Chapter 478: Daemon’s Sigh

Aegon's eyes flashed with irritation. "What else can I say? It's the same old thing over and overagain," he grumbled.

He had just met with Alicent and had been bombarded with talk about fighting back. It was overwhelming, and he felt the need for a drink to calm his nerves.

Rhaegar noticed his mood and waved his hand dismissively. "Get lost."

"Okay!" Aegon brightened up immediately and ran off.

Rhaegar covered his head and sighed deeply. Thank goodness this kid has a dragon that can go into battle, otherwise there'd be nothing to count on him for. Who can drink faster, or who can bed more women?

Reflecting on the day's events, Rhaegar tried to adjust his state of mind and force himself to bemore spirited. The family meeting, with Alicent in attendance as queen, was crucial.

But first, he had to compose himself. Alicent had asked to see her children, and Rhaegar hadobliged. Aegon had come out first, while Helaenaand Aemond were still in the tower.

...

The chapel, at the top of the tower.

The air smelled faintly of mold in the dim light.

Helaena and Aemond huddled in the corridor, speaking to Alicent through the door. Compared to a month ago, the tower's environment had improved. The cobwebs were gone, the wooden floors were spotless, and a new window let light into the once-dark room.

Alicent sat on a hard board bed covered with a wool blanket, crying about her situation.

"I'm going crazy. Where is your grandfather... Is Rhaegar giving you trouble? What about Viserys?"

Helaena looked downcast, her head resting against the wall as she listened in silence. Aemond watched his mother with a complex expression, his one eye full of concern. When he heard about his brother and grandfather, he felt a mixture of grief and resentment.

Rhaegar had not mistreated them. On the contrary, their grandfather, who was supposed to return to King's Landing to report on his work, had disappeared, unseen in Highgarden or Bitterbridge.

Alicent's voice grew hoarse, her eyes red from crying. "You... take care of yourselves, especially little Daeron."

The three older children had grown up and had their own opinions. Only six-year-old Daeron remained, a child who studied hard and always listened to others.

Aemond turned his head and whispered, "Little Daeron is fine. He plays with the Baela and Rhaena sisters every day and no one bullies him."

Alicent was slightly relieved. She reached through the space in the door to stroke Aemond's eye patch, choking back tears. "My poor child, you're still so young and you've lost an eye."

"I was protecting my father," Aemond replied, letting his mother stroke his cheek, his voice strong and determined.

"Viserys is no father!" Alicent's face darkened asshe admonished, "You have a father who is partial. Learn from Aegon's acquisition of his fiefdom so you won't be driven out of King's Landing like Daemon."

"Mother!" Aemond cried out, unwilling to hear such words. He had heard enough from Aegon just now.

Alicent was stunned by the outburst, staring at her second son in disbelief. Aemond realized he had spoken out of turn, his eyes troubled and guilty.

Alicent slumped to the floor, leaning against the dilapidated wooden door. She muttered to herself, "You all hate me, even my own children," as tears rolled down her cheeks.

Aegon's abrupt departure was expected, given his usual behavior, but Aemond's shout was a hammer blow to her heart.

"Sorry, I didn't mean it," Aemond stamped his feet in frustration. "I'll beg my father and brother to forgive you."

Then he covered his head and ran down the stairs, leaving the tower with only a saddened Alicent and a withdrawn Helaena.

Alicent remained still, listening to her daughter's heartbeat through the wooden door. Helaena was her favorite, and even without words, her presence was comforting.

"Mother, being alone will make you lose your mind," Helaena said suddenly, sitting down beside her.

Alicent couldn't help but recall the lovely sight of Helaena as a child, her heart growing even sadder.

"You can't stay locked up in that dark room anymore. I'm taking you out," Helaena said firmly.

"They won't let me off lightly," Alicent replied, almost to herself.

Helaena shook her head. "I'm going to take you out." She stood up and walked out, muttering, "I have to think of a way."

Alicent lay back against the wooden door,watching her daughter's retreating figure andlistening to her muttering. It felt as if a huge stone had been placed on her chest, making it hard to breathe.

...

Red Keep.

The carriage of House Velaryon arrived at the city gates, bringing with it guests from afar. The simple procession was divided into small groups, and they soon entered the council chamber.

Lyonel led Aegon and Aemond as the hosts, his head held high and his chest puffed out.

Corlys glanced at the two Targaryen boys and said indifferently, "How is His Grace's health? Why is the heir prince not here?"

Aegon shrugged. "If you prefer Rhaegar, I'll fetch him for you," he offered, clearly uninterested in his duties.

"Prince Aegon!" Lyonel snapped, then added, "Lord Corlys is a great man, and we must treat him with respect."

"Yes~" Aegon replied weakly, sounding as though he had exerted himself too much the night before.

