That night, King Jaehaerys did not leave the Maidenvault until very late. From that day onward, Doctor Vaegon's crazed curses were never heard in the Red Keep again, nor did he ever appear in the Seven Kingdoms again.
Instead, a few days later, a golden hatchling named Sunfyre hatched in the Dragonpit in King's Landing. King Jaehaerys kept him by his side, personally raising him as he had Urrax.
The gleaming golden hatchling seemed to bring new hope to King Jaehaerys, whose life was nearing its twilight. Miraculously, his health grew robust again, and he forcefully reasserted his control over the Small Council.
A few days later, King Jaehaerys arranged for Doctor Vaegon's sixteen-year-old eldest daughter, Yara, to marry into House Stark in the North.
Although Rickon Stark was only Duke Ellard Stark's nephew, Duke Eddard had no sons. As the eldest son of his generation, Rickon would inherit the title of Duke of the North unless something unexpected happened.
It was indeed a good marriage alliance. Yara's exquisite beauty and gentle, virtuous temperament also suited Rickon Stark's tastes, so the two got along quite well.
Doctor Vaegon's younger daughter, nine-year-old Rhaella, was also sent by King Jaehaerys to Casterly Rock in the Westerlands, to be raised as Jason Lannister's future bride.
Jason Lannister had initially been extremely reluctant, but after noticing that Rhaella bore some resemblance to Danyla in her girlhood, he became eager and enthusiastic instead.
Although the status of these two royal princesses was somewhat open to criticism, the Targaryen Dynasty was now at the height of its power, and no one dared gossip about it.
Many Great Lords were only too eager to forge ties with the royal house. They naturally could not aspire to marry its legitimate members, and even royal bastards had become a