The dragonfire burned long and hot, as if Ignir would not stop until nothing remained.
The screams gradually faded until they were gone completely.
Only the thick, acrid stench of charred flesh lingered in the air, a grim reminder of what had just happened.
Alicent had already pulled Aegon behind Viserys, terrified that Ignir might turn his head toward her next.
Rhaenyra stood between her father and brother, trying to shield Baelon.
“Baelon, what have you done?!”
Viserys’s roar came from across the courtyard.
Baelon met his father’s eyes with a faintly unhinged smile.
“Father, I changed my mind at the last moment. Aegon is only six. I was afraid he wouldn’t remember clearly. What if we punished the wrong person and let the real culprit go free? The royal family would keep tearing itself apart.”
“Now it’s simple. The real culprit has been dealt with. There won’t be any more conflict inside our family. From now on, anyone who tries to turn me against my brother and sister will meet the same fate.”
Alicent felt like her head was about to explode.
Rage and fear warred inside her.
Most of the people who had just burned to death were servants she had brought from Oldtown—her own people.
She clutched Viserys’s arm tightly from behind, her voice low and trembling as she kept glancing at Ignir’s head.
“Your Grace, Baelon has committed a crime. You cannot simply let this go. The dead deserve justice. The realm needs to see that the crown is fair. Send him to Dragonstone. Let him stay there for a while to let things cool down. It will keep him safe and show the people that the crown takes this seriously.”
Alicent was truly terrified now.
Who wouldn’t fear a madman who wielded real power and could act without real consequences?
Viserys didn’t even look at her.
He yanked his arm free so hard she nearly stumbled.
“This matter ends here. No one is to speak of it again.”
Baelon clearly wasn’t finished.
He smiled.
“How can it end here?”
“What else do you want?” Alicent’s voice shook with suppressed fear.
Baelon gestured at the blackened corpses on the ground.
“Your servants are all dead, Your Grace. A queen can’t manage without attendants. Uncle Daemon, would you mind selecting some excellent, well-behaved servants and sending them to Queen Alicent? We wouldn’t want something like this to happen again.”
Weakening Alicent’s position while planting their own people around her before he left King’s Landing?
Why not?
Daemon fought to keep a straight face and nodded.
Alicent’s cheeks bulged as she ground her teeth, but she could only shoot a desperate look at Viserys.
Viserys said nothing.
He simply turned and ordered, “Baelon. My chambers. Now.”
In the king’s bedchamber, Viserys sat across from his son and let out a long breath.
“Child… I always believed the coin that landed for you was greatness. I expected you to lead House Targaryen to new heights. But today you killed twenty-four people without trial—simply because they might have influenced Aegon.”
“Baelon, my eldest son… tell me. What should I do now?”
Baelon met his father’s gaze without flinching.
“Father, every person has two sides. Maybe my coin landed on its edge.”
“I’ve told you before—there are no perfect solutions in this world. Once you make a choice, you have to stand by it.”
The words were meant for Viserys, but Baelon was also reminding himself.
Viserys’s voice rose with emotion.
“Haven’t I stood by you enough?! Haven’t I supported you and your sister enough?! I’ve given you everything! Even after what you did today, I’m still trying to protect you!”
“But you don’t truly trust me,” Baelon said calmly.
“You know me better than anyone, yet you still questioned me without even asking what happened.”
“I’ve done so much, but it still isn’t enough to prove myself to you. You still believed I would hurt my brother for no reason.”
“Your love comes with conditions. You only love me when I’m useful. I understand. A cripple who can only move his mouth really isn’t worth more of your love.”
“Besides, when you asked me what should be done, you had already decided on my punishment, hadn’t you?”
“You’re my father. You’re my king. You don’t need my permission. I’ll accept whatever punishment you choose—even if it means my death.”
The false words left a bitter taste in his mouth.
Baelon lowered his head.
He knew Viserys loved him.
He also knew these lies would hurt his father deeply.
But after what had happened today, Viserys was still willing to protect him.
Baelon had to take the risk.
His original plan had underestimated how much his father loved him.
He had expected to be exiled immediately.
Viserys stared at him in shock, unable to believe what he was hearing.
Disappointment filled his eyes.
The two sat in silence for a long moment.
Finally Viserys stood, his voice carrying a trace of hurt.
“Baelon… I never thought you saw me this way. You’ve truly disappointed me.”
“Then please send me to Dragonstone,” Baelon said quietly.
“The Red Keep has no need for a useless cripple.”
Viserys turned his back to his son and waved a hand.
“Do as you wish.”
Baelon watched his father’s slightly hunched shoulders and felt a sharp stab of guilt, but he didn’t take the words back.
He was afraid the blood magic might be fake.
He was afraid that if he stood up now, Viserys would force him to marry Rhaenyra.
He was afraid of too many things.
He would clear up the misunderstanding with his father the day he could finally stand on his own two feet.
He believed Viserys would forgive him—because he knew his father loved him deeply.
In the place Baelon couldn’t see, Viserys’s eyes were red.
Only after his son had left did he raise his sleeve and wipe his face.
Rhaenyra’s nameday celebration was as grand as ever, but the king remained sullen and Baelon did not appear at all.
Daemon took his brother’s place, receiving the lords and presiding over the tourney.
Rhaenyra sat on the viewing platform, distracted, her mind on her little brother.
The great gathering ended under a strange, heavy atmosphere.
Baelon was already preparing to board the ship bound for Dragonstone.
Despite the rift between father and son, the supplies and the number of people Viserys had sent made it clear he still cared deeply.
Ten servants had been assigned just to handle Baelon’s meals and daily needs.
For protection, Daemon had selected the strongest small company of Gold Cloaks.
Rhaenyra stood with Baelon on the dock, trying one last time to persuade him.
“Brother, you’re usually so clever. Why are you doing this? You know how much Father loves you. If you just lower your head and apologize, he’ll forgive you.”
Baelon didn’t answer.
He simply watched the sails and said absently, “Sister, once you’ve taken possession of Dragonstone, come back to King’s Landing as soon as you can. Leave me there alone.”
“This city is the real battlefield. You can’t stay away too long.”