GOT King of Dragon

"Not yet. I heard Queen Alicent has increased the manpower," Cole answered honestly. 

"Is Lord Robert also searching?" Rhaegar asked casually, as if making small talk. 

"Yes, Lord Robert is leading the search himself. He even went to the seaside last night looking for you, Prince," Cole replied. 

Rhaegar's eyes shifted, and he stood up. "I'm full. I'll take a stroll around the castle." 

Without waiting for Cole's agreement, Rhaegar quickly headed out. 

Cole hesitated for a moment, remembering the princess's orders to keep an eye on the prince. Staying within the castle didn't count as wandering off, he reasoned, and followed closely behind. 

"What do you think my sister and father are talking about?" Rhaegar asked after walking a short distance. 

"The king and the princess naturally discuss important matters. How could I possibly know?" Cole replied, keeping his tone humble. 

"Take a guess. My sister trusts you a lot," Rhaegar pressed. 

After being asked multiple times, Cole hesitated and slowly said, "Their recent discussions have mostly been about the princess's marriage. That's all I know." 

"Do you know Laenor?" 

"Lord Corlys Velaryon's eldest son?" 

"So, you do know him." 

"When Lord Corlys served as Master of Ships, the princess often met with his children. I was fortunate enough to see him then," Cole answered. 

Rhaegar turned his head, his expression suddenly serious. "What kind of person is Laenor? Be honest with me, Ser!" 

Cole maintained a composed expression and gave an impartial assessment. "Ser Laenor is very handsome, has an easygoing personality, and is an excellent knight." 

"Does he... have any vices?" Rhaegar continued questioning. 

Given what Rhaegar knew of Rhaenyra, if Laenor was indeed as perfect as Cole described, it would be a match made in heaven. Rhaenyra liked handsome, gentle men. There was no reason she would resist. 

Cole kept silent, refusing to speak ill of anyone behind their back due to his knightly principles. 

Rhaegar probed further. "Does he drink excessively? Gamble?" 

"Ser Laenor enjoys drinking but never gambles," Cole answered carefully. 

"Does he frequent brothels? Lead a promiscuous lifestyle?" 

Cole hesitated, then said, "Ser Laenor has never visited brothels." 

"What about his private life?" Rhaegar pressed, sensing a key detail. 

"I've heard rumors. Ser Laenor does not seem to be interested in women, and there's no scandal involving him in that regard," Cole replied, choosing his words meticulously. 

Rhaegar frowned. "You're not denying that his private life is chaotic, but you say he's not interested in women. That's contradictory." 

Cole turned away, his expression solemn. 

Getting no answer, Rhaegar continued walking, mulling over Cole's implications. 

Suddenly, Rhaegar stopped in his tracks as a possibility struck him. 

"Does he like men?" Rhaegar asked in shock, looking at Cole. 

Cole lowered his gaze, neither confirming nor denying it. 

That reaction was all Rhaegar needed to understand. 

"Father plans to marry Rhaenyra to a man with... unconventional preferences. Isn't he worried this will lead to discord and problems after the marriage?" Rhaegar thought to himself. 

The members of House Targaryen were not to be trifled with. Each one was a predator. 

"Ridiculous. Father's decision is utterly foolish," Rhaegar muttered, his resolve for what to do next growing stronger. 

"Take me to Lord Robert's room. He should have a map of Dragonstone," Rhaegar ordered Cole. 

Cole asked, "May I ask, what do you need the map of Dragonstone for?" 

"To find a dragon! With a map, it'll be easier to act," Rhaegar stated firmly. 

"The queen has already sent people to look for the hatchling. All you need to do is wait," Cole replied. 

"If the queen's people find the dragon, Aegon will tame it first. I can't just sit here and wait," Rhaegar reasoned convincingly. 

Cole agreed and suggested, "If you want a map of Dragonstone, there's no need to go to Lord Robert's room. The princess has one in her bedroom." 

