Father and Daughter at Odds

The silence in the council chamber weighed on everyone like a heavy boulder.

Princess Rhaenyra, the very subject of their discussion, stood in the doorway with Prince Aegon in her arms, while Sunfyre rumbled softly behind her.

Her gaze swept over every face around the council table-

Tyland Lannister's embarrassment, Grand Maester Runetell's stiff expression, Lyman Beesbury's averted eyes, Jasper Wylde's lingering anger, and Lyonel Strong's complicated look.

Viserys finally set down his wine cup and cleared his throat.

"Well..." he began slowly, a trace of guilt slipping into his voice. "We will end today's meeting here. You may all leave."

His words seemed to break some sort of seal.

Tyland Lannister was the first to rise. He bowed in one smooth, seamless motion, then hurried toward the side door almost as though he were fleeing.

Grand Maester Runetell followed close behind, the little old man moving considerably faster than usual.

Earl Lyman Beesbury also kept his head down and hurried along in short steps, as though afraid of drawing the princess's gaze.

Earl Jasper Wylde walked with his head held high, but as he passed Rhaenyra, he still turned slightly aside to avoid her eyes.

As for Earl Lyonel Strong, the Hand of the King was the second-to-last to leave.

He rose and bowed to Viserys first, then turned to Rhaenyra and gave a slight nod.

"Your Highness." His voice was steady, devoid of any unnecessary emotion. "As for Floris's careless words this morning, I will certainly have her elder sister give her a proper scolding when I return home today."

Rhaenyra glanced at him without speaking.

Lyonel headed for the door.

As he passed Rhaenyra, his gaze swept over Aegon in her arms, then Floris standing behind her with a helpless expression, before finally settling on his second son, Larys.

Larys Strong also "took the hint," bracing himself on his cane as he rose.

His clubfoot made him slower than others, but he did not seem to be in any hurry.

In fact, as he limped toward the door and passed Rhaenyra and Aegon-

He even winked.

Not at Rhaenyra, but at Aegon in her arms.

The wink was so quick it was almost imperceptible, but Aegon caught it nonetheless.

A hint of amusement flashed through Larys's gray eyes, as though he were saying, No need to thank me.

Aegon froze for a moment.

Then he rolled his eyes inwardly.

This "Clubfoot"... this Larys...

No wonder he was the spymaster in the original story, the future Master of Whisperers. Even in a situation like this, he could find a chance to make his presence felt.

Still, this whole "matchmaking fiasco" might not have come to light so quickly without him stirring things up behind the scenes.

After all, Floris was Larys's sister, and Larys...

Never mind. Aegon did not want to delve into it.

In any case, he and Rhaenyra had barged in together. That was enough.

Larys left, the tapping of his cane against the stone floor gradually fading into the distance.

Floris followed him. Before leaving, she glanced back at Rhaenyra, concern and apology in her eyes.

Rhaenyra answered with a slight nod.

Ser Harrold Westerling was the last to leave.

The Lord Commander of the Kingsguard reached the doorway and glanced at the door Sunfyre had rammed open-

Two deep claw marks remained on the panel-then looked at the twins, Erryk and Alec, standing outside.

The two young knights looked embarrassed, clearly blaming themselves for failing to "stop" the princess.

"Your Grace." Harrold bowed to Viserys. "I shall wait outside."

He withdrew and pulled the door shut behind him-

Though it no longer closed properly.

At last, only three people remained in the council chamber:

Viserys, Rhaenyra, and Aegon in Rhaenyra's arms.

And, of course, a dragon.

Sunfyre sat behind Rhaenyra. His golden eyes moved from Viserys to Rhaenyra, then finally settled on Aegon, with something in them that almost looked like...

A plea for help?

Aegon gave him a helpless look. Don't look at me. I can barely save myself.

Sunfyre tried to inch backward, hoping to slip out while Rhaenyra was not paying attention.

"Sunfyre."

Rhaenyra did not turn around, but her voice rang out clearly.

The golden dragon froze.

"Come here."

Sunfyre hesitated for a second-

Just one second-then obediently approached and lay down beside Rhaenyra.

His golden eyes brimmed with grievance, and the look he gave Aegon seemed to say:

Can't you keep her in line?

Aegon answered with his eyes. I can't. You're on your own.

With no regard for decorum, Rhaenyra kicked off her shoes and planted her bare feet on Sunfyre's warm back.

The golden dragon stiffened slightly, then quickly relaxed-he knew resistance was useless.

He rested his chin on his foreclaws and closed his eyes in misery, a low rumble rising from his throat, whether in complaint or resignation was impossible to tell.

Watching this, Viserys opened his mouth, then closed it again.

Rhaenyra lowered her head and "played with" Aegon in her arms-tugging his silver hair one moment, pinching his little cheeks the next, as though he were a toy for relieving stress.

Aegon, meanwhile, wore an utterly defeated expression and could only cooperate by staying perfectly still.

Silence.

Silence.

More silence.

