Chapter 525: Encountering an Adult Wild Dragon

"Roar!"

The young dragon stretched its neck and let out a roar to announce its birth. Its body was covered in bronze-colored scales, its horns were a fiery red, and its wings were a bright yellow with blood-red veins. At first glance, it looked like it was made of gold inlaid with rubies.

"Ka-boom!"

Hungry and eager, the young dragon bit down on the shell, nearly shattering its fine dragon teeth. It cried out in frustration and broke through the hole in the shell, as if to say, "This is not what dragons eat!"

"Father, a baby dragon!" After the initial panic, Lyanna's eyes sparkled with excitement. She quickly got up and reached out to grab the baby dragon.

"Roar!" The young dragon glanced at her with its red pupils and flew away.

Pop!

It smashed into Lyanna's little head as she pounced, flapping its wings and bouncing back and forth. Lyanna was taken by surprise and was trampled by the baby dragon, her already unruly chestnut hair now even more like a bird's nest.

"Roar... Roar..." The young dragon was so excited that it stomped and called out, as if laughing at her.

Seeing this, Rhaegar wanted to put down the weak Daenerys and rescue his clumsy daughter.

"Yah!" But then Lyanna suddenly exploded with energy, and one of her chubby little hands grabbed the young dragon by the neck. The dragon's neck was slender and unable to fight back when pinched.

"Ga!" The baby dragon's neck was almost broken, and it rolled its eyes in pain.

Lyanna's eyes were teary as she indignantly scolded, "Bad dragon, even my mother never hit me!" Her small fat hand flailed, and the young dragon was forced to flail in the air.

"Ga~"

The young dragon let out a weak cry, feeling the imminent threat of death.

"Lyanna, stop!" Rhaegar called out, his worry evident. From his perspective, the baby dragon was flailing around like a rag doll, dangerously close to dying. He even called out his daughter's name in desperation.

Plop!

Startled by his shout, Lyanna threw the baby dragon away like a rag doll. The young dragon tumbled through the air, landing with a series of somersaults.

Rhaegar was momentarily stunned, then said in amazement, "Anna, you're amazing." His three-year-old daughter was showing the strength of a true warrior. If he hadn't intervened, the baby dragon might have perished before fully hatching.

"Wa wa wa..." Lyanna's mouth pouted, and tears fell like confetti. "Oh, my head hurts," she cried, holding her head with both chubby little hands. Her head was a bit too big, and her arms too short and fat, barely covering her ears. This realization made her even more sad.

"Don't cry, don't cry. The dragon likes you and is just playing," Rhaegar said, flustered. He took his eldest daughter in his arms to comfort his youngest.

"Really?" Lyanna sniffled, her big eyes filled with innocence.

"Yes, when has Father ever lied to you?" Rhaegar reassured her, picking up the confused dragon and placing it in Lyanna's arms.

Lyanna looked down at the baby dragon, then up at her father. "It seems like he hasn't lied to me," she pouted.

Rhaegar forced a smile, feeling both helpless and amused.  'Of course I haven't. Before today, you silly girl, you didn't even remember you had a father.'

"Roar…"

The young dragon suddenly woke up, finding itself in the arms of the little devil king. It hugged its head and shivered in fear.

Lyanna, with tears in her eyes, said softly, "Don't be afraid, I won't hit you."

"Roar…" The baby dragon remained scared, lying on its soft little belly, not daring to move.

Rhaegar placed Daenerys on the bed and said, "Anna, the baby dragon hatched in your arms. Give it a name."

It was a curious situation. The Bronze Dragon Egg, laid by Syrax, had been placed in Baelon's cradle by Rhaenyra herself. For six years, it did not hatch. Lyanna had the blue egg for three years, yet it never hatched either. But within a short time of being with Lyanna, the Bronze Dragon Egg hatched. It seemed that the hatching of dragon eggs truly depended on fate.

Lyanna sobbed, pinching the baby dragon's wings with both hands, her clumsy brain working hard. "How about calling it Fluffy?" she suggested.

The castle's dog breeder had a sheepdog named Fluffy, black and white, known for tricking children into ditches.

Rhaegar was at a loss for words and said tactfully, "No, a dragon deserves a name that befits its grandeur."

Lyanna lowered her head in disappointment. "I can't. You do it, Father."

Rhaegar thought for a moment. "Let's call him Vermax."

"What does it mean?" Lyanna asked, her wide eyes reflecting Rhaegar's face.

"It comes from the Valyrian god of freedom," Rhaegar explained. "Vermax represents freedom, flight, and enlightenment, and is also known as the god of wisdom."

Vermax, although idealistic and not very powerful, was a subordinate god of the goddess of fertility, Syrax. The god of battle, Arrax, and the god of thunder, Tyraxes, served as the shield and sword of the goddess of fertility when she was threatened.

Captivated by the story, Lyanna rubbed her cheek against the baby dragon, saying happily, "Good, his name is Vermax. He's my little dragon."

"I'm glad you like it," Rhaegar said, relieved to see his daughter happy. He hesitated before adding, "Dany needs to sleep for a while. Let's not disturb her, shall we?"

Lyanna looked at her sleeping sister andreluctantly agreed. "Okay."

Rhaegar, satisfied, picked up his daughter and the baby dragon and left the room.

...

Evening

In the hall, the dinner party began.

Daenerys, having just woken up, sat down in a chair, looking exhausted. Rhaegar naturally took the seat next to her, with Lyanna, his little shadow, by his side. Jeyne sat across from them, with Jessamyn and Skylar standing as her companions.

As the meal was about to begin, Jeyne turned to her companions. "You should go and eat as well."

The two women exchanged a glance and tactfully excused themselves. The four didn't need them for dinner.

