GOT King of Dragon

**Three days later.**

The royal ship docked at the port of King's Landing. 

A pale-faced Viserys, supported by Alicent, boarded the carriage bound for the Red Keep. 

Aegon, Helaena, and Aemond rode in another carriage under the care of their attendants. 

However, the group was missing the Hand of the King, Laenor, as well as Rhaenyra and her brother. 

**Inside the carriage.** 

Viserys leaned against the backrest, letting out a groan of discomfort. 

Alicent patted his back and handed him a cup of water. 

Viserys took a small sip, turned his head, and asked with labored breath, "Where is Rhaenyra? Where did they go?" 

Alicent passed the cup back to a servant and replied helplessly, "The two of them have dragons. They landed ahead of us." 

It wasn't hard to detect the trace of jealousy in her tone. 

Three nights ago, after sharing an intimate moment with Alicent, Viserys had confided in her. 

He intended to change Rhaenyra's status as heir, replacing her with Rhaegar as the crown prince. 

This news was nothing short of a bombshell for Alicent, who had recently been threatened by Rhaegar. 

But she had no room to oppose him and could only accept the decision passively. 

The following day, Viserys ordered the maesters to send ravens announcing the news across the continent. 

The previously planned trip to Driftmark was also canceled. 

Instead, the Hand of the King, Laenor, was tasked with visiting Lord Corlys Velaryon and his wife to deliver the news about the new heir. 

With time being tight, many things were left undone—one of which was Aegon's dragon training. 

Aegon's progress in taming Sunfyre had been slow. To avoid delaying their return, the training was postponed. 

This was another sore spot for Alicent. 

Rhaegar had successfully tamed the largest wild dragon at the age of six. 

Yet her Aegon had failed to tame even a young dragon. This left her feeling bitter. 

Why was Rhaegar able to succeed in taming a dragon while Aegon could not? 

---

**The Dragonpit.** 

Dressed in a black dragonrider's suit, Rhaenyra sat atop Syrax's saddle. 

After several days, she seemed to have recovered her spirits, her face radiant with smiles as she watched the dragonkeepers and dragon guards arrive at the sound of her call. 

"Hsssaaa…" 

Syrax let out a low, dissatisfied growl, glaring at the dragonkeepers holding whips and poles before slowly crouching down. 

Rhaenyra leapt off the dragon's back, glanced around, and asked, "Where's Rhaegar? He flew back to King's Landing before I did." 

A young maester with a sallow complexion limped forward, a fawning smile on his face. "The prince has already left. A white knight met him and escorted him back to the Red Keep." 

Rhaenyra nodded, not suspicious. "Take good care of my dragon." 

With that, she walked toward the exit of the Dragonpit. 

Halfway there, she suddenly stopped and turned back with a serious expression. "If Rhaegar comes here alone to ride a dragon, try to stop him from wandering off—or send him to find me." 

It had been three days since she last saw Rhaegar. 

Today, while riding her dragon back to King's Landing, Rhaegar had also flown ahead on Cannibal, leaving her far behind. 

That black dragon flew too fast! *So unfair,* Rhaenyra thought bitterly. 

The young maester nodded repeatedly and assured her, "Don't worry, Princess. I'll do my best to dissuade the prince." 

"Good. I'll remember you for this." 

Pleased with the cooperative maester, Rhaenyra smiled and walked away. 

The young maester watched her leave, then turned and climbed the stairs leading further into the Dragonpit. 

---

**On the upper terrace of the Dragonpit.** 

A massive black dragon lay sprawled on the ground, eyes closed, resting idly. 

At the edge of the terrace, Rhaegar stood, gazing down at Rhaenyra's departing figure. 

Beside him stood Ser Erryk in his silver armor and white cloak, upright and alert. 

From time to time, the knight stole uneasy glances at the ferocious black dragon, his expression tense. 