Viserys finally gathered his courage and cleared his throat. "Rhaenyra, I-"

Rhaenyra looked up.

The look in her eyes made Viserys swallow the rest of his words.

Something burned in those purple eyes. It was not simple anger, but something more complicated-

Disappointment, hurt, and the exhaustion of being deceived again and again.

She had worn that same look two years earlier, when she faced the boar deep in the Kingswood.

"You only promised me the night before last," Rhaenyra said, her voice frighteningly calm. "How many times has this happened over the past few years? Every time, you promise. Every time, you go back on your word."

Viserys opened his mouth.

"I thought you meant it this time," Rhaenyra continued, unconsciously winding Aegon's silver hair around her finger. "I thought you finally understood that I didn't want to be pushed into a marriage alliance so soon.

"And what happened?

"The very next day, you were discussing Oakhart and Lannister, Tyrell and Martell at the Small Council-

"What do you take me for? A bargaining chip?"

"Rhaenyra, listen to me-"

"How many years have I been listening to you?"

Rhaenyra cut him off. "Ever since I was eleven, you've told me, 'I won't force you,' 'You can take your time choosing,' 'Wait until you want to choose.'

"And what happened?

"Every time your ministers came up with a suitable match, you couldn't wait to push me into it."

Viserys drew a deep breath, struggling to keep his voice steady. "Rhaenyra, I'm doing this for your own good.

"You are the heir to the realm. Your marriage concerns the stability of the entire kingdom-"

"For my own good?"

Rhaenyra gave a cold laugh.

That laugh sent a chill down Viserys's spine, while Aegon inwardly applauded her.

"You want to give up on me," Rhaenyra said, stressing every word. "Separate me from Aegon and use us as bargaining chips to secure these so-called allies.

"Am I wrong?"

But Aegon froze in her arms when he heard that.

"Separate"?

Wait, did the "silly Realm's Delight" just say "separate me from Aegon"?

In the context of "using us as bargaining chips," she put herself and me together. Didn't that mean...

Aegon felt positively giddy.

So I already mattered that much to Rhaenyra?

Enough that she brought me up even when she was angry?

Looks like these past three years of effort really hadn't been wasted!

Sensing the change in his rider's emotions, Sunfyre gave a disgruntled rumble.

He opened his eyes and glanced at Aegon with utter disdain:

Have some dignity, will you? One casual remark from her and your head's already in the clouds?

Aegon ignored Sunfyre's criticism. Influenced by his young body, he continued basking in the satisfaction of being needed.

Viserys was stunned.

He looked at Rhaenyra, then at Aegon in her arms, and suddenly realized something:

The bond between these two siblings was stronger than he had imagined.

"Rhaenyra, you've misunderstood me." Viserys softened his tone. "We were born into royalty. Marriage contracts must be tied to our interests. That is an unavoidable reality. Your mother Aemma and I..."

He paused, emotion creeping into his voice. "Aemma and I also had a political marriage. But I think you remember how much we loved each other. I loved her deeply. She made me a true man. A political marriage does not mean you cannot find happiness, Rhaenyra. You can be like me-"

"Like you?"

Rhaenyra interrupted him a second time.

This time, mindful of Aegon, she lowered her head to check his expression-

Aegon obligingly put on an "it doesn't matter" expression. After all, he was already furiously mocking Viserys in his head-

Right, right, you loved each other so much. When you had to choose between two lives, you didn't choose hers, and less than a year after she died, you found Alicent.

"If you truly cared about duty as much as you claim," Rhaenyra said, staring into Viserys's eyes, "then you should have accepted Earl Corlys's offer and married my cousin Laena. Why did you marry Alicent instead?"

Viserys's face stiffened.

"What right do you have," Rhaenyra said, enunciating each word, "to demand that I do something you couldn't do yourself?"

Silence fell over the council chamber once more.

This silence was heavier and more oppressive than before. Viserys's expression shifted-

Embarrassment, guilt, and a hint of anger at being exposed.

But in the end, he said nothing, because he knew Rhaenyra was telling the truth.

He had chosen Alicent rather than a political marriage to Laena. What right did he have to demand that his daughter accept what he himself had rejected?

After a long while, Viserys sighed.

"You're right," he said quietly. "I have no right to demand that you do what I couldn't."

Rhaenyra said nothing, merely watching him.

"But, Rhaenyra," Viserys raised his head, a hint of pleading in his eyes, "you must marry. You are my heir. You need children. You need to secure our family's bloodline. That is a responsibility you cannot escape."

Rhaenyra opened her mouth to protest, but Viserys raised a hand to stop her.

"Let me finish," he continued. "I will no longer force you to marry anyone.

"You choose. Choose for yourself.

"Whom you marry and when you marry will be entirely up to you.

"Find someone you like, just as I..." He paused. "Just as I did..."

Rhaenyra was taken aback. She had not expected Viserys to make such a concession.

She opened her mouth, still wanting to press for more-

For the right to have complete control over her own marriage-but suddenly felt a gentle tug from the child in her arms.

Aegon tugged at the front of her dress.

