Dragon Shadows over King's Landing

The ship bound for King's Landing sailed steadily across the Narrow Sea. The salty, damp sea breeze brushed over the deck, carrying the clamor of the distant capital.

Daemon Blackfyre stood by the rail, watching the white spray churned up in the ship's wake. The black three-headed dragon brand on his right shoulder glimmered with a faint red light beneath the sun.

"What are you thinking about?" Daemon Targaryen's voice came from behind him. Holding two apples, he tossed one to Blackfyre. "Worried about those old fools in King's Landing?"

Blackfyre caught the apple and took a bite, its sweet juice spreading over his tongue. "I was only wondering how many people there will believe that I'm Prince Aemon's son."

"Don't worry." Targaryen patted his shoulder, his tone relaxed. "With Grandfather and Father here, no one will dare gossip. Besides, you came back riding Glutton. A dragon's choice is the best proof." He pointed toward the three enormous dragons circling above the sea in the distance. "Look, even Vhagar accepts you."

Rhaenys approached, followed by the curiously peering Laena and Laenor. "King's Landing is far livelier than Dragonstone," she said with a smile. "But it's much more complicated too. Those nobles' eyes are sharper than the sharks of the Narrow Sea. The slightest stir can keep them talking for half a day." She paused, her tone softening. "But you're a Targaryen. That's enough."

Corlys stood at the prow, gazing at the increasingly distinct outline of King's Landing, his brow faintly furrowed.

He knew what an impact this suddenly appearing "Daemon Waters" would have on the balance of power in the Seven Kingdoms.

But as he watched the children getting along so well on deck, and saw the rare ease in Baelon's eyes, he merely let out a soft sigh in the end.

The ship entered Blackwater Bay, and the full expanse of King's Landing unfolded before them.

The Red Keep stood towering atop the hills, its spires thrusting into the clouds while three-headed dragon banners snapped in the wind.

The harbor bustled with voices as vessels of every size came and went, presenting a scene of prosperity.

When Daemon Blackfyre followed Baelon and the others down the gangplank and stepped onto the docks of King's Landing, he immediately felt countless gazes upon him—curious, probing, reverent, and laced with hidden calculation.

Royal carriages had long been waiting by the shore. The group boarded them and headed for the Red Keep.

Inside the carriage, Baelon spoke in a low voice. "When you stand before Grandfather, don't be nervous. Just be yourself. He's a wise king. He'll see the truth in your heart."

Daemon Blackfyre nodded, his palms lightly sweating. He knew the man he was about to meet was one of the greatest kings of the Targaryen Dynasty—Jaehaerys I, the Conciliator.

The great hall of the Red Keep was solemn and imposing. Jaehaerys I sat upon the throne. Though already sixty-three, his gaze remained sharp, carrying the majesty of a king. Beside him sat Queen Alysanne, the Good Queen, her eyes gentle and loving. Members of the royal family and the king's councillors stood on either side of the throne.

When Baelon led the group into the hall, every gaze fixed upon Daemon Blackfyre.

Jaehaerys I's eyes fell upon Daemon Blackfyre's face. His deep-set eyes suddenly narrowed, and he rose to his feet without thinking, his voice trembling with disbelief. "Aemon? Is that you?"

The hall fell silent in an instant, as though everyone had stopped breathing.

Daemon Blackfyre's heart tightened. Just as he was about to speak, Jaehaerys slumped back onto the throne, his aged face filled with sorrow. "No, it isn't you... Aemon died beneath Myrish crossbow bolts long ago." His voice was low and hoarse, full of endless grief.

At that moment, an old nobleman with graying hair shakily stepped forward. As a boy, he had once served Aegon the Conqueror. Excitement gleamed in his clouded eyes. "The resemblance! It's far too close! Your Grace, look at his brows, his eyes, his bearing—he is practically the Conqueror reborn! More than Prince Aemon, he resembles Aegon the Conqueror!"

