Daeron left the Red Keep and headed towards the Dragonpit.
"Mother's idea is good, but it doesn't seem to be for my own sake."
Seeing the blue sky and white clouds, Daeron's thoughts became clearer.
The method Queen Rhaella mentioned could indeed effectively increase the Targaryen prestige and push him to a very high position.
But the aftereffects of such thunderous methods were too great.
"Father and Rhaegar can't be relied upon, so she wants to tie me to the Iron Throne to ensure the family's stability?"
Daeron saw through it.
Shaena was also a tool for Queen Rhaella to control him.
She saw the incompetence of her husband and eldest son, and since she didn't have enough emotional leverage to manipulate Daeron, the Second Son, she used marriage with Shaena to bind him and eliminate all unstable factors.
To achieve her goal, she didn't care about Daeron or Shaena's wishes, nor did she care if it would cause a backlash from Tywin or the House Tyrell.
Because Daeron had a dragon, he could always suppress any chaos.
"If you had agreed to strip Rhaegar of his status as heir, I might actually believe you."
Daeron wasn't that naive and quickly grasped the key point.
His mother still viewed him as a Second Son, a personal royal enforcer, rather than considering things from a mother-son perspective.
As he walked, someone caught up from behind.
"Prince, wait a moment."
Count Qarlton forced a smile.
Daeron looked back.
Besides Count Qarlton, there were also Ser Gerold in his silver armor and white cloak, and Count Owen.
Count Owen gave a sheepish smile, indicating he didn't really want to come.
"Prince, it's like this—"
Count Qarlton shamelessly tried to convey the King's decree.
"No need for nonsense."
Daeron interrupted directly, opened the wooden box, left the black Dragon Egg, picked out the pale creamy white one from the other two, and tossed it over.
"Whoops, whoops!"
Count Qarlton turned pale with fright, scrambling to catch the Dragon Egg.
Daeron closed the wooden box and said calmly, "Tell my father that this Dragon Egg is for him. I will lead troops to the Riverlands tomorrow to wipe out the rebels."
"Ah?" Count Qarlton was stunned.
Daeron had no time for nonsense; he reached out and pointed at Count Owen, saying, "Come, I was just about to find you."
The news of him seizing three Dragon Eggs had already spread everywhere.
Father Aerys couldn't possibly not want one, so he would give him one in exchange for a smooth deployment to suppress the rebellion without any interference.
If he could hatch a young dragon, it would be a win!
"Coming, coming, Prince."
Count Owen followed Daeron's footsteps with a beaming, fawning smile.
Noon, 12:00.
The Dragonpit.
Shaena, with a bare face, wore a well-fitting sky-blue slit short skirt paired with tapered trousers. She had been invited and found Daeron, who was busy.
"Just in time, Shaena."
Daeron fastened the straps on the Dragon saddle and released the gentle Blue Dragon.
Tessarion lay prone on the pitch-black floor, a emerald-green Dragon saddle installed on its back. The seat was covered with snow leopard fur, and a special fireproof rope net was laid under the stirrups.
"Prince, Princess, then I shall take my leave."
Count Owen wiped his sweat and tactfully withdrew after completing his task.
—
That's right, the new Dragon saddle was a treasure he had dug out from the bottom of the royal treasury.
For the comfort of the Dragon saddle, he even contributed rare furs specially provided from The North.
Shaena was stunned. She looked at the tapered trousers she was wearing, then at the Blue Dragon fitted with the Dragon saddle, and it wasn't hard to guess what was about to happen.
"Mother is right. Two Dragonriders are always better than one for deterrence."
Daeron openly reached out and extended an invitation.
Shaena's purple eyes flickered as she gently placed her hand in his, and it was immediately grasped firmly.
"Screech!"
Tessarion was very spiritual. It let out a cry at the young Targaryens and moved its hind legs to slowly retreat.
Dragons are wild and are not naturally willing to be tamed.
Daeron led Shaena to the Blue Dragon, raised his hand in a stopping gesture, and said as they walked, "Don't be afraid. Tessarion is very gentle; it's not a bad-tempered dragon."
