WebNovels

Chapter 464 - Intrigue

(Third Person POV)

In the training yard of Harrenhal, Riktor was leaning against the wall, watching Visenya Targaryen holding a sword as she stood in the middle. 

"Hm..." He said

He watched as she practiced her sword swings, watching her posture as she did so. This is the first time she's ever seen someone wield a weapon, someone besides his mother. Mya uses a bow, however, and is not that proficient with a sword. 

To say that he was intrigued would be an understatement. He knew that Visenya Targaryen was a warrior and the reason the Kingsguard exists. She was the wielder of Dark Sister, a valyrian sword that Baelon Targaryen is currently in possession of. 

Visenya was practicing, swinging the sword in the middle of the air, pivoting to the side. It was as if she were in a trance, dancing around an invisible opponent as her hair bounced up and down. She didn't seem to notice Riktor, her eyes were focused. 

She swung the sword downwards, the sound of the blade cutting through the air was heard, "Hm." She said, "This metal...high-grade.....almost as good as Valyrian Steel....who crafted this?" 

"Papa." a voice said, "He made all the weapons." 

Visenya turned to see Astorias standing a couple of feet away from her, "Huh?" She said, "Who are you? Were you standing there? You could have gotten hurt!" 

Astorias smirked, "I would be fine." She said, "I am the Princess Astorias!" 

"Princess....?" Visenya blinked

"My Mama is a Princess. Princess Saera." She said, "And I am her daughter. I am called Princess because my Papa is a god." 

"Hm....." Visenya said, "Is that so?" 

The girl nods, "Yes." 

"I see...." Visenya looks at her, "What do you want?" 

Astorias's eyes glimmer, "You are the Warrior-Queen, right?" She said with a tone of admiration, "Teach me how to be like you!" 

"Like me?" She asked

She nodded frantically, "Yes, yes!"

"Hm." She said, "I don't think so." 

Astorias frowned, "Why not???" 

"First, you are too young." She said seriously, "Second, you are better off learning from your brother. He is a fine warrior. I watched him fight my son momentarily; his movements are legitimate. He is a skilled fighter." 

Riktor was watching this from afar, hearing the compliments. He couldn't help but smile slightly. The two of them didn't notice Riktor, however, immersed in their conversation. 

"Riktor?????" Astorias frowned, "He won't teach me! He's a grumpy guy! I need to learn how to fight so I can beat him up!" 

"Oh." Visenya said with a look of surprise, "I understand. It appears you have some sort of one-sided rivalry with him. He doesn't seem the type to bully his young sister." 

Astorias crossed his arms, "He is mad my Papa loves me more than him." 

Visenya couldn't help but chuckle, covering her mouth slightly, "Oh." She said with a smile, "It's like that, huh? You are eager to please your father by learning to fight. Riktor isn't the problem, is he? You just wish to make your father happy....." 

Astorias looked down, "Papa likes fighters. Riktor and Sylas are meant to be his generals." She said softly, "I want him to look at me like he looks at them..." 

"And how does he look at them, little one?" Visenya crouched down

"With pride...." Astorias said softly

Riktor heard this, his face softened, "Astorias....." He said under his breath, "You....." 

"Father doesn't look at you like he does us...." He thought to himself, "Because he is too busy looking at you with a love-struck face. He adores you more than you can ever comprehend." 

Back to Visenya and Astorias, the former queen smiled softly, "Hm..." She said, "Us daughters have to work extra hard to be on the same level as the sons." 

Astorias looked at her, "Really?" 

Visenya nodded, "But something tells me you are strong as you are." She said, "But if you learn to how fight, how to be a warrior, I think you will be terrifying." 

Astorias smiled brightly, "Yes!" She said, "I want to beat my papa's enemies down!"

Visenya couldn't help but chuckle, being overwhelmed by the cuteness of the girl in front of her. She didn't care that Astorias was the demigod daughter of the god who brought her back. She was reminded of her younger sister, Rhaenys, during their childhood. She wanted to keep up with Visenya in order to please Aegon, but she was unable to. 

The mere thought of Aegon made Visenya frown, and she looked down, trying to hide the fact. 

"What's wrong?" Astorias asked

"Nothing." She cleared his throat

"Are you thinking of your son? That.....Maegor?" Astorias asked, "Don't worry about him. He's immortal! He can't die unless Papa undoes it." 

"No....it's not him." Visenya said

"Is it your husband? Aegon...?" Astorias placed her hand on her chin, "Mama Maegelle said he was the first king...my grandpa's grandpa!" 

Visenya smiled, "Yes....." She said, "Aegon is your blood too....." 

"I guess so." Astorias said, "I am a Drakkengard above all, though." 

"Right." Visenya nodded, "Well....I did think of him....of Aegon." 

"Oh really? What did you think about?" Astorias asked

"Nothing much." Visenya stood up and walked to the table, placing the sword there, "I...." 

"I am quite smart for my age. I can understand anything you might mean." Astorias walked up to her, "Aegon had two wives, right? You and Rhaenys?" 

Visenya nodded, "Yes." 

"Hm....." Astorias said, "Did Aegon love you like he loved Rhaenys?" 

Visenya's face went a bit pale, looking away as she got a swirl of emotions all within her, taken aback by the question. 

"I..." She said softly

"Oh, I'm sorry." Astorias frowned, "I didn't mean anything by it." 

"Well..." Visenya said, "Why would you ask it?" 

"Papa has three wives. He loves all of them equally. And he shows them a lot of attention." Astorias said with a nod, "I mean...a lot of attention." 

Visenya looked at her, "And you are proof of that...?" 

Astorias smiled, "You can say that." 

"A child like you shouldn't worry about such things." Visenya frowned

Astorias shook her head, "I only worry about fighting!" She said with a a determined face, "And beating Riktor up! So teach me!" 

Visenya smiled slightly, 

"Very well." 

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