As soon as he said this, whispers broke out across the hall. The elders fortunate enough to have seen Aegon the Conqueror nodded one after another, astonishment written across their faces.

Jaehaerys I studied Daemon Blackfyre carefully. After a long while, he slowly said, "Yes, there is some resemblance... Child, come closer and let me look at you."

Daemon Blackfyre stepped forward and stopped before the throne.

Jaehaerys reached out and gently stroked his silver hair, his expression conflicted. "Your name is Daemon, isn't it? That boy Aemon was always so much less troublesome than Baelon. I never imagined..." He did not continue, but the sorrow in his eyes deepened.

Queen Alysanne came over and gently took Daemon Blackfyre's hand. Her palm was warm and soft. "Poor child, you've suffered. From now on, this is your home. We are all your family." Her voice was full of affection and heartache.

To one side, Princess Gael, the Child of Winter, shyly lowered her head and secretly looked Daemon Blackfyre over, a faint blush rising to her cheeks.

Baelon's eldest son, Viserys, and his wife, Aemma Arryn, stepped forward as well. Viserys said warmly, "Welcome, cousin. If you need anything in the future, just tell me." Aemma smiled and nodded, her eyes full of kindness. Her belly was slightly rounded, nurturing new life—the future Queen Rhaenyra, Daemon's great-grandmother.

Alicent Hightower, a maidservant attending Jaehaerys, stood not far away. Watching the handsome silver-haired, violet-eyed youth before her, her heart began to race. A maiden's tender feelings quietly took root in her heart, and a blush touched her cheeks.

Jaehaerys I had chosen Baelon as his heir, creating a slight rift between Rhaenys's family and the royal house. Yet Daemon Blackfyre's arrival was like a healing draught, quietly easing the relationship between the royal family and House Velaryon. As Corlys watched Rhaenys converse amiably with the royal family, the worry in his eyes gradually faded.

At dusk, the Red Keep held a grand welcoming feast. The banquet hall blazed with light, melodious music flowed through the air, and the royal family gathered together in a warm, lively atmosphere.

Queen Alysanne kept placing food on Blackfyre's plate and fussing over him, as though she wished to make up for all the love he had missed over the years. Though Gael was shy, she still stole glances at him from time to time and handed him a delicate pastry. Viserys and Aemma chatted with him about amusing happenings on Dragonstone, their laughter never ceasing.

Daemon Blackfyre felt this long-lost familial affection, and warmth surged through his heart. This twelve-year-old body had brought him greater care and protection from his relatives, a feeling he had rarely experienced in his rebellious former life.

Yet beneath this joyful and peaceful surface, the undercurrents of the Seven Kingdoms' noble power games were already stirring.

Some nobles' eyes swept repeatedly over Blackfyre, calculation glinting within them. They were considering what changes this suddenly appearing "Aemon's orphan" would bring to the balance of power in the Seven Kingdoms, and how they could secure the greatest benefit for their own houses in this new contest.

The king's councillors laughed and conversed on the surface, but whispered among themselves in secret, discussing Blackfyre's identity and the inheritance rights he might possess. Some nobles estranged from the royal family merely watched coldly from the side, waiting for the situation to change.

There were quite a few wild dragons in King's Landing, but only one person had truly ridden a giant dragon.

Holding his wine cup, Daemon Blackfyre watched it all with clear understanding. He knew the calm was only temporary. With his arrival, the power game in King's Landing had already quietly changed, and a new storm was brewing.

But at this moment, he did not wish to concern himself with any of it. He raised his cup toward Jaehaerys and Alysanne, then looked at the family around him, a sincere smile appearing on his face.

At least for this moment, he was simply a child returned to his family, enjoying this hard-won warmth and joy.

As for those hidden undercurrents, let them slowly ferment in the night.

After all, he was Daemon Blackfyre, the Black Dragon riding upon Glutton's back. No matter what storm came, he had the confidence to face it.