"Let me try it myself."
Shaena spoke softly, clumsily withdrew her hand, and reached out to touch the Blue Dragon.
Daeron stepped back, constantly observing the state of both the girl and the dragon.
Taming dragons is a Targaryen tradition, but not every Targaryen can succeed.
At most, the dragon might be gentler when refusing, rather than immediately breathing out Dragonfire to kill.
"Screech!"
Tessarion's vertical pupils watched the silver-haired girl, letting out a warning-like cry.
Shaena closed her eyes as her soft long hair was blown about by the dragon's roar, and the pungent smell of sulfur hit her nose.
"Quiet, Tessarion!"
Shaena mustered her courage and, in fluent High Valyrian, gave a command to the Blue Dragon.
Tessarion closed its maw, extended its head forward, and scrutinized her with its vertical pupils.
"Don't be afraid, Tessarion."
Shaena opened her eyes, took a bold step forward, and reached her fair palm toward the Blue Dragon's snout.
Tessarion stopped its restlessness, tilted its head to glance at Daeron, and Shaena's silhouette was reflected in its pupils.
Tap!
Shaena took the final step and her palm touched the Blue Dragon's lower jaw.
Instantly, a novel sensation filled her entire body, as if her soul had been baptized.
It turned out that a dragon's scales didn't feel cold as they looked, but were warm and hot, with a rough texture like stone slabs.
She carefully examined this Blue Dragon.
Tessarion's appearance was magnificent, with shining copper-colored vertical pupils and diamond-blue diamond-shaped scales covering its body. The scales from its jaw to its belly were copper-colored, as were its crest and talons.
Its overall coloration was like a fine masterpiece rendered in ink.
Its body was well-proportioned, and its pair of wings were broad and powerful. While its flight speed was not slow, it could also maintain good stability.
Its overall capabilities were excellent.
"It's so beautiful."
Shaena was mesmerized, cupping Tessarion's head with both hands and stroking the diamond-blue scales on its neck.
"Screech!"
Tessarion stopped screeching and let out a low growl from its throat. Its upper body slowly pressed down, and one wing touched the ground, revealing the emerald-green Dragon saddle on its back.
Shaena turned back in surprise, seeking Daeron's opinion.
"Tessarion has already accepted you."
Daeron's mood was complex, feeling somewhat like the prize cabbage he was supposed to harvest had been harvested by the cabbage he raised.
Shaena smiled brightly: "Thank you."
She released the Blue Dragon's head, turned to hug Daeron, and specifically stood on her tiptoes to gently stroke Daeron's hair.
The girl's fragrance filled his nose, and her soft touch against his chest immediately made him feel much better.
"I'll carry you up!"
Daeron grabbed Shaena's slender waist, tossed her onto the Dragon saddle, and fastened the securing chains for her.
Shaena's first time on a dragon's back made her small face turn pale with nervousness, and she gripped the handles of the Dragon saddle tightly.
"Don't be afraid. If you're afraid, it will bully you. You must be able to subdue it."
Daeron taught by example.
"Okay, I'll remember."
Shaena began to breathe deeply, adjusting her hips under the slit short skirt and the angle of her trousers and the Dragon saddle, assuming a kneeling seiza-like posture.
A Dragon saddle is not a chair, but a riding harness similar to a pommel horse, with specific grooves at the base for the legs to be spread.
This design was intended to reduce wind resistance while preventing the rider from being too exposed on the dragon's back, which would make them a weak point for enemy attacks.
"Very good!"
Daeron confirmed everything was correct, flashed a mischievous smile, suddenly slapped the dragon's wing, and shouted, "Fly, Tessarion!"
As the familiar High Valyrian left his mouth, Tessarion instantly became alert, its hind legs ran a few steps, and it flapped its diamond-blue wings to take off from the ground.
Shaena screamed: "Ah!!"
"Hahaha." Daeron laughed mercilessly.
Little Shaena, just because I call you elder sister, you really think I'm your little brother.
Time for you to fly!
Shaena rode Tessarion out of the Dragonpit, flying over King's Landing in one go, immediately drawing the attention of the people of King's Landing.