*Thud, thud, thud…* 

The uneven sound of footsteps came from the stairs. Erryk turned and fixed his gaze on the approaching figure. 

The young maester struggled to ascend the steps, glancing nervously at the giant black dragon occupying the terrace. Lowering his voice, he said, "Prince, the princess has already left." 

"I saw her, Menas," Rhaegar replied without turning, his tone indifferent. 

Seeing that the prince wasn't inclined to talk further, Menas stepped forward respectfully and stood quietly to the side. 

Erryk kept a sharp eye on his every move, inwardly disdainful of this opportunist. 

Time passed. 

Rhaegar turned around, his gaze falling on Menas's raised left leg. "It seems things haven't been going well for you?" 

"This is the punishment I deserve." 

Menas smiled sheepishly, showing no hint of sadness. 

During the last Dreamfyre incident, he was sent to the dungeons. 

During interrogation, his left foot was injured. Without timely treatment, it became permanently disabled. 

Looking at Menas's perpetually humble, gaunt, sallow face, Rhaegar tilted his head. "I thought you would return to the City of Scholars." 

"No, I'm not welcome there. I've grown used to serving here at the Dragonpit." 

Menas spoke candidly. 

Rhaegar nodded, observing the eagerness in the other man's eyes— 

A thirst for power. 

After a brief pause, Rhaegar began walking toward the stairs. As he walked, he said, "Do your job well. The Dragonpit is of utmost importance to the royal family. I'll be paying closer attention to it from now on." 

When the succession is finalized, he plans to keep a tight grip on the Dragonpit. 

Dragons are now his most critical leverage. 

It was a simple word of encouragement, 

But in Menas's ears, it carried a deeper meaning. 

He lifted his head, excited, and quickly said, "Yes, Your Highness. I will not disappoint you." 

"Stay back, Scholar." 

Seeing him trying to step forward, Erich stepped in, stopping him from getting closer to the prince. 

As Rhaegar descended the stairs, his voice echoed: 

"The Dragonpit needs a loyal steward once I become the heir." 

Menas's eyes shone with zeal. Ignoring Erich's attempts to hold him back, he shouted, "Your Highness, I will be your most loyal follower!" 

As a scholar, Menas had access to a wide network of information. 

News of the succession change had already reached King's Landing, and he'd caught wind of it. 

This was why he had been waiting at the Dragonpit since early morning, sticking close to Erich as he awaited the prince's return. 

His efforts had not been in vain. 

The prince remembered him. 

His future looked promising. 

--- 

**Later That Evening** 

Exhausted from travel, Viserys had taken a calming tonic and retired to his chambers early. 

Alicent, after painstakingly ensuring her husband was comfortable and managing the many affairs of the Red Keep, was utterly drained. 

By the time her duties were complete, night had fallen. 

Weary to her core, Alicent returned to her room. 

She longed to collapse onto her soft bed and sleep immediately, but her role as queen and her refined upbringing forbade such behavior. 

Walking to her desk, she removed her constricting gown, revealing her smooth skin. 

The gown fell to the floor as she massaged her aching shoulders. 

Lowering her head, she noticed an envelope on the desk. 

The envelope was sealed with red wax, embossed with the emblem of a tall tower. 

Alicent's spirits lifted, and she quickly picked it up. 

The tower was the sigil of House Hightower. 

It was a letter from her family. 

Her heart fluttered with joy. It had been so long since she had received a letter from her family, and she deeply missed her parents and brothers. 

Breaking the seal, she removed the letter and began to read. 

Sitting on the cold, round stool, Alicent read the letter from her family. 

Gradually, the smile on her face faded. 

It was replaced by disappointment and helplessness. 

The letter was from her father, Otto Hightower, written in his own hand. 

The opening contained a few brief words of concern for his daughter. 

The rest detailed strategies for dealing with the impending succession crisis. 

In essence, it boiled down to two sentences: 

"When outmatched, choose your words carefully." 

"Watch and wait. Preserve your strength." 

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