The next day.
Early in the morning, Rhaegar returned to the Red Keep to see his father, who had just woken up.
It had been too late when he arrived back in King's Landing the previous night, so he had stayed at the Dragonpit.
At this moment—
Viserys, dressed in loose-fitting sleepwear, was enjoying his breakfast.
Grand Maester Mellos stood beside him, reading aloud from a letter in his hands.
"If the Seven Kingdoms wage war against Essos, they will face a fierce retaliation..."
Rhaegar arrived at the door just in time to hear those words.
**Knock, knock...**
He knocked twice and called out in a clear voice, "Father, I have urgent matters to discuss with you."
"Come in, Rhaegar," Viserys responded, his tone laced with emotion.
Pushing the door open—
Viserys gripped his knife and fork, his face dark with displeasure.
The moment he saw Rhaegar, he launched into a furious outburst: "Who gave you the authority to declare war on Essos? Do you want to ignite a cataclysmic war between two continents?"
Rhaegar countered helplessly, "Not Essos—only the Kingdom of the Three Daughters. This is a justified retaliation against Tyrosh."
"In the eyes of the world, it's all the same."
Viserys was clearly agitated. "By invading Tyrosh, you will turn all the Free Cities against House Targaryen."
"I explained everything in my letter. It was the Kingdom of the Three Daughters that instigated this conflict first."
Rhaegar's emotions flared as he pressed further, "Father, did the letter mention that the Three Daughters openly threatened me with poison?"
He was not afraid of being poisoned—
But he would never tolerate such a despicable threat.
"Poison?"
Viserys froze upon hearing this and turned to Mellos, who was holding the letter.
Mellos flipped through the pages and replied slowly, "No mention of poison—only the propaganda campaign launched by the Three Daughters."
Viserys put down his knife and fork, tension creeping into his voice. "Rhaegar, did the Three Daughters attempt to poison you?"
Rhaegar was his most promising son—
The heir who carried the hopes of House Targaryen.
Feeling his father's concern, Rhaegar pressed his lips together and said, "Not yet. That's why I must eliminate the threat before it escalates."
Viserys let out a breath of relief, but the contents of the letter reignited his anger.
Sternly, he declared, "The war on the Stepstones has already cost us dearly. I will not allow you to escalate the conflict further."
"Father, I've already sent my letters to the Nine Free Cities."
Rhaegar had little hope of persuading his father and stood firm in his decision. "If the Three Daughters do not withdraw from the Stepstones on time, I will launch a counterattack."
The Stepstones had long been a festering wound on House Targaryen—
This wasn't just about him.
It was about the future.
The Three Daughters had to be subdued to secure lasting peace.
Seeing his son's unwavering resolve, Viserys felt a wave of helplessness and gritted his teeth. "This is my final warning—do not invade Essos. If you disobey, I will strip you of your command."
"Father, we have dragons. We have armies. What is there to fear?"
Rhaegar could clearly see his father's hesitation and raised his voice. "We are more than capable of ending this war decisively."
"I said no, and I will not repeat myself!"
Viserys slammed the table in anger, sending his silverware clattering to the floor.
His furious reprimand rang in Rhaegar's ears.
Rhaegar closed his eyes and tilted his head back, feeling a tightness in his chest.
After a long silence—
A thousand thoughts swirled through his mind before he finally shook his head and chuckled bitterly. "Forget it. I'll handle it myself."
He turned and walked away.
Viserys glared at him. "Rhaegar, did you hear what I just said?"
"Loud and clear."
Rhaegar's voice carried a note of disappointment as he quickened his pace.
Viserys still wanted to reprimand him further, but Rhaegar was already gone.
---
Rhaegar let out a deep sigh and walked downstairs with his head lowered.
"Rhaegar, when did you get back?"
As he walked, a delighted voice called out from behind him.
Rhaegar glanced back and replied, "Just now."
"Is the Stepstones secured?"
Jeyne beamed and said, "Rhaenys returned to Dragonstone yesterday. You got back just in time."
Rhaegar was in a foul mood and cut the conversation short. "I have things to take care of. I'll be going now."
Jeyne wanted to stop him, but Rhaegar walked away without looking back.
Watching his lonely figure disappear, Jeyne tilted her head slightly and murmured, "Why does he look so troubled?"
Her keen instincts told her something was wrong.
---
Unknowingly, Rhaegar arrived in front of the thick weirwood tree.
"I need to hurry and raise an armed force."
Rhaegar frowned, pondering where to find a group of supporters.
"Prince, we meet again."
A familiar voice came from the side.
Rhaegar looked over.
Not far away, in a pavilion, Larys was sitting on the railing, maintaining his usual false smile.
"Larys, what do you want?" Rhaegar asked frankly.
Larys chuckled, leaning on his cane as he walked out of the pavilion.
As he walked, he said, "You know, those with mobility issues tend to be more interested in gathering intelligence."
Rhaegar's gaze darkened as he thought about Larys's talent for gathering information and devising strategies.
Larys hobbled closer, bowing humbly. "Perhaps I can help ease your troubles."
"Let's hear it." Rhaegar's eyes flickered with curiosity.
"The king despises war; he would never support your decision."
Larys started with that statement, then continued, "If you want to decide the outcome in a single battle, you need both dragons and an army."
"I only have one dragon and barely any troops," Rhaegar admitted bluntly.
He didn't care about the military power of the Stepstones.
A mere few thousand soldiers weren't even as many as the forces of House Bracken and House Blackwood on the battlefield.
