Chapter 252: Aegon’s Encounter with Daemon |
Just as Rhaenyra was about to change into her dress, a gale blew through King's Landing.
"Roar..."
A low, thunderous dragon roar echoed across the city. A massive figure blocked the curved moon, casting a wide shadow over the land.
A huge dragon with dark green scales flew from the direction of Blackwater Bay, soaring above King's Landing. Two figures were perched on its back, one seated in front of the other.
...
In the banquet hall of the Red Keep, a grand dining table was set, and maids bustled about, serving various dishes and fruits.
Viserys was the first to arrive. He signaled the maids to continue their work and took a seat alone at the table, waiting. Shortly after, Alicent arrived, accompanied by several young Targaryens. As the hour grew late, more guests filtered into the hall.
Viserys was delighted with this long-awaited family feast.
Half an hour later...
Footsteps echoed on the stairs leading to the hall.
Rhaegar, dressed in luxurious black attire with his long hair neatly combed, revealing his handsome face, descended the stairs. Rhaenyra held his arm, her long silver hair braided into pigtails, cascading down her waist.
Before reaching the bottom, Rhaenyra puffed out her cheeks and complained in a small voice, "It's all your fault. I changed into another dress and now we're late, right?"
"We're not late. The banquet hasn't started yet," Rhaegar reassured her, adding, "Rhaenyra, you know I lost my mother when I was young. I always miss her a little."
Rhaenyra's cheeks turned scarlet, and she glared at him with a mix of annoyance and embarrassment. Not satisfied, she stomped on his boots.
"Ouch!" Rhaegar grunted in pain and said, "Don't be angry. I was being sincere."
Rhaenyra raised her eyebrows, grabbed his head with both hands, and playfully bit his cheek.
Rhaegar winced and protested, "Don't bite! I'll bite you back!"
With a row of reddish teeth marks on his cheek, Rhaenyra looked furious.
This was a habit she couldn't break since childhood. Whenever she had the chance, she would chew on something, not treating it as food.
Rhaegar pulled away, rubbing his sore cheek. "You're a bit of a menace," he muttered, half-amused and half-pained.
...
As the two descended the stairs, the hall below was already filled with people gathered around the tables.
"Look, here comes the hero of the evening!" Viserys announced with a smile, waving his children to their seats.
"Princess..." Two silver-haired, dark-skinned little girls seated at the table greeted Rhaenyra warmly.
Rhaenyra, her earlier irritation now dissipated, smiled back, "Baela, Rhaena."
The two little girls, Laena's daughters and Rhaenyra’s adopted nieces, were only three years old but already obedient and sensible, endearing themselves to everyone.
They also greeted Rhaegar politely, and he responded kindly, though his face soon darkened as he took in the scene.
The table was rectangular, surrounded by members of House Targaryen and their close kin. When Rhaegar and Rhaenyra arrived, everyone took their seats.
Viserys sat at the head of one side of the long table, with Alicent and Otto to his right. On his left was a seat reserved for the newly arrived siblings. To Otto's right sat Laenor and a young, unfamiliar silver-haired girl.
Across from them, from right to left, were Aegon, Helaena, Aemond, Daeron, and the twin sisters.
On one of the broad sides of the table sat the regal Rhaenys. Opposite her were Laena and Daemon, who had just arrived from Driftmark.
"Rhaegar, take your seat," Rhaenyra said, noticing his discomfort and tugging at his coat, whispering a reminder.
Rhaegar touched his cheek, imitating her earlier tone, "Rhaenyra, you're embarrassing me."
"Okay, blame me then," Rhaenyra replied with a helpless smile, pulling him into a seat. Showing up with a visible bite mark did draw some curious glances, especially from Helaena and the other children.
Seated, Rhaegar looked around the room and smiled without a word.
Viserys raised his glass and was the first to speak, "My lords, you are all of dragon blood. Welcome to this family feast."
As he spoke, he patted Rhaegar's shoulder. Rhaegar raised his glass in response, and the others followed suit.
Viserys made a few complimentary remarks, clearly pleased, and repeatedly mentioned his eldest son's upcoming age coming.
"Gentlemen, what do you think would be a suitable celebration for a great name day?" he asked, looking around expectantly.
"Rhaegar has yet to be knighted, so perhaps a tournament could be organized," Rhaenys suggested. This idea had been discussed at the Small Council.
Since the War for the Stepstones, King's Landing had hosted numerous banquets and royal hunts, but it had been a long time since they had held a tournament.
"Not a bad idea, cousin," Viserys said approvingly, though his eyes lingered on Daemon, who was sipping his wine. "Daemon, what do you think?"
The banquet was intended to ease the strained relations between Daemon and his nephews. Given the opportunity, Daemon hesitated before speaking.
"Uh..." Daemon's eyes flashed slightly, his finger tapping his chin as he mused, "Cousin's words are very insightful. I agree!"
