Rhaegar, who was in the carriage with his entire family, looked at everyone present and felt like he was forgetting something. After glancing over his family and seeing that everyone was accounted for, he decided it wasn't anything important and ordered the entire procession to continue marching toward King's Landing as quickly as possible.
It wasn't just House Targaryen that left in a hurry; House Stark and House Tyrell followed the King toward King's Landing as well. The rebellion of House Greyjoy was an extremely serious matter, potentially even the spark for a civil war. How could Eddard and Olenna stay away at a time like this? So, both followed the King to King's Landing.
It is worth noting that Theon Greyjoy, Balon Greyjoy's only male descendant, was taken into custody the same day news of the Greyjoy rebellion spread. With Eddard Stark's help, the young man's life was saved, but the fate of being imprisoned could not be avoided.
The Tourney at Harrenhal, which should have been a joyful and perfect event, was a complete disaster. There was an assassination attempt, the House Greyjoy rebellion, and the attack on Duskendale.
In Harrentown, Viserys woke up with a sleepy and confused expression. He looked around and saw two naked women—prostitutes he had paid for the night before. Scratching his head, he climbed out of bed and looked out the window. Seeing that the bustling city was gone, his expression grew even more bewildered.
"Never mind, let's go back to sleep," he muttered as he returned to bed, embracing the two warm, soft bodies once more. The poor prince, unaware that he had been forgotten, slept comfortably while holding two prostitutes.
Back in the carriage, Daenerys looked at her mother and spoke in a surprised tone. "Mother, you look better; even your skin is glowing."
The princess wasn't lying; the Queen's skin was bright and lustrous, as smooth as a baby's skin. This piqued the princess's curiosity, and she wondered if her mother had found something to improve her complexion. For any woman, this was a fatal attraction, even for young girls like Daenerys.
Rhaenys, Margaery, Lyanna, and Elia also looked at the Dowager Queen with curious gazes; their eyes sparkled more than a man's seeing a beautiful woman. The temptation of youth was more alluring to them than anything else.
"I underwent a magical procedure, and this was the result," Rhaella replied, her tone also carrying a hint of surprise. She felt as though she had rejuvenated by at least five years; her skin had never been so smooth and soft in her life, which truly amazed her.
Now she believed the stories that Shiera Seastar bathed in blood to stay young; no woman could remain indifferent to something so beneficial. Furthermore, it was only a ritual to purify her body; if it had been an actual rejuvenation ritual, she couldn't imagine what would have happened.
Rhaegar was also surprised by his mother's words and touched his own face, feeling that his skin also seemed softer and younger. He couldn't help but recall Cadmus's words, saying that Valyrians were semi-immortal while using blood magic.
The King somewhat understood why Old Valyria needed so many slaves; if this was possible with animal blood, he couldn't imagine the miracles that could happen with human blood. Suddenly, noticing his own thoughts, he couldn't help but shudder.
'That kind of thinking is dangerous,' Rhaegar thought cautiously.
The eyes of the five women sparkled. Even Aegon, who was listening intently, touched his own skin and couldn't help but think that magic wasn't so bad... At the same time, a thought occurred to him.
'Could he change someone's gender?' This thought appeared in Aegon's mind and could no longer be extinguished.
"You're going to love it." Looking at the sparkling eyes of the five women and Aegon's strangely excited gaze, Rhaella said with a gentle smile—but that smile hid a touch of malice. The pain she had suffered, just as Rhaegar had, was quite agonizing; she wanted to see how they would react during the pain.
Rhaegar also looked at them with a gentle smile; he wouldn't suffer alone, and the whole family would suffer together like a beautiful, united family.
Unaware of Rhaella and Rhaegar's malicious thoughts, all the women seemed happy to receive the call for the magical procedure. Only Daenerys felt something was off with her mother's and brother's looks, but she brushed it off, thinking it was just her imagination.
The procession moved forward quickly; unfortunately, even with the Kingsroad, the entire journey took about seven days.
When Rhaegar returned to King's Landing, he noticed the city seemed quieter than usual. Sensing something was wrong, he quickly reached the Red Keep on Aegon's Hill and saw his Master of Whisperers, Jon Connington, waiting for him at the entrance.
Jon was a man with red hair and a red beard—tall, strong, and handsome. He looked more like a knight than a member of the Small Council, who were generally not physically imposing.
"My King," Jon greeted the King with a smile on his lips, choosing to ignore both queens by the King's side as if they didn't exist.
Lyanna and Elia narrowed their eyes and exchanged a secret glance; they saw the anger in each other's eyes. However, they said nothing, knowing Rhaegar would be busy with the House Greyjoy rebellion.
"Let's talk in the throne room." Rhaegar didn't even bathe; he went straight to the throne room. The entire Kingsguard followed the King, protecting him in a five-pointed star formation. The other two Kingsguard stayed behind with their hands on their sword hilts.