"A dragon!"
"
"
The people of King's Landing looked up and saw a magnificent diamond-Blue Dragon and the girl in the blue dress on its back.
"It's Princess Shaena Targaryen!"
"It's Her Royal Highness—"
A vegetable-selling auntie with good eyesight recognized the young princess on the dragon's back and showed a kind smile.
Dragons are the symbol of the royal family.
With every additional princess or prince who becomes a Dragonrider, the kingdom becomes safer.
In the Red Keep, in an attic.
Varys, with his hands tucked into his sleeves, looked at the princess and the dragon on the horizon and couldn't help but sigh, "Another Dragonrider has been added."
Illyrio's fate was grim, and the original plan was completely scrapped.
How much longer could he hold out in this vast Red Keep?
"A dragon! Who has mounted a dragon!"
Aerys leaned out the window, half his body hanging out, staring unblinkingly at the Blue Dragon soaring in the sky.
Damn it, he had only just obtained a Petrified dragon egg, yet someone had already mounted a dragon's back before him.
"Your Majesty, please be careful."
Ser Gerold quickly pulled him back.
Aerys struggled violently, nearly falling out, and roared, "My dragons, those are all my dragons!"
"Your Majesty, calm down!"
Count Qarlton and Jaime also rushed in, pulling at the mentally unstable King.
Maester Aemon sat in the corner of the room, quietly watching this scene, and after a moment, he shifted his gaze to the beautiful giant dragon flying high in the vast sky.
"Good, it's good to have another Dragonrider."
The old man smiled like a happy child.
The family bloodline can flourish now.
He no longer needs to worry about the family's legacy.
"Good, they are all good children."
Maester Aemon smiled until his eyes reddened. He wiped away his tears and whispered, "Aegon, your descendants have produced Dragonriders. They will continue our bloodline. Do you see?"
The sky was azure, and the sea of clouds surged.
Shaena squinted her eyes. The giant dragon beneath her flew faster and faster, gradually exceeding her visual range, making her feel a bit uneasy. She bent down as much as possible to reduce wind resistance.
She thought of what Daeron had said.
A dragon will bully its rider to test their courage.
"Dragonfire, Tessarion!"
Shaena mustered her courage and shouted.
"Screech—!"
In the next moment, a sharp, ear-piercing dragon cry echoed through the clouds. The sea of clouds above surged violently as a fierce wind struck.
A massive, crimson creature burst through the layers of mist.
Daeron rode Caraxes out. His dragon's body was slender, like a crimson giant serpent, spreading its wings to soar high in the sky, brushing past Tessarion's side.
"Screech!"
Tessarion was startled, but recognizing its father and elder brother, it did not attack and instead began to accelerate.
Shaena's body swayed, her slender waist nearly folding. Thanks to the securing chains, she didn't tumble off.
"Screech—!"
Caraxes appeared again, charging upward from below, brushing past Tessarion's edge before disappearing back into the surging sea of clouds.
The person and the dragon were of one mind, and without the need for extra commands, they could cooperate with perfect tacit understanding.
Shaena had barely managed to sit steady when she was once again jolted up and down by Tessarion.
Having learned from the previous experience, she simply lay flat on the Dragon saddle, not afraid to let go.
"Daeron~~!"
After one prank and two scares, even the good-tempered Shaena's eyes sharpened, and her silver teeth ground together secretly.
This was too much bullying!
"Screech—!"
A moment later, the sea of clouds at her side churned, and a sharp screech like an air-raid siren came from within, as if issuing a warning in advance.
Shaena immediately noticed. Casting aside all other emotions, she shouted clearly, "Dragonfire!"
Tessarion responded, its head aiming at the churning clouds, and spat out a burst of diamond-blue Dragonflame.
Boom—
The cobalt-blue Dragonflame gushed out like a waterfall, burning the mist composed of water molecules and particles, forming a thick cloud of diamond-blue flame.
Just then, Daeron and Caraxes burst out of the sea of clouds, charging toward the intensifying flame cloud.
