Deep Siblingly Love

There was a hint of pride in his voice.

"Rhaegar, did you help cover up my tracks with that fire?"

Rhaenyra lowered her head guiltily, realizing how important the fire had been.

"Who else would solve your problems in the middle of the night if not me, your little brother?"

Rhaegar's expression turned serious, and his voice rose.

"Shh. Who told you where I was?"

Rhaenyra clapped a hand over her brother's mouth, asking who had tipped him off.

Rhaegar shook his head to dodge her hand, eyes wide. "There are no secrets in this world. You did something foolish, and now you're afraid people will find out?"

"I didn't think this would happen. I just wanted—I just wanted to go out and clear my head."

His words struck a nerve. Rhaenyra murmured absentmindedly.

"Did Daemon... hurt you?" Rhaegar asked worriedly.

"He didn't get the chance. Ser Illyric arrived just in time."

Rhaenyra ruffled Rhaegar's hair and managed a weak smile.

What had happened tonight had truly been unexpected.

She had once admired Daemon and trusted him completely.

After learning what had caused the fire, all she felt was fear and lingering dread.

Thinking of Rhaenyra foolishly walking straight into someone else's trap, Rhaegar was furious. He spoke bluntly:

"If the information hadn't come in time, do you think your trip to the brothel with Daemon wouldn't have become common knowledge by tomorrow morning?"

"I slipped out through a Secret Passage. Nobody noticed me..."

Rhaenyra twisted her fingers, growing nervous.

Rhaegar spoke frankly. "If nobody knew, who tipped me off?"

"Daemon, the people secretly keeping an eye on you, and the person who told me..."

"Think carefully. Three different groups have already set their sights on you. Nothing that happened tonight is a secret."

Rhaenyra fell silent.

She wasn't stupid. She had simply trusted Daemon too much.

She hadn't expected the uncle who had always been so attentive to suddenly bare his fangs.

If Rhaegar hadn't secretly helped her tonight, she couldn't imagine what might have happened.

What version of the rumors would spread tomorrow?

"I'm sorry. I was under too much pressure and wanted to go for a walk."

After a long pause, Rhaenyra finally murmured.

"Let's hope that's all it was. Daemon has always coveted the throne, and you're easy prey, practically handing yourself to him!"

Rhaegar gazed at Rhaenyra ruefully.

His sister was so foolish. She'd let herself be played like a puppet on strings. She was an embarrassment to him.

"What's with that look? I'm still your sister, you know."

Unable to bear her little brother looking at her like she was an idiot, Rhaenyra flushed scarlet.

Rhaegar silently watched her carry on, then shook his head.

"Pfft."

Seeing his expression, Rhaenyra laughed despite herself.

Rhaegar glanced over at her.

In an instant, brother and sister met each other's eyes.

Memories of all the times they had cared for each other surfaced, stirring their hearts.

The next second,

Rhaenyra's eyes reddened. She quietly crouched down and gently hugged Rhaegar, remorseful. "I'm sorry. I've done so many foolish things, and you still have to clean up after me."

"Your position is important. You need to learn to value yourself," Rhaegar sighed.

"I'm sorry. I really am." Rhaenyra sobbed softly.

"I can't always be there to help you in time."

Rhaegar rested his cheek against the tips of Rhaenyra's hair and spoke gently:

"Don't disappoint Father again, sister."

"Rhaegar..."

Rhaenyra choked up, unable to speak. She only wanted to hold her little brother's slight frame tightly, but was afraid of hurting his wounds.

"I'll stay with you until The Stranger takes me away."

Rhaegar gently stroked Rhaenyra's back, his soft voice reaching straight to her heart.

Thinking back on her reckless fun that night, her uncle Daemon's wolfish ambitions, and finally embracing her little brother...

Rhaenyra felt a tumult of emotions. She realized she was merely a tool for others to seize power, and the tears wouldn't stop falling.

She buried her face in the crook of Rhaegar's shoulder and sobbed quietly.

Her tears soon soaked Rhaegar's collar. He gave Illyric a helpless smile.

Illyric bowed, then turned the Secret Passage entrance and quietly left.

It would be impolite for him to stay any longer.

Leaving through the door wouldn't work either, since Cole was still on guard.

The Secret Passage was a good choice.

