Chapter 615: The Hunt

Just outside King's Landing lay a vast forest, located to the south of the city, stretching along the side of Blackwater Bay. This was the royal hunting forest of the King of Westeros.

Once, common folk lived within this royal forest, but now, having received a handsome compensation, they had been driven out.

This place had become the abode of dragons, the giant couple, and the Children of the Forest. If they did not wish to become a meal for the dragons or be obliterated by the magic of the Children, they had to leave.

Now, the royal forest was one of the most dangerous places in Westeros, or even in the entire world, because it was home to dragons — eight dragons, to be precise, along with giants.

Ever since Daenerys rode Viserion from Pentos to the Red Keep, she remained there, for a dragon could cross the Narrow Sea in a day or two. There was no longer a need for Daenerys to personally guard the eastern territories of the kingdom and protect the supply routes for war materials.

Moreover, a shadow link existed between Viserys and the Governor of Pentos, Belicho. As his psychic power enhanced, the shadow link's distance extended further, even across the Narrow Sea.

Should an overseas war break out, he would know immediately. If dragon support was needed, he could lead the campaign himself or send dragon riders to aid.

Daenerys also brought along five young dragons, and they lived together in this vast forest. Should outsiders dare to intrude, they would essentially be adding a sweet treat for the dragons. This made the place one of the most dangerous in the Westeros continent, perhaps even the Night King wouldn't dare to stroll around here casually.

...

Whoosh—

However, at this moment, a sudden sound of an arrow ripping through the air resonated within the silent forest.

A doe, drinking water near a source, alertly lifted its head, but before it could react, the arrow made a sharp whistling sound, piercing through the bark of a large tree beside it, firmly nailing onto it. The fletching was still quivering slightly, emanating a humming sound.

Thud—

The slender doe, startled, hastily darted into the depths of the forest, vanishing without a trace.

"Damn it!"

On the other side, the source of the arrow was a knight in silver armor atop a white steed.

She wore lady's armor, with a Valyrian steel sword hanging at her waist, her brown hair cascading down, and her beautiful cheeks were filled with frustration.

This female knight was none other than the current Crown Princess, Lady of Summerhall, Rhaenys Targaryen, who had recently been the subject of many discussions within the court.

Due to the incessant hassle, she had to follow her cousins and other sisters out for a hunting expedition to relieve some stress.

However, with her skills, this solitary doe should have been an easy target, yet to her surprise, she got distracted at the last moment, resulting in a miss, allowing the doe to escape with its life.

"Rhaenys, it seems your archery has deteriorated quite a bit recently."

Beside the silver-armored female knight was a warrior woman distinctly dressed in Dorne style.

Her skin was a bit dark, with deep and clear eyes, riding a tall horse, donned in a sleeveless leather armor sewn with metal plates, a sandy-colored coat over it, holding a long spear.

"Obara."

"I"

Rhaenys, looking at her companion beside her, slightly opened her mouth as if wanting to say something, but eventually sighed dejectedly. She had a lot on her mind, yet she couldn't discuss it with Obara.

Because she knew Obara, who only thought in terms of 'fighting and killing', wouldn't come up with any good ideas.

Rhaenys' outing was naturally accompanied by her cousins, strictly speaking, the Sand Snakes and Arianne were all Rhaenys' cousins, just that the Sand Snakes didn't bear the surname Martell.

The Sand Snake sisters couldn't sit still in a place like King's Landing, hence hunting became a regular activity for them.

Thanks to Rhaenys and Arianne, they could freely enter and exit the royal forest, and the dragons, having been notified by Rhaenys, wouldn't attack them unprovoked.

"Just say what you want to say, heh, Rhaenys."

"I am your sister, don't you trust us?"

However, Obara seemed to have detected the hesitation in Rhaenys' tone and appeared somewhat displeased.

Then the eldest of the Sand Snake sisters gripped her spear tightly, emanating a murderous aura.

"Is someone bullying you?"

"Tell me his name, and I'll slaughter him!"

Obara, being robust and valiant, had an extremely fiery temper.

"Obara."

At this moment, a voice from behind them interrupted.

Arianne, dressed in a warm yellow gown, rode a fiery red horse over to them. Her fighting skills were just passable, only good enough for entertainment.

Beside Arianne were Nymeria, Tyene, and Sarella Sand. Sarella was Oberyn's fourth daughter, her mother being a captain of a merchant ship from the Summer Isles.

Arianne had just heard the conversation between the two and hurried over to interrupt.

"Let me talk to Rhaenys for a moment."

"Sure."

Arianne's words were indeed effective. Although Obara had a fiery temper, she didn't dare to defy Arianne, for Arianne was the daughter of Prince Doran, while they were merely Oberyn's illegitimate daughters.

Under the scrutinizing gaze of the Princess of Dorne, Obara reluctantly withdrew, while the sweet-looking Tyene cheerfully rode over, hooking her arm around her eldest sister's shoulder.

She cast a meaningful glance at Rhaenys and Arianne, then led the others away, leaving some space for Arianne and Rhaenys.

"Cousin."

Now, only the two of them remained in the forest. The brown-haired girl appeared slightly nervous. She clenched her fist a little, then loosened it, her facial expression also seemed restrained.

"You never acted like this when talking to me before, Rhaenys."

"What's going on?"

However, compared to Rhaenys' restraint and nervousness, Arianne seemed very calm and poised, her face bearing a smile, exhibiting the demeanor of a mother of a vast kingdom.

Both dismounted and walked alongside each other, holding the reins while chatting. Arianne's words made Rhaenys' facial expression tenser, she opened her mouth but didn't know how to respond.

Over the past few days, Rhaenys had indeed been avoiding her cousin, yet unexpectedly, she was confronted about it now. This embarrassment almost made her want to crawl into a hole.

"Do you like Viserys, don't you?"

The next second, Arianne pointed out the issue directly.