Chapter 202: Heavy Rain and Dreams

"Yah!"

A familiar whimper reached his ears. Rhaegar instinctively scooped her up in his arms.

Lowering his head, he saw Rhaenyra's face, wide-eyed and panicked.

Rhaegar breathed heavily. "What are you doing here?"

"That's Jeyne's room," she said, pointing to the door behind him.

After her earlier outburst, Rhaenyra regretted her harsh words and wanted to make amends. She had seen Jeyne and Rhaegar enter the room together and followed them.

Hearing her question, Rhaegar grinned. "Yes, Jeyne's room. And yet, here I am."

"You—"

"Shh! Look at all the stupid things I've done for you," Rhaegar interrupted, holding her close to the door.

Through the wooden door, they could hear faint, suppressed sobbing.

Before Rhaenyra could react, Rhaegar swept her into a princess carry and said seriously, "You have to make it up to me!"

He quickly walked down the corridor, leaving Rhaenyra dumbfounded, clutching his sleeve.

...

Late at night, the Red Keep was brightly lit despite the chill wind and pouring rain. Stories unfolded in the downpour.

In the early morning, Rhaegar sat on the balcony and gazed through the rain-dampened window at the rainy curtains of King's Landing.

Rumbling...

Thunder echoed, and lightning instantly illuminated the dark, rainy night.

"Hoo~~"

Rhaegar blew gently on his hot tea and took a deep sip. The thunder outside sent a shiver down his spine.

On the nearby bed, a figure lay under a thin blanket. The person slept soundly, silver hair covering her cheeks, a small arm resting under her head.

Rhaegar gazed out the window, lost in thought.

There was a significant change in Rhaegar from just three hours ago. Though his appearance remained the same, he now exuded a different aura—more restrained, tolerant, and calm.

He had followed his heart, refused Jeyne's invitation, and stayed true to his principles.

Putting down his cup, Rhaegar moved to the bed. He gently lay down beside the sleeping figure, brushing aside the hair covering her cheeks.

Rhaenyra's cheeks were flushed, her eyelashes moist, her breathing steady.

Rhaegar sat on the edge of the bed, taking in the delicate scent of fresh incense and tea.

The night had been quiet, and his mind was at peace.

Before the age of three, he slept all day long while Rhaenyra sang him lullabies. After turning three, he was often alone, hoping for Rhaenyra's visits when she was in trouble.

Rhaegar's heart softened, and he whispered, "You're so irresistible, I don't want to part with you for a moment."

"Don't be greedy, Rhaegar..."

Rhaenyra seemed to hear him in her sleep, murmuring softly as she shifted positions.

Rhaegar smiled, watching her sleeping face.

His dragon's may be greedy, but he was not.

Dun dun dun dun..

Suddenly, there was a sharp knock on the door.

Rhaegar sat up quickly, reaching out to cover Rhaenyra's ears.

Her eyelids fluttered, and she awoke, her voice hoarse. "Rhaegar, is someone knocking?"

"I know, you don't have to get up."

Rhaegar pressed her shoulder gently and pulled the covers back over her.

As he walked to the door, he heard Helaena's terrified cries.

"Brother, open the door ..."

"Helaena?"

Rhaegar froze at the sound, glancing down to check his attire. It was fine; he was wearing pajamas.

Opening the door, he saw Helaena, her face pale and eyes wide with fear.

Crunch!

The door opened a palm's width before Rhaegar could ask Helaena why she was crying. She squeezed through the crack like a loach and hurried into the room.

"Brother, it's thundering outside and Dayana is in the banquet hall!"

Without waiting for Rhaegar to answer, Helaena hugged him tightly, her words tumbling out between sobs.

Rhaegar quickly pieced the story together: Dayana, Helaena's maid, had been summoned by Alicent to assist in the banquet hall. With both Alicent and Dayana unavailable, and Helaena terrified of thunder, she had run to him for comfort.

Rhaegar sighed and gently rubbed her head. "Don't be afraid, you'll be a dragon rider in the future. How can you be afraid of thunder?"

Helaena had often run to his room during thunderstorms before. She was genuinely scared.

Rhaenyra, hearing the commotion, tried to sit up but felt weak. Frowning, she clutched the covers around her.

"Rhaegar, I'm not feeling well."

She wasn't just uncomfortable; she felt surprisingly embarrassed by Helaena's untimely arrival. She was tired and needed rest.

"Ahem, I'll take Helaena back," Rhaegar said, understanding her meaning. Rhaenyra needed to rest without any disturbances.

"I don't want to go. Mommy won't mind me tonight," Helaena said, her voice choking with tears. "Brother, I want to sleep with you."

"I'll take you to Aemond and Daeron. They can keep you company," Rhaegar suggested, not wanting Rhaenyra to be embarrassed.

Helaena let Rhaegar pick her up, biting her pink lips and looking at him pitifully. She was genuinely afraid of the thunder and hoped her brother would take her in.

