When he returned to Dragonstone riding Ghidorah, although his body was still exhausted, his spirit felt a sense of relief.
Ser Jon, Ser Willem, and the others had managed the various affairs of Valyria in an orderly fashion during his absence from the castle. As for Arthur, there was no need for him to worry; the empire's "peaceful development" was steadily advancing, with military strength, finances, and resources all growing consistently.
He went to see Daenerys again.
The little girl indeed cherished those three fossilized dragon eggs immensely, carrying them with her even when sleeping or eating. Although the dragon eggs themselves still showed no signs of life, Daenerys's behavior gave Viserys expectations. Perhaps, by the side of Dany, the "Mother of Dragons," an unexpected miracle would occur even without the sacrifice from the original story.
Seeing Viserys return, Rhaenys immediately ran over. Seeing Viserys's somewhat haggard face, her purple eyes were full of concern. Taking Viserys's hand, she said, "Brother, you look thinner. Is it because things with the dragon eggs aren't going well?"
Viserys rubbed her black hair and smiled, "No, the matter of the dragon eggs is going quite smoothly, it just needs a little more time. I promised you the first choice, and that won't change. When the day they truly hatch comes, I will call for you."
Rhaenys gave him a light hug, a smile blooming on her face again. She began to enthusiastically tell Viserys about her riding and swordsmanship practice during this time to become a Dragonrider.
Viserys went to accompany Ashara again; the tenderness of their long-awaited reunion temporarily dispelled the burdens in his heart.
After resting for a few days, Viserys felt his body and spirit had recovered to their peak state.
He did not return to the volcano immediately but began to consult the ancient books collected in Dragonstone from various places, especially scrolls regarding the hatching of dragons and ancient Valyrian magic. He needed more systematic knowledge; perhaps he could find that key "opportunity."
However, during this period, an unexpected surprise arrived.
It turned out that Viserys, through shared vision with Black Flame, discovered a little fellow that had already hatched.
A surge of immense joy rippled through Viserys's heart. He suppressed the urge to rush there immediately and instead went to find Rhaenys, who was practicing riding on the training ground.
The young girl wore a capable riding outfit, her long black hair tied up high. The sunlight fell on her serious profile, making her look quite heroic.
"Rhaenys, stop your practice and come with me."
Rhaenys rode that little white horse to Viserys's side, "Brother, is something wrong?"
"I'm taking you somewhere." Viserys didn't say much but reached out to help her down. "The time has come to fulfill my promise to you."
Rhaenys was stunned for a moment, then her purple eyes instantly widened. "The dragon eggs? Have they hatched?"
"That's right, there's a little fellow who can't wait to see the world." Viserys nodded affirmatively, a smile appearing on his face. "I said you have the first choice. Now, let's go see if it's willing to choose you."
Immense joy instantly overwhelmed Rhaenys. She hugged Viserys tightly, her voice trembling slightly, "Can I really? Brother, I don't think I'm ready yet."
"No one is born a Dragonrider, Rhaenys." Viserys gently interrupted her unease. "Let's go, let's meet the new member of our family."
He took Rhaenys directly to the platform where Ghidorah was. Ghidorah seemed to have sensed his summons long ago and was already prepared.
Viserys supported Rhaenys's waist, helping the nervous yet excited girl climb onto Ghidorah's back, then followed closely behind, sitting behind her and holding her tight.
Ghidorah let out a low roar, his wings suddenly unfurling. With a powerful beat, he took off like a bolt of golden lightning, flying toward the volcano.
The sound of the wind whistled in their ears.
Rhaenys kept her eyes tightly shut at first, shrinking into Viserys's embrace. But soon, curiosity about flying on a dragon overcame her fear. She opened her eyes and looked at the scenery below that had become tiny, her heart filled with unprecedented excitement.
Ghidorah was extremely fast and soon landed at the volcanic crater. Viserys helped Rhaenys slide off the dragon's back, and the two entered the warm cave one after the other.
The scene inside the cave was no different from before, still scorching hot, with the air permeated by the scent of sulfur and magic.
Black Flame was coiled in the depths of the cave, his massive black head resting on the ground. His dark red vertical pupils stared unblinkingly at a certain spot ahead, his throat emitting a gentle, soothing low growl.
And where Black Flame was looking, in the middle of a broken eggshell, stood a little fellow.
It was only about the size of a kitten, covered in deep red scales like rubies that shimmered with a warm luster under the dim light.
