The naval battle raged on outside.
Viserys had already donned the custom-made, small leather armor. Metal plates reinforced the chest and wrists.
He clutched a short sword in his arms, also crafted to his size, resembling a large needle.
It was slender, light, and sharp.
The silver-haired boy stood on a stool, leaning against the windowsill, watching the distant naval battle. Stone projectiles soaked in oil blazed across the dark sea.
Ships, locked in close-quarters combat, burned with roaring flames. Steel clashed, and the shouts of soldiers filled the air. Even from this distance, carried by the sea breeze, Viserys could faintly hear them.
Yet, at this moment…
He felt inexplicably uneasy.
I have a feeling something bad is about to happen, but I don't know why.
Perhaps it's waiting for the judgment of fate, even knowing the outcome, but not knowing whether my arrival has already changed history.
Yes. He has already changed history.
Ever since Kevan Lannister died at his hands, the trajectory of this world has begun to change.
He might even be slightly regretting his impulsiveness at the time, wondering if the Lannisters, who are known for "a debt always being repaid," will launch a crazy revenge.
If he had been hiding in the carriage and hadn't helped Sir William, perhaps he would have agreed to Kevan's request to let things end there.
And if he had done nothing, they would have been able to escape to Dragonstone according to the original timeline.
But If he had done nothing, would nothing really change?
Viserys watched the longships burning on the sea completely sink into the water. Countless soldiers from both sides screamed and fell into the sea, struggling in vain. He was slightly dazed.
He was well aware that everything was governed by probability.
Perhaps even if he did nothing, or had never even arrived, the trajectory of events would shift differently if everything were to happen again.
Moreover, if he truly did nothing, he would either be crowned with molten gold in the future, or meet some other kind of death.
He didn't believe the Baratheons would spare him and his unborn sister.
However, thinking of this, he was reminded that his sister's birth would inevitably claim his mother's life, and his inner turmoil intensified.
After more than six months of being here, he had truly integrated into this world. Queen Rhaella was genuinely kind to him, and he didn't want to lose his mother.
Yet, Viserys couldn't ask his mother to abort his sister, or tell her directly, "The child in your womb is destined to take your life."
He could only try his best to make his mother happy, to alleviate her depression, but Viserys's efforts seemed to have little effect.
Queen Rhaella forced a smile for her son, but the melancholy in her eyes was plain for all to see.
A sickness of the heart is hard to cure.
The deaths of her husband, Aerys, and her eldest son, Rhaegar, had become a wound that would not heal within Rhaella's heart.
Viserys, with his silver-gold hair slightly tousled by the sea wind, was alone, leaning against the windowsill and clutching a sword.
Then, he let out a slow sigh.
And on the other side of Dragonstone castle.
"Hmm?"
That subtle sound echoed clearly in the quiet corridor, drawing the attention of all the mercenaries present.
"Is someone there?"
The Company of Courage's leader narrowed his eyes, a look of ruthlessness and cruelty flashing within them. He slowly drew a dagger from his boot and gripped it tightly.
Then, he glanced at the burly man with the axe who had come up first. The man looked a bit flustered; he had just confirmed, and then denied, that someone was here, and now he'd been proven wrong.
However, the mercenary leader didn't dwell on it. He leaned against the black stone wall, his shadow swaying slightly. Holding the dagger, he cautiously crept towards the dark corner.
If someone was really hiding there, they were in for a world of hurt. Although their primary mission was to kill the Targaryen remnants, he wouldn't mind sending someone else to their grave if they were foolish enough to get in the way.
A smirk played on the leader's lips, and the dagger in his hand gleamed menacingly.
His figure got closer and closer to the dark corner. He thought he could even hear the other person's panicked breathing.
And then...
"Meow~"
He had already reached the dark corner when he suddenly heard a faint meow coming from the other side.
"A cat?"
The cruel smile on the leader's face froze. He paused, the dagger in his hand still. The other six mercenaries not far behind also froze, then breathed a sigh of relief, especially the burly man with the battle axe on his back.
It seemed like a misunderstanding. There wasn't a person hiding in the corner, just a stray kitten that had wandered in and made the noise.
The misunderstanding was now cleared up.
However, the mercenary leader gripped his dagger tightly, deciding to confirm the situation just to be safe.
He then pressed his body against the wall and slowly peeked around the corner, revealing an eye filled with bloodshot veins on the other side of the corridor.
The corridor wasn't brightly lit; it was dim, with torches spaced far apart.
In the faint light, a small, completely black cat sat beneath a bonsai tree. Its green eyes saw the man's head peek out, and the bloodshot, ferocious eyes within.
Then, it tilted its head slightly.
"Meow~"
It let out a questioning meow.
"It really is just a damn cat."
The mercenary group's leader walked out, cursing.
At the same time, he breathed a small sigh of relief. Their surprise attack was dangerous, and he didn't want any complications.
However, what his gaze didn't see was a small figure curled up tightly beside the little black cat, trembling slightly with nervousness.
Princess Rhaenys was naturally beautiful, but her forehead was slightly prominent. She had just tried to sneak away when she accidentally bumped her forehead against the wall, and then fell on her bottom.
At that moment, Rhaenys felt like she was really going to die, but fortunately, Balerion appeared in time.
The little girl was hiding behind the potted plant, trembling and praying that the other party wouldn't find her.
And Rhaenys's prayer seemed to have been truly sensed by the Seven Gods in the heavens. After the leader of the Company of Courage confirmed once again that it was indeed a cat making the noise, he didn't really bother to argue with a cat.
Instead, he turned back to his other companions.
The misunderstanding was completely resolved.
....
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