” Chapter update is here.
Get comfortable, turn the page, and let’s see what this story has been hiding 🔥 ✦ “I actually think Ser Laenor would make a good prince consort.” Alicent did not notice her husband’s probing and recommended him strongly.
“He is from a great house, he is a dragonrider, and his character is beyond reproach.” The Small Council had failed to reach a conclusion, so offering an opinion was not improper.
Viserys listened quietly, then asked with meaning, “Is that your thought, or Otto’s?” “It has nothing to do with my father.” Alicent shook her head in denial.
Viserys nodded and recovered his smile.
“Laenor is good, yes.
But the match still has to be suitable.” The question had been meant to clarify Hand Otto’s intentions.
Otto had spoken in favor at the Small Council, but more ministers had objected.
The reason was simple.
Daemon was a born troublemaker.
No one wanted him using this chance to return to the center of power.
Otto was Viserys’s most important helper, and Alicent’s attitude represented her father to a certain degree.
In Viserys’s memory, Otto and Daemon had always been enemies.
“You are right.” Alicent dug her nails into her palms and forced down her tension.
“Rhaenyra likes handsome, martial knights.
She will not consider a child.” Her stance remained firm.
Viserys looked surprised.
It was the first time he had seen his wife so insistent.
Then he waved the matter away with a smile.
“Enough of that.
The children will return soon, and there will be a welcoming supper.” Alicent gave a soft “Mm” and lowered her head.
“It was only a conversation.” Viserys took his wife’s hand and rose, smiling as he walked out.
As he passed his beloved round table of stone models, his eyes narrowed slightly.
That night, the Red Keep was bright with candles, and a supper was held in the second-floor hall.
Vaelor had changed into clean clothes and arrived early with Gunthor following him.
Rhaenyra came a little later.
She had exchanged her riding clothes for a pale gown, and the candlelight made her face look even more striking.
Vaelor saw her and silently admired her.
People in this world really did seem to grow quickly.
She was young, yet already carried herself with startling grace.
‘I should grow very tall too, right?’ He propped his chin on one hand, full of hope.
Soon, the king and queen arrived hand in hand.
Creak.
Lord Commander Harrold pushed open the door and arranged two Kingsguard at the entrance.
“Your Grace.” Vaelor rose on his own and bowed in greeting.
He could be mischievous, but he still had to keep proper manners in public.
“Ha!
No need for ceremony.” Viserys’s face was full of smiles.
He strode into the hall and locked onto his nephew from a distance.
“Vaelor, come here and let your uncle have a good look at you.” Leaving Alicent, whose expression was hesitant, Viserys went straight to the table and drew close.
Vaelor was a little dazed.
He had never received this kind of warmth.
He was pulled into a long round of questions before Viserys finally released him, thoroughly satisfied.
Vaelor let out a breath and sat back down.
He had just thought things might quiet down when a solemn middle-aged man in dark green entered.
His hair was combed into perfect order, and a small smile rested on his face.
Though his manner seemed modest, his chin was slightly raised, and his clothing bore the sigil of the burning tower.
“Otto, you are here.” Viserys turned and greeted him.
“I received the invitation.
It is an honor.” Otto Hightower inclined his head with flawless courtesy.
As the king’s goodfather, he was qualified to attend a private royal supper.
Only then did Viserys glance at the seats and ask as if puzzled, “Vaelor, is your mother not joining us?” “No.
The journey was tiring, and she is feeling unwell.” Vaelor had prepared an excuse in advance for the mother who did not want to meet the king.
Viserys did not mind.
He smiled.
“That is well enough.
Your mother was never a quiet sort.
She is more like a warrior woman.” It sounded like praise, but the smile did not reach his eyes.
When he had first ascended the throne, Lady Rhea had come to him seeking an annulment from his brother Daemon, only to be refused several times.
For that reason, Lady Rhea had no affection for the royal family.
Viserys, who favored his brother, also found this stubborn goodsister rather troublesome.
After a little conversation, Alicent ordered the servants to bring in the food.
Because it was a family supper, only a few people were present.
Viserys was very happy.
He frequently raised his cup to drink with Otto and spoke with his nephew about ordinary family matters.
Vaelor, by contrast, was thrown off balance and kept an innocent smile on his small face.
His mother had said there was no place for him in King’s Landing.
If Uncle Viserys was suddenly this warm, then he must want something.
Considering Vaelor was young and weak, there might also be profit in it for him.
‘What could a king possibly want from me?’ Vaelor’s eyes shifted until they landed on Rhaenyra, who was eating quietly beside him.
From the moment Viserys entered, Rhaenyra had looked absent-minded.
Even when her father took the initiative to speak with her, she only forced a smile and answered.
It seemed the relationship between father and daughter was not good.
‘At this point in time, could it be about Rhaenyra’s marriage?’ The thought came to Vaelor, and he immediately shivered.
He and Rhaenyra did not have the same parents, but they came from the same grandfather.
Absolutely not.
“Vaelor, what are you thinking about?” Viserys took a sip of wine and noticed his nephew’s pale face.
Vaelor waved both hands.
“Nothing.
Nothing at all.” His father was fighting crabs in the Stepstones, but Vaelor was the one who felt he might be thrown into the fire.
Viserys looked at him oddly, but did not press.
Children had strange thoughts.
As the wine grew enjoyable, the king’s gaze drifted around the hall.
Gunthor stood in one corner as a guard, and it was difficult not to notice him.
Remembering what Ser Harrold had said about the small conflict that day, Viserys suddenly had an idea.
Vaelor was trembling inside and eating with his head lowered when he heard his dear uncle say, “Vaelor, you are old enough to begin learning now.
Have you studied swordsmanship or anything of the sort?” “Ah?” Vaelor froze, then lifted his head and answered, “No.
I have not learned yet.” In Westeros, noble children usually began touching swords around six to eight years of age, taught by a dedicated master-at-arms in the knowledge of knighthood.
When they grew older, it made becoming a brave knight much easier.
Vaelor was an exception.
His mother, Lady Rhea, had not paid much attention to child-rearing and had only arranged for the old maester at Runestone to teach him his letters.
Now that he had earned his mother’s approval, he had been considering finding a capable teacher after returning to Runestone.
After all, he was a child with a panel.
“I guessed as much.
The strong man behind you does not look like the patient teaching sort.” Viserys chuckled and took the matter upon himself.
“I will hire you a good instructor, one who will ensure you become a powerful warrior no less than your father or grandfather.” “Really?” Vaelor looked doubtful.
“A king does not lie,” Otto said lightly from his place as a quiet observer, neatly praising Viserys.
Vaelor turned his head and caught a deep look in the Hand’s eyes.
Well, Hand Otto had his own thoughts too.
He simply did not know whether they were aimed at him.
His father Daemon had a feud with this man.
“Ser Harrold, what do you think of choosing one of the Kingsguard as his instructor?” Not noticing his nephew’s unease, Viserys acted as soon as the idea came to him and turned directly to the Lord Commander standing nearby.
Harrold was clearly startled.
The king had not mentioned this beforehand.
Fortunately, his composure was excellent.
He bowed and said, “There are seven brothers of the Kingsguard.
Apart from the fixed number required to guard Your Grace, assigning one to teach the prince should not be a problem.” ✦ ✦ ✦ Ready for more?
CREATORS’ THOUGHTS EmberHollow Thank you for reading.
I hope this chapter pulled you deeper into the story.
Stick around, because there’s still a lot waiting just ahead.