"Hmph, I agree too," Aegon added from the corner of the table, his tone mocking.
Daemon glanced at him with indifference. This foolish nephew was even more irritating than his great-nephew.
"Huh," Rhaegar chuckled softly, propping his chin up with both hands. His eyes gleamed with amusement as he watched the scene unfold.
Daemon had spent two years in the dungeon, only to be released last year. Viserys had justified Daemon's release as an opportunity for him to make amends.
Rhaegar didn’t concern himself with Daemon’s supposed "faults"—he doubted his uncle could ever truly challenge him. What he cared about were Daemon’s merits and potential influence.
Three years ago, during one of their quarrels, Viserys had suggested making Daemon the commander of the Narrow Sea to maintain order in the Stepstones.
Rhaegar had vehemently opposed this idea. In his view, the Stepstones, a strategic and wealth-gathering region constantly at war, should be firmly under royal control, not given to Daemon. He had countered his father's suggestion, only to be blindsided by an even more shocking proposal from Viserys.
Viserys proposed granting Aegon the title of Prince of the Stepstones and incorporating the region into the territory of the Targaryen dynasty, with Daemon's duties in the Narrow Sea under his supervision.
This proposal was met with near-unanimous opposition from the Red Keep, with Rhaegar leading the dissent.
Aside from Aegon's questionable character, abilities, and personal desires, Rhaegar saw the division of the Stepstones as an attack on his own ambitions.
Traditionally, only the Targaryen heir was given a significant title such as Prince of Dragonstone. Granting such titles to other family members would not only dilute his own power but also cause internal strife.
The Targaryens were proud and often rebellious, rarely willing to be subordinate. Every generation since Jaehaerys I had seen battles for the throne.
Granting Aegon his own dominion would be akin to releasing a tiger back into the wild, allowing his ambitions to grow unchecked.
If Aegon were given a title, would Aemond and Daeron demand the same? And what about their unpredictable uncle Daemon? Should he, too, be granted lands? Where would these lands come from, and how would they affect the stability of the realm?
Rhaegar mulled over these questions. As king and father, Viserys should have considered these implications too. Yet, despite the evident risks, Viserys seemed determined to divide the kingdom without any clear countermeasures in place.
"Rhaegar, what do you think of the tournament?" Viserys asked, a smile on his face, determined to ignore the underlying tension between his sons and brother.
Viserys knew his eldest son harbored resentment. He had made his adjustments accordingly. Daemon's two years in prison had been a harsh lesson. Granted, it relied on the premise that neither uncle nor nephew held grudges over their dragon-related skirmishes.
Aegon hadn't been granted control of the entire Stepstones, only a piece of Bloodstone. He remained a prince without the elevated title. Moreover, the fortress on Bloodstone was still under construction, hardly resembling a castle.
For the past three years, Aegon had served as a laborer in the defense of the Stepstones. When he occasionally returned to King's Landing, he often sought refuge in brothels, needing to be dragged out each time.
For Viserys, he kept potential trouble to a minimum. He did not want to hinder his eldest son's future. His efforts, though not absolute, left Rhaegar seething but reluctantly accepting the current situation. Rhaegar planned to set strict rules to prevent future problems when the opportunity arose.
Rhaegar's thoughts returned and he agreed, "No problem. I was just thinking about the knighthood." He could earn a good reputation without having to flaunt his power.
"Good, the matter is settled. Let's discuss the venue for the tournament later," Viserys said, considering the newly renovated Harrenhal Castle. He hadn’t visited Harrenhal since his falling out with Rhaegar. Hosting the tournament there would provide an opportunity to reconcile and escape King's Landing for a while.
With the decision made, the dinner party began. Rhaenyra and Alicent sat to the left and right of Viserys, serving him food. Viserys beamed, enjoying the attention from his wife and daughter.
Rhaegar, meanwhile, focused on his plate, occasionally glancing at Aegon and Daemon. Daemon, titled the Lord of the Narrow Sea, technically managed the entire region but realistically only controlled the Stepstones. He had to fend off pirates and the Triarchy's reprisals, bearing significant responsibility but little power.
Aegon's fiefdom on Bloodstone Island received limited treasury funding, leaving the castle unfinished. He remained under Daemon's command, tasked with various duties. Over time, Daemon's arrogance clashed with Aegon's laziness, souring their relationship. Daemon had once disciplined Aegon, deeply offending his nephew.
Aegon feared Rhaegar but not his uncle, who had been beaten by his elder brother. Aegon continually caused minor troubles, a constant irritation. Despite Daemon’s authority, he couldn’t fully control Aegon.
Realizing Viserys primarily wanted the Stepstones' safety maintained, Daemon eventually relinquished his broader responsibilities as Lord of the Narrow Sea. He returned to Driftmark, where Laena awaited him. After two years without touching a woman, Daemon and Laena were fervently reunited.