Its head was slightly large in proportion, having the typical outline of a hatchling. Its pair of thin wings were currently still a bit wet and drooping at its sides, and its tail flicked restlessly.
Most striking were its eyes, like molten gold, clear and bright, full of a newborn's curiosity and a hint of wariness toward the world.
It was tilting its head, eating the eggshell, and curiously observing the intruding Viserys and Rhaenys, its throat making a questioning "purring" sound.
Viserys could clearly feel a faint sense of closeness and dependence coming from the little fellow, directed toward himself. That was the connection brought about by the previous bloodline awakening.
He walked forward a few steps, knelt down, and reached out his hand, saying in a gentle tone, "Come here, little one."
The hatchling's golden eyes stared at Viserys for a few seconds, its nostrils twitching slightly as if identifying his scent.
Then, it let out a cheerful hiss and, with somewhat stumbling steps, ran toward Viserys. It affectionately rubbed its head, which had small bumps, against Viserys's palm, its throat emitting a satisfied purr.
Viserys gently stroked its warm scales, feeling the vigorous vitality within it. He looked up at Rhaenys, who was standing not far away, staring unblinkingly at the hatchling, her face full of longing yet not daring to step forward rashly.
"Rhaenys, come here, try talking to it."
Rhaenys took a deep breath, as if gathering great courage, and slowly stepped forward. She imitated Viserys, extending her palm to stroke the hatchling.
"Hello," her voice was a bit excited, "You're so beautiful, like a burning gemstone."
The hatchling stopped rubbing against Viserys and curiously observed this strange girl with its golden eyes. It tilted its head, its nostrils twitching again.
Viserys could feel the emotions the hatchling was transmitting—curiosity, hesitation, and an attraction to a certain quality in Rhaenys, perhaps the resonance of their shared Targaryen bloodline.
"Don't be afraid." Viserys comforted Rhaenys while gently stroking the hatchling. "A dragon only chooses a person with courage as its partner. Even as a hatchling, Rhaenys, it can feel your emotions."
Rhaenys held her breath, her purple eyes staring intently at the hatchling.
"Come here, come to me." She held the piece of eggshell the hatchling hadn't finished eating.
The hatchling gave a soft whimper, looking at Viserys and then at Rhaenys, seemingly weighing its options. Ultimately, its curiosity about Rhaenys and the attraction of the eggshell won out. It began to slowly approach Rhaenys's outstretched hand.
Finally, the hatchling's slightly warm nose gently touched Rhaenys's fingertip.
At that moment, Rhaenys trembled all over, as if a faint electric current had passed through her. The hatchling also seemed touched by this contact; it hesitated for a moment, then stuck out its tongue and licked Rhaenys's palm.
A wet, warm sensation came through, bringing with it a strange feeling.
Rhaenys's eyes lit up. She no longer hesitated and gently stroked the scales on the hatchling's neck. The hatchling let out a comfortable purr and proactively leaned its head against her hand, its eyes half-closing as it relaxed its guard.
An indescribable connection began to form between the girl and the hatchling.
"It accepted me, brother. It really accepted me." Rhaenys looked up, her face brimming with an indescribably brilliant smile.
"It chose you, Rhaenys." Viserys was sincerely happy for her. "From today on, you will be each other's most trusted partners. Take good care of it and grow together."
Rhaenys nodded vigorously, hugging the hatchling in her arms tightly, as if embracing the most precious treasure in the world.
After a while, her excitement calmed down. Rhaenys looked at the hatchling, which was already getting sleepy in her arms, and suddenly looked up at Viserys. "Brother, you should give it a name. You hatched it and gave me this opportunity. Its name should be bestowed by you."
Viserys was slightly taken aback. Looking at the girl and the red dragon snuggled together, the image of a certain Uncrowned Queen in Targaryen history flashed through his mind. Because of the dragon family, Viserys was quite familiar with this history.
"Meraxes," he spoke slowly. "Its name is Meraxes."
Rhaenys softly repeated the name, "Meraxes, the Uncrowned Queen, the dragon of Rhaenys Targaryen." She looked at Viserys, her eyes full of gratification. "This is a name that carries courage and glory. Thank you, brother. Meraxes, did you hear that? This is your name."
The hatchling, Meraxes, seemed to understand. It opened its golden eyes and let out a youthful hiss toward Rhaenys and Viserys, as if responding to the name.
Watching them deepen their bond together, Viserys's gaze fell on the other dragon eggs. Three of them already had cracks on them, as if they would be born at any moment.
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