Chapter 53: Dragonstone Island

Chapter 53: Dragonstone Island

"The House of Velaryon?"

Rhaegar's interest piqued at the mention.

Rhaenyra chuckled, "Indeed, they are renowned for their mastery of long-distance navigation and have been steadfast allies of our house for generations."

"I have heard tales of Lord Sea Serpent's formidable character, which often caused our father no small amount of frustration."

Rhaegar's curiosity deepened.

"It is true that there have been tensions in the past, stemming from disputes over inheritance. Our journey serves in part to heal those rifts and strengthen our bonds with House Velaryon."

Rhaenyra's revelation hinted at hidden complexities that further intrigued Rhaegar.

"Why would we seek reconciliation with a house of lesser stature than our own?" Rhaegar asked, his brow furrowed in thought.

"That is a matter for the king to weigh," Rhaenyra replied, a hint of frustration in her tone as she playfully tweaked her brother's nose. As heir to the throne with limited powers, she could only speculate on her father's motives.

Rhaegar pondered for a moment. "The Velaryons are also said to have the ability to ride dragons, which brings its own dangers..."

Rhaenyra's expression faltered at his words, her dismay evident. "This is mainly due to Aunt Rhaenys' influence."

...

The sun hung high in the sky as the sailboat anchored in the waters under the jurisdiction of Dragonstone Island. With a sense of relief, Viserys stepped onto the soft sand and savored the firmness beneath his feet.

"Your Grace, the castle has prepared sumptuous delicacies and fine wine," Robert, the acting Lord of Dragonstone Island, announced, leading his servants in a respectful greeting.

Viserys' smile widened at the mention of the banquet. "Excellent, this is exactly what I had in mind."

Approaching his wife and children, Viserys sought to mend the previous night's discord with words and smiles. Alicent followed him to the right, accompanied by her children, while Rhaegar and his sister walked to the left, both sides clearly separated.

Observing the scene, the acting City Lord of Dragonstone Island took the opportunity to intervene.

"The young prince and princess are setting foot on the island for the first time. Would you like me to give them an introduction?" he offered.

Without even looking at him, Rhaegar spoke up. "But my sister is the Princess of Dragonstone Island," he explained, earning a gentle squeeze from Rhaenyra, who quietly urged him to refrain from further remarks.Upstodatee from n(0)/ve/lbIn/.(co/m

Recognizing Robert's responsibility, Viserys' anger softened slightly. "Find the young dragons with the utmost urgency. The princes' bond with them cannot be delayed."

Robert bowed repeatedly, his determination evident as he hurried to organize the search.

With only the family left at the table, Rhaenyra expressed her surprise. "It is unexpected that Vermithor and Silverwing have emerged after years of dormancy."

Viserys reassured her, "It's not unusual. Volcanic eruptions are natural phenomena, and dragons have an instinct to avoid danger."

Thoughts of his own formidable dragon, Balerion, crossed Viserys' mind. Once he had ridden the massive dragon through the skies of King's Landing, but those days were long gone.

With a chuckle, Viserys pushed back his chair. "I have indulged enough. Now it is time for your king and father to retire for a well-deserved rest."

As Viserys left, the table fell silent for a moment, each member of the family finishing their meal before going their separate ways.

...

It was early in the day, and Rhaegar persistently urged Rhaenyra to give him a tour of Dragonstone Island.

Despite her initial reluctance, Rhaenyra finally agreed to his request.

They began their exploration by walking around the castle, marveling at the grand structures of the ancient Valyrian era.

Rhaegar was particularly impressed by the castle's dragon-shaped design and the towering spires that resembled the mythical creature, its head overlooking the island from all directions.

As the afternoon approached, Rhaenyra, unable to resist Rhaegar's insistence, took him for a walk along the beach.

As they gazed at the towering cliffs and the vast expanse of the sea, Rhaegar's spirits lifted as he revelled in the freedom of nature.

Compared to the confines of the Red Keep, the natural beauty of Dragonstone Island was a refreshing change for him.

Rhaenyra couldn't help but chuckle as she watched her brother's happiness. "You poor thing, you've hardly had a chance to venture outside since you were young."

It dawned on Rhaegar that Dragonstone Island was merely the threshold of the Targaryen family's domain, not truly venturing beyond the confines of the king's domain into the vastness of the Seven Kingdoms.

"Sister, come quickly! There's a deep, dark cave over here," Rhaegar called excitedly, beckoning Rhaenyra to join him.