Rhaenyra cried for a long time, until she had no strength left and Rhaegar's collar was drenched.

Only then did the girl's sobs gradually subside.

Rhaenyra wiped her nose on her brother's collar and looked up with eyes swollen and red from crying.

Rhaegar's face went dark. "I think we should both change into clean clothes."

"Huh?"

Rhaenyra looked up in confusion, first glancing at Rhaegar's shirt, soaked with tears and snot.

Then she looked down and saw that she was still wearing rough, patched hemp clothes.

"Turn around first. I'll change."

Rhaenyra picked Rhaegar up and made him lie facedown on the bed.

Then she moved out of his line of sight, took off her patched clothes, and changed into a nightgown.

Afterward, she rummaged through the wardrobe, found a small nightgown, and tossed it to Rhaegar.

"I don't have any of your pajamas, so wear this for now."

Rhaegar took the pink nightgown off his head, his face darkening. He refused without a second thought.

"My back is injured. I don't need to wear clothes to bed."

"No. You're sleeping with me tonight, and you have to wear clothes."

Rhaenyra reached out to strip Rhaegar and put the nightgown on him.

"No, no, no! I'd rather go back and sleep by myself than wear that!"

Rhaegar fought back with all his might.

"..."

After a bout of playful tussling, the candles in the room went out.

Rhaenyra wrapped her arms around Rhaegar, who wore nothing but a pair of shorts, and closed her eyes, breathing evenly.

Forced to serve as a pillow, Rhaegar shifted awkwardly, finding a comfortable, soft spot to rest his face.

Neither sibling spoke as they waited for sleep to come.

The next morning.

Early in the morning, a messenger entered the Red Keep and delivered news to the Prime Minister.

Lyonel sensed something was wrong and immediately went to find Viserys, who was eating breakfast.

He told him what had happened the previous night.

Lyonel's expression was grave. "A spy reports that Princess Rhaenyra and Prince Daemon wandered along Silk Street last night, then went to a brothel."

"Strangely, a fire broke out at that brothel that night. Daemon was helped out of the building, but the Princess was nowhere to be seen."

Viserys's face darkened.

He knew his brother's character: Daemon was a complete scoundrel.

There was nothing he wouldn't do.

He shook his head and forced a smile. "It's a lie. You've been deceived."

"I hope so too, Your Grace."

Lyonel's expression was grave.

Viserys immediately understood that the report was probably true.

Lyonel wasn't Otto Hightower. He wouldn't attack Rhaenyra, the heir, just to advance his grandson.

Every word and action of his was fair, without a trace of self-interest.

"Daemon! He's nothing but a hungry wolf!"

Viserys pounded the table, like a furious beast.

At the thought of Daemon doing something to his daughter, he wanted to have that bastard of a brother hanged at once.

The last of his reason helped him regain his composure. He said doubtfully, "This can't be true. Perhaps Rhaenyra merely slipped out and left after Daemon entered the brothel."

He couldn't believe his daughter would go to a brothel, let alone fool around with Daemon.

Lyonel said, "That's exactly what puzzles me. The fire was suspicious; I heard it was deliberately set."

"Daemon left the brothel as soon as the fire started. Many people confirmed that he seemed to be injured."

"But the Princess vanished without a trace, and no one saw where she went."

Viserys grasped at the lifeline and said with delight, "Exactly. If no one saw Rhaenyra, then no one can prove she went to the brothel. It's all for the best."

But beneath that smile lay a deep-seated fury.

"Go fetch Rhaenyra. Tell her that her father invites her to breakfast."

Viserys shouted toward the servant outside, intending to sound Rhaenyra out first.

Whether the story was true or not, Rhaenyra's innocence was paramount.

As her father, he had to be clear about that.

It would determine how the matter unfolded.

"No need. I was just about to come."

The door opened from the outside, and Rhaenyra walked in gracefully, her face bright with a radiant smile.

Viserys looked at her, uncertain. "Rhaenyra, what brings you here?"

"Wasn't it you who invited me to breakfast? What a strange question."

Rhaenyra sat down on a round stool with ease, showing none of the guilt one might expect after doing something so reckless.

Viserys and Lyonel exchanged glances, each seeing the other's doubts.

This chapter was beyond saving, so I've made a few small changes.

From now on, the story will focus on dragon-taming again.