Viserys walked over, gently embracing her from behind, and chuckled, "We were almost caught by them."
Ashara nudged him lightly with her elbow, her voice still trembling. "It's all your fault."
"Alright, it's my fault." Viserys readily admitted his mistake, but tightened his arms around her. "But they're gone now."
Ashara understood his implication. Her body softened slightly, yet she still struggled a little. "Stop, what if they come back?"
"They won't. I sent them to the garden." Viserys kissed her earlobe, his voice seductive. "Shall we continue?"
In the end, Ashara half-resisted, half-yielded, allowing him to succeed.
This time, they intentionally kept their voices down. However, when passion peaked, some uncontrollable sounds inevitably escaped.
Ashara bit down hard on her lower lip, trying to stifle the embarrassing sounds, but Viserys intentionally teased her, forcing soft whimpers to escape.
However, neither of them noticed that Daenerys hadn't actually gone far.
Rhaenys had pulled her away for a bit, but she was still thinking about singing for her brother, so she quietly returned, wanting to see if her brother's "important discussion" was over.
Just as she was about to knock again, she faintly heard Ashara sister's suppressed, tearful voice coming from inside, along with her brother's low voice.
In the little girl's innocent understanding, the sound seemed like Ashara sister was crying and enduring pain. She recalled hearing servants occasionally discussing in private how some short-tempered men would beat their wives.
Was her brother hitting Ashara sister too? This thought made Daenerys feel scared and sad. She dared not knock, nor did she dare tell Rhaenys. She quietly ran away, but a seed of worry was planted in her heart.
Her singing that evening also seemed somewhat distracted. But when Viserys asked her about it, she just said she saw an injured stray cat that day and felt sad.
Until one evening, approximately ten days before the scheduled departure date.
Just as Viserys was preparing to go to bed, Daenerys knocked and entered.
She seemed unusually quiet today, not rushing over as she usually did. Instead, she took small steps, walked up to Viserys, tilted her little face up, and wore a determined expression.
"Brother," she began, her voice trembling slightly. "There is something I want to ask of you."
Viserys was surprised and lifted her onto his lap. "What is it, Dany?"
Daenerys lowered her head, took a deep breath, seemingly organizing her thoughts.
Then, as if having made up her mind, she looked up directly at Viserys. "Brother, can you please stop hitting Ashara sister in the future?"
"..." Viserys was stunned, his mind blank. Hitting Ashara? When had he ever hit Ashara?
Seeing her brother's bewildered expression, Daenerys thought he was denying it, and grew more anxious, tears starting to well up in her eyes.
"The day I said I wanted to sing last time, I secretly went back. I heard Ashara crying so miserably, and she was begging you to stop. Brother, Ashara sister is so kind to us. She teaches me to read, plays with me, and combs my hair beautifully. Please don't hit her, okay? If you're angry, you can hit me. I'll take the punishment for her."
By the end of her plea, the little girl's tears finally fell, but she didn't cry out loud. Her small hands just gripped Viserys's lapel tightly.
Buzz! Viserys felt a rush of blood to his head. He was covered in goosebumps; in all his years, he had never been so embarrassed.
He looked at Daenerys's sincere and worried face, knowing she was genuinely afraid of Ashara being harmed and had truly mustered the courage to plead for her.
He took a deep breath, tried to keep his expression normal, and spoke in the calmest tone possible. "Dany, listen to Brother. Brother did not hit Ashara sister. Ashara sister wasn't crying that day. That is a way for adults to express intimacy and affection. You will understand when you grow up."
"Really?" she confirmed in a whisper.
"Of course it's true. When have I ever lied to you?"
"Alright then," Daenerys finally smiled through her tears and hugged Viserys tightly. "I love Brother the most."
This awkward little episode was thus resolved, but Viserys still found a chance afterward to mention it to Ashara.
When Ashara heard this, her face immediately flushed as if on fire, and she was so embarrassed she nearly wanted to crawl into a hole. She felt awkward seeing Daenerys for several days afterward.
However, Daenerys herself seemed to have completely forgotten the incident, still affectionately calling out "Ashara sister, Ashara sister" every day.
This incident also made Viserys realize that he had been too "indulgent" in his private world with Ashara and had slightly neglected his sister and niece, who also needed his care and companionship.
Especially Rhaenys, who was in the delicate period of transition from child to young woman, making her thoughts more sensitive and subtle.
Therefore, he specifically set aside time to spend with Rhaenys alone.
When Viserys found Rhaenys, she was frowning over a book that chronicled the "Dance of the Dragons." Reading such a history filled with political schemes and bloodshed was indeed challenging for her age.
"Need help?" He sat down opposite her.
Rhaenys nodded and pushed the book closer.
Viserys began by discussing the succession dispute of Aegon II, recounting the civil war that nearly extinguished the Targaryen Family's dragons and severely weakened its members. He not only described the events but also analyzed the underlying reasons, focusing on how power twisted kinship.
"Remember, Rhaenys," he looked into her violet eyes, "We are bound by blood. This bond is more precious than the iron throne. No matter what happens in the future, we must trust each other."
Rhaenys nodded quietly. "I understand, family comes first."
Viserys smiled and ruffled her hair. "You are a clever person; you will be a great help to me."
Rhaenys's eyes brightened. She lowered her head to continue reading, a slight smile curving her lips.
She suddenly asked, "Brother, is Valyria really safe now?"
"Of course," Viserys said with certainty. "And we have dragons guarding us."
A look of yearning flashed in Rhaenys's eyes. "Will there... be many people there?"
"Initially, only our most trusted companions and family will be there. But slowly, more people will come. We will establish a new nation. And you, you are its Princess, and will be one of its Queens in the future."
Rhaenys's face turned slightly red, and she fiddled with the corner of her clothes. She had a natural assumption about marrying Viserys, but hearing the word "Queen" made her shy.
"I will try my best," she looked up. "I will help you build the nation in the future."
"Don't put pressure on yourself. Just grow up healthy and happy. For everything else, I'm here."
Time quickly arrived at the eve of the transfer.
The atmosphere within the stronghold, beneath the surface calm, held a secret excitement and tension. Ser Willem was directing the loading of the final batch of supplies onto the disguised merchant ships.
Viserys made his final arrangements. He summoned Ser Jon Darry.
"Ser Jon, the first group of people will board tomorrow. You will be responsible for commanding the fleet, and I will escort you along the way, riding the dragon."
"As you command, Your Majesty."
Next, he looked at Ashara, Rhaenys, and Daenerys standing nearby. Daenerys was already drowsy, rubbing her eyes while leaning against Ashara.
"Get a good rest tonight," Viserys told them. "Tomorrow, we begin a new journey. It might be challenging at first."
Ashara nodded, her gaze gentle. Rhaenys also whispered, "Brother, I'm not afraid of hardship."
Viserys embraced them one by one, finally kissing Daenerys on the forehead. The little girl mumbled, "Good night, Brother," and fell deeply asleep in Ashara's arms.
Late at night, Viserys was sleepless. He needed to connect with Blackflame first, preparing for it to follow the fleet from a distance tomorrow.
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