Final Ultimatum

"Rhaenyra, someone has accused you of sneaking out of the Red Keep last night and going to an improper place with your uncle, Daemon."

"Do you have any explanation for this?"

Viserys felt something was amiss and asked tentatively.

Rhaenyra tapped her chin with her finger and apologized, "I did sneak out of the Red Keep with Daemon last night and went to Silk Street to watch a play."

Viserys questioned, "Is that all?"

"That's all!" Rhaenyra said with full confidence.

"Very well, my questions are finished. I believe the Hand has something to ask you."

Relieved by his daughter's firm answer, Viserys's mood improved, and he turned the conversation to Lyonel.

Rhaenyra glanced at the Hand and asked, "Sir, what are your instructions?"

The situation became more complicated. Lyonel organized his thoughts and slowly said, "Princess, last night someone witnessed you and Prince Daemon entering a brothel…"

"Of course, this is all hearsay, but I still hope you will tell me yourself."

Rhaenyra immediately denied it, "Since you know it is hearsay, doesn't that prove it is false?"

"Someone is trying to slander my innocence; this is treason."

Lyonel nodded in understanding and said gravely, "I will definitely find the slanderer and seek justice for the Princess."

At this point, the truth no longer mattered.

The intelligence could at most prove Rhaenyra and Daemon had snuck out of the Red Keep; all other evidence had long since vanished in the fire.

As long as Rhaenyra insisted she hadn't gone to the brothel, no one could question her chastity.

Lyonel nodded to Viserys and said gravely, "I will put a stop to the rumors."

With that, he left the room.

Father and daughter looked at each other. Viserys couldn't hold back and spoke first.

"Rhaenyra, there was a fire in Silk Street last night. Did you know?"

"Thanks to the fire, I was able to escape the eyes of those lurking in the shadows."

"You knew?"

"Rhaegar told me. Someone reported to him, and he sent people to start the fire and secretly brought me back to the Red Keep."

Rhaenyra did not hide anything and revealed the truth.

Viserys was greatly shocked, his eyes widening involuntarily, unable to believe his young eldest son possessed such wisdom.

After a long moment, Viserys recovered from his shock and smiled proudly.

He said with relief, "Rhaegar is a good boy, and a good brother."

"There's no doubt about that." Rhaenyra smiled happily.

She had come here early, following Rhaegar's suggestion.

The best way to break a conspiracy was to strike first.

Rhaenyra was innocent, and as long as she was confident, no one could slander her.

The facts proved this to be true.

Watching his daughter's happy smile, Viserys suddenly said, "Have you considered it?"

"Considered what?"

Rhaenyra didn't react immediately.

"Consider Rhaegar. He will assist you in the future, just like last night."

"Rhaegar is still very young."

"So what? He will grow into a fine young man soon."

"But I only see him as… I haven't thought it through yet…"

Rhaenyra was momentarily speechless, stammering and unable to explain clearly.

After last night's events, her mind was in turmoil.

She didn't know how to choose.

Viserys frowned and said sternly, "Then who do you favor? Don't tell me it's some shameless fellow?"

"No! Of course not."

Rhaenyra quickly denied it. "I admit I used to have feelings for Daemon because of his meticulous care for me, but last night's events made me see his wolfish ambition."

"You don't like the candidate I chose, and you rejected Rhaegar too. What am I supposed to do about your marriage?"

Viserys's eyes held unspeakable disappointment.

The thought of Daemon's malicious intentions almost succeeding last night sent a shiver down his spine.

With a hardened heart, he issued his final ultimatum:

"Lyonel once suggested you marry Sir Corlys' son, Laenor. I think he's also a suitable candidate."

"Marrying him would mend the rift between the Targaryens and Velaryons, and help you consolidate your power in the future."

Viserys paused, his gaze fixed on his daughter's eyes, unleashing the King's authority. "Rhaegar? Laenor? You must choose between the two!"

"Can you give me some time to consider?"

Faced with her unusually forceful father, Rhaenyra's expression changed, and she pleaded in a low voice.

Viserys's mind was made up, brooking no refusal.

His love and guilt for his daughter eventually turned into a sigh, and he agreed to give Rhaenyra some time.

He emphasized, "The rumors won't disappear overnight. In the meantime, I will take the entire family back to Dragonstone to live for a while."

"There are young dragons on Dragonstone suitable for taming. Rhaegar and Aegon can each take one."

"After they tame their dragons, I will go to Driftmark."

"I can either propose marriage to Laenor on your behalf, or send an invitation to the Sea Snake for your betrothal to Rhaegar."

"Regardless, you must give me an answer!"

As his words fell, he gave Rhaenyra no room to retort and waved her away.

"I have other matters to attend to. Go back and think carefully."

Seeing her father's resolve, Rhaenyra bit her lip, stood up, and quickly left.

The room felt suffocating; she just wanted to escape.

After Rhaenyra left, a graceful figure emerged from the depths of the room and embraced Viserys from behind.

"You heard everything?"

"I had nowhere to hide."

"Rhaenyra should marry Rhaegar. The two siblings would stabilize the throne well."

"But Rhaenyra doesn't think so. She's still a maiden with beautiful fantasies."

"The heir to the Iron Throne can be a woman, but not an ignorant maiden."

Viserys stopped Alicent's attempt to persuade him further and gently kissed her cheek.

"Alright, I need to deal with my good brother."

After Alicent helped him dress, Viserys, carrying the sword Blackfyre, strode out aggressively.

In the end, only Alicent, in her sheer gauze dress, remained in the room.

Alicent picked up the remaining half of the bread on the table and took a small bite, her eyes, dark and unreadable, gazing out the window.

Morning light filtered through a curtain, casting streaks onto Daemon's face.

Drunk from the night before, Daemon felt groggy and thirsty.

Mysaria, dressed in white, entered and pulled back the curtain, letting the harsh light wake Daemon.

Roused from his sleep, Daemon cursed irritably and raised a hand to block the sun.

Mysaria crouched down and poured him a bowl of water.

Daemon drank it down like an ox and said in a low voice, "Any news?"

"My informant was severely injured. Last night's fire was clearly intentional."

Mysaria sighed for her informant in her husky, exotic accent.

He was just a young boy, and the medical expenses were not low.

Daemon pushed himself up, rubbing his face with his hands, his tone annoyed. "Someone abducted Rhaenyra. It seems my brother never trusted me and had people watching my every move."

"If no one had stopped you, would you have seduced your own niece?" Mysaria's voice was calm.

"Who knows? Power is always a tempting poison."

Daemon stretched with a grunt, pulled Mysaria, clad in her slender waist, closer, and nibbled her cheek.

"You're still in the mood at a time like this?"

"Not really. I got kicked last night. Just testing if I'm still virile."

His aroused member gave Daemon full confidence. He released the beauty in his arms, put on his clothes, and went out.

Mysaria's expression remained blank as she reminded him, "Don't forget to pay the room fee when you leave."

Third update of the day.

This chapter is from my drafts. Rhaenyra has to choose between Rhaegar and Laenor.

Any decision will affect the future landscape.