Daenerys had been holding back her words until now. Now that everyone else was gone, she finally help it. She immediately went around to face Viserys, her hands propped on the edge of the table, her purple eyes staring straight at him.
"Brother," she began, her voice more serious than usual. "This time, we are going with you."
Viserys looked up at her.
"Your dragon is still small."
"Arrax can already carry me in flight," Daenerys retorted immediately. "You saw it with your own eyes while you were training with me this past month. He flies steadily now, and I ride well. Besides, Vormax and Viserion will soon be able to carry people too. They can all fight. I can't stay in the rear forever; I want to take back the iron throne with you."
Seeing Viserys remain silent, Daenerys grew anxious and grabbed his arm, shaking it.
"You know how long I've been waiting for this day. I left home right after I was born on Dragonstone. Now that we're finally going back, you can't leave me here."
Rhaenys also stepped forward and stood beside Daenerys.
Viserys looked at the two young girls before him. The same fire burned in their eyes—the pride and longing that belonged to the Targaryens.
"Rhaenys will come with me," he finally spoke.
Daenerys's eyes lit up instantly, but before she could cheer, Viserys's next words made the smile freeze on her face.
"Dany stays."
"Why?" Daenerys almost shouted. "Why can Rhaenys go and I can't? My dragon can fly too, and I can fight..."
Viserys interrupted her. "Arrax can indeed carry you, but he hasn't experienced true combat. We are going to a battlefield this time, which requires actual participation. There will be stray arrows and all sorts of accidents on the battlefield. What will you do if you encounter danger?"
Rhaenys also spoke softly from the side, "Dany..."
"Don't say anything." Daenerys turned to look at her, her eyes already red and her tone filled with grievance. "Of course you can go; your Melyas is the biggest. Last time at sea, you rode Melyas to fight those pirates. I could only stand on top of the castle and watch."
Viserys pulled her into his arms.
Daenerys struggled for a moment and then went still, burying her face in his chest and saying gloomily, "I just want to go. You've told me since I was little that we are Targaryens and dragons are our symbol. You hatched the dragons, trained them, and took Rhaenys to fight, but you leave me behind every time. I'm twelve years old, brother, not a child anymore."
"I know," Viserys said in a low voice, stroking her silver hair. "I want you to accompany me too, but not this time, Dany. Wait a couple of years, until you're a bit older and your dragon is stronger, and I will definitely take you."
"Ashara will stay behind to help you," Viserys continued. "You are a Princess of the Targaryens; you need to watch over everything here. If anyone tries to target Valyria while I'm away, you must take your dragon and protect this place."
Daenerys didn't speak; she just kept her face buried in his chest, her shoulders trembling slightly. Rhaenys stood nearby, wanting to say something but ultimately remaining silent.
After a long time, Daenerys pushed Viserys away and wiped the tears from her face.
"Liar, that's exactly how you lied to me last time," she said, then turned and ran toward the door of the Council Chamber.
"Dany," Rhaenys called out to her.
However, Daenerys didn't look back; she only quickened her pace and soon disappeared through the doorway.
Rhaenys wanted to chase after her, but Viserys stopped her.
"Let her be alone for a while," he said.
He knew Dany's temper; saying anything now would be useless. It was better to let her process it herself.
Rhaenys looked at him, her purple eyes filled with worry. "Brother, Dany just wants to be with you so much."
"I know," Viserys sighed. "But I can't take her into danger. Westeros is a battlefield now, not a place for sightseeing."
Rhaenys was silent for a moment, then said softly, "I'll go talk to her."
Viserys pulled her into his arms, first stroking her hair, then lowering his head to kiss her directly on the lips.
Rhaenys was shocked; this was the first time Viserys had kissed her on the lips. Before, it had only been a peck on the forehead. But she quickly relaxed her body and immersed herself in it.
That night, Daenerys locked herself in her room and didn't even eat dinner. When Rhaenys went to knock on the door, only a muffled "Go away" came from inside.
Rhaenys pushed open Daenerys's door and walked right in.
No lamps were lit in the room; only moonlight spilled in through the window. Daenerys was curled up in a small ball on the bed, her face buried in the pillow, and she didn't move even when she heard the door open.
Rhaenys walked over and sat by her bed. "Still angry?"
Daenerys still didn't respond.
Rhaenys reached out and gently stroked her jade-like feet peeking out from under the quilt; she knew Daenerys's weaknesses.
"Dany, do you remember when we were little? In that house in Braavos, when our brother wasn't around, you always asked me why our family didn't have dragons anymore and why we had to live in hiding all the time."
As she spoke, she applied a little pressure with her fingers, and a muffled giggle came from the pillow.
"Now we have dragons," Rhaenys continued softly. "Brother gave us dragons and the right to live without fear. He's not letting you go only because he cares about you too much."
Daenerys shifted, pulled back her feet, and poked half her head out from under the quilt.
"Then why take you? Doesn't he care about you?"
Rhaenys fell silent for a moment.
"Because I've been to the battlefield," she said. "I've seen dead people, burning ships, and people consumed by Dragonfire. Dany, it's not the same as training. The first time I saw those things, I felt terrible for a long time after returning."
Daenerys slowly sat up. "Are you still afraid now?"
"Yes," Rhaenys said. "But with brother by my side, I'm not afraid."
Daenerys bit her lip, and tears welled up again.
"But I want to be with him too."
Rhaenys also climbed onto the bed and pulled her into her arms, sleeping with her just like they used to. "I know. Actually, I've always been envious of you because I can feel that brother actually likes you more than me. So you have to train hard. Once we take King's Landing, he will definitely take you there."
"Really?" Daenerys was actually drawn in by Rhaenys's comment about her brother liking her more.
"Really," Rhaenys looked down at her. "I promise."
Daenerys was silent for a while, then gave a soft "Mm-hmm."
"Then promise me you'll keep a closer eye on brother for me," she whispered. "Don't let him get hurt, and don't let those Westerosi women get near him. We already have too many companions."
Rhaenys laughed. "I can't promise that. After all, brother is very exceptional and attracts many people."
Daenerys immediately glared at her.
Rhaenys patted her with a smile. "Alright, I can only promise to not let too many people get close to him."
The moonlight fell on Daenerys's face; her expression no longer looked as aggrieved as before.
The two of them fell asleep like that, huddled together.
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