The Abolition of Chains

Syrio's voice rang out, carrying across the entire tournament ground.

Countless curious gazes immediately turned his way.

It was the first time anyone had revealed the king's eldest son's identity in public and openly declared their support for him.

Faced with such a pointed speech, Viserys gave it some thought, then replied frankly:

"Swordsman, I know your background. If you truly wish to serve my son, you must first swear by your faith, with a clear conscience."

Syrio drew his steel sword and raised it above his head with both hands. "I am willing to swear!"

Then Syrio loudly swore to support Rhaegar Targaryen as he grew into a capable man and to uphold his authority until he came of age.

Many people with an eye for such things witnessed the scene and turned to observe Princess Rhaenyra's expression.

They wanted to see how the princess and heir regarded someone pledging loyalty to her younger brother.

Rhaenyra maintained her smile, sitting gracefully in her chair.

She seemed happy for her brother and not the least bit bothered by the matter.

As though an ordinary knight had simply chosen to follow a lord.

No one noticed Rhaenyra secretly pinching the inside of her thigh beneath her sleeve.

Viserys was also watching Rhaenyra's expression. Seeing no sign of distress, he nodded to himself.

He took Syrio's steel sword and laid it against his shoulder, then announced loudly, "I hereby appoint you a royal dancer and grant you the title of knight. May you never forget your oath."

"Thank you for your grace, Your Grace."

Syrio bowed his thanks.

And so the tournament celebrating the king and queen's fifth anniversary came to an end.

The nobles and knights left the stands and followed the king back to the Red Keep for a feast.

Rhaenyra wandered through the crowd. Though she kept her expression under control, she could not hide the disappointment in her heart.

Daemon followed behind her, watching his niece's dejected figure.

A triumphant glint flashed in his eyes.

Night fell, and the Red Keep's hall was alive with music and dancing.

Rhaenyra, in no mood for merrymaking, took her leave early. She followed the stairs and, without realizing it, came to a familiar door.

Staring at her brother's door, Rhaenyra suddenly came to her senses and realized where she was.

Ever since Rhaegar had been injured, she had come here every night.

To visit her brother, who could barely move.

On the other hand, she had begun to reconsider her father's suggestion.

Rather than marry a strange man she did not know, it would be far better to form an alliance with her brother.

She was still hesitating over whether to knock when she suddenly heard a young girl laughing inside.

Rhaenyra's expression changed. Without a second thought, she pushed open the door.

Inside, she saw Rhaegar and Helaena lying on their stomachs, facing each other on the bed, with a chessboard between them.

"Rhaenyra, you're here?"

Seeing his sister, Rhaegar smiled and beckoned her over, inviting her to join them.

Rhaenyra slowly closed the door, then sat beside Helaena and stroked her little sister's head. "When did you and Helaena get so close?"

Helaena gazed up at Rhaenyra with wide eyes and slowly called her "Sister."

Rhaenyra smiled back. She liked this little sister too.

She was much less trouble than her brother.

Rhaegar took a pillow and propped himself up on it. "Aegon keeps picking on Helaena, so I told her she could come play with my toys whenever she wanted."

As he spoke, he pointed to a large pile of toys beside the fireplace.

Rhaenyra nodded in understanding. She had noticed the beautifully crafted toys long ago.

She had assumed they belonged to Rhaegar. She had not realized they were for Helaena.

Rhaenyra did not dwell on it. While guiding Helaena through the game, she asked Rhaegar how his day had gone.

Rhaegar was in a good mood and answered cheerfully, "I'm doing all right. The wound is starting to scab over, and the Grand Maester says it'll heal soon."

"The Grand Maester says you have an unusual constitution. It seems you may become a powerful warrior one day."

Rhaenyra murmured meaningfully.

She did not bring up Syrio. It was better to let her brother meet him on his own.

After chatting for a while, Rhaegar suddenly remembered the Dragonpit and asked, "Have they found out anything about it?"

He was very concerned about the matter.

He had been asking around for days.

Rhaenyra brought good news this time. "The one who secretly swapped the shackles was Maester Pycelle. Father sentenced him to have both hands cut off or take the black and go to the Wall."

"I knew there had to be bad men among the maesters from Oldtown."

Rhaegar shook his fist in anger, still unsatisfied. "People like him should be beheaded in public. He got off far too lightly."

"I urged Father to punish him more severely, but he rejected my suggestion."

Rhaenyra shrugged helplessly.

Rhaegar gave her a sympathetic look and said nothing more.

He knew his sister had a hard time of it too. Though she was the heir, their father had never granted her any real power.

Her suggestions were always treated as though they had fallen on deaf ears.

Rhaegar changed the subject. Thinking of the enormous pale-blue dragon, he asked seriously, "How is Dreamfyre? Have they removed the chains?"

"Don't worry. Father ordered all the shackles in the Dragonpit removed. They're separating the dragons' lairs so each will have a more spacious area to roam."

Rhaenyra heartily approved of this.

She did not want Syrax to be bound in chains either. Giving each dragon its own area to roam was for the best.

Rhaegar felt relieved and sighed. "Dreamfyre is so pitiful, locked away in the Dragonpit for decades. I really hope it finds a new rider soon and returns to the skies."

After this dangerous incident, Viserys had seen how reckless his eldest son could be.

The Small Council had decided that the king would soon take his family to Dragonstone to stay for a while.

There, he would choose newly hatched dragons for his eldest son, Rhaegar, and his second son, Aegon, to tame.

There happened to be two young dragons on Dragonstone that were suitable for the boys to ride.

As a result, Rhaegar had given up on the idea of taming Dreamfyre.

Instead, he looked forward to the upcoming trip to Dragonstone.

Watching her sentimental little brother, Rhaenyra smiled knowingly and asked out of the blue, "What will you do if Father decides to arrange a marriage alliance for you?"

Rhaegar's hand paused over the chessboard. He pulled a face and said, "If necessary, I'm willing to accept the responsibility."

He was still young, and he had learned about many things from books.

Looking back over the history of the Targaryen Dynasty, both men and women had to accept marriage alliances, apart from a few foolish souls who indulged themselves as they pleased.

King Aegon the Conqueror had two wives.

He married his elder sister, Visenya, out of duty, and his younger sister, Rhaenys, out of desire.

Later kings either married the daughters of noble houses to secure their support or wed their own relatives.

Even his father, Viserys, and his uncle, Daemon, had married into noble families from the Vale to ensure that the Crown had loyal supporters.

Given this custom, Rhaegar did not believe he could escape the fate of a marriage alliance.

He only hoped that, within the bounds of what was allowed, he could marry a beautiful woman with a gentle disposition.

Wanting anything more would be greedy.

Hearing her brother's answer, Rhaenyra lowered her head and fell silent.

She knew her brother was right.

Perhaps she should not be so willful. She ought to shoulder the responsibility expected of her.

After a long pause, Rhaenyra smiled again. She chatted with Rhaegar for a little while, then said goodbye and left.

Staring at the closed door, Rhaegar remained silent for a long time.

He had guessed why Rhaenyra had come that night.

Their father had probably been urging her to marry, and she had come to seek a little comfort from him.

But he could not give Rhaenyra the answer she wanted.

If he spouted nonsense just to agree with her, the consequences could be beyond measure.

A crown was not worn to place its bearer above everyone else.

Its light was meant to shine on everyone.

Thanks to a book friend with a number in their name for the 100 coins.

The recommendation notice came yesterday. I'll be on my first round of recommendations next week. I hope you'll keep reading and vote generously with your monthly tickets.