Is it always like this when women interact?"

Illyric looked left and right, ensuring no one was paying attention to them, and lowered his voice, "Mostly. The Queen and the Princess are the top women, so they're a bit more terrifying."

"Because of power? But my sister is already the heir."

Rhaegar voiced his confusion.

Illyric shook his head, "It's a major taboo to speak ill of royal family members. I can only say, you need to be careful."

"I'll be harmed too? But I have no intention of getting involved in the succession," Rhaegar asked.

"I don't know, but as the old saying goes, one can never be too careful." Illyric said meaningfully.

Rhaegar smiled, "Then I'll trouble you to protect my safety with all your might, Sir."

"It is my duty."

With many eyes around, the two said no more, accompanying the two main figures of the occasion on their procession.

It wasn't until evening that the entourage finally entered the gates of the Red Keep.

Although furious about Rhaenyra's unilateral decision to return, Viserys did not embarrass his daughter.

He hosted a grand banquet to welcome her back.

Rhaegar disliked noisy environments. After hastily eating some pastries and dishes, he left with the gift Rhaenyra had prepared for him.

Rhaegar was the biggest beneficiary of Rhaenyra's return.

Not only could he leave the Red Keep to explore, but his daily lessons were also drastically cut.

Instead of eight hours, he only needed to study for three hours in the morning, with the rest of the time free for activities.

Even his after-school homework was canceled.

Upon hearing this, Rhaegar cheered and was overjoyed.

He gave Rhaenyra two hearty kisses when she visited him.

This continued for a while.

Then, the Red Keep became lively once more.

It was the fifth anniversary of the King and Queen Alicent's wedding.

To thank Alicent for five years of companionship, Viserys generously decided to host a grand tournament.

He planned to invite all the nobles and knights from across the realm to participate.

Generous rewards were also prepared for the champion.

He wanted to encourage those passionate young men to sign up and bring him thrilling clashes of blood and iron.

Regardless of whether Alicent liked it or not, Viserys adored these tournaments.

Thanks to his good grandfather, the former King Jaehaerys, who had accumulated substantial wealth for the royal treasury, Viserys could afford to host banquets and tournaments.

The servants in the Red Keep were also accustomed to such events, and under Alicent's management, the tournament was flawlessly organized.

Before long, the King and Queen's fifth anniversary arrived.

The tournament was as grand as expected, with the inns in King's Landing filled to capacity.

Rumor had it that the business of some brothels also saw a significant increase.

The prostitutes were overwhelmed, and many noble lords were even willing to fight through the blood and sweat, just to expend their energy.

On that day, Alicent prepared a sumptuous banquet.

Guests and Viserys enjoyed the brutal tournament together. When they grew tired of watching, they indulged in feasting and drinking at the nearby banquet hall, filled with merriment.

Rhaegar and Rhaenyra sat below Viserys's main seat, watching the tournament unfold.

Inside the arena, knights were charging.

Two knights, clad in armor and wielding sharp lances, charged at each other on horseback.

As their charges met, a knight in black armor raised his lance, striking the opponent's shoulder with precision.

BANG--

Under the immense inertia, the opposing knight was instantly thrown into the air, his body tracing a parabola before crashing heavily onto the muddy ground.

Upon landing, the knight under the armor let out a scream. One of his legs was bent at a grotesque angle beneath him.

As he writhed and howled, Rhaegar noticed he could only wave one arm.

His other arm hung limply at his side.

"His shoulder blade was likely shattered. If not treated promptly, he'll be permanently disabled."

Illyric, standing behind him, quietly explained.

Rhaegar had never witnessed such a scene and felt pity. "Even with timely treatment, he'll be disabled. That leg is ruined."

"That's how tournaments are. The important thing is to determine a winner."

Illyric advised Rhaegar to accept the cruel reality.

"It's hard to imagine so many capable young men, skilled in combat, choosing to participate in a tournament. How many of them will return unscathed?"

Rhaegar was in low spirits, unable to comprehend the purpose of such tournaments.

Illyric patiently replied, "The realm is at peace, and the young men have excess energy they wish to vent. Many want to gain the King's attention."

Rhaegar, unable to hatch his dragon egg for now, will choose the path of dragonriding.

Guess which dragon the author has arranged for him?

The work was officially signed yesterday, so here's an extra chapter.