The Second Exploration

A person with an anxious expression strode quickly to Viserys's side and handed him a letter.

Rhaegar sized up the other person without any pretense.

His blond hair was slicked back, and his beard was neatly trimmed. He looked like a respectable man.

Viserys took the letter and examined it, asking in confusion, "A plea for help? This doesn't seem like something Daemon would do."

Tyland Lannister nodded slightly and sighed, "The letter was sent by Ser Vaemond Velaryon, the Sea Snake's brother."

"I knew it. With that scoundrel's pride, he wouldn't write to me, his brother, proactively."

Viserys smiled knowingly.

Soon, the contents of the letter were read.

Viserys's expression shifted slightly, and he scanned the ministers present. "The Stepstones have reached a stalemate. The Crabfeeder is avoiding battle, and Daemon and the others are bogged down."

"..."

The ministers exchanged glances and offered their respective suggestions.

They were either to send troops to support them or wait for Daemon and the Sea Snake's armies to be defeated.

Viserys pinched the bridge of his nose, finding it a headache.

He detested war.

This war over the Stepstones was entirely instigated by the Sea Snake, who had Rhaegar start it privately.

Now that they were in a dangerous situation, they wrote to him for help.

Was he supposed to clean up the mess for these people who showed no regard for their king?

"Rhaenyra, take your brother and go. This discussion won't end soon, and I don't want him to get tired."

Viserys kissed Rhaegar's forehead and handed him over to his daughter's care.

Knowing the matter was complex, Rhaenyra did not object. She took her brother's hand and walked out of the hall.

After leaving the council hall, the siblings walked to a floor-to-ceiling window in the corridor.

Rhaenyra looked out through the stained glass and asked, "Do you think Uncle Daemon can defeat the Crabfeeder?"

"Dear sister, your young brother is only six years old."

Rhaegar glanced at himself, who was shorter than her hips, and frowned with melancholy.

"..."

After a moment of speechless silence, Rhaenyra slapped her forehead, defeated by her own foolishness.

"I'm so silly. I always treat you like a little adult and forget that you probably don't even know who the Crabfeeder is."

Rhaegar: "If Uncle Daemon hadn't mentioned that I am the One-Day Crown Prince, I wouldn't have known I had an uncle."

Rhaenyra: ...

Tilting his little head, Rhaegar whispered, "I saw Father was missing two fingers?"

"He fell ill, and the Grand Maester has been treating him."

Rhaenyra stroked his head, replying in a comforting tone.

She thought her brother was scared by his father's wounds.

Rhaegar just looked at her, grabbed his sister's hand that was stroking his hair, and pinched a piece of tender flesh between his fingernails.

He squeezed hard.

"Ah! What are you doing? That hurts, you know?"

Rhaenyra snatched her hand back like a rabbit, a red mark oozing blood appearing on the back of her hand.

Facing his sister's angry gaze, Rhaegar said earnestly, "A small wound like that makes you scream, but Father lost two fingers, and perhaps he has other wounds..."

He paused, then added, "He is the King, he cannot cry or show weakness.

As his children, we should not be considering a war that was initiated privately, but rather strengthening ourselves and helping our father."

Rhaenyra was stunned. She pointed at her brother, stuttering, "You... you just said you were six years old, and now you're lecturing me?"

Rhaegar said matter-of-factly, "Age limits my experience, but books inspire my wisdom."

"Sister, you should read more. Don't just spend your days riding dragons or getting caught up in gossip."

Rhaegar pretended to pat Rhaenyra's shoulder.

Tragically, he discovered that even on tiptoe, he couldn't reach.

He settled for patting her slender waist instead.

He turned and walked away with a flourish.

Rhaenyra stood frozen in place for a long time.

It wasn't until a cool breeze blew past that she suddenly came to her senses.

The next moment, the entire corridor was filled with the girl's roar.

"Rhaegar, how dare you disrespect your own sister, prepare to face the wrath of the sleeping dragon!!!"

Two days later.

A luxurious carriage made its way towards the Kingswood, followed by escorts and attendants.

Inside the spacious carriage sat the King's family.

Viserys sat in the middle, with Queen Alicent and Rhaenyra seated opposite each other on his left and right.

Beside Alicent sat Aegon and Helaena, holding a swaddled infant.

Rhaegar naturally sat beside his sister, idly staring at the baby.

"Such a tiny thing, crying like its life depends on it, truly terrifying."

Muttering softly, Rhaegar made a face at the baby.

Alicent, with her usual gentle smile, said, "Aegon is still not used to the carriage, he cries so much."

Viserys laughed heartily, "Such a powerful cry, he'll surely grow up to be a valiant warrior."

Alicent smiled sweetly and handed the baby to Rhaegar, saying softly, "Do you want to hold him?"

"I can try."

Rhaegar gripped the baby under its armpits with both hands, letting it squirm and kick as he dangled it for a while.

And to think.

In the future, if this little guy dares to defy him, he won't let him off the hook.

Rhaegar curled his lips, already imagining the scene of him disciplining the child.

Before long, Aegon, having been "abused," was returned to his mother's embrace with a loud cry.

Viserys watched this scene, and the frown that had been creasing his brow recently began to relax.

His wife by his side, a luxurious carriage, his children surrounding him.

What could be more wonderful than this?

Noticing Viserys's contentment, Rhaegar said at the opportune moment, "Father, is that Aegon the Conqueror's Blackfyre beside you?"

Viserys smiled, picking up the sheathed longsword beside him, his face filled with pride. "Indeed, Blackfyre, the symbol of royal power, which the Conqueror used to pacify the Seven Kingdoms."

"May I admire it?"

Rhaegar's eyes lit up, gazing at Blackfyre with longing.

Viserys handed the sword over, then withdrew it midway.

Looking at Rhaegar's frail frame, he said regretfully, "Not yet, my boy. Blackfyre is a bloody weapon. You'll be able to wield it when you're a bit older."

"I want to try."

A legacy sword whose age and history were comparable to the skull of Balerion, Rhaegar didn't want to give up.

Viserys shook his head, placing Blackfyre back, and refused his request.

Rhaegar's face fell with disappointment, and he lowered his head.

"If you wish to see a sharp blade, this would be a good choice."

As if unable to bear seeing his eldest son unhappy, Viserys unbuckled a dragonbone dagger from his waist and tossed it to Rhaegar with a mysterious air.

Rhaegar fumbled to catch it, looking at his father with a bewildered expression.

Viserys smiled, "The previous owner of this dagger was also Aegon the Conqueror. Before him, it belonged to Inys."

"Wow, that's ancient."

Rhaegar exclaimed in amazement and drew the dragonbone dagger.

Shing--

The dagger left its sheath, and a cold glint seemed to rush towards him.

Rhaegar squinted slightly, seeing the dagger covered in intricate patterns, its material and craftsmanship impeccable.

"Is this a Valyrian steel dagger?"

Rhaenyra was drawn to the dagger, looking quite surprised.

Viserys nodded, "Things passed down from our ancestors all have their extraordinary qualities."

At the same time, a system prompt sounded in Rhaegar's ear.

"Lost treasure discovered, containing trace amounts of magical elements, automatically scanning..."

"Magic?"

Rhaegar's spirits lifted.

The system prompt sounded again.

"Scan successful, dagger inscribed with the Song of Ice and Fire, do you wish to begin exploration?"