Expelling Daemon

"Don't try to sow discord among my children; I have my own plans for them."

Viserys pointed at him, his warning clear.

Daemon took a deep breath. "You promised me anything I wanted when I presented the crown. Marry Rhaenyra to me, and that's what I want!"

"I will cherish her as my life and take her as my wife, according to family tradition."

Viserys scoffed. "You are already married."

"Even so, King Aegon the Conqueror took a second wife," Daemon insisted.

Shing—

Viserys drew the dragonbone dagger and pressed it against Daemon's throat, saying angrily, "You are no conqueror; you are a scourge sent from heaven to torment me."

Daemon showed no fear, craning his neck. "Marry Rhaenyra to me, and we will restore the Targaryens to their former glory."

"Of course, it's not my daughter you covet, is it?"

"It's my throne!"

Viserys no longer wished to converse with his detestable brother and said with disdain:

"I would rather marry Rhaenyra to Rhaegar, or even give both my daughters to him, than let you defile them while you scheme for my throne."

He withdrew the dragonbone dagger and looked at Daemon with pity. "Go back to the Vale, Daemon."

"Return to your lawful wife and try to recover your remaining honor by any means necessary."

"Or you can just go ahead and ruin yourself completely; I don't care."

"Just never let me see you again."

With that, Viserys wiped the dragonbone dagger on his sleeve and left, disappointed.

His brother's words shattered Daemon's psychological defenses, leaving him staring blankly at the ceiling.

He murmured, "It's not over yet, brother!"

Dusk.

Viserys stood alone by the bedroom window, gazing out at the distant coastline.

The Targaryens seemed to be born fearless of heights, preferring to observe from high vantage points.

Viserys was no different.

Alicent approached with light steps, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Daemon has left," she said softly.

"Good riddance. I never want to see him again."

Viserys's resentment flared whenever Daemon was mentioned.

"I spoke with Rhaenyra, and she denied any involvement with Daemon."

"Of course, Rhaenyra has her brothers to protect her; Daemon's schemes won't succeed."

"Yes, I wish I had a brother like that..."

"What did you say?"

Viserys turned, puzzled.

"Nothing... I just envy Rhaenyra's deep sibling bond and hope Aegon and the others can be the same."

Alicent blurted out, her hand behind her back, unconsciously picking at her fingernails.

Viserys didn't notice anything amiss and continued, "The Targaryen bloodline is extraordinary. They are restless and chaotic; only sufficient wisdom can control them."

"Our children will surely be full of wisdom and united," Alicent agreed with a smile.

"I want to marry Rhaenyra to Rhaegar."

Viserys changed the subject, bringing up the troublesome matter.

Alicent's eyes flickered slightly, and she lowered her gaze. "That's a good decision. Rhaenyra is straightforward by nature, and Rhaegar will surely grow into the kind of young man Rhaenyra likes."

"Do you think Rhaenyra doesn't like Rhaegar now?"

Viserys asked with his usual meticulousness, probing for a blind spot.

Alicent hesitated for a moment. "I know Rhaenyra well; I know what kind of man she likes."

"Yes, you know her. She also likes to defy her father and doesn't show much consideration."

Viserys gave a wry smile.

"You could try to communicate with her. Whoever Rhaenyra chooses will be a good option."

"I hope so. I hope she doesn't forget the responsibility on her shoulders."

Viserys turned and led his wife to the table, personally pouring two glasses of wine.

They looked at each other and drank, as the sky gradually darkened.

Alicent lay on the bed expressionlessly, ignoring the sounds of panting in her ears, repeatedly replaying the failed conversation she had with Rhaenyra today.

Half a month later.

"Hurry, get the chests onto the ship."

"Final batch of supplies, check the list..."

"..."

At the river gate, maritime officials shouted loudly, directing sailors to move goods.

Not far away, Viserys stood with his hands behind his back, calmly gazing at a large sailboat on the sea flying a black flag with three red dragons.

"Your Majesty, the supplies are ready and we can set sail at any time."

Lyonel approached from the dock, holding a list to report.

Viserys nodded. "I know."

In the open space behind him, Alicent led Aegon and Helaena, holding a baby in her arms.

Rhaenyra, with Rhaegar, stopped at a fruit stall, smiling as she picked fresh fruit.

After nearly twenty days of recovery, Rhaegar's burns had basically healed, not affecting his mobility.

This often made Viserys sigh, believing Rhaegar must be blessed by the Seven Gods, with a self-healing ability far beyond that of ordinary people.

"Come over, everyone, the voyage is about to begin!"

Viserys called to his family.

Rhaegar's ears perked up, and he hurried over, the first to report.

His father had said that the destination of this voyage was Dragonstone.

And two young dragons were waiting for him to tame on Dragonstone.

The thought of owning his own dragon made Rhaegar's blood boil with excitement, and he had been looking forward to it day and night.

Viserys stroked his eldest son's hair and asked with a smile, "The ship has prepared a lot of fruit, much better than what's sold at roadside stalls."

"I want to see how the fruit in the Red Keep differs from the fruit outside."

Rhaegar chuckled.

"And did you see a difference?"

"I did. The fruit in the Red Keep is more expensive. The quality of the fruit by the roadside is the same, but it's much cheaper."

Viserys's smile faltered, and he was speechless.

Lyonel intervened at the right moment. "The fruit in the Red Keep is procured from various regions, unlike the local fruit."

"They taste the same. The price difference is because of who eats them," Rhaegar muttered softly.

Lyonel: ...

The Prince is indeed smart.

It's just that he's sometimes too smart.

As they talked, Alicent and Rhaenyra arrived hand in hand.

Since their argument that day, the two had been giving each other the cold shoulder for a while.

It wasn't until Alicent actively invited Rhaenyra to a tea party that their relationship began to ease.

If they continued to deadlock, Viserys, the head of the family, would be displeased.

When there's a step down, everyone should take it.

Night fell.

The sailboat, carved with dragon patterns, drifted within Blackwater Bay, moving with the sea breeze.

In the sumptuously decorated cabin, Viserys's face was pale as he clutched a wooden bucket, his throat catching.

Alicent and Rhaegar sat beside him, their eyes filled with worry.

It was funny, Viserys had tamed the largest and fiercest dragon in Westerosi history, the Black Dread Balerion.

But he suffered from seasickness.

Because of this, Viserys disliked sailing.

If not for this trip, firstly to witness his son taming a dragon, and secondly to ease the tense relationship with House Velaryon, he would never have gone to sea.

He preferred hunting in the King'swood and attending tourneys.

"Father, the Grand Maester gave us special medicine before we left. Taking one pill can relieve it."

Rhaegar handed over a glass bottle, feeling a little sorry for his old father.

Viserys glanced over, took the glass bottle, opened the cap, and swallowed a pill.

"I've taken so much medicine, I hope this one works."

"It will. I also have sleeping aids, would you like some?"

Rhaegar pulled another glass bottle from his pocket.

He had been bedridden recently and had frequent contact with Grand Maester Mellos.

Learning that he often had nightmares, Mellos had prepared calming medication for him.

He had secretly had the ingredients investigated; they were non-toxic and harmless, safe to consume.

This is the fifth update today, please support it!

No matter how the plot develops, when I saw King Aegon the Conqueror marry Visenya and Rhaenys, the scales in my heart began to tip.

The author is really hesitant about Rhaenyra, because I'm quite opposed to siblings.

It's much better with Helaena's brother and sister.

Right now, my resolve is firm, and I'm burying my head in writing, creating the future.

The prelude to the journey to Dragonstone has begun.