"Don't look at me like that. You're a big girl now; you can't sleep with me," Rhaegar explained softly. They used to sleep together when they were little, but things had changed. He suspected Alicent didn't want Helaena getting too close to him.

Helaena curled up in his arms, her face buried in his chest. "But my sister is older than me, and she didn't leave."

"That's different."

"Rhaegar, let her stay!" Rhaenyra's voice cut off his defense.

Rhaegar looked back in surprise, wondering why she had changed her mind.

Rhaenyra, now wearing a nightgown, leaned back on the bed and beckoned. "Alicent's too busy to take care of her. Let her stay for the night."

She couldn't bear to see Helaena's sad face and didn't want her saying anything childish outside.

Rhaegar shrugged. "You're in charge tonight."

He carried Helaena to the bed and gently set her down. Helaena rolled into Rhaenyra's arms, gratefully saying, "Thank you, Sister."

Helaena recognized who had more influence and tried to curry favor. Rhaenyra's eyes were playful as she cupped Helaena's cheeks, kneading them gently.

Helaena's cheeks turned red, and she stammered, not daring to protest.

"Alright, don't bully her," Rhaegar intervened, helping Helaena escape Rhaenyra's playful grip.

"Hmph, I'll sleep with her in my arms. You can sleep on the floor," Rhaenyra said, her eyes full of warning.

Rhaegar smiled helplessly and fetched two new quilts—one for the sisters on the bed and one for himself on the floor.

King's Landing, being a coastal city, always had a damp climate. Helaena's eyes were heavy with exhaustion. Lying in Rhaenyra's embrace, she quickly fell into a deep, peaceful sleep, clutching her sister like a soft, comforting bear.

...

At the same time, on the Stepstones:

The wind howled, though there was no heavy rain. Dozens of warships drifted on the sea, their sails bearing the sigils of three red dragons, seahorses, and forked mermaids.

In the cabin of one of the ships flying the three red dragons' banner, several figures huddled around a sand table, plotting their next move.

Tyland, Cole, Vaemond, and the heir to the Manderly House of White Harbor, Medrick Manderly, were among them.

Tyland pointed to a specific spot on the sand table, his voice charged with excitement. "According to our scouts, the pirates of the Triarchy are hiding on this deserted island. We can sneak over under the cover of darkness and catch them by surprise."

Medrick Manderly, rugged and loud, chimed in, "That's right! Let's strike the Triarchy and forget about defense!"

"Medrick, watch your language!" Vaemond warned, lifting his head.

Medrick's enthusiasm did not offend Tyland, who interjected, "Don't be nervous, Vaemond. Medrick means no harm. Lord Corlys has been overly cautious, and his delay is costing us. We need to take decisive action to repel the Triarchy."

Vaemond snorted, folding his hands behind his back. Though he respected his brother Corlys, his presence on this ship indicated his disagreement with the Sea Snake's strategy.

House Velaryon had sacrificed too much in this war, losing ships, sailors, and soldiers in great numbers. Vaemond was here to secure the future of his house  and win the war, not to let time slip away.

Seeing Vaemond's internal conflict, Tyland straightened up and said confidently, "Ser Vaemond, we have the King's support, White Harbor's fleet, and a portion of Velaryon's ships. A night attack on the Triarchy's garrison will surely succeed."

Cole remained silent, his eyes glittering with determination as he clutched the hilt of his sword. Tyland's words had moved him.

He longed for the glory of war and the honor of returning to King's Landing victorious.

"My scouts confirm that the forces of the Triarchy are gathered here. This plan is feasible," Vaemond said solemnly. "With forty-three ships, five thousand soldiers, and plenty of arrows and oil, we stand a good chance."

Having accompanied his brother on numerous voyages and participated in the last battle of the Stepstones, Vaemond was well versed in battlefield command and naval combat. He believed his tactical skills rivaled his brother's.

Tyland took a deep breath, his expression firm. "Then it's settled. Tonight we will attack the Triarchy's camp under cover of darkness. A swift end to this war is our best course of action."

With Tyland's strategic advice and Vaemond's naval expertise, backed by their formidable fleet, victory seemed within reach.

"Haha, I can't wait to see my father's face when we crush the Triarchy's pirates," Medrick Manderly laughed, slapping his round belly.

...

Bloodstone Island.

A messenger, frantic and out of breath, demanded to see the Sea Snake, who was roused from his slumber and quickly summoned the man.

Terrified, the messenger relayed the urgent news: Tyland and the others had left the island by boat and were nowhere to be found.

"Fools! How dare they disobey orders and venture out on their own!" the Sea Snake bellowed, his face darkening with anger.

He had access to the same intelligence as Tyland and Vaemond. The prospect of ambushing the Triarchy's pirate stronghold was undeniably tempting, but the rewards were fraught with peril.

Enraged, the Sea Snake's expression grew even grimmer. He shouted, "Prepare the army immediately! War is upon us!"

(Word count: 1,688)