Chapter 147: The Prison

Not long after.

Inside the castle's great hall.

Viserys had bathed and cleansed himself of filth, then changed into more comfortable attire. He sat on the throne, listening to the accomplishments of Rhaenys's regency during this time.

At this moment, the black dragon Balerion lay sprawled on the ground beside the throne, its heavy breathing echoing throughout the hall.

Viserys gently stroked its skull with one hand.

"So much has happened during this time?"

Viserys found it somewhat incredible after hearing the maester's report, then turned to look at Rhaenys.

However, the brown-haired girl seemed to be in a much better mood. She bit her lip, revealing a smile, then spoke with a hint of pride, yet not wanting to appear too boastful, fearing Viserys would see through her, finally saying...

"Not bad."

She had thought Viserys would scold her for making a mess of everything during this time.

But to her surprise, Viserys did not blame her; instead, he praised her for doing well, expressing that with her overseeing things at home, he could better defend against enemies outside.

With Viserys's compliments, Rhaenys felt somewhat elated. Her previous apprehension and unease vanished.

Seeing the girl's face finally reveal an optimistic smile, Viserys's heart was completely at ease.

He then slightly reined in his smile, and began to discuss more serious matters.

"No wonder I haven't seen Bessie and Mirri."

He had found it strange that Bessie and Mirri hadn't come to greet him, but after sitting here, he learned that both had encountered accidents.

Bessie had attempted to enter the inferno to save his mother but was severely burned. He barely survived and was still in the process of recovery.

However, according to the maester, it was nearly impossible for her to wield a sword again in the future. Her face was ruined, and she feared seeing Viserys would frighten him, so she didn't appear.

As for Viserys's magical advisor Mirri, she had been burned to death in an accident over a month ago.

"An accident?"

In times of turmoil, human life was as insignificant as ants. Even a sorceress wielding extraordinary power could die on the spot if she wasn't careful.

Viserys hadn't expected Mirri to die like this and was silent for a moment.

"What exactly happened?"

He asked after a long silence.

Not only were Viserys, Rhaenys, and the maester present in the great hall, but Oberyn was also seated in a chair on one side. However, the Prince of Dorne's attention was mostly focused on Balerion.

An actual living dragon, how many people had seen one?

"Could it be this one's doing?"

Oberyn pointed to the black dragon, jokingly speaking.

But as his words fell, Rhaenys and the maester both fell silent. Oberyn, who had only meant it as an offhand remark, was taken aback.

"Did I guess correctly?"

Viserys's brow furrowed slightly.

Faced with the current situation, the maester could only clear his throat and speak.

"Your Grace, it's highly likely that Lady Mirri was murdered."

"Some days ago..."

The maester recounted the events from over a month ago when a red-haired witch had arrived at the castle, and that very night, Mirri had met with an accident and was burned to death.

After the maester finished speaking, Rhaenys raised her hand to speak.

"No..."

"I don't think it was the witch's doing. I think it was Balerion's doing."

Hearing Rhaenys's words, Balerion, who had been dozing off on the ground, raised its head warily.

Viserys gently stretched out his hand to touch the fearsome skull of the black dragon, calming its agitated mood.

"The witch?"

"Be specific about who it is."

Then Rhaenys recounted the whole story in greater detail than the maester had.

"What did you say the witch's name was?"

Viserys couldn't help but interrupt Rhaenys halfway through her story.

"Melisandre?"

Rhaenys hesitated for a moment, then nodded her head.

"Yes, that's right. Do you know her?"

Viserys, however, remained silent for a moment and shook his head.

"No, I don't know her."

"Go on."

Viserys listened to the entire story, including the part where Rhaenys had Melisandre imprisoned in order to protect the black dragon.

"Oh?"

Upon learning that the idea had come from Maester Gunthor, Viserys glanced up at him.

The maester was currently looking down at the floor, not noticing Viserys' gaze.

"It seems that this envoy of the Lord of Light may very well be innocent."

Viserys withdrew his gaze and stood up from the throne.

"In that case."

"I shall meet with her."

...

Paul was a soldier in the Andalos City Defense Force, stationed at the prison, where his duties mainly consisted of guarding the inmates.

Time passed peacefully and leisurely.

However, a month ago, a special prisoner was brought in, and the prison underwent a change.

She was a beautiful woman with red hair, and Paul did not need to question her beauty. She appeared to be charged with the crime of murder.

What puzzled him was that she was granted special treatment despite her serious crime.

She had her own cell, which was almost indistinguishable from the outside world except for the restriction of personal freedom.

Paul speculated that she might be a mistress of some high-ranking official, which was why she enjoyed such special treatment in prison.

Because of her beauty, Paul had been secretly observing her, discovering that she seemed very willing to talk with other soldiers and prisoners.

Regardless of whether they were men or women, she could engage in lengthy conversations with them, leaving them deep in thought. The next day, they would voluntarily return for more.

Even at dusk, they would join her in lighting a bonfire and praying before it.

"What's going on?"

"What did they talk about?"

Paul was curious.

One day, the red-haired woman finally noticed Paul's presence and waved at him.

Paul, as if compelled, walked over to her, and then...

...

"The King has arrived."

A ripple of excitement passed through the otherwise calm prison.

It seemed that the recently victorious king had suddenly come to the prison, apparently to meet with a prisoner.

It was the red-robed witch who had been imprisoned here before.

"Sacrifice..."

Paul felt nervous, not knowing why the king had come this time. Could it be... to execute Lady Melisandre?

However, as Paul's heart filled with anxiety, he saw a silver-haired young man, escorted by guards, approaching him, then looking at him curiously.

"What are you waiting for?"

"Lead the way."