Above the steps, the Iron Throne rose like a monster of blackened, uncomfortable steel. Aegon I Targaryen had made the throne from the swords of defeated enemies and forged it so that whoever sat on it would feel uncomfortable.
As if he wanted to remind his successors that being king was not easy.
However, if Rhaegar were to stand before Aegon, he would have asked if there was something wrong with his head, for he and all the Targaryen kings after Aegon were not masochists like the first Targaryen king.
Rhaegar sat uncomfortably on the throne and listened to Jon's report with an impassive expression. The entire court gathered in the throne room upon the King's arrival, including the members of the Small Council.
"Your Grace, I took the liberty of summoning all the banners to King's Landing to speed things up," Jon spoke in a calm tone. Even though he wasn't the Hand of the King, he held more authority than Raymun, as he had followed Rhaegar since they were both teenagers.
Rhaegar nodded and showed a satisfied expression. Although it would have been a somewhat treacherous act if it were anyone else, he trusted Jon, the man who had always followed him.
"So far, the traitor has not yet left Pyke," Jon said in a solemn tone, and whispers echoed throughout the court. The Greyjoy rebellion had come abruptly, catching everyone by surprise; however, Greyjoy's movements were unusual.
"In the past, Balon would have already used his fleet to attack the coast of the North and the Reach, perhaps even the Westerlands. It seems he learned from his defeat last time," Raymun Darry, the Hand of the King, spoke in a calm tone.
"Which is terrible news for us; it only means he is more cautious and prepared than last time," Monford Velaryon, the Master of Ships, spoke in a cold tone. Having lost two sons in Robert's Rebellion, the man seemed colder than ever.
"The Royal Fleet must be prepared for any surprise attack; the waters must be guarded more strictly at this time." Rhaegar looked at his loyal Master of Ships and ordered him in a solemn tone. He didn't want to wake up and find that his city had been attacked by the pirates of the Iron Islands.
"It is already being done, Your Grace." As an experienced warrior and general, Monford had already ordered the Royal Fleet to protect the surrounding waters and search for any trace of Iron Island pirates. "Fortunately or unfortunately, nothing has been found."
Rhaegar's entire Small Council was composed of experienced men who had fought in two rebellions and knew exactly how to conduct themselves during a revolt. One could say that everyone on the Small Council was an experienced general who had fought in two rebellions in less than two decades.
Recalling something, Jon stepped forward and spoke in a solemn tone; he still perfectly remembered the massive bird that flew over the capital of the Seven Kingdoms. "My King, I must report that a massive bird flew over King's Landing seven days ago and magically disappeared the next moment."
Rhaegar was not surprised by Cadmus's arrival riding the bird named Mitra, but he was surprised by how quickly Cadmus had resolved the situation in Duskendale.
"Any news from Duskendale?" Rhaegar did not comment on the bird, to Jon's surprise, but Jon still replied in a calm tone.
"I sent ten thousand soldiers as Your Grace ordered in the raven sent from Harrenhal."
Jon continued. "From the messages I received from Duskendale, the city is already under control, and Lord Oberyn is assisting with the temporary administration of the city."
"It is impossible to count the total number of dead, but there are about fifteen thousand men, women, children, and elderly still alive in the city." When Jon finished speaking, silence hung in the air.
Fifteen thousand might seem like a lot, but Duskendale was an important city before the arrival of House Targaryen, and even if it wasn't at its peak, the city still boasted a considerable population. Knowing that so few people remained left everyone shocked.
Rhaegar's face grew dark. Although he knew the number would be high, he didn't expect it to be so large. One could say that Duskendale was finished; such a small population could not sustain such a large city.
"However, Septon Dendel said that an evil mage burned the entire city with blue flames. He says the mage had no mercy for the people and burned them alive; he called the mage the Blue Flame Demon," Jon spoke in a strange and confused tone.
It was no wonder he was confused; such a thing was complete nonsense. Who would believe that one person could cause so much destruction? Jon felt the Septon was mad.
Rhaegar couldn't help but take a deep breath hearing Jon's words. He didn't care about the Septon's words, but he was completely shocked that Cadmus had actually managed to burn an entire city.
The idea of marrying Cadmus to Daenerys grew stronger than ever; he would never allow such a dangerous person not to be completely allied with House Targaryen...
"Harrenhal is not enough; the entire Riverlands should be enough as Daenerys's dowry," Rhaegar whispered to himself in a calm tone. At that moment, even if Daenerys were against getting married, he would tie his sister up and throw her onto Cadmus's bed without any hesitation.
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Read my other books:
Game Of Thrones: The God-Emperor of Planetos (500,000 words written).
Percy Jackson: Godwyn the Golden.
Game Of Thrones: The King's Court Wizard