"Lanael, don't be so agitated."
Rhaenyra understood her emotions and explained, "The children will return to King's Landing. As their mother, you may naturally accompany them to care for and be with them."
This was the first step in the strategy she and Rhaegar had decided upon—to divide and conquer.
One of the greatest dragonriders and a pair of newborn Targaryen heirs.
Bringing them back to King's Landing would be nothing but beneficial to the royal family.
Lanael furrowed her brows, her expression shifting.
She understood Rhaenyra's intent but had no grounds to refute it.
Her children were indeed of Targaryen blood—born to belong to the royal family.
"Wait, before you decide the fate of the two infants, shouldn't you ask for my opinion first?"
Daemon stroked his chin, frowning as he spoke.
Rhaenyra glanced at him, her expression indifferent.
She had no interest in conversing with this uncle of hers—his words carried no weight.
"Ser Daemon, you are a wanted criminal of the kingdom. Allowing you to sit at this table is already a courtesy extended for Princess Rhaenys's sake."
Lyonel's face was filled with disdain as he cut him down without hesitation.
"How laughable—you brazenly scheme over my daughters, yet you won't even permit me, their father, to have a say?"
Daemon sneered and lowered his head, pressing a kiss to his daughters' cheeks.
"Daemon, state your reason for appearing here. I don't have time to waste on you."
Rhaegar's patience was limited, and he directly demanded an answer.
Daemon's sudden arrival was too abrupt—he had to have a purpose.
At Rhaegar's words, everyone turned their gaze to Daemon, curiosity flickering in their eyes.
No one would believe he was simply "coming home to visit."
The moment he betrayed his family, he forfeited his right to return.
Upon hearing this, Daemon shed his arrogant demeanor and lowered his proud head.
He gazed at his daughters' small faces, hesitation flickering in his heart.
For years, he had wandered through the Free Cities, always adrift.
He and Lanael, with their undefeated dragons, were powerful enough to gain favor from all major city-states.
Princes, nobles, and wealthy merchants paid exorbitant sums to build them estates and farmlands, inviting them to settle.
But Daemon understood—it was merely a transaction.
His pride would not allow him to bow to foreign lands, trading the power of dragons for a life of luxury.
He was of true dragon blood—a pure Targaryen.
The foreigners of the Free Cities were unworthy of his service.
A few centuries ago, the entirety of the Free Cities had belonged to Old Valyria.
Those gluttonous fools should have been the slaves of the dragonlords.
Lanael was not the only one who longed for their homeland.
Countless times, in the dead of night, Daemon found himself reminiscing about the past.
He missed his family, too.
That yearning only intensified after Lanael gave birth to their daughters.
He had begun to understand his brother Viserys's anger toward him.
Slowly, he started making plans for his wife and daughters.
This was why Lanael had written to Rhaenyra, pleading for clemency.
"Rhaegar, you're as sharp as ever."
For the first time, Daemon addressed his nephew by name, lifting his head. "War is coming. The kingdom needs my strength."
Rhaegar eyed him with disdain. "Uncle, the kingdom has its lords and knights. We don't need you."
"The pirates of the Three Daughters are no trivial threat. The battlefield requires a royal commander who is both wise and valiant."
Daemon's expression remained composed as he declared with confidence, "Among the Targaryens alive today, the only adult male who possesses both battlefield command and a dragon—is me."
"Don't you think you're being a little too self-important?"
Rhaegar frowned at the audacity of Daemon's words.
To his surprise, Daemon was actually seeking to return to the family.
"I don't. I'm simply stating the truth, and that is undeniable."
Daemon crossed his legs, speaking calmly.
He was fully aware of his position.
And he also knew the state of Westeros—and of his brother, King Viserys.
His brother could not go to war.
Both of his nephews sat before him—mere boys.
This upcoming war was his opportunity to atone for his sins and reconcile with his brother, Viserys.
After much deliberation, he had finally made his decision and sought out his nephew and niece on Driftmark.
Rhaegar studied Daemon carefully, trying to peer into his heart.
"Rhaegar…"
Rhaenyra called out softly and leaned down to his ear, whispering, "What do you plan to do?"
She agreed with Daemon's statement.
The last War of the Stepstones had lasted for years, and even with Daemon and the Sea Snake joining forces, the losses had been severe.
She didn't want her younger brother to go to war.
If Laenor and their two children could be used as hostages, Daemon would be a good substitute.
"No! I won't agree to this!"
Rhaegar ignored the deeper meaning in his sister's words and looked Daemon directly in the eyes, speaking solemnly: "The kingdom does not need a fickle and unreliable man, and House Targaryen has more than just you to send to the battlefield."
He stood up, a strand of silver hair falling over his eyes, and declared firmly, "When war comes, I will ride my dragon into battle and make our enemies pay the price in blood and fire."
Then, he warned, "As for you, you'd better leave while the feast is still going."
"Well said. House Targaryen does not lack men of courage."
Rhaenys, who had been watching coldly, clapped her hands and cast an unkind glance at Daemon. "Daemon, fix your attitude. No one is indispensable."
She was reminding Daemon.
If he was in the wrong, he should admit it and sincerely seek Viserys's forgiveness.
Not try to negotiate with a bunch of younger family members.
That would only lower his status.
Daemon had been prepared for rejection and remained silent.
He did need to make amends with his brother Viserys.
Even though there was a good chance he'd lose his head, it was still better than wasting his breath here.
The atmosphere grew even colder.
Laenor nudged his husband, signaling him to leave quickly.
At the same time, he turned to Rhaenyra and said, "Rhaenyra, I won't leave my children, but I will carefully consider your proposal."
Rhaenyra offered again, "If you're worried, I can personally adopt the children."
"But you're not married yet," Laenor said in confusion.
"It doesn't matter. I have Dragonstone as my domain, which qualifies me to adopt a daughter."
Rhaenyra smiled slightly and added, "At that time, as their adoptive mother, I will place dragon eggs in their cradles."
"Dragon eggs…"
At the mention of dragon eggs, Laenor hesitated.
Beyond restoring their royal status, the dragon eggs were of great importance to the two children.
Several dragons lived on Driftmark.
Vhagar, known as the Mother of Dragons, had laid many eggs in her time.
Dreamfyre, Vermithor, and Silverwing were all her direct descendants.
However, by the time Laenor had tamed Vhagar, she was already very old and no longer laid eggs.
Seasmoke and Caraxes had never been known to lay eggs.
Meleys, known as the Red Queen, had scales of that name, which were linked to her ability to lay eggs.
But the royal family strictly controlled dragon eggs, and all of Meleys' eggs had been taken by the crown.
If Laenor wanted to place dragon eggs in his daughters' cradles, he had no choice but to seek the royal family's forgiveness and acquire them through official means.
---
Some readers have said they don't like this! They think the protagonist is too weak!
Why not just kill Daemon and get rid of the Sea Snake?
Honestly, as the author, I'm a bit frustrated too. Daemon is a great catalyst for the story—he plays an important role in future events like the Stepstones, the Free Cities, and Volantis.
Maybe the writing style made it seem too pretentious.
My bad!
As for the Sea Snake, well, he's the son-in-law of House Targaryen and hasn't openly rebelled.
Plus, with the Triarchy invading, the Sea Snake is a strong pro-war ally.
And don't say dragons are invincible. Daemon, Rhaenys, and Laenor had three dragons in the first Stepstones campaign, yet they still suffered heavy losses.
(End of Chapter)