Rhaegar smiled and cut the roast for his two daughters. Lyanna, a glutton for everything, not only ate for herself but also took time to feed Vermax, who looked like a dragon-shaped doll clamped around her waist.

"Father, I've had enough to eat," Daenerys said, her cheeks flushed.

Rhaegar shook his head. "Eat more. You've lost a lot of weight since the last time we met."

Daenerys reluctantly opened her mouth and accepted her father's feeding. There's a kind of hunger that only comes out when her father is around.

Jeyne sipped her wine, her eyes never leaving the three of them. Since the dinner began, her lips had been curling up into a smile. Rhaenyra was truly amazing, giving birth to three sons in one go. But she wasn't bad either. Both of her daughters were very much loved by Rhaegar. This affection could even be called pampering.

Rhaegar looked at her and continued to dwell on his daughters. Before he knew it, he had many children. Compared to the others, his two daughters and his youngest son, Maekar, were his favorites.

Dany was born in winter, pale and fragile. She inherited his talent for dreaming and was plagued by nightmares. She was a very obedient child. Even when Rhaegar didn't come to the Vale for long periods of time, she understood and didn't complain, treasuring every moment they had together.

Lyanna, on the other hand, was a bundle of charm and personality. Who doesn't love a little girl who loves to laugh?

Baelon and Aemon were twins, but their personalities were very different. The eldest son was calm and honest, talking and acting like a little lord. When Rhaegar discussed business with him, it felt like he had another father.

The younger son was mischievous and often got caught and beaten up by the older son. Every time Rhaegar saw him, he felt like he had a grandson. What a nuisance!

The atmosphere was harmonious when Rhaegar suddenly suggested taking his two daughters back to King's Landing to meet their grandfather.

Daenerys and Lyanna both stopped, the latter still chewing on a piece of meat. Three pairs of eyes fixed on Jeyne across the table.

Jeyne, unperturbed, thought carefully. "Dany still needs a last name, so it's not good for her to leave The Eyrie," she said, implying that Lyanna could go with them.

Rhaegar's eyes twinkled, understanding the unspoken meaning. Lyanna had been given the Targaryen name at birth, linking her to the royal family. Jeyne wanted an heir, so Daenerys would need to take the name of Arryn to inherit The Eyrie.

Rhaegar nodded. "When the war is over, I'll take Dany to King's Landing."

"I don't want to be separated from my sister," Lyanna whispered, lowering her head.

Daenerys blinked her purple eyes, her small hands clasped together in a conflicted expression. She didn't want to be separated from Anna, nor did she want to miss seeing her father for a long time.

Jeyne, seeing the sisters' reluctance, said softly, "I promise you'll see each other again soon."

The two little girls nodded in unison, not wanting to contradict their mother.

Jeyne sighed and turned to Rhaegar. "The troops in Gulltown have assembled. They are waiting for your command."

"Thank you," Rhaegar replied.

Jeyne, feeling slightly awkward, added, "I've heard about Daemon and the events in Slaver's Bay. You need to be careful."

"Don't worry," Rhaegar said reassuringly.

"I mean, there are many things to be cautious about," Jeyne continued, her tone serious. "Daemon has the right to marry more than once, and Sea Snake and Laena will not let it go. You have to be careful that Rhaenyra doesn't get involved."

She paused, then added, "And the new Dragonlord—if you can eliminate him, don't hesitate."

Though no longer at the center of politics, as a female Lord, she remained informed about everything happening. She understood many things at once.

Rhaegar was very pleased and said gently, "Don't worry, I'll pay extra attention."

...

Seven Days Later

Time flew by, and it was time to say goodbye.

Rhaegar mounted the Cannibal, holding a weeping Lyanna close, and flew towards the Stormlands.

He had tasked Aemond with recruiting troops from the Stormlands, but there had been no response from him yet. Remembering Helaena's last words before he left, Rhaegar wanted to ensure Aemond wasn't slacking off.

...

The Afternoon, Sea of Dorne

Roar!

Cannibal soared through the sky, carrying Rhaegar and his weeping daughter, Lyanna, through a sea of clouds.

Rhaegar looked calm, taking the opportunity to inspect the Sea of Dorne and the rebuilt city of Yronwood. Everything seemed peaceful and normal.

"Let's go, partner," Rhaegar said, patting the dragon's back as he prepared to return to Storm's End.

Roar!

Suddenly, a piercing scream echoed through the sky, and a dragon crashed through the sea of clouds. Rhaegar, stunned, looked back.

Roar...

A light silver dragon, its wings flapping wildly, fell unsteadily from the clouds. After much tossing and turning, it barely managed to regain its balance, soaring beneath the clouds in an agitated state, whinnying up and down.

"Seasmoke?" Rhaegar recognized it instantly, surprised. Seasmoke was known to wander near the Sea of Dorne, familiar to local fishermen for its loyalty. Though not a battle-hardened dragon, it was no ordinary beast either. How could it fly so unsteadily, almost falling into the sea?

Roar...

Cannibal's green pupils turned cold as it suddenly looked into the distance. Rhaegar's face changed slightly as he hugged Lyanna tightly. Cannibal sensed danger, its mouth emitting a green flame as it entered a state of alertness.

Man and dragon stared intently in the same direction—from which Seasmoke had come.

Roarr!

Suddenly, a muffled roar like thunder reverberated, causing the sea to tremble.

Hoo—

In the sea mist, a dragon as big as a mountain emerged. Its thick, powerful tail pushed aside the misty clouds. Rhaegar's eyes widened as he glimpsed a flash of moss-like dark green scales.

A dragon! A wild dragon he had never seen before!

(Word count: 2,033)