Father-Daughter Quarrel

Rhaenyra strode closer, her voice filled with urgency, "She said Rhaegar was injured, what happened?"

Viserys frowned, "Rhaenyra, is this how you speak to your father and King?"

Rhaenyra was momentarily speechless, then replied helplessly, "Forgive me, I was just worried about Rhaegar."

"Rhaegar is in a bad way, with extensive burns on his body. The Grand Maester says he might not make it."

Viserys relayed the Grand Maester's words to her.

But he didn't quite believe it himself.

Rhaegar had seemed quite spirited when they spoke, not at all like someone near death.

Viserys believed it was the Seven Gods' blessing, protecting his eldest son.

Unaware of the truth, Rhaenyra was stunned by his words.

She stood frozen, unable to speak, almost falling over.

He was her only full sibling, the dearest person her mother had left her with her life.

"How could this be... Rhaegar was fine this morning... No..."

Rhaenyra murmured in confusion, unable to believe the terrible news.

She couldn't accept it.

"Where is Rhaegar? I want to see him!"

After a long moment, Rhaenyra snapped back to reality, desperate to see Rhaegar.

Viserys sneered, "So you do care about your brother. I thought your heart had been completely stolen by that scoundrel Daemon?"

"What are you talking about? What do you mean my heart's been stolen by Uncle Daemon?"

Rhaenyra retorted instinctively, continuing, "I want to see Rhaegar, my brother needs me."

"No, he doesn't need anyone. He just needs to lie quietly in bed and recover!"

Viserys refused without mercy.

He had already learned the full story of what happened at the Dragonpit today, including Rhaenyra and Daemon's conversation.

His sharp mind had sensed Daemon's covetous intentions towards Rhaenyra.

His own brother attempting to seduce his daughter for power was something Viserys would never allow.

He had to nip this in the bud before any mistakes were made.

Seeing her father's unyielding stance, Rhaenyra, confused, could only back down.

"Father," she said worriedly, "I am Rhaegar's sister. At least tell me why Rhaegar is in trouble?"

Viserys did not hide this information, frankly explaining the reason.

Rhaenyra gasped, "Rhaegar went alone to tame Dreamfyre? Is he mad?"

As everyone knew, dragons were ill-tempered creatures.

Dreamfyre, a female dragon kept in confinement for years, was an extreme example.

Even Rhaenyra's own dragon-taming as a child had involved the help of dragonkeepers, with gradual steps.

To directly enter a dragon's lair and attempt to tame a solitary adult dragon was practically a suicide mission.

Every year on Dragonstone, one or two hot-headed youths with Valyrian blood would secretly try to tame wild dragons.

Most of them ended up burned to ashes or swallowed whole by the wild dragons.

Few survived the dragonflame.

The thought of Rhaegar possibly being horribly burned by dragonflame made Rhaenyra feel an indescribable pain.

If she hadn't refused Rhaegar's request to fly on a dragon, perhaps he wouldn't have encountered this danger.

Sensing his daughter's self-reproach, Viserys's heart softened, and he decided not to scare her further.

He sighed, "Rhaegar was very lucky. He was only scorched by dragonflame. With some rest and recovery, I don't think there will be any major problems."

"That's good, as long as Rhaegar is not in mortal danger!"

Rhaenyra breathed a huge sigh of relief, her heart, which had been in her throat, finally settling back down.

The initial shock had served its purpose. Viserys set it aside, preparing to state his true objective.

"Rhaenyra, do you have someone you like? Someone you admire mutually?"

As a father, Viserys felt a little awkward asking this question.

For the future of his two children, he forced himself to ask.

The topic had shifted too quickly, and Rhaenyra couldn't quite follow, suspecting, "Why do you ask? Has another lord proposed to you?"

"Ahem, no, of course not."

Viserys covered his embarrassment with a cough and spoke expansively, "I just think you're of an age to be betrothed. If there's someone you truly like, you can tell me."

"No, most of the men I've met are a bunch of idiots, and the few intelligent ones are too arrogant."

Rhaenyra's expression visibly soured as she scoffed at the men preening before her.

Viserys rubbed his temples and hesitated, "What if I betrothed you to someone who meets all the requirements? How would you feel about that?"

"Father, we agreed not to discuss this until after the tournament."

Rhaenyra was clearly resistant to the idea of marriage.

Viserys quickly added, "You should at least hear the candidates. Perhaps one will satisfy you."

"Whatever you say. It'll just be one of those few families anyway."

Rhaenyra turned away indignantly, unwilling to face her father any longer.

Freed from his daughter's gaze, Viserys's pressure eased, and he blurted out, "What do you think about following the family tradition?"

Rhaenyra froze, then turned back with difficulty, her face full of suspicion. "Following tradition?"

She had guessed who the candidate was.

"You're willing to sacrifice my marriage for the Iron Throne, and drag someone else into it!?" she asked, annoyed.

Viserys's temper flared too, and his voice rose. "What do you mean, 'sacrifice your marriage'? As a royal princess, an alliance is your duty."

"Even I, as King, cannot escape that!"

Rhaenyra retorted stubbornly, "If you want to form an alliance, do it yourself. I can't stand those carrion-eating vultures, and I absolutely forbid you from setting your sights on Rhaegar!"

"Rhaenyra! Do you know what foolishness you're spouting?"

Viserys slammed his hand on the table and pointed at his daughter, his voice booming with anger. "You are the princess of this kingdom, the heir to the Iron Throne. Because of your status, you enjoy the most esteemed honor on the continent, second only to me."

"But now, look how selfish you are!"

"You only care about enjoying the privileges your status affords you, yet you're unwilling to make any sacrifices for it!"

Viserys glared at Rhaenyra, his eyes wide with fury, and questioned, "Is this the sense of duty of an heir to the Iron Throne?"

Rhaenyra gritted her teeth, refusing to yield. "Power isn't gained by compromising with others; everything must be fought for on your own."

"And what have you fought for? Besides the right of succession, what else do you have to be proud of!"

Viserys demanded harshly.

Rhaenyra gave a bitter smile and said indifferently, "This is what you've always wanted to say, isn't it?"

"You think I shouldn't have the right of succession either?"

"You have sons now, Aegon, Aemond..."

"Especially Rhaegar, now that he's recovered his health. You no longer need a girl as your heir."

Viserys immediately denied it. "No! I admit there were times I wavered, but I still recognize you as my heir."

"A female heir is against tradition. If you don't choose a consort with a powerful background, it will be very difficult for you to secure the Iron Throne in the future."

"I know you don't want to marry the sons of nobles you look down upon. He would be a good choice."

"He has an innocent nature, Targaryen blood, and his status would help you consolidate your power."