It was quick.
The old woman led Viserys down from Maegor's Holdfast, arriving at the Ballroom on the first floor.
This Ballroom, located within Maegor's Holdfast, was primarily used for royal banquets and balls, with a capacity for more than a hundred people.
Sunlight streamed in through the arched windows, reflecting off the silver mirrors in the Ballroom. Rows of lit candles flickered gently, illuminating the entire space.
A long corridor ran along the second floor of the Ballroom, with ornate wood carvings and exquisite silk tapestries adorning the thick walls. Two Three-Headed Dragon Banners, symbolizing House Targaryen, hung on either side of the doors.
Maegor's Holdfast was essentially a castle within a castle, situated at the very center of the Red Keep. It had twelve-foot-thick walls and a moat, reserved solely for the royal family's residence, making its defenses impenetrable.
Viserys followed the old woman into the Ballroom, noticing that a number of Guards had already gathered, adjusting their gear and weapons.
Their arrival drew the attention of the Guards, but they only glanced over before returning to their tasks.
"Your Grace."
A middle-aged man with graying hair, dressed in leather armor and breeches, was also wiping his longsword. Seeing Viserys enter, he nodded slightly in greeting.
Another Kingsguard, clad in a white cloak, turned his head towards Viserys upon hearing the voice.
Under the gaze of the two knights, Viserys's heart clenched slightly, his fingers beneath his sleeves clenching, but he maintained a composed exterior, bowing slightly and greeting them politely.
"Good day."
"Ser Willem."
Ser Willem Darry was the master-at-arms in the Red Keep, primarily responsible for training the Red Keep's guards in combat skills and formations. He was also highly skilled in combat himself; otherwise, he wouldn't hold such an important position.
His brother was none other than Ser Jon Darry of the Kingsguard, who had followed Prince Rhaegar in the suppression of the rebellion and whose fate was unknown after the Battle of the Trident.
Then Viserys turned his head and looked at the young-looking Kingsguard, nodding and greeting him.
"Ser Jaime."
The white-robed knight remained silent, one hand resting on the hilt of his longsword, his gaze strangely assessing Viserys.
Viserys was walking past him.
Although his time in the Kingsguard was short, and he wasn't particularly familiar with the members of House Targaryen, especially this second prince.
After all, they lived in the Red Keep, and saw each other daily. He felt that there was something indescribably different about Viserys today.
It was as if his back was straighter, while his attitude was a bit more humble.
Jaime clenched his fist around the sword hilt, then turned his gaze elsewhere.
Viserys ignored the gazes directed at him. Although his heart was beating a little faster, he seemed to have found his composure.
The more dire the situation, the more resilient he became – a trait he possessed in both his past and present lives.
Viserys approached the seat in the hall. Seated there was a silver-haired woman in elaborate attire. He didn't look up directly, instead, he bowed slightly.
"Mother."
The atmosphere in the Ballroom remained serious and heavy, yet he was unaware of what had happened.
"Viserys."
Then, a voice filled with weariness sounded from above Viserys's head.
Queen Rhaella reached out, her arms circling the boy's waist, gently embracing her son, and then rested her head against his cheek.
"My child."
"There's something terrible I have to tell you..."
Viserys could clearly feel his mother's body tremble slightly. Her voice, despite its strength, betrayed a woman on the verge of collapse.
Beneath her velvet gown, there were bruises, bite marks, and scratches. These were the marks left on her by her mad husband during the night, after the news of the disaster arrived. Yet, Rhaella Targaryen, a woman of immense fortitude, persevered.
The news of her eldest son's death, and the precarious state of the realm, had plunged her into despair. Coupled with the mental and physical trauma she had endured the previous night, she still had to pull herself together for Viserys and the child in her womb.
Fortunately, her husband, amidst his madness, still retained a sliver of sanity. Recognizing that the situation was likely beyond saving, he urgently ordered a detachment of Red Keep Guards to escort Queen Rhaella and his second son, Viserys, to Dragonstone.
Aerys II himself remained in King's Landing, preparing to fight the enemy to the death. He would never surrender the capital intact to the rebels; he would fight the betrayers to the bitter end.
The rebels were already not far from King's Landing.
Although ravens had brought news that Tywin Lannister, Lord of Casterly Rock, a close friend of the King, had decided to raise his banners in support of the crown. However, since nothing was yet certain, the best course of action was to first escort the Queen and the prince away from the perilous situation of King's Landing.
Clatter—
Fully armed soldiers flanked on either side, protecting Queen Rhaella, who was struggling to walk. Maidservants helped her into the carriage, and then the drapes were drawn, sealing it shut.
Viserys followed his mother, preparing to board the second carriage.
At this moment, a small incident seemed to occur within the procession.
A little girl with brown hair appeared from nowhere. The guarding soldiers, unaware of the situation, ignored her.
Ser Willem, the commander of the procession, hesitated slightly, then sighed and ultimately chose to remain silent as well.
The brown-haired little girl ran to Viserys's carriage, tugging at his clothes and looking up with a cute little face, seemingly asking where they were going and why they weren't taking her with them.
"Let's go."
Based on his memory, Viserys recognized the girl. But he hesitated for a moment, clenching his fists.
He knew he didn't have a clear grasp of the situation yet, and rationally, he shouldn't create extra trouble.
However…
The silver-haired boy gritted his teeth and steeled himself. He reached out and pulled the little girl up, pulling her directly into the carriage.
Then, a Black cat that had been running behind them effortlessly jumped onto the roof of the carriage.
"Hey! Balerion!"
Inside the carriage, the little girl shouted excitedly, but Viserys quickly covered her mouth.
"Mmph mmph!"
Inside the carriage, the boy looked nervously at the outside, then pulled the curtains closed again, leaning close to her ear and whispering.
"Hey..."
"Be quiet for a moment, Rhaenys."
Finally.
Rumble...
The sound of the carriage wheels rolling on the stone road, and the light tapping of hooves on the ground, filled the air.
The guards gripped their weapons tightly as the convoy escorted the two carriages, hastily exiting the gate.
They left the Red Keep, heading towards the distance.