Dragon Mountain Anomaly

Ilia's expression shifted slightly, a flicker of emotion crossing her features.

Unlike the wild women of Dorne as people imagined, she was quiet by nature, her health delicate, having been sickly since childhood.

Childbirth was a major hurdle for any woman.

To avoid worrying her brother, Prince Doran, she had temporarily hidden her pregnancy, not wanting him to rush back for her.

She hadn't expected her husband's younger brother to be so considerate.

Daeren seized the opportunity, pressing his advantage: "I'm really looking forward to having another little niece or nephew. Please take care of yourself and don't overexert."

Pregnant women were very fragile.

Without sufficient care, they would grow thorns to prick others.

He had learned this lesson deeply from his mother, Rhaella.

"Daeren, you remind me so much of my brother Aerion."

Ilia's eyes softened with nostalgia. "Just as young and handsome, capable, and you value family ties."

She said this with a touch of melancholy.

Daeren offered no comment.

He simply wanted her to be healthier.

Not like in the original story, where after two births, she lost her fertility and was cruelly abandoned by Rhaegar.

"Enough talk, I'll escort you to your chambers. You must be tired."

Ilia smiled faintly, linking her slender arm through Daeren's, showing no reserve.

Afternoon.

Daeren emerged from the Stone Drum, a cloth bag slung over his shoulder, heading towards Dragonstone.

He hadn't seen Rhaegar.

But it didn't matter. He didn't care if the other man saw him or not.

He just needed to get to Dragonstone and search for dragon eggs.

After a trek.

Daeren arrived before the majestic Dragonstone, only to find a patrol of heavily armored Dragon Guards, equipped with longswords and meteor hammers, guarding the area.

The Dragon Guards were the Targaryens' elite force, established during the reign of King Jaehaerys I, responsible for protecting Dragonstone and the Dragonpit in King's Landing.

During the riot at the Dragonpit in King's Landing, the Dragon Guards were wiped out.

With no dragons left, subsequent kings never rebuilt this force.

Where did Rhaegar get a contingent of Dragon Guards to man Dragonstone?

Daeren didn't act rashly. He turned to find Davos, ordering him to gather intelligence.

Having just arrived on Dragonstone, he was ignorant of many matters.

Caution was paramount.

"I'll explore Dragonstone first to get familiar with the terrain."

Daeren, possessing a strong will, adhered to the principle of surveying the surroundings before anything else upon arriving at a new place.

Indeed, Dragonstone's land was barren, but it wasn't lacking in unique wild plants.

He walked and stopped along the way, finding several specimens suitable for summer collection.

Night fell.

Daeren returned to the Stone Drum, dust-covered and weary, facing the sea breeze.

"The wind is so strong outside, where have you been?"

Ilia met him, holding a towel, and said helplessly, "Aren't you cold? Here, dry yourself."

"I took a stroll along the East Coast."

Daeren didn't refuse the gesture, taking the towel to wipe his clothes.

In truth, he had gone fishing on the East Coast.

The East Coast was where the wild dragon Grey Ghost had been active in the past, and he wanted to explore it.

He found no traces of dragons but discovered the scenery was quite beautiful.

He couldn't resist casting a few lines to earn some extra coin.

"Come, get ready, dinner is almost served."

Ilia put on an expression of utter helplessness.

They would dine in the hall, where the servants were already setting the table.

Daeren waited for a while.

Footsteps sounded from upstairs, and someone was coming down.

A young man with long silver hair cascading over his shoulders, indigo eyes, a tall and upright build, handsome features, yet exuding a melancholic aura, appeared.

"Rhaegar." Daeren sized him up openly.

After half a year, he finally saw his good elder brother again.

As Rhaegar Targaryen descended the stairs, he spotted Daeren and gave him a slight nod.

"Sit."

His voice was deep, not distant, but rather intimate.

Daeren nodded back, his gaze falling on a man and a woman behind Rhaegar.

