"Rhaegar, my child, no one has clouded my judgment."
Viserys smiled faintly as he looked at his eager eldest son, taking one of his hands gently.
Rhaegar asked in confusion, "Then why do you wish to change the line of succession? Rhaenyra hasn't done anything wrong. I was the one who secretly tamed a dragon. I was the one who instigated a dragon duel, fell into a trap, and ended up stranded on the peninsula."
He couldn't understand it.
It was clearly his mistake. Rhaenyra had only sought to bring him back, even if it meant defying their father's orders. She didn't deserve such a heavy punishment.
"You're wrong, Rhaegar."
Viserys shook his head, his tone earnest. "I'm not considering changing the succession because I blame Rhaenyra; it's because I have deeper plans."
"You are my eldest son. By birthright, the position of heir has always belonged to you. That's indisputable."
"When you were a baby, you fell into a coma and were unfit to bear the weight of responsibility. That's why I chose Rhaenyra as my heir, entrusting her with the duties that should have been yours."
Rhaegar met his father's gaze and urged, "Rhaenyra has carried that responsibility. She has served the family well. You shouldn't take that away from her."
"But she is a girl!"
Viserys's tone grew sharp, his expression serious. "Those who oppose her far outnumber those who support her."
"I will support her! I have a full-grown dragon. Anyone who dares oppose her will taste dragonfire!"
Rhaegar's expression shifted, his voice filled with unwavering resolve.
"A full-grown dragon? Such bravado, as if it could conquer an entire army," Viserys scoffed, looking down at his son, whose head barely reached the height of the table.
"It's no laughing matter. Glutton defeated Vermithor and Silverwing. It's the strongest dragon apart from Vhagar!"
Rhaegar, having endured numerous trials, was brimming with confidence in himself and his dragon, Glutton.
"A full-grown dragon is indeed powerful," Viserys said calmly. "But remember, Aegon the Conqueror commanded three dragons when he attempted to conquer Dorne. Yet, he lost a queen and a dragon, and still failed."
"That was just bad luck for Queen Rhaenys. A scorpion bolt accidentally struck Meraxes in the eye," Rhaegar retorted, well-versed in history and the reasons behind that failure.
"And yet, she died. Her dragon died. And the conquest of Dorne ended in failure," Viserys countered, gripping Rhaegar's hand firmly. His tone was resolute. "Rhaegar, you must understand: overreliance on dragons only breeds fear. True power lies in winning hearts."
"And have you succeeded in winning hearts?" Rhaegar shot back, unimpressed.
Rebellions plagued the kingdom year after year.
The ironborn raided the coasts, the pirates of the Stepstones had only just been subdued, and Dorne's borders remained restless.
These were the results of his father's so-called control over hearts.
"Maegor rode Balerion, the most powerful dragon in history, yet his cruelty sparked countless rebellions and led to his death on the Iron Throne," Viserys said bluntly. "Do you think your black dragon is stronger than Balerion? Or that you, at your age, are mightier than the war-hardened Maegor?"
Rhaegar fell silent.
He knew he was no match for Maegor or the partnership between Maegor and Balerion.
He was still young, and Glutton had not yet reached its prime at a hundred years old.
Viserys placed a hand on his son's head, his voice soft. "Perhaps you can protect your sister. But in what capacity?"
"I'm the prince of the realm. I can serve on the Small Council or become a prince-consort," Rhaegar said, having already thought about his future.
"A noble character, but a naïve notion," Viserys remarked, a trace of sadness flickering in his eyes. He continued quietly, "Once, Daemon and I were like you and Rhaenyra—close, inseparable, always watching each other's backs."
"We were the best of brothers!"
"Before the Great Council of 101 AC, I competed with my cousin, Rhaenys, for the Iron Throne's succession."
"At that time, Daemon wielded Dark Sister and declared he would wage war against anyone who stood in my way of ascending the throne."
"You didn't see him then—how spirited, how brave he was."
"It was thanks to Daemon's unwavering support that your great-grandfather Jaehaerys realized the urgency of the succession crisis and convened the Great Council of 101."
"At that council, I defeated Rhaenys in a landslide vote of 20 to 1, becoming the new heir."
Tears welled in Viserys's eyes as he spoke, his tone sincere. "Rhaegar, look at the wreckage of my relationship with Daemon now. Can you and Rhaenyra truly maintain your bond of kinship for a lifetime?"
Rhaegar couldn't bear his father's gaze and lowered his head. "There has to be a way…"
"Of course, I proposed a solution for Rhaenyra," Viserys said, his tone shifting. He leaned in and whispered, "I suggested that you both follow our family's tradition."
"Really?"
Rhaegar's head shot up, his eyes wide with disbelief as he stared at his father.
Viserys nodded. "Yes."
"Did she agree?"
Rhaegar tried to lower his voice, his attention fixed intently on his father.
"No!"
Viserys shook his head and laughed softly. "She hasn't given me an answer yet. Otherwise, I wouldn't be having this conversation with you today."
Rhaegar withdrew the hand his father was holding and took a step back silently.
His heart was in turmoil, and he unconsciously swallowed hard.
He couldn't quite grasp his feelings at the moment.
There was a mix of relief and disappointment…
But no matter what, a shadow hung over his heart.
He couldn't help but recall the words spoken to him by the falcon and sapphire on the peninsula.
Rhaenyra would have her own husband and children.
His position in the line of succession was higher than Rhaenyra's. He would become an obstacle to her…
"Am I going to become another Daemon?"
For a long while, Rhaegar steadied himself and murmured to himself.
Viserys shook his head and said firmly, "No! You are Rhaegar, my firstborn, the prince in the prophecy. You will not lose your honor and self-respect like Daemon."
As he spoke, he placed his hands firmly on Rhaegar's shoulders and said with utmost seriousness, "You will become the heir to the Iron Throne, standing at the top of the pyramid, overlooking the masses."
"Father, I'm not ready!"
Rhaegar seemed dazed as he pushed his father's hands away. Stepping back, he muttered, "These are just your words. Daemon's downfall was of his own making. I won't…"
"Won't what? Won't have anyone supporting your ascent to the Iron Throne? Or won't have anyone opposing Rhaenyra?"
Viserys did not get angry. Instead, he smiled faintly and said, "You've already accepted the allegiance of the nobles from the peninsula. That's a privilege no prince should have had."
"Father, at this moment, you remind me exactly of the nobles on the peninsula when they asked me to accept their allegiance."
"You both make me hesitate and question my own principles."
Rhaegar took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down, and said earnestly, "I cannot harm Rhaenyra. She would hate me, and I would hate myself."
With that, he turned and walked out, unwilling to stay a moment longer.
Viserys did not stop him, his tone still calm. "It's inevitable. You'll have to face the choice someday."
"Then let that day come when Rhaenyra no longer tolerates my presence in King's Landing."
Without turning back, Rhaegar pushed open the door and left, his mind intent on cooling down.
Daemon truly was a dual-sided character. He revered his brother Viserys but was deeply obsessed with power.
This book doesn't delve deeply enough into Daemon's story, nor does it offer a comprehensive portrayal.
To be called George R.R. Martin's "favorite son," the rogue prince must have had something extraordinary about him.
(End of Chapter)