GOT King of Dragon

The banquet continued. 

Rhaegar sat upright in his seat, waiting as one noble after another approached to greet him, returning their pleasantries with polite smiles. 

Just as his face began to feel stiff from all the smiling, the sound of a welcome drumroll echoed through the hall. 

"Lord Corlys of House Velaryon, the Sea Snake, Lord of the Tides, Count of Driftmark, along with his wife, Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, and their children and heirs..." 

The herald's voice announced as the grand doors of the hall swung open. 

A group of individuals entered the hall. 

The lively buzz of the banquet fell silent, and all eyes turned toward the newcomers. 

"The Sea Snake..." 

Rhaegar murmured softly, curious about the man who was his father's most formidable political adversary. 

From his position at the head of the hall, Rhaegar had an unimpeded view of the group as they made their entrance. 

At the forefront was a middle-aged man with silver hair and dark skin. His gaze was deep and his demeanor calm and composed. 

Beside him walked a striking woman with black hair streaked with hints of silver-gold, her expression haughty. 

The two walked arm in arm. 

Behind them was a pair of young adults, a man and a woman, both with silver hair, dark-toned skin, and strikingly attractive features. 

"Does Old Valyria have dark-skinned descendants?" Rhaegar silently wondered to himself. 

The group made their way to the center of the banquet hall, drawing the attention of everyone present. 

Corlys stepped forward, offering a slight bow to King Viserys and saying calmly, "Your Grace, forgive us for arriving from afar and not attending the earlier part of this grand event." 

"Heh, when I didn't see you earlier today, I thought House Velaryon wasn't going to show up," Viserys responded, standing up and nodding slightly toward Rhaenys. "Cousin." 

"Cousin," Rhaenys replied with a faint smile, acknowledging him. 

Viserys gestured toward Rhaegar, who was seated beside him, and introduced him, "Come now, Lord Corlys, meet the new heir to the realm and swear your fealty to him." 

He wanted to gauge the Sea Snake's attitude. 

Corlys's eyes fell on the young prince. He frowned slightly but spoke, "Your Grace, you've made a wise decision." 

He wasn't lying. 

A male heir was indeed a more secure choice than a princess. 

Corlys knelt on one knee and made a solemn pledge of fealty, his expression betraying no reluctance. 

Rhaegar stepped down from his seat, walked up to Corlys, extended a hand, and smiled. "Rise, Lord Corlys. I accept your fealty." 

Hearing this, Corlys placed his hand on Rhaegar's and stood to his full height, towering over the young prince. He said in a low voice, "Prince, may you become a wise and just ruler." 

"I will, my lord," Rhaegar replied with a nod, before turning to Rhaenys. 

"Aunt, this is my first time meeting you and my cousins. Please, take your seats." 

"It may be your first time meeting me, but I've long been familiar with you," Rhaenys said indifferently, patting her nephew's head as if unconcerned with courtly formalities. 

Laenor and Laena stepped forward as well, offering warm congratulations. "Rhaegar, congratulations on becoming the Crown Prince." 

As Rhaegar exchanged pleasantries with his cousins, Rhaenys moved toward the head table. 

She raised a glass of wine to Viserys first. 

Then, turning to Rhaenyra, she sneered, "I told you, you'd be replaced. You really weren't up to the task." 

Her words carried a sharp edge, tinged with frustration and disappointment. 

Rhaenys had once been a contender for the throne herself but had lost to her cousin Viserys. 

When Rhaenyra was named heir, she had hoped the princess would succeed where she hadn't. 

But in the end, Rhaenyra couldn't escape being supplanted by a male heir. 

Rhaenyra's face darkened, and she responded coldly, "Aunt, Rhaegar is my brother. I willingly gave up the position." 

"Is that how you comfort yourself?" Rhaenys asked, her eyes filled with pity. She shook her head. 

Rhaenyra clenched her fists under the table and raised her glass. "Haven't you lived through the same? The people were never on our side." 

"You're right," Rhaenys admitted, her tone unguarded. "The system itself is flawed." 

Realizing the gravity of her words, she quickly changed the subject. "You're not young anymore. Perhaps it's time you found a husband to rely on?" 

"No need. Rhaegar will take care of me," Rhaenyra replied bluntly, rejecting the suggestion. 

Rhaenys seemed a bit regretful but said, "Very well. You could always follow the family's traditions." 

Despite her sharp words, there was a glimmer of admiration in her eyes for her niece, who shared her struggles. 

Still, she wouldn't press the matter further if Rhaenyra didn't want it. 

After the brief exchange, Corlys and Rhaenys took their seats with their family, becoming part of the banquet crowd. 

Rhaegar struck up an engaging conversation with Laenor, finding that his cousin seemed to hold him in high regard. 

Just then, another figure stepped through the still-open doors. 

He had short silver hair, wore black leather armor, and sported a roguish smile at the corner of his mouth. 

*Bang!* 

Viserys's face twisted with rage. He slammed the table and bellowed, "Daemon, you scoundrel! How dare you show your face here!?" 

Hearing this, Rhaegar turned toward the source of the commotion, his expression cooling. 

To everyone's surprise, the man entering was none other than Daemon Targaryen, the disgraced and wanted prince. 

Daemon stood at the doorway, casually eating a piece of salted bread. 

*Shing!* *Shing!* 

Two swords were drawn in unison, and the Kingsguard stationed at the door pointed their blades at Daemon's neck, their expressions stern. 

Daemon swallowed the last bite of bread, raised his hands, and smiled faintly. "Brother, I invoke the guest right." 

"You are a sinner, unworthy of any rights," Viserys glared at him, seething with anger. "Seize him and throw him in the black cells!" 

"No, no, no—the arrest warrants haven't reached King's Landing yet. I am still a prince," Daemon protested nervously as the blade brushed his skin. Swallowing hard, he argued slyly, "At least for tonight, I'm here as a guest." 

As he spoke, he unfastened the Valyrian steel sword—Dark Sister—from his waist and held it out with both hands. 

Seeing Daemon surrender his weapon, Viserys sneered. "Fool. You have no honor in my court." 

This scoundrel had nearly killed his son. 

"Your Grace," Corlys suddenly spoke up, "Daemon has eaten your bread and salt. Imprisoning him now would violate the gods' laws." 

Viserys turned his icy gaze to Corlys and smirked coldly. "Lord Corlys, did he come here with your family?" 

Daemon and the Velaryons had arrived one after the other, and given Daemon's ties with House Velaryon, it was hard not to suspect something. 

Corlys did not deny it but instead said, "I do not know what grave crime Prince Daemon has committed, but you are blood brothers. Kinslayers are cursed by the gods." 

"He is the kinslayer!" Viserys shouted passionately. 

Daemon immediately countered, "Brother, all my kin are alive and well. Not one has died by my hand." 

"Shut your filthy mouth, or I'll rip out your tongue!" Viserys roared, glaring at him with hatred. 

Daemon sulked and lowered his head, falling silent. 

The confrontation created an unbearable chill in the room. Smiles froze on the faces of everyone present. 

Surveying the tense situation, Laenor rose and gently reminded, "Your Grace, Daemon has willingly walked into your hands. His execution can wait a day." 

"What, should we let this murderer attend the feast?" Viserys said with disgust. 

"Today is the prince's wedding day. Nobles from across the realm have gathered. A public feud would be unwise," Laenor reasoned, concerned about the consequences of infighting. 

(End of Chapter)