The Stepstones' Plea for Help

The next day.

The first rays of morning sun shone on the Red Keep as servants began their busy day.

After their usual hearty breakfast of milk and bread, Gari and Rhaenyra headed straight for the council hall.

Servants and knights dared not obstruct them on the way, and they proceeded unimpeded.

Entering the grand council hall, it was bustling with activity.

King Viserys, in his thirties, was all smiles, conversing warmly with several ministers.

As everyone knew, Viserys was a tolerant and benevolent king.

He would smile at everyone he met.

"Rhaenyra, we were discussing the royal hunt, you've arrived at just the right time."

Rhaenyra walked into the hall with grace, instantly drawing Viserys's attention, and he invited her to join the discussion.

"Father, do you still remember me?"

Gari held his sister's hand, his gaze fixed melancholically on his father.

"Oh, Gari, how did your sister bring you out here?"

Viserys's eyes widened as he looked at the small figure by the doorway, and he immediately stood up.

"Your Highness."

The king left his seat, and the other ministers quickly rose to greet Gari.

After all, Gari was the king's eldest son.

He naturally enjoyed the privilege of the ministers' respect.

If this frail little prince hadn't fallen into a coma at birth, the succession wouldn't have fallen to Rhaenyra.

Gari scanned the ministers and raised a hand, signaling them not to stand on ceremony, a gentle smile gracing his face.

This scene caused the ministers to momentarily lose themselves.

It had to be said, in terms of appearance alone, Prince Gari looked as if he had been carved from the same mold as King Viserys.

Composed, amiable...

Rhaenyra held her brother's hand, walking and speaking, "Yesterday was Gari's birthday, and neither of us was there. He wanted to see his father."

Viserys was moved upon hearing this. He quickly walked to the siblings, knelt down, and said, "I'm sorry, my son. As king, there's always endless work. I hope you don't blame me."

Gari met Viserys's gaze, his smile unwavering. He secretly glanced at Rhaenyra, who was feigning anger, and whispered, "It's alright. How could I blame my king? I just wanted to see my father as a son."

Since you're using your status as king to shirk responsibility.

I can use my status as a son to strike at your conscience.

As expected, Viserys was taken aback, a look of guilt appearing on his face.

He lowered his head slightly, reaching out to stroke Gari's pale cheek, his expression complex. "You've grown up. You truly resemble your mother."

"Perhaps. I just hope that while I'm alive, Father won't forget me, cast me aside."

Gari's voice was filled with a sense of loss, continuing to strike at Viserys's defenses.

He wasn't a three-year-old child anymore.

A few kind words could easily sway him.

He was six years old, and he knew what to say to achieve a certain effect.

Viserys felt his palm tremble slightly, especially noticing his eldest son's thin, pale face. His heart felt as if it were being hammered.

Taking a deep breath, Viserys stood up, picked Gari up, and sat him on the king's main seat.

He ruffled Gari's silver hair and said, "You've never come to see me proactively. As a negligent father, is there anything I can do to make it up to you?"

As he spoke, Viserys subtly glanced at Rhaenyra.

He wanted to see what the siblings were up to.

Gari shook his head gently, leaning into his father's embrace. "No."

The more you say, the more you err. A hunter who strikes first will only become prey.

Viserys smiled and looked at Rhaenyra, asking, "How come I didn't know you two siblings had such a close relationship?"

"He's my brother, closer than Aegon," Rhaenyra retorted without hesitation.

Viserys's smile faltered, and he stopped paying attention to his prickly daughter.

Turning back to the ministers, he regained his kingly demeanor and said calmly, "Gari is specially permitted to listen to state affairs today. Where were we?"

"Just some minor matters. It wouldn't hurt for the prince to hear them," the Master of Coin and Treasurer, Lyman Beesbury, agreed.

Gari looked at him.

He was an old man with salt-and-pepper hair and a kind face.

Noticing his gaze, Rhaegar gave him a friendly nod, appearing easy to get along with.

Rhaegar returned the smile.

The small interlude between the two was quickly passed, and Lyonel Strong, the Hand of the King, brought the discussion back on track.

"Your Majesty, this royal hunt will be set for two days from now. The itinerary and expenses..."

The portly Hand of the King looked ordinary, but he was very serious when reporting, meticulously detailing the needs and requirements of the royal hunt.

After he finished speaking, Viserys pondered for a moment and agreed with his plan.

Since the Queen's father, the former Hand of the King, Otto Hightower, stepped down, Lord Lyonel had become King Viserys's most capable assistant.

He was self-disciplined in his work and acted without personal gain, earning him great favor with Viserys.

Rhaegar listened to their discussion silently, then shook Viserys's arm and asked in a small voice, "The royal hunt sounds cool. Can I go?"

He had never left the Red Keep since birth.

He longed to go out and see the world.

Viserys also thought of this, his eyes showing difficulty.

His eldest son was too weak, and the journey to the Crownlands could very well cost him his young life.

Viserys looked at Rhaenyra, his eyes conveying a plea for help.

"I think Lord Lyonel's plan is excellent. I have no objections."

Rhaenyra pretended not to see and communicated with the ministers.

She was the heir to the Iron Throne. Although her father Viserys didn't give her any decision-making power, appending her approval and offering praise were essential courtesies.

Unable to gain his daughter's assistance, Viserys said with a slight awkwardness, "I want to take you to the royal hunt too, but..."

"Aegon will be going. Why can't I?" Rhaegar feigned confusion.

"Because of your health. I don't want anything unfortunate to happen to you."

"No, I want to go. My health is slowly improving, and nothing will happen."

Rhaegar was firm in his resolve to go: "Even if there's danger, I should see the scenery outside. I can't be like a little bird kept in a cage."

"That is protection."

Viserys's expression was serious, and he did not relent.

Rhaenyra interjected at the opportune moment, "Our whole family will be going to the royal hunt. We can't leave Rhaegar alone in the Red Keep."

Viserys looked at Rhaenyra displeased.

Rhaenyra puffed out her chest and met his gaze defiantly.

As the father and daughter were locked in a standoff, Rhaegar tugged at Viserys's sleeve and said pitifully, "Please, Father, I really want to go."

"Oh, heavens, always giving me problems."

Viserys thumped the table in frustration, but in the end, he yielded to his two children.

He warned, "You can come to the royal hunt, but you have to promise me you'll behave and not run off with Rhaenyra."

"No problem, I promise."

Rhaegar agreed without a second thought.

Just then, a person rushed into the hall, speaking urgently.

"Your Majesty, there's a plea for help from the Stepstones. You might need to see it!"

Viserys was an indecisive man.

He smiled at everyone with a fawning demeanor.

He tried hard to please everyone, but even if he was exhausted, he couldn't shake people's pursuit of power.

He couldn't please anyone.

As Daemon said, the only one who truly hurt him was his own weakness.

Now, in this book, someone would protect Viserys.