The Best Things Stayed in the Family

After a long while, Lyonel stopped dwelling on the question of the heir and expressed his agreement.

He could see what kind of calamity the king's actions would sow for the kingdom's future.

As Hand of the King, he had to find a way to resolve this delicate matter.

He had already thought through countless possible strategies for dealing with the question of the heir.

This was no challenge for him.

Lyonel said, "Returning to the choice of a husband for the Princess, I have someone in mind whom I've considered carefully."

"Who? I remember you said last time that it was the Sea Snake Corlys's son, Laenor Velaryon?"

As long as they weren't discussing replacing the heir, Viserys was easy to talk to. A smile appeared on his face.

"Ser Laenor is indeed a good candidate for a marriage alliance, but that was a proposal from six months ago."

Lyonel had no interest in keeping him guessing and spoke plainly. "Your Grace, considering the kingdom from every angle, I believe the Princess should follow Targaryen family tradition."

"Rhaegar?"

Viserys's smile froze. He asked in confusion, "He's only six, while Rhaenyra is already fourteen. By the time they're both old enough to marry, Rhaenyra will be nearly an old maid."

Lyonel replied confidently, "That isn't a problem. In truth, they're only eight years apart, and they can be married in ten years at most."

"Until then, they can be betrothed, putting an end to outsiders' designs on the Princess."

Lyonel Strong's wise and frank counsel showed both his intelligence and his loyalty to the kingdom.

It had to be said that his words struck a chord with Viserys.

During the six months since Rhaegar had recovered his health, Viserys had said nothing, but had continued to weigh the matter in his mind.

He didn't want to strip Rhaenyra of her right to succeed for the sake of his eldest son.

That would make his daughter resent him.

He felt he had failed Rhaenyra and was filled with guilt toward the daughter who had lost her mother at such a young age.

At the same time, he knew that Rhaegar was better suited than Rhaenyra to be heir.

Some of his lords had privately hinted that he should change the succession, but he had always fobbed them off.

Because of this, he had ordered Rhaegar confined, forbidding him from coming and going freely from the Red Keep and keeping him from hearing even a word about his claim to the throne.

He was deceiving himself.

Perhaps, as long as Rhaegar didn't hear about it, he wouldn't resent losing his place as heir.

And the guilt he felt toward his two children might lessen a little.

But he knew that secrets never stayed hidden forever.

He couldn't restrict Rhaegar's freedom and shut his ears forever.

That was why he had been even more concerned about Rhaenyra's marriage.

If Rhaenyra found a powerful family to marry into, she would be able to secure the Iron Throne in the future.

Then, even if her siblings had designs of their own, they would have no means to challenge her.

Lyonel had given him good advice, opening up another path for him to consider.

Having Rhaenyra follow family tradition would not only dispel the ambitions of those coveting royal power.

It would also unite the two of them, so they wouldn't become estranged over the question of the heir.

Leaning toward the idea, Viserys asked impassively, "But if we had them marry, wouldn't they both object?"

"That won't be a problem. The Targaryen family has always observed this custom. It dates back to the Valyrian era."

Lyonel saw through the king's thoughts and assured him:

"Little Highness is still young and doesn't understand such matters. As long as we can persuade the Princess, everything will fall into place."

Having received the answer he wanted, Viserys smiled. "Lyonel, you truly are my most capable advisor."

"Sometimes I wonder what I would do without you."

Lyonel straightened his crooked collar and said solemnly, "As Hand of the King, it is my duty to serve you. I dare not claim credit."

"I'll accept your proposal and discuss it with Rhaenyra later."

Viserys was used to the Hand's humility and gave him a few words of approval.

Compared to Lyonel Strong, who devoted himself wholeheartedly to the public good,

his predecessor as Hand, Otto Hightower, paled in comparison.

Just look at Otto's overreaching behavior.

He had married off his daughter to gain a foothold in the royal family and secretly courted the lords to support his grandson Aegon...

He had even repeatedly urged Viserys to change the succession.

If not for that, Viserys, who was reluctant to offend people, wouldn't have removed him from office and sent him back to Oldtown to recuperate.

Knock, knock, knock...

Just as the king and his Hand reached an agreement and were enjoying their wine, a series of hurried knocks sounded at the door.

Viserys frowned and said displeasedly, "What is it? The Hand and I are discussing affairs of state."

The voice of Harrold, captain of the Kingsguard, came from outside.

"Your Grace, Prince Rhaegar just returned from the Dragonpit. His attendant says he's been seriously injured!"

"Rhaegar's been hurt? What happened?"

At the news that his eldest son was injured, Viserys could no longer sit still. He hurried to his feet and opened the door.

Harrold looked grave. "The attendant says Prince Rhaegar suffered burns. It seems he failed while trying to tame a dragon."

"Those damned Dragonpit keepers! How dare they let Rhaegar try to tame a dragon on his own!"

Viserys cursed furiously.

Lyonel tried to calm him. "Your Grace, now isn't the time to decide who's at fault. We should see to the Prince's injuries first."

A dragonflame burn could be survivable if one was lucky.

But even the smallest mistake could lead to disaster.

The young Prince was of great importance to the kingdom, and a valuable member of the Targaryen family.

He could not be allowed to die at a time like this.

Viserys finally came to his senses and said in alarm, "Right, take me to Rhaegar. Have the Grand Maester treat him at once!"

As he spoke, Viserys's feet seemed to carry him forward of their own accord.

"Your Grace, the Prince's chambers are downstairs. I'll take you."

Harrold stopped Viserys from rushing off in a panic and escorted him down the stairs.

They soon reached Rhaegar's room.

Standing in the corridor, Viserys saw that Rhaegar's door was open. His son lay unconscious on the bed, his badly burned back exposed.

In that brief moment, Viserys's eyes widened. He felt as if his heart had been torn apart.

"Rhaegar!"

Viserys cried out softly, then hurried to the bedside and gazed at his eldest son in anguish.

Nearby, Grand Maester Mellos was unwinding a roll of bandages. He warned, "Your Grace, it would be best not to disturb the Prince's rest. His injuries are severe."

Viserys turned to him and asked urgently, "How is Rhaegar?"

Mellos shook his head and said gravely, "His condition is not good. He has extensive burns, and they were caused by dragonflame. His recovery will be difficult."

"Ask for whatever medicines you need. Just make sure Rhaegar recovers."

His eldest son had survived his childhood frailty. If dragonflame killed him because of a failure to look after him, Viserys thought he would go mad.

He couldn't imagine how he would explain it to Rhaenyra.

Or to his dead wife, Aemma Arryn.

"There's no need for rare medicines. Someone has already treated the Prince's wounds, and they did an excellent job."

Mellos wrapped the bandages around Rhaegar to prevent dehydration and infection.

His movements roused Rhaegar from unconsciousness.

Before he even opened his eyes, he heard Viserys pleading in grief. "Grand Maester, please do everything you can to save him. I can't lose another member of my family."