They were enough to defend the Stepstones but not nearly sufficient to launch an offensive against the Kingdom of the Three Daughters.
Larys smiled. "King's Landing is a vast melting pot, filled with countless hidden giants."
His words carried an implication, waiting for Rhaegar to ask him for advice.
Rhaegar simply gestured for him to continue but remained silent.
People like Larys, who were deeply scheming, couldn't be handled too easily.
That would only lead to being bitten in return.
Larys hesitated for a moment, his voice carrying a hint of resignation. "Princess Rhaenyra—she commands a force no weaker than yours."
"The Royal Fleet?" Rhaegar frowned.
That fleet was funded by the taxes from Dragonstone.
A dozen warships and over a thousand men.
"Not just that." Larys's smile turned mysterious. "King's Landing has two thousand Gold Cloaks, and the commander is my brother, Harwin."
"So what?"
"My brother swore loyalty to the princess years ago, and that has never changed."
As he spoke, Larys tapped his cane lightly, seemingly pleased.
Rhaegar stared at him for a moment, silent.
Shing—
Suddenly, the Dragonclaw sword was unsheathed, its blade pressed against Larys's throat.
Rhaegar's expression was ice-cold. "I sense an attempt to sow discord in your words."
The Gold Cloaks were the city's garrison; they couldn't be mobilized so easily.
Harwin had already been reassigned to the Riverlands—something Rhaegar had learned from Menas.
If Larys was saying this, he was either trying to drive a wedge between him and Rhaenyra...
Or he wanted to use Rhaegar to eliminate Harwin.
With a blade at his throat, Larys's smile stiffened, and his heartbeat faltered. "Prince, it is merely a suggestion."
"A bad one."
Rhaegar rejected it outright.
Deep down, he never trusted Larys.
The man was scheming, and he had ties to Alicent.
Rhaegar lifted the Dragonclaw sword and used its cold, flat edge to pat Larys's cheek. His tone was indifferent. "Out of respect for Lord Lyonel, I'll let this slide."
Sheathing his sword, he turned and said, "Next time, think before trying to show off."
The lingering chill remained on his skin as Larys touched his face and asked, "Prince, where are you going?"
Rhaegar: "Dragonstone."
—
The morning sun climbed higher.
A dark dragon silhouette appeared in the skies over Dragonstone.
"Land."
At the command, Feaster descended onto the cliffs beside the castle.
Rhaegar dismounted and entered the castle in search of Rhaenyra.
As soon as he stepped inside…
"Rhaegar, what are you doing here?"
Rhaenyra stood on the second-floor stair railing, her eyes sparkling.
She had just returned to Dragonstone the day before.
She hadn't expected Rhaegar to come the very next day.
Overjoyed, Rhaenyra welcomed him warmly.
Rhaegar recounted the events that had transpired…
**Dusk, as Twilight Falls.**
The siblings nestled together on the open-air balcony, admiring the breathtaking view of the coastline.
Rhaenyra burrowed her head into his embrace, her voice soft as she murmured, "Rhaegar, you should stay put. A counterattack is far too dangerous."
"I must go."
Rhaegar gazed at the crimson sun, as if he could feel its scorching heat.
Rhaenyra lifted her head, hesitation flickering in her eyes. "You have too few allies. The royal fleet is bound by Father's orders—I can't command it."
"It's fine."
Rhaegar shook his head.
Rhaenyra clenched his sleeve, gritting her teeth. "I'll ride Syrax and help you."
It was the only support she could offer.
Rhaegar took her hand in his, cautioning, "You must stay. Without me, you are still the heir."
"Rhaegar! What nonsense are you saying?"
Rhaenyra's expression changed instantly, anger flaring in her eyes. "Call off the counterattack and apologize to Father like a good son."
"I was just speaking hypothetically."
A bead of cold sweat formed on Rhaegar's forehead as he awkwardly explained, "One of us must stay by Father's side. You can't take the risk."
"And I won't allow you to take that risk either!" Rhaenyra's eyes widened in protest.
*Smooch!*
Rhaegar leaned in slightly and chuckled, "Sister, you should support me."
"I'd rather give you a good beating."
Rhaenyra's cheeks flushed as she scolded him mercilessly.
Rhaegar released her hand, stood up, and exhaled. "Don't worry. I have a foolproof plan—though it is a bit risky."
"I'm leaving."
As he descended the stairs, he reminded her, "I've arranged for a handmaiden to attend to you. She'll arrive later."
With that, Rhaegar ignored Rhaenyra's protests and headed straight for the eastern coast of Dragonstone.
He needed to find a powerful ally.
---
**At Dusk.**
The sky burned crimson, streaked with layers of fiery clouds.
Even as evening fell, the stifling heat of midsummer left sweat trickling down people's backs.
*Whoosh—*
A shadow, as dark as night, swept across the sky, bringing a fleeting gust of cool air.
Rhaegar had returned to King's Landing.
Not to change his decision—
But to gather reinforcements.
Upon entering the Dragonpit, Rhaegar summoned Menas and ordered, "Take all the Dragon Guards. There's a ship waiting at the harbor."
There were no more troops to muster—
The Dragon Guards were the last of their forces.
Menas took the command and swiftly gathered the men.
Just then—
The grand doors of the Dragonpit swung open.
"Rhaegar, I knew you'd be here."
A melodious female voice rang out.
He turned abruptly.
Jeyne approached gracefully, her eyes filled with concern.
*(End of Chapter)*