Rhaenyra looked down and found Aegon gazing up at her, a sly light flickering in his purple eyes.

He brought his little mouth close to her ear and spoke in a voice only she could hear:

"Sister, agree to it.

"Then ask to take me along. We can go out flying on our dragons."

Rhaenyra froze for a moment, then could not stop the corners of her mouth from lifting.

This little fellow...

He was so clever, she couldn't help loving him.

Little Aegon understood her best. No wonder-she had raised him herself. Clever, just like her.

Fortunately, Aegon did not know what she was thinking, or he would certainly have mocked her inwardly as well.

Rhaenyra slowly raised her head, struggling to suppress a grin that threatened to stretch from ear to ear. Most of her anger had faded, replaced by an indescribable delight.

She looked at Viserys, trying hard to keep her expression serious.

"Agreed," she said.

Viserys breathed a sigh of relief. He thought his "concession" had moved his daughter, that his "fatherly love" had finally won out. He rose, a gratified smile spreading across his face.

"Rhaenyra, there is one more thing."

His voice even took on a solemn note as he said, "I must admit this to you myself. Regarding your position as heir... I did waver once."

Rhaenyra's smile stiffened slightly.

"After Aegon was born, after the White Hart appeared, I did waver," Viserys continued, his gaze candid. "You're a girl, and he's a boy. Tradition is on his side.

Countless nights, I asked myself whether I'd made a mistake, whether I should follow precedent."

He took a few steps closer and stood before Rhaenyra.

"But now," he said, looking at her with resolve, "I swear once more in your mother's name:

I will never replace you.

Rhaenyra Targaryen, you are my heir, and you always will be."

Rhaenyra looked at him without speaking.

But her gaze softened.

Aegon inwardly rolled his eyes.

Swearing in Queen Aemma's name?

Father, why didn't you think of her name when you married Alicent? Don't tell me that idiot, the original 'Aegon II,' was already on the way by then?

But he said nothing, merely resting quietly in Rhaenyra's arms.

Viserys was clearly moved by his own "heartfelt confession."

He slowly spread his arms, hoping to embrace his daughter-

But Rhaenyra had already turned away.

She bent down, quickly slipped on her shoes, then picked Aegon up and headed for the door without looking back.

As though granted a reprieve, Sunfyre scrambled up, his tail wagging like a big dog's, and dashed out of the council chamber after the siblings.

Viserys stood frozen, his arms still spread.

"...Rhaenyra?"

He called her name tentatively.

His only answer was the sound of the door closing-though it could no longer close properly.

Viserys slowly lowered his arms and looked around the empty council chamber.

The fire crackled in the hearth, and gulls cried outside the window.

He stood there, his expression shifting from embarrassment to confusion, then from confusion to... relief?

"She did take it to heart."

He nodded to himself. "My guidance does make a difference."

He walked to the window and looked out over King's Landing, a faint smile appearing on his lips.

"That child is just a little stubborn. Deep down, she understands everything.

Once I explained it, she understood. Truly mine and Aemma's daughter. She takes after me, after all."

Still basking in his own emotion, he had no idea who had truly won their confrontation.

Rhaenyra, meanwhile, had already carried Aegon out of the council chamber, her steps as light as a bird freshly freed from its cage.

Sunfyre followed behind, his golden eyes full of relief at having survived the ordeal.

He glanced back toward the council chamber, then at Rhaenyra's retreating figure, and silently resolved never to anger this woman again. She was simply too terrifying.

In the corridor, Ser Harrold Westerling stood nearby with Erryk and Alec. All three straightened as Rhaenyra emerged.

"Princess." Harrold led them in a bow.

Rhaenyra nodded without breaking stride. As she passed the door Sunfyre had clawed, she stopped and glanced back.

"Ser Harrold," she said, "this door needs repairing. Find the best carpenter. I'll cover the cost."

Harrold paused briefly, then nodded. "As you command, Princess."

Rhaenyra continued on. After a few steps, she stopped again and turned to the brothers, Erryk and Alec.

"You two," she said, "did well not to stop me today."

The white-cloaked twins exchanged a glance, momentarily at a loss for words.

But Rhaenyra had already turned and walked away.

Her laughter drifted back from the end of the corridor, clear and light, like a bird soaring into the sky.

Sunfyre followed, his tail wagging all the more eagerly after his narrow escape.

Resting against Rhaenyra's shoulder, Aegon watched the council chamber recede behind them, taking in the three Kingsguard's differing expressions and the hole in the door.

He recalled the confrontation in the council chamber, Viserys's final look of self-satisfied emotion, Larys's meaningful wink, and Sunfyre's aggrieved expression when he had been used as a footrest.

He smiled.

He had won this battle.

And he had won it beautifully.

Rhaenyra looked down at him, saw his delighted smile, and smiled too.

"You little rascal," she said softly. "How did you know I wanted you to say that?"

Aegon blinked. "Because I wanted to go out and play with my sister."

Rhaenyra pinched his cheek. "That's all?"

"That's all."