The next day.
The first rays of sunlight fell upon the Red Keep, and the servants began their busy day.
After their usual hearty breakfast of milk and bread, Rhaegar and Rhaenyra headed straight for the council chamber.
The servants and knights along the way dared not stop them, and they passed through without hindrance.
The grand council chamber was bustling with activity.
King Viserys, in his thirties and beaming, was chatting amiably with several of his ministers.
As everyone knew, Viserys was a tolerant and benevolent king.
He wore a smile for everyone.
"Rhaenyra, we're discussing the royal hunt. You've arrived at just the right time."
Rhaenyra strode into the chamber with poise, immediately catching Viserys's attention. He invited her to join the discussion.
"Father, do you remember me?"
Rhaegar held his sister's hand, gazing at his father with melancholy eyes.
"Oh, Rhaegar. Why has your sister been dragging you all over the place?"
Viserys stared wide-eyed at the frail figure by the door, then immediately rose to his feet.
"Your Highness."
The king left his seat, and the other ministers quickly got up to greet Rhaegar.
After all, Rhaegar was the king's eldest son.
He was entitled to the ministers' respect by birth.
If the frail little prince hadn't fallen into a coma at birth, Rhaenyra might never have become heir.
Rhaegar glanced around at the ministers and raised a hand to show they needn't stand on ceremony, then gave them a gentle smile.
The sight left the ministers momentarily stunned.
It had to be said: in appearance alone, Prince Rhaegar looked as though he had been carved from the same mold as King Viserys.
Poised, kind-hearted...
Holding her brother's hand, Rhaenyra explained as they walked, "Yesterday was Rhaegar's birthday. Neither of us was there, and he wanted to come see his father."
Viserys was moved. He hurried over to the siblings and crouched down. "I'm sorry, son. As king, I always have endless work. I hope you won't hold it against me."
Rhaegar met Viserys's gaze, his smile unchanged. He stole a glance at Rhaenyra, who was pretending to be angry, then said softly,
"It's all right. How could I blame my king? I just wanted to see my father."
If you were using your status as king to excuse yourself,
then I could use my status as your son to strike at your conscience.
Sure enough, Viserys paused, guilt showing on his face.
He lowered his head slightly and stroked Rhaegar's pale cheek, his expression complicated. "You've grown up. You look so much like your mother."
"Perhaps. I only hope that, for as long as I live, Father won't forget about me or leave me behind."
Rhaegar sounded dejected, pressing on against the breach in Viserys's defenses.
He wasn't a three-year-old anymore.
A few kind words wouldn't be enough to win him over.
He was six now. He knew what to say and what effect it would have.
Viserys felt his hand tremble slightly. The sight of his eldest son's thin, pale face struck him like a hammer to the heart.
Taking a deep breath, Viserys stood and lifted Rhaegar into his arms, then returned to the king's seat.
He ruffled Rhaegar's silver hair and said, "You've never come to see me on your own before. As a father who's neglected his duties, is there anything I can do to make it up to you?"
As he spoke, Viserys glanced discreetly at Rhaenyra.
He wanted to see what the siblings were up to.
Rhaegar shook his head gently and leaned against his father. "No."
The more you said, the more likely you were to slip up. A hunter who made the first move would only become prey.
Viserys smiled and looked at Rhaenyra. "How did I not know you two were so close?"
"He's my brother. I love him more than Aegon," Rhaenyra shot back without hesitation.
Viserys's smile froze. He stopped engaging with his prickly daughter.
Turning back to the ministers, he composed himself and said, "Rhaegar has special permission to listen in on matters of state today. Where were we?"
"It's only a minor matter. There's no harm in the prince listening," Lyman Bisbury, the Master of Coin, said in agreement.
Rhaegar looked at him.
He was a kind-faced old man with hair that was half black and half white.
Noticing Rhaegar's gaze, Lyman gave him a friendly nod. He seemed easy to get along with.
Rhaegar smiled back.
Their brief exchange soon passed, and Lyonel Strong, the Hand of the King, brought the discussion back on track.
"Your Grace, the royal hunt is scheduled for two days from now. As for the itinerary and expenses..."
The plump Hand of the King looked unremarkable, but when reporting on business, he was extremely earnest and meticulous, laying out everything the royal hunt would require.
When he finished, Viserys thought it over briefly and approved his plan.
Ever since the Queen's father, former Hand of the King Otto Hightower, had stepped down, Lord Lyonel had been King Viserys's most capable assistant.
He was strict with himself in his work, never letting personal interests influence his decisions, and Viserys trusted him greatly.
Rhaegar listened to their discussion in silence, then tugged on Viserys's arm and asked in a low voice, "The royal hunt sounds really cool. Can I go?"
He had never left the Red Keep since birth.
He wanted so badly to go out and see the world beyond its walls.
Viserys had thought of that too, but looked troubled.
His eldest son was so frail. The journey to the Kingswood might cost him his life.
Viserys looked to Rhaenyra, silently asking for help.
"I think Lord Lyonel's plan is excellent. I have no objections."
Rhaenyra pretended not to notice and addressed the ministers.
She was the heir to the Iron Throne. Even though her father, Viserys, gave her no real say in decisions, it was still proper to voice her support and praise.
Unable to get his daughter's help, Viserys looked slightly awkward. "I'd like to take you to the royal hunt too, but..."
"Aegon's going. Why can't I?" Rhaegar asked, feigning confusion.
"Because of your health. I don't want anything bad to happen to you."
"No. I want to go. I'm getting better, and nothing will happen to me."
Rhaegar was determined to go. "Even if there's some danger, I should still see the world outside. I can't be kept in a cage like one of the Little Birds."
"That's to protect you."
Viserys's expression was stern. He wouldn't budge.
Rhaenyra spoke up at just the right moment. "The whole family is going to the royal hunt. We can't leave Rhaegar behind at the Red Keep by himself."
Viserys looked at Rhaenyra displeased.
Rhaenyra lifted her chin and met his gaze defiantly.
As father and daughter faced off, Rhaegar tugged at Viserys's sleeve and pleaded, "Please, Father. I really want to go."
"Oh, gods, you're always giving me impossible choices."
Viserys banged the table in frustration, but in the end he gave in to his children.
He warned Rhaegar, "You can come to the royal hunt, but you have to promise me you'll behave and won't go wandering off with Rhaenyra."
"No problem. I promise."
Rhaegar agreed without a second thought.
Just then, someone hurried into the chamber, speaking urgently.
"Your Grace, there's a plea for help from the Stepstones. You may want to read it!"
Viserys was an indecisive man.
He smiled at everyone, always eager to please.
He tried to please everyone, yet even when he was exhausted, he couldn't shake people's desire for power.
There was no pleasing them all.
As Daemon had said, the only person who truly hurt him was his own weakness.
Now, in this book, someone would protect Jaehaerys.
Before you continue