Corlys' face darkened, his patience waning. Too lazy to argue with this insolent youth, he snorted and entered the hall, his sleeves flapping.

Rhaenys and Daemon followed, watching the scene with different expressions. Rhaenys forced a smile, saying helplessly, "Corlys is in a bad mood. I'll try to appease him."

She understood the underlying tension of this gathering, which was supposed to be a family dinner. Her husband's staunch opposition to thepeace talks and his extreme dissatisfaction were at the heart of the issue.

"Heh heh," Daemon chuckled, arms crossed, amused by the spectacle.

Lyonel suggested, "Prince Daemon, if you are concerned about His Grace's health, you may visit the palace first."

"Oh?" Daemon responded playfully. "When did my brother ever care about me? Or is this my good nephew's gesture?"

This was unlike Viserys' usual behavior.

Lyonel did not answer directly. "You can go and see for yourself. You'll understand then."

He then called Rhaenys and the guests to enter the hall together. Daemon, watching coldly, sneered, "Playing smart."

He turned around and headed for the king'schambers.

...

The King's Bedroom.

Viserys lay pale on his bed, gasping for breath, his pupils unfocused and dilated.

"Father, try to adjust your breathing," Rhaegarurged gently, sitting by the bed and holding his father's hands. He channeled the magic of fire to stimulate blood flow.

After half a month, the Soul Restoring Orchid powder was used up, and Viserys often had nightmares.

"Ho ho..." Viserys muttered weakly, a fishy odor emanating from his mouth. "No more... no more..."

Rhaegar, worried, tried to communicate, "Father, what don't you want?"

"No more," Viserys repeated, staring at the ceiling, his head shaking slightly. "I'm sorry, my dear..."

Rhaegar was silent for a moment. Did his father mean his late mother, Aemma Arryn, when he said "dear"? Did "no more" mean he regretted urging her to conceive again? Or was he referring to Alicent?

"Wa wa wa..." The sound of a baby crying came from the inner room outside the bedroom, followed by Rhaenyra's soothing lullaby.

Rhaegar sighed softly, took the Soul Restoring Orchid's powder box, and sprinkled the remaining powder on his father's pillow. Viserys's eyes closed, his muttering ceased, and his breathing gradually returned to normal.

Rhaegar smiled wryly. He hadn't expected his father to become so dependent on drugs after being forbidden to use poppy milk. "There's not much powder left," he muttered, rubbing his face. "Syrio is stationed in Lys, and it will take time to send someone to the Smoking Sea to find more Soul Restoring Orchid."

The Soul Restoring Orchid only grows in the Smoking Sea, so offering a reward for its recovery seemed the best option.

Creak.

The door opened, and Daemon entered with a sour expression. He had wanted to vent his anger in the council hall with the Sea Snake.

"Daemon?" Rhaenyra, holding a baby in each arm, looked at him in surprise.

Daemon was even more surprised than his niece, his eyes falling on the two pink baby faces. "Congratulations, you have twins," he said with a complex expression.

"Laena also gave birth to twins for you," Rhaenyra cooed to the children.

Daemon shook his head and sighed, "It's unlikelyshe'll be able to give me another pair."

On the surface, Corlys had lost his eldest son and Driftmark its heir. In truth, Daemon was in a similar position, lacking a son.

Rhaenyra didn't dwell on the topic, pointing to the bedroom. "Rhaegar is inside."

Daemon gave the two baby boys a fond look before turning to enter the bedroom.

At first glance, Viserys was sound asleep, with his good nephew keeping him company.

"No wonder you didn't show up," Daemon remarked, leaning against the doorframe, his faceexpressionless, his eyes fixed on Viserys's pale face.

Rhaegar, in no mood for small talk, spoke frankly,"Father is in a very bad state. The Maester says it's a problem with his spirit."

"Spirit or nerves?" Daemon's eyes deepened, delving into the question. During his travels withLaena through the Free Cities, he had spent much time in the libraries of Pentos, collectingbiographies of the Dragonlord family and enriching his knowledge in all aspects.

Rhaegar stroked his father's furrowed brow and said cautiously, "You heard me right. You can also understand it as the soul."

The records of the fire mage's heritage suggestthat the human body is an independent energy field. The soul strengthens the body, the bodystrengthens the soul, and the soul guides the body's actions. The weak will inevitably have weak souls, and those with lacking souls will mostly lack energy. The Citadel has confirmed this.

Daemon's face grew solemn. "The soul is damaged, and ordinary healers cannot cure it." He had been skeptical about this, but after obtaining the binding spell of the Aethyrys family, he had glimpsed another dimension of the world.

Taking Viserys's wrist and peering into his eyes, Daemon said nothing, his expression grave. "What are you going to do about my brother's condition?"

(Word count: 1,718)