Chapter 108: Returning to King’s Landing

Three days had passed.

After a long journey, the royal ship finally docked at the bustling port of King's Landing.

Viserys was pale and tired as he was helped by Alicent into a carriage that was taking them to the Red Keep.

Aegon, Helaena, and Aemond were inside the carriage, attended to by servants, while Rhaenyra and Lyonel, the Hand of the King, were conspicuously absent.

Viserys settled into the seat, visibly uncomfortable, as Alicent offered him a glass of water.

After taking a sip, Viserys glanced around, his gaze falling on the empty seats. "Where's Rhaenyra? Where have they gone?"

Alicent let out a soft sigh and handed the cup to a servant. "The siblings left ahead of us, riding a dragon ashore."

There was a hint of bitterness in her tone, and anyone listening could tell.

Three nights ago, Viserys told Alicent that he was changing Rhaenyra's status as a heir to make Rhaegar the new heir.

Alicent was caught off guard by the news, especially after Rhaegar's recent threats against her.

Despite her misgivings, Alicent had no choice but to go along with it.

The following day, Viserys dispatched ravens to disseminate the news across the realm, canceling their planned journey to Driftmark in the process.

Lyonel, had sent his condolences to the Sea Snake, letting the Velaryons know about the change in the heir's status.

However, time constraints had led to delays in various matters, including Aegon's dragon-bonding.

Aegon's progress in taming Sunfyre had been slow, so they had to leave early to avoid further delays.

This fact weighed heavily on Alicent's mind.

After all, Rhaegar had successfully tamed a wild dragon at the tender age of six, while Aegon struggled to tame even a young one.

The question was on everyone's mind: why had Rhaegar succeeded where Aegon had not?

...

Dragonpit

Rhaenyra was perched atop Syrax saddle, wearing sleek black dragon barding.

After days of turmoil, her demeanor appeared to have regained its composure.

With a bright smile, she looked around at the gathered dragons and their dragonkeepers, who had come together at the sound of her call.

"Roar..."

Syrax wasn't happy about the dragonkeepers with the whips and clubs, so she let out a roar before slowly landing on the ground.

Dismounting from the dragon's back, Rhaenyra scanned her surroundings and inquired, "Where's Rhaegar? He returned to King's Landing before me."

A young maester, with a slight limp and a courteous smile, approached her. "The prince has departed. He was escorted back to the Red Keep by the waiting Kingsguard."

Without hesitation, Rhaenyra accepted the news. "Make sure my dragon is taken care of."

With that, she left the Dragonpit.

However, she stopped in the middle of leaving and turned back with a serious look on her face. "If Rhaegar seeks to ride his dragon alone, do your utmost to dissuade him from reckless ventures, or summon me."

It had been three days since she last saw Rhaegar.

Upon their return to King's Landing, he took off on Cannibal, leaving her behind.

The black dragon was incredibly fast, and Rhaenyra was really annoyed.

The young maester nodded enthusiastically. "I'll do my best to give the prince some advice."

"Very well. Your dedication will not go unnoticed," Rhaenyra said, her lips curling into a satisfied grin as she continued on her way.

As she left, the young maester went up to the Dragonpit.

...

The Summit of the Dragonpit

A massive black dragon was sprawled out on its back, eyes closed in repose.

At the front of the platform, Rhaegar was there, watching Rhaenyra leave.

Next to him, Erryk, looking sharp in silver armor and white robes, stood tall, peeking at the imposing dragon from time to time, his face serious.

Tap-tap-tap...

Footfalls echoed up the stairs, prompting Erryk to turn around, his gaze fixed on the approaching figure.

Emerging from the staircase, a young maester tentatively advanced, stealing anxious glances at the ebony dragon occupying the landing.

In hushed tones, he delivered the news, "Prince, the princess has departed."

"I saw it, Maynard," Rhaegar replied, his tone calm and unmoved

Maynard sensed that the prince wasn't interested in talking anymore, so he backed off and stood by respectfully.

Erryk scrutinized his movements closely, his mind full of suspicion.

A few moments later, Rhaegar turned to face Maynard. His gaze fell on Maynard's awkward gait. "It appears you've had a hard time."

"This is the consequence of my actions," Maynard retorted wryly, his demeanor betraying no hint of sadness.

During the Dreamfyre incident, he had been incarcerated and subsequently maimed during the trial, leaving him with a permanent disability after failing to recieve treatment in time.

Observing Maynard's meek countenance, Rhaegar arched a brow. "I assumed you would have returned to the Citadel."

"Not exactly. I'm no longer welcome there. I've grown accustomed to serving in the Dragonpit," Maynard admitted.

Rhaegar nodded thoughtfully, meeting his eager gaze.

It was a hunger for power.

After a brief pause, Rhaegar made his way toward the staircase, saying goodbye to Maynard as he left, "Make sure you do your job well. The Dragonpit is really important for the royal family, so I'll be focusing on that from now on."

After the change of power, the Dragonpit would be under his control, a key asset he wanted to use.

To him, it was just a normal request, but to Maynard, it meant a lot more.

Eagerly lifting his head, Maynard pledged, "Yes, Prince. I will not disappoint you."

"Too close, Maester," Erryk interjected, halting Maynard's advance toward the prince.

Rhaegar's voice came down the stairs, "The Dragonpit needs someone reliable to look after it now that I'm the heir."

Maynard, brimming with enthusiasm, disregarded Erryk's restraining gesture, exclaiming, "Prince, I shall be your most loyal aide."

Maynard was a Maester with a lot of information at his fingertips.

News of the heir change had already reached King's Landing, and Maynard had been privy to it.

His waiting in the Dragonpit had paid off, as evidenced by Rhaegar's acknowledgment.

He had a bright future ahead of him.

...

As the sun set, Viserys, tired from his journey, looked for a way to relax with a soothing broth before heading to bed early.

Meanwhile, Alicent was looking after her husband while he was asleep, managing the Red Keep until the late hours.

Once she'd finished her chores, Alicent was pretty tired as she made her way back to her own quarters.

Despite her desire to collapse onto her soft bed and go to sleep, her royal status and upbringing demanded a modicum of decorum.

With a graceful demeanor, she approached the table and took off her clothes, revealing the smooth expanse of her skin beneath.

As her dress pooled at her feet, Alicent noticed an envelope on the tabletop with the crimson seal of House Hightower—a tower emblem.

She quickly grabbed the letter, recognizing it as a message from her family.

Her heart was racing with excitement, as it had been far too long since she'd heard from her parents and siblings.

She broke the seal with shaking hands and took the letter out, then sat down on the cool stone bench to read it.

However, her initial excitement slowly faded as she read the words her father, Otto Hightower, had written.

The letter didn't offer much words of comfort or reassurance. It was just a brief acknowledgment of the uncertain political climate.

"The situation is pretty tricky, so choose your words carefully," it said.

"Be careful and take your time," it advised, offering little help.

(Word count: 1,267)