"Why didn't you say so earlier?" Rhaegar said, exasperated. 

"You just asked," Cole replied plainly. 

Rhaegar slapped his forehead and turned back toward the bedroom. 

Once there, he found a map of Dragonstone, nearly two meters wide, tucked under the bed. 

Spreading the map out, Rhaegar studied it closely, searching for the volcano's location. 

Vermithor and Silverwing lived in a lair beneath the volcano. To find them, he had to start near the volcano. 

"There, the strange rocky mountains on the eastern side of Dragonstone," Rhaegar murmured. 

Besides dragons, Dragonstone was famous for its rocks. 

The jagged mountain range stretched from east to west, and the active volcano was nestled within it. 

Memorizing the approximate location, Rhaegar felt confident and resolved to search for the dragon. 

He had already thought of an excuse. 

"I'm looking for the hatchling!" 

--- 

Cole intended to refuse, but Rhaegar's face turned stern as he said unhappily, "Taming dragons is every Targaryen's duty. I must join the dragon search party and contribute."

"If I let you go out, I won't be able to answer to the princess," Cole replied, shaking his head.

"Then accompany me. We'll be back before dinner," Rhaegar said as he began walking out, giving Cole no chance to refuse.

Cole let out a deep sigh and followed reluctantly. This prince's status was far too special. Both the king and the princess valued him greatly, so Cole could only do his best to ensure his safety.

The castle was located on the northern side of Dragonstone.

Rhaegar left the Red Keep and avoided the long stone corridors, heading instead toward the farming area behind the castle.

There were many commoners on Dragonstone.

Some were even descendants of the Targaryen family's bastards and their offspring.

Having lived on Dragonstone for generations, their conditions were relatively good.

...

After the conversation ended, Rhaenyra left her father's room, a faint worry lingering in her expression.

Viserys had spent half the night poring over the prophecy etched into the stone wall and returned at dawn.

Without resting, he immediately sought out Rhaenyra to speak with her about the prophecy of "The Song of Ice and Fire" and to show her the inscriptions on the Valyrian steel dagger.

This left her deeply concerned about the potential future appearance of the Long Night and the White Walkers.

She asked herself, honestly, when the day comes, will she have the confidence to lead the Seven Kingdoms to victory against the Long Night and overcome such a calamity?

The answer she arrived at was: no.

"Fortunately, the Long Night hasn't appeared for thousands of years, and the prince mentioned in the prophecy is named Aegon. It certainly won't be that crybaby coward."

Thinking of Alicent's son, Aegon, Rhaenyra regained her confidence.

As she walked back, she heard Alicent's voice behind her.

"Rhaenyra, can we have a chat?"

Rhaenyra turned and brushed her off, saying, "What is there to talk about? It's not even afternoon tea time."

"Please, I feel deeply sorry for my previous doubts about you and want to have a heartfelt talk," Alicent said sincerely, her expression hopeful. "Just like the old days, when you and I could talk about anything."

Looking at Alicent's expression, Rhaenyra felt disgust rising from the depths of her heart.

The two of them were practically at the point of outright hostility.

And here she was, playing the "deep sisterly bond" card.

"Fine, let's chat," Rhaenyra agreed, curious to see what Alicent was up to.

Alicent stepped forward, took her hand, and with a cheerful smile, led her toward the castle garden.

As they walked, Alicent asked, "Why don't I see Rhaegar?"

"He's resting. He sneaked out yesterday, so I've forbidden him from leaving," Rhaenyra replied honestly.

"I heard he found some ancient prophetic murals," Alicent said.

"Yes, the Song of Ice and Fire," Rhaenyra confirmed.

"Heh, I always thought that was just a scary story wet nurses told to get children to sleep."

"It does have a mythical quality," Rhaenyra replied, offering no further explanation.

The Song of Ice and Fire was a prophecy meant for the heir to understand. Alicent had no business knowing its significance.

---

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(The chapter ends here.)