The man was around thirty, with an ordinary appearance, clad in the Kingsguard's Silver Armor and White Robe, carrying a man-sized greatsword on his back.

Daeren recognized him.

One of the legendary Kingsguard, "Sword of the Morning," Ser Arthur Dayne.

Ser Arthur's appearance was unremarkable, with a buzz cut and a short, stubbly beard.

But his eyes were piercing, radiating an unparalleled confidence, as if to say, "I'm the best in the world."

Beneath this confidence, his aura was elevated infinitely.

No one paid attention to his looks.

Beside him was a slender young woman.

She had long dark hair, purple eyes, and skin as white as milk. She wore a Dorne-style purple halter dress, revealing her collarbone and fair, lily-white arms.

She was beautiful.

And it was a mature, intellectual beauty that belied her age.

One could imagine her holding a book, looking incredibly serene and gentle.

Daeren took a look.

Dark hair, purple eyes, similar age, and accompanying Arthur Dayne.

She was likely his sister, Ashara Dayne.

Looking like this, it was no wonder she captivated Barristan and Ned Stark.

The siblings did not sit.

One guarded Rhaegar, the other served Elia.

No one spoke throughout, and the atmosphere was rather somber.

After the meal ended.

Elia took out a few Silver Star Strawberries and gave one to everyone present.

Daeren received one too.

He picked up the fresh strawberry he had gifted, naturally taking a light bite to taste it.

Those who know how to share are often kinder.

Elia possessed such a noble quality.

Rhaegar also ate a Silver Star Strawberry, and upon learning it was a gift from Daeren, a hint of understanding appeared in his indigo eyes.

Dragonstone was barren, and Dorne was not particularly wealthy either.

If his wife could produce these special crops, they could only be gifts from others.

And for his younger brother, Daeren...

It was not surprising if it were him.

Rhaegar wiped his lips and said, "Daeren, Dragon Mountain is sealed. Do not go for now; wait a bit."

Without explaining the specific reason, he stood up and left.

Ser Arthur followed closely.

Daeren: ???

Riddlers, get out of Westeros!

Elia smiled apologetically and beckoned to her companion, "Ashara, come quickly."

She took out a Silver Star Strawberry, intending to let her companion have a taste.

Ashara walked with light steps, her fair toes peeking out from her sandals. As she moved, the purple skirt billowed, revealing her calves, outlined by the purple ribbon.

Dorne women are truly unrestrained!

Daeren glanced inadvertently, seeing such a visually stimulating outfit for the first time in the Seven Kingdoms.

Elia held the strawberry and fed it to her companion.

Ashara held a very high position next to her and was politically valuable.

The Dayne family of Starfall was a great noble house of Dorne.

She was also doted on by Ser Arthur Dayne, the "Sword of the Morning," making her a valuable tool for winning over this Kingsguard.

"Thank you, Princess."

Ashara's voice was clear and crisp. She then gave a slight bow to Daeren, expressing her gratitude.

Daeren raised a hand, signaling that no such ceremony was necessary.

Night fell.

Daeren stood guard in his room, examining the Dragon eggs in the incubator.

Knock, knock, knock!

Davos's voice came as he knocked on the door.

"Prince, may I come in?"

"Enter!"

Davos pushed the door open and then cautiously closed it.

Daeren did not hide the Dragon eggs, asking, "Any findings?"

"Dragon... Dragon eggs!?"

Davos was stunned by the living Dragon eggs.

Coming from humble origins, this was the first time he had seen such a precious item, and he couldn't help but lose his composure.

Once he regained his senses, he immediately became serious. "Prince, according to my investigation, the Dragon Guards of Dragon Mountain were originally ordinary soldiers. Recently, they have been assigned to patrol Dragon Mountain."

This was not the main point.

The main point was: "I bribed a Dragon Guard and learned that monsters have been appearing in Dragon Mountain. The Prince Lewyn you mentioned was bitten and injured on his right calf not long ago while investigating Dragon Mountain with Crown Prince Rhaegar."