Shaena's heart tightened, and she forced herself to suppress the impulse to look away.
Daeron glanced back, a smile curling his lips. He opened his arms toward the oncoming flame cloud and boldly rode his dragon right into it.
"Screech—!"
Caraxes plunged into the flame cloud, its serpent-like body spinning once in mid-air. In an instant, it burst through the flame cloud, its crimson scales appearing even brighter after being bathed in fire.
Daeron emerged at the same time, with only a trace of soot on his face, otherwise completely unharmed.
"Phew~~"
Shaena breathed a sigh of relief and let go of her hand clutching her chest.
At the same time, she suddenly found that Tessarion's flight was much steadier. It no longer deliberately accelerated or jolted, and the surrounding wind resistance gradually eased.
She understood what Daeron had told her.
If you are weak, it is strong; if you are strong, it is weak.
A dragon wants a brave rider, not a coward who relies on the dragon's strength.
Shaena leaned forward, stroking Tessarion's diamond-blue scales. she felt an unprecedented gentleness and reliability, as if it were taking special care of her, not letting her bear the negative effects of high-altitude flight.
"Screech!"
Tessarion gradually picked up speed, spreading its wings to glide through the clouds, chasing after its father and elder brother ahead.
The two people and two dragons had already flown out of King's Landing and began to cross Blackwater Bay, soaring toward The Gullet.
Dragonstone.
Lyanna had an unnatural flush on her face. she lay limp on the bed, a wet towel covering her forehead.
"Maester, how is the situation?"
Rhaegar stood by the bed, his expression gloomy.
The Old Maester shook his head and sighed, "It's Puerperal fever. I am also powerless."
Puerperal fever is commonly known as a type of heat illness.
If a woman is handled improperly during childbirth, she can easily become infected, contract Puerperal fever, and lose her life.
"Won't the Special kiln crops work either?"
Rhaegar said in a heavy voice.
The Old Maester said helplessly, "Unless there is specific medicine to treat it, otherwise the Special kiln crops can only prolong Lady Lyanna's suffering."
Special kiln crops only provide Life Force, ensuring the body's health and accelerating recovery.
Puerperal fever is a fever and an infection; the two are unrelated.
In an instant, Rhaegar's mood sank to rock bottom. Gazing at Lyanna's much-thinned face, he felt a pang of heartache for the first time.
"Waa waa waa~~"
An infant's cry rang out from the cradle in the room, and two small hands reached out from the soft blanket.
Rhaegar dazed for a moment, wanting to step forward and hold his son.
Boom—!
Suddenly, a roar sounded above the Stone Drum Tower, as if something had descended from the sky. A fierce wind blew against the castle, making a drum-like sound.
Rhaegar looked up abruptly and ran to the window.
Outside.
One red and one Blue Dragon were soaring together, like a combination of ice and fire. Then they separated, one in front and one behind, gliding over the Stone Drum Tower and flying toward the cloud-piercing Dragonmont.
"Daeron, Shaena!?"
With his excellent eyesight, Rhaegar instantly identified his sister on the back of the magnificent dragon.
The two dragons flew over the Dragonmont, circling the white-smoke-belching crater again and again, as if performing a dance of dragons.
Finally, Caraxes's body straightened, and it landed on the edge of the Dragonmont.
"Screech—!"
Caraxes's molten-gold vertical pupils locked onto the Stone Drum Tower. Noticing the hidden observer, it extended its serpent-like neck and let out a sharp screech.
Daeron sat steadily on the dragon's back, one hand on the handle, glancing sideways at the Stone Drum Tower below.
Across the long distance, he saw Rhaegar watching from the window.
"You don't look very well."
Daeron was indifferent, not caring if the other party could hear him.
At that moment, Shaena rode Tessarion to land on the other side of the Dragonmont. Once the giant dragon had stabilized its swaying body, she took a long breath.
Riding a dragon was truly a thrilling matter for her.
Blue sky and white clouds, the towering Dragonmont, a young man and woman, and two dragons.
Rhaegar closed his eyes and silently lowered his head.
more chapter available in p@tréøñ(Atoki_29)